Dang these new headphones!

So Heidy got me some sweet new earphones for Christmas. They're the Shure model SE110's and they are the best earphones I have ever owned. They completely cancel out all outside noise and are pretty much like earplugs. I've worn them on the plane a few times and I hear nothing but the sweet tunes of whomever I'm listening to at the time.

They do have a downside, though. Case in point:

I've been getting up at 0500 each morning and hitting the gym with August or Seth. August and I were working out this morning and due to all of the snow, we were the only ones there. I'm on the elliptical and August is on the treadmill. I'm rocking out to one of my work out mixes on the iPod. Well, the workout and music progresses and just for fun, I'm singing along, sometimes at the top of my lungs. August keeps giving me the "I'm 11 and getting to the point where I'm almost embarrassed of my parents" look but he keeps grinning. I include the occasional fist pump or the low crouch on the elliptical while I'm still going. I must say, the workout is much more enjoyable this way and goes by a lot faster. So I'm listening to Icky Thump by the White Stripes. There's a solo so I'm just doing the workout thing. Then the verse kicks in and I belt the beginning of it out real loud, arm raised in the air, waving the #1 hand gesture ala Broadway Joe Namath.

It's then that I notice the guy who has just joined us in the gym and is standing about five feet away from me. He looks at me, I look at him. I go back to my regular workout and he just has a strange sort of look on his face. I put myself in his shoes. He walks in, two guys are working out normal and then when he's about to get on his treadmill, the big guy starts yelling and waving his fist. I'd be shocked, startled, surprised, and maybe a little scared.

I go back to a normal workout and notice that it goes by a lot slower and isn't as much fun. I think I catch August rolling his eyes and slightly shaking his head. Dang earphones. So good at cancelling out other sounds, didn't even hear the dude enter or shut the door.

The Post-Season is not Kind to a Boise State/Steelers/Ohio State Fan

My beloved Broncos lost to East Carolina in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl. They didn't show up the first half. They played great in the second half but it was too little, too late. They lost 41-38 when ECU kicked a last second field goal after a questionable reception put them within striking range.

My beloved Steelers lost to Jacksonville on Saturday in the AFC Wild Card Game. The Steelers didn't show up in the first half. They played great in the second half but it was too little, too late. They lost 31-29 when the Jaguars kicked a last second field goal.

Right now my well-liked Buckeys are down 31-17 to LSU in the fourth quarter of the National Championship game. They were down 31-10 but staged a comeback. On a beautiful drive that would have taken it to 31-24, but Todd Boeckman was sacked and fumbled. They've managed to hold off LSU and are driving again but knowing my teams' luck, they will lose by a last second field goal...

**UPDATE**

They lost 38-24. Oh well, there's always the 08-09 season for my teams...

August's Priesthood Preview and Another Ben Story

Tonight was August's Priesthood Preview at church. It's hard to believe that this year he will turn twelve and become a Deacon. Of course we still have almost 12 months until then since his birthday is December 31. The Young Mens President talked about all of the milestones the young men will face between age12 and 17. It's boggles my mind to think that in a few more years he will be driving and dating. I just can't picture him doing that. Thankfully, that's still five years away. I think for the most part, girls are still not part of the equation for him.
"Hey, baby, want to look at my Pokemon cards?"
Nah, just not feeling it.
I started thinking about all of the trash guys were talking about at his age when I was growing up. To hear it, some of these guys were 11 year old Casanovas. Looking back now, I see that was the farthest thing from the truth. The girls that they purportedly had liasons with were always from some other place like Canada. I gathered that even then, they were either lying or Canadian chicks are real easy. I'm glad we've raised the boys with morals and are mindful of the friends they keep.

Ben, is a boy that we still worry about. During the Nevada game, we were all over at Bill's house to watch the Broncos grab a win in triple overtime. Our four boys and Bill's three girls were all playing nicely together. Suddenly in the fourth quarter, Bill's oldest daughter, Becca, who is nine, came out into the living room and exclaimed, "Ben just said to me, 'Give me some sugar, baby!'"
I think it took all of about .5 seconds for Brent and I to start busting out deep, hearty belly laughs.
While at the Priesthood Preview, the Deacons Advisor came up and related a story from when he and his wife substituted for Ben's primary class. He said that Ben was the smartest child in there and that he knew the answers to all of the questions. He said that he was pretty impressed. I started to beam with pride. Then he said, "Yeah, he also told some great stories. I don't even remember what one of them was about except that he said the term, 'Numb Nuts' in it. My wife and I thought it was hillarious."
My beaming quickly turned to head shaking and I think a groan escaped my lips.
On the plus side, he knows the gospel and is sharp. The downside, apparently he sees nothing wrong with using the term, "Numb Nuts" in church. I blame Shandy. She's the one who always uses vulgarity. I, on the other hand have the vocabulary of an angel. :)

Until next time, "Via Con Dios, Amigos!"