So... Wednesday, October 27th...

First... This photo goes out to my friend Carolyn in Athens, GA. Look at me drinkin' that big ol' Dr. Pepper. If you think that's a 20 ouncer, think again. Yep, two liters of liquid luv.

Can anyone count all the Ramone related things in this photo? I'll give away a prize to who can spot everything. Never know what I'll send out. I'm sure I can find some awesome stuff.

Onto this weeks news, I spent Saturday at a rain drenched homecoming football game. It was fun. I invited my brother Spencer (Yes, I have another brother. All older.) & my nephew Owen up for their birthdays. It was wasn't much fun. Yes, the rain, but Aggie football sometimes isn't fun to watch. It's a successful season though when you beat the devils of the south. Needless to say, we lost, but the university did erect a statue to Logan & Utah State's own Merlin Olsen. (Carolyn, if you read this & I hope you do, Mandilyn & I will have to give the Merlin Olsen tour iffen you ever make it to Logan. I'll extend that offer to all my readers.) If I knew where my camera was, I'd have a photo for you. Sorry.

Sunday & Monday were pretty boring. I did win my fantasy football game. It was a nail biter against Drew. Blue Horseshoe is 5-1; tied for first.

Tuesday at lunch, I got a flurry of texts from my friend Melanie (Wilde, for those that know both.). Southwest was having deal on tickets. "Gotta get away..." HELL, YES! So, I beeged one for December 15th thru 19th. What's the agenda? Um... Two things I gotta do: Disneyland & Amoeba. That's it. The rest of the time I could do anything. Say take Norah (I'll say niece.) to the doctor. Been there; done that. Jimmy Kimmel Live. Ditto. Hollywood Forever Cemetary. Yes, sir or ma'am. I would like to go to San Diego this time around. It's been so long since I've seen that beautiful city, but I'm open to anything. Bonus this time around, I've got a lay over in Las Vegas. I'll be able to see if I can win my money back. Cha Ching, Cha Ching!

Wednesday has been another day. Aggie basketball has officially started. It's good to be back in the Spectrum. After, I went to study for a math test. This semester is my last official math class. Pray I pass my test & the class. It's been a struggle with both work & school, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. So, tomorrow at 1900, send me some good thoughts & prayers. Oh... I almost forgot. A girl said I was hot as I was leaving the library. Maybe it wasn't those exact words. Actually she said, "He is so hot," but in my mind she was talking about me. I've still got it. Or maybe getting it. I don't know. Just let me have this one.

Music this week is brought to you by Lin & Nate...

First...

Hope everyone is well.

See you in the future...

So... Big Trucks Suck...

It's been too long since my last post . I thought I'd have more time; silly me. That time is spent trying to play catch up on my classes. I won't bore you with that. I've thought about how I'll update all of you that read this. Without FB, most of you don't know what's happening in my life so...

I haven't been feeling right the last few weeks. I've had a lot on my mind. I find when I'm tired, I'm more susceptible to my depression. With that said, I decided to take a few days & forget everything that needed to be done. I didn't go to class or do any homework. In a logical mind, was that the best thing? No. I'm hating things now, but it sure felt good. I took some time to get out of this beautiful valley. So many times when I'm in a funk, I find if I leave for a few days, clear my head; I can face life again. I needed to head south for some family business on Sunday. I went down on Saturday & visited my friend Ingrid & her awesome husband Aaron. It had been way to long since seeing them, a little over a year to be exact. (Actually, it was the same night I met my man crush.) Ingrid makes me feel so good about myself. I don't know what she says or does to make me feel like a million bucks. It was just what I needed at that time. We didn't do really anything; we just caught up on a years time. I introduced her to a new band, The Ettes. Next time they come to town(If they even come back. I wouldn't blame them if they didn't.), it'll be me & 4 of my friends. Hope to see her & Aaron real soon.

