Happy Birthday to ME

Well, it's my birthday...officially.

I'm not exactly sure what time I was born on the 25th...Mom? I know you'll be reading this eventually; any light on the subject? All I remember was... haha, well I don't "remember" per se, :) That would be pretty weird. Actually, it would probobly be kind of scary. What I mean is that from what older siblings have told me (namely my bro...he was kind of pissed and you'll see why in a second) I was actually born on Thanksgiving. Mom was in the hospital of course so what did the fam do for Thanksgiving dinner you ask??? Well, Dad took them to McDonalds. :)

It's fun to hear my older brother tell that story. lol. He was a little bitter.

Back to the discussion at hand: yes, it's my birthday. I am now 25 and semi-happily unmarried. Not that I'm semi-unmarried. No, last time I checked I was 100% UNmarried. And not that I'm UNhappy either. For the most part I'm a pretty happy camper. I like being single. It's refreshing and fun and...well, all I've known thus far in life. Now I'm sure my older single friends are laughing a little inside as they read this thinking something to the affect of, "What does that youngin' think he's talking about. He doesn't know what it's like to be old and single."

My intent in writing this post isn't to express my feelings of growing into an old single "menace to society."

I'm also sure some of my married friends are reading this thinking, "Dude! Get married already!" (pace, I'm thinking of you my friend.)

Well, it will come in due time and I want the world to know not to worry about me. Yes, I'm now 25 and yes, I'm still single, living in Provo. I do like girls, so you don't have to worry there. And I do want to get married, I'm just not in any sort of rush to get there. There is a time and place for everything.

I think I just might graduate from BYU a single male. Isn't there some sort of honors sash or something I get to wear at graduation for the accomplishment.

Thanksgiving

Whilst it's still technically Thanksgiving....or as Dean Duncan, one of my film professors, would say: "American Thanksgiving" (He's Canadian) I want to just let the small portion of the blogosphere that I interact with to know a few of the things I'm thankful for.

This is by no means a comprehensive list...just a few scattered thoughts before I retire for the evening.

I am so thankful for a loving family. I mean sure, it's pretty jacked up to say the least, but it's not bad. I'm thankful for the gospel. I can't imagine what my life would be like without it. I'm thankful for the opportunity to live where I do in the surroundings that I do. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to study at a University and to be surrounded by good roommates. I'm thankful for good friends. Life sure would suck without friends, and I've been blessed with some pretty dang good one's.

Anyways, like I said...it's not a comprehensive list...I just wanted to say a few things. Thanks everyone. You mean a lot to me. I love you all, and hope that this message finds you well.

Thank you.

Ew...sick! That's just wrong.

My roomate Sean (yes, the one that fit in our dryer) and I were cleaning the house yesterday since it was cleaning checks and as I was tidying up my room I noticed that the heating vent in my room was getting a little dirty. I thought, "...interesting, I wonder how long it's been since the filter's been changed?"

Being the manly man that I am I decided I'd go check. So, I walked downstairs into our creepy basement and looked around. I couldn't seem to find where the filter was suppose to go, but I did find an old used filter leaning up against the concrete wall next to the heater...hmmm....

Well, I looked some more and after not being able to pinpoint a filter or the place where a filter might go I called for Sean's help (he's pretty much amazing at all kinds of manly things.)

Sean came down and we both looked, and as we were looking I saw something that was truly disgusting....there was a dead bird laying there in our heater and bird crap everywhere. So Nasty! (scroll down to see picture I took with my phone)

Well, to make a long story short...we removed said dead bird (I say "we," but really Sean just did it) and bleached the spot where it had been laying...solidified to the freakin shelf in the heater. We then opened doors and windows to let the smell of bleach that permeated the house through the heating system disapate...then we had some choice words with the people from our management company when they came to do cleaning checks.

You'd think they would check and change the air filter every month when they came for cleaning checks. In fact, I think that might be in the contract...I need to check. We're kind of pissed at them right now because they still haven't done a thing about any of the maintenance requests we made when we first moved in. I think someone in their communications chain has really dropped the ball. I mean, when we first moved in there wasn't a single battery in ANY of the smoke detectors in the house. We made mention of this when we moved in and to this day there is still not a single smoke detector with a battery in it in our house.

