The Factory

The United States public school system was established during a time in history usually referred to as the industrial revolution (Montagana, 2011). This was the age of mass production. This was also when Horrace Mann argued that to make better factory workers they needed to be educated (Mann, 1848). Schools at this time were built as a model of the factories that gave the era its name. Since that time the public school system has grown, influences millions of this nations children, and changed little. We are still using an outdated method from a bygone era to construct our most important resource, productive citizens. (Oliver, 2010).
Today, much like when the public school was first established we are put into classes by age. Sir Ken Robinson, a renowned proponent of educational reform as posed the question, “why do we think that the most important thing that two children have in common is their date of manufacture?” (Robinson, 2008). This is a major issue in the educational system. We even go so far as to bar students from entering school based on a the date they were born. From that time forward the grade you are, or at least “should be” is based on a number that started counting the day you were born. Children are generally able to develop at the same rate at for the first few years; however, it doesn’t take long for some to start to pull ahead and others to fall behind. This creates students that are pushed aside, left out, and neglected because they didn’t develop at the predetermined rate of age. Students that may very well be geniuses but were late bloomers, or are just not as advanced in one subject but excel in another. The fact of the matter is, children, like adults have a varying amount of interests, talents, and skills. Students should be allowed to progress in academics at a rate they determine. Not the speed that was decided for them by when they were born, but by the speed they are learning.
Another factor of the school system that models a factory line is a separation of subjects. Like the factors of old who used a division of labour to create products on a mass scale, yesterdays, and todays public schools divide the school day into subject of specialization. Is it any wonder that teachers have a hard time connecting with their students, or that students have a hard time paying attention to forty-five minutes of a boring subject. Children learn different things at different times, and are interested in different things at different times. Sir Ken Robinson says “Well, I know kids that are much better then other kids of the same age in different disciplines, or different times of the day. Or better in smaller groups then larger groups, or sometimes they want to be on their own.” (Robinson, 2008). The world isn’t separated into different subjects, you don’t go to work and use english, then go to the store and use math. You use math while your using english while you are demonstrating your understanding of social norms; at the store and at work. We separate our subjects and teach them in blocks piece by piece, constructing knowledge in a person as a factory would construct a car. However, people don’t always work that way, in truth I bet the rarely do. Humans are complex creatures from the function of our bodies, muscles and organs, to our thought patterns and brain chemistry. On a factory line people are put into separate areas of labour so that they my become specialized in one function. Today we do the same thing in schools, we separate people into different classes and subjects. In my experience this has created a system where people are pushed along from year to year without gaining a full understanding. A student might develop understanding and proficient say in english but because of a teacher, or misunderstanding, or inability, or absence, they missed a lesson in math. This happened from year to year, until one day the student was missing enough pieces that they couldn’t understand mathematics anymore. This is the reason many people end up being good at some subjects and terrible at others. Many people they are not given the same learning experience from one subject to the next.
There was a study done by Jean Anyon in 1979 examining the curriculum, pedagogy, and pupil evaluation practices in five elementary schools differentiated by social class. (Anyon, 1979). In this study Anyon finds a number of different startling facts about the differences in schools bases on the social class of the students. In working class schools when asked what was important for students to know said things like “What these children need is the basics.” and “They’re lazy. I hate to categorize them, but they’re lazy.” (Anyon, 1979). The study goes on to say that the curriculum in the working class schools was often restricted. The students were given lessons that helped them only to learn about simple tasks in a step by step manner. (Anyon, 1979). From this study we can see how teaching is sometimes even given in a factory like manner. That the students or workers need only to know what they need to pass the test. They are kept in schools like this from thinking critically or creatively and develop a dependent view of knowledge. It is conditioned to make them into good factory workers.
Another point to make is that of allowing team work, working together and collaboration. In schools if we try to work together, if we try get help from peers we call it cheating, anywhere else in the world we call it collaboration, but in schools, no thats cheating. (Robinson, 2008). It is not necessary to keep students on their own. When children are growing up they learn by experience, by collaboration with their loved ones and those around them. I child learns to speak and walk by watching others do it and practicing and trying to do it with help and encouragement from those around him or her. However, in todays school system we are constantly told to do things on our own, without talking to our peers. With the increase of class sizes in america, there is even less opportunity for collaboration or communication. The school system is focused on keeping each student focused on “their own work” and it is keeping them from learning from one another. This is hindering some students ability to learn. Again I quote Sir Ken Robinson, “Well, I know kids that are much better then other kids of the same age in different disciplines, or different times of the day. Or better in smaller groups then larger groups, or sometimes they want to be on their own.” (Robinson, 2008). Some people learn better in groups and from their peers. Sometimes when a teacher explains something it just does not click. Then when the student next to you explains it again in their own words, and talks you through it you can get a handle on the concepts. I have seen this time and time again in my own schooling experience.
There is study after study saying that the school system needs more teacher student interaction. That clearly show a direct correlation between students ability to talk to teachers personally and an increase in student success levels. I contend that a teacher isn’t the only one that is able to provide such a connection. That I feel is why some students with healthy home lives are able to still preform well in lower economic schools. They may not be able to get the personal relationship and help with assignments from their teachers but they get it from parents and siblings. They could also get it from peers in the school system if it was not looked down upon as cheating. Students should be allowed to teach students, they should be encouraged to answer questions they know, the should be encouraged to help other students understand concepts.
Schools also, as mentioned need to change the way they organize classes. Separation into subject is practical to a degree, however, I feel that you should not have to sit through forty five minutes of one subject alone. Divide it up, split it up. We could have math class for two hours here, then english for a hour, then back to math. We could let students teach different parts of the class, changing up the teachers. This would help students understand all the subjects of school and how they all fit together. One is not superior to another, one subject is not the most important and another the least. If presented together and intermingling students would realize they help and compliment one another. They are all important, and every person has that ability to understand each one, in his or her own way.
Each student should also be challenged by their teachers to reach just a little higher. In the Anyon study one teacher said that she was happy to teach at the working class school because it was easy. She stated that her friend taught at a more affluent school and she had to go in early every day and always had something special. (Anyon, 1979). Teachers should never say that they enjoy their job because it is easy and they do not have to challenge their students. That is a recipe for disaster. A study done by Civic Enterprises showed that seventy percent of high school dropouts left school even though they felt they could graduate. (Civic Enterprises, 2011). The study goes on to say that the primary reason nearly half of he young adults gave for dropping out was that classes were uninteresting. (Civic Enterprises, 2011). Classes should be compelling, interesting, and feel useful. Students should respect the information given them in schools and feel it is useful. They should respect their teachers and they should respect each other. As shown this is not happening. If students were allowed to teach one another, if they were able to speak with and understand their teachers it would. If teachers felt they could challenge their students, if the didn’t falsely believe they were inherently lazy and unable to reach a bar they set, students would improve.
In conclusion, schools are still set up on a production line mentality. As schools continue to stress “your work” and discourage collaboration, students will continue to fall behind in some subjects and be completely disinterested in others. Similarly if subjects continue to remain completely separate students will have the same reactions. Lastly, and most importantly is the age mandated grade systems of the school system. This does nothing to help any person and only hinders ones ability to learn what they need. There are many possible ways to change and update these school systems but to do so we need to forget this age old system of factor assembly lines.

Bibliography
 Anyon, J. (1981). Social class and school knowledge. Retrieved from http://ereserve.library.utah.edu.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/Annual/ECS/4111/Margonis/socialclass1.pdf
2. Mann, H. (1848). End poverty through education. Retrieved from http://ereserve.library.utah.edu.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/Annual/ECS/4111/Margonis/endpoverty.pdf
Robinson, K. (2008, June). Changing paradigms. Retrieved from http://filmenglish.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/transcript-sir-ken-robinson.pdf
Civic Enterprises. (2011, January 01). Why do students drop out of school. Retrieved from http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=9279
Oliver, R. (2010, April 04). Assembly-line schools from a bygone era. Retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10094/1047479-109.stm
Montagna, J. (2011, December 05). The industrial revolution . Retrieved from http://yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1981/2/81.02.06.x.html

Social Class and School Knowledge.

The article by Jean Anyon reveled some compelling knowledge about the current U.S. Educational and Social Systems. She looked at four different schools in four different social classes and compared the curriculum and what the students thought about what knowledge was and capable of doing. The study showed that in lower class working schools the students were not taught about the working class in society and the curriculum focused on teaching mechanical and rote knowledge and tasks. in other words teaching the students how to do things in a rote many and not alloying for freedom of thought. The Middle class school students where taught that knowledge was a commodity to be traded for a job or for college admittance. The professional school was taught the most to be creative and to be free thinkers. lastly the elite school was taught the most "honest" view of society according to Jean.

