Jan 24, New book reading

Last Saturday I attended a workshop on creative writing. On Tuesday, I received two books on writing science fiction and fantasy. I learned many things that will help in my writing.

I likes Orson Scott Card's book so well, I ordered another one of his books.

Jan 19, Blood pressure measuring

Today was the first time I have ever taken my blood pressure with our home blood pressure measuring machine. My blood pressure is 122 over 83 with a pulse rate of 76. Not bad, considering a just came back from a long walk at the bike trail.

Jan. 18 Control of Van stereo system

This is another case of not understanding short instructions. The back-light on the van's entertainment was too bright at night. It turns out the Auto setting really does work in Automatic.
This is a long story.

Jan. 16 Temple Day

Spent all day riding a bus to and from the Temple and five hours in the Temple. Didn't necessarily learn anything new but I was reminded of important things.

Jan. 15, SCIFI story technicque

They say if you read good stories you can become a better writer.

I read story that used a "flashback" very effectively. The story starts out with the protagonist in a burning building. The rest of the story explains why he set fire to the building.

Maybe I'll use a similar technique sometime.

Jan14 Bluetooth operation in van

Thanks to Cindy, I now know that the Bluetooth connection from my phone to the vans U-connect hands free system is delayed about one minute after starting the car. 

It does not say that in the directions.

This little bit of knowledge has eliminated a lot of my frustration.

Jan 13 2nd Nephi 28-30

While preparing to give the Priesthood Lesson, I read 2nd Nephi, Chapter 28, verse 30. This verse discusses receiving from the lord. The last phrase hit me as applying to me.  "...and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."
I have read this numerous times and always felt it only applied to those who reject the Book of Mormon, saying that the Bible is enough. It applies to all who have received from the Lord...maybe especially for the Latter-day saints.

Jan. 12 Atascadero hiking

Evan has an occasional activity in Atascadero. Cindy and I knew where the lake was, but we didn't know of any other places we could walk while Evan was doing his thing. This morning, I did some research on the Internet and found a good source.
Using that knowledge, we were able to take a nice hike today.

Jan. 11 - Rain gutter cleaning

For the first time, I tried cleaning out the rain gutters using a leaf blower, working from above the house. It was very effective. True, I had to be careful while working on the roof, but using a ladder to access the rain gutters is also a hazardous situation.
Since the leaf blower on the rooftop method was much quicker, I learned that it is the best way.

Jan. 10 IPAD Notebook

While preparing to tech the Priesthood lesson from the gospel Library App, I learned I could copy text from the lesson to a Notebook document. By pressing the word "notebook" on the right hand upper corner, I am taken to the notebook document. Pressing the "done" button returns the user to the Lesson.

I later learned to add other notes to the original document.

Jan. 9th, Financial Planning

Cindy and I met with our financial planner. The bottom line is he thinks we are doing okay. He praised our preparation for retirement.

I learned some things about my effective tax rates and Social Security payments.

Jan 8, Memoirs & hero stories.

I went to a night writers meeting last night. I didn't feel that the topic actually applied to what I write.  The topic was Memoirs and the Heroes Journey. Throughout the history of civilization, the "Hero's Journey contains twelve elements.  

Evan's Story is a memoir. It contains  all of the elements of a hero's journey. 

• Ordinary world, i.e. what our family life was like before Evan.
•  call to adventure, i.e. initial diagnosis
• Refusal of the call, i.e. we didn't want this.
• Meeting the mentor, i.e. the people who helped us on the way. This list is long.
• Crossing the first threshold, i.e. letting Evan be born.
• Tests, Allies, enemies, i.e. we have plenty of these.
• Approach to the inmost cave, i.e. the time before the worst time. (The spinal fusion)
• Supreme ordeal, i.e the worst time
• Seizing of the sword, i.e the hero has accomplished the task.
• The road back, i.e. other problems along the way. We have that.
• Resurrection - i.e the hero has changed, been reborn.
• Return with elixir, i.e shares skill with village, i.e Evan learns to serve others with disabilities. 

The speaker asked why we write memoirs. One of the answers was that we would have something to hand down to our children and grandchildren. 

I now plan on putting the finishing touches on Evan's Story and self publishing it into a book. It will be a Christmas present for my children and grandchildren. I may even send it to other relatives as well.  

Jan. 8, Ward Financial Clerk

I am required to review the policies for the Financial Clerk at least once a year, whether I need to or not. It turns out I did need to. I learned some things I didn't know before.

Jan. 7, Class B License

I read the safety Handbook for Class B commercial drivers. Most of what I read I knew already, but there were some new things. too many to list here.

Jan 6, Face Time

I used Face Time on my i Pad for the first time. It is very simple to use. If another iPad user is on my e-mail contacts, it is just click and Face Time dials it for you.

I also learned how to down;load more manuals from the Gospel Library.

Jan 5, Sending photos

This is my pretty wife and our newest grandchild, Callan Sterling Price. This photo was taken by my cell phone. I now know how to send a photo from my cell phone.  

Slowly but surely, I will enter the twenty-first century.