When Your Clothes Are Older Than Your Kids...

After dinner, and when the cat wants in from the cold, my son's beautiful Standard Poodle can get a little jumpy. After a year and a half of having him with us, we're learning how to make these times of the day productive for him. We play with him, throw balls and squeaky toys for him to retrieve. After a while, both he and us get tired and we settle down. Tonight, my arm got in the way of an excited doggie's teeth. The result--a punctured sweatshirt.

It's not big deal--it's a small hole and we'll darn it before it goes in the wash, thus preserving the garment for another day.

I've had this sweatshirt for a long time. Seeing it damaged, albeit very little damage, got me to thinking. Just how long have I had this sweatshirt?

Turns out, I've had it for twenty-five years.

And it might even be twenty-six years old.

I remember where I got it, just not exactly when. So, I did a little research. My friend Bob and I attended a NCAA mens basketball tournament in the building where the Utah Jazz play. We had some time to kill before the games so we did a little shopping at the mall a few blocks east of where the tournament was held. He and I both bought sweatshirts.

I thought it was during a Mountain West tournament, back when the University of Utah Utes played in that conference. A quick search later told me this was not the case. For as long as Utah was in the Mountain West (about a decade...), the tournament was never held in Salt Lake City.

So, I went back further, back to the days of the Western Athletic Conference, or WAC. I pulled up the WAC tournament history and there were two years that it was played at the Delta Center in SLC...1993 and 1994. That means, this sweatshirt that suffered its first bit of damage today is over a quarter century old.

I've bought a couple of U of U t-shirts over the years, but never a new sweatshirt. Why would I? The one I have is perfectly fine. And after a quick needle and thread application, it will be even better. It's just hard to justify getting a new one. 

Of course, if I did, I wonder if it will hold up as well as this one has. If so, I could be wearing it when I'm almost eighty.

A Shocking Revelation...I'll Never Look At The Y The Same Again

My friend texted me today with some shocking news. I don't believe I was prepared for the effect it would have on me. Indeed, it shook me to the core.

It's something I've seen my entire life. Now, I can no longer see it with innocent eyes, for they have been opened...

Opened to the truth!

And the truth is this: there's a message hidden in the "Y" logo, a logo that can be found literally thousands of places on the campus of Brigham Young University, and on cars, flags, shot glasses, practically everything. Little kids see this logo everyday, the elderly, the rich, and the poor--all are subjected to the subliminal message, a message of doom, of despair, of hopelessness. You see, in the logo is an arrow, an arrow that points directly to Hell.

I know, I know what you must be thinking, "How can it be?" The simple truth is...it be. I'm writing this as a public service and a warning--avoid this logo AT ALL COSTS, as if your very lives depend on it. Because they just might!

For those of you wondering, "What logo can we look to for hope, for encouragement, for happiness and joy?"

I present to you, the simple "U" logo. Unlike the demonic "arrow-to-Hell" found in the"Y" logo, the U logo offers all who gaze upon it two points pointing skyward. Think of them as hands directing us all to Heaven, for indeed, that's what they do, each and every time.

Again, the news was shocking, a map to Satan under our very noses the whole time. I hope this post has been helpful for you, because it was a blast for me to write. ;) Thanks Bob, for literally saving my soul.

Happy Birthday Bob...Here's To Many, Many More

Saturday night, my wife and I attended a birthday party for a good friend. More and more of my friends are eclipsing the half-century mark. I admit, it was a tad daunting when I crossed over from my forties to my fifties. But, the sun rises the next day and you're pretty much the same person, except you can now join AARP (something, I haven't done...).

The party was great. I saw friends I hadn't seen in years, had great food, and enjoyed some good music. Of course, Bob, the man of the hour, was busy socializing and being the gracious host. We chatted and caught up a little bit. All of Bob's family was there and it was good to catch up with siblings and his parents as well.

I've known Bob since Jr. High School. We graduated high school together and college together. We performed as wild west stuntmen and sang in famous venues and in private settings. We camped, rode whitewater rapids, and even pledged the Sigma Gamma Chi fraternity together. We've seen each other at our best and our not so best. For me, Bob's the pure definition of friend. He's a successful businessman, husband, and father. When it comes to financial expertise, he has a brilliant mind and an even better heart--when looking for a money expert, that's a wonderful and rare combination. I'm lucky to have known him for so many years. Here's to even more memories in the next fifty!

To Those At The Party...That I Missed

I stopped by my friend's office a few months ago and we were shooting the bull. And, as is wont to happen, we chatted about the old days, high school, summer jobs, college, and one of our personal favorites--the years we spent in the University of Utah A'Cappella Choir, Dr. Ed Thompson, Conductor.

"We should have a reunion," my friend said.

"We should," I agreed.

We picked a date, created a Facebook Event and sent out invites. I awaited the day with anticipation. The day came and has since passed. And because of work commitments, I pretty much missed it.

I arrived more than three hours late and greeted the hearty souls who stayed until the bitter end. We caught up, shared hugs then wished them well on their journeys home. Finally my friend and I--the original event organizers--were the only ones left. He prepared a plate of food for me (complete with delicious pie...) and we sat and shot the bull.

"The party was great," he said. He told me how everyone sat and talked, just talked. He then told me of an experience they all shared, one I won't include here. Oh, how I wish I could have been there, to see those wonderful people and enjoy their company.

Decades ago we meet every day at a former LDS Institute building and we sang. I looked forward to that class every school day for four years. After everyone left the reunion party, my friend and I talked about how that class changed our lives. We met our spouses through the choir. We've made fast friends through that choir. And both of us shared stories on how we made it into the choir, each could have ended up in another group and so much of our lives would have been different.

