Another Foray

I began a blogging attempt a few years ago, and not much came of it. However, I have been pushed, prodded and shamed into taking the matter more seriously. Most of my family members are keeping up to date blogs, and it is time for me to join the pack.

I just returned from a trip to my hometown, SLC, to watch the Utes beat up on the UNLV Rebels from my current city of Las Vegas. Someone at the pre-game tailgate asked me if I felt some affiliation with UNLV since I have lived in Vegas for five years. The short and long answer to that is: no. I have been affiliated with six different schools of higher learning since high school, and none will ever supplant THE University of Utah as THE school that I am devoted to.

It was great to see family and friends at the game and during the weekend, particularly my beautiful niece Madison, whom I saw for the first time. I was also able to play with Kailey Jo and she is the cutest little girl on Earth today.

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On the flight home I was able to finish one book and start another. I finished The War for all the Oceans by Roy and Lesley Adkins, and began The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane. The War for all the Oceans was a fantastic book that chronicles the naval battles during Napoleon and Lord Nelson's time. I have started doing outlines as I read, and it has helped me to remember some of the amazing quotes and stories. I am also making it a point to write down any words I don't know the meaning of to expand my lexicon.

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See if you know any of the words I didn't know:

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Evinced- to show clearly; make evident or manifest; prove
Sagacity- acuteness of mental discernment and soundness of judgment
Approbation- official approval or sanction
Pinnace- a light sailing ship; esp. formerly used in attendance of larger ships
Alacrity- promptness or eager and speedy readiness
Enfilade- a position in which troops are exposed to gunfire along the length of their
Formation
Ennui- weariness and dissatisfaction with life that results from a loss of interest or sense
of excitement
Pestiferous- bringing or bearing disease
Gendarmes- a police officer in several European countries, esp. France
Bivouac- temporary military encampment
Bacchanalian- in ancient Rome, festivities in honor of Bacchus that involved orgiastic
Rites
Ribaldry- language or behavior that is humorous but rude and vulgar, often involving sex
Enervation- to weaken someone’s physical, mental, or moral vitality
Indolence- lethargic and not showing any interest or making any effort
Imputable- attribute bad action to someone or something
Integument- an outer protective layer, e.g. a shell, rind, husk or skin