A thought regarding the apostacy

I have been spending a lot of time with the missionaries these days. This has given me plenty of opportunities to particpate in the lessons they teach. It has been very rewarding. Recent changes in the lesson/discussion structure has included the apostacy and restoration as some of the first principles that people are taught. The first lesson, as taught by local elders, is longer and discusses more complex ideas then I was accustomed to teaching while an elder.
It was during one of these recent first lessons, or discussions or whatever they are called these days, that I was struck with a thought. Not a thought that would in anyway shake my testimony, but a thought that raised an issue that I don't feel has really been addressed. I am hoping that some of the occassional and silent watchers of this page- namely Bell and Gar- will help me with this.
We were at the point in the lesson where the apostacy and restoration were brought up. The elders were discussing what comprised a dispensation and what it meant to be in a state of apostacy. The next few minutes were spent teaching about the rejection of the early apostles and the darkness created by the apostacy. I got to thinking. According to our calculations and understanding of time, we have inhabited this earth for something like six or seven thousand years. (Gar correct me if I'm wrong) Why would the lord allow for such a long apostacy when that period of roughly 1,700 years would account for something like 25% of our existence on earth? That equals millions of people who never even had the blessings of the church and priesthood in their lifetimes.
It seems hard for me to think that a perfectly executed plan would include such a long period of time where there was little eternal progress. I realize that the millenium and temple work will help all of these people out. I also realize that, compared to the answers provided by mainstream religion, this one makes much more sense. This thought doesn't really shake my faith, it's just something I want to better understand.

Public Places

I have been spending alot of time at the Phoenix library lately as I complete work on a current project. I find that I work better in an environment that is different and doesn't have the comfortable distractions of home.

Besides improved productivity I have been able to observe the general populace that goes to the library. The most prominent groups of people I see are high school kids avoiding school -strange place to play hookey-, groups of young school children, mothers with children, and homeless people. The homeless, as can be expected, are among the largest group. I guess if I were in their shoes this would be a preferred location, there aren't many spots where they are truly welecomed. At first I have been nervous, anticipating that every encounter will end in a solicitation for money. While that has happened, I have observed some thing different. They are among the most active people at the library. They seem no less smart then anyone else and are looking into topics that one would assume would belong to more educated folk.

The library has helped me humanize a portion of the population that is conviently turned into aliens. As I've become friends with a couple of people I've realized that, outside of a few bad breaks or choices, they are no different than anyone else. It's sad that I have prejudices but I'm grateful that the library is helping overcome one of them.

Spring respite

I don't know what it is. Despite my best efforts of keeping a record of my life it always seems like theres a drop in my output in the early spring. I'm not sure if it is because this time of year is busy, or it has something to do with the spring soltice, or if there is just so much more to do outside. Nevertheless, I have failed to account for several weeks of memorable events, I will try to do better.

More to come....man, the weather is just too nice.

One last change

It appears that there has been a definite theme to my recent posts. Changes are a natural and necessary function to life, I'm glad that I have been able to recognize and learn from them. The following is just a trite observation that has made me painfuly aware of the fact that I am aging.

Two of my favorite sports icons have recently retired. In January Emmitt Smith joined the Cowboys for a day so that he could retire with a star on his helmet. I have carefully followed his amazing career ever since I was in Jr. High. The monumental 49ers-Cowboys games of the mid 90's were amazing events and strained some of my early friendships. Later, in February, Karl Malone announced that he was leaving basketball. My recollections of the Mailman go back even further to my days as a 4th grader. I remember, as a small lad, briefly meeting him at an appliance store. All of my friends embraced Karl and the Jazz, they were our only team in the world of professional sports.

I guess I took the careers of these two giants for granted. I just assumed that they would always be there, that was atleast the case for most of my life. Their retirements signaled the end of my real involvement and interest in sports and helped me realize that maybe I should devote my recreational efforts to tasks more befitting with my age such as gardening and the symphony. I will still follow sports, but the loss of my intimate connections with these games might lesson my allegiance to some degree. And that just might make my wife a little happier.

more changes

I guess it takes certain events in my life to truly me wake up and take account for myself. The last few weeks have provided some major events that have really got my attention and focus. The latest of these events was the passing of my boss. He was only 41 and was in the prime of his life. His death has really touched me on many levels. He was a brillant man who positively touched the lives of many people, as was evidenced by the hundreds who attended his funeral.

