Dennis Sorensen

I'm with Dave, Cartoons and childrens books, that is why it is great to have grandchildren cause then you have an excuse. 

UTawna Johnson (Witney)

Just sayin' Hi! I wish I'd made it to the March b-day lunch. I had intended to, but then I remembered that we were going to the Springville FFA dinner/auction and decided that I couldn't eat that much in one day. So, the FFA dinner won the coin toss (we have a grandson involved in the FFA). Anyway, glad a good time was had by all. tjw

Charles (Chuck) Gividen

I really like to read Louis L'Amore books.  He is a western writer, however, two books that he wrote which I really enjoy are,"Walking Drum" (takes place as Europe is just starting to come out of the Dark Ages), and "Last of the Breed".  This book is about a Native American test pilot that was forced to crash land in the Soviet Union so they could get intelligence information from him.  Fantastic story.  When I was a School Resource Officer, many of the elementary teachers asked that I read the book called "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls, the same author that wrote "Where the Red Fern Grows".  This book will make you laugh so hard that you will cry, and you will cry because there are such tender special moments.  It is about a 14 year old boy, his Blue Tick hound, his twin sister, his grandpa and of course, a bunch of monkeys.  I have probably read it in the schools about 30 times.  It is so well worth reading, expecially if you are a grandpa or grandma.  It puts new light on how one looks at the influence we have on our grandchildren.  Read it.....it is well worth it.

Hey Dennis, I too like to listen to book CD's, especially on trips.  Clare Poulson writes some fantastic criminal stories.  I have yet been unable to guess who did what until I read it.  He is a great writer.

Good idea for discussion, Gary.

Linda Schardine

OK Gary, not that anyone cares what I read, but I'll jump in and I also have a cool story .......

I read Harry Potter, Louie LaMoure, really good true stories, some spiritual native american books and I have read all of Steven Kings books. (I know weird huh?). It started with The Stand and went from there. 

This is a true story~~

 My X-husband wanted to be an extra in movies. So when The stand came to Utah, they filmed the part where the town meeting all meets.  I think at the old train station. He got excepted and since I know that Steven King always is in his own films some where, I hoped I could be in also and get a gilmpse of him.

 The day we went, there were 300 people and they told us all to walk into the meeting hall at the same time and just pick a seat and that's where we would be seated for 3 days if nessesary in the same seat in case they needed lots of shots, same clothes, same seat. 

 When we were all seated, we realized Steven KIng was sitting in front of us with the producer. I couldn't believe it, I about died! I had a bad cold/cough and felt like crap, I almost didn't go, but forced myself and I was so glad. We made friends with the girl sitting next to him, and watched him interact with his friend, he is so hilarious! eventually everyone knew he was there, but no one mobbed him and just left him alone.

 At the point where they panned in to him, I had a coughing fit and they actually had to do it over, I thought they should have left it, because in the book the people were sick and coughing, so I was right on.... I watched him for 10 hours of shooting and enjoyed it greatly, we all had paper programs like they would have in a meeting and had to turn them in at the end of the day, but I had our friend who sat next to him sign mine.......Needless to say I wasn't turning anything in. I still have mine and that's my Steven King story I'll always remember dearly......

 Also the guy that was My Favorite Martian? we all remember him, he was in the back and he was kinda rude to people, he isn't my favorite martian anymore.....

Marvin Dansie

Gary-

Isn’t it interesting to find that it is actually cool to learn new stuff. 

I remember in high school complaining about all the stuff we were suppose to learn that we knew we would never use. As I look back, I wish I would have paid a little more attention to what was being taught. I was not a reader growing up. I remember having to go to remedial reading classes in elementary school, not that I couldn’t read it was because I just didn’t read. I managed to get through high school only reading three books from the time I was in ninth grade until I graduated from high school - a pretty sad record.