Is it true that the school programs of todays society "program" us to stay and reproduce the same social classes that have existed since the beginning of time? I can see how it seems that way, and I can see that it is probably on the large scale mostly true. I do believe however that there is more class movement then any person with a social or political goal will lead you to believe. That being said, I do believe the public school system needs a revamp. The simple truth that the parents of the Elite school were so against the re-zoning talked about at the beginning of the article is reason to be skeptical. The fact that the upper class schools gave such a strong view towards critical thinking, problem solving, what I call true and open history, and creativity is enough of a reason to want to scrap the current school system and redraw it. Thats one reason I really like this video. Sir Robinson says that schools are increasingly standardizing our children and we need to go in the opposite direction. I feel that the Elite school is half of what we are looking for, pushing for critical thinking, creativity, and true, complete, and open history of all cultures and social classes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

I think one of the huge problems in our society is we are becoming increasingly a population of entertainment. That is all we care about and all we wish to see, we seek and only seek our own entertainment. I fear that we are all becoming dull and more or less zombies. We need something to wake us up and enjoy the world not just program everyone to produce and consume and live. We need to be thinking critically, we need to look at the world in more ways then the ways we always have. I also think we need to get out of the class room and change this paradigm of you go to school so you can make money, and instead start teaching and preaching you go to school to create new ideas, new opportunities, and to expand your own knowledge and ability. As Jean Anyon says in her study that the Elite out of any class where taught and understood knowledge as a tool for their using, not a commodity to be traded for money or a job. That i feel is what we have to be focused on and where we need to start. I know there has been this re-accruing theme of "funding" in our class. However, I think if you gave me a public library, a private outdoor location, and ten students I could teach them more and prepare them better for life then any public school in the same or less time. I don't think the problem is Funding alone. I think a person with the ambition and a tutor could gain more knowledge with a $1.80 in late fees at the public library then most kids get in school. Money yeah its nice, but I think its half an excuse and half reliance on a broken system that really makes it a factor in changing and fixing education.

Respect, Liking, Trust, and Fairness.

In the Chapter Respect, Liking, Trust, and Fairness by Kathleen she talks about the effects of teachers and students relationships with one another. It is really good cause she doesn't just speculate or talk about studies, she uses words stories from actual living students. She talks about how even being a teacher that students like isn't always the best for students learning. When you like a teacher to much you think of them as your friend and that can get in the way of your learning.
I really liked this article and I agree with what it says. Looking back at my own experiences I know that the teachers I didn't "like" all that much are the ones that I learned the most from. Some of them I did have better relationships with then others, however others I didn't like at all, I just respected them and felt respected by them. That is the key if you ask me. Teachers need to respect their students and students need to respect their teachers. There is no substitute for Respect and trust in a class room. Those are built on fairness and communication. Without these things school will fail in any and every form of education.

The Supidification of America

The first chapter of Literacies of Power by Donald Macedo, the Author gives his argument about how the American Educational System is installed to indoctrinate persons, and to continue the cycle of upperclass dominance. He points out the fact that the united states as a world power has violated and disregarded its own Pledge of Allegiance. Macedo believes that these systems are set in place to produce desensitized persons who have lost the ability of free thought and critical analysis. In the final Paragraph he says this "I am increasingly convinced that the U.S. Educational system is not a failure. The failure that it generates represents its ultimate victory to the extent that large groups of people, including the so-called minorities, were never intended to be educated.

From this chapter I feel like Macedo feels that the entire public school system is truly a "white power" system of oppression. I will agree with current trends that is certainly what it looks like and maybe it even really is that. However, I don't really believe they were set up to do that way. I believe they have become a way for the government to try and create a unified country and they did and have tried to use European ideals as the foundation of that country. I don't believe that white power established the school systems to continue their ideals. I do believe, however, that the school system is now doing just that, continuing white power ideals, or ideals that allow the upperclass to stay and increase in power. I do believe that the government lies to meet its own ends on a daily basis. I strongly feel that government should never be allowed to govern, or predict, or control a large body educational system for its citizenship. I am becoming increasingly convinced that the U.S. educational system IS a Failure and is beyond the point of reformation. I believe that the Educational system should be destroyed and a new "public" school system be established as a Non-profit organization removed from government control. Schools should not be for the purpose of creating a united citizenship, they should be for the education of the populace to promote critical thinking, problem solving, and free thought. They should be for the exploration of the world, knowledge, and the application of such in the form of wisdom. Not mindless menial busy work to "reprogram" our brains for mindless menial work.

Why Western Civilization? William Bennett

In the chapter Why Western Civilization William Bennett explains why we should still study and defend Western Civilization. His three main points are that one Western Civilization is ours. It is where we live, it is what has produced the social structure in which we now live. Two, that Western Civilization is Good. It isn't always, and wasn't always good but, it has produced the most just and effective system of government. Lastly He states that we should study, live, and defend Western Civilization because it is under attack but is better then any alternative.

In reading this chapter I must say I fully agree with William Bennet. I believe he is correct that we need to defend and live Western Civilization. It is what is responsible for the creation of the United States, which as he states isn't always perfect and wasn't always "Good" but it has become such because of the social, political, and cultural freedoms that created it. Those same freedoms have the power of continuing to evolve and change Western Culture until it is good. All other systems of Government rely on the leaders and the leaders alone to develop goodness. It is true that the best and most effect form of government is a dictatorship, however, dictators are rarely ever good natured men. They do not care for their people, nor for minority groups. If we could always have good and righteous men be our Dictators it would be good, sadly that is no possible. Western Civilization is the answer to that problem. It allows for many to keep the government from growing to large. Large government restricts and reduces freedom no matter how you look at it. Less government means more freedom. More government means less freedom.

Chapter 1

***Chapter 1 - Fall from Honor***

Kier woke to the sounds of his fathers camp preparing to march. Lazy motes of dust drifted through the morning light coming from the smoke hole in his tent. He rose quickly, slinging his spear and javelins from his shoulder and buckling on his belt with a hatchet on one hip and a dagger on the other. He left his tent, emerging in the bright morning light.
The camp was alive with activity, apprentices running to and fro, wives and mothers gathering children, and patriarchs calling families to follow. Kier quickly struck his ten and packed it in a tight roll that he tied to his waste. He strode through the camp looking for his father and the rest of his family.
“There you are Kier, I was worried I might have to send Valandir to wake you!” His father shouted as he walked towards his family. Everyone was already there, his younger brother Valandir, his two younger sisters Lanna and Tiara, and his fair mother, Aria.
“The winds are speaking Kier, We must travel north, into the deep plains. the wind has spoken.” Zara, Kier’s Father continued. “Find Herron. He will tell you were to scout with your squad.”
Kier nodded and strode off to find Herron. he found him caring a load of weapons among the organized chaos of the camp.
“Move you dirt rats! Move!” Herron yelled as a group of kids ran in front and around him. They quickly darted away from Herron as he shook his fist at one that laughed the loudest. “Kier, go and find Tristan, Dorrek, and the rest of your squad and start to move north, I want you to be the forward scouts on this march.”
“Where are we heading?” Kier asked as he picked up a bundle of half finished weapons and helped an apprentice blacksmith wrap them tightly.
“North, that’s all I know, Just head north. Now get going, Zaran wants the camp moving before the sun reaches it’s zenith.
“As you say, Herron, but why are we finally moving?” Kier responded.
“It is the same as it always is, We sit for a time, then we move...I know Zaran, your father, has been somewhat....erratic lately, yet it isn’t the first time, nor will it be the last. The winds are restless Kier. Fear not, your father will not lead us false.”
Kier nodded in agreement, He believed in his father, he didn’t doubt the wind had spoken. He was only curious. With the last of the weapons tied into bundles Kier left to find the rest of his squad.

