A Lesson in the LAW...

I had an interesting lesson in my U.S. Institutions class on Tuesday. We talked about laws, and about the fact that there are many laws that are still in effect that are really dumb or outdated. Here are a few Utah laws that are pretty hilarious.

Crazy Utah Laws

• It is illegal to detonate any nuclear weapon. You can have them, but you just can't detonate them.

• Birds have the right of way on all highways.

• It's legal for restaurants to serve wine with meals, but only if you ask for the wine list.

• It is against the law to fish from horseback.

• When a person reaches the age of 50, he/she can then marry their cousin.

• A husband is responsible for every criminal act committed by his wife while she is in his presence.

• You're not allowed to sell beverages containing more than 3.2% alcohol.

• It is illegal not to drink milk.

• It is considered an offense to hunt whales.

Kaysville

• You must have identification to enter a convienence store after dark.

Logan

• Women may not swear.

Monroe

• Daylight must be visible between partners on a dance floor.

Provo

• Throwing snowballs will result in a $50 fine.

Salt Lake City

• No one may walk down the street carrying a paper bag containing a violin.

Trout Creek

• Pharmacists may not sell gunpowder to cure headaches.

• It is illegal in Tremonton, Utah to have sex in a moving ambulance, if caught the man is let loose and the woman is punished and her name printed in the newspaper.

I had no idea that being lactose intolerant could make me a criminal!

Pink Mountain

This was the view from our backyard to the Southeast the other night. It's a little dark, but I didn't want to Photoshop it, because I didn't want to loose any of the "realness" of the color.

Breathtaking...

Cache Valley is so beautiful!

Halloween

We all had a great Halloween. Lydia was the new Holly Hobbie, and Violet was a dragon (the costume I made for Lydia when she was 2) . We went to a carnival at Lydia's school, then to Sherm and Becky's for their traditional Halloween meal of chili and doughnuts. MMM!

Cell Phones and Radiation...?

I am looking to upgrade my T-mobile phone, and I have been reading reviews on phones. I came across a term on CNET that I was not familiar with... an SAR rating. According to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), specific absorption rate, or SAR, is "a way of measuring the quantity of radio frequency (RF) energy that is absorbed by the body." Here is the disclaimer made on the website-

"While research abounds and some tests have shown that cell phone radiofrequency (RF) could accelerate cancer in laboratory animals, the studies have not been replicated. Cell phones can affect internal pacemakers, but there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they cause adverse health affects in humans. Conversely, there is not conclusive or demonstrated evidence that they don't cause adverse health affects in humans. So, in short, the jury is still out, research is ongoing, and we will continue to monitor its results. "

There was also an interview that Larry King did on CNN with 3 top neurosergeons, and they said that they do not put their cell phones to their ear. They use an earpiece or put their phone on speaker.

Whether I think this is true or not? There isn't solid proof, but of course I want to play it safe. Unfortunately this means I have to decide whether I want the nice sturdy Blackberry pearl with a SAR of 1.22 (for FREE) or the cheap looking Samsung Katalyst with a .662 SAR rating (also free). The Samsung does get great reviews on call clarity and reception, but overall it's a much cheaper phone with a lot less features. I may still get the Blackberry, because I can use the speaker phone as much as possible, plus, I really don't talk on the phone that much.

If you'd like to read more or to check out the radiation level of your phone, click here.