b-lines

As many of you know by now, we found out on Friday that my dad’s cancer is in remission! We are all very excited with this news. Now that doesn’t mean its cured. His form of cancer - Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - doesn’t have a cure… yet. As dad explains in his latest post, many people who have this type of Lymphoma and have received treatment have stayed in remission for 5-7 years. Let’s hope it lasts longer. In fact, let’s hope a cure is found before that time comes. Take a leap over to my parent’s blog to read more.

The last year has brought about a lot of concerns and questions for our family. The boys have been so worried about grandpa. We’ve tried to learn all we can about the Lymphoma and the treatment so we could be more helpful and know what he and mom were going through. We are thankful for this blessing and hope we can share many more years of wonderful experiences as a family with dad around! My prayers go out to all those we know who may not be as fortunate. These are times when we wonder why the Lord works the way he does. But, then I remember that it’s not my job to question the Lord. It’s my job to listen and be obedient. Thanks to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive over the past year. May the Lord bless each and every one of you!

I’m not really serious about my adventure this past weekend being a “piece of cake.” In fact, it was one of the hardest things I have done. But, I had a blast and want to do it again. I am speaking of the Ragnar Relay Series - Wasatch Back. This 12-person, 178-mile relay from Logan to Park City was one of the most challenging, yet fun things I have participated in.

I was lucky to run with a team made up mostly of family and friends from Amber’s side of the family. The couple that I didn’t know well before, I feel like I know well now. We are already talking about getting as many people on this team together to do it again.

We weren’t the fastest team around. We finished in 31 hours and 39 minutes. We started at 11 a.m. on Friday, with Amber’s cousin Spencer taking the wristband first, and finished around 6:30 p.m. with me crossing the finish line at the park at Quinn’s Junction in Park City.

The race course was a beautiful one. We passed through the beautiful areas such as Pine Valley, and were able to look at the stunning Heber Valley from the top of Guardsman’s Pass. My three legs were amazing. I wish I could have taken more time to take in the scenery.

My first leg was a 3.1-mile jaunt uphill into Snowbasin Ski Resort. I started the leg around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and finished it at 9 p.m. Since I was the last runner in Van 2, we then had a break until 1:45 a.m. when we took over the next six legs from Van 1 at East Canyon. Between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., I got my only sleep during the whole relay, and that was only for 30 minutes. Crazy!

My second leg — a 5.2-mile run — started at 7 a.m. on Saturday in Wanship, and ended at the south end of Rockport Reservoir. The sun was just coming up when I started. It was a nice, cool run. So far, my first two legs were in the cooler parts of the day. I was thankful after watching the other runners in the heat.

After I came to that exchange point, our van took off for Heber for some rest. The next major exchange was at Rocky Mountain Middle School. While we waited there, we were able to have a nice pancake and bacon breakfast, and rest. There were a lot of people there.

Our final six legs were tough ones. We had them in the middle of the afternoon. It was hot! Amber’s Aunt Sharon, and cousin Natalie did great on their runs. Uncle Garth had a grueling 3.5 mile run up the first part of Ragnar. The average gradient was 7.6 percent. Garth had a tough time with it. He was already worn out, and wasn’t looking forward to it. Natalie and Laura’s friends Dave and his wife Natalie took the next two legs. Dave finished off Ragnar with a 4-mile run to the top of Guardsman’s Pass that also had a 7.9 percent gradient. Natalie took it from there for 6.9 miles downhill.

After Natalie’s leg, I took it for the final 5-mile leg. It was all downhill, except for a short distance with just under a mile to go. Just after I started, I got to the top of Main Street in Park City where the round-about is located. At this point, you were directed onto a trail that went behind the buildings on Main Street. I thought I took the wrong way for a moment, but then I could see a runner up ahead and I knew I was OK. This part of my leg was unusual, because our van couldn’t follow me. When I did see them, I had three miles left. They asked if I needed water, and I said I was alright. I still had some with me. Well, I should have taken it. The next two miles were not that bad, but when I hit one mile left, it got tough. I had to walk for about 50 yards. I really tried not to, but I had to. I knew I was getting closer, so I took off again.

The finish line was not too far away. About 100 yards form the finish, the rest of Team Aloha joined in and we ran through the finish line together. It was a great experience. Everyone had a great time and everyone finished their legs of the relay. Way to go!

