Did you know???

Did you know???
In medieval times, left-handed people could not become knights because it was thought that they were descendants of the devil, it is said. Spiral staircases in castles ran clockwise to allow knights – all right-handed – to battle intruders effectively.

The word for left in French means gauche and in Latin it means sinister. The Latin word for right is dexter, from which came “dexterous”. Ambidextrous means literally “both right.”

13% of people are left-handed, up from 11% a few decades ago. The story that right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people is a myth.

Animals also are either right-handed or left-handed. Polar bears are left-handed – and so is Kermit the Frog.

New Computer

Hello all. Lorie and I are pretty excited about a new addition to our home. We have been saving for a little while for a good work computer for Lorie to work from home on. Originally, we were saving for a Mac Desktop. We had also thought of getting a laptop or a normal desktop, but after going through all the pros and cons for each, we ended up with this. (click on "this")

The model shown in the video is not the exact model that we ended up getting. We really like how the monitor is the computer. It looks really nice and it also has touchscreen capabilities. We won't necessarily use the touchscreen very often, but it's a really good computer and has a really high rating from critics and customers. It was on sale for about 20% off the normal price and after doing a lot of research on what we wanted and what would work best for us, we decided to do it. It's interesting how much effort and thought goes into a purchase like this one. But now that it's here and it's ours, we are really glad we got it. It should work out great for Lorie's (and my) needs.

New Jarb.

Man, it's been a long time since my last post. So for those of you who do not know, I am a college graduate. It's official. Lorie pounded 2 nails on our guest room wall that hold one diploma for her and one diploma for me. I was able to squeeze four years of college into 36 months of life and now look at me. Married. Graduated. Employed. Happy.

Yes, I am employed. The timing of finding it was nothing short of a miracle. And this is not just any job, it's a GRRRRRREAT one. In other circumstances I would have said that it was luck that I was able to get it, but I am not going to say that. I worked my buns off to get it. After living in a run-down Jamaica and taking two semesters of over 20 credits, I deserved it. But Lorie deserved it more. One more week of her stressing out to provide for us would have sent her up a rail.

Most people in Utah Valley have heard of Omniture. Their billboards say ridiculous one liners, like, "All your base are belong to us. --Omniture" If that makes no sense to you, watch this video: VIDEO If it still does not make sense, then you understand that only gamers/computer geeks would understand it. Well, Adobe (Photoshop) just bought Omniture and I work at the Omniture Business Unit in Orem, Utah.

After falling in love with Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management courses, I decided Human Resources was the best fit for me. I am currently a Human Resource Representative and work with employees regarding their benefits. I wake up happy about what I do and excited to learn new things and help our employees. There are opportunities for growth internally, excellent benefits, stock options, International opportunities, wellness incentive plans, and too many other good things about the company to list.

I'm excited to see what the future has in store for Lorie and me, but I'm also happy about where I am at now.

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

The photos are below the descriptions.

#1 - Lorie and I before a big game!
#2 - 1968 yearbook photo
#3 - My band photo
#4 - Lorie 1996
#5 - Lorie 1958
#6 - Kyle and I doing Chemistry
#7 - Kyle wailing on the guitar
#8 - Jeff and Madison just hangin' out
#9 - I caught Jeff chattin' it up on the phone
#10 - Karon and Brad at Homecoming - I'm driving!
#11 - Kyle, me,and Jeff playing hockey
#12 - Lorie and I - Halloween, 1990
#13 - Lorie, Kyle, and I at a Chess Tournament. Thanks Brad! You were a great teacher!
#14 - Lorie and I were Homecoming King and Queen!

Enjoy!
















Thank you YearbookYourself.com for the opportunity to find all of my lost pictures!

They burned in the fire, but good thing I had them electronically downloaded!

A Monster Mash.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

My mother played the bass.

The Bass.
by mason bourne

My mother played the bass.
It was all up in her face.
Because she didn't know where to place
that big old ugly bass.

She took it on the bus.
It made her want to kuss.
She always made a fuss
because she took it on the bus.



I would like to dedicate the poem to my mother who played the bass in elementary school. This is no bass guitar, this is the bass (huge string instrument). Can you imagine a little Mariellen Peterson carrying a bass that is 5 times her size?