Kier moved swiftly though the tall grass. He was well ahead of the main body of the Rana Zin Kal’Zaran. It had been a quiet day. Nothing to note. Not even week old tracks of another clan. Some Rissa Tracks heading in the same direction as them. Those would be good hunting, good supplies too. They would also lead them to whatever they were following and hunting. He stopped at a fresh track and bent low, getting a closer look. The track had three front pads a large center pad and one rear pad. The track was fresh, only a day or so old. It was a Rissa track, and a large one at that. The cats on average could grow to be 6 feet long and three to four feet at the shoulder. They were large and powerful beats, and such a joy to hunt a smile came to Kier’s lips as he thought of the last Rissa pack he had hunted. To his left he heard a small chirping noise, like that of a baby Taru. It was Dorrek, Kier mimicked the sound perfectly. Three short chirps followed by a long rattle. Dorrek’s head poked through the grass.
“Anything to report?” he asked as his body followed his head, coming completely into the small game trail cutting through the seven foot grassland.
“Nothing exciting, only Rissa trails, and a few Ulat tracks, exciting things ahead, but for now all is quiet.” Kier answered as he stood up. “Is there anything from any of the other scouts?”
“Tristan found an old burnt out Alician camp, I have never heard of them coming this deep into the plains before, Bold of them. Perhaps they will wish to trade if we find them, perhaps they will be hostile and we will shed their pitiful blood.” a small smile crept up on Dorrek’s lips.
He enjoyed pointless blood shed all too much in Kier’s opinion. Kier believed in the glory of battle just as much as the next man, but butchering a group of Alicians who had wondered into the plains was not glorious. They were a slow, laggard people defeating them was hardly an accomplishment. Dorrek took Kier’s lack of response as cowardice.
“What scared of a few Alicians, Kier?” He asked with a smirk. “I know you have yet to receive your first Tattoo, but I hear that is what the wind seeks for you.”
“Hardly Dorrek, and if this move is that we might obtain my Tattoo, then so be it. That does nothing to change that I think killing Alicians is simple butchery.”

Dorrek barked a laugh.

"Say as you wish Kier, I'll believe you when you accomplish your task." Dorrek said as he turned and walked back into the grass.
Kier stood up and kept running north looking for tracks from other clans, or animals. Dorreks words weighed heavy on his mind. Was this so that Kier might have his rite of passage and that he might receive his first tattoos? Which would he choose? Runes of air, earth, or plasma? Of strength, wisdom, or power? It was the biggest decision an admarian had to make. What tattoos to take upon your token day. Kier knew he would be adept with plasma. It was where his natural ability was, however, that didn’t mean he had to choose a plasma tattoo. The tattoos allowed you to use whatever element you wanted, not only those you were already attuned to.

The rest of the day was just as uneventful. No new tracks, no sight of any Alicians, or any other Admarian clan, just the wind, a few clouds, the sun, and the dust of the plains. After another four hours of constant running Herron appeared, telling Kier that they would be stopping in a dry river bed, just an hour or so north. Zaran had requested that Kier would be the forward post, and should set up directly to the north just east of the large rock formation that they would find. Herron promised that Kier would know which formation when he reached it.

The scouts were spred out in a wide ring to protect against any attacks as the camp settled down in the small clearing. There was a large rock formation on the left of the camp, a dry river bed running along at it's base. It was impossible to miss, this was the area that Zaran had seen and requested that they stop at. Water could be still found from digging in river bed, and that is exactly what the clan would do. Foot steps approached from behind. The foot falls heavy, Kier spun to see his father, Zaran approaching. Kier sat at the top of a small rock cropping, looking north. "Yes father?" Kier said as his father crested the small hill. He took a crystal from his pouch
about a hand long and a thumb wide in the middle, and handed it to Kier "The winds have spoken, there is a dragon in this part of the land." Zaran answered voice solum and even. "You will travel east, find the spike maned dragon slay it and capture it's blood within this crystal. Return it to me and you will receive your first tattoo."
Kier took the crystal from his father and put it in a pouch tied to his belt. It was a rare crystal that grew deep in the plains, they could absorb a dragon’s blood. Admarians had tried to use the crystals to hold other liquids and even other types of blood, but they would only react to and hold Dragon blood. Dragon’s blood held the key to magical power, no one knew why dragons, the beats they were held such a powerful gift, but they did. The blood of a dragon allowed one to imbue their bodies with the powers of the earth. Admarians had also tried tattoos in the same language for years but nothing would create the power except if the ink was of dragons blood.
“Father, why did you choose ‘The Wisdom of the Wind’ as your first tattoo?”
“I was the last son of the High Patriarch, It was the tattoo that my father had taken first. My brothers had all taken runes of speed, or strength. I decided to follow in the steps of our father.”
“Yes, but... The Listener of the clan doesn’t need to be the son of the last. You are a powerful warrior father, and could have been more powerful then any other if you had taken a tattoo of power.”
“Perhaps you are right Kier, and yet, Wisdom is power too, I command the armies of our clan, a power greater then any stone skin, wild fire, wind striker, water dancer, or any kind of solitary warrior wields. Your first Tattoo will be yours Kier and whatever you choose is between you and the gods. You will know when you’re time comes what is right for you to choose.”
Kier nodded as he looked to the east, where his destiny lay.
“I will return in 3 moons with the crystal filled with the blood of a dragon.” Kier said, then turned away from his father and ran towards the setting sun.

Kier stopped after a brief run, looking back he could still see the faint shape of the rock formation his clan was next to, small pin pricks of light flicking marked cookfires within the camp. It was just past dusk, a faint orange light still on the horizon. Kier had yet to see any sign of a dragon, not that he had expected to, It was probably at least a days journey away. He would continue to travel until the high moon, then sleep until the next morning. This is it He thought as he picked up his pace again. I have been chosen to fight and kill a full grown dragon on my own. To obtain my Tattoo. “What should I get?” Kier said aloud to the night sky. The eyes of God looking down upon him. The Tattoos of the Admarian people where their greatest treasures. The basic Tattoos were broken into two sets, those for knowledge and those for power. One would allow the user to hear and know the mind of the chosen state of mater, the other the ability to alter the users physical form and take on the properties of a state of mater. The amount of blood for one tattoo was astounding, although they called it your “first tattoo” it was usually your last. A very small amount of Admarians got a second tattoo, and it was almost unheard of for someone to get a third. The Dragons were already a scarcely seen race. There must have been hundreds of thousands of Dragons in the days of the Dragon Knights, the Ancient rulers of the world. It was said that one of them commanded the power of an entire clan. Kier had always felt he would take on the tattoo of a Stone Skin. The power of the Earth, of solids is a powerful thing in a fight. The most powerful if you used it right Kier thought as he continued to run. His long legs carrying him across the land scape quickly and easily.

Kier awoke the next morning to the sun peaking over the horizon far to the west. The weak morning light still allowing the stars to shine in the heaven. Keir crawled out of the small brush that he had climbed under for the night. He yawned and stretched his neck and arms. His breakfast consisted of some dried meat and berries, he ate as he walked. Heading east once again.

Soon he began to see signs of a dragon, Trees and brush torn, large claw tracks, and gouges from its tail. The tracks where fresh, the trees sap still sticky and clear. The dragon would be close, it probably already knew he was close. Dragons, although they were only beasts, were very smart, in fact they were incredibly smart. They were the reason that some people thought they were to revered and it was evil and devilish to kill dragons to harvest their blood. People like the Druids of the plains, he heard there were also groups among the Alicians that thought that as well. Kier heard a thrashing sound to his left. Kier moved quickly, peaking though the sparse trees. The Dragon was fighting off a pack of Rissa, the five animals slowly circled the larger animal. The large cats had large talon like claws on their front feet and large teeth. The dragon was wounded by the pack and was obviously enraged. It let out a large roar at the same time a Rissa attacked from behind. The dragon threw its tail into the leaping Rissa, throwing its body through the air and into another Rissa. The Rissa looked as if they had had enough of this fight, deciding their pray was to much trouble for the meat. They turned and ran abandoning their intent.