To those at the party, I'm sorry I couldn't attend. To my friend who ended up hosting by himself (I'm sure his wonderful wife helped him to make it a fantastic party...), I apologize for making you do all the work. I know I missed an amazing event. But I'm happy my friend and I decided to do it because those who attended had a blast.

I'll just have to go to the next one.

My Lunch With Bob...

I got the call as I headed home on the bus. “What you doing tomorrow?” Bob asked.

“As of now, no plans.”

“I’d like to take you out for a post-birthday lunch. You up for that?”

“Are you kidding? Always!” I said, my first thought being I wouldn’t need to pack leftovers as I rode the bus to work the next morning.

“See you then!”

And the call ended. Lunch…the next day. Good stuff!

I work in downtown Salt Lake City, but I’m not really a “downtown worker.” To me, working “downtown” means being close to the action, power meetings and power lunches.

Basically, something I never do.

I conclude most of this inactivity with the “movers and shakers” in the city is due to my employer. I’m a state employee—one that lacks connections. Well, I have connections, but I’m not the one to contact to secure state contracts or other payday results. Nope—I’m just your basic civil servant.

So getting invited to lunch is a rare event and I was grateful for the opportunity. Bob and I have known each other for decades. A few years ago I worked P/T for his financial planning business. It was fascinating to work four days a week for the state then one day a week for a private enterprise. If you don’t know, there’s a huge difference in how these organizations work. That’s all I’m going to say here.

We chatted, discussed finances, caught up on work, families, the Utes…you know, the important stuff. Then it was over and we both returned to our very different jobs. We grew up in the same small(ish) town, attended the same schools from elementary all the way through college and now pursue different interests. Yet, for an hour in a SLC bakery we were able to talk and enjoy each other’s company as if all those differences didn’t exist at all. Thanks for lunch, Bob! We should do it more often.

Nielsen's Frozen Yogurt...Nectar, Pure Nectar That's Undeniably Delicious!

I have to think that Nielsen's Frozen Yogurt will be found in Heaven.

It just HAS to be.

Last night my wife delivered to me a tasty treat. If you live where I live, you are privileged to be near a Nielsen's Frozen Yogurt location. If you've experienced the utter joy the product delivers, you understand what I'm talking about when I say it's "heavenly." If haven't tried any frozen yogurt and you live by me, then shame on you! You're denying yourself one of life's most delicious treasures.

I first learned of Nielsen's back in the 1980's when my friend Bob Aamodt worked there as an after school and weekend job. I couldn't believe how good it was. Over the years I've frequented the different franchises in the area and it still tastes as good as it did decades earlier.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it...), I don't partake of its goodness as much as I would like. Personal budgets and the desire to live beyond my 50s require that I do not eat this everyday.

So, I have to conclude that there's a Nielsen's Frozen Yogurt in Heaven. Because if there isn't, I might have to re-thing the whole "Heaven" thing.

Happy Birthday, Clif...Thanks For The Memories!

January 16th...my friend's birthday. I don't know why I remember the day so well. Maybe because it's the week after my wife's birthday (and, for the record, I remember her birthday every year, too--and I know why I remember that day...). Maybe I remember my friend's birthday because the first Gulf War began on this day in 1991, the same day he and I went to a Paul Simon concert in the old Salt Palace.

Maybe it's because my friend is such a quality person.

Yup...I'll go with that.

 

Thinking of him and thinking this would be the subject of tonight's blog post, I dusted off the old yearbook and took a trip down memory lane. This is a picture of the high school track team my senior year. It pretty much looks live every other track team picture in every other yearbook from 1984.

My friend, who's birthday is today, is the tall one sitting next to the guy with the great hair and the Hacky Sack t-shirt, which, by the way, I silkscreened myself in art class. Those were good days with good friends. My friend now lives in the Northwest, a great father, husband and friend.

Happy birthday, Clif! Stay solid!

Bob Aamodt, Inc.

 A Welcome Place

It was about a year ago that I got another job. When I first began this blog in January (I can’t believe it’s been almost a year…) I wrote about my second job more than I did my main job. I did this because my part-time job was more fun than my full-time job. I worked as a Director of Marketing and Communications for Bob Aamodt, Inc.

In the spring I worked every Friday. Due to the former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, he gave all of us Fridays off—something that has since been changed. It was a perfect set up for me—work 40 hours Monday through Thursday, then go and have a great time working with a friend I’ve known for over 30 years on Friday.

The summer came and my duties changed a little at my part-time job. I was switched and given a different focus. This was okay with me…I still had the part-time gig and I was still having fun.

As the summer progressed it became obvious to everyone that the work just wasn’t there to justify working eight hours a week. I could always work more or less than eight hours a week. I just worked until the work was finished. In September the work was basically done, and when the work ends, so does the pay.

I’m working on one project now, possibly the biggest project the company does all year and it is an amazing project. It’s called the Bob Aamodt Vertical Challenge. It’s a charity event held each year at Snowbasin Ski Resort. All proceeds go to ScoutReach, the charity arm for the Boy Scouts of America. I made a couple of promotional videos that I’m really proud of. You can access them: HERE and HERE. The 2012 Challenge is on February 28, 2012. It's truly a great event. You can get more information about the Vertical Challenge: HERE. Please consider it.

It’s sometimes difficult to tell the people you care about just how important they’ve been in your life. Everyone at Bob Aamodt, Inc. always treated me incredibly good. It’s how they treat all their clients and vendors. It’s how they treat everyone who walks in that door first built by Mormon pioneers over a century ago. If you’re in need of financial services, please consider using them. Here’s the link to their website: HERE. I guarantee they’ll make you feel at home. Thanks again for the year that was. All the best for the year that is to come.