The issue of REAL money (Gold and Silver) is so important to me. It seems as though no one talks about the federal reserve debasing our currency and therefore our savings. Here is what Alan Greenspan said about inflation and Gold before his inflation days at the FED.

"The law of supply and demand is not to be conned. As the supply of money increases relative to the supply of tangible assets in the economy, prices must eventually rise. Thus the earnings saved by the productive members of the society lose value in terms of goods. When the economy’s books are finally balanced, one finds that this loss in value represents the goods purchased by the government for welfare or other purposes with the money proceeds of the government bonds financed by bank credit expansion.

In the absence of the gold standard, there is no way to protect savings from confiscation through inflation. There is no safe store of value. If there were, the government would have to make its holding illegal, as was done in the case of gold."

Alan Greenspan, “Gold and Economic Freedom,”
Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 101.

I talked about how slow I am earlier. I can feel it when I run. My mind believes I should be running faster because my body has been for years. Also I have noticed when I throw the football around that I cant throw as hard, fast or as far as I used to. Well, I believe I found the answer, and it might be linked to Graves disease.
My my nurse practitioner (because my doctor was to lazy or stupid) that my vitamin D levels have been low for the last few months. (thanks doctor for noticing)
I went home looked up vitamin D deficiency and this is what I found: "Studies have found that people with low levels of vitamin D have reduced leg extension power, handgrip strength, ability to climb stairs, and ability to walk distances." That would probably explain Lone Peak!!

So the nurse practitioner gave me a prescription for vitamin D. 50,000 iu. The recommended daily dose is 400 iu. So I am taking about 12,500% daily value of vitamin D. Wow.
Low vitamin D levels have also been linked to autoimmune disorders like Graves disease!
Thanks Doc for telling me!!! or not telling me!!!! I had to look this up myself on Mayo clinic and other reputable sites.
I don't need doctors anymore. No offense Todd and Paul.
Now I wait and see if my strength returns.
No wonder I feel like Jeff, Colin, Stephanie and my sister Jenny are unusually strong lately.

Another adventure of Jonathan Gullible.

http://www.jonathangullible.com/mmedia/SOCIAL_S1.mp3

http://www.jonathangullible.com/mmedia/Ch9makin.mp3

This link is to a book on tape called the adventures of Jonathan Gullible. I love the book but I thouhgt it would be easier to share in audio form. Have a listen by clicking on the link and I'll share more adventures in the weeks to come.

Spencer Slown

So yesterday I (Spencer) wanted to know how fast (or slow) I could run a 40 yard dash. So steph and I went over to Brighton high school's football field.

Now, before I tell you my time let me give you something to compare this to. Really fast College and pro football players run a 40 yard dash in about 4.4-4.5 seconds. The fastest I've heard of is a 4.3.
Good 6-5 300 lineman can run the 40 in 4.9-5.2 seconds.
Now, I'm going to try and blame the time on my Graves Disease. After Stephanie took 3 times and we averaged them out I run a 40 yard dash in ........6.5 seconds! My name should be Spencer Slown!
So, my goal now is to train and see if I can improve. My high goal is to run a 4.7 40 and the goal I want to at least obtain is a 5.o 40 yard dash.
I will keep my times posted here every week or two.

Spencer here. I went backpacking to Lone Peak two weekends ago with the Jacobs, Todd, Corey, and Lindsay.
I have postponed posting about this experience because of the trauma I have had from it.

We started Friday Afternoon in the blazing sun. Halfway up "Jacobs Latter" my right heel started to rub raw from my shoe. I finally cut the back of my shoes out because my heels were in so much pain I couldn't go any further. You can see the bandages but I saved you from seeing how gross and painful my heels were.

Because of my Graves disease my heart races at about 100-120 beats per minute when resting. My body was already using up oxygen quikly so it got way worse once we got to 10,000-11,000 feet. The air was thin and my body needed oxygen! I could only go about 10 yards and I would have to rest for 5 minutes then go another 10 yards. HORRIBLE.

We finally got to camp right before it was dark. We were all defeated physically and mentally. I thought we were all going to cry! Because of the thin air and my Graves disease my heart was racing! And I was real jittery. I only slept for about 1 -2 hours!

I need to redeem myself so I think I'll go again next year.