tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14679885133428559112024-03-05T03:48:17.440-08:00jake and annieat home in eugene, OregonAnnie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-6994145052912382922018-07-11T15:38:00.001-07:002018-07-12T08:24:10.081-07:00What Jake Does for a Living<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdAs0pZG94GmlIP80V2aziJFWo3z9DLv3Jf6zKRcrzFP7L1lmLuC9ckzcRyNGbNKOa6VXPq7kJnrSgpDLv-bJ4BCxCpck8m17XaPAUkNq4PCyBXyWjAA8kpMASuC6dkK6W3hxhiU5iNqa/s1600/Jake_Work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1516" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdAs0pZG94GmlIP80V2aziJFWo3z9DLv3Jf6zKRcrzFP7L1lmLuC9ckzcRyNGbNKOa6VXPq7kJnrSgpDLv-bJ4BCxCpck8m17XaPAUkNq4PCyBXyWjAA8kpMASuC6dkK6W3hxhiU5iNqa/s320/Jake_Work.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
In eleven years of encounters with
individuals asking about my job, I have never once felt satisfied with my
ability to answer the question. Many are asking casually, but I am
particularly frustrated on occasions where I sense that the inquiry is really genuine.
I suspect this isn’t particularly unusual. I find myself taken by the
fact that there are many people whom I also know VERY well, but really haven’t
the slightest idea of what they do at work. (i.e. what they do with the MAJORITY of their waking lives). I still do not
think my wife or parents have a great sense for what I do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally decided to create something that I
could point someone to, with genuine curiosity about my current career. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
I work as a Principal Planner for the <a href="http://www.lcog.org/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.lcog.org/" target="_blank">Lane Council of Governments<b> </b>(LCOG)</a><b>,</b> in
Eugene, Oregon, the County Seat of Lane County.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
<b>What is a “Council of Governments?” </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
A Council of Governments is exactly
what it says: A "council" made up of different governing bodies. Any
agency or organization in Lane County with an elected board can be a member of
the Lane Council of Governments. For LCOG, this ranges from the County itself
and its largest cities to utility districts, school districts and even library
districts. The "Council" is essentially a Board of Directors made up
of representatives from the "member" organizations (A County
Commissioner, a Mayor, a City Councilor, library district chair, etc.).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
At is most fundamental level, the Council of Governments exists to support its
member agencies. This support comes in many forms, but those which I have had the most
experience with, (and which serve as good examples), are 1) The benefit that
small cities can gain by pooling resources with other small cities, and
2) the frequent need for a third party entity to facilitate significant
regional efforts with neutrality, balance and sensitivity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
With very few exceptions, the Lane Council of Governments does not have a
dedicated tax base. Our funding comes from our member agencies and/or state and
federal grants. So, although there are not really tax
"appropriations" for LCOG, we are <u>indirectly</u> funded
by tax dollars (much the same way as a construction firm that contracts with a
public agency is "funded" by tax dollars). The term often used to
describe LCOG's dynamic is “quasi-governmental.” I bill my hours directly to
contracts, and have to find and secure those contracts. In this way my work is
similar to that of a private sector contractor. At the same time, LCOG is
non-profit and I am eligible and enrolled in Oregon’s Public Employee Retirement
System (PERS). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><br />
What does a Planner do? </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The closest you'll come to
generally defining my job is with the term "Urban Planner." An
urban planner is someone who<i> "</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">develops plans and programs for the use of land. They use planning to create
communities, accommodate growth, or revitalize physical facilities in towns,
cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.</i>" This is a reasonable
definition, but only explains about 30% of what I do.<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wikipedia’s definition is better:
“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">An urban planner may focus on a
specific area of practice and have a title such as <u>city planner</u>, <u>town
planner</u>, <u>regional planner</u>, <u>long-range planner</u>, <u>transportation
planner</u>, <u>infrastructure planner</u>, <u>environmental planner</u>, <u>parks
planner</u>, physical planner, health planner, <u>planning analyst</u>, urban
designer, community development director, <u>economic development specialist</u>
or <u>other similar combinations</u>.” </i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I have underlined above the planning
roles that I have assumed at LCOG over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The division I
work in at LCOG is called <i>"Government Services</i>." I have found this to be a much
more comprehensive (albeit terribly vague) description of my work. In
many ways, my job over the last decade has been to serve our members and other
agencies with whatever planning (or other) needs they have. I have worked for
the majority of our member agencies over the last decade. This is one reason
why I have hard time responding to someone who asks –“So you work for the City
of Eugene right?” or, “Jake works for Lane County.” I have to pause and figure
out how to give an accurate, but not misleading, answer. “Yes I do... sort of.” </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What qualifies me to do planning? </b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I have a Masters degree in
Community and Regional Planning (University of Oregon, 2007) and a Bachelor’s of Science in
“Recreation Resources Management” (USU, 2004). Like some of you, however, I
have found that the primary thing that qualifies me to do planning is
experience and an openness and willingness to continue learning. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>What do I do? </u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Here are some key examples of work
I have done and a brief summary of work I am doing: </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Land Use:</u></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Land use planners help establish the long and short term uses of land.
This ranges from working with residents and public officials on broad and
comprehensive ideas (like a general sense for where a City should expand, to
working with property owners and developers to ensure that very specific
decisions about land use are consistent with local policies and code (like how many feet your home can be from your front property line). </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Long range projects can include things like Housing Needs Assessments,
Buildable Lands Assessments, Economic Opportunities Analysis, Expansion
Analysis and myriad other analyses, all with the express goal of preparing for
the future by better understanding existing conditions and future expectations.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">More than anything else, this work puts me in front of local decision
making bodies (I would estimate that I have presented at over 100 Planning
Commission and City Council meetings). In the past 11 years I have worked with
the following Cities on these tasks: Coburg, Roseburg, Canyonville, Yoncalla,
Creswell, Lowell, Westfir, Drain, Oakland, Dunes City, Florence, Junction City,
Monroe, Eugene, Curry County, Lane County, Brookings. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">*You may be asking yourself why some of these
cities are outside of Lane County. Though not members, we serve any government
entity that has needs that we can support – which is the case with many Southern
Oregon cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Facilitation/Coordination: </i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have, and continue to, staff a number of regional efforts. These are
typically made up of managers from separate public agencies who need to, or
simply recognize the benefits and importance of, coordination in their efforts.
One example of this is the River Districts Group. It is made up of
representatives from City of Springfield, City of Eugene, Lane Transit
District, University of Oregon, Willamalane and Lane County. The group was
organized around an established </span><a href="http://www.livabilitylane.org/files/River-Districts.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">vision</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> for the area between downtown Eugene and downtown Springfield along the
Willamette River and Franklin Blvd. The group shares project information and
tries to leverage opportunities for efficiency and synergy – both in funding,
planning and execution of projects. This area is seeing significant development
activity (redevelopment in </span><a href="http://newfranklinblvd.org/" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Glenwood</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, U of O </span><a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/knight-campus-slide"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Knight Campus</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://www.ltd.org/system-map/route_103/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">EmX</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><a href="https://www.eugene-or.gov/3506/Downtown-Riverfront"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eugene Downtown Riverfront Development</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">). A regional project I helped facilitate
that underpins the River Districts group is the Lane Livability Consortium. </span><a href="http://www.livabilitylane.org/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This
is a site</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I designed to
support that effort.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In a way every project is a facilitation and coordination project because, ultimately,
a planner’s job is to obtain, in whatever means possible, the will of the
public and public officials in establishing fundamental direction for their
work. It is, in many ways the great joy, the great headache, and the great
challenge of the task. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Natural Resources: </i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I received my bachelors degree from Utah State’s College of Natural
Resources. My entry point to planning was through consideration for our natural
environment. As such I have provided support to and directed many natural
resource oriented projects. This includes helping eight small cities work
together to more efficiently (less expensively) pursue wetland inventories and
protection policies. This included a lot of sensitive public outreach and
decision maker meetings. Wetlands on your property can mean development hassle
(at its best) or prohibition (at its worst). People skills have come in handy
in these endeavors. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Other projects have included writing Natural Resource chapters for local
Comprehensive Plans, helping communities and stakeholders (including farmers)
monitor and manage groundwater quality issues, creating a website to help
City’s recognize the functions and values of wetlands, and helping communities
develop drinking water plans to ensure that the water they drink is safe (now
and going forward).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Telecommunications</i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I know, weird right? Increasingly,
telecommunications (or at least access to the internet), is being viewed
more like a traditional public service, like roads or an airport. Some
infrastructure becomes critical enough that there is a true public interest in
ensuring that it is generally available and reasonably affordable. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I manage the Willamette Internet
Exchange, which is, in part, a hub to the largest open access fiber optic
network in Oregon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “fiber network”
connects individual buildings to the internet via a central connection point <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(the Willamette Internet Exchange) with
fiber-optic cable. “Open access” means that the fiber strands are managed
by a public agency (i.e. are publicly owned), but open to all. In the same way
that a private airline has a hub and at publicly owned airport, or freight
trucks use publicly owned interstate highways and local streets, network
communications occur on publicly owned/leased fiber infrastructure. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KdvADFFddA8jhwcYDUTN6YUR_YsTrQCh-1qjqu8mqBSDP53ytldgdba0jP4bFaXIW1eNIk96dA_mdGdwdFztrkrCWMKIPdzoaKVBBxro2n-I5GvaSWMuSv0NbnSYXyIqmks_8XHoxIz/s1600/Mozilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KdvADFFddA8jhwcYDUTN6YUR_YsTrQCh-1qjqu8mqBSDP53ytldgdba0jP4bFaXIW1eNIk96dA_mdGdwdFztrkrCWMKIPdzoaKVBBxro2n-I5GvaSWMuSv0NbnSYXyIqmks_8XHoxIz/s320/Mozilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
As the manager of the Willamette
Internet Exchange, I manage our publicly owned fiber assets (including mapping,
contracting, maintenance and splicing) and also manage the physical cabinets
within which all of the connections are made. This does not require a depth of
IT expertise, but it does require some basic knowledge of terminology and
equipment. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
A day in the life on this front
includes writing contracts and leases, making sure our fiber is safe (and
knowing where it is). I also need to make sure that the Consortium of agencies
that collectively own fiber are kept aware of important matters, and that they have
a functional arrangement for governance and decisions around the fiber. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.eugnet.org/" target="_blank">EUGNet</a> is one cool example of
things that emerge from “open access” networks. This is a project I am on the
partner team for and I am very proud of it. This is a <a href="http://www.eugnet.org/">site</a> I designed and maintain for the
project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EUGNet’s increased speed and
reduced cost is expanding in downtown Eugene and is a key enabling factor for
growth in the City’s tech industry. <b><br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Special Projects: </i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Downtown Plan in Lowell, Multi-Use Path Strategy in Oakland, Water Rate
Study in Coburg, Development Code Updates in Oakland, Coburg and Yoncalla, UGB
Expansion Study in Roseburg, Coburg and Canyonville.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faculty at University of Oregon:</i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
A dynamic that has caused
considerable confusion among those who know me well is my relationship with
the University of Oregon. “What do you mean your teaching a class? I thought
you worked for the County.” In 2009, <a href="https://pppm.uoregon.edu/pppm/jacob-callister">I accepted a position</a>
to teach a course in <a href="https://www.esri.com/en-us/what-is-gis/overview">Geographic
Information Systems</a> at the University of Oregon (my Alma Mador). I have
taught regular terms and summer terms, and am currently teaching my 14<sup>th</sup>
term. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">So there you go:</b></div>
All of this work has strengthened my
appreciation of varying perspectives. Recognizing the incredible risks that
developers assume in pursuing projects that are often critical for moving a
community forward. Relating better to the complexities of a neighborhood that really wants more
affordable housing options in their community, but not right next to them. The
exercise of managing the exchange between a property owner seeking to pursue
their property rights by dividing their lot and their neighbor seeking
adamantly to stop it in order preserve what they perceive to be their rights.