I have spent several hours evaluating his life and what made it special. He was a visionary man who took risks and thought big. This was what attracted me to seek employment with his company. All it took was 5 minutes and you were equally sold and ready to sign on. More then that he made sure that you were included in his vision. Despite all of the ups and downs that this company encountered over the last few months, his first order of business was to always take care of his employees. He ran a business to make money, but not at the expense of more important things like family.

This death has also given me a chance to look inward. He lived such a good and full life... I needed to see how I was doing. His example has given me new resolve to make some positive changes in my life, that might be the best legacy he could have left me. I feel that I would be letting him down if I didn't act on his example.

This has been particularly hard for me. This is the first death of someone close who wasn't expected to die. He was my contemporary and a great mentor. I will always cherish those memories of our time together. Those times, after work, when we were able to leave work behind and discuss the similarities between Judaism and Mormonism, outline our goals for our future, or just to share quirky stories about our families.




Steven Mark Gootter

Steven Mark Gootter was born on May 2, 1962 in New York. He passed away on February 10, 2005 in Scottsdale, where he resided for the past four years. He moved to Tucson with his family at the age of eight and graduated from Tucson High School, where he was state champion in tennis, and in 1985 graduated from the University of Arizona. Steve was an entrepreneur and enjoyed a successful career in real estate, financial planning, and mergers and acquisitions. He excelled in fostering his own and others' creative ideas. This passion was reflected in his founding of Journey IPD, an intellectual properties firm specializing in helping inventors and entrepreneurs license, commercialize and protect their ideas. Steve, himself, held several patents and has products selling in 27 countries. Steve was an active, giving, optimistic, and honest individual. He had a tremendous sense of humor and a gift for making others laugh. His "joie de vivre" radiated in everything he did and everyone he touched. His spirit will live on by all who knew him. He will be greatly missed by his wife Debbie, his two children, Sophie and Max, his parents Joseph George and Paulette Gootter, Sisters Shari and Claudine (Andrew) Messing, and his nephews, Alex Gootter and Drew Messing. Services will be held at Temple Emanu-EI on Sunday, February 13, 2005 at 2:00 PM., 225 N. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ. Interment will follow in the Temple Emanu-EI Section of Evergreen Cemetery. Remembrances can be made to The Steven Gootter Educational Fund, c/o Shoah Foundation, P.O. Box 3168, Los Angeles, CA 90078-3168 or the Sarver Heart Center for Research, UMC 1501 N. Campbell, Tucson, AZ.

Changes....part duex

I grew up in a very stable household. My dad was a dentist and my childhood passed without any great needs or deviations from normal life. That environment did very little for preparing me for my sojourn into life.
The last few years have been full of many twists and turns, ranging from ultimate bliss to the fear of uncertainty. Shelley is now pregnant. With that comes all of the expected changes to our life. These changes will be joyful. One the other end of the spectrum is my current job. It appears that my company will not receive the necessary funding needed to get the business self sustainable. I love my job, my co-workers, and my work but I am now faced with the grim specter of having to find another job. I could stay here and continue to work in uncertainty and risk or I could search for a more stable job. With the upcoming kid, I will be forced to do the latter. The next few months will be filled with faith, diligence, and networking as a work to achieve that stability that I was accustomed to growing up.

Passing of an american generation

With this weeks passing of Johnny Carson I realized that some of the key voices of a generation have left us. People like Johnny, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and even Ronald Reagan were instrumental in serving as a mouth piece for a generation of americans. While I was too young to catch these people in their "cultural" primes I have nonetheless felt the impact of their lives. I truly miss the good nature, nostalgia, and pride that these performers brought. Today's popular culture is void of figures we can relate and look up to.
I remember those occasions as a child when my parents let me lay at the foot of their bed to catch Johnny's monologue. I didn' t understand much of his humor, but that didn't matter. He had a charisma and likeability that resonated enough that even a small boy could be drawn in. In a way, Johnny Carson helped me connect with my parents, grandparents, and so many older people that I loved and respected. I hope that our generation can do the same thing for those that follow.

