The piano

Oh hi Joe!

So how’s the new kid? I only trained once, but it was the best time of my mission. I did things how I thought we should do them. We worked really hard. We had fun too. People were attracted to us because they could tell we were happy in our work. 

I hope you have a similar experience.

This has been a pretty good week. Monday, Labor Day, was quite. We went to lunch with grandma at Chili’s. I organized the garage a little, I have a long way to go and I may never actually get it organized, but at least I can get my 4Runner in.

Tuesday was my first phone interview with a company called Extra Space Storage. It was a phone interview with a recruiter. I think I did really well, I guess we’ll see. I’ll follow up tomorrow if I don’t heat back, but I hope I hear back. The few times I’ve been in the hiring process where I wanted the job, and didn’t get it, it’s surprisingly painful, visceral. Like being stabbed or punched in the gut. I hope not to have that experience again. 

I’ve gotten a new freelance client that work is ramping up a little. My contact there is a good guy and I’m trying to make him successful. I’m super grateful for the work. I haven’t heard much from my other clients, which is the scarier part of freelancing.

I started going for walks again this week. I added another mile to my routine and it feels better to me. It has me thinking about my bike again. I need to take it in for a tuneup. The last time Jacob rode it something happened. I’d like to ride it in hopes of increasing my hand, wrist, and arm strength a little. As I approach 60, I notice that my strength diminishes. In younger days, I always felt strong enough without really trying. Ultimately, I’d like to get an e-bike. I’m not sure if it would be any good for me, but it just seems fun. Oh, something else that helps is I bought me some new AirPods. I’ve only gotten cheap ones in the past, but they never stick in my oddly shaped ears. These are the new AirPod 4 with noise cancellation. They fit, and they make a big difference, they actually motivate me to walk.

Thursday I had mom take me to the DI to buy a black tie for Katie’s wedding, she had a theme. I always peruse the entire store, it makes me feel like Napoleon Dynamite. They often have pianos for a fair price, but more than I’d think crappy used pianos are worth This time they had one for $50 bucks. I mentioned it to mom and she liked it, then we forgot about it. I mentioned it to Jacob and he wanted to see it. So we went back and I told him to check all the keys and petals. He did and it all seemed to work. So mom paid for it and we decided to come pick it up Saturday.

Friday I was fairly busy with freelance. I went to lunch with a friend I worked with in my Neways days. He’s completely changed careers and I wanted to ask him about it. We were talking about our kids and what they are all doing. His oldest son was a teenager who would help out on photo shoots sometimes. Anyway that kid is now a finish carpenter and general contractor, a pretty successful one. The reason I tell you this is that he said his sons biggest challenge is getting reliable help. So if you have any interest in that kind of work, it might be an option for you.

Friday afternoon I texted mom and told her that I was really nervous about getting the piano down the stairs. I just kept having visions of a runaway piano bouncing down the stairs slamming whoever was unfortunate enough to be at the bottom through the foundation wall at the base of the stairs. I arranged to borrow brother Pratt’s truck, Jacob got Alex to come help, and I invited Artie to come too.

We had sealings at the ward temple night. Jacob had gone to the movies with your cousins. I love being with your mother. I had a bunch of names from my dad’s side of the family, sealing for marriage. The sealer told us that when these are done, the room is filled with the spirits of those people celebrating the marriage of those people that have been waiting for so long. I like to imagine that my dad and family were there celebrating with them. I love how the temple has the ability to keep us so close to our loved ones.

I had a tough sleep Friday night, disasters with the piano kept popping into my head. I woke up way too early. I went to Home Depot to get a dolly and some straps, I didn’t even know if they would work (mom told me to return the straps). So then I had the irrational thought that we wouldn’t have enough muscle so I put out a call for help on the EQ group chat. Brother Pratt dropped off his old pickup. It’s an older ford f1-50. Not old enough to be a classic, but cool nonetheless. It took six worker and myself to lift the piano into the truck. Then I got it all strapped in and home. Well, to my surprise and dismay, I had eight people ready to help, and that was before Artie and Brian got there. As they say, many hands make light work and we we able to unload it and get it downstairs in less than 10 minutes. You’ll be glad to know that no one was crushed. And the piano, while out of tune, sounds pretty good. I must say that I am so grateful for all the help. I feel sort of dumb for getting so much help. But it was amazing to see how the Lord answered those prayers I said late at night when imaginations of runaway pianos were going through my head.

After, I returned brother Pratt’s truck and we got lunch with Artie and Brian. Earlier in the week I met mom at the daybreak Harmons. A good while back we heard that the served burgers there so since she was close, we decided to try it. The burgers were fine, but Joe, let me tell you that the fries were insane. The best I think I ever had. Golden crispy on the outside and fluffy in the inside deep fried in delicious beef tallow. So we decided to meet everyone there. The fries were not quite as good, but the burgers were a little better. It may not be on the regular rotation, but it was good.

I did a little freelance the rest of the afternoon until it was time to go to take Jake to Rice-Eccles. Then I came home and the game started and I did a little freelance. Well, you know how I feel about weddings, especially when I have to miss part of a game. I wore an AirPod for a while, mostly to get a rise out of your mother (she didn’t take the bait). But others noticed and were in on the joke. But honestly, byh then the Utes had the game well under control so I put it away. The wedding was really nice, well planned, and actually fun. Mom made tres leches cake and they had it catered by Costa Vida. It wasn’t bad. It was at this little place right by uncle Tim’s house. It was mostly outside and it was really nice. Katie looked so pretty and she wrote a sweet note to everyone who was invited. I even danced with your mother, once. 

Tonight we went to the Bergs house for uncle Justin’s 50th birthday. He looks good for his age. Aunt Selena had tostadas, that seems to be the Rivera’s side go-to meal. Just as we were leaving for the Bergs bishop Snarr called and asked if he could come by. I assumed that because he called me I was going to get a new calling. Nope, it your mom—Primary Presidents. I can’t think of a better one.

This week, in addition to the hopeful job interview, I’m going to Denver to check out the sign business. I’m going to meet with the team and tour some of the actual businesses. I tell you about that next week.

That’s it for today kid, I always look forward to Mondays, talk then.

Pops