Today's Spiritual Message: Father's Day

This Father's Day, I want to share the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns:

O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?

For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.

I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.

When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.

(O My Father, LDS Hymn #292.)

Often, I feel like we've lost an appreciation for God, at all, let alone as our literal Father.  Today, I want to testify that we are, as Paul said, His "offspring" (Acts 17:29), His children.  I witness that His greatest achievement lies not in the creation of earths, universes, or cosmoses, but in aiding our progression to become as He is:

For behold, this is my work and my glory -- to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).

Thus, like our Father-in-heaven, my greatest joy, here on earth (and next to being married to my wife) is to raise and love my sweet daughter and other future children, in some tiny degree, as He loves and raises you, me, and all of us.

Will You Wii U? Some Hardcores Might, I Probably Won't

First of all, let me say this could be one of the only "by-request" posts I've ever done, especially outside the wife-requested genre.

Next, let me disclose that the F-Word will likely chafe at anything I have to say in this post, as he revoked my video game man card many moons ago.  Rest assured, my head is still hanging in shame.

Now, to the subject at hand:  The Wii U.  Announced to hit the masses next year, the Wii's successor will arrive roughly six years after the original wooed the non-gaming public back in 2006.

Sorry, I failed to find a cool shot of the Wii U stacked on top of its predecessors.
On second thought, I'm unsure the ancestors would have the bulk to support it . . .

While I'm in disclosure mode, let me also confess that the extent of my knowledge on the Wii U extends basically to its Wikipedia page (that heavenly haven of all knowledge) and maybe one half an article from a usually computer tech site (I think it was CNET).

How large do the casual gamers loom?

My gut reaction on this one is that Nintendo's aiming to chip away at (or destroy) its casual/child gamer image.  While many have long caricatured the Nintendo gaming experience as built for children (Mario, Zelda, etc., seem much more child friendly than Grand Theft Auto, Halo, or Resident Evil), the Wii magnified this pronouncement to the nth degree:  Nintendo marketed, and people accepted, the Wii as the we device -- which is to say everyone can and will want to play it, rather than just the 30-something vampires, existing in their parents'/grandparents' basement.  While my general observation is that a lot of people enjoy playing the Wii, I imagine most of the casual Wii gamers were, and are, well, casual.  Nintendo, like MS, Sony, or any game company, is in it to win it, which is to say, make $.  Let's do the familiar Parreto analysis:  If just 20% of our customers actually buy 80% of our games (in terms of count sold), we just might want to please that lot most.  So who is this mythical 20%?  The hardcores (maligned above as parasitic vampires).

How does Nintendo lure back the hardcores?

What have hardcore gamers been screaming for ever since the Xbox and PlayStation 2 emerged from the labs?  To my knowledge, hardcore graphics, hardcore games, and hardcore everything.  Yes, I'm amused with how vague that proclamation sounds, myself.  On the other hand, I think it fits the mold of escaping the Wii's casual (non-hardcore) image.

Get it, hardcore?  Thanks, Wikipedia!

HARDCORE:  Just looking at the machine (the Wii U), I think to myself:  Is this an Xbox 360 in Nintendo's clothing?  Will the new Jumbo-large controller play Halo 3000, in addition to Mario and Zelda?  With HD rendering and a newfangled controller, I assume Nintendo's gunning hardcore to get its core users back, who are always the hardcores (or lure some away from MS and Sony).

FAMILIAR:  As I heard about the new name, I asked myself, "Wii U"?  Based on what I've seen, my assumption is that Nintendo's trying to toe the line of keeping the "casual" gamers in tow ("Seriously, folks, it's still a console grandma and grandpa can enjoy, it's still a Wii!"), while tantalizing the hardcore.  Nintendo appears to have some success in store from the casual, thanks to its Wii-backward compatibility.  On the other hand, why just back to the Wii, rather than the Cube, as well?  Maybe the assumption here is that too few casual gamers have Cube memorabilia and too few hardcores would care enough to play Cube games, anyway.

SUCCESS?  While I'll leave a detailed analysis of the Wii U's detailed specs and chances at financial success, I'll give it a moderate shot of winning back (or gaining) some of the hardcore gamers, while likely keeping on board any casual gamers who actually care enough to plunk down the $ for another system.  I think much will depend on the $ tag and how the iPad, er, new controller sits with the masses.

