Each missionary in his time plays many parts

We recently had a missionary complete his mission. We had a fun discussion about how he could describe his experiences on his resumé when he got home.
 

Choose your tools wisely

I used fire to clear out a couple of fields when I was a deacon. It wasn’t intentional, though. 

On the Lord’s errand

I could never figure out why P-day was just a different set of tasks we had to do. 
 

One of those days

We've all been there, haven't we?
 

Sketchbook; Welcome to my nightmare

Remember how stressful it was when you first thought about working from home? And how stressful it feels now when you think about going back to the office?

 

Coloring break

Regular readers know that I often get to do fun jobs with my work. We are breaking ground on the Mitchell Point Tunnel of the Historic Columbia River Highway. 

As part of the celebration, we're having a virtual art contest! You can download a coloring sheet, or you can recreate a scene from the tunnel in the medium of your choice. We have a selection of photos to help inspire you.

You can upload your completed works and be part of a virtual art show!

If you really want to know more about the tunnel and the highway, you can always visit the Historic Columbia River Highway webpage!

Enjoy 

Speak Their Language: Now the day is over

On one hand, being a missionary can wear you out. On the other hand, missionary work can also get you energized!

Working overtime

I went through this a few days ago — a day full of online meetings. I just got a new set of headphones, and I had to wear a face covering because there were too many people in the office. When I went home I noticed that my ears were worn out and tired. Not like after a concert, but like they'd been carrying extra stuff all day. What a weird feeling! 

I wonder if there are exercised one can do to build up one's ear muscles?
 

Remote work environment

One of the best things about working from home is...spending time at home!
 

Office days

Even though a lot of restrictions have been lifted, a lot of people are opting to keep working from home. I wonder why that is?

We forced some of these

Yeah, it's Star Wars Day! Once again we've taken liberties with the latest Star Wars movie and turned them into messages about being safe in work zones (because May is Work Zone Safety Awareness Month, don't you know).

That should do it with our public service messages for now. We'll return to our regularly scheduled program tomorrow! Be careful out there, and may the force be with you!

I may add one of the videos as well...

To preach and teach and work

Hats off to all those who are chipping in to help with the clean up and relief efforts all over!

It's not just Mormons, either. One of my favorites is the story of the chainsaw-wielding nun, who is helping clean up after Irma.

Thank you, and God bless!

Summer vacation

What?! Kids think they deserve some time off?! 

Exploring some more

Just a couple more from Explore Provo.

If you're a comics nerd like me, you may be interested to note that these were originally drawn using ancient technology — Radiograph pens on Bristol board, and a lot of the shading is done with ziptone film. It's so much easier nowadays with Photoshop!

Working it

With May being Work Zone Safety Month (I know it's marked on your calendar, isn't it?), I thought it might be good to revisit some of my Explore Provo cartoons. These were done as public service announcements during a project to rebuild University Avenue in downtown Provo — a couple of decades ago!

Another golden opportunity for bonding

Actually, every day is Take Your Kids to Church Day, isn't it?

You didn't see this

Here's another fun thing I've been doing at work. We're hosting a national conference next month — for auditors. And not just any auditors: these are auditors from departments of transportation across the United States!

Word is that auditors have a bad rap. They're actually a fun bunch. When they get together they really let their hair down — they not only look at each other's shoes, occasionally they make eye contact!

Our audit folks thought it would be interesting to add a little bit of fun to the conference. Being in the Pacific Northwest, they came up with the idea of having Sasquatch make a few appearances! These are a few drawings and illustrations that we're using in the program (which goes to the printer on Tuesday).

See? Auditors can be fun!

From the folks who brought you the gas tax

Here's something a little different.

This is a still from a video project I've been working on (I did the illustrations and the animation). It's about a new concept we at the Oregon Department of Transportation are testing, replacing the gas tax with a per-mile fee.

The gas tax is an idea that's past its prime. The first gas tax was enacted  in Oregon back in 1919. Back then it was a great concept, and fair to most motorists. Nowadays, however, vehicles are more fuel efficient, and some cars — like electronic vehicles — don't pay any gas tax at all.

Mileage is up, revenues are down, costs for road maintenance and construction are up. A per-gallon gas tax is not a sustainable solution. As a nation, it doesn't even generate enough money to allow us to even maintain our roads and bridges at their current level of service.*

That's why we're trying something new: OReGO.

This video describes the program we're testing. It's an interesting concept, and if I say so myself, a pretty good video. Check it out!


*I've made a couple of cool infographics about those very ideas. I'll have to show them sometime!

Rising up to the challenge

I think I worked harder as a missionary than I ever did in any sport in high school (even if you include marching band!).

Acknowledgement for this gag goes to my young padawan, who just finished his first ever week of daily doubles.

Going out on a limb...

Sometimes even as a missionary it was tempting to succumb to the lure of a lovely spring day!