Trapped In The...Revisited

I'm sure you're all familiar with R. Kelly's Trapped In The Closet.


But have you heard this version?

I just don't want to eat liver! Can you believe this guy has made his living on doing these kinds of things?

Speaking Of States Of Emergency

So there are about 10,000 fires burning 80 million acres. It's pretty insane. It got me out of work and I was pretty happy about that all day long, and then the opening prayer at FHE got me thinking about the people affected by the fire negatively and how there are some who are displaced, who no longer even have homes. I just can't believe how unpredictable life can be, that from one minute to the next you can be riding high and then hit so hard that you can't even remember all the stuff you were so excited about just the day before.

We were watching the news for a minute and the broadcaster mentioned that additional police were coming to guard evacuated neighborhoods to protect the empty houses from looters. Then Caitlin made my favorite comment of the day which was something to the effect of throwing those dirtbags into the fire. It was the quite sudden leap to extreme violence that caught me unawares, although it is a logical one. What kind of person would do that to someone else? When the playing field is completely altered people will unabashedly commit the most heinous acts.

A couple weeks ago I went to lunch with a bunch of people from work and somehow one of the guys we were with began talking about how he attended USC at the time the riots in LA over racial tension broke out. They sat and watched from their roofs the dozens of fires that spewed smoke into the Los Angeles skyline and listened to the multiple pops of gunfire going off. He said the weirdest thing was driving through LA one day and the image that he would never forget was seeing people organized and patiently filing in line to loot a large video store in his neighborhood. People lined up to get in, grabbed whatever they wanted, then quietly exited the store. He said those was no hysteria with those people, everyone just seemed to have the common understanding that you were going to the store and you were there to pick up as much as you could carry in your two hands. No running, screaming, or pushing. If you wanted your stuff you just calmy picked it up. Isn't that weird? Can you imagine seeing such an unusual scene?

Even though people act without regard for others and even if their behaviors are completely unjustified, when the playing field is altered and the circumstances are unfamiliar, expect different behaviors. I'm not saying it's right, it's just what happens.

This Is Halloween

Guys. I got my costume. It happened a lot quicker than I had expected it to. And it was more expensive than I was planning on, but I think it was well worth it. I went to this store in Orange called Flashbacks. What's interesting is that I remember going to that store a couple of times in high school, and this afternoon when I went with Greg after lunch, the lady was playing the same band I remember listening to in that store when I went there in high school - Face to Face. I love that place though. It's this little vintage store and you can find some real treasures there.

If you didn't know, there are some fires here in Southern California. Actually some that are pretty much in my backyard. I went to work this morning and I was hoping that I would be able to get out of it, but I didn't want to be lame and leave just because I didn't feel like being there. So I piddled around for about a half hour before I'd put it to my boss and just tell her my situation, where I lived, etc. and see what she would have to say. Before I could get everything out she asked me, "well what are you doing here? I was glued to the TV all night, you better go home!" Free day! Yahoo!

And the best of all scenarios occurred. The fire is close enough to warrant me taking the day off, but not so close that I actually have to evacuate or be worried. So I went to lunch with some friends, and got my costume at Flashbacks.

Anyway...the woman working there is probably in her 50s, had on a blonde wig with some pink highlights, black-rimmed glasses, red lipstick, and white dress a la the rockabilly style. So she saw me gathering my accessories and some other kids were trying on some wigs and they were laughing with one another and she walks up to one of them and pulls the wig off and gives it to me and tells me, "oh this is perfect! You could trim the bangs a little bit and put on some black eye-liner." She knew exactly what I was piecing together, and I just loved her for it. When I asked her for what kind of shirt I should get, she confirmed my sentiments saying, "it doesn't matter just as long as whatever you get you cut off the sleeves. I was cutting off my sleeves for ten years." So I will have some pics for you guys this weekend, or next week.

Du Juor Means Friendship

Boy bands are awesome. Even before we have the obvious birth of the boy band with New Kids On The Block, we've been delighted through the years with the likes of The Monkees, The Bee Gees, even Jackson Five. Today I come with a serious matter to discuss with you - who's better? 'N Sync or Backstreet Boys?

I know someone and she gets me music. We will leave her unnamed so that if someone someday wants to pin something on her, it won't be because of this blog entry. Last week I asked her for 'N Sync's Greatest Hits. She didn't bat an eye, downloaded the cd, and got it to me. Then a day or two later I asked for Backstreet's Greatest Hits. Then she laughed at me, and teased me, asking me if I also wanted 98 degrees or O-Town, as if those guys are even on par with either of those two megastar bands. Another friend I had did a similar thing. I mentioned I got the 'N Sync album, and then laughed at me when I said I wanted the Backstreet one also. And it bothered me both times. So much so that it's keeping me awake at night. Not really, but enough to blog about it.

