I just wanted to give a word of thanks to Kyle at SBR Sports in Orem. The time he spent with me, before I knew I was purchasing a bike, was unreal. He got a bike from the rack that was about my size, made adjustments and took the time to help me get a feel for the bike. He also just got back from a FIST Class (fitting people to bikes, not bikes to people) and worked with me for at least an hour, for FREE. Again, this was before I knew what I wanted in a Tri bike or committing to making a purchase. So Kirsten, my wife, and I talked it over at home and decided that this was the bike I could get to continue to help me with my goal of qualifying for Ironman in Kona, HI. The price was about $1000 less w/pedals then the other bikes I was considering (a big plus for Kirsten), which gives me more options in the future for upgrades. When I went back to the store today, with all my gear (shoes I wear, cycling shorts, jersey), he took the time again to continue to adjust the bike even further then yesterday (about another hour and a half). We went through the saddle height, reach, and stack height, and pedals just to make sure this bike was the one for me. After the adjustments in the store we took it to the street. I rode in the up position to get the feel of the bike cruising about 19 mph, but when I hit the aero position, Kyle said my speed instantly went up 2 to 3 mph, without any further effort from me. SO COOL!!!
So to Kyle at SBR, thank you. My bike buying experience went to a whole new level yesterday and today. No longer will I buy the biggest bike on the rack just because I'm tall, I'm coming to you to get fit properly everytime.
To Malisa, a good friend. Thank you for being kind to me. Being able to chat with you has helped me in so many ways I hope one day to express them to you. Your example you showed me all those years ago really helped to establish who I am today. You are a special friend and I value that greatly. The challenges you've set for yourself are truly inspirational and make me think everytime I do something.
So, Malisa, thank you. I have more to say but that will have to wait.
To my lovely, beautiful, hard working, and truly patient wife, Kirsten. Thank you for your willingness to put up with my quirks, shortcomings, and general selfishness. You lead by example and I'm too stupid to follow (I have a problem with following). You allow me to make purchases (the bike mentioned above) with only the minimal stipulations, though I know you expect more. I can learn a lot from you if I would just take the time to not be bullheaded, stubborn, selfish, (insert comment here), etc. The love and patience you have is truly to be admired. I only wish I could be half of what you are, but the more I try to get there the higher you set the bar. Thank you for that, I wouldn't, couldn't be where I am today without you. I promise to be better, to work on myself and use Heavenly Fathers comands to reach there. Right now you're pulling me to the Kingdom and I know it should be the other way around. I will get there, please continue to be patient with me I'll get there.
So, Kirsten. THANK YOU! You work hard and deserve better from me. I'll get better. I love you.
To all my other friends I didn't specifically mention, thank you as well. I hope that I can continue to help, inspire, and generally be there when you need a hand up. Thank you all.
It is, afterall, Just a Ramble.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Spirit of Service
Yesterday I had the opportunity to help a family move. I had a feeling that they would be moving but didn't know when. On Friday, I got teh call from another person in my neighborhood to let me know they would be moving on Saturday and would like some help to move stuff. I wasn't able to commit fully while talking to my neighbor but I kept getting this feeling that I needed to do it.
When Saturday came, I rode my bicycle over to her (the person moving) house at the desired time only to find out I was the second one there. I didn't take a car because it would have been in the way and I can't get a lot in my car anyways. After about 15 to 20 minutes of waiting in the cold the remainder of the neighbors who commited to help showed up. As we began to move the furniture, I began to feel that I'd made the right choice to be there to help. I could have easily stayed home instead.
Once all the trucks and trailers were loaded we all headed over to the storage unit to unload the vehicles, the sister of the person we were moving kept having doubts that all of the stuff would fit in the storage unit. My Bishop and I kept assuring her that everything would fit. We got the trailers unloaded and sent the other guys home to continue their daily plans, some were going to the Temple with the youth. Bishop and I continued to load the storage unit piecing all of the furniture and other things in until it was all in. Once we were done, the sister had just this overwelming happiness and sincere gratitude for our help. She just kept saying that she wouldn't have been able to get it all in by herself. It wasn't a problem for us, we've done this before with about the same amount of stuff.
On our way back to the house to pick up my bicycle and Bishops dolly, Bishop surprised me with another act of kindness and service, he stopped at Wendy's and bought lunch for everyone at the house still cleaning and getting the rest of the things needed out. A simple act of kindness to assist someone else greatly felt by all.
Bishop and I returned to my house and felt the Spirit so strong, we just talked about anything and everything that came to mind. Knowing that we performed a simple act of service without any compensation is the best feeling in the world.
The Spirit of Service is what we all should strive to do. If a person in your neighborhood needs assistance, forget yourself and lend a hand. You'll be rewarded far greater than any monentary compensation could ever be felt. My thoughts and feelings about the Spirit of Service.
It is, afterall, Just a Ramble.
When Saturday came, I rode my bicycle over to her (the person moving) house at the desired time only to find out I was the second one there. I didn't take a car because it would have been in the way and I can't get a lot in my car anyways. After about 15 to 20 minutes of waiting in the cold the remainder of the neighbors who commited to help showed up. As we began to move the furniture, I began to feel that I'd made the right choice to be there to help. I could have easily stayed home instead.
