Will someone please explain this joke to me?

I found this on the freakonomics blog. I'm no economist, but I rarely have nay trouble understanding what they write about. This, though. What could it possibly be referencing?

"A middle-aged man realizes that he has been quite neglectful of his son, so he attempts to make it up to his son on his 25th birthday. He goes to his son and says “Son, I’m so sorry for ignoring you and being a poor father. I’d like to make it up to you. Name anything you want for your birthday and you shall receive it.” The son pauses for a moment, then replies “I’d like 10,000 green colored golf balls.” The father is puzzled, but says “You’ve got it.” So, the son gets 10,000 green colored golf balls.

Several years later, after hearing news that his son has brought him a grandson, the father, again overcome by guilt at ignoring his son, goes to him again and says “Son, I know I haven’t gotten better, but I’d still like to make it up to you. What would you like to celebrate this wonderful occasion?” The son again pauses for a moment, then replies “I’d like 10,000 green colored golf balls.” The father is even more puzzled, and asks “But why?” The son simply says “I’d like 10,000 green colored golf balls.” The father again obliges.

Many years later, the son is involved in a horrible car accident, and is too injured to recover. The father rushes to the hospital to see his dying son one last time. Kneeling next to him, the father says “Son, I’m so sorry that I was such a bad father. I’ve tried to patch things up, but never did enough. What is it, of all things, that you’d like?”

The son pauses for a moment, and replies “I’d like 10,000 green colored golf balls.” And dies."

WTF?

Oh, Sondre Lerche ... thanks collin

Here is one of the songs I really like from the Dan in Real Life soundtrack. Props to Collin for teaching me how to do this.
Let My Love Open the Door

Completely Random List

1. I am being considered for a job at the MTC. That just means that when a space opens up (1 of 4 Hungarian teachers), they may or may not call me in for a final interview, then hire me. I'm not holding my breath for anytime soon. I'm staying at my nanny job until then. Which could be a while. But I'm actually OK with that.

2. I met this AMAZING guy this weekend. The only problem is he is probably too good to be true. How could anyone that chivalrous and creative and cool not be gay? We'll see what happens. No one seems too interested in hearing about my latest heartbreak-to-be, so I'll probably write some sort of post about that at some point.

3. My new favorite movie = Dan in Real Life.

4. I even bought the soundtrack because it was so amazing. Peter Hedges' movie soundtrack's are unbelievable.

My Favorite Hymns

There is a primary song that I will never forget, because ever since I was a very young child, I have had a terrible habit of swearing. I remember when I was about six thinking that the word "bullshit" was just something you said when you disagreed with someone, seeing as I heard it from my dad so often. This did not endear me to my kindergarten teacher.

If on occasion you have found
Your language is in question,
Or ugly thoughts come to your mind,
Then here’s a good suggestion.

Just hum your favorite hymn,
Sing out with vigor and vim,
And you will find it clears your mind.
Hum your favorite hymn.

I really tried to get out of this habit when I was preparing for my mission, and I did a pretty good job, aside from a few blunders that I will only tell you about if you ask. Anyway, I thought I would share with the five people who read my blog (love you, Mom):

My Favorite Hymns

10. The Spirit of God

This was the first hymn I memorized as a kid, I believe for some primary program.

9. All Creatures of Our God and King
I love animals. I love the word "alleluia." And I love love love St. Francis of Assisi.

8. A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief
I remember the first time I heard this song as a teenager. I was in tears by the end. And this songs always reminds me of Joseph Smith, and his compassion towards others.

7. God Moves in a Mysterious Way
The music in this hymn is haunting. And I love the lyrics. It was Wilford Woodruff's favorite hymn, and I have always liked him.

6. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
I love the music of this one. I wish I knew enough about music to explain why. I love how grand it sounds.

5. Press Forward, Saints
Not only does this song contain my favorite word (alleluia) but it was also written by my favorite professor of all time, Marvin K. Gardner.

4. How Gentle God's Commands
Always a good reminder. I love these words.

3. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
The old standby. But the reason why it's so popular is: this song is amazing.

