I taught my first day of summer marching band today, and it was fairly productive. We were able to practice a third of the way through one of our songs. The first parade is next Wednesday, so the guys really need to learn their music and memorize stuff fast! In the past week they have proven their learning capacity. If they can continue as they have commenced, I don’t think they’ll have any problems accomplishing the task before them. 

Today was the last day of a four day clinic for the West Jordan High School drumline. I sat in on the clinic, but it was taught by a guy named Sam Santistevens. Most of the drumline members are sophomores with no previous percussion experience, so Sam covered the basics, and the line just ate it all up. I’m excited to teach this drumline over the summer. They have a hunger for learning. If they can continue progressing at the rate they have been this week, they will be incredible! I only hope I can be some small measure of the kind of teacher Sam is.

I also took my first exam today for my online Calculus class. I was fairly confident about the concepts and ideas that have been covered so far, but I was somewhat apprehensive about taking the exam because I didn’t really know what to expect. I updated the scripture of the day, 1 Peter 5:6-7, this morning, without even thinking about my exam. I didn’t realize that the idea of “casting all my anxiety” on the Lord would come in handy. Coming out of the exam I felt very good. In fact, I would be surprised if I don’t get 100%. I know the ability to learn and understand things is a gift from the Lord, and I’m thankful that He calmed my anxiety today. 

Hm… I never get any e-mail anymore. Hey, let’s have a little contest. Whoever you are, drop everything you’re doing right now and send me an e-mail. I don’t care if it’s blank (although I wouldn’t mind a quick update or at least a hello). Whoever sends the first e-mail gets a free lunch on me. Good Luck! 

[Update: My cousin Steve out in Michigan was the winner of the contest. Thanks to all three people who participated (I’m such a loser), and Congratulations to Steve!]

Dad: You are one of my best friends. Most of my fondest memories are of camping and hiking trips we took together. I don’t think camping would’ve been the same without your stories and harmonica playing.

I remember one day you told me that if I ever wanted to drink a beer that I should call you and you’d try it with me. That has always stuck with me and to this day I think if I ever did want to try beer I really would give you a call. I’m sure you would talk me out of it, but I guess that’s the whole reason you said that.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that you’ve always been a wonderful example to me and I really appreciate that. I love you! 

Well, there were a few things about this website that had bothered me for some time, so this morning I finally fixed them.

For one, you should notice I removed the welcome text from the top of this page. I hope this means no one will have to scroll down anymore to read the newest journal entries. If you are desperate to read the welcome praragraph, it can now be found on the About page (which incindentally, has been renamed from ‘About Me’).

Second, I’ve added a little home icon to the bottom of each page. Sometimes when you navigate onto the site from search engines you will only get part of the page, and you won’t be able to see the menu on the left (this is a nasty side-effect of the way I’m using frames…for an example click here). The home icon reloads the whole thing so that you won’t just be stuck in one place.

Hope these improvements make things easier (although most likely no one cares but me, and that’s okay 😊).