tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63546490728807748892024-02-06T17:58:08.578-08:00Skarpathian's SoapboxThe thoughts and observations of Scott M. Passey: husband, father, and ardent seeker of wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment in a world gone mad.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-26750709982280688372011-03-28T22:35:00.000-07:002011-03-28T22:55:45.584-07:00Southern California, circa 1974<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNmtpgdQix7Q0wpKjG9ZFXcXKdfwC7l1UbO18Q4usue-27q6wEJS_edDYOIr6R2TcZedp2F8OEIjc2G01Tn-G30X44vOmAlZXj7E9sh8KRuc-3bMqYiA844zoPgis0tOaCIh7HFR2vOw/s1600/05-73++Kids+picture-2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNmtpgdQix7Q0wpKjG9ZFXcXKdfwC7l1UbO18Q4usue-27q6wEJS_edDYOIr6R2TcZedp2F8OEIjc2G01Tn-G30X44vOmAlZXj7E9sh8KRuc-3bMqYiA844zoPgis0tOaCIh7HFR2vOw/s320/05-73++Kids+picture-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589374769642587090" /></a><br />Look at me in my fancy duds. Nothing says haute couture like a red corduroy sport jacket. I hear you can find them in all the finest department stores these days. Too bad I didn't have the matching plaid pants; otherwise, I'd be unstoppable. Now look behind us. See that unusual looking plant? My teenage brother planted that. Kinda strange for a teenager to be interested in horticulture, wouldn't you say? Especially in Southern California. That's what my parents thought, anyway.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-56593077658917851482011-03-12T08:50:00.000-08:002011-03-12T13:20:07.712-08:00The Perfect T-Bone<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKgMPcdDLZcjvBnRoRzEMw3HXGgeKwe3u-5l3zt7C94TP28Yd5w2GnH6q4OvBNMFI7QNz5OtjOszDG_tfhktntLOeUA1xTMXqxg3EAqqgBu5aVcrXskKwhYY2ZyE7jtCJ5peHybpMStI/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKgMPcdDLZcjvBnRoRzEMw3HXGgeKwe3u-5l3zt7C94TP28Yd5w2GnH6q4OvBNMFI7QNz5OtjOszDG_tfhktntLOeUA1xTMXqxg3EAqqgBu5aVcrXskKwhYY2ZyE7jtCJ5peHybpMStI/s320/untitled.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583306169449813298" /></a><br />Drivers of automobiles need to stop trying to be so polite and stick to the rules of the road. You've all witnessed the scenario where a driver in the left lane of a double-lane, two-way road yields to an oncoming vehicle turning left in front of them. The "courteous" driver feels good about yielding the right-of-way, but completely disregards the fact that there is a right lane of traffic. Oftentimes the "courteous" driver's car obstructs the view of other drivers and causes an accident. Next time a "courteous" driver yields the right-of-way in this kind of situation, don't take the bait. Just because they yield doesn't mean they can control what other drivers are going to do.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-91317657034077587802009-11-15T21:25:00.000-08:002009-11-15T21:40:39.836-08:00Terrorism WorksThe news coverage of the shootings at Ft. Hood has crystallized a very unfortunate fact in my mind: terrorism works. When an Islamic extremist can gun down his fellow soldiers while shouting “Allahu Akbar” at a major military base, and the mainstream media is reluctant to call it terrorism, we've got a serious problem in the United States. The irony is that the people who don’t want to “jump to conclusions” are the biggest victims of terrorism themselves. They are so terrorized that they cannot even conceive of terrorism in this case, let alone utter the word. Terrorism is not only the act of destruction, violence, and murder; it is also the resulting attitude of fear, silence, and denial that some hope will spare them from the next attack. Indeed, the response of the major media outlets has confirmed to me that terrorists are achieving their goals.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-54296851831638107622009-10-20T00:04:00.000-07:002009-10-20T00:16:56.253-07:00Nobel not so NobleAmerica: where working against the domestic and foreign policy interests of the United States gets you a Nobel Peace Prize. Now I understand! The end of America means the beginning of peace. Duh!Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-87896306741620493062009-10-07T21:06:00.000-07:002009-10-07T21:09:20.677-07:00The Sausage of ViennaVienna Sausage, the best in the land<br />Proudly I sit with a can in my hand<br />No hunting required, no guns to employ<br />Just pop off the lid, and start to enjoy<br /><br />O Sausage, fair meat from a place called Vienna<br />The mere sound of these words will raise my antenna<br />In the family of SPAM, but to my regret<br />It’s the weird, crazy uncle some want to forget<br /><br />Crammed into a can with no room to spare<br />The fragrance of meatiness perfumes the air<br />The savory broth for which to imbibe<br />Has an “interesting” smell that’s so hard to describe<br /><br />Akin to the digits of a middle-aged man<br />These Vienna Sausages fall from the can<br />Seven pink wonders, each two inches long<br />Oh, the magic fills my heart with a song<br /><br />Extruded in batches from a giant machine<br />It’s cylindrical sludge (if you know what I mean)<br />This product includes both the feet and the snout<br />And form a geometrical meat-log layout<br /><br />The texture is soft, even spongy, and light<br />There’s no criticizing this gourmet delight<br />It cuts with a knife and is smooth as paté <br />It’s good on a cracker (at least that’s what they say)<br /><br />The trimmings of animals all scraped together<br />Crushed and formed into “sausages!” Oh, the splendor!<br />Combining the innards, the bone and the hoof<br />My triglyceride count has gone through the roof<br /><br />The can says the meat is "mechanically deboned"<br />And I’ve heard that the animals all have been cloned<br />To provide the consistency we all deserve<br />A marvelous product we clearly observe<br /><br />The snap of a hot dog, distinct and unique <br />In this sausage is absent, like Ancient Greek<br />Not as fatty as SPAM, and the taste, well, it’s great<br />It’s surprising that it would remain on your plate<br /><br />Running string through the links of this tender meat<br />I make a large wreath and admire this feat<br />Like the candy necklace I munched in my youth<br />An occasional speck of grit stuck in my tooth<br /><br />No need to refrigerate or even reheat<br />This superb byproduct is ready-to-eat<br />A good M.R.E. on a camp or a hike<br />A delicious companion wherever you like<br /><br />Some call it ambrosia, the “food of the gods”<br />While others can’t stand it…what are the odds?