There was a Jazz band playing music today in The Crossroads (BYU-I Food Court) and the huge bass reminded me of a little girl who used to do the same thing. I am hoping that she takes it up again. I would like to see those crafty hands playing the instrument that sparked her interests years ago. We can give tribute to the bass that led my mom to be who she is today. From this experience, she learned to carry a load 5 times greater than her physical and emotional capacity. I always knew you were strong Mom, but I now know how strong you must have been as a 6 year old carrying a bass 15 miles in the snow with no shoes, uphill both ways, just to get to the bus stop.

The bus, the bus, the B-U-S!

I love you, Mom!

Shout out.

This is a shout out to my most faithful blog commenter.......Karie Cheney! Congratulations!!!!! You have just won a free gift of my choosing at the time of my choosing! Hopefully, this will get more people to comment more frequently and actually care about what others have to say! This includes Google Reader peeps like Karon who cop-out of of the blog commenting experience by not actually going to the blog!

On a side note, strange things have been going on in Rexburg. The trees on Saturday were disposing of their beautiful green leaves almost all at once. It reminded me of the "Whomping Willow" in Harry Potter that twists and gets rid of its leaves once seasons change. Also, after football practice every day there is almost always an old large man completely naked except for a towel reading a book sitting on the tiled floors next to the shower. He always tries to tell me which shower I should use based on water warmth. It was ok the first time, but when this happens every day, you begin to question motives. Mentally, he is all there.

About Kyle

Here is a letter my mother received in regards to Kyle, who is out serving in Utica, NY.

"Sister Warr,

My name is Laura Hansen and I live in the Syracuse area where Elder Warr is serving. My daughter, Jenica, had the opportunity to sing Elder Warr's favorite song "I Love the Lord" as Elder Warr accompanied her. They practiced for 2 hours the night before and I recorded the last song of their practice for the night. The next day Jenica woke up with a cold and was worried about singing but they went forward anyways. They practiced 3 times before sacrament meeting and I could tell she was congested. When they performed everything cleared up for Jenica. Elder Warr and Jenica's dynamics and everything came together so beautifully. The spirit was very strong and it was beautiful! Last Monday, we scheduled to get together to record it in the chapel. Elder Warr's grandparents were able to be here to listen to them as they practiced for us to record it. Jenica was still recovering from her sore throat but we wanted to get it done before transfers came. It all worked out. Jenica had a few struggles but it is still pretty good and we were able to offer our home to Elder Warr's grandparents and help them out some.

You are blessed with a wonderful son and he is doing a great job out here! Grandparents were awesome too. Anyways, I finally got the video put together and have posted it to youtube so both our families back home can enjoy it also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kRPH_lvHDw

So enjoy,

Laura Hansen"

Post update.

Please see my other blog on the right hand side for a little case study. It is called "a dad with diabetes."

New Blog, but with a purpose.

In my journalism class, we have to do a blog that has an actual topic. DANG IT! I like blogging with no rhyme or reason. Anyway, the topic of my blog is diabetes. My dad has been in and out of the hospital for quite a while and it is really frustrating. Please feel free to follow it. If I get 400 blog followers and proof of those followers I get an automatic A. That is not the purpose of my blog, just to get a grade, but it would be nice. The blog is masonpw.wordpress.com and is called "a dad with diabetes." Hopefully it can help others who have family members with diabetes or know people who would like information about it.

Boycott!!!

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am sick and tired of posting comments on others' blogs and then they have to be approved by the bloggee. #1 - It is insulting. #2 - We like to see our comments immediately. #3 - It makes us feel like only a select few will make "the cut." Well let me ask you this... [bloggers who need to approve others] have you ever heard of a tea party? I suggest we BOYCOTT all those who have to approve of our comments! I am not going to name names, but two people whose names are similar to Schmryon and Bari do not allow comments to be posted automatically. This is a VERY SERIOUS ISSUE! If you know any others who do this, please stop following them, as they feel like they can post whatever they want on their blogs, but do not allow others to post freely. Thank you for your time and I know that you all support me. There would never be any that would not support me in this because all of my friends and family support me in everything and would never disagree.

We, the People.

There should be a pledge of allegiance to the Constitution.


For all who are not aware, today is Constitution Day. September 17, 1787. Congratulations to us for having it. Congratulations to the Constitution for lasting this long. Furthermore, there is a pretty neat website for any who are interested in reading the Constitution, watching a video, or even doing an interactive game called, "Which Founder are You?" I am George Washington, by the way. I always knew that Old Georgie and I had a lot in common. You can go to the website by going here.

At this time I would personally like to thank our Founding Fathers for all that they did in sacrificing their time, energy, and talents to creating one of the greatest governmental documents ever written. Hopefully, others will take some time to think for a moment about life without the U.S. Constitution.