Observing a community that is resistant to regulation of any kind, warm up to a
wetland ordinance because they come to recognize how wetlands can manage their
seasonal (and costly) flooding issues. The complexity of the world around us is highlighted and the
exercise is consistently one of thoughtful observation and problem solving.<br />
<br />
I feel fortunate to love my job!
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<![endif]-->Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-85023466810577919582018-05-05T07:47:00.002-07:002018-05-05T08:01:30.630-07:00Observations from one Father of Functional Triplets<div>
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You can’t know what you’re getting into when you have kids. You sort of think you can. You were a kid yourself. You have friends and siblings with kids. Surely those contribute meaningful insight, but not even close to an adequate amount. Like an eclipse, or a bad rash, kids are an experience you cannot have academically or second hand.</div>
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We started our family with twins. Henry and Charlotte arrived in January of 2011. What a happy time. Even after significant contemplation of how this would change my life, I never could have known the immensity of that life changing moment, overwhelmingly for the better, but also with some challenging collateral.</div>
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Annie and I had a fairly complex journey to get the twins into our lives and had had very little (at least recent) experience with contraception. The unexpected news of Caroline’s impending arrival was one of the most polarizing moments of my life. It was utter amazement and joy at the miracle of non-invasive pregnancy countered, in near equal measure, by pure horror at the thought of another baby in the fray. Keep in mind that Charlotte and Henry were 9 months old when we learned of Caroline’s impending arrival. We were in the throes of deep-sea, full-immersion parenting. We have a picture of Annie holding a pregnancy test next to the two kids in high chairs with food all over their faces. Annie’s smile is … telling.</div>
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We’ve never known parenting of one child. We have only the vaguest recollections of parenting two children.</div>
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By the time that Caroline was 2 and a half, the line between she and the twins was quickly blurring. Her drive to keep up had her walking well before she turned 1, and potty trained before one of the twins (I can’t remember which one). It was (is) often that Annie and I had to remind the other to cut Caroline some slack “remember, she <u>is</u> a year and half younger.” Oh yeah, that’s right ;).</div>
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In the last three years they have really become a collective organism. The “Chenroline.” When I have the chance, and as an ongoing experiment, I will quiz those asking if they can guess which ones are the twins. The answers are more often wrong than right. They each have very distinct personalities and independence, but Chenroline, in many ways, is our fourth child. Chenroline behaves differently than any of its three component parts. Often in unfortunate ways, but also in very impressive and inspiring ways.</div>
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I’ll give an example of each. The other day Chenroline completely saturated every surface, corner and nook of the main bathroom. It was an act of pure mob mentality—the subconscious math that instinctively calculates the distribution of guilt and concludes that, at a third the cost… its totally worth it! In contrast, Chenroline also perform acts of altruism and beauty that seem to transcend their individual potential – like when they get a wild hair and mutually motivate each other to clean or make something special for mom and dad. This phenomenon feels more rare, but still transcends the former, on balance.</div>
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But onto the potentially sensitive observations: Whenever I see a child alone with his parent or parents, two things happen. One is that I contemplate how wonderful that appears. I think of how rarely I am alone with one of my kids, and how heavenly that can be. How different they act, how pleasant they often are. How much I learn about their personalities. There is a real jealous desire to have more of that. At the same time, there is a bit of sadness. Mostly for the child. This is probably an obnoxious thought to some but, to me, the thought of hanging out with your parents all the time seems pretty, well, boring. At least in contrast to what my children are engaged in daily. They have a slumber party every night. I tell people that it is a party at my house every night. Then I follow up with an important clarification: This is not a tea, or even a birthday, party – it’s a rush-week frat party. I know Chenroline don’t fully appreciate it, but I think they sort of get that there is something unique happening in their lives. When their friends leave the house asking “why don’t Henry and Charlotte and Caroline have to go home?” I think it gives them slight pause.</div>
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Let me further crystalize the unique sibling dynamic. I am guessing that Henry and Charlotte have spent less than a tenth of a percent of their lives not being in the same room as each other. Read that again. They are in the same school and church classes, sleep in the same room and are super good buddies who like to play with each other. They’ve been together since they were 8-celled blastocysts! We have a picture to prove it;) Neither of these two will have any memory of a world without Caroline right there either.</div>
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As a parent you spend a lot of time paranoid about what you’re doing to your kids (or not doing in some cases). I imagine our children will come away from this unique experience with some positive things: deep solidarity with several other humans who have identical formative experiences, maybe a more powerful grasp on the idea of shared resources and the principle of compromise, and hopefully a broad built-in support web. They may also come away from the experience with some deep desire for autonomy and independence which may blow up in their teen years or just fester quietly in nuanced behaviors as they approach and/or live out their adult lives. They may lack the same relationship with us, their parents, that some of their friends and peers develop.</div>
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One thing is for sure, they will develop and they will likely continue to do it in this same proximity. We’ll keep trying to do our best. I am not a perfect Dad. I love my kids. They also drive me nuts. And not always in the “fists on the hips – gosh darn you little rascals” way, but also in the “Daddy is really sorry that he scared you by yelling at you and jerking your arm” way :(. I reflect on a <a href="https://youtu.be/zXs3Qy4wy4Q?t=45m47s" target="_blank">bit </a>by the comedian Sinbad about how people with kids cannot be cool anymore. “You think your parents aint cool? They used to be cool. Once you have kids you can’t. be. cool. no. more. They make you lose. your. mind!” – (this is so much funnier <a href="https://youtu.be/zXs3Qy4wy4Q?t=45m47s" target="_blank">with Sinbad saying it</a> (of course)). My kids have definitely made me “’lose my cool” a bit. I try hard to manage those feelings and its very important to me that I always apologize when I recognize my impatience and unkindness. Yeah, I know – wait till I have teenagers – I don’t want to think about it.</div>
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All of this has particular relevance as I consider an actual fourth child entering our home in August. My parents and oldest brother often reflect on the experience of him as the family's guinea pig. Annie and I have joked that we have three oldest children. Chenroline and the two of us have just been flying by the seat of our pants. We have expressed some frustration at the fact that no one will experience the iterative benefits of the lessons we may actually be learning as we go.</div>
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Perhaps someone will after all. Raising ‘quattro” (as I have come to know him) will be an interesting exercise in juxtaposition. I ‘ll follow up in 8 years -- - they’ll be so much to report!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUoHsJQgJ-p4TvBPssRBUVqr5uVwXgJYmWepbQ2OS9cDt7zGFy34bso939MHk05KQJMWruGeZgvYGuiWAOe1lksO3wb-Em_NUtMh2fENQA2THgJbVxv42zGTCDv0tZ4uFTyFW8M6MzEBI/s1600/IMG_5558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUoHsJQgJ-p4TvBPssRBUVqr5uVwXgJYmWepbQ2OS9cDt7zGFy34bso939MHk05KQJMWruGeZgvYGuiWAOe1lksO3wb-Em_NUtMh2fENQA2THgJbVxv42zGTCDv0tZ4uFTyFW8M6MzEBI/s320/IMG_5558.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-6801299143222681302016-02-25T16:03:00.004-08:002016-03-19T17:24:29.933-07:00Farewell to the Stockdales<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">On my first
day in Eugene, in the Fall of 2005, I found myself standing in front of the
announcement board of Hendricks Hall on the University of Oregon Campus. It is
there where I was browsing the profiles of numerous other members of my cohort
for the school’s Community and Regional Planning and Public Administration
Graduate degrees. I noticed that one of the students was a graduate of BYU
Hawaii. As a Mormon, that meant that there was a good chance I already knew a
lot about this guy. Though we had come to Eugene with full purpose of mind to
be open to all sorts of new experiences and people, I must say that those first
few weeks of adjustment were inclining me towards anything familiar. I met Dave
Stockdale, my first week in Eugene and he and his wife Teresa were at our house
for food and games our second weekend in Eugene. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was clear
from the beginning that (for us at least) this was a couple that we were going
to enjoy being around. They were laid back, loved to laugh and were in a very similar
situation to our own. Over the next few years, our lives were deeply seasoned
by a heavy dose of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Stockdale.” They
lived a few blocks from us and we found ourselves at their home nearly every
night. The Stockdales quickly became the friends that we could be ourselves around.
Their little <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">condo</span> became the living stage for two years of gut splitting
laughter, commiserations about school, marriage, relationships, family planning.
The soundtrack was 90s alternative, 70’s fluff, “Office” episodes, and
generally non-critically acclaimed movies from the Stockdale’s DVD collection.
The fare was always delicious, the games were often vicious. Several game
playing dynamics that stand out include the following: </span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Someone (probably Teresa) Utters a
fairly directed “Whose turn is it?.... Jake!?"<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Freak Dave,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>leave me alone!!!” as Annie throws her
Settlers of Catan cards at Dave and Dave laughs uncontrollably</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teresa, perturbed by some game move of
Dave’s, glares at him with a look that makes her unapproving disposition very
clear. Dave responds with a sort of “this had better be worth it” look on
his face. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jake turning any comment into a cue for
a brief musical interlude. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
Stockdales really became our first experience with having a surrogate family.