PERSONAL REACTION:  While I've long been a Nintendo "fanboy," I've also long since been dead to video game counsels and, pretty much, gaming in general.  I imagine my current personal preference is  demonstrated by the image at the top of this blog, along with its (the blog's) regular content.  So what's my BOLD, F-WORD STYLE PREDICTION?  THIS IS THE LAST REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL CONSOLE GENERATION AND ALL PREDECESSORS WILL RUN OUT OF THE CLOUD.  See this article on how cloud computing is starting to throttle the console market, thanks to higher internet speeds, enhanced capability via HTML5, etc., and which more or less summarizes my newspaper-destiny forecast of the console market.

The future of gaming.

I hope you enjoyed this CA production.  Please vent any outrage or smug agreement in the comments section, below. Thanks.

Google Instant Pages on Chrome

If you think Google Instant is cool, check this out:



Other than the President Obama homage, I'm pretty darn impressed.

Today's Spiritual Message: Honesty: You Better Believe It!

We live in a world that increasingly turns a blind eye to lying, cheating, and deception.  Sometimes our deception may go unnoticed by others.  On the other had, we know what we have done, and God knows what we have done.  If we tell ourselves otherwise, we're deceiving only ourselves.

Apple Introduces iCloud, Sues Whole World for Rights to the Word "Cloud"

Okay, I'm writing this one as a favor to my Apple enthusiast friend who is a borderline Chrome OS convert.

First of all, let's disclose the obvious that I have adopted Steve Ballmer's "All in for the cloud" mantra and am virtually a paid Google employee.  Phew.  With that off my chest, I will continue.

Is that the Soundcloud logo in silver!!  Someone file suit, quick!

Mr. Jobs (to avoid contention, I'll refrain from using my favorite nick name for him) and company have released a new way to cut the USB/Firewire cords and still sync data across different devices.  What's new?  Rather than manually storing all my data on all my Apple branded products, I can now entrust all my data to Apple's online iCloud service, which will sync the data to my different devices for me.  Pretty cool.  What's the same?  Yes, you guessed I would say it: "walled garden."  If I want to sync my data across different devices, I'd better be wearing a turtleneck and jeans (sorry, I gave in to the temptation!).  In other words, I have to own an automagical Apple product, or I'm hosed.

As I commented on Chrome OS Site, I see this move as Apple essentially doing what Microsoft does best:  Tying users to its own products and services, except for Apple takes the magic one step further, decreeing that users must use its infallible products, or die (okay, just lose access to their data).

I'm glad to see things moving more and more toward the cloud -- wait, am I allowed to use that word, now? -- and my preference is for users to take their data where they want, when they want it (which many will argue Google fails at because ubiquitous internet has yet to arrive).

For those who chafe at using Chrome OS because, GASP, it stores everything in the cloud! how is iCloud any different?  In a lot of ways, I welcome Apple's pretended venture into the clouds (I say pretended because where do I access my data?  I presume on locally-installed programs, er, apps) because more and more people will realize that trusting our data to third parties (again, GASP) is inevitable.

0 visible dollars (the cost is built into the products/services) does seem a lot better than MobileMe's $99 price tag.

Yes, iCloud may be free to those willing to don a turtleneck and jeans, day in and day out.  For those who want to slip into something else (use a non-Apple product), iCloud is, as I understand it, the antithesis of free.

I have a dream that one day my children and grandchildren will be able to access their data and apps wherever they go and on any machine, not because of the products they own, but because they will have universal access to it across any device.

I will hand it to Apple and assume this service will appease many fans, while allowing it to somewhat dip a toe into cloud computing.  On the other hand, I feel like Apple and Microsoft will eventually lose substantial ground to companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, because the former two insist on maintaining their tired (did you like that snark?) and true business models.

In the early 2000s, Apple broke out of its customary PC/laptop shell and opened up to all things iPortable.  Is iCloud the beginning of Apple's transition to cloud computing?  I doubt it, but time will tell.

For more, Google iCloud.  ;)  Or, you could simply read what I consider an even-handed article from CNET.

You may now shower me with boos, hisses, weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.  I have only one request: Do it in the comments section, for all to see. }:-)

Today's Spiritual Message: Teaching Youth about Chastity

Now that my wife's keyboard is officially fixed, I will leave you with a brief message about how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches its youth about chastity.



Youth are encouraged to regularly review and live the values taught in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet (the link includes many more resources than just the pamphlet).

We live in a world "that call[s] evil good, and good evil; that put[s] darkness for dlight, and light for darkness; that put[s] bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).  As such, I am very grateful to have reminders about what really is good, especially when the world seems to have changed its mind.  (For example, things like sexting and outright promiscuity are now seen as "good" and healthy, when previously they were thought of as "evil" and "bitter.")

