CPE - #2

Not all Fun and Games

Just so that everyone knows that this is not just a vacation, I taped a short bit of the class on federal taxes.



It can't be too exciting anyway, but when you have to listen to this stuff 6 hours a day for two days, an afternoon nap looks better and better. However, I did capture a picture of the resort where the conference is being held.

We did go to a Luau last night. It was pretty good.



When we went in, a great Hawaiian group was singing. One of the band members sat next to us in Laihana 1st ward. I would not have guessed that he was a musician.

And I have two words ----- Hula pie!

Continuing Education

I have a CPA license - actually two licenses, one in Idaho and one in Arizona. I am required to obtain 80 hours of continuing education every two years. So this year, I chose to attend a conference in ... Maui. We flew in Saturday Nov 8. I do NOT recommend US Airways. We booked the flight last February, so the cost was fixed, but they charge $15 for the first bag checkes and $25 for the second. They do not give complementary soda or water on the flight. Water or Soda is $2.00. Hawaii though is wonderful so far. We came back to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel where we have stayed 3 times before. I went snorkeling Saturday evening and the water was crystal clear and beautiful. Two turtles came out to play.

We got up Sunday morning and went to church. The Laihana 1st ward is a great ward. They invited us to the ward potluck Wednesday evening. We may go, I really do love that ward.

We ate at Lailani's last night at dusk. I remember why I love that place and no, we passed on the hula pie. It sounded good but we are saving that for another time. The waiter did give us a coupon for a free piece of hula pie. The sunsets are beautiful. The morning walk was invigorating.

While on our walk, we saw a photo shoot of a hula dancer welcoming the morning.

Unfortunately, I do need to go to class. But it is from 7:30 to 1:00. We will find ways to spend the afternoons, enjoying the beauties of the island.

Thespis is in the House

A few years ago, I watched an episode of Sports Night (In my opinion, one of the best written sit-coms, EVER!) about a mischievous ghost that plagues performances. The glitches of this day brought to mind that Thespis apparently works to undermine the efforts of mortals to make a good show.

Today we had Stake Conference - the one where we get a broadcast out of Salt Lake. Five minutes before the opening song, we lost the feed. It had worked fine for General Conference, and worked okay for the test this morning. But the satellite dish lost its mind and couldn't find the source signal anymore. So we sang some songs. We had a huge congregation so when we sang "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning," it was amazing. We had people with tears because of being able to participate. About 30 minutes in, we got an audio feed over the internet. Kayleen had to leave because the sound was loud with poor quality, and the screeching was hurting her ears. It was a good conference, but other than Pres. Packer, I'm not sure who were the speakers. But they were pretty good.

Then tonight, Kayleen and I gathered to watch the CES fireside. Lo and Behold, I don't speak Spanish, and BYU channel was broadcasting in Spanish. So I put in the DVD and watched the Sports Night episode.

President Packer told us that that we should expect tribulation, that the prophecies are now being fulfilled, but I didn't expect paranormal interference from the Greek ghost Thespis. Anyway, instead of Bishop Burton, we watched Sports Night, just to get caught up on the role of Thespis.