Gripe #7 - Wells Fargo

I hate Wells Fargo Bank.

Me: Can I say that again?

Myself: Sure...go ahead, I already know how you feel about it, but sure...indulge yourself.

Me: I hate Wells Fargo Bank.

Picture it, I am asked to hold money for a client of mine. (I am pretending to be the bank. I like to play the evil villain sometimes.) My client gives a note to someone (their contractor) saying they can come to me for money that I am holding for them.

Remember (and this is the important part) The client is paying me to hold the money (via service fees, banking fees and so on) and their contractor comes to me with a note.....

Contractor: Hey, you are holding some money that belongs to me....your client hired me to do some work and said I could have some of their money you are holding.

Bank: {Chuckle} Sure I am.....but it will cost you.

Contractor: Why will it cost me anything? You are holding money that rightfully belongs to me, and you work for my boss who is your client, why would you charge me to get it.

Bank: Because that is how we do business.

Contractor: Why do you think you get a piece of what is rightfully mine?

Bank: Because.

Contractor: Do you think that is legitimate or moral in any way?

Bank: I don't care, my customers let me do it and it makes me money, now pay up or I don't give you any money.

Contractor: But if I deposit the money in my bank, my bank will come to you and request the funds, you don't charge them....why charge me?

Bank: Because.

Contractor: I.....don't......understand.

Bank: We don't want you to understand, there is nothing to understand, if you want your money, you pay me now....what will it be?

Contractor: I guess I will have to go to my bank, deposit the money and have them ask you for the money, free of charge.

Bank: Whatever, I have the money now....no waiting.....its a service.

Contractor: SERVICE?!?!?!?! You call giving me what is rightfully mine and charging me for it a service......{mumbling} Where is my tommy gun....did I leave that at the car dealership?

Seriously, does this make any sense to anyone?

The bank was going to charge me to give me the money from a check drawn on their bank. Where did people begin to put up with this? 

Wells Fargo is from hell. They say they are "The next stage" and they are "The next stage of insanity". 

I call for people to pull their money from Wells Fargo and move to a credit union...I don't care which one, just any one, just to poke out the eye of the bank.

Top Five

I thought I would try another "Interactive" blog because I like to see what others think.....this blog should get you thinking....

I want to know about the "top five" places you have ever been in your life and the top five you would like to visit someday.

Here are mine (and why)

#5 - Arches National Park - Moab Utah.
Chris and I took a "Senior trip" to Moab. We were broke and all of our friends were taking their trips to California or Mexico or the East Coast, so we decided to do our own trip, just us, we drove down, rented a hotel room and hiked all round Arches National Park for two days without sunscreen....major burns all over but it was well worth it. We had a great time doing what we always do....just hang out.

#4 - Hard Rock Cafe' - Aspen Colorado.
Again, a trip with Chris. This was before our missions, we wanted to get another road trip in before we left. We wanted to go somewhere far enough to make it worth the trip but close enough that we didn't have to stay overnight......ASPEN! It was that or Vegas and we had been south already, so we thought we would try something new. It was so much fun. (NO SEMIS)

#3 - Disneyland and California Adventure - Anaheim California
I (unlike all of my friends) didn't make it to Disneyland until late in life. I was 18 when I finally got to go the first time. I love Disneyland, the smiles, the rides, the theme, the friends and family....it is just an overall great place to be. As a parent, it is a lot of work, but it is one of the few places where the work is well worth it. With all the kids we have, most places we go tends to be nothing but work, and usually I am not willing to ever do it again because I am burned out at the end of the day, but Disneyland is different. It seems to always be worth the effort, (and the effort is a lot.) No matter how many times we go, I am always willing to go back.
California Adventure is the same. Always a good time.

#2 - Laguna Beach - Laguna California
This is like Disneyland for me, but without spending all the money. I could sit on that beach all day long with nothing else to do.....and I do. I love playing in the sand with my kids and catching a few waves. I don't pretend to be able to surf very well, but I do like to boogie board. Even on small waves, its like a roller coaster every time. One trip we took that is all we did, we just stayed on the beach every day of the trip and it was great. Taking the kids over to the rocks uncovered by the low tide and finding little crabs, snails, little scooter blennys (fish), starfish. Hours and hours spent playing on the beach and in the water. This is my favorite part of the year.

#1 - Maui Hawaii
This was the best 6 days of my life.....my honeymoon. It was just Catey and I in the paradise of the world. This was truly the closest I have ever come to touching heaven. We had no agenda just the smells of the wild gardenias everywhere, the soft humidity, gentle breeze off the ocean, gorgeous sunsets, stunning sunrises, soft sand, warm water, incredible food and the most beautiful person on the planet...truly amazing. I don't think anything will ever surpass it.


So that is my top ten favorite places I have been.