Annie and I both have a long history of deep friendships, but the combination
of deep friendship and incredible distance from family created a new kind of
friendship and reliance. I remember once I found myself contemplating a bit of
a potential financial bind. Dave expressed his willingness to help us out if we
needed it. I was deeply moved by that, because it felt like something only
family would do. We didn’t end up needing the help, but the gesture was a
powerful one that I have never forgotten. On another occasion Annie and I found
ourselves stranded in Grants Pass, Oregon. Our vehicle had broken down and we
had spent the night in a hotel. The car wouldn’t be repaired for days and we
were pretty careworn. After relaying our circumstances the Stockdale’s insisted
on driving the three hours down to Grants Pass to get us and take us back home.
I am moved again by the very memory as I write it now. </span></div>
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particularly spectacular highlight in those years was the rather bizarre
alignment of European trips that we independently scheduled and yet
serendipitously placed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>us both in
Florence, Italy together for about a day and a half. It felt bizarre when it
happened and only seems to increase in its wonder each time we contemplate it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over the
years our families have grown, our neighborhoods have changed, our priorities
have evolved (and been added upon). I remember Annie and I screaming out loud
in the middle of a blessing on a dinner, which Dave had used as a clever
opportunity to announce Teresa’s pregnancy with their first child Bella (whom
they had to wait too long for). They, in turn, mourned with us in our family-starting
struggles and celebrated with us when things finally came together. </span></div>
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the Stockdales as much as we used to and not as much as we’d like to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still on occasion we have gotten together for
some good food and conversation and to let our kids become better acquainted,
and to always pause for reflection and gratitude on a room now brimming with
screaming kids. Most of these get-togethers also result in a card or board game
or two. The most recent permutation of this involves the Callisters sleeping
over so that we can play into the night like we used to. </span></div>
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memorably, Dave and I recently had the opportunity to do something that we had
long wanted to do: work on something together professionally. As public
servants in the same (relatively small) town, it seemed possible that it would
happen at some point. It finally did last year and it was a pleasure to see
Dave at work and realize how good he is at his job. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Which
brings us to now. Dave recently accepted a job as the City Manager of Prosser,
Washington. We are so proud of him and know that Prosser is lucky to have him.
Still it is with sadness that we say goodbye. We continue to slowly close the
door on a special chapter in our lives. Surely we will always remain close with
the Stockdales, but we will have fewer chances to enjoy their company. As they
say, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Good luck to the Stockdales
in their adventures to come. They will always have a dedicated chapter in the
story of our lives and a place at the Callister family table. </span><br />
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<![endif]-->Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-18510816402265603872014-10-17T09:11:00.001-07:002014-10-17T09:14:18.265-07:00Snoasis: Frozen in Salt Lake Valley Pop-Cultural History<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBNau97smHVEP3M3s1ypa_wDC-ZdYVWm8Jyygtfds5fYK2ATsRT-kaScTlnrPn2GNkkgFWmhkFUYMAuy0W3wFnox5dy7oCP0WGnIEn0ZH_F2Z5KuX4mkikRuyyObd-SvH6m9qA0go7hiH/s1600/SnoasisII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBNau97smHVEP3M3s1ypa_wDC-ZdYVWm8Jyygtfds5fYK2ATsRT-kaScTlnrPn2GNkkgFWmhkFUYMAuy0W3wFnox5dy7oCP0WGnIEn0ZH_F2Z5KuX4mkikRuyyObd-SvH6m9qA0go7hiH/s1600/SnoasisII.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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With a healthy workforce of six children ranging in ages
from 10 to 20, my parents decided to purchase a snow cone shack in the
mid-1990s. I was 16 (probably about to turn 17). With our family friends, the
Clements, we were the first to bring the Snoasis franchise to Utah (from
Idaho). Business those first few years was mediocre and I remember some long
days looking out that small window. The Snoasis grew in popularity every year
and by the time I was working summers or weekends as a college student, it was
quite commonplace to literally shave ice for an entire 5 hour shift (and well
into the night). The line would stretch fifty yards sometimes. We jokingly
referred to it as “Club Snoasis,” but there was no joke about it, it was the
weekend meeting place in Cottonwood Heights (Highland and Fort Union). The
place was still hopping at 10 O’Clock on any Saturday night. </div>
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<br />
My younger siblings, especially Daniel and Deborah (the
youngest), have a particularly intimate story to tell. Daniel once reckoned
(through a fairly sophisticated mathematical equation) that he had shaved a
quarter of a million snowcones <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and this
was a few years before it closed mind you). </div>
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With just over a decade of operation, by essentially the
same staff, the Snoasis became a bit of a folk-standard in the area. But it was
not just southeastern Salt Lake County. People would come from all over the Valley,
and even Davis and Utah Counties. It was not rocket science but there was
something to it. Was it love? Was it skill? Was it dedication? It was probably
a mix of these things, but I think it was mostly the beastly, loud and temperamental “old
school” shaver machines we used. There was some art to it for sure.<br />
</div>
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We watched couples date, marry and have children. We watched
children go from kindergarten through high school graduation, we saw mothers
through multiple pregnancies, smokers through several attempts to quit and
cancer patients through their treatments (many, though not all, with successful
outcomes). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</div>
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Even in Oregon I will occasionally run into someone who has
a “Snoasis Story” to tell. A few years back David Archuleta was being
interviewed by a local television station and when asked if he had been back to
his old favorite haunts while in town, he noted that he had been back to
Snoasis! I think only then did some of us reflect on that young dark haired,
smiley kid who frequented the shack.<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GYvY4N5aNPQ" width="560"></iframe></span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYvY4N5aNPQ&feature=youtu.be&t=4m37s"></a>
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<br />
Ma and Pa Callister paid their employees a bit beyond the prevailing
wage for folks our age. For this reason, high school summer Snoasis jobs turned
into College summer Snoasis jobs. Many a joke was cracked about the tractor
beam of the Snoasis which WOULD NOT LET YOU GO. A chance to live at home, spend
your days with family and make a reasonable income were too much for most. For
a time it was possible to stop by the Snoasis and have your snow cone prepared
by two or more individuals with advanced degrees.<br />
</div>
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A stint at Snoasis became a right-of-passage for recent (or
courting) in-laws. Many (Annie, Angie and Deena in particular) contributed more
than just a stint. Only one Callister in-law was not an official employee, but
Stephen’s credentials lay in the fact that he had been a steady customer for
almost the entire decade of the shack’s existence.<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXZtjtvfKPp-O3FzaeT7z-FhjEcg-DHlXLJvG5xSSkKmAIkFCbw9qBJbABx50VR9Z0D8O4uRzhHs96isKqYwrqL1Pg2vcfTMeYNfDS1xT6MDx23ARygPDguBJ36PD2jk5m6KqUFrNkEsP/s1600/Snoasis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXZtjtvfKPp-O3FzaeT7z-FhjEcg-DHlXLJvG5xSSkKmAIkFCbw9qBJbABx50VR9Z0D8O4uRzhHs96isKqYwrqL1Pg2vcfTMeYNfDS1xT6MDx23ARygPDguBJ36PD2jk5m6KqUFrNkEsP/s1600/Snoasis.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Snoasis paid for many a Callister’s (or Callister cousin’s)
college tuition, it paid for weddings, it paid for band equipment, it paid for
vacations to Europe, to South America, to Southern Utah. It became a thread
that was woven between the members of the family, from shaving ice and
squirting juice, to shaking sugar water and counting money at the end of the
day. </div>
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Dad had a respectable full time job elsewhere, so Mom was
the boss. She shared these responsibilities as time went on, but there was
never a time when she wasn’t the “Sugar Momma!” She filled in for many an
otherwise occupied employee and could shave and fill as fast as anyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Snoasis’ later years the staff started to consist of
fewer and fewer family members. Employees remained close friends and
acquaintances but was definitely a changing dynamic. Developments at the Dan’s
Grocery store (where Snoasis was located) had made the annual permitting
process increasingly difficult. Nothing that couldn’t be overcome, but with the
family dynamic waning, Mom was losing her Snoasis steam. It just wasn’t filling
the same niche that it had. The shack was still at its prime, still had very
long lines and a huge following, but Mom and Dad weren’t feeling it anymore.<br />
</div>
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People were hesitant to believe it, when they were told that
summer would be the last. On the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>last
day people showed up (as they always did on the last day in September) with coolers
to purchase their “winter stores.” When the following summer rolled around
again, the Snoasis building sat in my parent’s back yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</div>
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For the next few years my mother refused to entertain the
thought of selling it. The building had too many memories and had really become
a sort of mascot for our family. I am still impressed by my Dad’s patience with
this, considering that the business had ENORMOUS goodwill and they were constantly
receiving attractive offers. But there the Snoasis sat. Mom needed time.<br />
</div>
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A few years later, the time came. Mom sent out a picture to
all of us of the backyard WITHOUT the Snoasis. I am not sure how my siblings
felt but I doubt that they could have avoided the immediate sense of absence
and loss that I felt. It was the right thing to do for sure, but it was the
final seal on an era that will forever fill evenings of storytelling and reminiscing:
The funny regulars, everyone’s weird work corks, the times we got robbed, the
times we were on the news, fear that we would have to show the inspector how to
run the hot water (mom was the only who knew .. I think…), my old car, Sheldon
hauling sugar water down to the masses, ice and juice floating in Cream, Dan
and Jake’s music, Rachel yelling at the high school thugs, and just hours of
sibling association.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I don’t know where that Snoasis is now but I
imagine it is satisfying a new generation of pregnant woman, keeping a new generation
of cavities going and hopefully creating memories and bringing people together
again. </span>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-68089989172221516512013-06-17T09:17:00.004-07:002013-06-17T09:25:31.437-07:00Hello world will THIS IS US!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf5B7d_TUzCyMtNszVjJbFPt-Dr-a_rcd6VIKiums3Wz8gpx46teb68Ho38gO3-dOPKrRVIaGavkWz1ksYXY9sCgMQGw85BZTDzayPTgGB_cogGtbRvzLFQ7GZYsiMZW9jm5R2x7hkmfE/s1600/twinsplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf5B7d_TUzCyMtNszVjJbFPt-Dr-a_rcd6VIKiums3Wz8gpx46teb68Ho38gO3-dOPKrRVIaGavkWz1ksYXY9sCgMQGw85BZTDzayPTgGB_cogGtbRvzLFQ7GZYsiMZW9jm5R2x7hkmfE/s1600/twinsplane.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe someone does it more than we do. I will not claim to
be an expert on the subject. But I will clearly assert that I have some breadth
and depth in flying with children (though not as much as my wife). The topic
has floated rather naturally to the surface because this week myself, my wife
and our three little ones will embark on yet another cross-country flight. My palms
are already a little clammy, my thoughts a little anxious and my blood pressure
already slightly elevated. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re an anxious person, you know that sometimes it’s
helpful to take the issue that preoccupies you and “break it down.” What’s the
real issue here? OK, let’s break it down:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u>Pain</u>: There will be pain for sure. I will
be carrying a tremendous amount of stuff, without question. I will most likely be
sitting in some uncomfortable position for numerous hours, and though I am
always sitting in an uncomfortable position on a flight, one or more of my
children will make it that much less comfortable. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u>Fatigue</u>: I will be exhausted. The hours
we are flying are ridiculous. That aside, any trip with the children, even to