Kier sat watching the dragon as it inspected his minor wounds. Kier could tell it was male by the large black spikes around its neck. The dragon shook its head, letting out a rumbling growl. Kier took a deep breath and pulled out a long javelin, it was in perfect range. He stepped from behind a tree, and threw the javelin sending it soring though the air. The dragons head whipped around; it must have heard Kier release the javelin. Dragons had extremely good hearing. It jumped back with a powerful beat of its wings, the javelin falling short. Kier ran as fast as he could to close the distance between him and his pray, another javelin held ready. He jumped from the top of a small rock and threw, the javelin heading straight for the dragon’s chest. This time the dragon was too slow, as it went to move left the javelin took it in the right breast. It screamed in furry, clawing at his chest. The dragon dislodged the javelin, breaking it and letting it fall to the ground. Kier pulled out his spear and fell into a battle stance. The Dragon looked at him wearily, slowly circling him on all four legs. It snapped out, testing Kier’s resolve. Kier didn’t back down, or flinch. Dragons were proud creatures, half the battle was intimidation. It growled again as it jumped into the air, swiping with its claws as Kier rolled out of reach. Kier stabbed at a scaled hand and scored a hit, cutting into the dragons flesh, the bright red blood ran down its hand; every drop a precious treasure. Kier would need to end this quickly, he couldn't afford to weaken the dragon letting it bleed slowly. He charged in, stabbing with his spear at the wound in the dragon’s chest. The dragon reared up on his hind legs using its claws to block and deflect Kiers attack. The dragon jumped into the air with another powerful beat of his wings and started to growl. Kier jumped back, suddenly alarmed, the growls, scrapes, and clicks the dragon was making almost sounded... Intelligent. There was a definite pattern to the sounds. The dragons strange speaking suddenly stopped and the Dragon let out an ear splitting roar. A column of spittle erupting from his mouth. The spittle burst into flame a few feet from the dragons mouth, bathing the ground in liquid fire. Kier turned and ran for the cover of a small rock, jumping behind it just as the fire consumed it. The heat was unbearable. The rock barely gave Kier enough cover, he could smell his hair burning. His clothing was singed. How could the Dragon breath fire? That is just a myth. This can’t be happening, Dragons don’t breath fire, fly, or do any sort of magic. The Fire cut off, the rock and the ground around it was chard, and smoking. Kier raised his head looking back at the dragon, it sat again on all fours, Kier looked into its eyes. The seemed to be pleased, even... happy. If a dragon could be said to have emotion. Kier what are you thinking? Get a grip, its a dragon, a beast, nothing more. It only thinks about survival, it isn’t intelligent. Yet, it just cast a spell... It cause its own spittle to burst into flame. The dragon let out another string of growling, and clicking. Kier ducked behind the rock again, but nothing came, nothing happened. Kier grabbed his last javelin, took a deep breath and charged out from behind the rock. The dragon looked almost surprised as Kier charged toward him. He threw his javelin, then came in close to try again to stab the Dragon. It jumped back, slapping away the javelin with its wing and again started talking in the strange language. This time as it stopped the dragon’s scales started to gray, turning to stone. Kier jumped, landed on top of a large rock and jumped again. He sored through the air, the dragon reached out its neck, opening its jaws. Kier stabbed. His spear rammed into the eye of the dragon the only soft tissue left exposed. The thrust wasn’t strait and the dragons stone skin deflected the spear from entering the brain. The dragon recoiled screaming in pain, its eye a bloodied mess. Kier was struck by a powerful forearm, he felt his ribs crack and was thrown to the ground. He felt the bone in his leg give way as he tumbled, pain shooting through his body. He rolled to a stop and all went black.

*****

The sun set bright red the night that Kier left to claim the life of a dragon, and receive his first Tattoo. The camp was quite, it was no secret that Kier had left, there was no doubt that he would return. No one in known history had failed to kill a dragon and return, using the blood to obtain their first tattoo. Valandir looked at the eyes of God, wondering how long it would be until he too, could claim the blood of a Dragon and gain his Tattoo. Kier often spoke of taking a Plasma tattoo as his first. Valandir felt he would take a Wisdom of Wind, like his father, or Earth. The earth listeners knew much that others could only guess at, the best trackers and seekers that could be found were earth listeners. The Wind listeners were excellent trackers as well, but not as good as the earth. Winds moved to much, every moving and changing. They knew what passed less reliably then stone and dust.

Valandir was still deep in his musing about the uses of knowledge and wisdom in a fight over the use for brute force when he came upon his mother Aria and Lanna his older sister and Tiara the youngest. Tiara looked up and a wide grin broke her face. “Oh good Valandir! You can help us finish preparing these roots!” she said excitedly. Lanna scoffed, “Like that would happen.” she said pealing the thick skin off a large root. “You know he must have other duties to attend to in the camp.”
“No it is alright, I can help you, Father released me from any duties to contemplate the mission of Kier, and what my decisions will be when I go to claim my Tattoo.”
“And?” His mother asked, prodding.
“And, although Kier has never decided exactly what Tattoo to take, I think he will choose one to effect him physically. I see why he would and I think it is a noble choice, for one of his ability and stature. However, I feel that when the time comes, I will choose the Tattoo of an Earth Wisdom.”
“There is great power in wisdom, and in action. Indecision is the only true lack of power.” Aria said, peeling back the skin on another large root. She started to slice it into smaller pieces preparing it to be baked in a stone oven.
Lanna lifted her head from her work “You wont be a warrior like Kier?”
“As Mother says Lanna, Power comes in different ways. Kier is a powerful warrior, he has trained since he could walk in the ways of war. He will lead us to many great victories, and yet, is that the only true power?” Valandir questioned, looking to his mother.
She shook her head, “It is not, look at your father, is he not a manifestation of power? Does he not lead this clan and not through wars and battles, but through intrigue and wisdom? There is no shame in winning a battle without drawing blood, without ending life.”
Valandir smiled at his mothers words, He had feared that he would look weak taking on a tattoo of Wisdom. His brother Kier was said to be the finest warrior in the clan, and yet many hinted that Valandir had an ability in war even greater then him. He feared that others would say he was timid and had a weak stomach because he chose not to be at the front of battles. Yet, his mothers words soothed those fears and worries. He knew Kier would likely support him in his decision.

“Valandir, Wake up!!” His Sisters voice called, the level of urgency caused Valandir to sit up.
“What?” he shouted, jumping up from his sleeping pad and quickly dressing. He stepped from his tent and was startled by the look on Tiaras face.
“Two scouts came running back shouting that Dragons are coming!” Tiara screeched pointing east. The two scouts were still running through the camp, towards Zarans tent. Shouting at the top of their lungs. The camp was a mass of motion. Men running and gathering spears and armor. Woman gathering children, afternoon cook fires forgotten.
Dragons? attacking us? Dragons didn’t travel in groups, and they didn’t attack people, these scouts must be mistaken. Valandir thought as he his gathered weapons and armor.
“Find Mother and Lanna, stay with them Tiara, I dont know what is going on, but stay hidden.”
She nodded her head, turned and dashed away, towards the cooking tents near the center of camp.

“What is going on Father?” Valandir asked as he pulled back the flap of his tent, stepping inside.
It was crowded with his father, the two scouts and Herron already inside.
“Valandir! good your awake. Gather with the others and prepare for the attack.”
“Attack?! There really are Dragons coming? more than one?!”
“Yes, I want you to gather the troops and prepare them for the fight.”
“What is coming? what are we facing?” Valandir asked, taking a step forward.
One of the scouts turned, “There was two full grown spike mained dragons, four wyrms, and six or so Runners.”
Valandir turned from the tent, running as fast as he could to gather warriors.
Two dragons and lesser dragon kin attacking a human tribe? what is going on Valandir thought as he ran through the camp. Dragons were solitary beats they only met with another dragon to mate and that only for a brief time.
“Prepare, an enemy comes!” Valandir shouted, “Women and Children to the center tents, the camp is under attack. Move!!”

Soon a group of thirty warriors were running with Valandir, each holding a javelin ready in one hand and two in the other. They had battle spears across their backs. A large dragon, scales reflecting sunlight like polished bronze, rested on a small hill to the north. Another dragon walked up behind the first. Its scales as bright as the first. One let out a loud roar as five, then seven runners came over the hill. They moved quickly across the flat ground.

“Ready!” Valandir yelled, the warriors already in motion, setting up a line and preparing to throw. The Runners came within range and the warriors released. They jumped and dodged among the falling javelins, a few getting hit but only one falling to the ground, a javelin piercing its neck. Valandir and his companions released another wave of javelins, again they fell among the runners. Not a single one falling. The warriors broke their line and fell into formations of four members; each had their battle spears out. The runners closed the distance, soon the ground was crimson with the blood of human and dragonkin alike. Four large wyrms descended on the battle field; they landed with large thuds throwing dust into the air. Flying dragon kin!? Valandir thought as one Wyrm swiped with his claws. Valandir ducked and rolled under the attack, another warrior next to him was to slow. The claws ripped through his armor, spaying the air with a find mist and throwing his dead body across the battle field. Valandir came up from his roll, driving his spear towards the large wyrm. Just as his spear came close the beasts skin turned to stone, his spear bounced off, leaving a large scratch but nothing more. A Runner jumped on Valandir, its claws digging into his chest and back. Valandir turned, falling to the ground, he could feel his the claws tearing at his flesh, his blood soaking into his clothing. He rolled, pulling a dagger from his belt, he rammed it into the runners throat. It snapped at his neck and head, its teeth ripping his ear open as it convulsed and died. Valandir rolled the body off his and looked around the battlefield. The runners were all dead or dying, and one of the wyrms, the other three were fighting fiercely. There were ten warriors still standing, and two of those bore wounds that would never heal. Were were the dragons? Valandir thought looking towards the hill where they had been, it was empty. His eyes whipped to the camp as he pulled him self to his knees. The camp was an orange blaze, the tents all alight. The two large dragons flew overhead. Fire raining down in liquid drops, burning all they touched. There were some people still fighting inside, some throwing water on the tents others casting javelins at the dragons flying above.