My top five I want to visit:

#1 - Austraila
#2 - New Zealand
#3 - Scotland
#4 - Cancun
#5 - Israel

Maybe someday....when my kids are rich and want to give us a great trip!

Gripe #6 - Twilight series

Oh joy! Book four is in my home. I really don't care that it is because Catey seems to like these books, she reads them and kinda laughs that they have generated so much excitement. One of my neighbors (who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent) said (and I am paraphrasing) "I think its ridiculous that grown married women are putting Edward (the main vampire in the book) ahead of their own husbands." .....and to that I say AMEN!

Can I just say a few words on the 'Twilight' series (you can discount my opinion because I have not read them).......Before anyone picks up the book there are a few things that you know right off the bat. It is late teens (18 year olds I think) and Vampires and Warewolves....what kind of book do you THINK you are going to be reading. I know there are those that hold them in high regard, I am sure they are fun to read.

I understand there are many who are upset with the latest installment because of the violence and sex....and to those I say......serves you right. I know I am a jerk for feeling that way, but if you play with fire you are going to get burned.....it is not 'if' but 'when'. I understand the two got married I also understand that the writer does not write graphic details, but you certainly get the point.

If you don't like to read that stuff they print the 'Friend' and 'New Era' every month. If you can't handle the heat then get out of the kitchen.

Am I spreading it on a bit thick?......yeah....I guess I am.

My point is to drive home the idea that we are all guilty of doing something we have been told not to and when we do, someone gets hurt. (I tell my kids this on a daily basis "listen and follow instructions or someone will get hurt".) I am sure there is nothing wrong with reading these books and I certainly don't care if you do, to me it is no different than reading Harry Potter....which got crazy and extremely violent at the end.

We shouldn't be filling our minds with crap but we do.....I am just as guilty. We are told and warned not to do it over and over but we do it anyway and justify and rationalize in the name of 'leisure time' or 'my time' or 'guilty pleasure' or 'not that bad' or [fill in the blank].

I guess I have a hard time feeling bad for those who are complaining that they got 'burned'. When it happens to me I just look in the mirror and say "yep.......you dummy, that is what you get."

You are reading about Vampires for crying out loud....what did you THINK you were going to be reading about? Happily ever after skipping off into the sunset? If you let your teenage children read them then what a great opportunity to talk about sex and when it is and is not appropriate.

And one more thing.......its about time someone (thank you Stephanie Meyer) made the hero and the prude the guy. I understand the main girl in the book just wants to hop into bed every other chapter with her vampire crush and he will not capitulate out of principle. Granted, I think it is weird to have a vampire with principles, but its about time the guy was the one that said 'no' when the girl is all over him begging him for a bite. (Pun intended.)

Anyhow....if you hate me now, that is fine. What you didn't know is that I am really a vampire and I am watching you read this, over your shoulder, even now.......creepy? I should think so.

Selling the boat

I am selling our boat. If you know anyone who is looking...please show them this site:

www.sellingtheboat.blogspot.com





There are pictures and stuff....it really is a good deal, just so sad to part with her.

We need a basement more than a boat.

-Aaron

Gripe #5 - Random

So I am sitting here waiting at work for Catey to pick me up and I thought to myself.....

Me: Self?!

Self :Yeah?

Me: I have a bunch of gripes that I could throw out on the blog today...they are little and random....what do you think?

Self: Yeah...whatever.

Since myself didn't mind I didn't think you would either

#1 - Cement
The driveways and sidewalks in Eagle Mountain are pathetic. My parents bought a house over 30 years ago in Sandy and the same driveway and sidewalk is there. No cracks (not many if there are any) no places of unleveling, no sluffing off the top...nothing. Ours (in EM) is ok, but up and down every street there are homes after homes with broken up driveways and sidewalks that are falling apart after just two or three years.

The homeowners call and get the same answer every time "Oh, that is no longer under warranty," or "It's because you put salt [or Icemelt or whatever] out in the winter time". WARRANTY? how about a cement job that has lasted over 30 years and you want to talk WARRANTY? How about doing the job right the first time!? And don't even get me started on the salt thing.....since when does salt ruin cement....here is a clue.....IT DOESN'T! Back in the good ol days, we didn't have the fancy 'Icemelt' we used salt.

I hope there is a cold place in hell where the ice freezes over those who pour bad cement......and then not let them have salt to unfreeze themselves, because it might ruin the cement there too.

#2 - Stupid people

I try to be patient (laugh now if you will) but the worst thing I have to deal with in life is stupid people. If you (reader) are ever talking to me about an issue and my face turns red and the words "USE YOUR BRAIN" come out of my mouth.....I apologize in advance.

