Yospe Beach House Vacation

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Leprechaun Sticks

We just returned from a laid-back vacation to Island Park. I've been going to Island Park my entire life. My grandma has a cabin right off Island Park Reservoir. Interestingly enough, I think I've only swam in the reservoir maybe once and I don't remember ever boating there.

It was nice being there just with my parents. Sometimes (like in a few weeks) we all try to go up together. Yes we're a tight-nit family, but the cabin is probably less than 800 square feet, so if you get 5 families up there it can get a little out of hand, especially when you're all sharing one bathroom.

This time the trip was memorable because grandma & grandpa Yospe had had the foresight to plan to bring back the "Leprechaun Stick." This was a tradition we had when I was little. Basically, the adults take the kids on a walk in search of the perfect leprechaun stick. The perfect stick would be relatively short, bendy and have lots of knots in it. I'm not sure we found the perfect stick this time, but close enough. You're then supposed to leave the Leprechaun stick by the fireplace when you go to bed. When you wake up, the stick is gone and candy is in it's place.

On this particular trip, I guess the Leprechaun forgot to take the stick - but at least he remembered the candy....



Since it has a Jack Johnson song in the background - we'll see how long this stays up on youtube. Recently youtube has been replacing the audio tracks on a lot of my old videos because they claim they break copyright laws. O'well.

This video was actually completely shot and edited on my brand new iPhone 4. Yes I'm a total nerd and stood in line for 3 hours to get one. I know some people could give a rat about an iPhone, but I've never loved a piece of technology more. It's the Mary Poppins of technology - "practically perfect in every way." One night at the cabin my dad was on his iPod touch, my mom was playing a hand-held Solitaire game, Jana was on her iPhone and I was on my iPhone. I can't imagine a situation more anti-social than that. But if we all had our noses in books, would that be any different? I like feeling connected, and I'm sure the next generation will connect even more. I use my phone to check facebook, stay on top of work, read news &blogs, listen to music/podcasts, and now to shoot & edit HD video. Probably last (and least) would be playing games - although Luke and Max could play on it all day.

Anyway, thank you mom & dad for keeping the Leprechaun stick tradition alive. We had a great time, and we're happy to be home just in time for all the 4th of July fun.

Mom Blog It Is

With the risk of this post sounding "mom bloggy," I still wanted to share something cute Luke said the other day.

It was 2 days after Clara was born and we were just settling in after getting home from the hospital. It had been a wild couple of days, and the boys spent almost the last 72 hours with their grandparents.

We were all sitting on the couch watching a Disney cartoon or something, and Luke turned to me and said,"Dad, we're being together. Huh dad? Am I right dad?"

Now Luke says a lot of cute things every single day. He is always telling me how cool I am and Jana how pretty she is. But this time took the cake. My heart melted and I realized how dang lucky I am to have the perfect little family that I do.

Today I had the priveledge of attending the funeral of my boss's dad. He died too young, and I really didn't know him, but it was evident how great of a father he was and how much he loved his family. Being there with coworkers helped put life into perspective for me. So since it's now a titch after 5:00, I'll be wrapping up this post and heading home to the ones I love most.

But before I leave, here's my song of the day - the best track off of the new Pearl Jam album (best band of all-time by the way, but that's another post for another day), and the soundtrack of this small snapshot of my life.

I'm a lucky man to count on both hands the ones I love.

There. Mom bloggy enough for ya? Don't worry regular readers, I'll be back to my narcissistic ramblings soon.

My rant mocking the Mockumentary

Rob Reiner invented the Mockumentary. Christopher Guest improved (perhaps even perfected) it. And if it wasn't ruined by Sons of Provo, than certainly modern television has beaten this beloved genre into the ground.

The Office, Parks & Recreation, now Modern Family. Yes, all of these shows are oftentimes (Parks & Rec) to even frequently (Modern Family) funny.

But please, indulge me by over thinking this with me for just one moment... Ask yourself the following questions: What are these "documentaries" about? Life in an office? Are we watching the finished documentaries, or just footage? If you said finished documentaries, these have got to be the longest documentaries ever made! And why is it taking so long to make them (The Office is now in Season 6)? Who is funding these projects?

Every time I watch one of these shows - every time - they cut to some "interview segment" where Jim or whoever is in the conference room making some facetious comment or joke. And I cringe. Every time. And the worst is when they don't even say anything, they just cut to a facial expression of Stanley rolling his eyes or Pam smirking. Yuck.

Don't get me wrong, I love these shows. Looking back at 2010, I think Modern Family will be the 2nd best thing to come into my life this year (right after new baby girl). But the "interview segments" are just lazy storytelling. Pure and simple lazy writing for a cheap laugh.

A plea to all the new shows yet to be created. Yes we like the one-camera documentary style (ie 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm). But for the love of all that is holy, just bag the fake interviews.

Worst Christmas Song Ever

Sorry Cheeseboy - I'm sorry to say you've made an egregious omission to your annual list of awful Christmas songs. I handle a lot of the listener feedback here at Utah's Official Christmas Music Station - FM100.3, and so I know the general public will agree with me on this one.

Unfortunately - for every person that hates a song with great passion, there are 2 others who secretly love it. This song supposedly tested OFF THE CHARTS with our listeners. But it is by far the most evil, awful Christmas song ever laid to 8-track tape.

Without further ado, I give you Dear Mr. Jesus...



Powerful stuff. Just be grateful I spared you all the bloody kids with their eyes swollen shut version.

And now to get that horrible taste out of your mouth, I rest my case and give you Luke's version of Jingle Bells...


Merry Christmas everyone!

My Secret Love Affair

I have a secret love affair.

Over the nothing-on-TV summer my friend Chris loaned me Season 1 of Battlestar Gallactica. He swore up and down (actually, I've never heard Chris swear) that it was the best frackin' show in the universe.

Seeing as how I've always liked shows about space (Star Wars, Star Trek, Spaceballs, Bugs Bunny episodes featuring Marvin the Martian, etc.), I was inclined to believe him. And so the journey began.

It's now 3 months later, and my journey has almost come to a close. I'm down to the "final 5" episodes (pun intended for fans of the show). I've stayed in the closet with this secret love affair for far too long... the truth is now out. The terrifying truth...

I am the biggest nerd ever.

And now, for the unconverted, the top 3 reasons you too should watch Battlestar Gallactica:

1. So I'll have another person to talk to about it! (Thanks Chris for not playing spoiler!)
2. Unlike Lost, this show has already run it's course. When an episode ends with a cliffhanger, you don't have to wait for months to find out how it's resolved.
3. One season 4 episode features the great John Hodgeman! He's not only a PC, he's also a space doctor!