David vs. The Con Artist

I have often heard David tell a story about a con artist that was baptized in his ward in Philadelphia and was eventually arrested in Utah. Then today during Sacrament meeting David turned to me and said, "I am 98% positive that the guy sitting with the missionaries is the con artist I told you about from Philadelphia." Prior to Sacrament meeting when he spotted "Nick" in the foyer, David started doing a little detective work by asking him a few questions about himself. The most important, but common questions...

D: Where are you from?

Con-man: Ireland

D: When did you come to Portland?

Con-man: 8 days ago (ummm... weren't there no flights from Ireland because of the volcano)

Today happened to be fast and testimony meeting since the following week was Stake Conference. To our surprise, "Nick", acting as an investigator, made his way to the stand to bear his testimony. He introduced himself as Nick O'Connor, from Ireland. He told a highly suspicious story of his wife and son being murdered in Los Angeles six months ago. Yet, there was not an ounce of emotion. As he was speaking, David was texting a friend from his ward in Philadelphia to tell him about this guy (I promise, David doesn't normally do this during church, but felt it was rather important to find out info about the con-man from Philly). Alex, happens to be a genius with a photographic memory and he texted back the fake name Nick used in Philadelphia, Nick Grasso, as well as his real name Norman Loren Hill.

After Sacramento meeting David decided to go to Gospel Essentials so he could keep an eye on Nick. There are a couple more things that Nick said that contradicted each other, so David pulled one of our missionaries out into the hall and asked him how much they knew about Nick. David told him that he believed he was a con man. The Elder then said he did think it was odd that when Nick was in the hospital everyone kept calling him Norm and his medical records said Norman Hill. David's suspicions were confirmed with this final piece of information.

David then asked another friend of ours to go with him to confront Nick. As Nick came out of the bathroom the following interaction to place:

Snap. David takes a picture of our visitor. (I know, pretty gutsy.)

N: What are you doing?

D: We take pictures of all of our visitors.

N: No, you don't. Don't take my picture.

D: I know who you are. I lived in Philadelphia. I know what you did there and I know that you were arrested in Utah. I also know your real name is Norman Loren Hill.

N: I don't know what you're talking about.

D: This is a place of worship. I think you should leave.

N: I'm not leaving.

D: I know who you are. I'll be watching you.

N: You guys are weird.

Norman then left. Information about the con artist was then quickly spread to the stake president, to other stakes in the area and to the area security department along with the photo above.

I guess this is now the 2nd known con-man that has made their way to our ward. And honestly, our ward would be a prime target with all of our widows. But seriously, what are the chances that this same guy would show up in David's ward in Philly and then all the way across the US in Portland 6 years later? It was a definite blessing.

Random

I love getting to see old college roommates and this past January my roommate Erica came to visit. We decided to take a hike in the Gorge. The pictures speak for themselves.






We went to a wedding for a friend from David's ward during college.



A couple of weeks ago we went to a "green" event. The highlight of the whole event was getting to pet the alpaca.

The Gag Reflex

Today David's attending took us out to lunch for Dim Sum. He brought along his wife, and their 3 yr old son (CK), who happens to be well acquainted with Dim Sum and quickly pointed out all the items he wanted to eat as they were brought to the table. David's co-worker and her 3 yr old son (CM) also came. It became quite an entertaining meal as I soon found out that Dim Sum might not offer the greatest child friendly foods for a normal, first Dim Sum experiencing, picky eating 3 yr old. We decided to offer CM one of the blander, more american type dishes which he put in his mouth, chewed a bit, got bugged eyed and almost immediately expelled the contents of his mouth, by a gagging motion, onto the chair next to him. This behavior was exhibited several more times although the location of exit was never the same. Possibly he directed it at the floor next to him or his mother's hand, wherever he first spotted when the gagging sensation started. I must love to torture children, because with each episode, I was eager for him to try another dish. Once again I was brought to tears from laughing so hard. Finally he settled with a jello type dish with cut- up water chestnuts. Not super appetizing to me, but at last an item that could find it's way to his stomach!
And to top off the whole lunch, as we were leaving the restaurant, CM tickled CK. As he did this CK's mother said to CM, "Would you like to show him your monkey?" Then she quickly said, "Oh, that doesn't sound good." Of course she was talking about the monkey on his CK's shirt that was hidden by his hooded zipper jacket. None the less, it came right after CM had slipped on the sidewalk and landed on his butt, so I was already laughing and this comment sent me into another bit of hysterics.
I am so grateful for little kids. They brighten any experience.

Kooza

Last night David and I got to see Kooza- Cirque Du Soleil. Our friend Vince, who is so extremely generous and kind, gave us tickets to the show. I have always wanted to see a Cirque Du Soleil show, so I have been looking forward to the show. Not only did I get to go to one, but we had awesome seats right in the middle. The show was amazing. I am now in the market for a contortionist instructor. Do you know of anyone? While watching them I was laughing so hard which turned into tears rolling down my face from pure shock. Seriously, the contortionists were incredible. Are they double jointed? Actually, every stunt performed was superhuman.

David works in a hospital all day among really sick little kids and during the show he said multiple times, "Watching this is so stressful." Then he had the audacity to say that just because I like to watch people die doesn't mean that he does! Well, it's not that I actually like to watch people die, but I must admit I am somewhat fascinated by accidents. Call me morbid. Luckily for David, there were no accidents, just one small slip on a cable 25' in the air and a lucky save by a quick arm!

If you get the chance to go to the one of these shows, it is well worth it. Maybe you'll be as blessed as us to have a super-duper generous friend named Vince. THANK YOU VINCE FOR A MARVELOUS EVENING!