Music!

Music! I love it! I am quite eclectic in my musical tastes. While I mostly listen to what I call "music to chill to", Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenwriter, Matt Lewis, G-Love, etc., I listen to what matches my moods. Sometimes I listen to different music to alter my moods. I enjoy listening to the music of my adolescence such as The Dead Kennedys, The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Ramones or Duran Duran, Tears for Fears and B-52s. When I am angry, I feel it helps to listen to something more relaxing like Bob Marley, IZ, or even classical music. I have never really been a top 40 listener, but I do like the songs...I also like country. My tastes in music draw converse comments from the teenagers I work with such as, "Man, you are old!" or "You listen to the same music as us, but you are old!" It makes me laugh.

I think the two most important things to remember about music is first, that it is powerful. It can affect our clothing, our circle of friends, and our moods. Music can make you cry, laugh or bite your lip. It can create feelings of love, confusion and anger. If you remember that, you can use it to your benefit. Secondly, your tastes may not be my tastes. As in life, "Live and let live", "To each his own" and "Different strokes for different folks". The music one listens to may tell you something about that person, but it does not tell you everything. Judge not lest ye be judged.

On a final note, I think everyone should learn an instrument in order to truly appreciate the creative power of music. I have only recently ventured into learning an instrument, percussion and the Ukulele. My parents encouraged me to learn the piano, but were never forceful. I appreciate their desire to not force something on me that I did not show interest in, however I wish they had been slightly more demanding in this area. I love them for their parenting skills none the less. I play a mean guitar hero and rock band, and for that they can be proud.

The Man, Gordon B. Hinckley

Tonight at 7:45pm, Sarah learned on TV that President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away. He died at 7pm due to age related issues. I have been watching the news since and have enjoyed the many kind things people have said. It has been a good evening to remember his life. Religious or not, Mormon or not, this man lived a life that we could all learn from. The world would be a better place if it had more Gordon B. Hinckley's in it. The country, state, county, city, neighborhood, and home all stand to benefit if we each tried in some way to emulate the principles he lived by. He truly loved all he came in contact with. He will be missed.

An Interesting Article

This is an article titled, "Better Duck - If You're a Mormon" by Doug Robinson

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695242228,00.html

Enjoy!

Getting Closer

I apologize to all of you that have been checking our website from time to time. I finally have the 2006 photo gallery complete and some of 2007. Unfortunately, 2007 will take a little longer. We had a power outage and it fried our computer with the photos on them. As we retrieve them, we will add them. Stay tuned to www.marqueandsarah.com .

Photo of the Week

This photo was taken in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada. It is of the Aurora Borealis. Pretty.

Scooby Doo Where Are You?!

This is our dog, Rush. He is the only dog I have ever had that I felt like he truly was man's best friend...my best friend. He was so kind and gentle and generally obedient.
Yesterday I scolded him for peeing on my workbench in the garage. The garage door was open and he high tailed it. I feel so crummy that he is gone. I chased after him, but he is faster than me (no surprise). I really miss him. I have been depressed since he left and I hope we are reunited soon. I have spent countless hours driving around looking for him, calling places he may have turned up and placing posters (with Sarah's help) around the neighborhood.
He is such a good dog with such an amazing demeanor that I fear whoever finds him will not put any energy into locating his owner. Rush, we love and miss you. Marque and Sarah

TRADITION!!!!!!!

Today is the Rose Bowl and this year the participants are USC and Illinois.....as if the BCS flame needed to be stoked at all. The Rose Bowl Selection Committee had to choose USC's opponent this year. Typically, for those just joining the college football world, the Rose Bowl is played between the PAC 10 and Big 10 conference champions. This year, due to Ohio State sneaking into the BCS title game, there was not an absolute contender for USC. The committee had the choice between a competitive match up between USC and Georgia, or the more traditional PAC 10/Big 10 match up between USC and Illinois.

USC and Georgia are clearly playing football that could be described as the best in the country. If there were a playoff system in place, USC and Georgia could easily end up in the championship. This would have been a phenomenal event to see these two teams fight it out on the field. Of course, I believe USC would have walked away the victor and proven once again that the best from the SEC is not better than the best of the PAC 10. USC wrecks the SEC every opportunity.

USC and Illinois should be a good game, but hardly the caliber of the other option. This is a game for the traditionalist and proves to be part of the problem that is the BCS. The Rose Bowl is the "Grand Daddy of them All" as far as post season college football is concerned. It was not naturally conceived that way. This took years to create and was done so by two conferences, the PAC 10 and the Big 10. The first Rose Bowl was played in 1902 and over the years has become the most watched and loved game in college football. The payout at the inception of the BCS was $14 million. The next highest paid bowl game was $7 million! When the BCS came about, this posed a great problem. Why should the PAC 10 and Big 10 (incidentally there are 11 teams in the Big 10...go figure...midwest math) give up the prize that they spent years building and share it with others? I can understand the dilemma, but it has only added to the problem....guaranteed conference bids in the BCS, not enough spots for non BCS conferences in the big games, no playoffs, etc.

As a USC fan, I side with the traditionalists. I would always rather see a Pac 10 and Big 11 match up, than to see other schools from other conferences who should not be there, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Miami and Nebraska. These are all great schools, but go get your own bowl game! The BCS stinks. Everyone agrees. It has made the regular season better, but has encouraged schools outside the PAC 10 to pad their schedules with powder puff teams. The BCS will never make everyone happy, yet has made it very clear there will never be a playoff system. I, for one, prefer the old way.....vote. Let the AP vote and the Coaches vote. If there is a contradiction, let the schools then decide if they want to share a championship year or duke it out on the field.

Tomorrow's game is by no means a cake walk for USC. Illinois' offense is potent. They have the triple threat in the running game, passing game and a running quarterback. They are good. Their defense will need to step up. They tend to play a "bend, don't break" style of defense and are willing to give up the small yardage plays. The small yardage plays are USC's bread and butter and USC will march the ball up the field all day if that is the case. The best thing about college football is that on any given day, the other team can beat you. We have witnessed this this year more than ever.

I am babbling now at 4:30 in the morning. I must sign off for now, but before I do, I wish you and yours a happy and peaceful 2008. I hope you make all your dreams and wishes come true this year. I know I will. Fight On!