Harry Potter all wrapped up again

Last night I finished listening to all the Harry Potter books again. I think it is becoming a summer tradition of sorts but I'm far from sick of the story. I feel drawn in by a strong saga of good vs evil and the unlikely hero in Harry. Perhaps what I like most about Harry compared to other epic novels is our ability to see him grow up and mature from age 11 to 17. He grows and learns and while its sometimes even painful to read it remains inspiring.

I am going to publish a series of personal development articles on www.jacobspaulsen.com about principles from the books. I wrote the first one about a week ago and am hoping to publish the rest soon!

I would encourage anyone who hasn't read the Harry Potter books to begin immediatly. The book that has been translated into more languages than any other book in history (including the bible) must have something to offer everyone.

Jacob S Paulsen

Provo River 1/2 Marathon

Back in March of this year I publicly declared my goal to run in a 1/2 marathon at the end of the summer. I registered for a race on August 8th and have been training all summer. I had some good stretches of training and some times where I was less faithful.

Every single time I went for a training run I recorded the data on www.buddyrunner.com/jacob and also updated my status on twitter and facebook to keep myself accountable to my online community.

Yesterday was the day of the race and I'm pleased to report that I survived! This is without any question the longest distance I have ever run at 13.1 miles. I am sore everywhere and even a day later my legs still feel like jelly.

We had to meet at the finish line at 4:45am to be shuttled in school buses into Provo canyon up South Fork Road. Being on the first bus up I had to wait in the cold and dark for two hours until the race started at 7am. The whole course was beautiful and peaceful as we would through Provo canyon along the river.

I estimate that there were over 3000 runners and this was a different type of runner than I'm used to seeing in my 5K and even 10K races in the past. These were serious runners. No baggy basketball shorts, a lot of heart monitors, and GPS tracking watches.

My wonderful wife Ami, son Simon, and parents were at the finish line along with my sister Shannon and her family. It was really great to have so much support. They had watermelon, pancakes, and granola bars for the runners at the finish line, but my dad brought me a couple of snickers bars (that or he happen to have a couple on it at the time) and a good thing too because I was weak and famished.

I finished in 1 hour 52 minutes and 33 seconds which is about 25 minutes faster than I had hoped for. This put me in 502nd place overall and 32nd in my age group 25-30.

All around a very satisfying experience!

Pioneer Day

Had a good time at my first ever 10K race last Friday. This was a good prep race for my 1/2 marathon on the 8th of August.

Simple Service Project

On Saturday the teacher's quorum and I built a deck for a couple in the ward who live in a RV. The man can't get in and out of the RV anymore because of the steep and small stairs. We spent the last couple of Tuesday nights measuring for and buying supplies for the deck and on Saturday we put it all together. It took us about 6 hours and I must say I am quite proud of us. It turned out quite well.

Sunday Peace @ The Gallivan Center

Today despite it being Sunday I'm working a 12 hour security shift in Salt Lake's Gallivin Center Plaza. I don't like working Sunday but I am a part of an industry which demands 24/7 work and it's important for me to take my turn.

I've been warned about watching for loonies and homeleass people but so far the last 8 hours have been pleasant and peaceful. I've never been here before today and for being in the middle of downtown it is amazingly gorgious. There is a large reflection pool, a huge sundial thingy, an amplitheatre with stage, bird aviary (though currently empty of birds), a small river with waterfall effect, and a lot of tree cover, etc.

The river has a poem written in the stone behind it and there is also a long story written on stone tablets that requires walking most of the park to finish reading.

It makes me want to bring Ami and Simon back next Sunday after church so we can enjoy it as a family. Here you see some of the pictures of the place.

Me Doing Security for Thurl Bailey

While doing executive protection work this weekend I bumped into Thurl Bailey. This guy is awesome. Tons of fun and super friendly

Sundays with Simon

Ami is right when she says that the only thing we get out of church are the blessings that come from obedience in being there. It could be compared to reading scriptures at a rock concert.

Right now it is sacrament meeting. This usually consists of Ami and I taking turns running around with Simon either through the gym or outside around the church.

Because Ami is still having ankle problems I'm taking the full duty today and so I find myself walking around the church with Simon blogging about it from my phone.

In one month Simon will go to nurshry and we will be back to enjoying part of church. This is a hard stage for us because Simon is too old to be quietly entertained with books and snacks, but too young to be taught right and wrong or consequences.

This routine will continue during the second block of meetings while Ami tries to get most of her primary calling done. Then we switch and while I teach priesthood she will chase Simon around the gym, hallways etc.

At least I get some good pictures out of this eh?

Jacob S. Paulsen