I just finished Ender's Game. The story pulled me in from the first few lines. I don't typically read much science fiction. But this does not feel like science fiction. Some years ago my friend Jeff VanShaar told me about the Ender's series, and how in the original book Ender creates an orientation for the zero gravity battles ("null gravity" in the book). I didnt think much of his suggestion at the time but I should have read it then. 

I fell very much like Ender. I was the kid in school who was different than everyone else, not that I was necessarily smarter (maybe I was) just very different. I have been in null gravity although not for battle nor game. I was set by teachers, I was the kid everyone resented. I was picked on by groups of kids. However, unlike Ender I did not watch people closely enough to figure them out, I was more clueless as to people and I did not defend myself as I should have done. Not to the extreme Ender did but more than nothing would have been good. I can strongly relate to Ender Wiggin and the events of his life. 

So the idea of a hive society and alien "bugs" seems a bit contrived or over simplistic. I did like the idea of the "desks", This was written before the internet was more than a dozen computers hooked together. Great forsite by the author. I actually did something like how Ender sent the message as if the other boy had sent it. 

I just tried to attend a public discourse by Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. I arrived 45 minutes early and was turned away saying that there was limited seating and they were all full. I am wondering if all the seats we not reserved before even being full. I found it interesting that many people being turned away complained about the lack a better venue. I figured why complain, 'cuase what's done is done, and asked if there was any standing in the back allowed, I asked if I could stand outside and listen in, and finally I asked if it would be recorded. To all of which the answer was no. Seeing no way be inside nor to even listen I left, disappointed.

I recently got to drive a Nissan Sentra. I must say that I was impressed in several ways. First, WOW it has the roomiest glove box (or jockey box as my wife says) that I have ever seen.

That aside, it had plenty of power to speed up and pass other vehicles while moving up a steep hill. I was alone in the car so I can not speak to what would happen if there had been three passengers in the car with me. It also handled curves very well. 

I, despite being rather tall, had plenty of leg room as the driver. The seat belt was comfortable, unlike the low belt in the '04 Ford Excursion that bruised my shoulder.

The controls for the heating and cooling I did not like. They were way too low for me, so much so that they were a distraction while driving and not intuitive. Also, there was no clock even close to eye level, I think that has changed for the '11 model. 

To conclude, it was an ok mid-sized sedan with plenty of pep.

I am a Christian through and through . He was born of Mary (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6, Matthew 1:23). He was baptized of John (Matthew 3:13) and received the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:16-17). He lived a perfect life and took upon himself the price that we ourselves could not for our sins and pains (Isaiah 53:4-5, Luke 22:44). He was bruised (Psalms 34:20, Isaiah 50:6) and died (Psalms 22:1) for each of us. He was brought back to life in a perfect body on the third day (Acts 10:40). The apostles (Acts 1:3) and others felt the wounds in His hands, which are constantly before Him (Isaiah 49:14-16), and in His feet (Psalms 22:!6, Luke 24:39). He is the only path to the Father (John 14:6); thru Him that we may be saved (Isaiah 1:18; 59:20) and enjoy the mansions for us prepared (John 14:2-3).

On the day that we celelbrate our freedom and independence from British control, we happened to be in eastern Utah and made a dash for the wasatch front (aka Provo-SLC-Ogden). About 5 miles east of Duchesne we had a blow out. IT was a back tire so no loss of control but the tire was toast, literally smoking. We pulled over and tried to find the spare. I pulled all our stuff out of the back and looked under the car. Finally we pulled out the manual and started searching. We drive a 2005 Toyota Sienna and the spare tire is under the passenger middle seat. I tried in vain for about 7 or 8 minutes to find the nut to turn allow the spare to drop. Just before that point a kind fellow by the name of James pulled over and offered help. He was kind and had good suggestions. I am grateful he helped us. with the spare in hand we swapped the blown tire for a donut tire with a lightning top speed of 40 MPH. Nothing was open in Duchesne but I checked the tire pressure, something I had done in Roosevelt that morning. Being the 4th of July and a Sunday, I dont think anything was open. So we drove on, pulling over often, really often, to allow others to pass us. We made it just over 100 miles and we made it safe.

This evening we did fire works in the street and had a blasst with family. The kids liked staying up late.

Addendum- The next day I drove a couple miles to the nearest Discount Tire, the chain through whom I had gotten the tires. The tire had a warranty and minus the used tread (about 18 monhts worth of driving) was replaced for less than $23.00 including disposal, taxes and other such fees. They were great and got me in and out in about 15 minutes. Thank you yet again Discount Tire, you have my business.

We ahve been in eastern Utah the last couple days on vacation. We went on a tour of some Native American rock art at a place called Dry Canyon. I was impressed. There were so many pictures carved in the rock faces. Amazing. My kids were not so easily amazed. My 6 yr old son said something like, "So, we have lots of those at home in Bandalier." We told the kids that in Dry Canyon and in Bandalier there are many such things to see but in So many places in the world those types of things did not exist that they were indeed very special. I think he understood that.

We also went to the Natural History museum in Vernal. That was nice especially because we went with my parents. I think they were just as excited to see the kids as the kids were to see them. It was fun. Then we spent today in Roosevelt for a family reunion. This year was special because it was the year my grandmother would have celebrated her 100th birthday. I got to see many of my Aunts, Uncles, and cousins that I have not seen in many years. We make a wierd bunch, wierd in our own unique, fun ways and I love them all. I am glad they haven't noticed that I am the wierdest of them all. One example, my cousin Jacob Hamblin (aka J.J.) had a shirt with a picture of the original Jacob Hamblin on the back done up in the multi-colored way Andy Warhol had done Marylin Manroe. It was funny. Another cousin of mine, LeGrande, paints and paints very well. He unfortunately was not there but photos of his paintings were circled about and they are impressive. I particulary like the one with the bull moose.

Today I had a great time visiting with my mom's side of the family. We all got together at a park and had good food, games and chat. I got to see many relatives I have not seen in at least 5 years, many of them it was more than that. We talked about children, life, jobs, ambitions, battery powered go-carts, thorium reactors, volleyball, the world cup, etc. 

I ate too many cookies and just plain too much. 

I finished Atlas Shrugged today. I am listening to it as an audio book and it was over 52 hours long. I think it was worth the time. The story of Dagny Taggart is compelling. Years ago I read Fountain Head, also by Ayn Rand, which at the time I thought was a wonderful book. This is so much the better. I can not suggest strongly enough that everyone read it. 

This story reminds me of how many people are attack through ridicule in our media. True words and good deeds are often distorted through false premises. "Shouldn't we help our neighbor?" are words I heard too often. The answer is of course yes, but then a thick layer of taxation (redistribution of wealth) and false charity are put forth and we are expected to simply give away our money, time and labor. Nancy Pelosi wanted "health care" bill passed so that people can be artists and not have to work or pay bills. Who would be the doctor (or pay the doctor) if we all want to become artists? Who would be able to buy the art we all make? 

I feel as if I had scales removed from my eyes. I understand the nature of the looters we have in congress and the moochers that continue to vote them into office. I knew it before, I just could not put my finger on how or why it was wrong. 

Got done with a long drive today. We drove north through Alamosa, Co. Beautiful valley and drove past the 'gator farm. I wish we had had time to stop in for a look. We then drove north through Buena Vista and Leadville arriving to I-70 about Vail. What a beautiful drive. The mountains are wonderful and we were so close. The kids loved going through the short tunnels on I-70... to bad we missed the Eisenhower tunnel. 

Once we left I-70 at Rifle the scenery sure changed. Still great country but not the same mountains. I was impressed with Rangley. I think I could live there.