Changes

It seems like everything I get all of my ducks in a row and start to acclimate myself to a certain stage in life, something happens to make me alter my course. This year is no exception. After a year and half my wife and I are finally pregnant. And with this pregnancy comes a multitude of changes that will completely affect every facet of our lives. And we thought having a dog required adjustments!
Anyways, words cannot adequately express the excitement that I have regarding the upcoming birth. I have looked forward to fatherhood for quite some time. All of those hours spent creating parenting strategies and planning family trips will finally be realized. I just hope that I am ready for this awesome responsibility. Oftentimes my thoughts will uncover inadequacies. Some of them real and some of them created by an overly active mind. Either way I am counting on plenty of help from up above on this endeavor.

Well then...

The New Year, my renewed committment to my paper journal, and my apathy have all conspired against the blog. I will commit to blowing the dust off of this thing and will get back into my routine.

Randomizer (Series I Volume VI)

- Home teaching is a very underrated calling. Many people, myself included, take it for granted and treat it like a monthly obligation. We teach two people who have changed my mind and helped me realize its potential. Both men are single, live alone, and have various issues that have kept them from church attendance. But both men openly embrace our visits and look forward to being able to converse with someone. It's such a small gesture on our part, but they really appreciate it. Last night we dropped by some holiday treats to them and we received the most gracious thank yous I have witnessed in a long time. It's amazing how the littlest things can have the biggest impact.

- I have been able to learn alot of things in my life. One of the most valuable truths that I have learned is that I probably won't learn everything during my stay on earth. Opinions are rarely fixed and absolute, but evolving according to study and thought. I am around a couple of people, at work and church, who have strong opinions about everything. I don't mind that, but it does bother me when they presume their opinion is truth. Nothing annoys me more then getting involved in a conversation with this type of person. The dialogue soon becomes one sided and I get preached to about one subject or the next. Oftentimes some simple questioning, a la the Socratic method, reveals the shallowness of their comprehension, other times I just gradually tune out. Is it so wrong to say "I don't know?" or "I am still studying that topic" instead of "This is how it should be!"?

Randomizer (Series I Volume V)

- I never really understood the popular imagery surrounding roses until the other morning when I was gardening. Man, I really pricked myself while trying do some pruning. Such a beautiful plant, such a painful prick....maybe I should write a song about it.

- It would be really cool to travel back into time and see how correct or incorrect our traditional notions are of certain things. What if the "wild west" really wasn't that wild or what if Helen of Troy was really just an average looking girl or what if the Knights Templar were just a group of guys who needed some time away from their wives so they could drink. There is a giant grey void that seperates factual history from popular romanticism, it would be fun to bridge the span and get the real picture. But then again, some of those embellishments and mysteries are what makes history such a fun subject to study.

Of All Things Wassail

The other day I was shopping at the local market. It's unique and healthy items have earned our patronage, unfortunately it has also earned the accolades of many other people. While waiting in an insanely long line, 25 minutes by my count, I started to think..."Is this fancy olive oil and hormone free corn fed angus beef that I have in my cart worth this kind of wait?" It only took a second before I determined that it didn't.
It also invoked a quirky yet accurate theory and formula that was devised by a close friend a few years ago while observing similar circumstances. It became known as the Wassail Factor.

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Simply put, the Wassail formula measures the true worth of a product, event, or trend by dividing its perceived or given value by its actual value. Like the warm cider from which it is named, this formula takes into account some of the unnecessary baggage associated with many popular things.

(The value that is assigned to X by public)/(The actual worth of X)= Wassail

For example, while we love our local market(Trader Joes) we do not feel that the value derived from shopping there is worth the wait and insane crowds. The wassail factor would most likely be greater then one, something not good. The same can be said about things like Cafe Rio, the latest successful sports franchise, or RadioHead. All of these things, by themselves, are great but they can begin to lose value once their popularity and associated baggage begins to weigh them down.
The ideal scenario involves finding something that brings great value but does not carry the weight of Wassail, one that would measure at 1 or less. This would allow you to enjoy the fruits of the product without having to deal with the unnecessary attention and crowds so commonly associated with products with a high wassail factor.