That’s my friend Donny in the pictures talking to me (above). He lives in our ward. His team came in just before us. It was good to see him at the finish line. I was proud of myself. I accomplished another goal. I worked hard to train for this event. I didn’t want to let my team and myself down. I overcame a back injury from back in February and the plantar faciitis I had been dealing with since November. On Sunday, I wasn’t that sore. My heal felt great, and so did my back. I was more tired than I was sore. I am excited to do this again next year!

Like most of us do, I have procrastinated in posting my Father’s Day post. It’s been a busy week. We spent last weekend with Amber’s family getting her parents house and yard cleaned up for Dave and Sarah’s get-together for Charli’s blessing last Sunday. We worked hard and really got worn out.

I just wanted to wish my dad and my father-in-law a Happy Father’s Day (5 days late!). I am lucky to have both of them in my life.

I am very grateful for my dad. He has taught me so much about life. He has helped me to understand how important it is to love the Savior. He has been through a lot the last year. We’ll find out what’s ahead when he receives the results from his tests last week on June 27. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that this cancer-thing is in remission. The thing that has impressed me the most during the past year is the attitude my dad has shown us. He has tried to be positive and upbeat even when he has felt horrible. He and mom continue to smile. They figure they will get further by smiling, than by feeling sorry for themselves. He is a great example to me. Thanks for all you do for our family. The boys look up to you and are concerned about your health. They enjoy being with Grandpa Packer and want you to feel better!

Amber’s dad is an amazing example of service. He teaches us how to serve through words, and by his actions. He is always the first one to offer his assistance, even when it isn’t convenient for him. He loves his family and would do anything to help them out. He has a strong testimony of the Savior and a great knowledge of the gospel.

Happy Father’s Day to both of you. I hope you had a great day!

On Thursday, we started taking out our driveway. This has been far overdue! When we moved in, the driveway had a major flaw. It’s what we called the Grand Canyon. The concrete was poured for the driveway back in 1968. It looks like it had taken quite the beating and had come apart in massive chunks over the years. About five years ago, Dave and I patched it. It held up really good, until this past year. We have had a lot of good size pieces of the patch work come out as well. Riley thinks he’s found a gold mine — he loves throwing the broken pieces all over the place. Here’s a glimpse of it before we started taking it out. Neal’s prepping to play hopscotch.

The guys who are going to pour the concrete started taking it out on Thursday, and finished it Friday morning. We had arranged with these guys to do it ourselves since they work for the company Amber’s dad works for. But, they showed up while Neal was at Westminster’s basketball camp and started tearing it out. In the end we are glad they did it. It was a big job!

Amber’s dad and I rented a sod cutter to take out the sod to the east of where the driveway was. We are going to double our single car approach. This will get my car off the road, and give us more room to play basketball. Now, if we can only come up with some money to get a nice hoop that we can adjust so the boys can play.

We spent all day Friday and a few hours on Saturday morning, cutting sod, moving dirt, taking sod to a lady in Amber’s parents service mission ward, fixing sprinklers that needed to be re-routed, etc. It was a lot of work, and I am tired! We are excited about what we will have in the end. Everything should be done by Wednesday or Thursday if the weather holds out. We’ve had a lot of rain the past week. The new driveway should be poured on Tuesday.

Amber’s grandma called me the other night to tell me that she saw me on TV earlier that day. She asked “How’s our Pin-up Boy doing?” Oh, goodness grandma! I laughed and said I was doing fine.

If you’ve read Amber’s blog the last couple of days you will see that I was on ABC 4’s Good Things Utah last Thursday. You might ask: “How did I get convinced to do this?” Well, Amber was on Good Things Utah last Tuesday. She has been going on regularly for the last year and a half. After the show was done, she was talking with the producer who was trying to line up dad’s to model some summer fashion on the Thursday show. The producer asked Amber if I would be interested in coming on the show. Amber called me, and I agreed to do it.

Alicia Richmond, who does the shows Chic on a Shoestring segment got my sizes and when Amber told her how tall I was, she immediately selected me for the summer shorts. Since all of the clothes came from Target, I don’t think she would have been able to find pants with a long enough inseam.

Thursday came, and we headed down to the station. I meet Alicia, and some of the others who produce the show. We were not going to be on until later in the show, so I had to wait and watch. Amber and the boys came. The boys got a little bit restless. It’s not easy to sit still and be quiet. The best part was about five minutes into the show. Our cell phone rang. Our ringtone is U2’s Vertigo. That surprised both Amber and I. She looked in her purse three times and couldn’t find the phone, so we thought we left it in the car. Nope. Luckily the microphones only pick up the sound coming from the person they are attached to.