I feel like people who are pro-'N Sync, but look down on BSB are snobs about it. I think this stems from the fact that Justin Timberlake emerged from 'N Sync and has really established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment. This, in turn, makes people feel legitimized and validated for their appreciation of 'N Sync. But the fact that no individual star surfaced from the BSBs makes them somehow of less worth in the world of badass boy bands. Yup, I realize the juxtaposition of those words and believe it to be entirely appropriate. Anyway, I contend that the BSBs have a better collection hits than does 'N Sync, and therefore the better band. Just because JT managed to have a solid post-boy band career is no reason to look down upon the Backstreet Boys. Look, Ricky Martin was in Menudo, but that doesn't mean that I'm gonna love them just because he turned out to be awesome. I know what I said.

I shouldn't have to tell you that the 'Boys sold over 100 million albums versus the mere 56 million that 'N Sync sold. I shouldn't have to tell you that they are the highest selling pop group ever. Some of you might contend that 'N Sync was actually more musically talented and that Backstreet has a more synthentic musical quality. Seriously...would I really be listening to either of these bands if I was really concerned about actual musical talent? I'll let each of their hit lists speak for themselves:

Backstreet Boys
1. "I Want It That Way"
2. "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)"
3. "As Long As You Love Me"
4. "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely"
5. "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)"
6. "All I Have To Give"
7. "Larger Than Life"
8. "I'll Never Break Your Heart"
9. "The Call"
10. "Shape of My Heart"
11. "The One"
12. "More Than That"
13. "Drowning"

'N Sync

1."Bye Bye Bye"
2. "Girlfriend" (The Neptunes Remix featuring Nelly)
3. "This I Promise You" (Radio Edit)
4. "It's Gonna Be Me"
5. "God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You" (Short Edit)
6. "I Want You Back"
7. "Pop" (Short Version)
8. "Gone"
9. "Tearin' Up My Heart"
10. "Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)"
11. "I'll Never Stop" (Radio Edit)
12. "Music of My Heart" (featuring Gloria Estefan)

But let's be honest. These guys are the best boy band ever.

Warm October Nights

When I first started blogging I wanted to make the titles of all my posts names of songs. Without realizing it I’ve kind of done it for these last two entries. Anyway, Wednesday night I went to Knott’s Scary Farm with several friends. You all know that I love Halloween right? It’s the most wonderful time in the whole world. Summer is pretty awesome, but I love all the sports, the change in weather, Halloween and scary stuff, black and orange, the smooth transition into the holiday season, everything that comes with the arrival of Fall. I think I’ve already enumerated the myriad reasons why this season is so great.

So Scary Farm was great. Good group, fun mazes. I get less scared in the mazes then I do with movies now. I’m a lightweight when it comes to scary movies these days. And the fact that I’ve been pretty good about no R-rated movies limits the amount that I can watch. Although 1408 was pretty awesome, and it scared the poop out of me. Stephen King, John Cusack, and the anticipation of horror are great ingredients for a good scary movie. But I digress…Knott’s was great. Again, I miss Greg and Laura terribly. Even everyone else, I feel like I never see those people anymore. On the outset of the evening I was thinking we’d leave at like 1 and that would be early, but little did I know that by 1130 I would have about as much energy as the not-so-into-their-job-characters that were working the mazes. Still though, good times.

Yesterday morning I was eating Honey Nut Cheerios and watching the ESPN report about Jason Ray, the Tar Heels mascot who was killed last year while walking along the highway. Here is the link again if you still haven’t read the story. Such an amazing story. Seeing his sweet parents and those people who literally owe their lives to that young man made me salt my cheerios with tears. That’s a funny sounding sentence. So good though.

Something that the story picked up on television that didn’t come across as much in the written article was the amount of faith that was on display from all those people involved. I guess it touches on it in the article, but it felt much more vibrant hearing and seeing the people talk about it all. I don’t know of anything more touching than stories of faith in the face desperate circumstances. Not the kind of faith that is defiant and arrogant, but the kind that is trusting, submissive, and patient. It is exquisite, don’t you think?

I really do love the people in my life. I know and associate with some of the finest. And in a total change of pace for the post, here’s my boy Andy doing his thing on SNL.

SNL - People Getting Punched Just Before Eating (Andy Samber
Uploaded by nono_the_bean

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Sometimes those electronic or industrial types of music are really cool. I remember going to a party a few months ago and there was an electronic song and I just loved it. Plus there was a guy there who had some great dance moves and I think that song is what inspired him the most. Isn't funny that there is just certain music that you just have to move to? It's like something else takes over and you just feel like moving to the beat. Even animals sometimes get into it. I love when little kids hear something and they can't help themselves. Anyway...

I love that the Indians are beating up on the Sox. They have reached Yankee status for me. They think they can buy their way into the World Series and I hate them for it. Plus they beat up on my poor Angels, but to be honest, we weren't going to win any series with the kind of hitting that we had in that Divisional Playoff Series. Still though...pretty disappointing. And the Rockies are a rollin'. I hope they sweep right through the whole thing. I came across this story yesterday on espn.com. Be prepared to be weepy. Sometimes journalism as a profession really outdoes itself. Most of the time I'm bothered by the media. It can be really seedy, as pointed out by Mark Steyn while on Hugh Hewitt's radio show:

I think, I have a low opinion of journalists, because I work with a lot of them,
and also because I don’t think of it as a profession, and I think the outrage
over things like that biography come because in America, this thing is perceived
as this, you know, almost slightly below Jeffery Toobin’s Supreme Court, nine
gods from Mount Olympus. But on the next level on the mountain are journalists
who’ve been to Columbia Journalism School, they’ve spent tons of money and years
of study to become ethical journalists. And of course, that’s not true. At a
certain level, it’s a job, you do what you have to do to get your foot in the
door, and to get the interview with the grieving widow. And if that means
telling her that you’re the milkman and you want to deliver her a couple of free
quarts of milk this morning, then you do that. And the fact of the matter is
it’s a grubby profession, it’s a foot in the door profession. And we get
confused about it, because of this silly idea that’s grown up in America that
it’s this lofty, ethical, great kind of calling, which it isn’t.