Well it happened...

Tonight Shelley and I completed a very important rite of passage within the Mormon community. We sat through our first multilevel marketing sales pitch from a couple of ward members. This event typically takes place after the mission, marriage, and home ownership. The solicitors will use tactics and techniques once employed as missionaries and will even testify of the program and how it gives them the financial freedom to focus on other more righteous causes.
The meeting goes something like this, regardless of whether or not its Quixtar, Amway, or Equinox. 1. An overblown and dramatic pitch on the value of taking control of your life and breaking the shackles of normal employment to become empowered as your own boss. Who wouldn't want that? Stories and testimonies abound about how their friend was once living in poverty but since they have discovered program xx they have a six figure income and vacation in the Caymans. 2. The vague program overview, describing how you make the money. 3. There might be mention of the actual product that you are pushing. 4. They might even drop the name of the company. 5. Strong sales close and more bearing of testimonies.
These schemes make me hesitant because the emphasis is on the program and not the actual product. You never hear about how great this product is that you will be selling. All you get is talk about how wealthy you will be once you have 15 people working under you. Meanwhile no one actually sees the product and it languishes in the basement of the guy at the bottom of the pecking order. Its the program they push, the product is inconsequential.
Anyways, the meeting went better then I expected. I was very hesitant and put up a wall of resistance. These two ward members weren't pushy, I appreciated that. They presented the program without doing things that would jeopardize the relationship.
The evening is over and I guess I can finally feel like a part of the ward. I have spoken in sacrament meeting. I have a couple of callings. And now I have been approached with a MLM scheme. We've arrived!

The Truth and "The Truth"

Today was fast sunday, and with it all of the bearing of the testimonies. It is a great opportunity to have your faith reaffirmed by the testimonies and convictions of others. It also exposes one of the most oft quoted phrases within the church, "I know this church is true". It's a shame that whoever created that statement can't receive a royalty everytime it is invoked.
Anyways, my intent is not to be flippant but rather try to understand that phrase. I want to understand it, especially, from the perspective of someone who isn't familar with the LDS vernacular. If I am hearing that phrase for the first time, what does it mean? Are the members reliable and trustworthy, is that what it means? It seems vague and and I think that many of us just repeat that phrase because it is easy and it is assumed that everyone understands it. It seems like it is a short cut to something more descriptive and accurate like "I am grateful to be a member of the church that was restored by Jesus Christ and contains all of his Gospel truths." Along the way between habit and description I feel many new attendees can get lost.
I also feel like this is one of the several phrases that are used in church that shield us from actual thought. Many times the "read the scriptures and pray" response is more a trite facade to ward off another question from the Sunday School teacher than an actual investigation into a spritual matter. We've all been through the sunday routine so many times that it is hard to avoid generating new discussion. I have been dealing with this myself. Many sundays the call of the leftovers in the fridge and a nice nap preclude me from actually contributing to Elders quorum discussion. This is quite damning to my progression and something I have been conscience's been working on. Church should be a wonderfully enlightening experience not a habit.

He's not that Machiavellian after all

I've been reading the Prince lately, something I've wanted to do since my first political science class way back in high school. I always wondered if the book and its author earned all of the connotations that it's been given over the years. Well, after reading the first 13 chapters I would have to conclude that the book and Nicolo weren't as evil and conniving as all of my professors made him out to be.
I found the book to be a compilation of very astute political observations that have been recorded throughout history. These observations served as the basis for understanding human nature, particularly when it comes to obtaining and preserving power. He was merely describing what has worked and not worked concerning politics and power. I found his insights, despite their antiquity, to adequately describe what we see taking place today in the world of business, politics, and everyday life. He never overtly suggests one tactic or another, he merely describes what has worked over history and what hasn't. If anything he discouraged deceit, greed, and other adjectives usually accompany his name and works.
Anyways, the book has been a good read, if I only had the fortitude to finish Joyce's Ulysses. Books are great, it's just a struggle to get beyond the ease and convenience of TV and other distractions to get to them. Back to Seinfeld reruns.