the store or park, is exhausting.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u>Inconvenience</u>: Everything about the children
makes traveling an inconvenience. Dirty diapers, awkward meals, toys, spills,
stains, temperaments, etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok these are rough, BUT they are <u>ENTIRELY</u> manageable,
and frankly, just components of our <u>EVERY-DAY</u> lives. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is it really? Why the anxiety? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I think this is it:
IT’S ALL OF YOU! By that, I mean the rest of society. It’s my inability to turn-off
that part of me that allows someone to cut in line, that hurries across a
cross-walk when a car is waiting for me, that asks before putting the seat back on a
plane, that apologizes for having a lot of stuff in the check-out line.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My anxiety is the combination of knowing what I am about to
subject everyone on that plane to, and knowing that my sweet, innocent, albeit rambunctious,
children will be the subject of gazes, eye rolls, hushed conversation, sneers,
etc. This makes me feel about as vulnerable as anything that I do with any sort
of regulatory. I DO NOT LIKE IT. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine its 3 am, your daughter has been screaming for two
hours, you are nowhere even close to your destination, things like dirty
diapers or even throw-up permeate the air. Though admittedly entirely horrible,
imagine how different that situation is when you are in your own car as opposed
to sitting on a plane, 30,000 feet in the air with 300 people who don’t know
you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One gift that some mothers are endowed with is the gift to
<u>NOT CARE</u>. They say, <i>“Hello world this is
my offspring in raw form! We are going to see my family on the other side of the
country, and though I am not an insensitive person, and will try my best to bridle
their infant and toddler passions, THIS IS US! We bought tickets like you did. I do not take pleasure in your
inconvenience, but please recognize that your (frankly moderate) inconvenience
on this leg of your trip is not sufficient in my eyes to prevent me from seeing
my family, to prevent my children from seeing their grandparents. If your feeling
sorry for yourself just remember that they will be accompanying <u>ME</u> for
the rest of my trip…</i>..<i> and life.” </i>Incidentally my wife have this gift<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> :)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I don’t have to tell current parents of small
children this: but the rest of you: please know that MOST parents are
subjecting themselves and their poor children to long flights NOT for recreation entertainment, and not in an effort to ruin your day. In truth it is almost always an incredibly
difficult necessity in their efforts to remain connected to family and loved
ones. Do them a TREMENDOUS favor and just smile at them. Give them your temporary waiver of etiquette so they can focus on their kids and each other. It
will mean a lot in helping them get through one of the hardest things
they frequently have to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-22800974118469031762013-04-13T07:43:00.002-07:002013-04-13T07:43:27.210-07:00Check out the first full length album release from my Brother and I, "CEDAR & SAGE"Cedar and Sage are overjoyed to release to you <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://cedarandsagemusic.blogspot.com/p/rendezvous-2013.html">Rendezvous</a></span></b>,
an album of songs that we feel represent a unique brand of "Jake and
Dan" music. Those who know us best may have a sense for what this album
may contain... perhaps a modern day take on the likes of Crosby, Stills,
Nash and Young or America? Certainly a love song or two... and what
about some surprise tracks from the reaches of Dan's ever-agile musical
mind? We think it's all here. And it's here for you... so take it!<br />
<br />
The truest compliment to us would be that you enjoy the music enough to make a donation to the <a href="http://dangieadopts.blogspot.com/p/welcome-we-are-callisters-dan-and-angie.html" style="color: #6fa8dc;" target="_blank">Daniel and Angela Callister Family Adoption Fund</a> (through <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=UhD6UA_bkz0CYqtqNqRFlv8VZcSK-J5Y9BnfVGo-Tl8qs4G79T1fogS4zTK&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8d96fc0752e9614158f04872d2f2ae25dc" target="_blank">PayPal</a>
in the top right corner of this blog). ANY Donation is helpful. If
you'd like to make a donation by some other means please contact us at <a href="mailto:cedarandsagemusic@gmail.com" target="_blank">cedarandsagemusic@gmail.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cedarandsagemusic.blogspot.com/p/rendezvous-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">CLICK HERE </span></b></span></a></div>
<a href="http://cedarandsagemusic.blogspot.com/p/rendezvous-2013.html" target="_blank">
</a>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cedarandsagemusic.blogspot.com/p/rendezvous-2013.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">to stream or download the album</span></b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>These files will be available for <span style="color: orange;"><b>FREE to download until April 26th</b></span>, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>then the tracks will only be available through an online purchasing site. </i></div>
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<i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xEMhk71AZN8" width="420"></iframe> </i></div>
Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-61036911403468276452013-02-07T13:10:00.000-08:002013-02-07T13:10:45.932-08:00"Without You": A story less told that you might like to hear...As a teenager (mid-90s) I remember "sampling" was a phenomena that, although not new, seemed to be as pervasive as ever in popular music. If your not familiar with the phenomena of "sampling," its pretty simple: artists use rhythms, beats, licks, and lyrics from existing songs, and build a "new" song around it. A perfect example is Puff Daddy using The Police's "Every Breath You Take." I got into an argument with a kid at school once about a tune that I knew was based on a Chicago sample that he insisted was original (its funny to think that nowadays I could have had the original song playing in his ear within seconds, but even in the mid-90s the information age hadn't <u>really</u> arrived). Anyway, all this to say that, as a young (and odd) lover of older music, I was frequently finding myself in a position of the "advocate" for recognition of original artwork. Janet Jackson has nothing to do with that great guitar lick.. its from an America song written 25 years ago! Hey Warren G fans...that's a Michael McDonald groove in there!<br />
Ok Jake.. whats the story?..Yesterday evening, I watched a short documentary about the band Badfinger. I am aware of some of their hits, but knew little else about them. Their story, to me becomes a deeper and more meaningful application of this concept of "recognition."<br />
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I'll try to be brief... Badfinger were the first artists to sign onto Apple Records. Apple was a label owned and started by the Beatles (James Taylor also signed onto Apple shortly after Badfinger). When the Beatles broke up, Badfinger was slated as the "next Beatles." Their early hits included "If you want it hear it is come and get it," and "Know matter what you do." If you don't recognize these songs form the title, you'd recognize them if you heard them.<br />
The band had tremendous promise. Tragically, the unfortunate combination of the band's inexperience and a crooked manager left them without anything (financially) to show for their early success. The band's leader and primary song writer, Pete Ham had naively defended the crooked manager till the betrayal was exposed. Devestated, and facing serious financial hardship, Pete Ham, a young father, took his own life.<br />
Several years later after painful attempts at recovery and tragic infighting between members of the band, Tom Evans, Pete Ham's closest friend in the band, also took his own life in a desperate moment. <br />
Tragic and sad story, right? But what is the "recognition" issue here? What I did NOT know is that Badfinger had written and released a song along with those previous hits that went essentially unnoticed as a "Badfinger" song. The song <u>was</u> picked up by Harry Nillsson as a VERY rare cover tune for him. The song was called "Without You." Some of you more seasoned readers will remember the Harry Nilsson version.. some of you my age may only remember a Mariah Carey version of the song which was a major hit in 1994.<br />
Most music listeners could care less about the story or context of a song. If they choose to think about it all, they rarely consider that it might go any deeper. (and to be fair.. a lot of songs, past and certainly present, don't go any deeper than the radio wave itself). In 1994, when Mariah Carey came out with this song, I have to admit that the thought NEVER occurred to me that this song had a story. I would later discover that Harry Nilsson had recorded a version and that it was not his, but I never knew whose it was.<br />
It was, in fact, Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger who had co-written the song in 1972.<br />
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<i>No I can't forget this evening or your face as you were leaving<br />
But I guess that's just the way the story goes<br />
You always smile, but in your eyes<br />
Your sorrow shows<br />
Yes, it shows<br />
No I can't forget tomorrow<br />
When I think of all my sorrow<br />
When I had you there but then I let you go<br />
And now it's only fair that I should let you know<br />
What you should know<br /><br />
I can't live</i>
<i><br />
If living is without you<br />
I can't live<br />
I can't give anymore</i><br />
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<br />
The next time you hear this song, in addition to any emotion the song may evoke on its own, consider its careworn co-writers perhaps revisiting the song in future moments of utter desperation. Whew! Music is more than we make of it sometimes. Its fun, and its catchy but its also art, literature and even history. <br />
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Just wanted to share...Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-29107596103760318582013-01-21T21:40:00.005-08:002013-01-21T21:44:59.563-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, This is one of those dangerous posts that represents the alignment of several factors: The moment where I find myself much fatigued by the staleness of my blog and the previous post :) and the ever-rare moment where I find myself with a moment to write. The danger lies in having no clear direction or objective to my post. I sense confusion in some readers: "you mean your other posts had direction and objective?" Well.. sometimes, but many were the result of the phenomena described above.<br />
What to write about?... hmmm... well here is something that is occupying brainspace tonight. Henry's hair has contracted a terminal condition.. its called "Mommy's waning patiencitis." There is no clear cure. I am in a certain state of denial. I have noted the looks, I have heard the subtle (and less subtle) commentary. I am aware that my son is in territory akin to running around with scissors, or dancing on a table, or running in a cul-de-sac... (all of which Henry has done recently.. and if there was a table in the cul-de-sac he surely, at some point, would have done all of them at once). Even the "cool" parents are starting to look at me like "seriously Jake.. get this under control..."<br />
Why the long hair Jake?.. whats this all about? Well, maybe its my way of joining in in that universal parental exercise of projecting onto and through our children. Recently I provided my wife with a tactless sidenote about her effort to throw our kids a last minute two-year birthday party. I tried to remind her that the party she felt compelled to throw the kids (for their sake) was almost certainly 95% for her. She needed to know that she hadn't failed them, she needed to show them the picture twenty years from now, she needed her friends to see that she had it together. True or not, I think there is no denying that the things we do under the banner of "for the children" are often as much for us. So my version of that may be Henry walking around in the likeness of a member of the Doobie Brothers. Yes, Daddy is a professional, Daddy needs to look respectable-ish... but deep down inside, Daddy wants his flowing mane to sway back and forth as he wales out the lead line on Bread's "Guitar Man." http://youtu.be/czFkFI2lqag?t=3m5s There IS something satisfying about it. Henry may be my pressure valve for grown-up anxiety, for the frustration that recognizing that conforming is a net positive evokes... <br />
Do I fear that Henry is going to look like a dork with his haircut? Yes... yes I do. But, its a healthy exercise to keep this "projection" business in check right? Perhaps less hypocrisy on my part can ease the burden of my tactless sidenotes if nothing else :)Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-86231108991836794762012-12-06T08:36:00.002-08:002012-12-06T12:59:20.486-08:00A word in defense of technology!About a year ago, I sent my brother a song that I had written and recorded. I had written songs before (some that I was very proud of) but songwriting was always a relatively painful process for me. I was finding, ironically, that amongst the increased distraction and stress that my life had become, songwriting was starting to come to me much more naturally and enjoyably. I remember thinking, well that's great, now that I have no vehicle to share this stuff, it starts coming.