<br />Bake them, deep fry them or make into hash<br />Some strongly contend they belong in the trash<br /><br />Some consider it only “emergency” food<br />But sausage supporters believe this is rude<br />With all the preservatives, this meat will last<br />For centuries, or perhaps a nuclear blast<br /><br />Despite the debate I think you will agree<br />That keeping canned food is necessary<br />There is no excitement, no glamour, no glitz<br />But you’ll be glad you have them when the Big One hits<br /><br />These fleshy M-80s all drunken with brine<br />That buttery texture, so rich and so fine<br />This pureed meat product, a marvelous snack<br />Take heed, may induce a mild heart attack<br /><br />For this wondrous concoction, eternal my thanks<br />To the mad scientist of these Frankenstein franks<br />These freakish frankfurters, this mystery meat<br />A brilliant invention, a miracle treat!<br /><br />This culinary marvel I proudly will serve<br />Impaled on a toothpick as a kind of hors d’oeuvre<br />Made from chicken, and beef, and don’t forget piggies<br />This succulent sausage is offered by…Libby’s.<br /><br />Scott M. PasseyScott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-50355969292673051152009-08-12T22:02:00.000-07:002009-08-12T22:17:04.388-07:00Chris Cornell: From Edgy to Sketchy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZryosWHuz4Yykc6cFKxlNvob89u9nu7pUzYVZDhLLZ41OXDMA5YqSic-PA6Tmi_Vofx9fHpj1KKIDfbR-16SalheUExrFfF7Yrhzp-yCwgE44CvNd7zHOo1BtjrqeX9C5OVgVr66kCw/s1600-h/31c6c4fc-fe51-4c5e-aec5-e957b5788bc1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZryosWHuz4Yykc6cFKxlNvob89u9nu7pUzYVZDhLLZ41OXDMA5YqSic-PA6Tmi_Vofx9fHpj1KKIDfbR-16SalheUExrFfF7Yrhzp-yCwgE44CvNd7zHOo1BtjrqeX9C5OVgVr66kCw/s400/31c6c4fc-fe51-4c5e-aec5-e957b5788bc1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369312566638457458" /></a><br /><br /><br />I loved Chris Cornell the moment he hit the Seattle grunge scene with his band Soundgarden. He got even better with Audioslave, a band which I adored for a few short years before they split. Now he's on his own and his latest offering is not living up to expectations. He definitely a singer's singer, a true crooner, but his new album leaves a lot to be desired. Here's hoping he returns to his roots and the original stylings that made him such a star. Audioslave is definitely my most-played on the iPod, and it's due in large part to the talents of Chris Cornell.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-66510590308759208162009-03-14T15:24:00.000-07:002009-03-14T16:06:28.336-07:00My Queensryche Moment<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-j4czlttJzngtiG9nAHu_vvJFS2AjzJBbCJF0h9mB1AuV2NW8TohhbapyQO7n-vqwV3I2SSJhyphenhyphenInkhJmRxMktpP_89GAptDH0XBFoM1sLk10JWLmQJbfEq3222xjQ-RPMlO_6Ja49FU/s1600-h/queensryche-photo%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-j4czlttJzngtiG9nAHu_vvJFS2AjzJBbCJF0h9mB1AuV2NW8TohhbapyQO7n-vqwV3I2SSJhyphenhyphenInkhJmRxMktpP_89GAptDH0XBFoM1sLk10JWLmQJbfEq3222xjQ-RPMlO_6Ja49FU/s400/queensryche-photo%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313180119129268610" /></a><br />In 1995, I was in graduate school and trying to make ends meet by working part-time at a local grocery store in Edmonds, Washington. One night as I was working the service counter, a man approached me and asked where the bathroom was. I directed him to the back of the store, while simultaneously trying to maintain the best possible poker face. I didn't want to give Geoff Tate, the lead singer of the 80's band Queensryche, the satisfaction of knowing I recognized him. I honestly think he was making a public appearance just to find out if anyone recognized him, since QR popularity had diminished considerably by that time. I wasn't particularly enamored with their style of music, but it was one of those brushes with "greatness" I did not soon forget. Looking back on it, I wish I had made an announcement over the store's PA system: "Attention, Olsen's shoppers. Mr. Geoff Tate of the band Queensryche is in the building and has just asked to use the bathroom. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Tate to our store."Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-50472399022150451562009-02-25T15:36:00.000-08:002009-02-25T16:05:08.677-08:0025 Random SongsRULES: Put your iTunes (or whatever music player you use) on Shuffle. No cheating, write down the first 25 songs that come up when you hit your FWD arrow.<br /><br />1. Jump In The Fire - Metallica - Kill 'Em All<br />2. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? - CCR - Chronicle, Vol. 1<br />3. Suite Madame Blue - Styx - Classics Vol. 15<br />4. Summer of Love - The B-52's - Time Capsule<br />5. The World Has Turned And Left - Weezer - Green Album<br />6. Somebody To Love - Queen - Greatest Hits<br />7. Overkill - Metallica - Garage Inc.<br />8. Annie's Song - John Denver - Greatest Hits Vol. 2<br />9. Twisting - They Might Be Giants - Flood<br />10. It's Going To Take Some Time - The Carpenters - The Singles 1969-1973<br />11. Kings And Queens - Aerosmith - Aerosmith's Greatest Hits<br />12. 13th (Swing Radio Mix) - The Cure - Galore (The Singles 1987-1997)<br />13. It's Called A Heart - Depeche Mode - Catching Up With Depeche Mode<br />14. Oh Me - Nirvana - MTV Unplugged In New York<br />15. New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 - R.E.M. - Automatic For The People<br />16. One More Go Round - James Taylor - New Moon Shine<br />17. Suffragette City - David Bowie - Best of Bowie<br />18. You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban - Closer<br />19. Hate To Feel - Alice in Chains - Dirt<br />20. Somebody Told Me - The Killers - Hot Fuss<br />21. In My Dreams - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Greatest Hits<br />22. Touched By The Hand of God - New Order - The Best of New Order<br />23. The Last Remaining Light - Audioslave - Audioslave<br />24. Perry Mason - Ozzy Osbourne - The Essential Ozzy Osbourne<br />25. No One Knows - Queens of the Stone Age - Songs For The DeafScott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-65287743553245118932009-02-06T07:43:00.000-08:002009-02-06T07:59:53.882-08:00Dad Strikes AgainMy dad had an extremely sharp wit and loved writing letters to the editor. The following letter to a local radio station is a fair example of his style. He received a reply from the producer, who agreed with his assessment and complimented him on his writing ability.<br /><br />1/14/73<br /><br />KFAC Radio Station<br />5773 Wilshire Blvd.<br />Los Angeles, Calif.