"before"

It seems like the movie people aren't going to call, so I'm getting close to shaving off my beard and thought I would use that as an excuse to post a "before" picture. This is one of my favorite photos, as it is of me and 6 of my young men after we sang at the Montreal Institute for the Blind in April. In case you didn't know, I help run the program for teenage boys at my congregation (along with Phil on the left). Aren't I lucky to work with the finest teenagers on the planet?

Joseph Smith Jr. was recently named one of the 100 greatest Americans for the upcoming program on the discovery channel. We believe he was the first prophet of the modern era and since this December marks his 200th "birthday," a movie is being made about his life, work and murder. In case you've been wondering (and a few of you have asked), that's why I'm growing a beard, to be an extra in this movie. I guess it makes me look more authentic to the 19th century if I have a beard. What do you think? To learn more about Joseph Smith, you can check out the symposium that was recently held at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., which included a lecture by Columbia University Professor and family friend Richard Bushman. The link to the symposium archive is: http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,510-1-3067-1,00.html

Here's a better picture of the landslide that occured behind my building last week. My parents have walked by it and say it's unbelievable. By the way, did you recognize my building on Law and Order:SVU this week? It made a brief cameo.

When Jesus Christ was on the earth 2000 years ago, he chose 12 men to be His Apostles and lead His church. Those men were subsequently killed and soon there was no one on the earth who held the authority to lead the church or represent Him. Our Church believes that this authority has been restored and that once again there are 12 Apostles on the earth, running His church and traveling throughout the world. Last weekend I had the rare opportunity to shake hands with one of them and hear him speak. I've met three other Apostles and one man before he became an Apostle; my experience last saturday was just as wonderful as the previous. This time I met M. Russell Ballard, the man sitting second from the right on the front. I've also met the two on the front left, and the two on both ends of the back.  

Day #28, the 4 week mark. I'm not sure what the visible difference is, but the difference I notice is that the little hairs under my mouth are just long enough to be played with. In a couple days, when I have a little more time, I'll explain why I've grown the beard.

I have so many memories in that little park area: family photos, birthday parties, basketball games, walks with girls, etc. My building is the one furthest on the left.  

It's a very strange feeling to sit at your computer in Montreal and read in the New York Times about your apartment building. This is a picture of the lawn behind our building, and apparently the retaining wall that overlooked the highway and the Hudson River collapsed yesterday. Luckiliy, no one was hurt. As I child, I played countless games of tag on the area that no longer stands. My building is two to the left of this picture.  

5

Make that five in a row, for both the Yanks and Tino!

The Yanks won their fourth game in a row tonight, and Tino Martinez has hit a home run in these four straight games. In honor of finally having something to celebrate this season, here's a pic from my favorite Tino moment. This is game 1 of the 1998 World Series, in which the Padres had been up by 3 runs until Knoblauch hit a HR to tie it. Later that inning Tino hit a grand slam into the upper deck that gave us the momentum to sweep the Series and win the first of 3 straight championships. The summer of 98 was a rough one for me in many ways, but the Yanks had the best record in baseball history that year, and every night seemed to provide the excitement, distraction and hope I needed. I was at opening day, and I was at the final home game of the World Series, and many in between. It's good to have Tino back, seeing him in pinstripes brings back all those memories. I know it sounds crazy to anyone who isn't a baseball fan, but I guess it's part of being a New Yorker. 

After coming home from the Temple this evening, I took this picture, day #17. It actually looks like a beard. The funny thing, I know about 7 other people at Church who have suddenly grown a beard. If you ask me, I'll tell you why; it's for a good cause.  

10

Day 10, sitting in the drivers seat of our rented Taurus, getting ready to go to the Ha!ifax Comedy festival. Don't worry, the car was parked when I took this photo.

This Day 6, after coming home through a violent rain storm.  

This is late the next day, notice any change? me neither. 

I've decided to chronicle the hair growing rate of my beard. This is a photo taken late in the evening (early in the morning) during finals, after 3 days of not shaving.  

I'm home

Well, the trip to the Maritimes that I've looked forward to for so long has finally come and gone. What a wonderful week that I got to spend with my dad. I'm very lucky to come from the family that I come from.

I start a month long intensive class (Organic Chemistry) tomorrow morning, and am really looking forward to the challenge. Maybe my next post will be something interesting I learned about the chemistry behind how the world works.