Shaking about Quaking?

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything here, but I thought this was worth it.
After receiving several "Breaking News" emails from CNN And FOX over the last several days, about numerous earthquakes around the globe, and a myriad of tornadoes ripping across the mid-west, I decided to hit the USGS website today to try to dig up more details:

Real-time Earthquake Map

I found a wonderfully useful real-time map that shows earthquakese that are happening all around the world, and will let you zoom in for closer inspection.

You'll be interested to know that there have been 7160 earthquakes in the past 30 days around the world... 38 in the USA in the last week that were 2.5 magnitude or greater; all of which are shown in this screenshot.

Utah (and I imagine other states) has been ramping up on Emergency Preparedness awareness as-of-late, and it's not hard to imagine why.

Today is the "Utah ShakeOut" -- earthquake simulation to ensure that communication protocols recently put in place are working and effective.

Residents are to call their "block captains" between the hours of 10:00am to 12:00pm Mountain time to "check-in" and let them know they are ok.  The block captains will then report to their team captains, who will then continue reporting up the chain until the city and state are notified with updates from everyone.

With as much activity as has been going on as-of-late, I'm surprised we're not doing this for real.  Now that's not to get everyone scared out-of-their-pants, but we all need to be aware that this is going on.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

Please, if you know who your block captains are, make efforts to contact them tomorrow so we can prove that this communication system will work.  Who knows if we won't be doing this for real someday.  (Did I mention the 4.2 magnitude quake in Panguitch, UT that happened on 12 April, just 5 days ago?!)

Best of luck to all involved in the Shakeout today.  And thanks to the USGS for providing the real-time map of quakes going on.

My Wife and Daughters Are Too Good to Me

So I had a really bad night tonight due to some circumstances, and my poor wife sweetly listened as I ranted about it... before leaving for an event I was helping with.

She felt bad about it and discussed it with my daughters while I was away, and they immediately took action and check out what I came home to...

Chocolate chip cookies and milk, and two of the cutest notes ever from my daughters.

I love you, ladies of my life! Thanks for bringing smiles to my face, tears to my eyes, and love to my heart.

I'm not worthy of you.

Santa is Cool as Ice

Check out the amazing snow sculpture made by the art teacher that lives by my friend Tyler!

(click to see full-size)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  :)

Knights of the Rectangle Table

It was an afternoon much like 12 November, when the Riverton Raccoons and the Willow Springs Wildcats faced off in Mandi's first chess tournament.


Eagerly anticipating her next challenge...


Mandi has been involved in chess clubs at school for the past couple of years, and this year decided she wanted to compete in a tournament.


Mandi carefully trying to trap her opponent.

  

The yellow queen Mandi is holding in her left hand is a prize she won during a raffle at the tournament.
It has become one of her most prized possessions.


 She did very well, playing three games and winning her last two.  She took 5th place for her grade and helped her school win the tournament.

Mandi showing off her 5th place trophy.
Congrats!!!

It was a great time, and fun to watch Mandi play.  She has since challenged me several times at home, where I've been able to squeak by with a few wins.

Tonight (28 November 2010) was a different story... We played twice and she put me in checkmate both times; one of them being what we thought was "Fool's Mate"... but it took her five moves, not two (I'm not THAT dumb... ok, that's subjective.)  I guess I'd better get practicing!

Welcome Home Sagers!

I had the honor and privilege today of seeing President Richard K. Sager and his wonderful wife Lois; who served as my Mission President and Mission Mom 17 years ago when I served in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission (TKM).  The occasion was their report after returning home from another mission in Tennessee, this time as Temple President and Matron of the Nashville temple.

It was so wonderful to see them and to be inspired by their talks.  It was even better to get a few moments to visit with them after the meeting.

Left to right:
Lois Sager, Elder "Dead Cow" Litster, President Richard K. Sager

As a special bonus, President Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet and special friend of the Sagers, was in attendance.  I had the honor of shaking his hand and exchanging some pleasantries for a brief moment.  He's an amazing man, and it was wonderful to be in his presence for a short time.

The Sagers have had such a profound impact on my life.  They are two of the most selfless, Christ-like people I've ever met and were an incredible support while I was away from home for 2 years serving the Lord.  I appreciate our friendship that has lasted all these years.  Seeing them today, it was as if no time had passed since our last opportunity to be together.

And speaking of getting together, we're all very excited to start putting together a TKM reunion next Spring... so all of you that served with me under the Sagers in the Knoxville mission, keep watch.  We want all of you to be attendance, so please join our facebook group.  (If that link doesn't work, try this one)

Reunions are so awesome... I've been able to keep in touch with some of my missionary friends over the years, sometimes in person, but mostly through the blessing of electronic communications (instant messaging, email, social networking sites, etc.)  Having in-person reunions can't be beat though, and I hope all of my fellow TKMers will be able to attend ours.

Anyway, welcome home Sagers!  We love you and have missed you!