It Took Me A While...But I Think I Might Have Figured It Out

This morning my wife and I found ourselves on the campus of Brigham Young University, or BYU to almost everyone. Of the University of Utah, Utah State University, Brigham Young University, and Weber State University, BYU is the only institute of higher education I have not attended as a student.

But, I have been on the campus a number of times. I even attended church there once. This morning we were there to support my brother who, as of today, shall forever be known as Bishop Taylor. Congrats, bro!!

This took place in the Jesse Knight Building, or the JKB to almost everyone. I don't know how many other universities that use their regular classrooms and school buildings for church. We were escorted into a small room with comfortable chairs and tables. Something caught my attention. Each table had a small section at the front of the table that folded down. I tested them--the panels folded down to a ninety degree angle, then back again.

At first, I thought the tables might have some educational purpose, like a table in a science class made specifically for scientific experiments. But the room was not set up for anything technical, at least, as far as I could tell. 

Why did the tables have these adjustments? What purpose could they possibly have?

Then, a thought.

What if they were there as a way to block something?

What if they were there as a modesty panel?

Okay, I could be way off base here, but I thought they might be used to assist a teacher or someone standing in front of the class. If that's the reason for the panels, then there you go. If not, well...I'm at a loss.

Anyway, it made me think as I sat in a school/church room on a university campus this morning.

I'm Seeing A Lot More Blue Out There Lately...

If you live near me, you're probably seeing more of the color blue lately, and it's not just because the fires have weakened and the sky is clearer. It's because fans of a football team located approximately sixty miles to the south me are excited, excited about the prospect of the future.

And they should be.

It's not that the BYU blue went away entirely--far from it. There have always been and there will always be fans of the school, be they alumni or not. They support their team, they wear their colors. But last year was a down year for the program, very un-BYU-esk. They didn't have a winning season and they didn't go to a bowl game. But when your team starts the season 3-1 including beating a top-10 team on the road, that's a reason to break out the flags, hats, shirts, bumper stickers, and neckties on Sunday.

I've made no bones about the fact that this team, this school's sports program in general, is not a favorite of mine. It stems from constantly getting beat down by their programs year after year in the 80s and 90s. They destroyed all local competition (and many of big national teams, too...). Finally, FINALLY, after decades of abuse and humiliation, the tide turned. The men in red began to defeat the men in blue, and more and more red began appearing on the scene.

I have no idea how the rest of this season will go. BYU, currently ranked #20, plays another nationally ranked team in Washington tomorrow. When BYU beat Wisconsin a few weeks ago, I was generally happy for them. They played better and they beat a team that didn't respect them. I doubt Washington will make the same mistakes Wisconsin did. Still, the fans, the players, everyone involved in the program is excited for the challenge. If they win tomorrow, they could end up having a historic year. 

And, if BYU wins tomorrow, I know I'm going to see more blue out there. That's not a bad thing.

Looks Like The Wall Street Journal Knows What We've Known For A Long Time...

Back when I worked with a computer developer, my friend told me about the Wall Street Journal. Of course, I'd heard of the newspaper (it was only a paper back then, there was no "on-line" anything...). He told me that I could get so much of what was really going on in not only the business world, and in the world in general by just reading the front page of the journal.

It's been almost thirty years since he told me that and I haven't forgotten it. For a while I would read the first page of the journal because the business subscribed. It's been a long time since I picked up the newspaper and read that front page. And, honestly, it's been a long time since I've even checked out the digital version, but I did check it out this past week. It's because they spotlighted a comedy troupe from Utah, BYUtv's Studio C. 

It's something those of us around here have known about for a long time.

The WSJ article is interesting. It's main point is that the comedians are succeeding even without using vulgarity or off-color jokes to do it, Maybe in their world that is newsworthy. Those of us who seek out and watch "clean" comedy know it can not only be successful, but good, as in quality as well. The article goes on to say even Conan O'Brian has been impressed with what they do.

If you've not heard of Studio C, or if you've followed them for years, check out the article. You can read it by clicking: HERE. Hopefully, because of the Wall Street Journal, more and more people will find out what we've known for a long time, that Studio C is dang funny!

My Trip To Provo...With Yodeling

About twice a year the team I'm on at work meets with another team to discuss work, places to improve, and other work-related stuff. Today we held that meeting and we traveled to Provo, Utah to do it.

For those of you unfamiliar with Provo, it's on the southern end of a one-hundred or so mile area that constitutes the most populated area in the state. It's famous for many things--the most Republican county in the nation, and it's home of Brigham Young University. Perhaps you've heard of it.

Provo gets a bad wrap, especially from certain people living north, south, east, and west of the city. It's an easy target, actually--because it is a different place to live. It's got some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation and some of the nicest people you will ever meet live within its city limits.

At work we had the first half of our meeting then broke for lunch. I called a friend, Dave, and we went for Indian food. We talked shop (writing and publishing) and it was great just hanging out with him.

In the second half of our meeting I learned that it was my previous boss's birthday (happy 51, Darren!) and that my current boss can yodel. That's right--yodel! In fact, he's very good. He says he doesn't do social media so I'm hoping he doesn't find out I'm adding this. But I want to because I think it's excellent.

After the meeting we boarded our train. It brought us from Central Utah County to home. Yes, I spent the day in Provo. And even though I'm one of the ones who knock it from time to time, it's really a beautiful place.