Hey...It's January 4th

I think it is time for another random post on a random day.

First of all...I have no idea where I am right now. Ok...I looked at the address on the hotel sheet...I am in Concord CA. For those of you who may have been preoccupied with the whole Presidential Race results in Iowa (congratulations to Obama and Huckabee), here on the west coast, the Bay Area is experiencing what has been termed "A 100 Year Storm". This is a storm of such force and magnitude, that it only happens once every hundred years or so. As I was driving from Sacramento this morning to Concord, I saw 4 semi-trucks that had blown over, and I was behind one semi and witnessed the wind blow one side of it off the road. It literally went up on 9 wheels. It was crazy.

Yesterday I stayed in the DoubleTree hotel in Sacramento. We had a guest there who I helped check in. We got to his room and it was a total mess. Really, really trashed. But when I finally got to my room, there was someone already there. This morning there was a huge spider in my bathroom. I am going to write a strongly worded letter to the Hilton Hotel Chain. Perhaps Sister Hilton herself, (who never showed up to our Downtown LA Party back in September), will read it.

I was stuck in the San Francisco airport yesterday for a long time. I saw a missionary who was on his way home. I was prompted to offer him my cell phone. At first I dismissed it, thinking it was just my own random thoughts. But then as he was staring at the pay phones, I was prompted again to go offer him my cell phone. So I did. He needed to call his parents and tell him that his flight would be delayed. He was going home. Good Work Elder!

I also saw a 747 Jumbo Jet in that airport. If you have never really seen one of these in real life, I recommend you seek it out. Truly an engineering miracle. 747s are HUGE...and they FLY! Way to go Wright Brothers!

It's a very small world. I found out today that the wife of one of my good friends, (she also is a good friend), is related to me through marriage. That is pretty cool because she and her family are very cool.

Speaking of family...this reunion idea seems to be catching on. I think we can pull this off. Estimates of the size of our family by 2009 are somewhere around 300. I am hoping to add one to the flock before then...and I am not talking about fathering a child.

The logical choices are Utah or Montana. Logistically speaking Montana would be a bit more difficult; however, it WOULD be worth it. But for a better turn out we may need to stay in Utah. Not that this is bad...Utah is amazing. However...Montana just has that special something.

Finally...Mark will appreciate this...in a HUGE blow to the HD-DVD world, Warner announced that they would cease putting out movies in HD-DVD and will only put out Blu-Ray formatted movies. Let's hear it for BLU-RAY!!

Hmmm...how about a Reunion?

Do you see this Google Images randomly selected portrait of a family reunion? Do you see the happy smiling faces upon each and every one of these joyful participants? (Except for that guy on the third row...I think he may be drunk). Anyway, my sister Gretchen and I have been discussing the idea of a family reunion for the Lifferth Clan...but without the drunkenness. We think that it is high time we start planning a gathering of all descendants of Henry and Wanda Lifferth (which will be over 250 people).

So this is my request of you dear reader, what ideas do you have for a family reunion? Where do you think we should have it? The number one goal of this is to get EVERYONE together for at least 2 days. We are also thinking the Summer of 2009, in order to give us plenty of time to plan and get commitments. So comment please...tell us what you think. Or you can e-mail me at: liffdog@gmail.com

After all...don't you want to be as happy as this generic family?

Oh yeah...Happy New Year and all that crap.

Merry Christmas!

So the marathon is over. We actually did better than a lot of people were guessing. We started yesterday around 5:00 PM and went until 7:00 AM this morning. We did take one brief break between 3:30 AM and 4:30 AM to help Santa out. Other than that, it was a Gilmore gallimaufry of Greatness. We drank a lot of Dr. Pepper, Egg Nog and ate many a frozen pizza and snacks.
At 7:00 we fell asleep on various couches throughout the room, and then around 8:00 AM, the present opening began. This was a wonderful Christmas, I received many great gifts that I am grateful for...but most of all, I got to spend time with my family. It's been a spectacular day. I thank our Heavenly Father for this time of year that we get to focus on the birth of our Savior.

Hour #3

We are three hours into our marathon. Egg Nog supply is strong. Dr. Pepper is slightly depleted, but rationing should allow us to fully enjoy the Doc for the full extent of this event. Several varieties of chips have been opened along with the Cheddar Triscuits. Yoo Hoo is flowing well. Frozen pizzas will be entering the pre-heated oven shortly.From the land of Gilmore, remember one thing: "Life is short...talk fast."