<br /><br />Dear Sirs:<br /><br />I would like to make a comment about the electronic composition “Silver Apples of the Moon” aired on your Avant Garde program last Saturday evening. Since the only portion thereof that I could comprehend was the composer’s statement read beforehand by your announcer, that is the only portion about which I feel justified to comment. The composer stated that the piece was not intended for the concert hall, and should be listened to only by small groups. I wholeheartedly concur. Exceedingly small groups. In fact, the smaller the better.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />D. Clinton Passey<br /><br />P.S. I would also like to make an intelligent comment about your Avant Garde program in general, but there aren’t any.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-28316677744938896262009-02-03T20:55:00.001-08:002009-02-03T21:08:52.254-08:0025 Random Things About MoiI will dispense with the pre-list commentary and get right to it:<br /><br />1. I was born a poor black child.<br /><br />2. I am cursed with Peter Pan Syndrome, also known as looking young for my age (no, Peter Pan Syndrome does not mean something else). To others I appear to be about 15 years younger than my actual age. When I was 16, I looked like I was 1.<br /><br />3. I have driven the same car for the past 13 years: a 1996 Ford Escort Wagon. It’s the LX model. That’s just how I roll.<br /><br />4. I was born in Redondo Beach, California, which is also where I proposed to my wife.<br /><br />5. I got two separate speeding tickets from the Oregon State Patrol within the space of one hour. The first was justified; the second was not. I appealed the second ticket to no avail. Here is a brief description of the Oregon court appeals process. If you are an out-of-state resident, you mail a check for the penalty along with an appeal statement. They cash your check and laugh at your letter as they toss it in the trash.<br /><br />6. I was an extra in an episode of the short-lived TV series “The Fugitive” starring Tim Daley. I played a cop in the opening scene, where we were frantically searching for the fugitive along the boat marina in La Conner, Washington. I think I appeared on camera for 2 seconds, so by my calculation I am still due 14:58 minutes of fame. They shaved off my goatee and trimmed my mustache; goatees are prohibited by the law enforcement dress code.<br /><br />7. I am an avid cyclist, a scuba diver, and a tormented artist/musician.<br /><br />8. I love watching the Food Network. I secretly wish I had gone to culinary school.<br /><br />9. I was the victim of an armed robbery at my first real job -- a small, family-owned grocery store in Bountiful, Utah. At closing time, the criminal held us at gunpoint and demanded my boss empty the day’s receipts into his bag. A few weeks later the police told us they had found a suspect, so we went down to Salt Lake County Jail to see if we could identify him. We all chose the same guy from a lineup. We received subpoenas to appear in court, but a couple weeks before trial we were informed that the suspect committed suicide in his cell.<br /><br />10. We have four boys, ages 14, 12, 10, and 6. We had retained miscarriages for every child we have had (where the fetus does not abort itself).<br /><br />11. A six-gill shark swam by me in 20 feet of water at the Keystone Jetty in Puget Sound. This is very rare because six-gill sharks typically live at depths of well over 100 feet.<br /><br />12. I love to compose music but can never seem to finish a song before the next idea enters my head.<br /><br />13. We got married in Seoul, Korea and had three different wedding receptions: one in Seoul, one in Seattle, and one in Bountiful. Neither Alisa’s parents nor mine were all together at any of the receptions.<br /><br />14. I’m into spiritual philosophy and have been reading the works of Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie, along with the works of God the Eternal Father and Jesus Christ.<br /><br />15. My dad had an unusual sense of humor and came up with interesting nicknames for both animate and inanimate objects. His name for me was Skarpathian Pugsforth.<br /><br />16. I used to love watching team sports on TV, but now I can’t stand it. I am more interested in individual sports such as tennis, golf, and cycling. Go Lance!<br /><br />17. Lightning struck the power pole outside our house, rupturing the gas line running under our front lawn and catching the grass on fire. The fire burned for six hours before the public utility district could figure out where the shut-off was. They had to replace the power pole and dig up our front yard, along with several other yards in the neighborhood.<br /><br />18. I like to gather crabs off the bottom of the ocean, and I like to shoot spears through the heads of large fish (sounds barbaric, I know, but spearfishing is far more ecologically friendly than hook-and-line fishing).<br /><br />19. Since my college days I have owned 8 different motorcycles. I currently only have two: a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic and a Kawasaki Ninja 500. Alisa rides the Ninja.<br /><br />20. I repelled down a 100-foot vertical face in the Sierra Nevada Mountains as an 11-year-old scout.<br /><br />21. I drink a cup of red ginseng tea nearly every weekday.<br /><br />22. My ultimate dream is to teach each of my boys a different instrument and start a family band. Unfortunately, my oldest son has an inexplicable aversion to music. When he was a toddler, he would cover his ears and say “Stop!” every time one of us started singing. However, he got Guitar Hero for Christmas and has been playing like a pro, so I’m still hopeful.<br /><br />23. I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.<br /><br />24. I acquired a dry, deadpan sense of humor from my father and grandfather, and I thrive on satire and sarcasm. When things get too serious, I have to lighten them up. This also works in the reverse when things get too light.<br /><br />25. I have lived a truly blessed life, and I am sincerely grateful to all those who have made positive contributions to my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. To all others who have had a negative impact on my development: may you suffer eternal torment in the fires of Mordor.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-87226506799413537592009-01-21T10:18:00.000-08:002009-01-22T07:54:32.200-08:00Advice for annoying newspaper columnists: Drop dead"Advice for frustrated job hunters: Stay focused." This was the headline of an article in a recent Snohomish County newspaper. Pathetic excuse for journalism, if you ask me. Advice as general as "focus" can be extended to virtually every problem, every facet of life. Here are a few I came up with: "Advice for absent-minded professors: Stay focused." "Advice for struggling high school students: Stay focused." "Advice for easily distracted alligator trainers: Stay focused."