But things changed. When I joined the navy (to avoid going to Vietnam) I had to join for a six year hitch (since all the other available slots were already filled) and go through their nuclear power school, a year long school that was very intense. The classroom portion of the school was six months long and covered subjects like math, nuclear physics, chemistry, fluid mechanics and a number of other equally difficult subjects. The classes lasted from 7:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon and tests were given every week on every subject. A failing grade on any test meant spending an extra four hour a day studying until the next test. Another failing grade meant another 4 hours a day studying (thats 8 extra hour a day). All of the class work material was classified and couldn’t be taken out of the building, so they knew if you were there and if you didn’t show up for your study sessions they sent the Shore Patrol out to get you (and they were not known for being gentle or understanding - let just say it was much better for you if you just showed up). I found the subject material difficult but surprisingly interesting. In high school I thought you had to be some kind of geek to take physics. I knew that I sure didn’t want to take it, but I had no idea what it was. After going through that school I have always had a passing interest in things like theoretical physics (the search for how the universe actually works).

By making it through that school I realized that I wasn’t as stupid as I thought I was. A few months after I graduated from that school and had been assigned to a submarine that was in dry dock, Coke talked me into reading The Hobbit. I was surprised that I actually finished the book. Then she suggested that I read the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.  I told her that reading one book a major accomplishment for me and that trying to read all three books would probably prove to be too difficult. Again I was surprised at how quickly I managed to read them. One my friends from the ship I was on was aware of my issues with reading, so he bought me a copy of David Copperfield. When he gave me the book I was shocked, it must be about 1200 pages long. I though there was no way could I read a book like that. As it turned out, I not only read David Copperfield but most of the other works by Charles Dickens. For several years I became an avid reader, sometimes reading as many as five books at a time (sort of like channel surfing with books).

Although I still like a good novel on occasion, I have found that I like biographies and non-fiction the best. I don’t read many books anymore, but I read lots of technical articles. I know that sounds kind of dull, but I seem to have a thirst to understand the world around me. I like knowing the how and why things work at a fundamental level. And I have discovered that that old saying about fact being stranger than fiction is absolutely true.

Linda Schardine

Marvin,

I guess you hit the double button..........yes life is stranger than fiction......

Did anyone like my Steven King story? Sometimes I wonder who's really listening to who? I thought it was a good one.

I don't know what happened to all the girls here, where did you all go? We need some girl power here!

Come on dudettes!!

Marvin Dansie

Linda-

I liked your Stephen King story - in fact I remember how excited you were when you first told Coke and me about it. It is a cool story, but from what I know, it is just one (although a very cool one) of your many adventures.

Charles (Chuck) Gividen

Marvin,

I too was not a reader, especially in elementary school.  I really struggled to read.  Then one day one of my teachers asked me to read a Hardy Boys book.  I did, and I was hooked.  My reading really improved.  I also started to read Tom Swift books.  They all made a difference.  Both the Hardy Boys and Tom Swift books were about teenagers trying to solve mysteries.  I think that is one of the reasons I got into law enforcement.  I was always had a lot of fun trying to figure out the who, what, when, where, how and why's of a crime.  I don't know Marvin, your technical books would overwhelm me.  I am sure that I would not know half the stuff that was in them.  I would be lost.  I guess that is why we all like to read in different ways and on different subjects. 

And Linda, your Stephen King story was great.  What an experience.  It will be something you will always remember, and pass on to others.  Thanks for sharing.

Shauna Bona (Leetham)

Sorry I didn't get to talk to everyone the other day. All though it was great to see who showed up. sorry I missed you Gary! Yes i wished I would have learned more in school too! In fact i stood in line with Phil Bird the other night and he taught me World History. I thought that was the most boring class ever. Well now i love all kinds of history. Anyway Phil started talking to me about working for my Grandpa and Uncles when he was a kid. He taught me more in 30 minutes than I learned in a whole year when I was 16 in school. Probably because I knew alot about the people!!!!!   OK, now to books,my all time favorite book is Follow The River! If you can still find a copy I promise you would all like it!! Today is Cindy's birthday,so here is wishing her a good one. Well if I would have known Dennis was buying I would have gotten there earlier!!! Just kidding. Love you all, sorry Linda I just haven't been on the computer very much!