When we pointed that out to the cleaning inspector people they kind of freaked out a little. I wanted to say, "Yeah, get on the Freaking ball folks! You're lucky we've been nice and haven't put up a huge stink about some of this stuff that you said you'd get to but haven't yet."

Anyways, we'll see what happens now. I'm guessing not much. We'll probobly have someone come by to put in a filter and put in batteries in our smoke detectors, but for some reason....I'm doubting it. I'm kind of hoping it doesn't happen in a timely manner, so that I can call up someone at the management office and/or write a letter and just let them have it.

For those of you that know me I'm pretty laid back and easy going, but right now...It sure would feel good to rip someone a new one.

Kitchen Stories

So...I watched a Swedish film in my beginning screenwriting class today called Kitchen Stories (also known as "Psalmer från köket"...literally translated into English as "Psalms from the Kitchen").

I really enjoyed it, and think that it might possibly become one of my top ten. It's a beautifully film and I suggest it to you all.

Birthday Party

So, I know that my birthday isn't actually until next weekend (Nov the 25th) but some friends of mine and I decided we'd get together and have a "little" combined birthday party since we all have November birthdays. This weekend seemed the most condusive seeing as how last weekend is past, next weekend everyone will be elsewhere with Thanksgiving plans and the weekend after that is actually December.

The party is going down this Saturday and you are all welcome to come. For those of you in the Provo area who are not married, it should be an ideal opportunity for you to meet that special someone. I mean, seeing as how there should be a number of people you will likely know (friends of mine) and a great deal of new faces to meet (friends of the other 4 people also celebrating their birthdays with me), the chances of you being able to meet new people in a not-so-awkward environment should be good.

For those of you who are married...you're welcome to attend as well. For those of you out of town who have moved on to better things (Boston, NY, LA, Seattle, etc etc etc...) your presence (and presents...hehe, aren't we punny) will be greatly missed. However, you are still MORE than welcome to hop on a plane and join us. Heck, i'd even figure out a way to go pick you up at the airport.

So come join us. Oh, also...The Plan is going to be doing a short acoustic set towards the end of the evening which should be fun.

A Script

So...I really need to be working on the second draft of my script for my screenwriting class, but...it's just not coming to me. Maybe I should change my concept. I don't know. I seem to get decent enough ideas for creative things when I go on walks. I just took a walk. I got some good ideas, but nothing that screams out to me "Write Me! Write Me!"

Part of me just wants to start fresh. I don't know. Can I even do that?

Well...back to the grindstone. Something will come. It allways does.

You may tell 12 people whatever you want...

(thanks for the idea Jared)
No names, just how you feel:

1. Sometimes I'm just a flirt...I really hope I didn't give you the wrong impression.
2. Why do you have to be so negative all the time. I want you to help me get my hopes up for after I graduate, but lately you really haven't come close.
   
3. For now I think it best not to tell you this in person, but I love you.
   
4. I know I've said this to you before, but I just feel like I should say it again: I'm really sorry that I was such a jerk when we were both younger and I hope you can forgive me.
   
5. I'm not sure what to do with you...I mean, I like you; I like you a lot; but I'm not sure what you think about me or what you want out of this relationship...heck, I'm not exactly sure what I want out of this relationship.
   
6. Why didn't we hang out more before this year? I mean...let's be honest, you're pretty cool.
   
7. Dang but I miss you!
8. I just love how things happen in our lives that lead us to meet people that we know will be a part of our lives for a long time...you're one of those people, and I'm really glad for the things that lead us to meet each other.
9. Maybe you've noticed that I've been avoiding you lateley...well, it's true. I'm sorry I've been such a slacker and haven't gotten on the ball with getting you those things, but...pretty much I realized that I don't have to get them to you till next semester, and I kind of tend to put things off for as long as I can...it's kind of in my nature, so let's not talk about it and I'll just get those papers to you later.
10. I'm not sure what happened to you, but I've been thinking about you lately. I even had a dream with you in it. Where are you? What are you doing with your life?
11. I recently learned some suprising things about you...I wasn't suprised per se, because I had put the pieces together awhile ago, but the puzzle I had put together awhile ago was recently confirmed. I want you to know that knowing what I know doesn't change the fact that we're good friends, and we'll always be good friends.
    