<br /><br />I realize there is a limited amount of detail one can put into a headline, but come on folks, can't we do better than this? There is a disturbing trend in the modern media to create news based on the obvious, self-evident truths we call common sense. I attribute this to a certain laziness on the part of journalists, who no longer do the difficult research and analysis that leads to those counter-intuitive insights that readers find interesting.<br /><br />"Advice for anyone who faces any particular challenge, difficulty, trial, or speed bump in the road of Life: Stay focused." And while focused, keep a focus on the lesser-known phenomena that make life interesting.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-24904311733530101962009-01-21T08:52:00.000-08:002009-01-22T07:50:00.739-08:00My Colon, My Friend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rgym0U7OvMUPLQbIsKW4H3T9z2Uj16iOYud89AW7XjBWciNMtMXCQ1kZlg21PKPj_iwOJ_STnVTZ_OdBCl1ne00d9bToa_3bAnjsN85dXvwU2yBtbt8GkK0u63s4dQfEvh9J7C1jbDE/s1600-h/colon-anatomy.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 395px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rgym0U7OvMUPLQbIsKW4H3T9z2Uj16iOYud89AW7XjBWciNMtMXCQ1kZlg21PKPj_iwOJ_STnVTZ_OdBCl1ne00d9bToa_3bAnjsN85dXvwU2yBtbt8GkK0u63s4dQfEvh9J7C1jbDE/s400/colon-anatomy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293797464376206882" /></a><br /><br />I never thought I'd be talking colonoscopy at my age (42), but here I am, getting a colonoscopy today. There seems to be a family history of colon polyps (siblings found with colon polyps at age 40) so I thought I'd strike while the iron is hot. This Colyte stuff is really awful, though; drain cleaner for the body...think Dumb and Dumber, only worse. I had to start the clear fluids diet yesterday, and my appointment isn't for several hours, so I'm STARVING. Right now I could kill for a California Chicken Burger from Red Robin. I think that will be my first stop on the way home, although they say you get pretty loopy from the sedative so I'll probably just go home and sleep. But oh yes, that burger is mine tomorrow (repeat for dramatic effect).<br /><br />UPDATE: The colonoscopy went smoothly and the doctor found nothing out of the ordinary.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-51912474493503776702008-12-31T21:25:00.000-08:002008-12-31T22:12:49.008-08:00Where Have All the Artists Gone?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7B9tR3dyk6vHNo7kGzGy23vj3N-6Sdp_17F27NgRwyqpZkt0FoCDnDmegS3c4m8kdEXHMk5W-sTe9OR-KusU5S_zW4wQB2BsjoGV1SQCpoXiGJfRuqSLH2S3GSxa-TzLkC9dD4xTbB4/s1600-h/images%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 107px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7B9tR3dyk6vHNo7kGzGy23vj3N-6Sdp_17F27NgRwyqpZkt0FoCDnDmegS3c4m8kdEXHMk5W-sTe9OR-KusU5S_zW4wQB2BsjoGV1SQCpoXiGJfRuqSLH2S3GSxa-TzLkC9dD4xTbB4/s400/images%5B3%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286200821175311634" /></a><br />One of my many New Year's resolutions is to find out where all the talented artists have gone. It seems that I'm always looking to the past to find the best examples of talent, creativity, and self expression, whether it be in the realm of art, music, or literature. I got a new iPod for Christmas and I am hard-pressed to find any modern-day band that compares to the artists of yesteryear. Listen to Queen's Greatest Hits and you'll see what I mean. There is nothing that compares to the vocals, melodies, harmonies, pianos, or guitars. My wife's cousin is an unbelievably talented drummer, despite his 10-year bout with cancer. Even with his physical limitations I know he drums circles around the competition. He's done a lot of studio work for different artists, and the feedback he gets from his peer community is this -- "Nobody plays drums like you anymore." He's my age, so I think it's a generational thing. Yes, there are some new artists that look promising, but until the next musical renaissance comes along I will continue to seek perfection in the past.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-57319946719450836332008-11-27T07:33:00.000-08:002008-11-27T07:57:20.501-08:00ThanksgivingThanksgiving Day is that one day we set aside each year to express our gratitude. While I think this is a good idea, it's mostly a symbolic gesture because we really express our gratitude by our actions throughout the year. I think a more accurate term for it is "Thanksgiving Rewards Day," because we really celebrate the fruits of our thanksgiving by stuffing ourselves with turkey and watching football. Again, I think this tradition is fine, as long as we regularly express our thanks through our words and deeds. While I think JFK's legacy is hugely overblown, I think he got it right when he said "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."<br /><br />Yes, we need to live by our words, but uttering them can also be a great comfort to ourselves and others. The story of the thankful Samaritan has great meaning. As Jesus Christ went through Samaria and Galilee, “he entered into a certain village, [and] there met him ten men that were lepers” who “lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Jesus told them to go show themselves unto the priest. “And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God. “And fell down … at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. “And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? “There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. “And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 17:12–19).Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-85406741245331043192008-11-10T18:12:00.001-08:002008-11-10T20:19:52.723-08:00Same Sex Marriage and PolygamyI'm no expert on the same sex marriage platform, so set me straight (no pun intended) if I'm not accurately representing their position. My instincts tell me that monogamy is not a tenet of the SSM movement. An initial internet search yielded this interesting <a href="http://www.gaypatriot.net/2008/06/20/gay-groups-ignore-monogamy-when-discussing-marriage/">website</a> devoted to this question.