Here’s a link to the segment if you really want to watch it…

Bryan on Good Things Utah

I had fun. I am glad I got to meet the staff. Who knows, maybe my modeling career has just begun? Whatever, do really think I am serious?! I’ve got a lot more weight to lose to even consider it!

This was the price of gas at the Chevron by our house on Saturday morning. When we came back by later in the day it was up to $3.89 for regular. It is only going to continue to go up. I wish the Feds would do more than they are about this before the whole economy is in the tank and no one can afford to drive anymore.

I wouldn’t mind using public transit - if it were only more accessible. The rising cost of gas is going to have even more impact on our family this summer than has the last 6-8 months. We are trying to do our part. We are limiting our trips to the store, etc. Hopefully we will either see some change nationally, or otherwise I’m going to need another substantial raise! Something has to change.

A lot of good music and movies have come out, or will be coming out in the next few months. It must mean summer is here. I am excited to see some good movies this summer - the first one will be today: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I am a Harrison Ford junkie, have been since Star Wars came out in 1977. Can’t wait to see it. Some critics have been tough on the movie. Who cares? It’s Harrison Ford - it’s Indiana Jones!

Summertime always brings about new music. This summer is no different. New releases from the likes of R.E.M., Coldplay, and Neil Diamond have come out or in the case of Coldplay, will be coming out in June.

Now, my taste in music varies quite a bit. My top five are mostly similar genres. All of them have been very popular in one way or another in different parts of the world. One of my top five is a bit different than the others. Here are my top five at this point in my life (that means it can change without advance notice!).

• U2
• Neil Diamond
• Crowded House
• New Order
• R.E.M.

Number five has been populated in the past by the likes of Depeche Mode, The Killers, Collective Soul, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can just hear it now - my brother Spencer is wondering why in the world is Neil Diamond number two? Well, how can you overlook someone you grew up listening to that is just as amazing today as he was back then? Here’s a video of Neil singing his new single “Pretty Amazing Grace” and the classic, “Love on the Rocks” on the Jonathan Ross show on BBC in the UK.

Enjoy the video, and have a great Memorial Day!

Monday marks the next step in my career as a public relations professional. For the last two years of my career I have worked in Utah County. After making the 45-minute drive to Provo for the first nine months, I exchanged it for a “shorter” 30-minute commute to American Fork when our team shifted assignments around for the next 15 months.

Well, my new commute will be a total of three miles and should only take me about 5-7 minutes. Starting Monday, I will be the new Public Relations Consultant at Alta View Hospital. I feel very fortunate to have been selected for this position. I am also thankful to still be working for Intermountain Healthcare.

I am anxious to begin the new position. I am excited to learn from a new team, and get to know new people. I am going to miss everyone I worked with at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and American Fork Hospital. They are a class-act people. My director for the past two years was a great mentor. I learned so much from him and my other work associates. I know a few of them will see this blog post - It’s going to show up on their Google Alerts in the next couple of days. Thanks guys!

When it came down to it, my decision to move back to Salt Lake County was a difficult one. I really loved what I was doing in American Fork, but I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to be closer to home for Amber and the boys, and also to be closer to my parents. I also looked at this opportunity to join the public relations team in Salt Lake as an opportunity that doesn’t come around too often. If I passed it up now, I knew I probably wouldn’t have another chance. My new team is so talented. I have observed them for the last five years and have been so impressed with what they do.

I know this came at the right time. When I applied for the position back at the end of February, I felt a prompting that I needed to be back closer to home. What does that mean? I guess only time will tell.

I’ve been lucky to see U2 live three times. Each time was unique. But seeing them this way was absolutely amazing! Not only was it bigger than life seeing it on the IMAX, but the 3D effects made you feel as though Bono was going to take a seat right next to you. We’ve been meaning to go see U2 3D since it came out in January. Amber and I took the boys to see it during the afternoon on her birthday. We’re glad it was still playing. The set list was cut a few songs shorter than the actual show during the Vertigo Tour two years ago -  but it was still great. This reminded me why they are still my favorite band. Go see it if you haven’t.

Just wanted to take a quick minute to wish you happy birthday Dad! Thanks for all you do for our family. You are a great example to our boys and the rest of us. You’ve been a trooper the past year. Hang in there! The picture below was from our trip to California in October 2006. This is Neal and Grandpa at Sea World.