Linda Schardine

Thanks Chuck!

Daryl Tucker

Been away for a few days, sorry not to have responded to some of the comments a little sooner, especially regarding your "extra" story, Linda. It was most excellent! Were you close enough to Stephen King to eavesdrop on any of his conversations? I'm familiar with the long intervals between actual filming, so I can only imagine the torture of sitting all day on a folding chair (I assume) while battling a cold. I'm even more impressed with you than ever! Ray Walston was "My Favorite Martian." Too bad he turned out to be such a jerk. I've heard the same thing about Wilford Brimley, who mostly comes across as such a loveable guy on screen.

The subject of reading has been a good one, Gary. Nice call! Let's talk about the Gnostics next time we do lunch.

Marvin, that was a great story. It was worth reading it twice. Share some of your insights on physical science with us. You have a nice way of laying things out for us average thinkers.

Chuck, nice suggestions for reading. I'm going to have to look up the two Louis L'Amour books you suggested. They sound quite a departure from his usual themes. I inherited some Tom Swift books my dad had as a boy and they have always been special to me. Do you remember the Tom Swifties that were a short-lived form of humor? Victor Appleton, the author, used to end a lot of the dialogue in the books with something like "I'm in a hurry," Tom said quickly. It was a common enough occurence in the books that someone decided it would be funny to make a sort of joke out of it and came up with things like, "It's freezing," Tom muttered icily. Or, "They had to amputate them both at the ankles," Tom said defeatedly. Or, "Who left the toilet seat up?" Tom asked peevishly.  It was basically just a collection of puns and they branched out to include other characters from history making similar statements like, "Who discovered radium?" Marie asked curiously. Or, "That's the last time I stick my arm in a lion's mouth!" the lion-tamer said off-handedly. Anyway, you get the idea. By the way, all the Tom Swift series is available in the public domain and can be downloaded at Project Guttenberg on the web for free. Okay, I'll quit., Daryl said finally.

Oh, and certainly not as an afterthought, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CINDY!

Linda Schardine

Yes, Happy Birthday Cindy!! sorry I don't keep up to good on those things......

Daryl, Stephen K was in the seat right in front of me and yes, I could hear everything (of course I don't remember any of it now), just that he was sooo funny sparing back and forth with the guy next to him, the producer I think and yes folding chairs. You got the picture, but out of all the 300 or so people I just couldn't believe it. I only went to get a glimpse, I could have touched him, but I didn't even dare talk to him, I didn't want to be the weird fan behind him (he might have moved, I couldn't take that chance). Gave me a different view on him, I think he would have to have that great of sense of humor to balance out the other side of his mind...........

Daryl, you always make things come together, keep talking we love it!

David Lynn

Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young. Long book but good reading on a plane. Augusta National Golf course is golf heaven. No phones. The grass is not painted as I was told,Eric.

Daryl Tucker

Augusta National!!! How did you pull that off, kidnap Condoleza Rice? Post some pictures!

David Lynn

David Lynn

Sorry, that guy kept juming in front of my photo taking.

David Lynn

These are called the Georgia Guidestones. Google them, they are from the NWO and the Rosicruians, to save the world. Some good stuff but I didn't like the getting rid of 7 billion people.

Daryl Tucker

I watched a Discovery Channel show about this once. Here is a little bit about them:

History

The stone featuring the English version.

In June 1979, an unknown person or persons under the pseudonym R. C. Christian hired Elberton Granite Finishing Company to build the structure.^[2]

[edit]Inscriptions

A message consisting of a set of ten guidelines or principles is engraved on the Georgia Guidestones in eight different languages, one language on each face of the four large upright stones. Moving clockwise around the structure from due north, these languages are: English, Spanish, Swahili, Hindi, Hebrew, Arabic,Chinese and Russian.