And then, in the case of that story about the guy who plays the Tar Heels mascot, it can be really touching.

I wish I had more interesting stuff to talk about. Tonight is Knott's Scary Farm. I can't believe how great the talks are from Conference. Just being in the right place and ready to hear council makes all the difference in the world. It's not like I haven't been inspired by other Conferences, but it never ceases to amaze me how personal the addresses can feel. They can be so specific and it's such an evidence of how intimately acquainted God is with our - my - personal circumstances. In a couple weeks Elder Quentin Cook is coming to reorganize our Stake Presidency and it is the same night as the Strung Out show that I've been anticipating for so long. Last night I was resolute in deciding not to go. This morning, not so much.

I forgot how much I loved Yellowcard's Ocean Avenue album. Discovering old music that you love is about as good as discovering new music.

We won our soccer game last night. We're actually doing really well. We won 6-1 and the two previous weeks we won 5-0 each week. I didn't even sweat the entire first half. It was a pretty boring game for me. Which makes it kind of disappointing that I'm not going to be playing tonight, but at the same time...yay! Halloween stuff! This is a lame post.

Some HR Stuff

Today I got a couple of fun resumes. Sometimes I get cover letters and I think these in general are always entertaining. I especially love lines like, "I'm the perfect candidate," or, "I have the exact skills and qualifications that you are looking for." Sure you do. Or, I love when a person opens with this line:

My name is Brian X and I am a 4th degree black belt in martial arts. I am highly interested in your position....enough said.

Who opens with a line like that? Or how about this in the text of a resume, and this is the exact text by the way, as it appears on the resume:

Personal details:
-Age- 59. 6-ft. 210 lbs. Works out. 136 IQ. Photo recent. (followed by a photo of him)
-Born/Raised- San Diego. Now live- Westminister, CA. Name...number...
-Education: 3 years- College. History/Philosophy. Private study/writing
equivalent to Doctoral Degree [Recent 2006 completion of 3-yr treatise].

Yup. All that stuff in his resume, and presented exactly in that manner. Then I had the pleasure of a conversation with a guy that was a personal reference for one of our employees. His voicemail message ends with something ridiculous like, "you have a positive, powerful day." I thought it was just a lame message, but it turns out that's how he actually talks. Our dialogue was something like this:

Me: Hello, this is Chris
Guy: Hi, this is Morris. I'm returning your phone call for Kristin. I was out of town. Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner.
Me: Oh, thanks so much for calling back. I actually was able to get a hold of Jim over at Best Rate so she's all squared away. But thanks for taking the time to follow up and call me back.
Guy: Positive, positive.
Me: (Awkward silence...did he actually just say that?) Okay. Well, I appreciate you taking the time to call back. I won't be needing anything else.
Guy: Positive. Well, I just wanted to make sure you guys knew that I was inaccessible and that was the reason I didn't call back.
Me: Okay. Well...thanks? We've got everything we need. Thanks for following up.
Guy: Positive.
Me: Alright...You take care.
Guy: Positive, positive. You have a positive day.

No joke. That was our conversation. I really do love my job. I get to interact with so many different kinds of people, from the ones that we hire and I do orientation with to the ones that are just really kooky. It's all a really great time. Last Friday I actually interviewed a gay guy who was applying for one of our property director positions. How did I know that he was gay? He talked about how while in the military he discovered who he was and really came into his own. Then referred to his partner a couple of times and moving to Las Vegas to try and start a life together. The craziest part was that this guy had been up to 390 lbs. and was now down to 190 lbs. Can you imagine losing that much weight?

Interviews are so fun though because I can go in whatever direction I choose so long as it doesn't go into anything about that person revealing whether or not I'm judging them based on the person being in a protected class. And by the way, I think the only class that isn't protected is white males. That's the honest to goodness truth. Isn't that kind of crazy? Anyway, people are just so interesting though.

I Am J. Alfred Prufrock

This is the poem. I know that Dave is not a fan of T.S. Eliot, but I actually really think he's very cool. I've mentioned this before, but I've just been feeling very vulnerable lately and I think that's when I retreat into Prufrock mode. What I appreciate about the poem is that it is so wonderfully insecure. And that is the nature of his poetry in general. I guess when you live during a World War and through the Depression, that's the voice that you develop. He encapsulates the period perfectly, I think.