“Tiara!!” Zaran yelled as fire consumed his daughter. She let out a brief scream, her figure crumbling to the ground. Zaran turned away from the fire, concentrating on the air around him. Valandir was wounded, he could see it in his minds eye, hear the wind speak it. The dragon to the east, the one missing an eye, it had been attacked by Kier. Kier had fallen? Zaran thought, What is happening? Dragons don’t breath fire! or fly! What trickery, what evil was at work! Zaran concentrated on the air around him, feeling his second tattoo, “Soul of the Wind” burn on his flesh. He felt the wind enter into his being, and started to float, to take to the winds, his body becoming it, it becoming his body. He was undone, his wife clawed before his eyes, His sons bloodied and slain, his daughters turned to ash. He took to the skies, a spear in his hand. A dragon turned taking notice of him, walking in the sky. It quickly turned, letting out a roar as it sped towards him. Zaran cast his spear at the dragon, it easily pushed aside the attack with its stone skinned arm. Its teeth sunk into Zaran, burning and searing his flesh even as the tore it open. He was undone, he was undone, the wind ceased to stir.

Valandir felt something stir within his blood, he felt thin, his face pale, somewhere a stone held. He turned, three more warriors were down, the wyrms were pressing the attack. Valandir looked again to the camp, one of the dragons was coming towards him, a column of fire below him. It landed a short distance away, the fire cutting off. slowly it walked towards Valandir, slowly, knowingly, it looked at Valandir with one bright gold eye. The other was gone, dried blood and torn flesh still tracing the empty socket. It opened its maw and spittle sprayed forth, it burst, flashing red, yellow and orange as it consumed Valandir. He screamed, cutting off abruptly as the fire died. The stone was black and char.
The war continued, the clan was lost, its members slain never to run along the plains again.

***End Chapter 1***

Blogging for the sake of.....well Blogging.

Yep, thats right, I'm blogging for no other reason then the fact that I can blog! =P take that! haha
So I'm at work, Oh hold on... have to check someone in....OK back, we have like 150 somthing checkins today at work, busy busy... but thats ok.

News on my life? Uh.... some cool stuff if I told you, but I'm not going to =P. I will tell you this, I am dating the Coolest girl in the WORLD!!! Her name is Lisa. I love her! Other then that, life is pretty normal, working, school its going to start again soon, even though I'm actaully not tecnically done with this summer semester. Two more Semesters and I'm done! I can't wait... So cant wait.

In other news, my book is coming along alright, I love it... and yeah. THats really all I have to say, but I feel bad if I dont write in it for a long period, Maybe this weeek I'll do some book stuff on here, and maybe maybe mabye I'll do a gospel post too.

Prayer

Prayer is such a wonderful Gift. I think of the Lord and all that he is blessed us with, all that he gives us, has given us, and is willing to still give us and it blows me away that for some of these wonderful gifts the price we have to pay is only to pray. Which, in and of its self is a gift and a blessing to us. Is there nothing that I can do that will not bring upon myself a feeling of gratitude and thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior and my Father in Heaven. The answer is No. There really and truly is not.

In the Bible Dictionary it says this concerning prayer "As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God(namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, bu that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and it an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

Thinking on the statement about the so-called difficulties about prayer, I think of people who have said, I can't pray, I just feel like I'm talking to a wall. It is because they do not understand their relationship with God, nor do they truly try to reach Him or speak to Him, They are in fact just talking to a wall, speaking out to nothing and hoping they are heard. That is not what prayer is or how we should go about doing it. God is our Father in Heaven, quite literally. When we pray to Him that must be in our hearts and minds; We are speaking to our Father in Heaven. When you understand that, and you know that you truly are speaking to Him, you no longer feel like your a taking to a wall, or you pillow, or whatever may be sitting in front of you as your pray because, you will no longer be talking to that object. You will be talking to your Father in Heaven.

Prayer is Key in everything we do. One of my favorite scriptures about prayer is 2 Nephi 32 8-9 which read "8. And now, my beloved bretheren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that i must speak concerning this thing. for if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. 9. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform anything unto the Lord save in the fist place ye should pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate they performance unto thee, that they performance may be for the welfare of thy
soul."

How strait forward is that? How plain and simple? how plain and simple is it to know that God is our Heavenly Father? And that, a key to understanding and preforming prayer? Isn't it amazing? it is Amazing. The simpleness, there is no special words, no special place, no special connection. It is simply a child speaking with his or her Father. It is simply looking for direction, approval, advice, and teaching.

Faith plays a large part in our prayers and the depth of our answers as well. Think of Enos, as he went forth to hunt beasts in the forest and the words which he had often heard his father speak weighed heavily on his soul. He went forth and prayed onto his Father in heaven for supplication for his own soul. As he as in the manner of calling upon God the Father a voice came unto him, saying "Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." The next verse is of most importance. "And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away." And why did Enos know that God could not lie? It was because Enos had faith, faith in God, Faith in the words of his father, Faith in the scriptures. Thus he received his answer, thus his guilt was swept away.

I would hope that we can all have the Knowledge that God is our Father, and that this knowledge will instill in us a desire to speak with Him, to know His will, to seek His approval. I would also hope that we all can have faith like that of Enos. That when we receive and answer we trust it with every fiber of our being. I could go on further about prayer, but I will leave it at this for now. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Morning After.

So, Its the day after my Birthday. May 21st. Cool things about today, supposedly it is the start of the rapture at 6pm tonight. Thats interesting, we will see at 6 tonight what really happens... Secondly, and I am SO ANGRY about this... If you know me, you know that Math and I have never really enjoyed eachothers company. I understand and know the usefulnes of some math but, alot that they make you do in school is just crazy and over done. So, this being said, the last math class I have had was Math 1010 which, is exactly this kind of math, math that you will never, ever, ever use again in your life. So...This math class I got a C- in... so This semester I went to get into 1030, the last math class I will ever have to take in my life! and... they wouldn't let me add it. why you ask?; because I got a C- in 1010 and not a C. I was very annoyed, and explored my options. I found that I would have to take the placement test to get into 1030. So I went and took it, failed, studied for a week and took it again. I scored a 97% on the math 1010 protion of the test. Yet, they still placed me in Math 1010...SO I went to the Head of the Math Advisors, and spoke with her. She looked over my score on the placement test and said, well its obvious you are way above 1010, you have a gray situation...We dont make exceptions, but I'll give you an add code so you can get into 1030. SO, mission complete!!! I went and added the class, went to the class two times, the second time took a test, which I passed. Then....what happens Last night when I get home from work and I check my email..... The School emailed me, saying I didn't meet the requirements and they dropped my A.K.A KICKED me out of the class!!!!! What the crap is that!! SO, I emailed the Advisor, and Have I heard anything back? of course not... its a weekend, she can't be expected to send an email on the weekend is she? so of course, here I am.. not able to do homework... sorry teacher The school kicked me out of the class after they said I could add it!! GGGGAAAAAHHHHHh!!! yeah anger...

OK Moving on to lighter happier subjects.. Like Mass Effect 2!!!! such a good game... IT should be ILLIGAL to make games so good... like Mass Effect 2 and Star Craft 2... ugh... haha. Rather, as Brian (my boss) put it, NO it should be REQUIRED to make a game that good. And I must say, I agree. So choice. If you have the means of picking a copy of, of either game, I highly recommend it. SO, what brings about all this Mass Effect love you might ask? Its not really a new game, infact its really an old game. I have beaten it before yes, and the first one too; However, for some time I've wanted to get it for my PS3 so I can prepare to import a Commander Shepard of DOOM! So, why did I finally get it? Cause I didn't!! I got home from work last night, walk into my room and Seth reaches over and picks up something and says here you go bro, happy birthday! and what is it!!!??? A COPY OF MASS EFFECT 2!!!!! for those of you who dont know... I usually get home from work between 11:15 and 11:30. I started playing mass effect right away, got distracted by 3 quick matches of Star Craft 2, Then went back to Mass Effect 2 and finally decided maybe I should go to bed at 3am... and then Woke up this morning and instead of going running and working out and being productive, like I planned this morning... I started playing Mass Effect 2 and didn't stop until 2:20....I have work at 3, crap, shower get read leave very fast, very fast. So...Seth thank you for ruining my good nights sleep, and my productive morning, and yet... not ruining them either.

