THANK YOU MAX WEINBERG

If you look 4 posts ago, you will see that US Senator from Utah Orrin Hatch, a Mormon, recently wrote a Hanukkah song as a holiday gift to the Jewish community. Max Weinberg of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, a Jew, has returned the favor to the Mormons. Speaking as one of many Mormons, thanks Max.

I HATE AT&T

Somewhere in the fine print of AT&T contracts is the following statement:

For every 10 minutes of talking there will be at least 1 time when you will lose service and drop the call for no apparent reason.

AT&T has exceeded expectations in this part of their contract. Rumor has it that the iPhone will be available on Verizon next summer. I will be the first in line.

PAPER WRITING

Two posts in one day? What's going on? I have a paper to write, and so of course posting on this blog is an easy way to procrastinate and kill a few minutes. But, I am happy to report that the paper is moving along. I have 20 pages of paper to fill with information regarding voter turnout. I've written papers of this length before, but they are usually filled with research designs, experimental findings, and lots of tables and graphs. (Even academics have an affinity for pictures in their books and articles). However, this paper will contain none of those things. Thus, 20 pages seems particularly daunting this time around. So I am going to keep you (my 3 faithful readers) updated as to my progress. I'm going to update my google chat status with a completed pages/total pages as I go along as well as future posts on my blog. I have until January 12th to finish this behemoth, but I am hoping to get most of it done before the end of the month.

2.5/20

WHAT IF GOVERNMENT RAN HEALTH CARE?

I'm sure you've all seen one of those Sprint Mobile ads that considers the possibility of some rough and tough group managing the world. You know, "What if truckers ran the world." etc etc. Here's an amusing example:



I had a good laugh at this spoof.

MAZEL TOV SENATOR HATCH

You wouldn't think it, but the Mormon senior senator from Utah, Orrin Hatch, is also an avid song writer. He writes and perfoms mostly patriotic and Mormon themed music and has actually produced a CD of original music. Click HERE to listen to "Heal our Land" which was performed at the innauguration of President George H. W. Bush.

Being 75 years old, one might think that Senator Hatch's vibrant music career is coming to a close. On the contrary. He's recently produced this sure-fire hit: "Eight Days of Hanukkah". Who knew that this elderly Mormon from Utah had such an affinity for Jews. The NY Times quotes him today saying, "I feel sorry I'm not Jewish sometimes." Well, have a look at the video and tell me this man doesn't deserve an honorary barmitzfa.

Eight Days of Hanukkah from Tablet Magazine on Vimeo.

Oh, and I also loved this line from the Times article. Referring to Hatch's love of Barbara Streisand, one of America's most famous Jews, the Times writes:

"He said his ultimate goal would be for his idol, Ms. Streisand, to perform one of his songs. “It would be good for her and good for me,” Mr. Hatch said, while acknowledging that given her outspoken liberalism, that union might require another miracle."

Now that would be bipartisanship at its best.

TWILIGHT (YEARS)

I've not seen the new Twilight movie and have no plans to see it. I was tricked into watching the first one on a plane while flying across the country. After 1/2 hour of watching I determined that staring at the seat in front of me was a better use of my time. However, I recently came across this incredibly funny video made by several members of the LDS singles ward in Manhattan. It's a trailer for a similar movie "Twilight Years." Watch and laugh.

Twilight Years.