So anyway, maybe this is coinciding with my being really into musicals mood that I've been in. I was talking with a couple people about it today, but I think that I'm going through a gawky phase at 27 years old. It's kind of annoying, really. Sometimes life circumstances changes your playing field and you have to deal with circumstances and situations that you just haven't had to deal with for a long time. That's where I feel like I'm at - just out of practice with certain situations. I usually have no problem getting really close to people pretty quickly. But for the last year or two I haven't really allowed myself to get really close to knew people. I just pretty much have stayed close with the same people that I've always been close with. So now with certain people I'm starting to move them from one pool of friends to the next and I find that I'm out of practice and just plain goofy sometimes.

As I try and finish this post I keep getting distracted. So I'll just leave it here. It really does just take a lot of work to build and maintain relationships. I've been maintaining for so long that I haven't really been thinking a lot about building, but that's important too and I'm excited to start again. Even if I feel like a moron sometimes while doing it.

Some News From Iraq

I was reading some stuff and I wasn't going to post it at first, but there was a good number of articles and blurbs that I thought were really worth sharing. This has to do with the war and the direction that it has been heading in most recently. First, this post on the shift that is occurring among the citizens of Iraq, particularly the Shiite people. Then, the Associated Press reports on the dramatic decrease in deaths in Iraq. Next, one reporter commentates (I meant I what I said) on the political slant delivered by the mainstream media here. And finally, some more thoughts from General Sanchez about the mainstream media and the influence they exert on the delivery of the news, here.

If you don't remember or didn't hear, General Sanchez is the same person whose name was tied with blasting the presidency about its handling of the war in Iraq. However, after reading transcripts of what actually was said, you'll soon realize that is not the message that he intended to deliver. I don't just bring this up because I'm a conservative and it supports my ideology, but because this is what is really going on. You have to realize that the media has a very clear agenda and it is in opposition to the success of our country and to what most Americans hold dear. Please realize that most news that you digest that comes from major TV news outlets and newspapers are not unbiased and do report with a political agenda in mind. I know that most of you will probably not follow the links I provided, but this is important stuff to be aware of.

I'm going to digress a little bit, but I think you can appreciate what I'm trying to express. While at BYU, Dave had told me about a discussion that he had in one of his classes about the messages that are delivered through literature, movies, etc. I can't remember exactly what was said, but the message sent by that professor was that any time someone wants you to believe that a movie is just a movie or a book is just a story, then you are being carefully misled. Every spoken and written word will have an effect upon the recipient because it is a communication, because communication is essentially the deliverance of ideas. And whether you like it or not, you are being pulled in one direction or another by the message being conveyed. Then the professor gave an example of how when the movie Fight Club came out, at BYU campus where many of the students hold beliefs and ideas contrary to the message of the film, there were a few dozen incidents of students starting their own Fight Clubs. I think another film being spoken of in the class was the movie The Ring. That movie transmits to the viewer a story that has no real resolution other than just simply the perpetuation of evil. Think about it.

With the things that we see and hear on a daily basis, realize just how important it is to have a discerning spirit and to properly insulate yourself against untruth. Because there really is a battle being waged. Just know what side it is that you're being pulled towards, and also know that it is assailing you on all fronts, in everything that you see and hear.

Wicked

This is what I did last night. I first heard about Wicked from Becca's roommates and they were so enthralled, but not having heard anythin about the show before it just sounded kind of odd, like it had some kind of cult following that only certain people liked. Kind of like Rocky Horror Picture Show. But I should have known then that I would have liked it because I tend to like a lot of those quirky kind of things. Another friend of mine who has seen a good amount of shows said it was the best of them all and that when he first saw it, he was grinning from ear to ear the entire time. So there was a lot of build up for this one, but it came in just as advertised - AMAZING.

It was really smart. There were a lot of obvious attempts at humor like Galinda and her kind of brainless meanderings, and there were a lot of subtle things too. And it was all hits, no misses. I was surprised by not only how funny it was, but how much development there was with all of the characters as well. Just really clever stuff.

Last week I was talking about how I wanted to go and then the very next day at work we got a fax from a ticket broker letting people know that they had over-purchased for the show so they were selling the tickets at pretty much face value. So I got orchestra seats, just right of center and only 10 rows back. Plus...I just love the Pantages. I've been to the other big theaters in Southern Cal - the Ahmansson and the OCPAC - and I just love how different the feel is. Being that it was built by Howard Hughes, it has a really gawdy, ornate look to the whole thing. Plus, I love the Egyptian-influence deco that the place had, probably due to the then-recent escavations in Egypt. Very cool theater. I loved it all. I was pretty exhausted the entire time which seems to be the theme this week, but I couldn't fall asleep. Unlike Mamma Mia where I kind of drifted in and out during the show, this one kept me lit up. I feel like I was the last person to see it, but it definitely lived up to the hype. And some of the musical numbers gave me the chills. Of course, Defying Gravity was just electrifying. I literally wanted to cry, it was so good. So gay right now gushing over a musical...but it's the truth. It was great.

Yay Conference!

You know what's so amazing? how specific counsel can be when you've been prepping yourself to hear the words of the prophets. I only caught the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions, and the Priesthood session live and I'm currently working on the recorded afternoon sessions. But if you didn't already know, today is when they post online the text of all the talks.