<br /><br />My hypothesis is this: monogamy is not important to SSM advocates. How do I come to this conclusion? Well, for starters, monogamy doesn't appear to be a plank in the platform. Second, SSM advocates often use infidelity and marriage failure rates among heterosexual couples as an argument in favor of SSM. The rationale is that heterosexual couples have done enough damage to the institution of marriage that SSM won't make any difference. This reasoning is often used against traditional marriage advocates, who generally believe that SSM will destroy the institution of marriage. My biggest reason for opposing SSM is that it would allow public schools to teach the next generation that SSM is normal. I believe SSM confuses children, frustrates the family unit, and has irreversible negative social consequences, but that's a topic for a different blog. <br /><br />My point is this: SSM advocates claim that marriage is a right that should be extended to homosexuals. They base this on the fact that marriage is a legal arrangement between consenting adults. If I have framed their argument correctly, then in order to remain logically consistent and to strengthen their argument even further, SSM advocates should actively support plural marriage as well. Proposition 8 provided California with a definition of marriage: the union of one man and one woman. The objection from SSM advocates focuses solely on the issue of gender, not on the number of participants. If marriage is a right that consenting adults are entitled to, and if monogamy is not a stated ideal, then they should have no problem with institutionalized polygamy. Yet SSM advocates avoid the plural marriage issue like the plague, and they are smart to do so because they understand the stigma associated with polygamy. Their silence on this question is understandable, but I would love to hear an SSM movement representative provide a clear and unequivocal statement on polygamy.<br /><br />A June 2006 article in the Weekly Standard included some interesting conclusions on polygamy by Stanley Kurtz, a fellow at the Hudson Institute. He was grieved at the arguments of modern intellectuals who support decriminalizing polygamy. Kurtz concluded, "Marriage, as its ultramodern critics would like to say, is indeed about choosing one's partner, and about freedom in a society that values freedom. But that's not the only thing it is about. As the Supreme Court justices who unanimously decided Reynolds in 1878 understood, marriage is also about sustaining the conditions in which freedom can thrive. Polygamy in all its forms is a recipe for social structures that inhibit and ultimately undermine social freedom and democracy. A hard-won lesson of Western history is that genuine democratic self-rule begins at the hearth of the monogamous family." While I tend to agree with his conclusion, it doesn't really demonstrate the nexus between polygamy and the undermining of freedom/democracy.<br /><br />So I ask...if it's really all about consenting adults, on what basis can one support SSM and oppose polygamy?Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-80863545011807242412008-10-26T22:55:00.000-07:002008-10-26T23:44:11.752-07:00Size Does Matter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINspQM3ELZfAZeEql4mbWklrbwfl0h4bsKwtRwqGzbyJk878sJ6O8ETrIFvr78MbLhgwW0OlRU7Eshlpzc_SSNRO__V1F9Hb2f-e6mvxIf0jFMeNqAC_9bN55DsGgmYVoN8Drx1Gk8XA/s1600-h/cereal-bowl-706010%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINspQM3ELZfAZeEql4mbWklrbwfl0h4bsKwtRwqGzbyJk878sJ6O8ETrIFvr78MbLhgwW0OlRU7Eshlpzc_SSNRO__V1F9Hb2f-e6mvxIf0jFMeNqAC_9bN55DsGgmYVoN8Drx1Gk8XA/s320/cereal-bowl-706010%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261719558787410482" /></a><br /><br />As I sit here composing this blog, I'm enjoying a nice large bowl of my favorite cold cereal. It's one of those oatmealy-raisiny cereals, the kind that sticks in your teeth, doused in extra-cold milk. Sometimes I pour the milk in a bowl and put it in the freezer for a few minutes, just until a small ring of ice forms around the edge. I love cereal, and I know why. Growing up in a relatively large family with little disposable income, we ate what my mom bought. And that was usually Corn Flakes. On special occasions, or when my mom was feeling unusually spendthrift, we got Shredded Wheat, Kix, or Cheerios...but 95% of the time it was Corn Flakes. I hate Corn Flakes. In my movie about an overpopulated future earth, the dramatic phrase would be "Soylent Green is...is <em>Corn Flakes</em>!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofVE8_Ikdeg2xJ3N0IeF6_TZOuE3EDKwXuYxxLehI7pbecSaocPTGRbrwCG5VZ6D3uzuChiqE3J4opRWsQaG7VSTQaf8EUqwEnIt4VqXrKyXxjdrzUscEvSkmG9VS8deoHazHxa7ux8Y/s1600-h/yukgaejang%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofVE8_Ikdeg2xJ3N0IeF6_TZOuE3EDKwXuYxxLehI7pbecSaocPTGRbrwCG5VZ6D3uzuChiqE3J4opRWsQaG7VSTQaf8EUqwEnIt4VqXrKyXxjdrzUscEvSkmG9VS8deoHazHxa7ux8Y/s320/yukgaejang%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261719669178459426" /></a><br /><br />Recently I became aware of my tendency to eat out of extremely large bowls. This is not good, because what looks like a small amount in a large bowl is actually a fairly large amount of food. I believe I started doing this after my mission to Korea, where they put hot soups and other foods in incredibly large bowls. They only fill the bowl about halfway, but I think part of the reason is that it helps prevents spills. I need to control my portions, so I'm going to try to select smaller vessels in an attempt to trick myself into thinking I'm eating a lot. We'll see what happens.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-30816562086795866552008-10-19T20:59:00.000-07:002008-10-19T21:15:42.220-07:00What's Your Story?I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a childhood friend I haven't seen in over 30 years lives less than 10 miles from me and is still a faithful member of my church. He spoke in my ward today and shared some personal stories related to his assigned topic. It was quite nostalgic. It made me think about the other speaker -- the high councilman who droned on an on and didn't tell one personal story. He essentially read from the scriptures and summed up with his testimony. If there's one thing that people in our church need to learn, it's public speaking. Yes, I think that sharing one's personal convictions in public can have a strong impact on an audience and move them spiritually, but I also like to hear their personal stories and the experiences that have shaped their character. Good public speaking is essentially the art of storytelling, and it would do us all good to reflect on those stories that have shaped us and to share them in a meaningful way.