Adding luster

I cleaned out my closet recently and took an inventory of all the equipment I’ve acquired in the last few years (skis, road bike, rollerblades, golf clubs, scuba gear, etc). With just what I currently have, I’ll never have enough free time to enjoy it all. I’ve found myself thinking long and hard about some new things in my life.

I find when I start something new; it’s always a lot of fun. Whether it’s meeting a new friend, taking on a new sport/hobby, or learning a new skill - it is automatically enjoyable because it’s new and exciting. As I look at my collection I can’t help to realize some of these things have lost some luster.

I realize I enjoyed some things so much purely because they were new, but sadly after the luster wears off you’re not left with much except with something you use to be into – sorry golf clubs, the dust on you will probably be there next season.

Then there are those things that you find that even after the luster wears off, you find an even better layer underneath. These things have become so much a part of me that I wonder how I ever got along without them – close friends, running shoes, scriptures.

So I guess this is why we still go out and seek new things to do, people to meet and places to visit even when our “to do” list seems to already be too full. After the initial luster wears off we discover a little more about who we really are.

Life Under the Sea

After talking about it for nearly two years I finally signed up for an open water scuba class at the University of Utah.

In June I will be going on an eight day dive trip with one of my best friends and his family. This is the Occidental Grand Cozumel, it doesn't currently look like this. It has been closed for three months due to Hurricane Wilma and is scheduled to reopen in February.

In preparation for this trip, I've gotten a bit overwhelmed by all the gear I will either need to purchase or rent. I have already spent more than you would like on the sweetest pair of fins, boots, snorkel and mask. They are black and silver, I'm told it's not good to get dark colors for you might get mistaken for a seal, but I make a good looking seal!

It's funny how I, a normally detailed person, don't consider any details when attempting new things. My thought process of learning to scuba went like this....

I like fish, if I can breathe underwater I'll be able to see all sorts of fish. If I get really good at it I think they call you a master. I will learn to scuba.

Now that I am in the scuba class, I realize this breathing underwater is kind of complicated. All sorts of buoyancy and pressure to think about and if anything goes wrong with this complicated equipment you have about 90 seconds to fix it before certain death. Maybe that's why it took me two years to find someone to take a class with me.

I wonder what else I've gotten myself into without really considering the details.

High RENT

I can't control

My destiny

I trust my soul

My only goal is just

To be

There's only now

There's only here

Give in to love

Or live in fear

No other path

No other way

No day but today...

Light the Fire Within

The Olympic Games, a time where nations put their differences aside and come together to compete and celebrate humanity. Building a peaceful and better world by education through sport without discrimination, requiring mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

One of my favorite Olympic memories was having the opportunity to meeting Mr. Apolo Anton Ono. This humble speedster was team USA’s hope of winning 5 Olympic gold medals in short track in 2002. His disposition was surprisingly down to earth; as we only conversed for a few minutes, he still took the time to remember my name.

As I look forward to the games next month, I wonder what it is about the Olympic Games that get people so excited. For me I think there is something infectious about seeing someone that has found their purpose. They dedicate years of their lives to training and perfecting their sport to the point that they get a chance to compete to be the best. The hunger and drive of the athletes is unmatched, the excitement in those moments right before the race is unreal, and the knowledge that your nation has an interest in the outcome must be unbelievable.

The Mix of '06

Here we are at the begining of another year, a chance to review our countless priorities and take score on the previous year's accomplishments.

I must say I have a lot of nervous energy at this time, more than at any other point in my life. I keep reflecting on the following C.S. Lewis quote:

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.