I wish I had my notes so I can remember better what I really liked. I will say that going into conference I had several questions that I was looking for some very specific direction on and I felt like as I listened, I had a much clearer idea of what I needed to do. I think that's just amazing. From the first session, I really, really loved Elder Uchtdorf's talk. More specifically, his testimony at the very end. Usually that is the part where I kind of start to tune out because usually it's pretty generic, but he said some things about the Savior that really touched me. And what's more is that there were some very specific scriptural phrases that he used in his talk that I've really been focusing on this past year and it just felt very specific to me and the circumstances that I am currently facing. Also, how good was I Believe In Christ at the end of that morning session? That song came on when people started to get restless and chat more where I was watching it, but I was really touched at how beautiful the music was. It has been a while since I've been really moved by the music in conference, but that one really did it for me. It was also cool to see an elder from my mission in the MoTab.

Priesthood was really great as well. We went to a local stake center and my favorite part about the whole session was singing with a full chapel and the overflow in the gym High On A Mountain Top. It's just so different when you have a bunch of men singing. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's just a really neat feeling of solidarity with one another that can't really come in any other way. I enjoyed the talks for that session and was completely alert, but sometimes it's just so nice to not feel like the most pointed council is directed at you. I'm grateful some of those things aren't my struggles.

I really appreciated all the subtle tributes that the General Authorities gave to President Faust. I absolutely love Elder Eyring and am so excited to see him step up into that role. Mostly what I appreciate is being able to hear more of his council and thoughts. His talks have always felt very personal to me and I appreciate his approach. I'm not a Monson or Perry kind of guy. I'm more of the Holland, Bednar, Eyring persuasion, you know what I mean? What I'm saying is if they suddenly split off and formed their own branch of the church, I might consider going. But that would never happen so I'm not too worried about it. Bottom line - conference is amazing. When you open your heart, prepare for it, and are really seeking for the Lord to write upon the fleshy tablets of your heart, He's there. And in the most personal and intimate way. Of this I testify...

I Love The Dudes

These guys are my favorite. For more dude love...visit the link, so aptly named.

Death-Birthday Celebration

Remember Che? I guess today marks the 40th anniversary of his death. I'll link you to an article about Che and you can come to your own conclusions, here.

I Can't Sleep

Don't you hate that? I didn't think I was that tired from the trip, but when I got home from work I just crashed for a couple of hours. Then for a very lazy, lethargic hour I watched the end of the Yankees/Indians game and the Buffalo/Cowboys game. Both were awesome. Both testaments as to why sports are so cool. There is just no telling what can happen. It's completely unpredictable and you can't do anything to rewrite the story because it just is what it is. I was rooting for the Bills to beat the Cowboys and it looked like they were going to, but they really coughed it up at the end. I'm for parity in sports because after going through the last three years with my Raiders, it sucks when you come to every game with no hope for winning. Anyway...I can't sleep. And I think it's because of my huge nap this evening. So here I am...posting.

Utah was really great. I ate about a weeks worth of food in about 2 days or so. Most of it pretty awesome. I can't really complain about any of it. It started with Smokehouse, Cafe Rio, and Coney's Frozen Custard on Friday. Then we had Tucano's and Jason's Deli on Saturday, with a late night Krispy Kreme's run. I loved all of it. As much as I loved Smokehouse, I think Tucano's wins for best eats this past weekend.

I drove up with Dave, Caitlin, and Dave's dad, Greg. I stayed with all of them over at Dave's uncle and aunt's house. Interestingly, I've spent a couple weeks worth of time in total over at the house and over some pretty significant events in my lifetime. Dave and I stayed at their home for a week or so before our first year at BYU while we waited for the dorms to open up. The following summer Uncle Kevin picked me up from the airport with Greg and I stayed with them a couple of days before I went into the MTC. And after the mission, Dave and I crashed at their place again while we had a couple of horrible, anxiety-filled days trying out for the BYU soccer team. And then this most recent trip. I can't tell you how wonderful these people are.

Kevin and Shelly are just the sweetest people with the most wonderful family. A couple months ago I stayed at Dave's grandma's place (if you don't already know this, Dave's family is basically my family and he's more like a brother than a friend so that's why our lives are so intertwined) and it was just a completely different feeling. I think Dave will agree, but there is a huge difference in what it feels like to be in each of their homes and I attribute it to creating a home where the spirit can dwell. Because all of the people involved are wonderful, sweet people. I love them all to death, but there is a huge difference in the feelings of peace and comfort that I have felt being in Kevin's house as opposed to Grandma's house. It's crazy. Grandma and the fam are all members too, but have spent a long time away from the church. But as we said our goodbyes on Sunday, Kevin and Shelly were so effusive in thanking us for giving them the honor of staying in their home. Yes they did. Yes, you're welcome for having me take up your basement, stay in your kids' old beds, use their bathroom, and oh by the way...you're welcome for me eating your food too, including the meal we didn't end up eating because we didn't tell you that we had other plans. Just the sweetest people ever.