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-76017539351074267402008-09-26T17:42:00.000-07:002008-09-26T17:46:36.293-07:00Bicycle SafetyAs a commuter via automobile, motorcycle, and bicycle, I am keenly aware of the dynamic interactions between vehicles of differing proportions. As a result, I ride my “higher risk” conveyances very cautiously and try to avail myself of the safest route in a given situation. According to Washington State law, a bicycle is considered a vehicle and is expected to follow the same rules as motor vehicles. Yet there are many situations when it is simply suicidal to pretend I’m anything but a bike (narrow, winding, shoulder-less roads with fast moving traffic, to name one). I want to share a situation that I encounter nearly every bike commuting day, with the hope that a little education will result in greater safety for cyclists. Two streets intersect, and the street I’m traveling on has stop signs. I stop and wait for an opportunity to cross the intersection. Invariably a car will stop for me, even though it doesn’t have to, intending to yield the right of way. This is a courteous, thoughtful, and dangerous thing to do. It is dangerous because the motorist cannot force the traffic in the opposing lane to stop for me. It reminds me of the fairly common situation in which a motorist traveling in the left lane stops for an oncoming car turning left in front of him. This seems to be the "nice" thing to do, but the motorist cannot control whether the driver in the right lane will stop. Treating bicyclists more like motorists, and less like a special class of vehicle, is safer for everyone concerned. Although the situation usually dictates the best course of action, a good rule of thumb is -- if you wouldn’t yield the right of way to a car, you probably shouldn’t do it for a cyclist.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-12214079333290361112008-09-16T08:16:00.000-07:002008-09-21T21:22:24.554-07:00EnvironmentalismI am an environmentalist, but not a raging, pathological one. I try to commute to work on my bike as much as possible and consume resources sparingly, but I don't preach to others. I don't workship Gaia, nor do I passionately embrace my forest friends of the wooden variety. I do like trees though; you've got to if you live in the Pacific Northwest. Yet I think a lot of committed environmentalists believe we are depleting our resources, and once they're gone the world will end. Many radicals actually believe they care more for the environment than others. This is a perverse way of thinking, because it assumes that people are indifferent to a declining quality of life. If there is a nexus between the environment and quality of life, then it stands to reason that we are all environmentalists to one degree or another. Most people are driven by self-interest, so it's logical that they want clean, pristine surroundings and enough resources to maintain or improve their standard of living. It's not really a matter about who cares more, but a difference of opinion about what can be done to preserve our surroundings and conserve/expand our resources. I don't think it's a zero-sum game. There is just too much curiosity, innovation, and imagination on the earth to limit us to what we've got right now.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-55074522283844947242008-09-12T13:36:00.001-07:002008-09-13T08:36:34.698-07:00Against the GrainIt seems that no matter where I've lived during my life, I've never fully assimilated into the dominant culture. There has always been a certain tension, whispering that somehow I am different from the rest. It might have something to do with my semi-nomadic life journey, which has taken me from Los Angeles, to Salt Lake City, to South Korea, to Seattle. I have lived in the Puget Sound region longer than any other place, so I am comfortable calling it home. Yet even here I cannot help but reject many of the social, political, and cultural ideologies that are commonly held by the mainstream community.<br /><br />I was a toddler during the 60's, yet I missed much of the anti-establishment movement and only learned about it later as a teenager and young adult. While there is something about the peace & love generation that strikes a chord with me, I believe it generally devolved into a radical movement with very negative elements that can still be seen today. Part of me wants to "stick it to the man," but the other part recognizes that the man is generally a productive and positive contribution to society.<br /><br />In politics I tend to fall somewhere in the middle of the conservative/liberal continuum. Socially I'm conservative and pro-life but I also feel the government should do what it can to help level the playing field. I believe in rugged individualism and personal accountability, but also accept the notion that some are disadvantaged through no fault of their own. There are some Libertarian principles that ring true for me, yet I feel the movement is largely irrelevant and guided by some crackpot theories.<br /><br />Utah and Seattle are polar opposites; Utah is a bastian of conservative thought, and liberalism dominates the culture of the Puget Sound. The ideological rift between western Washington and eastern Washington is interesting; there are still some today who feel eastern Washington should secede and become its own state, with Spokane as its capital. I don't believe secession is the answer, but the idea demonstrates the extremes that people do consider.<br /><br />My right-brain thinking lends itself well to the culture of Seattle, but I will never accept blue hair, tattoos, and multiple piercings as the fashion norm. These freaks need to realize that no one will ever take them seriously looking like they do. However, I respect creativity and individual expression as long as it doesn't create hostility or negatively impacts others. The flip side to this is the overly puritanical attitudes of religious conservatives. I am a person of faith, yet I cannot help feeling like a rebel compared to others in my congregation (ward). Sometimes I'll get a puzzled look if a wear something other than a white shirt to church. I heard a joke about three things one can do to stay out of the bishopric: 1) wear colored shirts; 2) grow a beard; and 3) call everyone by their first name. I no longer have a goatee, but I cannot part with my soul patch. <br /><br />Although Utah is a conservative state, I recognize that the higher population centers, like Salt Lake, are gradually becoming more liberal. I think this is the natural progression of urban growth -- the idea that as the population grows and people are crowded into smaller spaces, the greater the urge to foster a sense of community. I think community is laudable and something we should aspire to, but when taken to its extreme it becomes communism, which I think is very bad. I also think in higher population centers there is a tendency to dehumanize people and view them as objects, or obstacles to overcome. I especially feel this when trying to negotiate a busy city street full of pedestrians.