Fists of Fury

Since it everyone else has commented on it, I thought that I would add my two cents. The event of course was the brawl and subsequent melee that took place last Friday at the Detroit-Indiana game. It would be pretty hard to avoid this one, since the event has been broadcast on every media outlet and commented on by every commentator incessantly since it took place.
I agree with the harsh penalty meted out to Artest. Granted the fans were lame but you should be able to control your own reactions. You may not be able to control anything else, so only worry about what you can control...your actions. Players have been pelted with batteries, beers, and everything else since the birth of organized sports, that's just the way it's been. If you are an athlete you know and prepare for this, you tune it out.
I also feel like the fans should pay some of the penalty. They fanned the flames and acted despicably. It becomes a lot more difficult, however, to exercise justice on the 10-15 semi anonymous people who committed these acts. Maybe you can revoke beer sales at future Detroit games. Maybe you can have Detroit forfeit a few home games. Something needs to be done to nip this kind of activity early.
Like they say, Sports is a reflection of society. It doesn't take a sociologist to point out that society is becoming more violent, more self centered, and less responsible. This didn't happen in a vacuum and we can't think that it did.

Book Learning

Ever since I have left the hallowed halls and ivory towers of academia I have sought to maintain a continual thirst for learning. It was in that spirit last week that I decided to browse amazon.com in search of some good reading. I had already created a list of books that I have always wanted to read so I naturally went to the title at the top of the list, "The Art of War".
My delight at finding the aforementioned title for only $4.99 was turned into sheer bliss when I was notified that I could get that book and book #7 on my list, "The Prince", for only $4 more. My mind raced with anticipation as I looked forward to wonderful evenings spent learning about very pertinent subjects from civilization's finest minds. No more evenings spent gloomily watching reruns on the history channel.
The next Friday I rushed home to claim my new prize, the books had arrived in the mail. I went inside and hurriedly opened up the package. I quickly pulled the copy of "The Prince" and some pocket sized pamphlet and turned the package upside down waiting for "The Art of War" to fall out. When nothing came out I reexamined the fallen contents. the pocket sized pamphlet was indeed the book! This great piece of literature had been reduced down to a 2" by 2" booklet with about 300 words. Didn't Sun Tzu write more then this? My disappointment and amazement were released in a loud chortle. I didn't decide whether this was really funny or if I had just been robbed of $5. I opted for laughter and decided to buy the book again, this time paying very close attention to the reader reviews supplied by amazon.com.
Since I don't know any Lilliputians I suppose that I will keep the book and use it as a conversation piece. Maybe I will keep it on my coffee table. Or maybe it can be kept and used by future children for usage in their doll collections. There are so many things that can be done with miniature books.

Randomizer (Volume I Series IV)

- The other day I heard a law official on TV declare that they were going to come down on a criminal with the "full weight of the law." If I were to ever commit a crime I hope that the person prosecuting me only uses 1/4th to a 1/3rd of the law, I don't think I could handle everything.

- Last night we hosted a house warming party. It was quite stressful because we invited a very diverse and eclectic set of guests, ranging from Shelley's flamboyant gay coworker to my conservative church friends. Suprisingly the experiment worked and by the end of the evening most groups had done an admirable job socializing with one another. It almost felt like we were conducting a sociological experiment measuring the conversational results of mixing up very different people.

Uncertainty 2004

I, like everyone else in the U.S., is following the presidential results as they trickle in....are exit polls really this accurate? Shelley and I voted this morning. Things ran very smoothly and the whole process took 20 minutes. I am very anxious to see this day end. One, because I am sick and tired of all of the political mud that has dirtied up my living room and. Two, because I really am nervous about the outcome.
While I strongly support Bush, I am tentatively getting myself ready to accept Kerry. He just doesn't seem decisive or charismatic and he bases his stances according to the breeze. But, I would rather accept a clean defeat then have to endure two months of uncertainty. I really hope that our nation can recover from the division that has been created through this campaign.

Selena

I was just writing some interesting thoughts on Selena and my mission when I accidentally pushed the back space button. I really don't have the patience to recreate the thread, although I will say that it was hearfelt and interesting, so it will have to wait for another day. I really hate how sensitive this blog is, this is like the fourth post that I've lost.