August

Hello, these are some items for consideration:

I’m strangely obsessed with the song “I See the Light” from Tangled. I don’t know what it is. I don’t think I’ve appreciated a song from a movie this much since “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic.

The Mrs.’s ex-husband (I have yet to figure out a clever nickname for him, but I’m sure it will come) accused me the other day of being anti-social. Hmmm.

The Mrs. and I have started to watch Gilmore Girls (it’s the only way I can get her to let me watch the NBA playoffs and MNF when that time comes, which is well worth it I might add). We’re on the second season. I would just like to say that I hate Jess. I never thought anyone could make me actually like Dean. I hated him actually. But now, he’s bearable. Anybody is acceptable in comparison to Jess.

I rarely comment on politics because I think people that comment on politics are boring. However, I will say this: if Utah becomes a state ruled by Tea Partyists, I’m moving. You Tea Party people can claim that you’re strict constitutionalists all you want, but if the drafting of the Constitution teaches us anything, it is that good government cannot exist without compromise. Okay, I’m done ranting.

I’m listening to “My Heart Will Go On” for my fourth straight time right now.
I figure since I’m only around Holden every other week, I might as well impart as much goodness as I can as often as I can right. So the other day I had him listen to one of my favorite songs “Be Thou My Vision.” His response at the end: “Andrew, that was a good song.” Now I’ve just got to get him to appreciate Lawrence Welk.

Can you believe that the Mrs. still hasn’t been to Eureka? I know, it’s like living 15 miles away from Buckingham Palace and without ever seeing it. Only Eureka’s probably cooler.

. . . five straight . . .

It was Salem Days on Saturday. It’s definitely one of my top five national holidays (well it should be, even if it isn’t). You know you were raised in the right community when the neighbors talk about whether or not a mayor will be re-elected based upon the annual firework show.

It’s my dad’s birthday today. I miss him.

Cherries

I’m working cherries. Those of you unluckies not from these parts might not know what that means. Let me explain. Basically, everybody raised in the metropolis of Payson/Salem/Santaquin, sometime in their life will work (or think about working) at the local cherry plants during the late summer. There are two plants: McMullins and Payson Fruit Growers. I had, until this year, missed out on this blessed opportunity because I, as a young high schoolian, had always worked at the swimming pool during the non-schooling months. However, this month I finally filled that long held void in my life.

If you’re trying to a picture a cherry plant, think of the factories on the movie North and South, then just take out the cotton and you’ve got the general idea. If you haven’t seen North and South (which, considering your general lack of culture, you probably haven’t) just think of those pictures you’ve seen of factories around the turn of the century and that’s about the jist of it.

At the plant there are several types of jobs, most of which involve staring at cherries moving along a conveyer belt. Now as fun as these jobs may sound (and let me tell you, you have no idea the excitement that can be had sorting cherries as they head towards their white bucket destination), my job is actually more fun. Yes, it’s true, I am one of the much acclaimed forklift drivers. Not only do I get to drive a lifting fork, but I get to drive said machine from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (that’s during the night if you were confused). I know, I know, I can barely contain my excitement, even just talking about it.

As to my actual skills, I would probably say that I’m the second worst forklift driver of all time (as for who the worst is, I’ll leave that discussion for another day). No really, I am. Just picture those grannies driving down the middle of the road on the mechanized wheel-chairs and you’ve got the general idea of my speed and driving accuracy, except I might drive a little more crooked. I am making progress though. Miguel and Moises no longer look at me with looks of “Who in their right mind would ever hire this yahoo.” Lately it’s been more of a “You’re still don’t know what you’re doing, but at least you haven’t destroyed anything in the last couple hours”.