Another Crazy Adventure

Staying true to my discursive nature of blogging, I bring to you today yet another tale of head-scratching wonderment that is the life of Zach.
For those of you who may not know me as well as others, this auctorial entry should give you perspicacity into the life, times and overall turmoil that is me.
I've done some crazy things in my life. No really...I have. I have jumped out of a perfectly good airplane that even had landing gear.
I have climbed down a 2,000 foot near-vertical cliff without ropes or gear.
I have voluntarily thrown myself off of a 95 foot cliff.
Once, for $20 I licked the hand rail of an outdoor escalator in Las Vegas.
Well this last week I did another crazy thing. I flew up to Salt Lake City on Wednesday and back to California on Thursday...all for just one date. And you know what? It was worth it.
I have a good friend whom I met back in the Payson Singles' ward. We have been friends for a while, and fortunately we stayed in contact after my mini-exodus down to the Golden State. Anyway a few weeks back she sent me an e-mail asking me if I would accompany her to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Party.She happens to be a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Orchestra.
Impulsively thinking that this would be a non-soporific activity, and that I really enjoy the company of said girl, I figured, "What the heck!"
So I found a killer deal on airplane tickets and told her that I would love to join her. Needless to say...I had a FANTASTIC time!So on Wednesday I flew up to Salt lake. I had made arrangements to stay with one of my all-time favorite mission companions who lives downtown. By far one of the most generous people I know. (Love you man!)
I swung by a flower shop where I had ordered a corsage, then stopped by his place to shower and get ready.
I met up with my friend in the lobby of the Grand American Hotel. She looked awesome by the way. We then proceeded to find our name tags and seats. There were a lot of people there. We had all of the Choir, the Orchestra, all the "behind-the-scenes" people that make things happen, and of course a man named President Gordon B. Hinckley.
So we had a wonderful meal of salmon and steak. There was great entertainment, and finally we got to hear from some of the leaders of the Choir, such as Mr. Mac.
Bro. John Longhurst, who has been the organist for the choir for over 30 years, was given 2 large plaques and was honored that night for his services.
We also had the honor of hearing from our beloved Prophet, Pres. Hinckley. That was an awesome experience.
At the end of the evening, we were all invited to sing "Silent Night" before having the closing prayer. Most people would have been intimidated to be singing with the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir...but not me! At the end of it, I realized that I can say, "I literally sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."

I'm practically a celebrity in Utah.

WoW!

So I cracked. When it comes to new-fangled technological toy-like items for guys, it doesn't take much to break down my resolve to NOT buy things. Yesterday I was at Costco and there it was...cheaper than I had ever seen before...AND it came with $180 worth of free movies. SO I did it. I bought a Blu-Ray Disc Player.And it is FANTASTIC! It is absolutely amazing how perfect the picture is...how wonderful the all-encompassing sound is...how pathetic my life is.

All this time...I've been such a caveman. My friends...my family...I have found Shangra La, and it's name (dramatic pause) is Blu-Ray.

Tradition!

For those who don't know, my sister Bridgett and I have this habit of staying up VERY late, chugging Yoo-Hoo and/or Dr. Pepper and watching television well into the wee hours of the morning. With Christmas just around the corner, (in case you weren't aware of that foreboding fact), we decided we needed to start a new tradition. So on Christmas Eve we are going to start a movie/TV marathon to go all night. We are looking for suggestions as to what to watch.
Some ideas include picking one set of movies, (i.e. Indiana Jones, Rocky, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rambo, Ghostbusters, Star Wars, etc.)
Other ideas include picking one actor or actress and watching all the movies with said person, (i.e. Drew Barrymore and ET, Fever Pitch, My Date with Drew, 50 First Dates, Charlie's Angels, etc.)
But then again, thanks to the advent of television on DVD, we could watch an entire season or series of a show, (i.e. 24, House, Arrested Development, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, MacGyver, etc.)

So my faithful family, friends and readers...we are looking for suggestions. The one that comes up with the best suggestion will win not only our thanks and praise...but also our Respect. And can you really put a price on that?

If you care to join us in our veggitative state, please submit an application.

HAPPY SUGGESTING!

Tag! I'm it!

How sad is this? I had to tag myself.
So I decided that since everyone else is enjoying this fantastic game of "Blag" (Blog + Tag), I decided to start my own game. Why? Because I am a sad...sad...sad individual. Actually it is because I am bored and have about an hour to kill.
So without further adieu, I give you
"BLAG 2.0: The Marital Status Unimportant Version"
We'll accept you even if members of the opposite gender won't