The +1 Button Is Here! Spread the Love . . .

Can you see it, below, in the footer of this post, next to the Gmail, Blogger, Twitter, Facebook, and Buzz share buttons?

Well, it looks like this, except gray:

It means you agree/like something

Here's a fun little video that describes the +1 button's appeal:



Actually, I forced (okay, politely asked) my wife to search for a post I had +1'd, and, sure enough, we saw my +1 recommendation, right in her search results.  Very cool, in my view.

If you want to add a +1 button to your own blog posts, as I have, go to the +1 Webmaster site to get the code and then go to Design>Edit HTML on your blog and follow the instructions given on the webmaster site.

I imagine you'll find more simple/understandable instructions by Googling "place +1 blog" or something like that.  Happy +1ing and please +1 this post and other CA (my) posts you enjoy.  Cheers!

Memorial Day

Here's to the soldiers who have fought for the freedom and liberty this great nation, often giving their lives.

Thank you, and God bless America!

Code Breaking

This title might surprise you, given what the post is about and my affinity for internet technologies.

So, for the past while, our Honda Accord has given me the "c0de" message on its display and prevented me from listening to anything.  Anything.  Okay, maybe an occasional, digital beep.

Thankfully, I found a nifty help video on YouTube, which helped me find the key to cracking the code.

So, where did I find our well-hidden, secret stereo code (and why on earth is there one, in the first place?)?

On the back of the ashtray!!

That's right, kids, McGiver has nothing on me.  Absolutely nothing!!

I will now enjoy my 30 minute commute, feasting on General Conference talks, rather than freeway white noise.

The New LDS Media Library Has Arrived!!

Sort of.

Check out the new LDS Media Library by clicking on the image above or below.

For right now, the Library has a limited selection of videos and a lot of explanations of new social media and what the Church will be rolling out soon.  From feature films to highlightable e-books, I'm getting excited!

The Media Library contains a number of descriptions of how the Church is and will be using online media.

Be sure to visit the site to see how you can better prepare Family Home Evening lessons, share with friends, enjoy a movie together, and more.

Today's Spiritual Message: An Apostle's Introduction to the Book of Mormon

Hope you enjoy it.

Careful Closing the Dumpster: Something Might Leap Out at You

Here I was, lamenting how bored I felt, with my wife shooting a wedding (photography, rather than guns), chrome and other news essentially evaporated (even the rapture failed to materialize and make my desolation more exciting), and my daughter fast asleep.  To assuage my lamentations, I decided to take out the trash, which consisted of two bags of diapers . . .

Over the past day or two, I've felt rather zealous about closing our two dumpsters' doors -- all four of them.  Why?  Well, the other night, I went to throw out some trash when I heard something fall on the ground.  I assumed the worst, yet found only some trash, which looked like it might have fallen from a bag with some tear marks in it.  Failing to see anything living, other than the heaps of trash, I went on my merry way.

The next day, I obtained my evidence:  A bandit-faced creature, skulking near one of our dumpsters and trying to look pitiable.  I starred it down and it tucked it's tail and ran for the hills (which were only a few feet away, anyway).

Now I imagine you can now understand my conviction for securing the dumpster doors (even if someone else left one or more open).

Finally, we end where I began:  Depositing some valuables into the dumpster.

With proactive zeal in my heart and bodily safety on my mind, I approached the far side dumpster, as one of its doors stood already ajar.  After delivering my fragrant treasures, I went to close the dumpster door when, "Yeaaaaaaaahhhh!!" some animal shot out -- thankfully, away from me -- and booked it like a teenage-girl running to procure the latest Twilight installment.  After overcoming heart failure and flashing images of rabid claws sinking into my flesh and long nights in a stiff hospital bed, I caught my breath and slowly walked away, thankful to have my skin and good health intact, ready to take the trash out another day.

Okay, so the title is slightly misleading

Cute and cuddly, eh?

Alphabet Tutor in Action

I'm getting nervous about the day when I see a random credit card purchase for toys neither I nor mom knew about . . .

GERMANY PHOTOS (are finally here)!!

Okay, peeps.  Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting (months) for!  The Germany trip photos.

Enjoy!  (Please click on the Picasa icon in the bottom-right-hand corner of each album viewer if you'd rather see a full album view, rather than a one-picture-at-a-time slideshow.)

If you want me to comment on them, give me a call, and I'll give you the three hour tour.

















I'll probably get more up here from our more "socially acceptable camera," as my wife calls it.