If that is to ever happen it is simply because you are not thinking, and you need a mental correction. I know this sounds conceited but it really isn't. I am not the smartest person (everyone knows that) but when an answer is so plainly in front of someone and they refuse to see the light because of a policy, procedure, political preference or laziness (worst kind), then I loose it. Of course I run into this often and try to gently help others see the light.

I need to repent and be "not easily provoked", "seeketh not [my] own" and be "easy to be entreated". I guess in this case the gripe is about me....because I become the 'stupid person' when I react so poorly.

#3 - Politics

Seriously, I am concerned for the politics of this great nation. We are the greatest nation on Earth, there is none greater. I fear for what the winds of 'change' will bring us...but if Carter gave us Regan, I can only hope what Obama will bring.

#4 - I Like pie

I have not had pie in a long time....that is the gripe, I want some pie.

#5 - Wrong number dialers

What are we going to do about them?...I think we should shoot them like dogs.

#6 - I have been waiting for Catey for over an hour. (When is she going to get here anyway)


Well that is all for now. It's been real.

Shout out

This is just a shout out to those dudes and dudettes that read my blog. I think its great that people read and share stuff about my life. I am not being facetious, I am being serious.

I have been asked why I have a blog, and the answer is....I don't really know.

Most blogs that I read are basically journals. That isn't really a bad thing but I thought I would do something, you know....me...(different) and thus the blog.

Hopefully this is a spot where you can come and read (and laugh) about my pitiful meanderings on life and know there is someone out there more nutsy and more sleep deprived than yourself. If nothing else, my life is but an example of what not to do.

I tend to be rather opinionated, and not everyone agrees with me, that is why this is so great, I can write what I want and delete what you wrote if I don't agree =)

A big part of friendship to me is differing on opinion and being able to argue (sometimes passionately) and walk away still being friends.

I appreciate friends, they make life good.

So here's to you readers....my gratitude runs deep.

...But it goes to 11

Anyone who is familiar with this term understands it is from the movie 'Spinal Tap'. The movie is a mockumentary about a late 70's early 80's hair band. It's a terrible movie, but one scene lives in infamy. In the scene the interviewer is asking the head of the band about their 'special speakers' that have been made especially for the band. The band member is showing the dials they paid extra for, and says that their band plays louder than any other because their speakers go all the way to 11 and don't stop at 10. The interviewer asks why all the fuss, why not make them louder and still make them go to 10. The band member just gives him a blank stare and replies in a very thick (fake) British accent "But it goes to 11?!"

Why did I just tell you that? Well, it has been a running joke in our house for the entire time we have been married.....11 years today. When we want "just a little bit more", we say "but it goes to 11."

11 years ago, Catey knelt across an alter in the Salt Lake temple and became my wife. I never thought that would happen. For sure there would be a massive Earthquake or the end of the world would come, I never thought it would actually happen. It is hard to believe, but it DID happen and 7 kids later we are still in love.

'Love' is a term that we thought we understood that day.....we were in love and wanted to get married but I don't think we understood what we were really doing. Looking back, we really lucked out, there have been many friends and family that have come and gone and married and divorced. We have something really special. It has had its ups and downs but we really have lived the dream.

I am madly passionately in love with Catey.

The morning we were getting married, I was sure I was going to be late, or show up at the wrong place or I would get a flat tire, or a car wreck, or [fill in the blank] would happen and I would not get married. The ceremony was at 8:30am and I was supposed to be there early and meet Catey so we could get dressed and get ready. I got there about 90 min early and sat and freaked out that she was not coming. The old couple at the recommend desk kept telling me to relax and the older guy in the back kept yelling out to me "relax, she is getting her hair done, those girls are always late!"

I was sure I was in the wrong place and asked to see my name on the list at least to or three times to make sure I was in the right place on the right day. Eventually everyone showed up but her. Best man, my parents, groomsmen, other guests, but no Catey. She pulled up, ran in and said "Sorry, I was getting my hair done!"......the old guy laughed and yelled "SEE!"

I was so nervous that I was sweating buckets. They lead Catey and I into the Celestial room of the temple to wait for everyone to file into the sealing room for the ceremony. I was so jittery and nervous that I got up and started to walk around the room. How about that, me, nervous....and so nervous that I was doing laps in the Celestial room.

Finally they called us up and we walked in the room together, knelt across the alter and the rest is history.

I love my wife. I generally don't gush but when I must I must. I have been known to say "If God let me design a wife, I could not have done that well" and the statement is still true. She is a once in a lifetime opportunity, why I was so privileged for her to choose me?, I will never know. But there is no man on Earth that loves his wife and regards her as an example to others as I do.

11 years seems like a long time when you say it, and looking at the herd of kids that we have FEELS like a long time......occasionally. But really it is the best 11 years of my life. The whole of my marriage outweighs every other time of my life by double.

I married someone who became my best friend.

Thank you Catey. I love you for the 11 we have had and look forward to an eternity to come.