Pick and Choose

I just found a great link (thanks Annie) to a Candidate Quiz for 2008. Regardless of which candidate you think you support, this quiz gives you a reality check as to which candidates' views you actually agree with.

	Dennis Kucinich Score: 32	Agree Iraq Immigration Taxes Stem-Cell Research Health Care Social Security Energy Death Penalty	Disagree Abortion Line-Item Veto Marriage
-- Take the Quiz! --

In spite of my results, I think I'll stick with Barack Obama.

On a Magic Carpet Ride

For the past few years Austin has been quite the actor. In fact I think he's been in about 4 local plays. As much as we've wanted to go to every play he's been in, something's happened each time and we've never made it. Until Friday that is. Tara and Kennedy went to see Aladdin, with Austin playing the role of the Genie. I can't think of a better part for him. Kennedy absolutely loved the play! She sat mesmerized for the entire hour and a half. When it was over she couldn't wait to go up and congratulate her cousin on a job well done.

While Tara and Kennedy were at the play, Alex and I were at Grandma and Grandpa Houtz' house holding down the fort. Alex is too young to try and take to a play and rather than stand around in the hallway I volunteered to stay back and watch him. Of course, it didn't hurt matters that the Red Sox and the Utes were both playing Friday night. The last time I wrote about both teams playing on the same day it didn't go very well, but this time it was totally different. The Utes won 44-35 and their offense really showed up. It was great because no one was giving the Utes a chance against Louisville, who started the season in the top ten. Needless to say the Utes tend to step it up against the national opponents, too bad they can't do the same against the local teams.

The Red Sox game was a real nail bitter, with the score deadlocked at three for much of the game. Now that it's the playoffs it seems as though everything is magnified and with each passing inning the tension increased. Tara and Kennedy came back during the 8th inning and everyone was ready to head up to the cabin for the night. I knew I couldn't leave with the game tied. I asked someone to leave me a car and I would be up as soon as the game ended. It didn't take long to make good on my promise. With two out and two on in the bottom of the 9th Manny Ramirez ended things with one swing of the bat...

Only on Campus

As we walked back to the office the other day we came across the remnants of a crowd near the Union. Apparently there was a group of students on campus who were looking out for the welfare of our souls. I guess I should say that it wasn't they who were interested in my soul bur rather, "Jesus deserves my soul." At least that's what their whiteboard said. I love the diversity of opinions on campus. Everyone should have a chance to express themselves and it's great to witness a little heated debate about the nature of salvation. I guess it's better than talking about politics.

Let's Go Red Sox

Alex and the rest of our family wish the Red Sox luck in the playoffs this year. As the 2007 American League champs, the Sox appear poised for a deep run into October. Like always it may just come down to how well we play against the Yankees - even though I like our chances better in the 1st round than theirs. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Let's hope Boston can return to the glory of 2004 and not the despair of 03', 86', 75', 67'....

Fantasyland

I've often been accused of living in my own world, but for a few minutes each day I'm actually in Fantasyland. I've discussed my obsession with fantasy sports for some time; still yesterday it reached another level. I was in the championship of the fantasy baseball league and it was down to the last day of play. My team had led the championship for the entire two weeks and on the penultimate (nice 5 dollar word) day of competition the lead had shrunk in half. Before anyone was awake I spent an hour or so pouring over the stats, desperately trying to set my lineup for the final day. When Tara came into the room I asked her what she thought I should do.

"With what - your fantasy team?"

Do you think I should start another pitcher?

"Jared, I don't really care, but I've been awake for about 30 minutes and all you've talked about is fantasy baseball. You need to get a life."

I couldn't argue with her logic, but I needed to finish up with a win. Finally, I went off to get ready for Church. As I left for the day, I made one last stop at the computer, changed my lineup again, and went to meetings. There wasn't anything else I could do.

As I came through the door after Church was over the MLB season was complete. All the stewing from the morning was meaningless and the championship was decided. In the end all the stress was trivial and the league championship was mine. I can't really say that I'm too excited with the win. I'm just relieved that I didn't lose.