Conference, Elk Burgers, Work, and Family Woes

Last week I had the chance to go down and work as Auxiliary Security at conference. I've done it for a couple of years now, mostly at conference but also at President Faust and President Hinckley's funerals. I missed last October, as it was a day after Dad's funeral and I was too hammered emotionally to do it.

I got to be in the conference hall (or whatever they call the main auditorium) for all the sessions. It was really neat to be there and feel the spirit as the bretheren (and some sisteren) spoke. We were ready for all sorts of problems and disturbances, but it went pretty well without a hitch (a few medical problems was all). No negative sustainings, no shouting, etc. I was in the balcony level (the top of the 3 levels). My section was interesting. During Saturday afternoon, it was the "make out" section. At least 15 dating couples and a few married couples spent most of the time swapping spit. Oh, that was gross-sounding! O.k., kissing. Two of the Guest Services sisters (elderly) commented on one couple to me and said, "If they're not married, they should be." I told them they weren't married, at least no rings, anyway. They said, "Then they'd better get married." I said, "I'll help them out." I went up to the couple, told the sister, "Sister, this good brother wanted me to ask you something for him." I dropped to one knee and said, "Will you be his eternal companion?" She looke at me, both of their mouths dropped, and she stammered a "No." Quite fun. I'd love to have heard the ensuing conversations.

During Priesthood session my section was the video arcade. Dozens of Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood brothers playing video games on their phones, DS's, etc. And those are the ones that were close enough for me to see the screens and see exactly what they were doing.

So, I'm just wondering, when you have the incredible opportunity to go to conference, why do you not pay attention to what is being said? I'm looking forward to the Ensign so I can read what I missed while I was otherwise engaged in my duties.

On the way down to SLC, I stopped at a place in Roy that was on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-In's and Dives (or whatever it's called). It's called the Burger Bar. They have these massive burgers as well as elk and buffalo burgers. I wanted an Elk burger, and boy, it was good! The fries and shake (definitely against my diet, but I figured I was in for the experience!) were o.k., but the elk burger was good. I really had to try to tell that it wasn't a beef hamburger, and even then it was tough to taste a difference. But it is really lean (only 2 grams of fat) (although I'm sure the sauce they put on them kicked that way up!). But it was quite tasty. There's another place in SLC that was on DDD and they are supposed to have awesome Philly style Steak and Swiss, but I'll wait for that one until Susan is with me, as I know she'll eat a Philly (she won't eat game, although I have bought buffalo meat on several occasions and not told her... for which I am now in trouble!).

I am trying to get a business going part-time doing real-estate photography. It's slow getting it going, but I've finally got some of the logins I need to put the pictures up. So I'm hoping it will take off. It's got good potential for some sweet extra income. I've just got to get a decent digital camera now....

As for family woes, Grandpa Pete (my mom's dad) has had some big problems lately. Grandma Pete has cancer, which has been controlled by chemo and radiation, but she's not sure if she's going to go on with that. I called Grandpa on Saturday night and he seemed kind of out of it about Grandma's medicine. I called my cousin Ira and he said Grandpa just worries and he would check on him. Monday the home-health nurse had them take Grandpa to the hospital. They thought he'd had a stroke, but it sounds now like it's a break-down of some sort. He's not doing well with his short-term memory or his thinking. So we're hoping he'll be o.k. eventually. They couldn't find anything physical to blame it on. I got a lot of this third hand, so I hope the info is fairly accurate.

Tom's daughter Allison has been in ICU in Orem. She has an illness that has been requiring some expensive treatments. The other day she was really weak and "crashed", to use Tom's word. They took her to the hospital and when I talked to Tom last, the doctors were just "strutting around acting like God and not telling them anything." So keep them in your prayers, if you would.

Well, I guess that should be a long enough post. Y'all take care!