Book Review - Eclipse

So, after the second book of the series was slightly better than the first, my wife assured m that the third was better than them all... so does that mean that I won't continue to the fourth? We will see... But to the matter at hand. Was my wife's description accurate? I must say that I got a lot of info about the story that seemed to be inacurate. For instance, I was under the impression that the entire third book would center around Victoria, talking about her troubles and describing her pain, somehow proving reasons to help the reader love her and feel for her. However, I found this was not the case. More so, the book seemed centered around Jacob vs. Edward, and this is a story that I can feel some emotion for, as I would like to have qualities of both. Again, though, the book tended to spend a bit too much time with ooos and aahhhhs for the male physique and less action, until the end. At first, I was disappointed, but I decided that most of that was hype that I expected action throughout. With that in consideration, I put this book as an equal to the second, and better than the first. Good, but not the blockbuster that I would expet from such a blockbuster... You know what I mean. I suppose its on to the fourth book, after all.

Book Review! Pillars of the Earth

Warning: EXPLICIT material in this book.
All I have to say about Pillars of the Earth is WOW. And not necessarily in a good way, but its hard to say that it was in a bad way either. This kind of reading is fascinating to me, like reading the Horatio Hornblower series and learning all about sailing and all that goodness. After being in a few cathedrals and temples and seeing how beautiful the architecture could be, and learning about the way people lived back in those days, it was all just fascinating to me.
That being said, there was a great deal about the book that totally turned me off. Reviews proclaim the book as a tale of lust, treachery, backstabbing, murder, and many other kinds of things that certainly turned out to be true. However, I found that mostly the focus was on lust. (Warning: Graphic Content, not for children and probably not suitable for adults.) Also, as the book rolled on, I found myself being dragged through a muddy swamp of depression, unable to escape. Expect a thousand pages with no reprieve. Overall, I was happy that I read the book, though I could never recommend others to read it, and most people I would talk to about it would never finish it. In other words, I can understand why Oprah loved it, but I would never add it to my own book club list.

High School- like fifty years ago!

I knew Kira would like it if I filled this out cause I always give her a hard time about them...

1. Did you date someone from your school? Two, to be exact.

2. What kind of car did you drive? 1989 BLUE Geo Metro, then a 1998 White Jeep Cherokee, and then a 1994 Red Pontiac Grand Am.

3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Yup.

4. Were you a party animal? Not really. I just liked to hang with the posse.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Uh... yeah... Voted biggest flirt of the senior class, but I didn't agree.

6. Were you in a band, orchestra or choir? Choir. We were the best!

7. Were you a nerd? I still am a big nerd.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? I was on the football team junior year, but I was more interested in girls. Also, I was a varsity track and field runner since I was a freshman. I have some state medals to prove it.

9. Did you get suspended or expelled? Those things really happen to people?

10. Can you still sing the fight song? I think our song was kind of lame, so I never learned it. I would rather just cheer. We made up our own cheers a lot.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mrs. Goeken, Miss J, Mr. Francis, Sheffler

12. Where did you sit during lunch? Depeneds. Usually, We went somewhere to pick up food and then we would come back and sit in the senior hall next to the Tiger tile. But senior year, I had a lot of meetings during lunch.

13. What's your school's full name? Idaho Falls High School

14. What was your mascot and colors? Tigers. Black, orange and white.

15. Did you go to homecoming? Go? I was in charge of homecoming week, and Whitney was in charge of the dance. I took one of my best friends, though, and we had a blast!

16. If you could go back and do it all again, would you? Oh yeah! High school was the bomb! I would bring my wife, Kira, back with me though, and we might have too much fun! We wouldn't get anything done.

17. What do you remember most about graduation? I remeber that Larkin and I were hangin out like the whole time!

18. Where did you go on your Senior Skip Day? I am pretty sure we had a senior trip to Lagoon.

19. Were you in any clubs? Oh yeah. I was in German club, Key Club, I was Vice President of Rinky Dink club, in Jones club, I was the homecoming co-chair. Ski club.

20. Have you gained some weight since then? Nope, I am actually a little less than I was when I graduated.

21. Who was your prom date? Well, I think I will count just the commencements. Sophomore Year- Alyssa, Junior Year- Rachael, and Senior Year- Whitney

22. Are you planning to go to your 10 year reunion? Depends of if I am in the area. I may be in school in a far away land.

23. Did you have a job while in high school? Yeah, I worked at the Idaho Falls Country Club, baby!

Kira is the Hotness!

So, along with her new job and school starting and everything, Kira and I have done a little bit of back to school shopping. This blog is devoted to her because she looks so good in all of her new clothes! I mean seriously, how could everyone not love her when she looks like this all decked out for work! I am so proud of my girl, Kira! She is amazing!

I love Kira's hair, and it is so fun when she does it all fancy schmancy! She looks stunning!

I tried to treat Kira to a fun dinner at a new place... Didn't work out. So, now i am making up for it. I love Kira! I will forever! She is the best! She is my favorite! Kira, I love you!

Congratulations to my beautiful wife, Kiry, because for our thorough Thursday this week, she obtained a job! Not so surprising because she is amazing!

I love my beautiful Wifey! Good luck at the new Job Kira, and again congratulations! You are my favorite!

Book Review - New Moon

So, I must say that my idea of the second book for the Twilight series was tainted going in. Despite that i enjoyed reading the first book, so little happened other than the constant swooning over the perfection of the male vampire body that I thought it would be difficult to read the same thing for much longer. Much to my dismay, the beginning of New Moon threatened to prove me right. Then, just when I could not take another blush or another description of racing hearts, Bella Swan's life changed forever, and the book got better. Things happened. I was so excited. I read, this time actually interested to see some action from the characters, something more than just the occasional fear of something happening. Although the fight scenes were still not up to par as far as what I was hoping for, the action kept my interest, and I found myself once again entertained. And I am actually looking forward to the third book, which my wife claims will provide me with the action that I am hoping for. I trust that it will not disappoint.

We love you Grandpa Cook!

On Thursday the 21st of August 2008, my grandpa passed away of a major heart attack after a day of driving around visiting friends around cache valley, one of his favorite activities. Kira already wrote a great blog in his honor and she found some great pictures of him. I probably will not o as well, but I really just want to show how much we will miss him.
In my entire life, I have never met a tougher, grittier man than my Grandpa Cook. He was by far the hardest worker I know, and I learned so much listening to his stories of his times in the forest service and all of the great projects that he worked on that helped to shape Cache county into what it is today. From his love of the outdoors and his time in construction and his time in the forest service, possibly no other person knew so much about the canyons and rivers and general areas around Cache Valley. However, the greatest thing I learned from him was the great love that he had for family and friends. No one could leave him without getting a sincere invitation to come back, and he was amazing with kids, even Anna who hates all men. Funny, fun, and loving, and always telling the best stories about his life... That is how I will always remember him. I will miss him very much until I see him again. He will always be loved and remembered in my home.
Holding Anna. I think nobody (girl or guy) won her over as fast as he did.

Obviously, he is telling one of his stories. His amazing experiences give great examples of how we should all try to live our lives.

He gave so much to his family, showing so much love to my Grandma and everyone else in his life.

He had an amazing memorial and funeral and is buried now in the Hyde Park cemetary with his family.

Anna playing games with my dad at the funeral. Maybe my grandpa was there helping my dad along, cause this was the best play time he has ever had with Anna.