We didn't do a whole lot while up there. I didn't even get to see all the people I would have liked to have seen, or visited with the ones we did see for as much time as I would have liked. It's hard to coordinate everyone's schedule. I was really, really grateful for the parts of General Conference that I did catch. I caught the Saturday morning, Priesthood, and Sunday morning sessions and all of it was really awesome. I think I'll do a separate post for my conference musings. Don't worry, I've got the others recorded and I'll be reading them several times. I've got a system.

We did go for a short drive up through Provo Canyon and saw Bridal Veil Falls, pictured above. And we did hit up the Nickelcade for a bit that evening. This had to be one of the highlights of the trip, not because the Nickelcade is so much fun, but because of a scene we witnessed.

When we got to the Nickelcade there was some pretty dirty looking dudes with loads of tickets. The game they were working on at the time of our arrival was the coin game where you drop in a nickel and it falls on one side and pushes nickels off of the other end. Sound familiar? Well, at one of the guy's feet, he had an enormous pile of tickets. I didn't pay much attention to that sight other than to observe that he was just a typical backwards looking Provo/Orem guy. Weird haircut, dirty clothes, and not clean shaven. Some time later Dave spotted them leaving, and I glanced over to see one of the guys with a TV under his arm and his friend with a VCR walking out of the arcade. We laughed, and then I approached the woman behind the prize counter and asked her about them. She told me that they had turned in 40,000 tickets to get each of those prizes. Herself in awe, she then noted that they mark up the big prize items 500% or more from the original price. I asked her how long they had been there and she told me her shift started at 1:30pm that afternoon. They had been there the entire day. Before I could ask, she then said that most people save up their tickets, but they had done it in one day. AWESOME. It was quite a sight to see.

As if this weren't enough, we then began a drive around town reliving old memories. Then the drive turned into a "I wonder how many couples are parked right now making out" kind of drive. Turning into one prime location, as Dave drove us close to the area he remarked, "I wonder if there's a car here...I hope there's a couple in that car..." which then turned into an "omigosh I can't believe what those two are doing." The most surprising make out spot? How about around the temple? Yup. Several cars parked around the temple with lots of steamy windows, but to their credit, they weren't in such incriminating positions as other people might have been that evening.

The weather was a little dour, but a nice change. Although it is nice to come home to 70 degree Fall weather. I don't miss those winters, but I don't mind visiting it for a few days at a time. The more time I spend there, the more I wonder if I can really handle a few more years going to school there. But it was fun.

Hey Ya'll

I meant to write a post announcing my departure for Utah, but I never got around to it. I'm pleased to say that I'm back, but it was fun to get away at the same time. It was totally one of those trips that was only a few days, but felt like a week. I really enjoyed it actually. I'll post on it later. I do, however, want to say briefly how nice it is to come home sometimes. I love getting back in my car and sleeping in my bed and living by my own schedule. Know what I mean? I hate feeling like an inconvenience to anybody so it's nice to have free range over everything that I'm doing, but not just that. It's nice to have my life to get back to and feel rejuvenated about going at everything again. I'm grateful I got to get away, but I'm grateful to be getting back again to the grind. It's great to be able to feel that.

A song that I'm really really enjoying right now - New You by the Vandals. Thanks again, Amy, for the CD. It's not that I'm even currently experiencing these feelings right now, but the lyrics are just perfect. I love how certain songs encapsulate perfectly exact feelings or thoughts that you've had before. Let me give you a taste of some of the lyrics:

Well now you say that you like me but you dont like like me
And you say that you love me but you're not in love with me
Maybe we should just be friends
But friends shouldn't treat other friends like that
You're not too friendly when you act like that
Should I smash your f***ing head with a baseball bat
And dig around there in the brains and the goo
For something that looks like old you

It sounds a little psychotic, but I think that's part of the charm of the song. You have to listen to it to really get it. It's funny, and I'm more than happy to send it to you if you'll just let me know.

Anyway, I gotta run. I'll be writing later, but probably not until later later today. Two quick asides to close...that book I've been reading, Progress Paradox, opens with a quote by Robert Frost that for some reason, only dawned on me last night what it actually means. He says, "happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length." So true. And then Jay Nordlinger, the guy who writes my favorite op-ed pieces, always closes with one word, and a professor that I loved at Claremont always closed his emails to the class with the same word, cheers. So cheers, everyone. I hope you're all doing well.

I Love Sports

Maybe you've been able to learn that about me. I love competition; I love playing sports; I love everything about them. The other day I had lunch with my boss and somehow we started talking about going to the playoffs this weekend at Anaheim Stadium. She had tickets and as was previously stated, Caitlin got us some tickets for Game 4 (we also have tickets to home games 1, 2, and 4 of the ALCS, should they make it that far). But we were talking about how cool it is to be there at the playoffs and I told about my experience going to Game 5 two years ago against the Yankees when the Angels won the series and how much I loved that. Then she totally trumped me and said that she had been to Game 6 in 2002 of the World Series - you know the one, when the Angels came back from 5 runs down to win the game and eventually the series. How cool would that have been to be there at that game? She said it was the eeriest feeling to be there at the stadium and everyone is wanting to be so excited, but with nothing to be excited about. And then they started mounting the comeback and she said it was a once-in-a-lifetime feeling to be there and experience all of that.