So, I need to get out, good thing Tomorrow I have band myself from playing on Sundays, and I need to write a Gospel Message, I have missed to many lately. Don't worry, I'm not really so much of a slacker/gamer/anti-socialite that I will loose my life to video gaming, just a few days here and there. haha. So Anyways, here we are th Day After my Birthday... Oh, I should do my homework now, that needs to be done.

Life, Generalities, Monies, Rain, Rain...and more rain... oh yeah.. and work..

I'm at work, yep.. at work writing a blog... really alot of my blogs are done while I"m sitting here.. behind this desk... looking out the glass doors of the hotel where I work, wishing I could be out in the sunshine, or in the case of today serious rain storm. People keep saying its cold, but I dont really care... tis better then standing for your 8 hour shift when no one is checking in. Anyways, enough of my complaining.. So lets go through the title, Life, is awesome. It is very good, just working and going to school. Only problems I have with it, my lack of weekends, and my lack of companionship. Those arn't so bad though, I get out still, if I didn't you would all know. Things wouldn't be good and Salt Lake City wouldn't exist anymore if that were the case. Generalities? I dont even know what I mean by that, so moving on... MOnies. I do love MOnies. hench why I have a job... although I must say I really do enjoy my job too, even when its a crazy slow day and its raining out side and I want to go play in the rain and not work. Which brings us to the next part of the title, RAIN! I love the RAIN!!! it is so cool!!! haha I wish I could have been out in it today, it was rainning so hard! =( oh well. haha. And lastly, work. Work is great, some awesome people watching here in the lobby, and some funny stories... which is always a good thing.

Anyways, what else?? I am trying to plan a trip to Seattle, or at least wanting to, its looking like it wont be till Aug. but thats ok, it will work out nicely and it will be good to get out of bloody Salt Lake City. Not that SLC is bad or anything, I'm just tired of being here and not seeing anything new! If we go to Seattle there will have to be a trip to Crater Lake. IF you ahve never been I highly recommend checking it out! it is AMAZING! litterally! It is such a pretty place. the lake, so smooth, clear, and oh... words cant discribe the beauty of creater lake..

Furthermore, I haven't been working on my book very often, I know, I'm a slacker again! fail! oh well. I mean to, I really do... I finished The Clash of Kings this morning, maybe that will free up a little time, untill Ibuy the next book, which I"m not doing until after I build my Hackintosh... which will be happening, hopfully in the next few week.I want to get 1 or 2 paychecks then.. its off to Newegg.com and other sites to buy all the parts. WOOT! haha. That will be a fun day, the day the parts come that is. Another plan in the pipes Saturday MOrning cartoons, I'm not sure yet when that is going to happen 2 friends from Provo are probably attending, well it was 1 friend, (DAVID TWITCHELL) in Provo that had the idea and found the site to make it happen. Go David. anyways, that will be a fun saturday. Other then that things are pretty good. Just chilling, gonig to school and living life. Anyways, I have next Sunday off so I'll be sure to write a real Gospel Thought on Sunday, I know I've missed alot =(

Testimony

For the past few weeks I have been pondering what testimony truly is, or should be. I recall a talk that was given by one of my companions durring my mission. He spoke of good sledge and what was required to make such, relating it to testimony. I agree with his words. Sledge is apparently a wet hay, I don't know these things, I dont farm nd I don't plan on farming so who cares what sledge is but, according to my companion it requires 3 things, Water, Sugar, and a lack of air... or was it animals? eh its irrelavent. What is important is that simlarly a Testimony needs Conviction of the Spirit, Knowledge, and A lack of doubt. There needs to be no story, no gratitude within a testimony. granted there often is a story, or stories invovled with the building and growing of our testimonies, as well as great gratitude for reciving our testimonies however that is neither here nor there. A testimoney should be short, filled with the spirit that has filled us with a knowledge of the truth. Short powerful statements of what we Know through study and through revelation. Short statements of affermation void of doubt, worry, and fear. This is what a Testimony is, when we bare our testimony we should not be explaining how we came to know some truth or another, that is the building of our testimoney yes, but not our testimony, nor should we explain what we are gratful for, or that we are gratful for our testimonies, because, again... this is not our testimony this is what we are gratful for. When we share our testimony, it should be a short decleration of what we Know to be Ture, by study, by faith, by learning, and by the spirit of God.

I share my testimony with those of you who read this blog. I know the Church is lead by the living God. I know Jesus is the Christ, The annoitned one, The savior of the world. I know that the Book of Mormon is an acount of real events, that happened to real people. I know that it was broght forth by a Prophet of God, even Joseph Smith in these latter days for the benefit of the People of God. I know that through that book we can become True Deciples of Jesus Christ. That we can become the people of Zion and that we can become exalted and live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God. I know the Doctrines of the Church to be ture and to bring True Happiness. These things I know in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I know, I'm a bloody slacker.

So its Monday, and yes, yesterday I didn't post my usual Sunday, Gospel blog. So hate me. I've been busy with school and the like and work... I work alot, so yeah, I'm a slacker and let this fall by the way side. IT maybe be like that still yet for a couple of weeks till school is out. Fear not though, as soon as I'm done with school again I promise I will post every sunday again, as long as my sunday isn't spent in travel, in which case I will post one the following Monday. That being said...I plan on writing a blog about Testimony, not my testimony, but what A testimony is, what it consists of. This I will write... next sunday most likely. It is now my intention to read a book for a few hours, and then do homework, Lastly, to go to work... Later yinz.

Revelation.

Today we have all heard some beautiful talks about the gospel and many aspects of it. These messages were brought to us by the leaders of our church and were filled with revelation and the spirit of the lord. I greatly enjoyed both the talks of Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar.

Elder Uchtdorf spoke of missing the strongest and most powerful of revelations because we might be thinking to much of ourselves. His remarks awoke in me a greater desire to serve those around me. THis is a lesson I'm sure all of us have learned once or twice in our lives, yet a refresher is always welcome, especially when we might feel to be in the pitt of despair. I recall the words and story of a stranger named Gorge on Temple Square just yesterday.

Yesterday I was on Temple Square and some sister missionaries came and started talking to me. We spoke for a short time when a stranger came and knelt down beside one of the sister missionaries. HE proceeded to tell her that he saw her earlier with a frown on her face and that we can't have people with a frown on there face, so he was going to cheer here up.

He then told us a story about a cookie, and this cookie all day long, ever day, sang "I am a cookie, I am a cookie." All day long that was all he did, 24 hours a day he sang "I am a cookie, I am a cookie." Now next door to this cookie, that was always singing "I am a cookie, I am a cookie." there was Sourdough Bread. Now, the Sourdough Bread was, you guessed it rather sour. He was a pretty grumpy guy. He was getting rather annoyed at his Neighbor the cookie and his constant singing of "I am a cookie, I am a cookie." and this Sourdough Bread, well you see, he had a shotgun. He told himself, I'm going to shoot that cookie, I am, thats what I'm going to do. That will stop his constant singing "I am a cookie, I am a cookie!!" so, That very day, he went over and BANG!! he shot the cookie. Right in the center, blew a hole right through him. And the cookie looked down and started to sing. "I am a doughnut, I am a doughnut!!"

Gorge then turned and said, always look at everything that happens to you in a positive light. Always remember that no matter how bad things get, no matter how low you are, there is always something good to be found and there is always someone that has it worse then you. Always. Everyday seek to put a smile on someones face. Always help someone else to smile, it is the greatest service you can do for someone. Give everyone you see a smile. I saw you with a frown and I knew I had to make you smile sister, and I'm glad I could do that for you. I'm Gorge from southern California, I'm going to be baptized next week. It was nice to talk to you. I'll see you guys later. He then stood up and left us there.

How awesome is that!! Here is a man who has felt the moving power of the spirit work upon him and know wants to share that with everyone he sees. With everyone to whom he speaks. His words were powerful to me and they caused me to feel the spirit and to smile. I don't know the effect that they had on the sister to whom he spoke yet, I know that he was following a prompting of the spirit. He may not yet have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, yet he can feel and follow the spirit and receive Revelation and yesterday he did just that.

What a wonderful blessing is to receive such a powerful out pouring of the spirit of the Lord!!

Also I wanted to make some comments about Elder Bednars talk. He spoke of Revelation and how we receive it usually line upon line, precept upon precept. He spoke of the example of Joseph F. Smith and how this pattern of revelation was in his life. Joseph F. Smith said "As a boy I would frequently ask the lord to show me some marvelous thing in order that I might receive a testimony, but the lord withheld marvels from me and showed me the truth line upon line until he made me to know the truth from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet and until doubt and fear had been absolutely purged from me. He did not have to send an angel from the heavens to do this not did he have to speak with the trump of an angel. by the whisperings of the still small voice of the spirit of the living God, he gave me the testimony that I possess...And no amount of marvelous manifestations will ever accomplish this."