Sorry.

I guess nobody cares about that last post. I sometimes forget that the only people that read my blog are young and middle aged women. My bad, ladies. I'll post something that only interests you....not myself. It's all about you.

Awesome Beginning

Yesterday was officially "The Kickoff" of College football. The Boise State Broncos dominated the Oregon Ducks in a 19-8 victory. The Defense of Boise completely shut down the Ducks offense. I even saw a sign that said, "Not even Emilio Estevez could save these Ducks." (referring to the classic Disney film, "The Mighty Ducks" (I, II, and III)) There was quite a bit of contention between the two teams and that was clearly visible


Here's what happened at Last year's game...


And This...


Here's what happened this year.


This was a pretty intense game and a great way to start out the season! It is disappointing to see players lose their tempers and throw punches and attack fans, but this was the same guy who told Sports Illustrated that they were going to come into Boise and give the Broncos a Bum whoopin. That didn't happen, so it makes him look like the scape-goat. The next important game is #20 BYU versus #3 Oklahoma on ESPN Saturday at 7.

WHAAAAT???

Does the term, A A A A A A A- A- B mean anything to you?

Boo-Ya.

Has Anyone Seen This Boy?

Age: 5
Last seen: Combing his perfectly parted hair.
Hobbies: Baseball, soccer, playing Nintendo, monitoring his mother's daycare children.

Description: Shrimp with obsessive behaviors of caring too much, working too hard, riding his bike too fast, and controlling all others. Last seen wearing a flanel shirt, wrangler jeans, and boots.

If you have seen this boy, please contact his mother. She responds to Hairy-Melon Pee'dherpants. (it's french). Or Call 867-5309. Thank you.

Freedom to Vote

Men and Women fought for years for the opportunity to vote. People are not taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. On the right hand of the screen there is a poll and only 4 people have voted. We need to know what is most preferred in jumping. Use those freedoms given you or you are wasting all of the effort by our Forefathers and Foremothers.

What is Summer?

Summer is the greatest time of the year for some. For others it is just another season with no great significance. There are a few things that I love about summer.

#1 - Perfect outdoors time.

I love being outside in the summer time. If I don't live in Bakersfield and if I don't have a broken leg then it is the perfect time of year. I also love barbecues. There's nothing that says summer like a nice barbecue. Hot dogs are on my top 10 foods list and so being outside in perfect weather, tossing a disc around and eating some hot dogs is my utopia.

Here is a picture of the outside.

Just looking at these hot dogs makes me hungry.

#2 - Baseball

I love baseball. I love watching it, playing it, following it, thinking about it, smelling my gloves, chewing on them (I used to do it in the outfield when I was little), and going to the ballparks. Baseball is a very relaxing sport. I miss throwing the ball with Formy back home and having a constant connection with the game. Now, it is much harder to feel that connection. Not too many people in Idaho have the same natural affinity for the game that I do and so the baseball conversation is limited. Also, where can you get a better tasting hot dog than at a ball game? Not to mention that baseball is America's past time and I am an American, so naturally, I have strong feelings for the game.

#3 - Tour de France

The Tour de France is very cool. I think Lance Armstrong represents what America strives to be. We are becoming more and more healthy and more and more green. I just wish that the TdF was more available on cable channels in Rexburg. We don't have vs. network or OLN network, so coverage is limited. I remember in 2004 I followed it very closely. That was the year the Lance Armstrong was going for his 6th consecutive TdF victory. Nobody makes bicycle riding as sweet as Lance does and nobody makes Cancer Foundations as cool as Livestrong does. Follow Lance in the Tour de France and I assure you that you will have a greater desire to be healthy, strong, and more environmentally aware.

Pain

I am sorry if this is a little disturbing, but I thought that it would be best if you all could feel my pain. Trust me, it's for the best. Also, this is not where my leg broke. It broke the fibula up by the knee.

Enjoy.

Drum Roll Please.....

Dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd!


I broke my fibula last night playing flag football. I heard a pop when I came down wrong on my ankle and now my ankle is purple and the size of Alabama. We went to the student health center today and had an x-ray done and it's busted....spiral break (sad sigh). I should be healed in 4-6 weeks. I will continue my blogging when I have fully recovered. Just kidding. I will probably go on with the same blogging schedule as I have now......which is completely random. If you would like to send money, feel free to do so.

With love,

Mason Bourne