Once all the trucks and trailers were loaded we all headed over to the storage unit to unload the vehicles, the sister of the person we were moving kept having doubts that all of the stuff would fit in the storage unit. My Bishop and I kept assuring her that everything would fit. We got the trailers unloaded and sent the other guys home to continue their daily plans, some were going to the Temple with the youth. Bishop and I continued to load the storage unit piecing all of the furniture and other things in until it was all in. Once we were done, the sister had just this overwelming happiness and sincere gratitude for our help. She just kept saying that she wouldn't have been able to get it all in by herself. It wasn't a problem for us, we've done this before with about the same amount of stuff.
On our way back to the house to pick up my bicycle and Bishops dolly, Bishop surprised me with another act of kindness and service, he stopped at Wendy's and bought lunch for everyone at the house still cleaning and getting the rest of the things needed out. A simple act of kindness to assist someone else greatly felt by all.
Bishop and I returned to my house and felt the Spirit so strong, we just talked about anything and everything that came to mind. Knowing that we performed a simple act of service without any compensation is the best feeling in the world.
The Spirit of Service is what we all should strive to do. If a person in your neighborhood needs assistance, forget yourself and lend a hand. You'll be rewarded far greater than any monentary compensation could ever be felt. My thoughts and feelings about the Spirit of Service.
It is, afterall, Just a Ramble.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The First One.
A good friend of mine told me I needed to start a blog. I don't know that I have that much to say, but I'd figure I'd give it a try.
First off, let me start by telling you about myself and my family. I am a very open person when I'm asked about me. I don't just tell things about me without a prompting. My wife, Kirsten, is a very sweet, kind, patient, and loving person. She's always looking for the good in things and is very good about following the words of our Prophet. My son, Luke, is 6. He is very active in his life. Most of the time he's playing with his toys or the neighbor kids. Sometimes I think he has this electromagneticsensory whenever a phone in our house rings (more on that later).
I work primarily as a private investigator. I own a small company called Northern Utah Investigative Services. No it's not the spying on my spouse, ex-whatever type of work. I primarily serve court documents for others (subpoenas, small claims, etc.). Think, The Peoples Court, the way the defendants get notified that they're being sued is by someone like me serving them the papers. It's not glamourus or exciting, it's just work. Most of the time it's boring, mind numbing work. To help take my mind off the work I am a photographer. I love shooting, not so much editing and printing. Call it weird but I would rather fill a terabyte of memory on an external hard and only print a few of the shots then print most of them. My art is different, I pose people how I feel they look the best. I love to shoot families, especially children when they interact with each other. It just captures their soul and spirit. I've found some of my best work when shooting people is by not holding the camera up to my eye but rather I keep it down by my side and push the shutter release. People are at their most natural and unguarded states in this manner. Too many, myself included, avoid the camera when it's up to someones face. I ride bikes. Motercycles and bicycles. I love to repair bicycles. Most of the repairs and tune-ups can be done at home with a little practice. My neighbors bring their bikes to me for fixing or just to pump up the tires. I love that. I don't charge money for it because I love to do it. I'm getting into triathlons this year. I've set a goal to qualify for Ironman Hawaii in 2011. At the pace I'm going, it'll be tough but my competitive spirit and mindset will make me do it anyways.
My wife, Kirsten, and son, Luke, will be featured in another segment.
It is, afterall, Just a Ramble.
First off, let me start by telling you about myself and my family. I am a very open person when I'm asked about me. I don't just tell things about me without a prompting. My wife, Kirsten, is a very sweet, kind, patient, and loving person. She's always looking for the good in things and is very good about following the words of our Prophet. My son, Luke, is 6. He is very active in his life. Most of the time he's playing with his toys or the neighbor kids. Sometimes I think he has this electromagneticsensory whenever a phone in our house rings (more on that later).
I work primarily as a private investigator. I own a small company called Northern Utah Investigative Services. No it's not the spying on my spouse, ex-whatever type of work. I primarily serve court documents for others (subpoenas, small claims, etc.). Think, The Peoples Court, the way the defendants get notified that they're being sued is by someone like me serving them the papers. It's not glamourus or exciting, it's just work. Most of the time it's boring, mind numbing work. To help take my mind off the work I am a photographer. I love shooting, not so much editing and printing. Call it weird but I would rather fill a terabyte of memory on an external hard and only print a few of the shots then print most of them. My art is different, I pose people how I feel they look the best. I love to shoot families, especially children when they interact with each other. It just captures their soul and spirit. I've found some of my best work when shooting people is by not holding the camera up to my eye but rather I keep it down by my side and push the shutter release. People are at their most natural and unguarded states in this manner. Too many, myself included, avoid the camera when it's up to someones face. I ride bikes. Motercycles and bicycles. I love to repair bicycles. Most of the repairs and tune-ups can be done at home with a little practice. My neighbors bring their bikes to me for fixing or just to pump up the tires. I love that. I don't charge money for it because I love to do it. I'm getting into triathlons this year. I've set a goal to qualify for Ironman Hawaii in 2011. At the pace I'm going, it'll be tough but my competitive spirit and mindset will make me do it anyways.
My wife, Kirsten, and son, Luke, will be featured in another segment.
It is, afterall, Just a Ramble.
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