(See my wife's blog for exacting details of our adventures.)

Today's Spiritual Message: WE Are Children of God

I hope you enjoy this video about our heavenly heritage.

Confession: I'm a Parselmouth

"I can speak to snakes.  I found out when we've been to the country on trips — they find me, they whisper to me.  Is that normal for a wizard?"

Thankssss, amigo!

Okay, so V-Mart said that and my character was less narcissistic about his ability.

The other day, my wife, daughter, and I were at a local park, when we walked past an old school bathroom (like something from a reptile house -- or Hogwarts).  Long story short, turns out we saw what we think was a Black Rat Snake, hanging on the windowsill, its long tail tucked into the corner of an old, grated window.  I'd say it was as short as three feet or as long as four or five.

We called the police (hey, the thing could have been a Basilisk, for all we knew!), and they showed up like two days later.  Okay, after about 30-40 minutes.  We wanted to avoid creating a panic, so I sat by the bathroom and, uh, kept watch, until they arrived.

Two little girls came skipping down to the reptile house, err, bathroom, and were perplexed, when I told them to go and ask their parents for permission.  "Our parents already said we could," the girls insisted.  "Did they know there was a snake in the bathroom?" I asked.  Both girls apparently failed to distinguish the snake from the brick and one started walking into the bathroom . . .  I sternly told her to come back, and, once the girls had it click in their minds what I was talking about, they ran away, screaming, "Snaaaaake!"

Is the Chamber of Secrets located underneath a wash closet in a Cincinnati park?

"Oh, great," I thought.  Some dad's going to come down, looking to punch me in the face because he thinks I'm a weirdo, hanging out by the girl's bathroom.  Actually, their father just stood in the door, with his back to the snake and commanded the girls to go to the bathroom because, darn it, they said they had to go!  (I think both girls felt differently, at that point.)

Once the folks in white showed up, one of them wanted to get out some kind of extendable stick and put the snake in the trees.  "No, Bill!  What if it's somebody's pet or it's poisonous or something!?"  Ah, yes, the calm-headed reasoning of the female officer won out, and we presume they waited until animal control (or someone similar) turned up.

Good times, eh?

I'd give you two non-stock photos from my "1.3 Mage Pixels Mobile Camera" (it literally says "Mage"), except they're pretty low resolution, and I lack a way to transfer them, anyway.  Just pretend like this is Hairless and use your imagination.  Savvy?  Awesome.

(See my wife's blog for more.)

Breakfast Blinis

YUM.

I made some buckwheat blini pancakes for my wife and daughter, out of a fancy cook book, and we loved them.

I highly recommend it.  Let me know if you want the recipe.  The only bummer is that part of the preparation is letting the batter rise for 2-3 hours . . .

Yep, Poppers, this stuff goes well with a nice sip cup!

That's a spatula, rather than Harry's head, "floating in mid air!"

I highly recommend getting real maple syrup:  I tip my hat to my wife for this judgment call

Proper fork use recommended

I'm detecting something . . .

. . . I'm getting it . . .

. . . almost . . .

. . . yes, truly amazing!

Take your blinis with you, wherever you need to go!

Breakfast blinis:  The ultimate rock-out breakfast food

Happy Mothers' Day!!

"Who can probe a mother’s love? Who can comprehend in its entirety the lofty role of a mother? With perfect trust in God, she walks, her hand in His, into the valley of the shadow of death, that you and I might come forth into light."  Thomas S. Monson.

The holiest words my tongue can frame,
The noblest thoughts my soul can claim,
Unworthy are to praise the name
More precious than all other.

An infant, when her love first came,
A man, I find it still the same,
Reverently I breathe her name,
The blessed name of mother.

George Griffith Fether, “The Name of Mother,” in Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, edited by Jack M. Lyon and others (1996), 218.

On this Mothers' Day, I want to give thanks to the three mothers I am closest to:  my wife, my mother, and my mother-in-law. I have received unique and special gifts from each and am eternally grateful for their love and devotion.

Above all, I want to give thanks to my sweet and darling wife.  She is the apple of my eye (my daughter's a close second), the mother of my child, and the wellspring of my hopes and dreams.  Sweetheart, I love you -- Happy Mothers' Day!!

In celebration of this special day, here are some pictures of the children my wife takes care of, on a daily basis.  I hope you enjoy them.

We love you, mom!!

(Germany pictures are on their way, I promise!)

Harry Potter 7, Part 1 Reviewed

Google Chrome for Dads

This one tugs at my heart strings:



Hope you enjoyed it.