Family Night at Golfland (captured with the Flip Ultra)

Last night we decided to take the boys to Golfland for our Monday night family outing.




I decided to capture the event using a Flip Ultra I borrowed from work.

I'm convinced that I'll never use our full size camcorder again. This little camera fits in your pocket and shoots video that's alread the perfect size for sharing. It also comes with software that gives you just enough editing power to get the job done quickly.

Another Video for Ashley. 5 Years and Counting...

Video about Max. Posted for Ashley

Gumption

Woman spends 4 years & $70,000 on college. Graduates with flying colors (2.7 GPA and "good attendance"). Can't find job. Sues college placement center for full reimbursement (+$2000 for stress of job search). Awesome.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/03/new.york.jobless.graduate/index.html

Reckless Abandon

Lake Tahoe - July, 2009

Opportunity Costs - Diet Coke...You're on Notice!

Tonight Ashley called when I was at Safeway to let me know we were out of Coke and that I should pick up a 24-pack to get us through the Sabbath. The 24-pack came to $10 with tax, or $0.42 per can.
As I put the receipt in my pocket I started to wonder about our projected lifetime contribution to the Coca-Cola Corporation. So on the way home I ran some numbers and came up with the following.

On average we probably consume 6 DCs per day. I drink one; Ashley, Charlie and Max drink the other 5. At 42 cents per can, that's $2.50 per day, $912 per year or $45,625 over 50 years. (This calculation assumes that 'the Ash' will average 5 cans per day until she's 79. I know, it's a VERY conservative model.)

What else could we do with $45,625?
You could pay for 190 of these,

one of these,

2001 Honda Odyssey, Desert Sand

Or 5 more of these!

Showing Up

Ashley,
I just read part of this article (I don't have the attention span to read full ones). I'll save you some energy - it's about a girl who didn't miss a day of school in 13 years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30945762/?GT1=43001

I know what you're thinking. "What a waste!" I felt/feel the same way. But there's a line I really liked in it. It reminded me of you. About half-way through the article, the girl says:

"I have these days where I'm like, 'I do not want to be here,' " she said. "I'm just the kid who shows up on those days."

You're one of the best show-er up-ers I know.

This morning when I watched you slog out of bed at 5 am, I was reminded of just how dedicated you have been to seminary this whole year. Especially these last few days as you cram to make your last lessons extra special.

For the other readers: To understand Ashley's level of commitment to seminary (and sacrifice) you have to understand her love of sleep, and current lack thereof. I know of no one who enjoys sleep more and gets less of it. Which is why her getting up at 5 am to teach seminary is nothing short of a daily miracle. I seriously don't know how she does it.

So Ashley. As your last day of seminary approaches, I'm sure you feel a mix of emotions (like joy mixed with elation and happiness), but I wanted to let you know that I feel proud of what you've done. In the words of the famous Sir Topham Hat, "Well done Ashley. Well done."