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John McCain Dies

Comments? Concerns?

To catch you up... (Version 2)

So I've noticed that blogging is a lot like trying to keep a journal. When too many significant things happen in your life and you don't write about them, you keep thinking to yourself, "Well I can't write about significant thing "B" until I write about significant thing "A" and I'm going to be absolutely lazy about it until then"

That's what has happened with me. So as I have done before, I will hit the "bullet points" of what has happened since mid-July, therefore catching me up and I can continue to blog about important things like dumb stories, weird occurrences, posting more pictures, and Utah Football.

For the 4th of July we stayed up in Park City and hung out with my family and the Back's and had a great time watching fireworks on the golf course, playing A TON of card games and just relaxing.

July 25, 2008 marked my last day at Meridian Title Company. I had worked almost 7 great years there, and I loved working with the people there every second. They were and still are my family there. In a few photos, you will see that I started a new job in a new field and industry, one that is more in the direction I want to be headed in my career.

August 2nd, 2008 Shara and I traveled to Chicago and then to Batavia, Illinois for Shara's best friends wedding. Shara and Coley played volleyball with each other at Northern Illinois University. Coley and Dan are some of the greatest people you will meet and they had a killer wedding, it was such a fun time and we were super happy for them!

Shara and I continued our trip throughout Chicago doing a TON of stuff. Such a beautiful city with a ton of history. See more pictures ONE TWO THREE FOUR.

I started my new job as a Project Coordinator with Ferrari Color on August 6, 2008.

Shara and I went to the Utah State Fair had great Corn Dogs and won prizes! We won a stuffed cow that we affectionately named Angus. I was a little excited...

Shara and I celebrated 3 great years of Marriage on September 15th. To this day deciding to marry Shara was the best decision I have ever made, and I love her more today than yesterday. I love you Shara!

The 2008 End Of Summer party was a great time this year, it's always great to get together and see everyone. If you couldn't come this year, we expect to see you next year!

One of my favorite bands of all-time Weezer came to town on August 7, 2008. Every time I see them I love this band more and more. They put on an incredible show, and I loved every second of it. This show also marked the first time I saw a guy in a wheel chair crowd surfing, which was pretty cool. Plenty more pictures here.

The group that went to Weezer, good times, great oldies.

Ben Folds Five to reunite

Ben Folds Five

Tolerability

As Utah fans go, I can't help but imagine there are varying degrees of acceptability. Some fans are ok with 8-wins and a bowl victory every season, some fans are not. It's interesting to note the differences here, but I think there tends be a larger number of Utah fans who do not accept mediocrity, or even play slightly above mediocre. This is a big reason why Ron McBride was eventually fired and why there is still a large number of Ute fans who have yet to fully embrace Kyle Whittingham as head coach.

So this year they begin 0-0, just as years past, yet expectations are higher. The experience, talent, coaching stability and schedule have many of us believing this team is capable of advancing to the next level. But what is the next level and if the Utes do not step it up, what will we as fans tolerate at the end of the season?

There are many scenarios, some good, some bad and some that are pretty meh, but they're all possibilities. And as last year showed Ute fans, expectations, whether made at the beginning of the season, or after a 27-0 defeat to the worst team in all of the Mountain West, have a good chance of being proven wrong. But it doesn't change the fact there is a ceiling for expectations and a floor, as well. Some may feel this team is only capable of winning 10-games, while others may feel they can go undefeated. Yet I'm willing to bet it's nearly universally accepted this team will win more than 9 games. And why not? They managed to do so last season, even with all the injuries and what many thought would be the hardest schedule in years. So why not this year, if they stay healthy?

But what if they don't.

I think there are many fans who concede the Utes may just very well lose to Michigan (myself included). So if they lose there, drop a home game to Oregon State, lose to New Mexico and TCU, but manage to defeat BYU and win their bowl game, is that a successful season? Will Ute fans tolerate it?

2008 Summer Olympics: Day 11

I missed a few days, so shoot me.
Here are some pictures from the days I missed.

2008 Summer Olympics: Day 8

2008 Summer Olympics: Day 7

Phelps Medal Count: 7 Down 1 to Go.

Michael Phelps won his seventh gold medal of the Beijing Olympics on Saturday, edging Milorad Cavic by a fingernail, .01 of second in the 100m butterfly on Saturday at the Water Cube.

The Serbian federation filed a written protest to FINA, swimming's world governing body, contesting the result, but Serbian officials were shown video of the finish and agreed not to pursue it further.

2008 Summer Olympics: Day 6

USA v. Greece 92 - 69

Phelps Medal Count 6 down, 2 to go.
Side Note:
Have you noticed when Michael Phelps stands for the National Anthem after receiving his Golds, he holds his pec, instead of putting his hand over his heart?

Liukin good! Natasia Gold, Shawn Johnson Silver

Side note: Is it possible for Tim Daggett to be any more annoying?

This annoying human just cannot keep his mouth shut.
It would be nice to know something different than what these gymnasts are being deducted every time they screw up. "That's 5 tenths of a deduction right there; that's 8 tenths of a deduction right there!" That nasally voice, that pessimistic attitude, and that "know-it-all-I-used to-be-a-gymnast-and-can't-let-go-of-my-past" personality, and commenting about everything gymnasts do is giving me a headache and heartburn before I turn of the TV and go to bed.

I'm not sure how much more of his voice I can stand...

Anyone else this annoyed with him?

2008 Summer Olympics: Day 5

This has been my favorite commercial of the Olympics...