That's when I sent my first audio file to my brother Dan (living at the time in Moscow, Idaho). Mostly I just wanted his blessing and some kind of feedback. Dan sent a file back shortly thereafter with bass and drums..... Cool.<br />
<br />
This was the beginning of our exploration of remote collaboration and our journey to find a venue for our music.
Mostly it has just been tremendously fun and rewarding to be working with my brother on something that we both enjoy, and can contribute to. At present we have assembled enough original tunes to produce a full length album under the name "Cedar & Sage." He is now living in Meredith, New Hampshire and I am in Eugene, Oregon making it a "transcontinental collaboration."<br />
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With one or two Christmas songs in our repertoire and with the season upon us, we decided to hastily produce a Christmas album. We started a website where you can listen to and/or download the Christmas album for free. Its our gift and celebration of this great new collaboration. The full length album "Rendezvous" will be available in the Spring of 2013(a few tracks from that album are also posted on the website).
For all of the potential evils of technology, it sure is nice when you find a way that it truly brings you closer to others and brings you some genuine fulfillment of a talent or aspiration.
Please have a listen if you have a moment.
<b> </b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cedarandsagemusic.blogspot.com/"><b>Cedar and Sage Website</b></a></div>
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<b> </b>
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Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-29937747399996548392012-11-09T11:18:00.005-08:002012-11-09T11:20:54.715-08:00Give Me One Moment in Time....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share a quick story of this "family photo shoot." Great picture right? Isn't it wonderful that photographic technology has allowed us to capture these wonderful moments of joy, unity, peace and love within our families? HAAA! Let me explain:
This picture is great. NO DOUBT. I love the colors, I love how gorgeous Annie is in the picture, how much it says about Henry and Charlotte, how utterly precious little Caroline is, and I don't even look that awful. It will be a cherished snapshot of this era in our lives. It will, however, take a while to get over the literal point in time that this picture was immersed in.
The kids were all smiles and lovely until we needed them to look at the camera and smile. Our children, like many (or at least we tell ourselves "like many") can put the drama and stink attitude on pretty thick. This is not unusual. But the morning of this shoot was a particularly excessive display of their skill (and dedication)in this arena. After being very stressed about the preparation that went in to this, ( as well as the photographers time, missing work, not knowing if we would ever be able to pull this off again), we could seriously only laugh about how insane it got (that may sound like a "Mormon Message moment", you know what I mean: Annie and I stop and gaze over at each other smiling, slightly giggling and shrugging our shoulders with that "I am glad I never REALLY lost my patience" look in our eyes). But the reality of it was nothing that anyone watching television should see (and certainly not anything the Mormon church would want its name on).
Anyway, I am seriously UTTERLY shocked that the photographer got this one off. I am sure it represents a literal nanosecond in time when, although desperately, and inexplicably unhappy, Chenry were somehow caught in a moment of what I will call "inter-writhe." It happened fast enough that even my quick and agile mind:) was unable to register it at all. Annie and I just walked around like mannequins with smiles on our faces desperately hoping that at any given point "inter-writhe" would "intercede" and somehow the camera would catch it. That's seems to have happened. A miracle. It makes all the pain (including falling on my butt with Caroline and Charlotte in arms) worth it (though Caroline may disagree). A tender mercy indeed.
I think there is a lesson here. This year as you review the Christmas cards you receive from all of your friends, you know the friends with those well-mannered children, lets not forget that this one nanosecond may very well represent a moment of "inter-writhe" that was immersed in chaos, devastation, heartache, pain and suffering. Our lives are generally good right? Our photos will remind us of this, of the magical moments. But lets own the fact that the "magic" of family photo shoots is simply that we survive them (when we do at least).
Please enjoy this brief moment in the Jacob and Annie Callister family experience, and know that although this specific morning was one I choose to forget, the smiles and glowing faces are a real reflection of a genuinely happy little family.
Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-81597201315536752242012-10-19T22:47:00.000-07:002012-10-19T22:48:53.034-07:00A Lake Where Once was NoneLast week the Von and Maureen Callister family embarked on an epic autumn adventure. Long has the family discussed returning to Lake Powell to do it RIGHT. By returning I mean that we have made many trips over the years that have, in one form or another, interfaced with this expansive Lake which criss-crosses a massive swath of Southern Utah (the Colorado Plateau). We have camped near it, swam in it, driven over it, etc. We have always known that the way to do this place RIGHT is by water. The silver-lining to the somewhat devastating damming of the Colorado River at Glen Canyon, was the tremendous increased access it provided to a wonderland of red rock cathedrals, sandy beaches, canyons slots, and vistas. Some of us had independently experienced Lake Powell this way, but the goal was to make the trip as a family. Last week we did it!
Before the trip even started, prayers were sent heavenward petitioning providence to keep the majority of us well. This because one family came to Utah with a few strains of sinusitis and another was recovering from very recent bout of stomach flu (an affliction which tainted the previous year's reunion in Ogden Valley). Those were genuine prayers, as we had all very much looked forward to this rare experience of being together and had hoped to enjoy it in relative health.
Ma and Pa Callister had outdone themselves for this trip. We had a 52-foot houseboat (which felt more like a ferry) to serve as headquarters, while Josh, my brother had his ski boat for more agile travel and additional human conveyance.
We hit the Lake Wednesday morning and before too long were parked in a lovely spot that Google Earth had revealed to have promise (and which indeed lived up to its promise). The location suited a number of important "Callister" functions: 1. A wide selection of places to fling oneself from a rocky ledge into water (5 - 30 feet), 2. Areas to pitch a number of tents, 3. Coves for exploring with Kayaks, 4. Relative isolation, 5. Places to wander, and wander some more. The added bonus was the Slot Canyon located at the end of our narrow canyon camp.
We had such a great time pursuing all of the above listed activities and a few more, including horse shoes and Calliball-- (one of many tennis ball based games that have developed over years of camping trips).
Novelty can go under-appreciated when expectations are not met. In our case, sun, swimming and starry nights were the expectation. On Friday we were met with rain, wind and overcast. Optimism however quickly turned this failed expectation into a true desert novelty-- That of FLOWING water and ROCK. Those familiar with the desert know that rainy nights quickly turn into clear mornings full of raging ephemeral streams. These waterways spend the majority of their life bone dry, evoking the question of passers by: "I wonder what this place looks like when there is water flowing here?" We had the rare pleasure of seeing for ourselves. It was any geology instructors dream come true and we did our best to teach one another about the creative power of erosion as we watched water pore over this landscape and gather into little burrowing channels. It was the little unexpected gift of the trip.
On our last day we decided to push our time-frame back and get in a good hike through our slot canyon. We have a fascination with slot canyons; narrow crevices in rock, where water and wind have slowly etched deeper and deeper. Its a tremendous rush to walk through the "belly of the beast," with only occasional glimpses of blue sky above. Our Lake Powell slot did not disappoint. The last hundred yards or so were met with knee deep, newly fallen rain water, adding to the excitement and mystery of the place. This was the kids first slot and thus had a certain ceremonial feel to it. They loved it (though Henry slept the majority of the way back down).
On the whole it was a fabulous escape from the many and varied distractions of the posterity of Von and Maureen Callister. We visited, laughed, played, slept, watched rain and lightning, sang a little bit, told lots of stories and had a magnificent time doing it all.
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Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-86834698793086836632012-10-03T15:02:00.000-07:002012-10-03T15:25:26.010-07:00Deer Hunt
As some around me begin to talk of that age old tradition of the annual “hunt,” I reflect on my own unique history with this tradition. Like most boys I was pretty infatuated with guns and weapons and various and sundry implements of harm. I am not sure why this happens. I am sure there is research there but I am content to leave it a mystery for now.
I think this was a key element to why, as a kid and young teenager, I was so fond of the annual deer hunt which we participated in every October from the time I was allowed to go (maybe 4 or 5). Let me provide a little background. My Dad and his brothers grew up in rural Utah, if not in, then not far removed from the genuine need to hunt to feed yourself. The tradition remained and was (is) a much enjoyed and looked forward to occasion.
My weapon (not of choice, but of restriction) was the Daisy BB gun rifle, which in the later years developed into a .22 (I have never held a loaded gun with the power or intent of killing deer). I poked around at little animals and little targets. When I was fairly young my Dad brought his deer hunting rifle along. As time went on he brought it less, until he stopped all together.
As a young man I remember thinking of a big buck as an almost mythical creature. You see, though I heard many stories of hunting success among my dad and uncles (and had even seen pictures), in all my 10-ish years of hunting, I had NEVER seen anyone kill a deer. That's right, not one of my uncles or other family members EVER killed a deer while I was with them. Though I always had a great time, I always felt a certain disappointment at another unsuccessful hunt. Was it me? Was it all that BB gun shooting scaring them off? I never wanted to put anyone on the spot or rub it in anyone's face, but geez c'mon you guys, they're just deer! and there's like 15 of us with powerful, long range rifles. I kept it to myself.
