Ben's Blog (but you can use it if you want)
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Ben & Britney's New Blog
Thursday, December 1, 2011
UPDATE
But let's see, where do I start? How 'bout the beard?
About a year ago Larisa and a friend of mine separately suggested I apply for the New Testament project the Church was producing. I figured "what the heck!?" (an expression of casual indifference, not to be confused with "what the heck?!" an expression of unexpected discontent) and filled out the necessary application. A few months later I received an email informing me that I had been accepted and imploring me to start growing out my hair and beard. So I did.
It wasn't as annoying as I thought it would be. Sure, the occasional mustache hair would leave the pack and climb into my nose or my longer hair would get into my eyes and ears, but it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. In fact, it seemed everyone else noticed it a lot more than I did.
By the time filming rolled around, I had quite a crop of facial hair. Here it is in progression: Of course, going to shoot the movie meant I had to leave Washington and the hospitality of David and Jeanne's family. I had a great time living up there and working on the fun property they have. This time Cooper and I weren't roommates, but we still did a lot together. He's quite the athlete and can almost beat me in billiards and baseball fielding drills. I coached him to flag football stardom and we even got to see a couple of Mariners games. Sadly, our favorite team had an historic slump in July--losing game after game. On Saturday, July 23rd they lost their 14th consecutive game, tying a franchise record. Cooper, knowing I was leaving soon, asked how much longer I was staying. I had planned to leave on Monday the 25th but I said "maybe when the Mariners win a game". I expected him to say that he wanted them to win their next one, but instead he said "Then I hope they lose a hundred in a row". That's when I knew we were real buds.
On July 27th, the Mariners 17-game losing streak came to an end. I left the next day.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Happy Father's Day
Of course, as you know, these are the Lindsey chicks--Midnight, Cinnamon, and Sunshine. They have been living here for a little while and the girls love them. I try not to get too attached.
You see, I too had a baby chicken for a pet once. She looked very similar to Sunshine in the above picture. My first-grade class hatched her in an incubator and I was lucky enough to take her home. She was the first (and best) friend I ever had.
As I recall, I was a quiet, reflective, and introverted child--being neither heard nor seen--never asking for anything and never getting anything. I spent my time, by myself, studying about dinosaurs and writing poetry.
One of my fondest moments of first grade was watching our class chick hatch, I knew that fluffy ball of feathers was something special. Little did I know then, as I watched her come out of her shell, that she would help me come out of mine.
The next few days were some of the happiest in memory. My little friend would follow me everywhere. I started to become more confident. My stammering and stuttering became less frequent. I was standing taller and smiling bigger. Below is a video still of me during that time:
As you can see, I was full of vim and vigor. I dreaded the hours I had to spend at school and away from my friend. Each day I would run as fast as I could from the bus stop to the house to be reunited with her. But one day, as I descended the hill towards our house, I could see Mom with a troubled look on her face. She told me that my friend had died. I was crushed--like a baby bird under the weight of an automatic garage door operated by a malicious three-year-old.
I buried her in the back yard. It was the saddest day of my life.
As I thought back on those days and the love a boy had for his chicken, I began to think about the love a father must have for his children. And, seeing as it's Father's Day, I thought I would be remiss if I didn't express my appreciation and love for my own Father.
Thanks, Dad, for all you do and all you've done. I love you and hope you're having a great Father's Day.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day Everyone...especially Mom
You see, today is Mother's day, and if there's anything I love to blog about it's Mom. Now I know what you're thinking, "You're going to write one of your Mom-posts on Mother's day? How cruel." And the answer to your hypothetical thought is "No, I'm going to keep this post very civil. After all, Mom is like a brother to me."
Actually, the last few times I've talked to Mom she's been surprisingly pleasant--almost uncomfortably so. I kept expecting her to break character, but she never did. Of course the skeptic in me thought she was metaphorically building a gingerbread cottage in Virginia City (à la 'Hansel and Gretel'). But the psychoanalyst in me grasped on to this quote from her recent blog post .
Today I, David and Craig and I went to Virginia City for a picnic and I dropped Craig and DavidDad off for the much awaited 10 mile bike ride down hill to our home."I, David and Craig and I"!? Don't you see? Multiple personalities! I must have been talking to the nice side (we'll call her 'Mom') and not the other side (we'll call her 'moM' [Mom spelled backwards]). I remember 'Mom' being around more often when I was younger but this 'moM' character has been running the show for the last several years.
So, as I was reminiscing about 'Mom' I remembered one of her favorite poems:
"I love you, Mother," said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on.
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.
"I love you, Mother," said little Nell,
"I love you more than tongue can tell."
Then she teased and pouted half the day.
'Til her mother was glad when she went to play.
I love you, Mother," said little Fan,
"To-day I'll help you all I can;
How glad I am that school doesn't keep!"
So she rocked the baby till he fell asleep.
Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room.
Busy and happy all day was she;
Helpful and happy as a child could be.
"I love you, Mother," again they said,
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?
I thought 'moM' might enjoy a poem of her own, so I jotted down this one:
Well, before I go, let me wish a happy Mother's Day to all the great moms in our family. And, Mom, I hope you know that I love and appreciate you (though I'm not too fond of that 'moM' lady you've been hanging around with)."I love you, Mother," said Anabelle;
Then, 'forgetting' her script, she waved farewell.
And she was off to catch her flight,
Leaving her mother a play to write.
"I love you, Mother," said accountant Dirk,
"But this plan of yours will not work."
And he spoke logic half the day.
'Til his mother was glad when he went away.
"I love you, Mother," said brain-dead Blanche,
"I'll be a part of your guest ranch;
And all who come will be truly blessed!"
So she sewed a dozen cowboy vests.
Then, driving through Virginia City,
She lied and said "This place is pretty".
They talked and talked and talked some more,
About Nevada winning the Civil War.
"I love you, Mother," again they'll say,
When they talk to her on Mother's Day.
How do you think that mother'll guess
Which of them really loves her best?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
I predicted it!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Happy ___________ to you!
Today is a big day. It was supposed to be one of my best blog posts ever. For starters it is my 25th blog post! (Wow 25 already, that's almost as many as most people write in an entire week) It's also the birthsday of sister Weebs and niece Rachael (birthsday, I believe is the proper way to define a day on which multiple people were born, since more than one birth is being celebrated rather than more than one day). Also, Christmas is fast approaching and, since I average less than one post a month, it is more than likely that this post would have to serve as some sort of holiday greeting as well.
But it seems I'm having some technical difficulties and can't upload the pictures that I wanted to.
So...Happy 25th blog post to me, Happy Birthsday to Elise and Rachael, and here's a little video to get you in that festive mood.