UTA = Unreliable Service

It has been a while since I posted anything, but something has really gotten to the point where I have to say something about it. The metropolitan area of Salt Lake City has a mass transit system named Utah Transit Authority (UTA). I have used the system for the last seven years commuting between Ogden and Salt Lake City every day.

Last Monday, December 14, 2009, was what they call “Change Day”. This is the day that they implement any route changes that they feel would improve service. Well, this time they got it WRONG!

They have an express bus route from Ogden to Salt Lake City that has been quite successful in transporting its passengers on time. Well, UTA decided to cut several runs of that route to “encourage” passengers to use the newer, “better” FrontRunner. This is the new commuter heavy rail service between those two cities with plans to expand further south to Provo.

They changed the major routes in the downtown Salt Lake area to confuse even the longest time riders beyond belief, and the timetable is ridiculous.

OK, about the FrontRunner. For the last few months they had three passenger cars that were pretty full both northbound and southbound. Well this last Monday, they cut the trains to only two cars. Remember earlier that they also cut a good portion of express busses to encourage passengers to ride the FrontRunner? Well, now the FrontRunner is pretty much jam packed and usually passengers left standing. Standing on a train traveling up to 80 mph with NO hand holds. Hmmmm, I wonder what happens when the train operator puts the breaks on……I smell lawsuit!

UTA has had many years of providing adequate service, but at $162.00 a month for their “premium” pass, they are leaving MUCH to be desired.

Christmas - The Reason (Please Watch)

May the spirit of the season bring happyness to your soul. Please watch the entire message. Thank you.

Finding Hope

A man describes his journey from the tragedy and trauma of 9/11 to hope, healing, and renewal through Jesus Christ.

The Twilight Saga - New Moon

OK, I know... "How does a 43 year old man like Twilight?" In answer to that question, I don't care what you think. I like the series of books. I've read them over at least four times. They also bring out the romantic in me, that my dear wife appreciates.

Anyway, the next installment of the series is making it's showing onto the big screen. I look forward to taking my lovely wife to it when it opens November 20, 2009. Here is the trailer that I like the best:

Salt Lake City Airport Peep Show

I'm not real sure I feel comfortable about this. I wish the airports were pleasent places for law abiding, civil people again...

(Video no longer available)

What do you think?

Star Trek - New Trailer

OK. I am getting hyped about the new Star Trek Movie opening in theaters May 8, 2009. I have been a fan of the franchise since I was basically born. Star Trek first aired on television eight days after I was born and I have always... well liked it immensely. No, I am NOT a Trekkie. I do not go to the conventions and I don’t get dressed up as my favorite character. I am what you could consider a Trekker, someone who likes to watch the show and gets into the story.

Here is the latest trailer:

Funniest Dilbert Comic Ever!

With the Bailout in the news, I found this on another site and had to copy it here. I loved it!!

Casualty assistance officers say HBO film realistic

Having served in the US Army and having the opportunity and honor of escorting a friend's body to his hometown to be buried, I thought I would share this story...

From: The Official US Army Homepage

By Carol Davis

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, Feb. 20, 2009) -- "Taking Chance," an emotional Home Box Office movie that will air Saturday evening, starring Kevin Bacon, premiered Thursday at Fort Belvoir for an audience who could personally and professionally relate to the characters portrayed.

The movie chronicles one of the silent, virtually unseen journeys that takes place every day across the country when military escorts bring the fallen from the war zone to home.

Based on the real-life experiences of retired Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, the movie pays tribute to the men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice, as well as to the uniformed servicemembers who literally and figuratively carry the fallen home.

Strobl, played by Bacon, came across the name of 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Chance Phelps, a young Marine who had been killed by hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq in 2004. Strobl, a Desert Storm veteran, requested to be assigned for military escort duty to accompany Phelps' remains to his family in Dubois, Wyo.

"I actually worked overseas. I did the dignified transfers in Germany and at Dover and it captured exactly what we did over there and it was a very moving film," said Sgt.Crystal Seymore, Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operation Center. "It's really an honor to actually do this and now everyone can see what we do on a daily basis."

Lt. Gen. David H. Huntoon Jr., director of the Army Staff, opened the premier by saying what an honor it was to be in the great company of the men and women who do this mission with the highest professional standards.

"At a time of great stress, you comfort the families and honor the fallen. What you do every day deserves our highest praise," Huntoon said. "You are the unsung heroes."

Although this film is about a Marines' journey home, officials said it is a testimony to the daily work of the CMAOC and everyone who has helped a fallen Soldier find his or her way home.

"This is a unique opportunity for the American public to see the dignity, honor and respect that we treat our fallen with... to see that we do that whether we are in the public eye or not," said Col. Carl Johnson, director of CMAOC. "This was a great portrayal. It was really pretty accurate portrayal of what goes on behind the scenes."

Watching this film in the dark with this audience of casualty assistance personnel, only the occasional sniff could be heard. At the end there was silence from possible wet eyes and heavy spirits as if they too were honoring Phelps one last time.

Jeff Dunham - Salt Lake City

Tonight, well Thursday, January 22, 2009, my DW and I went to see Jeff Dunham at the Energy Solutions Arena.

We loved it!

A New Era?

OK. Barrak Obama was sworn in as President of the United States yesterday. I did NOT watch the procedings. I have a job and a family to support.

Now, I could turn this into a bash Obama page, but this is not what I want to do.

I want to wish President Obama luck. I wish to express my hopes for this country to always stand for the truth and Constitutional priciples.

Good luck Mr. President.

Thomas Pedersen