1 - What is your name? Zachary D. Lifferth
2 - How old are you? 32
3 - Seriously? Yes
4 - And you aren't married? Nope
5 - What's wrong with you? Is this going somewhere?
6 - Sorry...Where do you live? Orange County California
7 - What do you do for a living? Business developmental interaction for peer-to-peer, vertically-aligned, retail cooperatives
8 - What the...? I help network marketers build their business
9 - Is that one of those pyramid schemes? No..and can we get back to the BLAG?
10 - Right...Are you dating anyone? That was the first thing my Bishop asked me the other day in Tithing settlement.
11 - So are you dating anyone? No...but I have high hopes for some potential on the horizon
12 - Are you always so abstract and weird? Affirmative
13 - What is your shoe size? 9 1/2
14 - Don't your brothers have bigger feet than you? Yes...but I have more hair
15 - What side of the bed do you sleep on? The Top side
16 - Who pays the bills? Quicken
17 - Have you ever been on a blind date? Yes...holy crap...yes
18 - How many blind dates have you been on? I lost count around 120...that was 2 years ago
19 - What was the best blind date you ever went on? Was there a good one?
20 - What was the worst blind date you ever went on? Handsy-Grabby Girl, she was worse than Girl-Who-Never-Showed-Up
21 - What do women want? I plead the 5th for my own safety
22 - Didn't you write a research paper 6 years ago on just that topic? Yes - and it ruined my dating life for the next 3 years
23 - Why? Is that question really on the BLAG form?
24 - No...but Enquiring Minds want to know. Next question
25 - What's your favorite word? Callipygian
26 - What does it mean? Someone with well-shaped buttocks
27 - That's not a real word! Yes it is...look it up
28 - Why do you use such obscure words? I want to augment my lexicon
29 - Do you teach Seminary? Yep - every morning 6 AM...I teach the Freshmen and we are studying the Old Testament
30 - Is that difficult, with Freshmen? Not if you find the right stories to share...they really liked it when two of the sons of Israel convinced all the males in an entire city to get circumcised...then slayed them all "while they hurt"
31 - That's gross. I know...Freshmen boys thought it was hilarious
32 - How long have you been in California? Just over a year
33 - How far from Disneyland are you? About 6 miles from my house
34 - Do you go often? Never been
35 - You've never been to Disneyland? Nope
36 - Why don't you go now? Something just doesn't seem right about a 32 year old single male hanging out at an amusement park designed for kids...Creepy
37 - Good point...you are a smart person. Thank you
38 - Don't you have to be married to teach Seminary? That's what I thought, but when I was asked to take this assignment, my first question to the Stake President was, "You do know I am single...right?" He responded, "Yes, we are aware of your marital status."
39 - What's your favorite movie? Braveheart
40 - What's your favorite TV Show? House or 24
41 - Is it true that you own close to 800 DVDs? Yes...most of them are in Utah
42 - Is it also true that you own the complete series of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Yes
43 - And that you have a 42 inch plasma HD TV in your bedroom? Yes
44 - And that you own all 10 Seasons of Friends? Ummm....maybe
45 - That's Sad. I know.
46 - You're kind of a nerd...please tell me you have some masculine shows! I have all 7 Seasons of MacGyver
47 - You have a lot of DVDs...do you have much of a life? Nope
48 - Is it also true that the employees at Del Taco recognize your voice when you come through the drive thru? Yes
49 - And you don't think there is anything wrong with that? I think we are about done playing "BLAG 2.0"
50 - One more question...Are you seriously 32 and not married...you've been dating for over half your life! I'm not worried about it...it will happen when the time is right.
And now I tag Bridgett, Craig, Daren, Adam and Matt!

Hugs and Kisses to everyone!

Hey! What Happened To November?

Seriously...what happened to the month of November? It seems like just yesterday it was the middle of October and everyone was all a'flurry about what to be for Halloween. Now it is December. Is it just me or does time seem to move more and more quickly as we get older? (More "seasoned" for those who refuse to acknowledge any additional birthdays past 25).Just like this enervated camel racer, once we get moving, it is really, REALLY hard to slow things down.
So what happened to November?(Bonus points to anyone who can figure out what this picture has to do with November.)
For me, this entire month is one large blur of hotels, cargo vans, airplanes, airports, and presentations. I have one particular training that I could probably do in my sleep now.In the end though, I did get to have a wonderful experience with my family during the Thanksgiving holiday where my sister, her husband and their son, Miracle Max, were all sealed together as a family forever. I love the Gospel.While I was in Utah I also got to see my Grandma Lifferth. At the beginning of the month we were all preparing ourselves for what everyone assumed would be the end of her mortal experience...Personally, I was worried that she might pass away while I was traveling and I would miss out on major parts of the burial process. I was in Russia when my Grandpa passed away, and although I was happy to be on the Lord's Service, I would never want to miss on that family bonding again.
Speaking of family bonding though...I just got back from Seattle.I had some business trainings up there, but I was also able to spend the day with my Aunt Tanna, Aunt Sally, Cousin Michael and his wife April and their daughter. It had been quite some time since I had seen any of them, and I was very grateful for the chance to visit with them again. I always walk away from visits with my family feeling like I am on top of the world.(Yes...that is a picture of me)
Anyway, I had a wonderful time visiting with them and wish I had been able to see more of my family that lives up there. I seriously have the greatest family anyone could ever ask for. And to Aunt Tanna...the word was Omphaloskepsis.It's been a really good month. A lot of things have happened and I was able to accomplish pretty much everything I had set for myself to do. But I still can't believe how fast it went.If you haven't checked it out yet, my sister Bridgett has started a second blog where she reviews music and artists. For anyone who may not know, Bridgett has an unbelievable talent for understanding, playing, writing and singing music. Usually whatever she currently enjoys listening to is just a few weeks from everyone else in the world discovering it.She has also invited me to be a guest contributor to do reviews of movies. Check it out and look for my upcoming thoughts on such greats as
"The Chipmunk Adventure""The Brave Little Toaster" and of course everyone's favorite, "The Apple Dumpling Gang"!I have added the link on the right.