1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion — faith — tradition — and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.
10. Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.

I'm with Dave regarding the elimination of 7 billion people. Sounds like something some little Austrian corporal was telling the German people back in the 1930's.

Debbie Lawrence (Clark)

I'm always late to the conversation, but I wanted to get my two cents in.

I read anything that David Sedaris writes.  He is heartbreakingly funny.  If anyone out there reads his work, I would love to talk.

Geeze Linda, why didn't you ever tell me the Stephen King story?

I know it is totally not cool to say that one watches TV, but I do.  These are the best on TV

Breaking Bad.   The best series ever.

Mad Men

Homeland

Southland

Justified

Downton abbey

And one last one that Linda and I both watch is Hardcore Pawn.  Just so we have something to talk about.

DS  If the town you live in is less populated than the town I live in, then where did you get the title "warden".  Are you sure you are a warden?   Maybe you are a Justice of the peace.   That is a high ranking official, right?

Dennis Sorensen

Deb...I don't work in the town I live in, I drive 62 miles to and from work every day 120 miles round trip.

I am the Warden of the Central Utah Correctional Facility, this is a state prison it is located in Gunnison, UT, we have 365 staff and 1600 inmates. My office is bigger than your house. Just Kidding I wish it was and some times it needs to be. 

Yes a JP is a high ranking offical but not in the prison system.  There are only three people higher than me that is the Division Director, the Deputy Executive Director and the Executive Director.  Hope that helps clear up some things. 

Happy Birthday to everyone in April, we need to put together another Lunch.  Any suggestions?  Love ya all Dennis

Marvin Dansie

Do you know anyone that might be affected by the way big business runs the government, like maybe you, or your children or grandchildren? This might be where all those gun right need to come into play.

Look at this information and see if it makes sense to you from what you have seen from your experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pZVRrbyGtos

Kenneth Strong

Different subject but think it is funny.   David Lynn is at the Masters and if you read the leader board, David Lynn is tied for 4th place after the first day.    http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/leaderboard

Daryl Tucker

Debbie, you are going to force me to come out and admit that I listen to NPR. Sure, it's a strange relationship - a gun toting, Mormon hick and a lefty radio network, but it's all David Sedaris' fault. Oh, and you can blame his sister Amy for part of that , too. They are two of the funniest writers and storytellers alive. And while their writing is as clever and intelligent as anything you can find out there, they are even better at reading it live. David's personal readings of "Santaland Diaries" is a holiday tradition for me.  

Do you ever listen to Ira Glass's "This American Life?" The Sedaris siblings are on there quite frequently. I find the other stories told there to have a lot of the same wry humor and when not just for laughs, the stories are compelling and quite insightful of human nature. 

Oh, and I'm also a closet "Downton Abbey" watcher, but don't tell anyone!

Don't you think "Hardcore Pawn" is just a mash-up of "Antiques Roadshow" and "Jerry Springer?"

Marvin, I'll get back to you, later.

Debbie Lawrence (Clark)

Daryl,   Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I thought that maybe I was alone in the wildernes.  I also listen to "This American life."  I think Ira is versital in his choices of subjects.  You are right, both Amy and David are witty and fun to listen to. 

However, I do have a confession of my own.  I reject NPR and do not listen to it.  So my daughter downloads "This American Life"  and sends me cd's of the ones she thinks I will like.  But she has a touch of her Mother in her and sends me ones that she knows will get under my skin.

Don't burst my bubble on Hardcore pawn.  I like to think it is real.

Daryl Tucker

Oh, I'm sure Hardcore Pawn is real enough, but I'm curious as to its appeal for you. I find all these shows about pawn shops a little depressing just because the people bringing things in seem so desperate and they usually get far less than they are hoping for. I get that the pawn brokers are just trying to run a business, but it seems kind of sad they are often profiting from peoples' misfortunes. Sorry if that makes me a stick-in-the-mud.