One year, when I was about twelve (ahh, that questioning age), we were driving out of the woods. We passed a camp that had two deer hanging from a tree. I decided I was going to be bold and ask what the heck was going on. Why were we cursed to never get a deer? I remember my uncle's response clearly. There was nothing cryptic about it. He said: "Did you have a good time?" "Yes," I said, "Do those people over there (pointing to the fairly weary looking hunters with the carcass of a deer to take care of), "Yes," I replied, then he asked, "Do they look like they are having fun? " I paused.. "Not really." My uncle smiled, "Once you kill an animal that's when the fun stops and the work starts." I had a serious 12-year old epiphany. Whether my uncle really meant it and whether it was the result of some stated strategy or not, it became relatively clear to me they weren't REALLY trying, and probably hadn't for years! Now its also possible that this is just something that unsuccessful hunters say right?! But as I reflected on what the "Deer Hunt" had become it just made so much sense that it was about tradition and family more than meat, it was about being outside with your brothers more than killing something. I laugh to myself today imagining my Uncle Sheldon wandering off in his own direction, sitting near an open meadow with his rifle against a tree, and sharing an apple with a 10-point buck :). I think of the gorgeous places we went hunting and think of how, from the perspective of encountering deer, they were not the best choices.
Though memories of the deer hunt for me will never include an actual deer, they are magical memories of dutch oven dinners, ping pong, cards at the cabin, priceless cousin time, sleeping bags, VERY early and freezing mornings, long hikes and talks with my Dad, amazingly pleasant afternoons under bright yellow quaking aspen trees with the sun hitting the earth with that "Autumn" light and that crisp smell that is so hard to describe.
I think traditions like these are important and are much more flexible than we may think. My Dad and his brothers along with nephews, nieces and grand-kids hold the "annual deer hunt" still. There is not a gun to be found and from what I can tell its focus is still simply going to the cabin, playing ping pong and cards, eating good food and just being together. Oh how I wish I could be there! This time of year my thoughts turn to the "deer hunt" but not really deer and not really hunting :) What are the traditions that my children will reflect on? Something I need to think about, and maybe you do as well.
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Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-90322560493248838452012-08-19T15:02:00.000-07:002012-08-19T15:02:50.891-07:00Oh Very Young...In the fall of 2005 I was called to be a young men’s leader in our congregation. I would be working with the 12 and 13 year old boys. I had just gotten married and was actually experiencing my first few months back in what Mormons call a “family ward.” In Mormondum there are special congregations for young adults called “Student” or “Singles” wards. I had been attending these wards for about seven years so worshipping with a relative demographic cross section was a very new, but very refreshing experience.
It is funny to think back at how intimidated I was by these early adolescent whipper-snappers. I just remember feeling so out of touch and nervous to teach them, nervous that we wouldn’t connect in any way. It’s hard to remember what the other reasons were that I was nervous, but suffice it to say, I felt very incapable The next few years were a lesson in patience, in understanding, in simplifying and in remembering what it’s like to be a teenager. Perhaps it’s an indictment on my maturity that I very quickly adjusted, and very quickly found the task to be a ton of fun. I don’t know that I could fully characterize what being a youth leader for these seven years has taught me, but there is no doubt that I am a different person through this experience.
My first new deacon (12 year old) was so…very… young. I remember before one campout, an older boy said to this new deacon: “You’re not going to cry for your mommy are you?” I’ll never forget his thoroughly contemplated and completely genuine answer of “Maybe.” There are few greater changes in life than those between 12 years old and 18 years old. You can literally watch these boys go from insecure, short, sometimes lanky, sometimes pudgy, sometimes awkward, sometimes way too cool, boys to mature young adults. It’s absolutely thrilling and utterly satisfying. My first brand new deacon (12) is 19 now. Several of the young men I worked with are on LDS missions and some are even married! Some of the boys had real struggles. Frequently over the last seven years I have laid in bed thinking about one of them… wondering how to help, wondering how they’re doing. I have lost touch with some, but have remained close with many of them.
Until recently Annie and I were the young childless couple in our congregation. We spent some significant time in that phase. As such we were frequently called upon to perform this or that act of service or duty. I viewed our family starting challenges as a unique opportunity to provide much needed help where we genuinely could provide it. I am thankful for that blessing. For years, and even through graduate school, this absence of other distractions allowed me to step up to the plate and be there for the young men that I was serving. This continued at full force until recently when the blessing of our own family became an ever increasing distraction (for better and worse). There was never a shortage of love and concern… just a shortage of attention and time.
I have been asked to perform another duty in our congregation. My reaction is mixed. There is some relief that I can provide added assistance to my own family, and relief that these boys that I care deeply about will have the opportunity for increased attention (which they need), but there is also a significant feeling of impending loss. Every Wednesday or Thursday night for what feels like my entire adult life, has been spent with these boys. It’s really second nature. I will miss almost everything about it. I will miss that splendidly odd teenage boy sense of humor, I will miss chaperoning awkward dances, I will so greatly miss often being in wild places with these boys, sharing personal thoughts around a campfire, hearing a young men share honest feelings for the first time, receiving a rare and heart-felt thank you from a 13 year old, watching a nervous boy conduct a court of honor, seeing the boys help one another and being a close friend to these guys. There are a few things I will not miss… but they don’t merit mention here.
Here is to the amazing young people around us! And ongoing opportunities to make them a part of my life.
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Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-85079652361457125962012-07-23T13:01:00.001-07:002012-07-23T13:20:01.251-07:00A Real Anniversary!Roughly twenty years ago, a young man about 12 years was entering the lankiest and most awkward time in his life. He was emerging from a bit of a rebellious rough spell (6th and 7th grade) during which time he created a bit of a headache for this mother (a spell which she could not have had the hindsight to recognize as an “odd blessing” for its occurrence during a relatively naive time in a boy’s life, and a time when “rebellion” was expressed through relatively tame means). That boy was, of course, me, and the changes that occurred in that short period of time in my life are something I cannot fully explain, but am eternally grateful for. There is no question change came from multiple avenues, but among the most profound was a rediscovery of one of my mother’s favorite singers: John Denver. I had always been a sucker for sunshine, trees, mountains, and generally uplifting (and even romantic) sentiments. If my story/situation had a troubadour.. it was John. You coudl say he saved me in some ways. Anyone who knew me between 1990 and 2005 knows that John Denver was part of how you defined me, how you explained me to someone who didn’t know me.
Among my earliest favorites was Annie’s Song. A song about John’s wife. What a lovely transcendent piece. Beautiful guitar, beautiful simple words. There is a difference between ‘simple: and “cheesy.” Don’t kid yourself into thinking that a “simple” song is easy to write. As one who has tried for years, I can attest to the challenge. I dreamed about one day feeling that way about someone. About directing that transcendent feeling the song gave me towards someone I felt that way about.
In the Winter of 200-2001, I met Annie Barlow. I was immediately taken by her personality and how gorgeous I thought she was. She was definitely a powerful presence in that room. We became casual friends. Shortly after we met, Annie went to serve an LDS mission in Brazil. When she returned we became good friends and started dating. I had built a little confidence and most of her “distractions” had left or gotten married. We dated for several years and were married in 2005.
While we dated, and since then, people have mentioned how serendipitous it was that I ended up with an “Annie.” More interesting is that I never did, nor do I often think about the connection to the song title. It is not “Annie’s” song because her name is on it, it is Annie’s song because it has been the soundtrack I have reserved for the most important person in my life since I was 13 years old. For me it is an added bonus that the song that truly evokes incredible emotions directed at my amazing wife Annie, happens to be called “Annie’s Song.” I certainly saw some “aha” moments in the crowd when I sang it to her for our wedding.
If you watch almost any TV today you will see so many examples of scripted emotion and phony love. It’s painful to watch. Someone out there loves the sugar coating of fairytale love. People who know real love don’t buy it, some can’t watch it, because it is so painfully insincere. I personally bristle at all things “non-real.” To me, real love is hard won, real love doesn’t always have a soundtrack, real love can’t be conveyed (or obtained) in a half hour. I think this co-opting of “love” by media (i.e. snapshots of blissful, or fleeting “love”), has made a bit of a mockery of real love.
Where are you going with this Jake? Well, on this my anniversary, I want to proclaim that I am in real love with my amazing wife. I have been married to Annie for seven years today. I have known her for 12 years and I have dreamed about her for over twenty years. When I hear a real love song like “Annie’s Song,” I certainly focus on the good times, the things I absolutely love about my wife, but those emotions and that commitment has grown out of real compromise, real struggles and genuine work. The image the song invokes are indeed the good times, however, I think the REAL emotion and REAL love that is carrying (and permitting) those feelings comes from a foundation of joint EFFORT and knowing that I love this woman so much that I could work through anything just to be with her. How can she “fill up my senses,” with only one-dimensional fairytale elements? When she “fills up my senses” feelings of love AND genuine accomplishment, genuine complexity, and awe, engulf me. Like a sleepy blue ocean AND like a storm in the desert! That’s real to me.
I am learning over these last seven years that love is a truly selfless act. John says it well: “Come let me love you, come love me again” It has been a magical thing to love you Annie, and I do so much. You have “let me love you” and I know it hasn’t always been easy for you. These seven years have been the real experience that makes “Annie’s Song” everything I dreamed it would be as a hopeful teenager. It could not have been scripted better. If John Denver’s role in my life was limited to a subliminal set of decisions that led me to exactly you, then God bless and rest his soul for it.
Happy Seven Years!
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://youtube.com/embed/xs_CNnCqYvU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-68889274337855096122012-06-30T17:05:00.000-07:002012-06-30T17:05:31.042-07:00Introducing...<b>Caroline Barlow Callister</b>!
Caroline arrived in a very punctual manner on her due date: June 27, 2012 at 11:52 PM. Annie had been laboring since around 6:00 the previous evening. It was a long night for Annie, but she did great. We walked around the cul-de-sac for an hour in the morning to get her to what seemed to be the magic "lets get to the birthing center" threshold. Birthing Center was great. It was Me, Annie, a midwife and a nurse (in the entire building, because they weren't seeing patients that day). It was really nice. Annie continued to have pretty good contractions for about two hours after we got there. When she was dialated to a 9 they broke her water. Things progressed very fast after that. Annie was INCREDIBLE.. she was a gladiator! Caroline weighed 9 lbs even and measured 21 inches. It was a very "REAL" moment. I don't know how else to describe it. Caroline's jet black hair (and lots of it) was the first thing we noticed. Where did that come from?
Mom is recovering and loves little Caroline tremendously. She has been pretty mellow so far (as expected). Henry and Charlotte are a little confused still, but are adjusting to their new reality.. we are certainly on vigil and have concluded that she will spend the first little while in high places outside of Chenry's reach (although Henry's reach has increased dramatically.. he is now climbing out of his crib.. are you kidding me.. 18 months!!???) Geesh.
