Basketball Notes

In honor of St. Jimmer Day, I played some basketball last night.

It was pretty competitive. Nobody as short as me, a lot of good shooters, I ended up guarding the worst person on the other team and I think I performed pretty well. We won three games, I would usually score a couple of shots each game, and didn't turn the ball over too many times. I was tired by the end of the games and got a good workout in.

Anyway, I live in Lexington, Kentucky. UK Basketball is huge. So you can imagine my surprise (and joy) when this one guy shoots a three from way far out (misses it) and someone calls out "that's from Jimmer range? You ain't no Jimmer".

That's right. Even in pickup basketball in Kentucky Jimmer gets referenced. Go Jimmer. Go BYU.

I'm speaking in church next Sunday. My topic is: Gaining a testimony of and sustaining church leaders.

I've had a really good time searching the scriptures and pondering about the subject. I'm thinking of focusing my remarks on the potential difficulties of following and sustaining a leader who - for any number of reasons, from personal philosophy, lack of organizational skills, lack of diligence, the list goes on and on  - does not perform as we think they should.

I think it's one of the most interesting components of the LDS faith. You hate scouts, don't think you relate well with young men, are allergic to anything green or living...and this guy asks you to be a Scoutmaster, or an Elders Quorum President who you think doesn't work very hard at his calling, meets with you and asks you to be a teacher when you hate speaking in front of people and you know several other elders who would be better teachers....and you're supposed to believe that they have been called of God to be able to extend you that calling.

Any insights? Or perhaps more importantly, any good jokes I could use?

I don't write out my talks word for word, but maybe I'll write up my outline when I'm done.

Useful Statements

I've decided to come up with a list of phrases that you can add to your statements to be able to say whatever you want without the other person getting mad. Does that make sense? Picture the following scenario.

Two guys sitting on a couch watching Sportscenter. One says to the other:
"Dude, your girlfriend is ugly."
Obviously that's not going to go very well.
However, if that guy would have just added one of the following phrases, he would have been just fine.

- Bless her heart

Your girlfriend sure is ugly, bless her heart.
 
- I hate to say it, but...

I hate to say it, but your girlfriend is ugly.
 
- Not gonna lie, ...

Not gonna lie, but your girlfriend is ugly.
 
- Somebody's gotta say it:

Somebody's gotta say it: Your girlfriend is ugly.
 
- I'm sorry, but...

I'm sorry, but your girlfriend is ugly.
 
- Don't take this the wrong way, but ...

Don't take this the wrong way, but your girlfriend is ugly.
 
- No disrespect, but...

No disrespect, but your girlfriend is ugly.

If you're online, then simply add a smily emoticon.

Your girlfriend sure is ugly :)

If any of you have any others to add the list, please let me know. I know there are plenty more out there.