12. You're gorgeous.
    

My Friday Night

Well, as you can probobly tell by the picture, I went to a Haunted House tonight. It was fun. I must say there's something about walking through one of those things with a girl clutched to your arm. It's just so rewarding, especially when said girl is cute...which, I must say....she was and is. Thank you haunted house for fostering an environment that leads itself so well to unawkward arm clutching, and hand holding.

The Plan: latest update

Ok folks. So...my goal was to have some vocals recorded for one of our songs Thursday night. Well...it's now technically Friday morning, and as I'm typing this Taylor is in the other room on his computer uploading the newest version of "In the Foreground" onto our myspace page.

I hope you all take a moment to go to the site and listen. Let me know what you think. If you've got a myspace profile, feel free to add us and make comments there as well. :) I'm sure the rest of the band would love to hear what you guys think about our music.

Peace out. I got to get some sleep so I can wake up early, read 50 trillion pages and take a quiz. :)

Lately

So...lately life has been pretty good...except for the fact that I'm getting more and more behind in my schoolwork and in my grading of papers. Oh, and I've been getting headaches almost every other day. But like I said...other than that life is going pretty good.

The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics

A friend of mine told me about this video today and I just finished watching it. Just thought I'd share it with you all. It's about 9 minutes so give yourselves some time to watch it. Really cute.

Sean, in a dryer

Crazy things happen when you're a college student, it's so late it's early...and you are attempting to avoid doing your homework...Behold, the before unknownst supernatural talents of my roomate Sean!

The Plan

So, I just recently became the lead singer of a band called The Plan. I'm kind of excited. Right now the band consists of the following:

Me: Lead Vocals
Sean: Guitar, Vocals
Taylor: Guitar, Vocals
Christian: Keyboards

As you can tell, we are in need of bass and drums. If you know of any awesome people in the Provo area that play either of these two instruments and are looking for a band...let me know. We've got a couple guys auditioning this week so I'll keep you posted.

As of right now, The Plan is in its infant stage. Sean and Taylor have put together some rough recordings of two of our songs. (When I have time between work and school, I'm working on lyrics and vocals.) Hopefully we'll get some vocal tracks down soon on some songs and post them on myspace so you can hear them.

To be honest, I don't think I can ever say I've been in a rock band before. I mean...when I was in high school I was lead vocals for my friends band for one gig so...I don't think that really counts; and I was a featured artist in a Scream Phoenix song. :) So pretty much this is new territory. Most everyone that knows me knows that I can sing, and they know that I have written a couple things on the guitar that lack concrete lyrics. We'll see how this turns out. Hopefully what I write won't be crap. Who knows...maybe you'll see/hear us soon around the local scene.

General Conference

I just wanted to say how amazing General Conference was. I hope everyone was able to watch at least some of it. Over the past couple days, I've had the opportunity to talk with a number of people about some of the things that jumped out to them, or that they found interesting, etc.

I would love it if you took a moment to post a comment about an insight that you recieved during general conference.

Squaw Peak

Now, now...I know what some of you are thinking reading the title of this blog post, but don't jump to conclusions.

This Saturday, between General Conference sessions, my roomate Sean and I road our bikes up University, into Provo Canyon, and up Squaw Peak. Holy crap was that difficult! Four and a half miles of constant incline. I had to tell myself several times to just keep pedaling. The last half mile gets a little steeper and thinking that the peak was right around the corner, I pedaled through the first steep section giving it all I could...I rounded the switchback only to find that there was another quarter mile of the same before I would be in the parking area...let's just say that last 1/4 mile killed me. When I reached the top and hopped off my bike, my legs were like jello. It was amazing.

Well, I did it. And I'll do it again.

PS - you'd be amazed how well you can corner going downhill on a roadbike. It was fun getting to pass a car on the way down. :)

This is just awesome

Behold, the shred of Dragonforce: Through the Fire and Flames

When i saw this I couldn't help but make a post.

My New Bike

Isn't she pretty? :)

My Poor Phone

So...my poor little phone, bless it's little heart, has finally decided to go the way of the ghost. Ever since I dropped it near Harvard Yard in Boston it's never been the same. It started out as a small crack at the hinge....that small crack become a medium and then a large crack. Eventually the crack became...well, it became a freakin crevice that allowed the entire upper half of my phone to dangle by some wires.