Oh and for anyone who hasn't figured out the picture from above and how it correlates with November, click here.

I'm Awake! Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to take a quick moment and thank all of you for the blessing it is to know you (and be related to most of you). I have the greatest friends ever. I also truly have a spectacular family and can not express how grateful I am to be a part of it. Not just my immediate family; my extended family through genetics and marriage...all of you are wonderful. Thank you.
I am also grateful for the Gospel in my life. I really have no idea where I may have ended up without it to guide me. I am grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost and the knowledge of my Savior. I am grateful for the scriptures and the things I learn from them. I am also grateful for church leaders and prophets who guide us today.
This was supposed to be a short entry for Turkey day, but I can't finish it without a special expression of gratitude for my parents. My Mom and Dad are truly one of the greatest blessings in my life. If I can some day be even half the parent that they each are, then I will have done very well for myself.
I hope all of you enjoy your Thanksgiving day wherever you may be. Don't forget where all blessings come from, and be sure to let Him know that you appreciate it.
As a final note, I want to give a shout out to my cousin Daren who is spending this Holiday in the hospital. Our prayers are with you big D! I hope that you get back on your feet soon. Love you man!

For those keeping score at home, I have added Daren's blog link to the side. I have also added Cousin Craig! Welcome to the Blogging world boys!

Home...Time For Sleep

In the last 11 days I have stayed in and/or gave a 2-3 hour long presentation in the following cities: Portland, Seattle, Oakland, Carlsbad, Costa Mesa, Victorville, Arcadia, Fresno, San Jose, Sacramento, and Roseville.
I'm home...now if you will excuse me, I am going to sleep for the next three days.

On The Road...Still

So I am still out on the road. I do have a lot of pictures, but I left my cord to download them back home...so you will have to wait until next week for more pictures of me. So far, this gallimaufry collection of pictures come courteous of Google Images. But you can look forward with great anticipation (as I aggrandize this trip) to such tales as: Eating at the Hole-In-The-Wall joint that sells the world's largest burrito (2 feet long...and REALLY good), A lifesize Monopoly board, Our Mascot Roudy driving a van, and of course...big words. For now though...we are about to trek across the Bay Area of California. It really is an amazing area. California isn't that bad. But I still prefer Utah.

Who is that? Oh..my friend Danny

This is going to be really short...but I am on the road again for the second half of my trip. Today we drove up to Arcadia in North LA. Along the way, we stopped at a place called "Philippe's". "Why did we stop there" you ask? Because this is the place that invented the original French Dip Sandwich. Ask yourself, "Self, How often do I really get the chance to go to an eating establishment that actually created a food item that is now mainstream?"
I submit to you that it doesn't happen very often. However, today, we were able to eat at the first restaurant to ever serve a French Dip Sandwich. The story goes that as a waiter was preparing a sandwich for a police officer, he dropped it into a pot of beef broth while carrying it over. The police officer was so hungry at the time, that he asked for the sandwich anyway. The next day he returned with several of his buddies, all asking for the "dipped" sandwich...and that is how a legend began. No one knows for sure if the sandwich derived its name from the French ancestry of the waiter, the fact that the sandwich was on a French roll, or the fact that the officer's last name was "French". No matter what the true story...the sandwich was AWESOME! They also had their own homemade hot mustard that was delicious! I highly recommend it. Here is the website: Click Here.
As a final note...besides the fact that we are driving in a huge cargo van chock full of product, we had a training meeting tonight with a very special guest. I call him Danny.

Nieces and Nephews

For several years I have had as my computer screen wallpaper, a black and white photo of Gabby and Paige...who were my only nieces at the time.Last night, after finally getting home from the first half of my two week "tour of duty" for work, (second half starts Monday morning), I realized I was too tired to sleep. So I put together a new picture for my computer wallpaper. I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the world. And I will fight anyone who says they aren't cute.I realize there are some biases out there about the "in the world" part. To each his/her own.

San Diego!

So yesterday morning I flew into Orange County from Oakland. Last night I drove down to San Diego for another meeting. Today we did another meeting back in Orange County. Sadly...that is about all I have in me for blogging today.

You stay Classy San Diego!