When he said this I had the thought of Joseph Smith and how hard it must have been after the first vision to cling to the truth. I think of the times I have had strong impressions and the spirit speak boldly to me and how after words I could doubt those things, how those feelings faded in me, and yet how my core testimony, after my twenty two years of life doesn't fade quickly. How I know, as Joseph F. Smith knew from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet that the Gospel is true. The basics of the Gospel, the core of my testimony is engraved on my heart. And I know as Joseph F. Smith know that this could never have happened through marvelous manifestations.

I have learned much more from this conference and I am so grateful for the opportunity i had to listen to these talks, I plan to listen to them more and again as this week goes on. There is much to be learned, felt, reveled, and experienced from conference. I have felt a desire to do better, study more, listen harder, serve greater, search deeper, and be marvelous. And these things are exactly what I am going to do.

Prologue part 2

He dove into a roll and came up facing the opposite direction, just as a gryphon smashed into the deck. "Your time has come Kier." it snapped in a throaty voice.

"Or so you think Gesh. I knew this was coming, thousands of years you have waited for this, and after all that planning you still failed to keep me completely in the dark." Kier responded. The beast lunged with great speed that belied its size, only nearly missing him. Kier struck with his Ke'Dar, scoring a long gash along its neck. Gesh recoiled, letting out an ear splitting screech. The wound looked to be scorched and the smell of burnt flesh filled the air. "Dragonite!! How?..." Gesh muttered.. "curse you Kier!! You will not bring my plans to a halt!" The Gryphon had far superior skill with matter manipulation. The air flashed red with a ting of black as fire burst into existence. Kier quickly formed fire of his own. His took form just in time to intercept the fire ball about to slam into him. Both fireballs puffed out of existence as they made contact. 

Gesh roared in frustration “Where did you learn that!?” he demanded.

"surprised Gesh? Yes I know true matter manipulation, not just your cheap antimatter copies. You will have to defeat me in true combat you dirty flying rat."  Gesh jumped into the air and swiped with his large talon. Kier jumped backwards, the claws narrowly missing his face. Kier slashed at Gesh with his Ke'Dar as he jumped backwards. The blade seared the feathers on his chest but didn't hit flesh.  Gesh screamed as he lounged forward. His beak sunk into Kiers shoulder. "foolish.." Kier grunted through gritted teeth. They both fell to the deck as Gesh collapsed. Slowly his beak loosened and Kier stood up pulling free the Ke'Dar from Geshes' corpse. Kier winced as he rolled his shoulder. His dragon weave armor had kept Geshes bite from breaking the skin but it strength of it had bruised his muscles. He would have to be carful. The ship had stopped moving, the crew had probably fled, or they were hiding below decks.

"I have to reach the city, this has to end!" Kier thought in frustration. "I cannot fly one of our ships over the city, it will be blown to pieces before we even reach the outer wall."

Kier sat for a moment on the deck of the now silent and motionless ship. There was a small sound from behind him. He turned quickly, holding his Ke'Dar in a defensive grip. The door to the quarters stood open, a shirtless sailor stood in the door way, mouth agape at the corpse of Gesh. 

"you brought these beasts of the north upon us and now you kill them? What manner of demon are you!" the startled sailor said. 

"A demon? I am no demon, Gesh? He turned on his own, he lost his mind to madness, it was a pleasure to end his life." Kier said, voice cold, emotionless. "as much a pleasure to end his as it will be to end prince artiers"

"the prince!? But what of the King?" the sailer stammered.

"The king ever has been my friend, and always will be."

"You lie!!" came a voice from behind the sailor.

"think what you will, it matters not, you will take me to the palace, or you will die."

The crewmen, now half on deck looked at each other, worry plan on their faces.

"we will take him to the keep, we don't have much choice, stay here and die, take him and be killed by our own king for treason." 

"Never, we will die with honor!" one shouted.   

"A fools honor, die now, or help change the world. It matters not to me." 

"Let him speak for himself I will fly you to the keep." a large man in the front said, voice deep and bold.

The rest of the crew quickly fell behind the large man who had spoken. He started shouting orders and the others all went to work. In short order the small ship was moving swiftly towards the city.

The small ship moved over a small balcony far below. Kier stepped to the edge of the ship and climbed up on the small railing. Looking down he jumped. The world lurched as he started to fall. Faster and faster towards the ground. Kier concentrated once again, forming the air below him to distribute his weight. He hit the ground with a loud crack. The marble tiles giving way to the force, dust filled the air as Kier stood up.

Prince Artiers was walking slowly towards him, gleaming black sword drawn. He had a fools grin stretched across his face. This was why Kier came, this was his purpose. To kill a prince...

This was the end, the end of nations, the beginning of tumult and change that would go on to fill the world. Some would call it the beginning of the end. But now we see it was the recreation of things once lost and broken. 

King Leonidas

Everyone, meet King Leonidas... He is a Male Crown-tail Beta fish.

Seth and I bought him, food for a week, the pebbles in his bowl, and his bowl for 27.19... we paid with Pocket change. It was super awesome!!!! IT took us a bit to count out the change, dollar by dollar... here is the receipt!!

If you are wondering... The answer is yes, he is the replacement for our former roommate Shaun who moved out yesterday... sadly King Leonidas can not cook as well as Shaun, and he will not be paying rent either. However, we still love him... he is pretty much he coolest fish ever.

How Great Thou Art

I'll start by saying thank you Niki for the wonderful topic. My mind has been in a bit of a stupor of thought of late and I couldn't think of anything to write.

How Great Thou Art, words truly cannot express the feelings that poor from my heart for my Lord, Jesus Christ. I have been having a hard time juggling life lately, and yet, I've been at peace for most of it, dispite the difficutlies. The Lord is my constant compfort and guide, even when he sometimes doesn't give you the answer you want, or an answer at all, which in its self is an answer. Let it be known that God will never leave us abandoned.

This past Friday I went to the Temple, and while I was there I was amazed at how good I felt. How amazing the Temple is, the knowledge, the peace, the quite, the depiction of the Saviors love. The feeling of love that fills my heart and soul when I am there and when I think about the savior is overpowering.

The Lord God created all things that are on the earth, He created the Earth, He created the universe, the stars, the sun, the moon, everything. For us, He created these things, and this is not all, He created them, and then He came down upon this creation to die for us, so that we could return and live with Him, so that we could learn and grow and continue to progress beyond this life.

I think about the Hymn that we are singing in Choir next week, titled "Easter Song" and, I just want to go out into the street and shout it out at the top of my lungs. Like today, when we were practicing, and like usual I was sing base, but at the very end we start to crescendo  and get louder, and I can't sing as loud low as I can higher, so I switched to the tenner part and let my feelings burst though the words of the song. I really can't explain the feelings that fill my heart in such a moment as that.

I love the oppertunity that I have to sing in the choir, even though I cant sing well. It fills my heart with great joy. The Lord is why I have all that I do, He is the reason for my family, my love, my life. Often I want to sing.

"When Christ shall come,
With shouts of acclamation,
And take me home,
What joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim,
"My God, how great Thou art!" "

The Lord is Great, Great beyond measure.

Prologue part 1

It was the end of nations, the beginning of tumult and change that would go on to fill the world. Some would call it the beginning of the end. But now we see it was the recreation  of things once lost and broken. 

Kier looked over the battlefield from the crow’s nest of a battleship floating above the warring armies below.  Fire burst on the side of his vessel as an opposing battleship unleashed a torrent of cannon fire. A gryphon, caught in the fire, fell from the sky burning away to ash before it even hit the ground. 

“Things are not going well,” he thought, “We can’t take more of this.” Kier muttered as a  smaller vessel on the port side caught fire and crashed into the army below, killing so many. At that moment he saw it. A huge ship coming straight at his own battleship through the smoke of the fallen ship. The battering ram on the enemy ship would destroy the infrastructure of his own in a brief moment. “Not that easy.” he muttered under his breath as he began to focus all his will toward the enemy ship. The very elements began to bend to his will, creation itself began to move to his thoughts. A tingling sensation began to make the his skin crawl and his hair stand on end. His focus reached a breaking point and there was a loud clap as a bolt of plasma energy discharged from around him. It slammed into the enemy ship ripping it apart. The burning wreckage fell from the sky, smashing into the ground below. 

