Mormonism and American Politics Conference

***********I ripped off several of these pictures from Matt and Addy's blog wherein this issue has already been addressed. Don't sue us 'cause you have two lawyers to our one so you'll probably win.***********

Last weekend we went with Matt and Addy to the above mentioned conference in Princeton. I'll not tire you with all the details, but suffice it to say that it made me feel smart to be in attendance instead of feeling like just a boring person whose brains are falling out of their ears. I even asked a question which garnered a laugh from the audience, an intended laugh, although it was not by far the cleverest question asked. Fortunately the dumbest question asked was a fight between two asked by one weirdo at various times. We had to bring Beckett so Chris and I took turns on baby duty.

So when Chris was out I was sitting by Matt and his wife Addy was on his other side. He talked to both Addy and I and he remarked later that since this conference dealt with polygamy at several points it probably looked like he had two wives. And two outspoken wives at that since we both asked questions. So let this be a lesson to all of you out there that polygamy is all fun for men. My awesome friend Addy is a lot like me in many ways and I don't think there's a man around that could handle being married to two of us.

The man in the middle is the keynote speaker Noah "Dreamboat" Feldman. Okay I added that middle name. He really is brilliant and we had a discussion on the way home about whether he could truly be classified as a genius. I think we agreed he could. Anyway just a fascinating address about the current conservative political climate and Mitt Romney's place in it. He concluded that Romney's religious views are an important part of his candidacy precisely because he's running as a Republican which traditionally garners the votes of "values voters." If he was running as a Democrat he hypothesizes Romney could claim his religion had no part in how he would govern and that would be that, but the very nature of the GOP at this point necessitates him bringing religion into things. Feldman also talked about other things (see Matt and Addy's blog for their take) but I found that analysis particularly interesting. That recap didn't sound particularly earth shattering, but his lecture really was amazing.

After the conference we had a great lunch with an old friend of Chris' who subsequently left Chris' firm so we haven't seen him in ages. We didn't get a picture, but it was New York Patrick, i.e. Nathan, and his wife Jill. They're so much fun. Even Matt and Addy who didn't know them had a great time at our 3 hour lunch. Our friends are all awesome. We're pretty lucky.

The Tooth Will Out

I have not updated for a while because I've been hoping to get a better picture of what I'm about to reveal, but Beckett is NOT cooperative so I'll just have to go with what I've got. Beckett got his first tooth Saturday before last. It's a lot bigger than the picture we managed to wrestle him down and get, but we can't get another one. Probably because he's figured anytime we try and go for his mouth is suspect. He's more than happy to let us feel his tooth and will willingly chomp down very hard on your finger, but he's rather shy about letting us see the tooth. So here's our one picture.

This bad picture inspired me to try again tonight. Lest you think I jest about the difficulties involved here are the failed attempts...

And here's this show in action.
Here's the video. Not quite as funny as Beckett eating pop rocks, but still good stuff.



But finally I was victorious. And here is the tooth now so big.

And Beckett happily using that tooth.

P.S. -

Tagadelic

The rules:

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Fact 1: I rule at the claw game. You know the game where you sink in lots of quarters to win a stuffed animal worth a dime?

Well, evidently I am amazing at it. I never played as a kid because my parents rightly (or wrongly in my skilled case) wouldn't let us waste money on it. Well in February of this year I found this hidden talent. My work had a pre-tax season party at Dave and Busters. It's a bar but with games for drunk guys and their kids. We each got a card with money on it to go and have at the games. Well check out my haul:

That's right, that's 3 stuffed animals, a watch, a "gold" chain, headphones, and a laptop. Okay, I didn't claw the headphones and laptop.

Fact 2: Whenever I throw a party I think no one is going to come. I don't think I have low self esteem, but for some reason when I'm hostess I always think that people will have other things come up or just decide it's too much bother. And then I'll end up like this guy all sad and alone with my balloons and party hats that are mandatory at every party I throw so why wouldn't people want to come? :-)

Fact 3: I secretly stare at or subtly investigate the cd collection of new people I meet to see if we could be good friends. Looking in someones medicine cabinet is pointless, who cares if you have athletes foot or a yeast infection? Plus that's really invasive and nosy. But a cd collection is displayed in public places and it tells you a lot more pertinent and interesting information. In some ways I'm like Rob, John Cusak's character from High Fidelity when he says, “It’s not what you’re like. It’s what you like.” Stuff like that does matter.

Fact 4: I love puzzle video games. I rule at Tetris and Dr. Mario. I have conquered the game.

Although I do have to admit that this guy is better than me. This video is amazing even though it made me feel sad about my own skills when Chris sent it to me. http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/AeolqE5wAOM.html

Fact 5: I like making my own baby food. I started doing it to save a little money and to make sure Beckett got the freshest food possible, but it turns out I really like it. I thought it would be a sacrifice, but it would be for the greater good, etc. etc. But it's not a sacrifice. It's kind of fun. I like steaming all the stuff and blending it up. Plus I'm not afraid to taste the food and check the temperature when I feed Beckett. In fact I kind of like eating it. Smooth food is strangely appealing.

Fact 6: Sometimes I really want to punch people. I mean really. People are so clueless. They run into you, push you, cut in front of you, give you no service. Sometimes I wish I was like some martial arts expert and could take all comers and just kick the crap out of people. How satisfying.

I now tag Sheryl, Erin, Mary, Candace, Ann and Jill.