<br /><br />The conservative side of me believes that the family is the fundamental unit of society. I think we should rely on family for everything and look to the government as a last resort. Unfortunately, due to bad luck in some cases and poor choices in others, reliance on the government is a first resort. Government should be there to provide some welfare assistance, but it's important to understand that government will never care more for the needy than family will. That's one of the reasons I think there is too much emphasis on the presidency of the United States. Some feel that the person who occupies the oval office will have a huge impact on their lives. These are the same people using the phrase "Think globally, act locally," yet they can't help their neighbor or be civil at the grocery store. I believe that we make the biggest impact on the local level, and that really begins with families, friends, relatives, and neighbors. I think the most important work I can do is to teach my kids to be honest, productive, law-abiding, educated members of society (queue the Whitney Houston song).<br /><br />So for most of my life I feel I've gone against the grain, but perhaps subconsciously, and now consciously, there's an optimal tension I need to maintain my equilibrium.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-9777063488561006192008-07-27T17:45:00.000-07:002008-07-27T18:39:48.903-07:00Accepting "What Is"It's been several weeks since my last blog, mostly because I've been extremely busy with projects around the house as well as summer activities with the kids. I've also been spending a lot of time reading other blogs and news, but I haven't felt much motivation to write anything myself. I guess I could feel bad about it, but I'm at a point in my life where I don't really feel too bad about anything. I think too many of us feel bad about ourselves because our culture teaches us that we need to measure up to some artificial standard, and when we don't measure up we're supposed to feel guilt or shame. It tells us the way things "should" be. Well I hate the word "should" when it's used to tell me what I'm supposed to do. Obviously in some contexts there is a societal consensus as to what constitutes appropriate behavior. On the other hand, there are many situations in life where "should" clearly does not apply. Lately, I've been able to relieve a lot of stress and anxiety through meditation and by focusing on "what is," rather than "what should be." It's very difficult to do because our culture tells us otherwise. But I am making progress and am feeling some relief from the pressures of life. I am finding that when I feel fear, anxiety, or pain (not the "ouch I hit my thumb with a hammer" kind of pain) it's usually because there is some dissonance in my mind between what is, and what I think should be. I am also coming to the realization that we have far less control over our circumstances than we think. Yes, the rugged individualist in me would claim otherwise, but there are actually very few things in life we can control. I think it has something to do with that pesky principle called free agency.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-27548646825046226042008-07-03T20:56:00.001-07:002008-07-03T21:01:23.026-07:00Independence Day?I like Independence Day, but most people only know it as the Fourth of July. I asked an adult co-worker what holiday was coming up, and she replied "The Fourth of July." I said, "No, not the date, the holiday." She was confused.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-39996600197164042482008-06-23T23:11:00.001-07:002008-06-24T00:09:11.934-07:00Snatch the Pebble from my Hand<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK2XYaSiHsRV6vzVJ3Ksihh6InWgvbrdvJiLBaemB_N6raxxJBmXxF8zenTsGGEmJLsapKCa5MDySHAafGaDHX7761rYXcd_Va_RTVW4e948L_0Tj-mrei3OBRswn9vl1Jr4OGp7ZLeQ/s1600-h/DSCN1645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK2XYaSiHsRV6vzVJ3Ksihh6InWgvbrdvJiLBaemB_N6raxxJBmXxF8zenTsGGEmJLsapKCa5MDySHAafGaDHX7761rYXcd_Va_RTVW4e948L_0Tj-mrei3OBRswn9vl1Jr4OGp7ZLeQ/s320/DSCN1645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215335164151789314" /></a><br />I know my boys are spoiled and my wife overindulges them, but I love them all the same. They've had more unique and interesting experiences in their short lives than I had by the time I was 25, but I know that ultimately it will be be to their advantage.<br /><br />Luckily for us, and by us I mean my wife Alisa, the kids have extremely busy summer schedules complete with swim team, scout camp, ceramics classes, and now, Kung Fu. Yes, all four of them will be studying this martial art of the Far East. I cannot imagine what motivated Michael to ask for Kung Fu lessons. Yes, we recently saw the movie "Kung Fu Panda," but I just don't see the connection. <br /><br />I can see it now. I arrive home from a long, stressful day of work, anticipating a quiet, relaxing evening at home with the wife and kids. Suddenly, four black-robed Kung Fu masters emerge from the shadows, intent on my slow, painful demise. I try desperately to fight them off, armed only with my wits and superior physical strength. Yet they are too many, and I fall victim to Tiger, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey.<br /><br />Actually, I'm excited that they're interested in Kung Fu because it puts a little more emphasis on the mental-emotional-physical nexus than other marital arts. But mostly I just want to call them "Grasshopper."Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-58966333049727331332008-06-15T19:26:00.000-07:002008-06-15T21:56:46.263-07:00Allergies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnTcRWYHAorTG57SH9_oqlY_-Zgpz9wmSJzLPQAMhTn7Pf7aOO0-xzFMsho-xKBal7Dhn2ARUArK9DVVyT-4f7ccM9FFocOT9anvYqbZACw94nRkXkTNq-ur-cASsUe59Z_x8PWB4OTc/s1600-h/DSCN1650.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnTcRWYHAorTG57SH9_oqlY_-Zgpz9wmSJzLPQAMhTn7Pf7aOO0-xzFMsho-xKBal7Dhn2ARUArK9DVVyT-4f7ccM9FFocOT9anvYqbZACw94nRkXkTNq-ur-cASsUe59Z_x8PWB4OTc/s320/DSCN1650.