We are feeling very grateful that all has gone well so far. Welcome to the word sweet little Caroline!!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdowBbpv1j51zJuz1MQogEjvjA652k1uLmKm9kQnXsRupgD0lSmgJqwwddHC0FmBCHoWlqs9UscgsgV1iRi8_5O-Sn6ZSPDhjwvPzRoaPBEAmX8EZPRNmuJNduACaJUfwmasQfNCheASf/s1600/IMG_4440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdowBbpv1j51zJuz1MQogEjvjA652k1uLmKm9kQnXsRupgD0lSmgJqwwddHC0FmBCHoWlqs9UscgsgV1iRi8_5O-Sn6ZSPDhjwvPzRoaPBEAmX8EZPRNmuJNduACaJUfwmasQfNCheASf/s320/IMG_4440.JPG" /></a></div>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-82635923862545292342012-04-29T20:28:00.003-07:002012-04-29T20:28:54.866-07:00Familial OnslaughtThis post is far too long in coming. There are a number of reasons I have not been able to get it together. I won’t bore you with any of them.
About two weeks ago, a significant faction of my family made a visit to the Northwest. It started out as a visit from my parents, and quickly and wonderfully, turned into a familial onslaught. We had a great visit. We made a trip to the breezy and rainy coast, which was a great time. I assembled a little man-project.. that's a little project for men.. not a project for little men:) We built shelves in my garage. I was actually really surprised at how fast we cranked it out. Saturday, the family joined in on a youth temple trip. That was a great deal of fun as well. On our way back we stopped in to Silver Falls Stat Park and had a great little hike. It was such a great time having the family here. In MY perfect world family is VERY close, so as good as our lives are, its just not perfect yet. Thanks Callisters and Skokosi
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C_WGM6cwZ1GzwlWURCeHSFHfsi7YE7bo85wIyHHG-czVIXxtyYkOxnbDPlc-3bF6v1S0ApFVHiZIEkgNyIGBzUh_2ey7tKNnJCdRkvIriUqKRbyADysjSXDgX2nhgk6-zCKuAMdX75Ft/s1600/PICT0420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C_WGM6cwZ1GzwlWURCeHSFHfsi7YE7bo85wIyHHG-czVIXxtyYkOxnbDPlc-3bF6v1S0ApFVHiZIEkgNyIGBzUh_2ey7tKNnJCdRkvIriUqKRbyADysjSXDgX2nhgk6-zCKuAMdX75Ft/s320/PICT0420.JPG" /></a></div>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-75993585780841798042012-03-21T14:21:00.003-07:002012-03-21T14:23:21.724-07:00Rare Snow in EugeneI think its been since 2008 that we had snow like this in the yard! Very fun, though some local trees didn't think so. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjpdLNaFVzr3x4JBVKNNQrrfNHXq43WceOzNf5uDCSrjOM8hb9hciep-rnzjGJxpe-BJvi0LDZLgnFIUXy2bn-kW_t4olWjSLZTTAyja7SncJDtJIMKIQO-ICV7hLPNccchORKGS_28tv/s1600/HenrySnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjpdLNaFVzr3x4JBVKNNQrrfNHXq43WceOzNf5uDCSrjOM8hb9hciep-rnzjGJxpe-BJvi0LDZLgnFIUXy2bn-kW_t4olWjSLZTTAyja7SncJDtJIMKIQO-ICV7hLPNccchORKGS_28tv/s320/HenrySnow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722463993963547010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyEpr3oA4g3elNdudn8jL1evew-_wUwEk9TilhOimbv5lfvD-frarsHkjSw6BToRUDb8tCEYYZ_UtQRpWkESAAw0ubETpGB0v8bL-fFram2cDGnpFPEtHd4bCuEuUS3p5ZlPSjzMeJAoV/s1600/ChenrySnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyEpr3oA4g3elNdudn8jL1evew-_wUwEk9TilhOimbv5lfvD-frarsHkjSw6BToRUDb8tCEYYZ_UtQRpWkESAAw0ubETpGB0v8bL-fFram2cDGnpFPEtHd4bCuEuUS3p5ZlPSjzMeJAoV/s320/ChenrySnow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722463989871720642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ8T37fhlTtBRkm4pp6fjDmptuNw1iis_GpFdTbxPT-qrIbKnK5VFwOGrMETjfOT26yZhqIIwbQHyzpJ0EAbEfTJcCAe3f6oT9acDbjJfpTRy3ZcKcLNuPGMPWU9in8HpeGRIQQz5pve5/s1600/SnowFun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQ8T37fhlTtBRkm4pp6fjDmptuNw1iis_GpFdTbxPT-qrIbKnK5VFwOGrMETjfOT26yZhqIIwbQHyzpJ0EAbEfTJcCAe3f6oT9acDbjJfpTRy3ZcKcLNuPGMPWU9in8HpeGRIQQz5pve5/s320/SnowFun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722463988790400946" /></a>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-79277153939428123802012-02-28T20:13:00.003-08:002012-02-28T21:13:15.552-08:00My Mittxperience<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aIehbNlT7C0cU8YILhU0RKK-cTnpzsm-LmhsmfzgHzl_jNfkqCC7fT9r-ee0ttxzvL-PQaHot9G4l7ZLWRda0TmQLja-ED1SiWiP-5IhGTPoy5G1CAf5hhCAiWzsd8ocstFmsu2zPOJU/s1600/mittromney-sad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aIehbNlT7C0cU8YILhU0RKK-cTnpzsm-LmhsmfzgHzl_jNfkqCC7fT9r-ee0ttxzvL-PQaHot9G4l7ZLWRda0TmQLja-ED1SiWiP-5IhGTPoy5G1CAf5hhCAiWzsd8ocstFmsu2zPOJU/s320/mittromney-sad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714421239984672418" /></a><br />Well, <br /><br />I guess now is as good a time as any to share my Mittxperience. Perhaps you've heard it.. can't remember who I have shared it with, or if I ever shared it widely... truth is I have been waiting for just the right moment to share... that is, when kids are asleep, clothing is folded... house is in generally acceptable repair and I wouldn't rather stare at the TV. It just so happens that Mitt also had a good night on the campaign trail... a perfect recipe as it were, for a telling (or retelling) of my story. Mind you, it is not unlikely that you'll hear it again if Mitt is elected President, or even he is the Republican nominee. I feel I should share it now however because after this recent close call for Mitt, who knows if my story will be relevant in the near future. I had some stories (and even a picture for Jon Huntsman Jr. to hedge my bets.. but look where that got me) I do not have even the slightest speck of a story about Rick Santorum... so here goes: <br />In August of 2009, Annie and I were enjoying a lovely and relaxing week on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.. thats right the same Lake where Bob patronizes Dr. Leo Marvin in the movie What About Bob. Great place. Just what you would imagine. Annie's Aunt and Uncle own a home right on the water. It is a fairytale of a place to stay and we look forward to any chance to go. The whole Barlow (Annie's maiden name) bunch was there and we were having an extraordinary time relaxing, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, etc. Perhaps the most popular attraction was a gigantic inflatable waterslide that Annie's Uncle had had installed. This thing ran a good 30 yards down the shoreline slope and spilled into the lake. It was a pretty epic good time. <br />So the stage is set. One sunny afternoon, most of us were relaxing near the shoreline. I think we were fishing and taking turns on the jet skis. Off in the distance a boat was approaching. This is not uncommon, Annie has several family members and other friends with homes who drop in occasionally. We watched for a familiar face. As the boat drew close a familiar face appeared indeed. I remember saying "Holy crap, its Mitt Romney!" "What!? NO!" the others said, but I was sure of it, his face had been plastered around enough that there was no doubt of it (even from a distance). He docked and jumped off of the boat and introduced himself, "HI, I'm Mitt Romney" "Uh yeah.. Duh!" I remember thinking to myself, but what is he supposed to say "Hi... I'm pretty sure you know who I am!" Anyway, the Romney crew had stopped in to check out "the slide" apparently an object of local lore and legend. I was put on the task of inflating the thing (that is, turning the generators on and making sure the thing inflated properly). For the next 40 minutes Mitt Romney was the CEO of that waterslide. Never had there been such order, such purpose and oneness on that slide. He was really fun about it and it was a sort of out of body experience for me. I remember my brother-in-law kept repeating to himself.. "we are shirtless and watersliding with Mitt freaking Romney," while another bro-in-law tried to figure out how to get a letter of recommendation to law school in the midst of the action (I don't think it worked out, though he probably still mentioned it in his law school applications). Then just as soon as he had appeared he was again gone... sailing off with his family into the Winnipesaukee Sunset. Whoa. <br />So that's my story. The take home lesson? Not sure. I guess whenever I hear Mitt Romney being attacked or whenever he is in a tight one, I find myself cheering him on. Not because his politics are necessarily perfectly aligned with my own, and only slightly because I would cheer on any Mormon taking punches because of his belief system. No, I think mostly its because I just can't get over how human and down to earth he was that afternoon. I wish him well in the remaining primaries and hope his message and position are at least heard, understood and considered with an open mind. What more could one wish for an old water sliding buddy?!Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-28399447069404267892012-02-02T15:51:00.000-08:002012-02-02T15:59:50.464-08:00Its a girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEroSw6gk7SXgeOb9AX0qCPZq8otbOuCg8kdoSE6x-mELA2V6m9sB5MKhqkuam1QT1egowEv3fD2Z0FIj4P6EHdZSUZJ7DXjndFRUTzPlIw5tVtFZjo6RbpnJtEKi60yqxf1mcu6rXHBBD/s1600/Henry+Pink.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEroSw6gk7SXgeOb9AX0qCPZq8otbOuCg8kdoSE6x-mELA2V6m9sB5MKhqkuam1QT1egowEv3fD2Z0FIj4P6EHdZSUZJ7DXjndFRUTzPlIw5tVtFZjo6RbpnJtEKi60yqxf1mcu6rXHBBD/s320/Henry+Pink.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704691899726289922" /></a><br />Wait... that looks like Henry!? Henry is just celebrating the recent news that he will soon be outnumbered 2 to 1. Truth is Henry wears whatever is available.. which is not uncommonly pink. Since pink is now increasingly more likely to be available.. get used to it bud. You'll be a great older brother and Charlotte can hardly stand how excited she is about having a sister. Lets see if it persists into teenage years.. heaven help us all. <br /><br />We are very excited. Everything appears healthy and good and we are so grateful. Nice to start getting to know her a little more. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxaYYb3nHz5SmjnVlJMh8B7AtBOsGPgIUYuM_AwTA4rPF66PDARt_fF3RaqsomkWrwN5qcd6gPM7uB5cN6-txgmPjT06o0ra5G4ejniivUzWE-RYr7Kx5pZO_NKewySX8mCmpyKwdad_B/s1600/Callister_Anna+02-02-12_7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxaYYb3nHz5SmjnVlJMh8B7AtBOsGPgIUYuM_AwTA4rPF66PDARt_fF3RaqsomkWrwN5qcd6gPM7uB5cN6-txgmPjT06o0ra5G4ejniivUzWE-RYr7Kx5pZO_NKewySX8mCmpyKwdad_B/s320/Callister_Anna+02-02-12_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704691893163901970" /></a>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-20511103930624115832012-01-07T09:31:00.000-08:002012-01-07T10:08:49.691-08:00Happy Birthday Henry and Charlotte!!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwU7Tr2epfLaSI2Tx-05maAkGyaG0IYDINQfJXtJRxNHBh_vlEQldiNiEtE_aQZcFHkqe4H7h4EUCjLBBzsGQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-66244309667621128492011-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:002011-12-15T08:48:27.122-08:00Most Fattening Time of the YearThis is a silly seasonal selection from a set of Christmas shows that Lokalgrown did in 2004. We were the house entertainment for Gardner Village in Salt Lake City. We drove down from Logan (USU) pretty much every night that December. It was arduous in some ways, but some great memories came out of those drives as well. We should get T-Shirts for the simple fact that we drove through Sardine Canyon every night in December TWICE and didn't die.