Another guy I used to work for used to get floor seats to the Lakers during the period when they won the three straight championships. And me being the sports/Lakers enthusiast asked him if he was there for Game 4 in the Western Conference Championship when Robert Horry hit the 3 at the buzzer to win the game. Of course he was. So I was thinking about sporting events that I'd like to be present for as they happen. I know that most of this depends on context and whether or not you're actually invested into the teams or players playing, but there are a few sportings events that would be cool regardless. So here is my list. I've probably left off a few, but in no particular order, here they are:

• Courtside at a Lakers game
• Fenway park for Sox and Yankees game
• Blackhole at Oakland
• Superbowl
• At least one game 7 of a series I care about.
• Dodger Stadium for a game against the Giants when it means something
• Go to Old Stratford for a Manchester United Game
• See Brazil in the World Cup
• Any playoff game for any of the teams I care about
• Notre Dame game at Southbend and attend a prayer service with the team before the game
• Go to Hawaii and watch some of the competitors in the Iron Man Triathlon

I know that I've left off some things, but this is a pretty good start. I should pick one of these to do a year and then just start hitting them up. Anybody else in?

Shout Out

I love the blogger world. There are several people recently that I've come to really love and appreciate just because of their blogs. Want to know who they are?

Steven.

Don't know her name, but here is her blog. She even linked me on her blog. Isn't that cool? So I'm going to return the favor.

Farrah. I actually met Farrah recently. Although not formally. We've danced together a couple of times, but have yet to actually talk to one another. She's popped up here and there in the comments section. She is really awesome. I think, at least. I know she's fun to dance with. And we all know that I love girls who get into dancing. It's just cool that someone can let loose and just have fun with it, that's all.

And then Karen. One of my favorite people in the whole world. Seriously.

My point in bringing this up is that I think it's amazing that we have the ability to connect with one another regardless of time or geography. We all laughed when Jim Carey envisioned playing Mortal Kombat with a friend in Vietnam, or Kip chatting online with babes all day long, but that time has come. The past is passed, the future is now! It's just neat to be able to connect with other people in these different kinds of ways. I love the miniature communities and subcultures that develop among people with common interests. It happens everywhere. I was just talking to the receptionist at my work about her cycling life and how tight-knit those people are. Then I mentioned how I have friends that are involved in soccer here in Orange County and they know everyone who has ever come out of Orange County. People crave connection on so many different levels. I'm grateful that the internet helps facilitate many of these connections.

President Vetoes Health Care Bill

I was eating lunch at Ray's Pizza today. Yup, of course it's the original Ray's pizza. Seriously though, best thin crust NY style pizza I've had here in Southern California. I don't know how it compares to authentic NY style pizza, but I've been going there for like 15 years and now I go weekly for lunch. The guy's name is actually Ray, or at least that's what he goes by. Anyway...Ray likes watching CNN and politics. He kind of reminds me of a watered-down version of my dad. Small business owner, heavy accent, and buys into everything that liberal news media puts out there.

When you first hear about this story, it sounds awful. What? President Bush vetoed a bill that expands healthcare coverage for children? How could he?! The horror!!! How could he veto this bill when it only costs 7 billion a year and the Iraq war costs 10 billion a month! What happened to compassionate conservatism? Isn't this supposed to be the party of morality? etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...blah blah blah.

Here is the AP story. Below is an excerpt on President Bush's reasoning on why he vetoed the bill:

The policies of the government ought to be help poor children and to focus on
poor children. And the policies of the government ought to be help people find
private insurance, not federal coverage. … So I want to share with you why I
vetoed the bill this morning. Poor kids, first. Secondly, I believe in private
medicine, not the federal government running the health care system. I do want
Republicans and Democrats to come together to support a bill that focuses on the
poor children. I'm more than willing to work with members of both parties from
both houses, and if they need a little more money in the bill to help us meet
the objective of getting help for poor children, I'm more than willing to sit
down with the leaders and find a way to do so.

Here is a link to some analysis of the decision to veto. Please follow the links. The reasoning is sound. His logic is undeniable. Know the reference? Two literature references in two days? Good job, me.

The story is funny to me because it is so typical of liberal America. This is an easy one to spin and they do so masterfully. Even my good buddy Ray was buying it. Why wouldn't he want to insure kids!? I hate this President! and on and on and on...

Just Win(ning) Baby!

Guys...you won't believe this, but my boys are doing pretty damn good. I know. We are only 2-2 on the season, but really we weren't that far from being 3-1, or even 4-0. This last win was Daunte Culpepper's first start with the Raiders and that in itself was an awesome storyline.

Last season he signed on with the Dolphins after losing the previous season to a knee injury while with the Vikings. They thought he had enough time to recover and become the franchise quarterback they have yet to find since Dan Marino retired. The then coach, Nick Saban, worked him too hard too fast and he needed more surgery and lost another season after just four games.

This past summer there was a lot of speculation that the Dolphins would bring on a new QB, but they weren't disclosing anything to anybody, including Daunte. When training camp came he forced their hand and went to practice with the team. As confirmation of their plans, the Dolphins actually had Culpepper escorted from the stadium with security.