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212336639916106402" /></a><br /><br />Father's Day was bittersweet for me today, having buried my father about two weeks ago. My wife, kids, and in-laws are always great on Father's Day, though. Alisa always gets me a card and a nice gift, and the kids always make something special at school or in Sunday School. Usually it's a custom tie with the kids' picture on it, or a hand-made card, piece of pottery, t-shirt, etc. Alisa is much more deserving of Mother's Day than I am of Father's Day. The kids are deserving of nothing. Sounds harsh I know, but in our home, every day is Kids' Day. <br /><br />The kids are counting down the days until school is over; I imagine their teachers are too. They get out on June 18 and go back the day after Labor Day. Michael had a particularly difficult year. The transition to middle school was not smooth for him, but the challenge has made him stronger and I'm sure next year will be much better. His grades were surprisingly good, compared to how the year started. There was something discernibly wrong with him at the beginning of the school year. After a lot of research and doctor's visits, we discovered he is allergic to most foods. Wheat, corn, soy, eggs, milk, tomatoes, and yeast, to name a few. He subsists primarily on rice and teriyaki chicken or beef. He can eat fruits and vegetables, but he is unwilling to do so. The other kids are also mildly allergic. Michael takes some digestive enzymes and other treatments for the allergies. The doctor says that his allergies should subside at some point in the future. I had a missionary companion who had similar allergies, but he could not resist his food temptations. He also couldn't resist the temptation to go on splits with another missionary and see a Van Halen concert. Too bad for them some church members saw them in the crowd, but that's another story. Every so often this unnamed companion of mine would go on a binge and eat an entire half-gallon of ice cream; he'd then spend the rest of the night in the bathroom. Everything he ate would eventually come back out, but I'm not sure which end.<br /><br />Joseph is the best for eating healthy foods, but he's also the one with the biggest sweet tooth. The number of different things Adam eats can be counted on one hand: potatoes, meat, cheese, rice, and fruit. Benjamin's tastes are similar to Joseph's. At least they eat my homemade chili, which is mostly beans. I love beans and legumes. There's so much you can do with them, and they're so good for you. Alisa's uncle used to say "The more fiber it has, the more you should eat. The less fiber it has, the less you should eat." I'm kind of nutty about fiber. I take a fiber supplement every morning, just to make sure I'm getting some during the day. Some days I don't eat well, so I know the fiber is doing some good. My brother's friend, a gastroenterologist, said if you're not getting enough fiber in your diet, a supplement will help. Most Americans don't eat nearly enough fiber; too many prepared and processed foods available. That's why colon cancer is so prevalent in this country. We are also too sedentary. We've moved past the agricultural age, through the industrial age, and now reside squarely in the information age. There's not a lot of physical movement required in the information age. It used to be we had to work, physically work, 8-12 hours a day in the field. My grandparents grew their own fruits and vegetables and lived quite independently until a couple years before they passed away. Grandpa and Grandma Passey lived to be 96 and 97, respectively. Their lives are a great example of work ethic and cooperation. My Grandma Krogh was a workaholic. I learned a lot about a hard day's work from her. She would put us to work mowing the lawn, clipping the hedges, raking leaves, painting, helping with the roofing project, you name it. I'm very grateful for these examples, because I think we're slowly losing the work ethic of the previous generation. People say that we are busier and work longer hours today than we did in the past. I would agree we are busier, but that doesn't always mean work. I think more and more people are becoming allergic to work and exercise.<br /><br />A lot can be said about the relationship between physical activity and mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The benefits of physical exercise on our brains and our spirits is often understated. My goal is to get more physical exercise, and more sleep, so I can be a little sharper. I'm going to go pump up my tires so I can ride my bike to work tomorrow.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354649072880774889.post-29559309988846474392008-06-09T17:31:00.000-07:002008-06-09T17:56:26.769-07:00T.M.I. (Too Much Information)I'm no English scholar, but I've always been fascinated by words and etymology. Probably comes from my dad, who loved a good play on words. I know the question will come up sooner or later, so I might as well dispel the great mystery about the name of my blogsite now. My dad loved to give ordinary words unique and complex spellings, as well as come up with new words and names for things. He also created his own pet names for his children, such as "Skarpathian Pugsforth," and "Buford Paisley" (Buford, you know who you are). "Skarpathian" is a bit of a stretch from "Scott," but then again, that was my dad.<br /><br />In college I had a couple roommates who shared my interest in vocabulary. One of them had a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary (the print was so small you almost had to use a magnifying glass) and we'd look up various words for fun. One day we came across the word "gymnos." This is a Greek root meaning "naked" or "in the nude." It is evident from the art and history of the ancient Greeks that they had great admiration for the human form. It is said that athletes and Olympians in ancient Greece would compete in their events either completely naked or with very little attire (count me out for wrestling!). My roommates and I would jokingly use the word in such context as "I'm going to get gymnos and take a shower now." It is fairly clear how the words "gym," "gymnastic," and gymnasium" are derived from this root. Unfortunately for me, these words elicit some disturbing imagery every time I hear them. I am mildly revulsed at the prospect of holding a meeting or event in the "gymnasium," and the thought of my son taking a "gym" class is somewhat troubling.<br /><br />Yes, words can be interesting, but sometimes too much information is a bad thing.Scott Passeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06625974894580471502noreply@blogger.com0