<br /><br />This song has become more of a truism than I ever feared to imagine. Am I the only one that justifies seasonal laziness through historic (yet completely non-applicable) realities? Truth is historically, winter was a pretty lazy time for agrarian societies.... yeah so that means that I CANT get off my butt and go to a gym.. and I CANT suck it up and ride the bike in the cold and wet... yeah you can see how well this is working to appease my "fitness" anxiety. <br /><br />Anyway.. here's to spring... and hot buttered rolls in the meantime.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxjRGv-H3jOzP0qylNBhd_AMCNw-bG9Q9l3IuGbbaVZda00JYs-sK3YejjpjrA5KWG79r8ZgUvQ_cry5XC2mw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-53865726571798493332011-12-10T21:34:00.000-08:002011-12-12T07:06:19.605-08:00Christmas ThoughtsWhat is Christmas? What is it to you? The answer may be messier than you think.. maybe. This is something I have pondered annually for several rotations around the sun. Most recently I was called to reflection after the President of the LDS church, Thomas S. Monsen admonished reflection on how we are observing Christmas. Have we sufficiently honored the Reason for the Season. So what is Christmas for me?...is it what I want it to be? Is it what it should be?<br /><br />Here are my Christmas facts as I see them:<br />1. There is NO DOUBT that the very idea of Christmas evokes within me deep and powerfully positive feelings. Its warm, safe, and very REAL to me.<br />2. These powerful experiences are not uncommonly associated with stories, images, or music related to the savior (predominantly Nativity related).<br />3. Admittedly more frequently, and sometimes more powerfully, these feelings are associated with less Christ-"centered" things: A 1984 Christmas tree, singing Christmas songs with family, walking home from sledding adventures in a snowy wonderland, Temple Square, the anxiety of Christmas Eve, Charlie Brown's Christmas, California Raisins Christmas, etc.<br />4. I don't state, without serious consideration, the fact that I feel I have long been able to see right through the "Marketers" Christmas. I have never found anything moving or particularly powerful about this element of Christmas. <br /><br />So whats this all about Jake.. is there some sort of problem? Well, maybe not, and even if there is, its probably just one of those occasional healthy 're-calibration" moments. I was just really struck with President Monsen's thought. The specific words even escape me at the moment. I think it was because he suggested a form of Christmas celebration that could be improved upon... and it sounded really familiar... So it caused me to reflect on this powerful and very REAL force in my life which is Christmas. Where does the Holy Ghost stop, and the Christmas "Spirit" begin? Are they the same? <br /><br />Maybe this is confusing... lets take another angle. What would Christmas be like with no (or a soured) association to the 1984 Christmas tree, singing songs with family, hot cocoa after building snowmen in the backyard, California Raisins, etc. What would be left? My testimony of the divine birth, life and death of the savior. But would it be the same? Would it come close? What if it didn't. What if, like Ebeneezer Scrooge I went to bed and had the vision of losing all of these things... would I awake and feel the pressing need to re-wire my Christmas feelings? <br /><br />Although the question continues (and will likely continue) to occupy my brain at this season, I must say that it is my initial (and anxiety appeasing) notion that any sensation as pure and positive as those associated with Christmas for me, have to be of divine origin. Why can't the Holy Ghost occupy a tender (albeit completely secular) melody in Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker? Joy to the World the Lord is come. My "Spirit" of Christmas has no malice, is centered on goodwill toward man, and in its way is the embodiment of the truest forms of JOY. <br /><br />I absolutely take President Monsen's words to heart. Let us always keep close tabs on our observation of this sacred season. Let us find every opportunity to reflect on Christs miraculous birth and life, and ponder what force for positive change it can have in our lives. Lets make it the CENTER of our Christmas observance always. But, lets not forget his gifts of warm hot chocolate, places to gather and faces to gather with, tradition, brotherly kindness and pure JOY. Maybe these are simply what pour out of a Christ-centered Christmas. God bless us every one!<br /><br />---<span style="font-style:italic;">All that said, I still feel no guilt for having absolutely zero emotional response to the final scenes of the movie Elf. "You better watch out, you better not cry..." Sorry... nothin... Now the closing scene of Luke II...."Let earth.. receive .. her King..." There it is.. Santa is a good concept, but its hard to beat the real deal:)</span><br /><br />Merry Christmas!Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-61440596224109756732011-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:002011-12-04T22:19:57.608-08:00Christmas 1914<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2ZxYzVw1wMPittUUKkub83Yhw8-8GYOvDRAfjEzNq_lbXD5a7Wf6dHYLKA1rkemg1LimDboCfi6MjUwRm' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />My favorite Christmas tale and rendition. I recorded this off of PBS when I was 14 or 15. <br /><br />Enjoy.Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-7181694408420870012011-12-01T08:08:00.000-08:002011-12-01T08:23:47.543-08:00LokapellaIf I haven't yet made it obnoxiously clear. I belonged to a musical group in college called "lokalgrown." I remember someone once noting to me that it was "tacky" to be a fan of your own band... I still don't get that. I think some people are thinking too hard about stuff. I didn't listen to our music a great deal while I was making it, but in successive years I find the music both enjoyable and tremendously memorable and memora-full. <br /><br />Lokalgrown was originally constituted of myself and three choir guys. From the start we were destined to become an acappella group (which was all the rage in Utah at the time... and probably still is) Thanks to an affinity for classic and alternative rock, as well as some instrumental capacity we went the more traditional "band" route. This, by no means, meant that we couldn't ocassionally set our instruments down and vocalize a bit. Every Christmas we sang the First Noel, every fourth of July we did the Star Spangled Banner, and occasionally we sang "Be still My Soul" at church functions (this tragically remains the only unrecorded of the three, which is so sad because it was such a powerful and amazing song to sing.) <br /><br />Whenever we would sing one of these songs, inevitably a slew of co-eds and parents would bombard us with the request that we lay our weapons of rock and roll down and join the ranks of the vocally exclusive. We remained a rock and roll band that sang acapella occasionally. And there was much rejoicing.<br /><br />Please enjoy this version of The First Noel (arranged by Quinn Dietlein, and sung by Jacob Callister, Nathan Davis, Quinn Dietlien and Matthew Sadowski). This recording was missing for about 7 years and showed up on an unmarked CD I almost threw away... whew...<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzk4xbl7_a2J3ZB_N01XUJDKhHXAZuswRt4pwZpAURWX7wQxZRTvQLMG1cLbmjjsdo-kHRn3mjZJx5fbgif' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1467988513342855911.post-62269362623928543282011-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:002011-11-11T08:41:33.725-08:00Chenry fitting the stereotypeI have always been a lover of instances where the stereotypes we apply are dashed by examples of individuals doing what we would perhaps least expect them to. Environmentally conscious Conservatives, Pro-life Liberals, high profile musicians or actors who remain true to their spouses for decades, High School football players in the drama club or on the debate team. Anytime someone shows us that we have to be more careful about the "little boxes" we put people in is a victory for humanity in my opinion. In my years as a youth leader I have put much thought into the idea of encouraging this (without engineering it, or overstepping important parameters). I hope as a parent I can find that perfect balance that allows a child to be what they are... without too much over-correction. <br />In the development laboratory that is the Callister household, we have daily exposure to a microcosm of gender stereotyping. It is certainly too early to address in any way (other than an amusing blog post), but I thought it might be entertaining to characterize our two little ones, one boy and one girl, born in the same ten minute period, growing up in the same house, same food, same Mom, .....same everything.... and yet...<br /><br />One of them has not stopped moving during waking moments for the last four months. If we put a camera on his/her head it would wander literally unceasingly from morning until nap and from nap until nighttime<br /><br />One of them can, in full state of satisfaction, sit and look at a book or observe some object for extended periods of time. <br /><br />One of them is excelling in motor development and is already taking steps (I have witnessed them walk across the entire room). This same individual is obsessed with physical feats and seems to be driven to achieve them simply for the sake of having done it. <br /><br />One of them is very keenly mimicking Mom and Dad and has started regularly using words like (Uh-oh, quack, Momma and Dadda)<br /><br />One tends to stop and perform a VIRTUAL cost-benefit analysis before most potentially hazardous actions, while the other tends to perform a PHYSICAL cost-benefit analysis... which often results in either surprising achievement or significant personal injury or one followed by the other.<br /><br />One seems more interested in personal interaction (getting to know you), while the other is more interested in fleeting intimate moments between his/her other adventures. <br /><br />I should note that their are some similarities, both have their tender and sweet moments, both can get pretty awrnry, both seem to be mimicking gestures pretty well (clapping hands, waiving) and both love bath time (in their own respective ways) <br /><br />Which is which? Well there is a simple formula to find out--- just apply all of the gender stereotypes you can think of and you'll have your answer! <br /><br />Every day more and more personality pours out of these two! We are so excited to see all the ways they will defy any preconceptions we have of them!!!<br /><br />Here are some fun clips. The clip of Henry was really dark so I lightened it up, its still looks pretty funky (sorry). <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_2J64tzSBVLK9EYcIeDd3D3HHkIVInnmw1HkKNQ-BFFXAK7uuDZL59FVQZqfFcKrr68ncddCP8wa0ven9Uw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Annie and Jake Callisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793204494760046601noreply@blogger.com4