I know in the press Daunte said all the right things about how this isn't about payback, but it definitely was. Right after scoring the touchdown pictured above, Culpepper ran to the crowd and pointed to his knee and flashed the "ok" hand gesture letting Miami and the rest of the league know that he was back. And was he ever...2 passing TDs and 3 rushing TDs later, the Raiders are on the road to redemption.

I can't tell you how exciting it is to have your team suddenly exceed expectations when for the last 3 years they had been the laughingstock of the league, the measure of woefulness in the NFL. But this is the whole reason why it's so great to stick with your team through thick and thin because when the going gets good after some time at the bottom of the heap, there's nothing as exciting as seeing them start there way back up.

We lost Lamont Jordan last week, but after the bye we get our other tailback, Dominic Rhodes, back from suspension. Then a week later Michael Bush will be eligible for reactivation from PUP status. If you don't remember, Rhodes had a big game for Indy in the Super Bowl last year, and Bush was a projected 1st round RB until he broke his leg. Things are looking good in Raiderdom. Thank goodness for Lane Kiffin, too. I'm loving life right now.

***UPDATE***

You gotta love sports irony though. Miami gets clobbered by a guy that they had written off. Last week the Padres collapsed and let the surging Rockies back into the playoff picture, who also beat the Pads in a one game playoff. A game, by the way, that was maybe one of the best games ever. At least if you're not a Padres fan. How about a grand slam, multiple home runs, extra innings, then a blown save by a future Hall of Fame reliever? Yup, all in one game. But I bring up the Padres because with the Brewers playing the role of spoilers after themselves collapsing down the stretch, in a game that made the difference between postseason and an extended vacation, Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a triple that ended up being the difference in a game last week that prevented the Padres from clinging to the Wild Card lead. Talk about irony…the face of the franchise for the Padres, Tony Gwynn, raises a boy who delivers a hit that prevents his team from making the playoffs. How can you not love sports? There is so much drama and so much story in every game that’s played. It’s nothing short of wonderful.

Don't Worry, I'm Back Off The DL

I was out for a few starts, but I'm okay and back in the rotation. Is it incredibly sad that I really miss blogging when I don't do it for a few days? I get this back-log of post ideas and topics that I'd like to write on and then some of them don't happen and my precious 5 readers miss out on what's been going on. I think I'm going to break some of this stuff up, but let's start with a dear diary type of post and update you on the latest and greatest in the life of your favorite blogger (maybe?), me.

I finally got released from my calling on Sunday. I think it was bittersweet. To be honest, I just haven't been there for the last couple of months. I've had a lot going on, but I think that I could have done more than I did. In any case, what's done is done. I'm now the executive secretary. A lot of people keep telling me that I'll be more busy than my last one, but I don't think that will be the case. What's more is that as executive secretary my stewardship isn't over as many people so there is not the same sense of responsibility. That was the hardest part about that last one. Especially being in the branch, there isn't as many people available to fulfill assignments and not until the last couple months has there been a surplus of priesthood holders. I'm excited to work with the branch presidency though, and get to know them better. Plus it gives me more of a peak inside church leadership which I think is really cool in and of itself. Is that how that phrasing really goes? Anyway...

I've been feeling really vulnerable today. I know...so gay, right? But I seriously think I'm menstruating. Shouldn't that word be womenstruating? Am I right or am I right? eh? No? Okay...seriously, I've been feeling very sensitive all day long. I was watching TV before soccer tonight and I was actually really digging on the movie of the musical, Rent. I really don't know what it is, but I've just been feeling very vulnerable all day long. Very weird and very emmasculating.

Happy Birthday to Greg yesterday. We went miniature golfing the other night and it was fun to hang out. I wish they liked to hang out with us more. He and his wife are really fun, but somehow I only get to hang out with them like once a month. And so it goes...know the reference right there?

I've been really wanting to write stuff lately. Not like this simple stuff where I don't edit at all or put more effort into the craft of writing, but like really writing. I really should do a creative writing class or something. Am I brave enough to actually put stuff together and then put it on here for the world to see? I don't know. Being in this vulnerable state has really turned me into a weenie.

This weekend is Utah. I actually kind of hate going up for General Conference weekend, because I feel like it's inevitable that I end up watching a ton of TV over the weekend. But this works out timing-wise for everyone and I need my Smokehouse BBQ, baby. I think we'll also hit up Rocky Pointe while we're up there. Those are really my only two requirements. Everything else I could take or leave.

Last diary note...I'm really digging on my job these days. My boss is so cool. I get to do interviews and work with people a lot, which I really love. I've never had a job besides working with all the boys doing appraisals where I'm not really concerned about time or having the day pass. I'm not quite to the point where I'm just chopping at the bit to go back to work when the weekend is done, but I don't dread it by any means. It's a cool feeling to have that. I think it really has to do with just deciding that I'm going to do it and I'm going to make the most of it. But I think I work for a really great company and we have really great people everywhere. From top to bottom. It's challenging, but I feel at the same time that I'm really hanging in there with everything and not just getting everything done, but doing it well. I don't have any really funny interview stories because lately I've been getting just really good people in there.