Miraculously, the phone still functioned...well, until sometime last week. Then it decided to cut my voice in and out of calls I'd be on. I'd be able to hear the other people on the line just fine...but apparently they would hear my voice at times in fragments...and other times, not at all. It was really frustrating to be able hear people on the other end, "hello? are you there? ah shoot...I think I lost you..." and the whole time their voice is ringing crystal clear.

Basically what I'm saying is it's time to get my phone replaced. It's in dire need. I mean...let's be honest here. Look at it:

Ode to a Procrastinator

Ok, so this really isn't an ode. For one, I've never really written an ode so I'm not exactly sure how I would do it...but maybe someone out there will feel inspired and write one as a comment to this post.

Basically I just wanted to say that I have reminded myself once again of the fact that I'm such a procrastinator. It's amazing how school will clue you in to a deeper understanding of self.

Oh, and I've also come to grips with the fact that I am the worst at remembering people's names. I HAVE GOT TO GET BETTER AT REMEMBERING PEOPLE'S NAMES. I should make it a personal goal to not have to ask anyone their name again after meeting them or something.

Today after Doc History I was walking to my Media Literacy class and saw 3 people whom I recognized, but for the life of me couldn't put a name with the face. Each of these 3 people waved, smiled, said hi, and called my BY NAME. Now, granted...I do realize that my name is...well, I'll say it's the perfect balance of unique (let me expound upon that thought.) What I mean by the perfect balance of unique isn't that it's just amazing and the most perfect name ever, what I mean is that it is unique (true), but not so unique that it's completely foreign to most people and therefore extremely difficult to remember. In fact, I've found that it's extremely easy for people to remember my name. In some ways, this is great. In other ways...well, it's not so great. Why? Well because it makes me feel even worse when I can't remember the person's name, but they remember mine. Aghhh!

Please forgive me if I forget your name. :(

Back to School

Well, I know what some of you are thinking..."finally." Where has he been?

Have no fear, I'm back and ready to blog. Right now I'm kickin' it up on campus, but as we speak...wireless should be getting set up in my house. :) Hurray! I really can't stand not having home access to the net. I can't count how many times I've thought to myself..."oh, no problem, I'll just hop online and take care of that right quick...oh wait, NOPE, I can't."

Anyways, you should be seeing much more of me now. In fact, there's a couple things I need to report since last I blogged so I'm sure the next couple posts you see from me might very well be concerning some of that. For now, let me just give you a quick little update or synopsis of my life of late:

School started on the 5th. So far it's looking like it's going to be a good semester. I'm definately going to be busy (I've got some time consuming classes, but they should all be really good. I'm also working two jobs...but only for a total of 20 hours a week, oh and...I'll most likely be doing some work in the advertising lab.)

Here's what classes I'm taking:

Screenwriting
Technical writing
History of Creativity
History of Documentary
Media Literacy

(they're all 3 credit classes. Hurray!)

As far as where I'm working...I'm still a TA for Intro to Film, but I've taken over as the "Head TA" so they schedule me for 15 hours a week. Basically I'm in charge of blackboard--making sure everything is posted that should be posted and that quizes are going like they should. Also, making sure all the TA's know what's going on. I'm the primary contact between the Professor and the other 12 TA's. I also run all the multimedia/film clips/etc during large lecture on Tuesdays and then of course I have my own lab that I teach on Wednesdays.

I'm also working in The Center for Service and Learning again (but only for 5 hours a week.) Perhaps some of you don't know, but as a student you can only work a total of 20 hours a week at a campus job. (It has something to do with allowing other students to work and not making BYU liable to give you benifits, etc since you're only part-time.) Anyways, the Center wanted me back (I've worked there forever it seems) even though I told them I could only work for 5 hours a week. Dang, they must love me or something.

Well, let's see...what else can I fill you in on before I publish this??? Ah yes, over the summer I bought a new fork for my Trek (my mountain bike), and I also bought a road bike. I'll be sure to post some pictures soon. I was also able to go on a mountain bike trip to Moab right before school started. Most of you probobly saw the pics (he has a pretty sweet pic posted of my rad hair) and read a little bit about it on Jason's blog. If you haven't allready, check it out. I'll try to post some pics of my own here soon once I get them all organized.

I figure that's enough for now. Stay tuned for more goodness from the life of me.