2. That Easter Morn
I know this is an Easter song, but I sing it all year long. Gorgeous.

1. I Stand All Amazed
When I was little, I thought it was sad how hard the author was on himself. Then I grew up and realized how unworthy I am, and how amazing the Atonement is. That Christ was willing to suffer for me, a prideful, irritating, hypocritical jerk. That is really something wonderful.

I'm glad I served a mission

I was talking to Weenie tonight about the weird transition from missionary to civilian, and she said something I found significant.

"I'm pretty much the same person I was before,"she said. "except a lot more blessed, and a lot more confident."

I realized something very interesting just then. Because of my mission, it is so much easier for me to talk to people now. I am so much friendlier. I'm even better at flirting.

Counter intuitive, no? But oh so igaz. I can think if a dozen examples from just today. I was standing at the printer in the library, waiting for the kid in front of me to finish printing the longest PowerPoint presentation in the history of mankind. He was cute in an all-American ultra-heterosexual kind of way. Before my mission I wouldn't have even made eye contact. But utilizing my super-fantastic boss radical mission powers, I struck up a conversation.

"I'm streeting him," I thought to myself. "Eh, who cares? He likes it! Sha la la la ..."

After one of my classes got out, I was walking down the hallway, eating an apple. I walked pass a cute granola-type guy, who was also eating an apple. I winked at him. You and me, we like eating apples. Ridiculous, I know. But harmless. And it was fun.

Don't even get me started on the kid in my geology class.

*pats self on back*

Whoops. Or rather.

*high fives God*

I believe in a God who gives high fives.

ten things I love

10. Leggings. Modest, cute, and tunic-friendly. Sign me up!
9. The Beatles.
8. Pixar and everything they have ever created. I just know that someday they are going to let me down. I'd rather not think about that day, thanks.
7. Purses.
6. Shoes. Shut up!
5. Quarters. Why does a quarter still feel like a lot of money to me?
4. John the Baptist. Great guy.
3. Naked mole rats. I love them because nobody else does. And they really are cute.
2. Mayonnaise. Yummy.

1. Grapes.

Exchanging frequent for epic/awesome

Sorry I haven't written in a while, guys. I moved into my new house, and it took awhile to get internet set up, my brother was in town, I had to get lots of stuff together for school, I went to Seattle .... blah blah blah.

I started school today. It was incredible. Man, I love school. No lie. For me, the beginning of the school year is the real new beginning for me. It's when all my past important years have begun and end. And thus, I present to you my NEW YEAR"S RESOLUTIONS!!!!

1. Get back into a productive habit of scripture study. This includes both writing in my other blog but also studying with a concrete purpose in mind, like I did on my mission. I have gotten in the bad habit of reading just so i can say I've read that day. That's bad.

2. Visit teach. Um, haven't done that in like months. I've made some half-baked attempts, but none have gone through. I'm a terrible person.

3. Quit spend so mind mindless time on the internet reading worthless stuff like this. And this. And even that. Reading about random minutiae has yet to take me anywhere so far. Won't take me places in the future either. Except perhaps a game show, which I would never appear on anyway because I hate the way I look on camera.

4. Speaking of being fat, work out more. Go running, and possibly join a gym this month. I think the favorable effect on my looks would be worth the money. Speaking on a level of necessary (pragmatic?) shallowness.

Can there be levels of shallowness? I don't know. Be quiet.

5. Find ways to practice Hungarian that don't involve:
a. Hungarian friendster-esque questionable websites.
b. moving to Hungary (can't afford it right now)
c. dating someone from my mission.

I added c only because my attempts so far have proved dismal. But perhaps I will change my tune in seven weeks. Stay tuned!

6. Curb my grape habit. They're getting expensive.


7. Eat more iron. With lots of vitamin C to aid absorption.

8. Take my vitamins. Once I get them out of Aisling's apartment.

9. Settle my debts. Well, my minor ones to Bryan, Ama and the library. My student loan people can go ahead and shut it.

10. Add more pictures to my ridiculous blog.