Have you ever felt like you are running in the past, trying to catch up to the present, and given up on ever getting a head of the pack in the future. That was me. As of two weeks ago, I was operating on a 2001 desktop computer running on 256K of SDRAM, and trying to run Windows XP.
For the past year or so, I've been running in the technological past. The worst part was that I had grown accustomed to it. It became more apparent than two weeks ago during a Sunday School Presidency meeting at my home. I had the agenda on my desktop computer, and when I went to load up the agenda, my computer took 5 minutes to load the wordprocessing and spreadsheet programs. I apologized profusely in my embarrassment. It wasn't that I could afford a new computer; I just hadn't found one with the desired components at the right price.
But this month, I am happy to say that I made a new purchase. Here's the transition in specifications and numbers:
Old: desktop, 15" monitor, 256K SDRAM, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, 150GB Memory
New: 15" widescreen laptop, 3MB DDRAM, DVD-RW, Wireless b/g/n+, 250GB Memory.
The Difference: 20x faster RAM, 67% more memory, wireless capability (internet from my porch).
I'm not going to say that I'm ahead of the game, but I 'm happy to be approaching the present.
2. SKIING!
One of my favorite activities is skiing. This weekend was a highlight for me. My longtime skiing buddy was on a family vacation here in SoCal. He laughed at me a few weeks ago when I suggested he bring his skis with him. Afterall, he lives in the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah where the skiing devout solemny practice their religious turns. He believed it was nearly blasphemy to suggest skiing in the warm mileau of SoCal. But I convinced to try it.
Here's a few photos and videos from our day at Big Bear Mountain Resort:
Brett and I stand for a slope above Big Bear Lake and the beautiful valley below.
As Brett announced, that's me with a little style on a mild slope.
Here's Brett with some speed.
Brett catches air on this table-top jump.
I try my hand on the same table-top jump.
...But like any ski trip, one of us has to take a tumble. (Sorry, Brett. I could help laughing at the end of the video.
I wish I could post all the videos and pictures, but some are incomplete. We had a few technical difficulties with the camera, including those involving shutter-buttons and low-battery warnings.
We had a fun day, and although we did not ski the steep or deep of Utah, Tahoe, or Jackson Hole, we realized SoCal had some fun snow and terrain parks. And the hot tub at the end of the day didn't hurt.
3. A Passing.
Ever since I can remember, I have listened to the counsel of Gordon B. Hinckley. However, he passed away in February, and I wish to add a short tribute to his memory. He was a teacher, a devoted servant, and a visionary leader. I have felt his love and trusted his words. I saw in him a man who lived as Jesus taught. May God bless his soul, for he truly sought to make bad men good and good men better.