“I have to end this” Kier thought. Surveying the death and destruction caused by a millennia of misunderstanding and false teaching. He saw a smaller ship passing under his, flying the enemy colors. It looked to be a scout, heading back to the city. Without a second thought Kier threw himself from the crows nest. The sudden rush of wind and lurch of movement shot adrenaline through Kiers body. He began to focus again, and watched as the air bent to his will. He could feel the air, not just the pressure on his face, but the currents, its desires, its very existence. He flipped above the deck of the smaller ship, turning to land on his feet. The air beneath him bunched together, and slowly pooled out from there, acting as a cone, dispersing his weight. The deck of the ship cracked and the crew under the weight were flattened to the deck. 

A few light infantry rushed out of the lower decks as Kier landed lightly. One dashed in with two long bladed knives, slashing at Kiers exposed throat. His first attack was easily dodged and his life ended with a knife through his own neck. His limp body fell to the floor as three more men drew swords. They were two sided long swords, favored by the Alicians. They surrounded Kier, armed now only with a hunting knife on his belt and his Ke’Dar. The staff was smooth in his hands, the two foot blade on one end leveled at the leader of the men. One attacked, making a small jumping movement and swinging his sword horizontally through the air. Kier, in one fluid motion ducked and drove the butt of his Ke’Dar into the mans rib cage. He let out a small grunt and then a gasp as his ribs gave way, breaking under the focused pressure. Movements a blur Kier tripped the man approaching from the front and blocked an attack form the third man. Rising, Kier took him from under the chin knocking him off his feet as well. Kier ended the mans life with a swift downward strike, followed by a jab to the face of the first swordsman, with the butt of his Ke’Dar and two strikes with the blade, ending the lives of both remaining fighters.

Kier worried that it would come to this... This bitter end. 

Charity and Love.

     Love is so important. Quite literally it is what makes the world go around. If God didn't love us he never would have organized the Earth. Therefore it wouldn't go around at all. I rest my case.

    I try my best to Love everyone and to show that to everyone. Love is such a powerful force. I however can't stand the "I love you" of the current world. Love is a verb. Love is a doing word. I don't care how much you say "I love you" I care how much you show it. Don't get me wrong, we should always tell the ones we love that we love them, but I think we should show it 10x more than we say it. In everything we do, in everything we say we should show we love those around us. When you have Charity you "see [others] as children of God,... you will labor in their behalf. You will avoid negative feeligns such as anger, envy, lust, or covetousness. You will avoid judging others , criticizing them, or saying negative things about them." PMG chapter 6. And Charity is Pure Love.

     Moroni 7:45 reads "And Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all tings, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." And again in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 it reads "4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all tings, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." Here we have two clear examples of what it means to have ture Charity. We will suffer long, not that doens't mean we have to suffer, it means we are patient in affliction. It means we dont break down and complain when things are hard. We are kind. We do not envy others. We are not prideful. We do not boast. We behave according to the situation. We do not seek after our own benefit or profit. We are slow to anger. We are Vurtuous. We love and rejoice in truth. We bear all things that the Lord sees fit to put us through. We believe all things. We hope all things. We endure all things.

     Repeatedly in scripture we hear that we must have Faith, Hope, and Charity. (Alma 7:24, Alma 13:29 Ether 12:28, D&C18:19) Also that we are nothing without Charity and that we cannot obatin heaven without it. (Alma 34:29, 2 Nephi 26:30, Moroni 7:44, Ether 12:34, Moroni 10:21) Seems that Charity is really important if you ask me. And it is, Moroni also says it is the greatest of all, and in Matthew 22:36-39 we read of the lawyer asking Christ a question. "36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jeus said unto him, thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt Love thy neigbour as thyself." Charity and Love are vital for our growth, our entrence into heaven, and all other things pertaining to the Gospel.

     "Charity is a gift from God. The prophet Mormon said that we should "pay unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with this love" "(PMG chapter 6) We should constantly strive to have and be filled with Charity, with the Pure love of Christ. As I have shown, it is vital to our admittance into heaven, and it is the greatest of commandmetns. Charity will help us as we strive to be obedient and follow all the commandments. Also, as we obey the commandments and serve others we will be filled with Charity and Love.

     In Moroni 7:47 we read that "...Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever;..." And we hear again and again in scripture that Charity never faileth and that it edureth all things. The Love of God, the Pure love of Christ is the act of the Atonement. It is the greatest act of Charity the Universe has ever witenessed. Nothing can or ever will compare to the Love, Compassion, or Mercy shown and contained in that single act. In 1 Nephi 11:20-22 we read "20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw? 22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things." It is obvious that there is a connection between the Love of God, the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Tree. Just a before this we read in verse 9 we read "And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all." What is precious above all? what is the most desiable above all things? The Love of God, which is Repentance. In John 3:16 we read "For God so loved the world, taht he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God loved the world so he gave his Son, gave his Son as a sacrafice for sin. His Son accomplished the Atonement, so that if we Believe in Him we may be forgiven of our sins. This is the Love of God, This is Charity, the Pure Love of Christ. This is why we love Him, praise Him, and have Faith in Him.

Todays World

     So, for those of you that don't know I work front desk at a Hotel. I love it, its good fun. However, WHAT IS WITH SOME PEOPLE? I dunno, maybe it is cause I use the computer closer to the door, or maybe it is just how things appear to me cause, this is often on my mind but it seems that people come to me first before my co-workers.

     Maybe it is just in my head, but even if my head is down, and I'm working on something in front of me it seems I'll end up with a guest right in front of me even if Heather or Courtney (who both have more seniority than me) are there, with their heads up looking right at them. What is with that? Is it cause I'm taller? cause I'm a man?... they always like to assume I'm a manager too. That might be because I wear my own suit... but... well maybe I'm only kidding myself... Sorry guest walked strait to me, even though my head was down and I was obvioulsy typing...

    Don't get me wrong, I love helping people, love helping them out and answering their questions. They arn't a bother in the least amount. What bothers me is that it seems they come to me first. My teacher last semester often talked about unconsious bias. Well, I think from my time working here that it is true. I really want to take a study and tally how many people come to me first and how many to one of my co-workers. Then I'd love to run it again and put me at the computer further from the doors.

    I would love for that study to utterly fail and be proved wrong, but part of me worries that it wouldn't. That it would prove my case all the more... Which is just sad... really sad.

Obedience.

     In Matthew 7:24-27 we find the inspiration for the song "The wise man built his house upon the rock." For those of you that know it, I expect to see hand motions!! The scripture reads "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

     So here we see, the basis of the whole song is one word. Obedience. It doesn't matter if we listen and hear the word every minute of every day. Nor does it matter if we know the word better then any other person. It matters only if we are "...doers of the word, and not hearers only,..." James 1:22 

     Obedience, as it says in PMG chapter 6, will increase your "faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom." By doing we can grow in knowledge and faith and all other things. Obedience is just that, doing. John 7:17 "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." Jesus told us here, if we lack faith. If we have doubts, do as he asks, follow the commandments, be Obedient, and we will gain faith, and we will know if it is true or not. Faith will grow from Obedience if it is a true principle that we are being Obedient to.

     Obedience is a base plate in any persons life. A few weeks ago I spoke about the desire to do good, and Virtue. The way you grow that Virtue, that desire is Obedience. Obedience is the way to make that desire grow from a simple inner desire to a strong, solid Faith. Obedience will bring the lasting unmovable Faith that will give you the ability to surpass and overcome any and all trials in your life. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Newton Faulkner

I just really love this song... So, I wanted to post this video, and the lyrics... cause I can =P

All I gotta do is sit around and wait,
All I gotta do is not anticipate,
Every word I said I should’ve taken back,
All I gotta do is get my brain on track.
And I know what you’re thinking,
That you know what’s coming now.

Everywhere I look,
Everything is looking so good,
And everyone is you.
And I know I tend to rush straight in
I just don’t know where to begin
When everyone is you
Everyone is…

All I gotta do is just hold back and wait,
But every time I try I make the same mistake,
All I gotta do is make myself relax,
All I gotta do is keep my brain on track.
And I know what you’re thinking
That you know what’s coming now.

Everywhere I look,
Everything is looking so good,
And everyone is you.
And I know I tend to rush straight in,
I just don’t know where to begin,
When everyone is you.
Everyone is…

And I hope that you find it,
If freedom is all that you want,
I can see a silver lining,
I’ll be here time after time,
time after time after all.

Everywhere I look,
Everything is looking so good,
And everyone is you.
And I know I tend to rush straight in,
I just don’t know where to begin,
When everyone is you.