Harry Reid has a new book out!?

I didn't know either. But it sounds interesting. Here you can read a positive review of it. I had no idea he'd been investigated as "Mr. Cleanface" and alleged to have been in the pocket of the mafia when he was Nevada Gaming Commissioner (he was cleared of all wrongdoing).

What do you think? Want to read it? Give it to dad for Father's day (what do you think about that, dad)? When is Father's day, anyways? Or maybe to Kevin when he gets home?

The Vermonster!

Okay, so I've heard a tale of a monsterous feat that our family should accomplish. Its almost as difficult as running a marathon(although probably just as grueling) and it will test the limits of your determination! The task: THE VERMONSTER! The largest serving of ice cream any store offers, as far as I know. Offered by Ben & Jerry's, this monster tub consists of the following:

• Twenty scoops of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet (usually five scoops of four flavors or four scoops of five flavors)
• Four ladles of hot fudge
• Four bananas
• Ten scoops of chopped walnuts
• One fudge brownie
• Three cookies
• Two scoops each of four different toppings
• Whipped cream

This behemoth is quite the opponent. If you want to see pictures of it, check here
I was thinking we should go for it at its most vulnerable point: the Ben & Jerry's headquarters when we visit Vermont. Sounds like a deal? I think so.

What to do in the District?

Hey, as you might be aware, Helen and her parents are going to be in town from June 3rd - 10th. We've got a bunch of stuff in mind to go see and do, but I thought it would be cool to get you guys' opinions on a few can't-miss DC hotspots. I'm thinking of things slightly less commonly known than the Capitol and the Lincoln memorial etc. What are your top recommendations?

Bonus: Helen and her parents want to go to a seafood restaurant at some point (I guess they figure it'll be better here than in the middle of desert Utah). Where would you recommend specifically for that as well?

Where were you?

I guess this post is aimed mostly at Mom and Dad. I read this really cool post over at By Common Consent about people's memories of where they were on June 8, 1978. Kind of like hearing about where people where when Kennedy was shot or on 9/11, but happy instead of devastated. Check it out, read the comments, there are some good stories in there. Dad, you were on your mission, right at the end of it, correct? Mom, you said the next week you were in a ward where a young black kid was able to pass the sacrament, right? Where exactly were you when you heard the news? What kind of changes have you seen in the church since then?

For Diana and Benjo (and me): how hard is it to even comprehend how different the church was back then? Any thoughts/impressions/whatever?

Bonus (x2): one of the responses on the original post linked to another awesome story here about the first black woman to serve a mission. Great story with her, and also read the fifth response there for another awesome anecdote about how that day changed peoples' lives miraculously!

What's your theological worldview?

I took an interesting quiz today designed to determine your "theological worldview" (whatever that means). Now, a quick disclaimer: No, I don't think a 50-question multiple choice quiz can accurately capture much of your spiritual feelings. Also, I think there is some serious bias in the questions and a lot of room for interpretation on some of the horribly ambiguous questions. Nevertheless, I don't think it's completely depraved, er, worthless, so give it a go here!

But, as usual, there is a catch! You MUST return here and post your results. MUST! That's right, no agency. Sorry. I found out I have a dictatorial worldview that has no respect for human choice. My actual results are in the comments...

Documentaries about Latter-day Saints

I just found a wonderful website by a BYU film professor that has short documentary films about everyday Mormons. It's called Fit For the Kingdom. I've watched the last four: Ramona is about a stay-at-home mom who used to be a professor at BYU, Rusty is about a recovering alcoholic weightlifter-poet, Leroy is about a crossing guard in Provo, and Heather is about a handicapped young girl who reminds me a lot of Laura Schwab.

So go to the website and watch some of them and then come back here and add a comment and tell us all what you thought. Please! It's worth it!