Last Thursday, I went down to Saltair (Ask me how excited I was to go there again?) to see Social Distortion. It was fun to again get out of town & spend some time with my buddies James & Matt. I even ran into a few I hadn't seen in ages: the Throwaway boys, Christine, & even Greg Mother Tucker. After, it was hell getting out of the parking lot. Once I finally got my car pointed the right direction, I decided to follow a big monster truck (If you live in Utah, these are common spectacles. I'm guessing it's short man's syndrome.) He stopped & walked back to me, "I'm parking it." "WHAT! WHY!" I yell in my head. Douche bag. I had to back up even more & risk running into another idiot. I've come to realize, again(Grew up with big trucks in T&G), in my life that 90% of the guys that drive these monster trucks are total douche bags. They probably wear white shoes. (Ask about my theory on that.) On the brighter side, I got to partake of the new In N Out in Centerville. They're getting closer. If they come up to Logan, I'm in trouble. The spare will start to inflate.

Yesterday, I got to spend time with my friends Mandilyn & Vincent. It was Vincent's birthday, & he wanted to ride the city bus with me. He had the time of his life. I haven't ridden the bus much this year. I'd forgotten about the high school kids always in the back, the crazies, & even some time the BO. Man, I needed some coffee beans to cleanse my pallet after yesterday's aroma. I can smell it now, as I think about it. Just know you'll get some or all with the CVTD. Sometimes, a cute girl will even get on. (It didn't happen yesterday; I'm just sayin'.)

To leave you... I've been listening to this nonstop in my car...

I wish I had been at the show in LA with my friends Mel & Lin. Next time, I swear.

And...

See you in the future...

So... I've retired from Facebook...

I'll start by saying it's time. I've been thinking about making this move for some time. Just ask my friend Mandilyn. I've come to a crossroads in my life & facebook isn't part of it. Here are some reasons for my leaving... (Before I go forward though, I hope what I say doesn't hurt any feelings or alienate any one. I'm not trying to do that. These are my thoughts & this is my blog. If I do, I sincerely apologize. You are my friends & love you.)

1. I'm spending way to much time with it. It's not giving me anything in return. I've come to realization that the hours spent on FB; I could be studying more, (or reading, writing a letter, playing catch, shooting hoops, cooking up a meal, taking a walk, listening to record, taking a nap, cleaning my room, doing laundry, shaving (Nah... See below.),

counting my change, doing my online banking, making a phone call, writing a book... You get my drift.). I've made some goals when I started school & I feel FB is partially keeping me from my goals. One goal is to become a Huntsman Scholar. This is a program with in the business school. I get a semester paid, plus $1000 for expenses, and an intensive classroom environment. You spend a month on campus, a month in Europe visiting businesses, & another month discussing what we learned in Europe. I've never been to Europe & think this is a good way to get there. (Especially if it's paid.) I've got to have 3.5 GPA just to even qualify. I've got to push myself to get there. I want to challenge myself in school. Especially while I'm single, I feel my goals are accomplishable. (I'm not saying marriage won't stop this, but who knows.)

2. I feel it's become too much like high school for me. If you know me, high schooled sucked ass, & I'm lucky to be writing this right now. I don't need that feeling ever again. Socially, I'm not good at it. I'll never be. I kept my friends to about 100. Even with that, it's too many. Why am I friends with so and so? Why is this so important? People were taking my deletions too seriously. It's not that we're not friends; I just don't want to see threads from my crush that got married. Don't confront me outside the bookstore. That will alienate me towards you more than anything. To go with this, I was making this my social life. That's fine for some, but I know the reality. It's me, dinner & a movie for one. (Ask me about the dirty looks I got in El Toro.) Has been for awhile.

3. Religion & politics don't mix in my life. I'm LDS, & I struggle with my faith. I'm sorry. Recently a general authority said some things to make people angry. I won't say what, but I think we all know. Well, right after I was getting it from both sides on FB. People feel they have to say something about it. That's their right. I just don't think I need it from my "friends". I started hiding people that talk politics. I wanted to do this with religion, (especially this week) but I think I'd hurt peoples feeling if I did that. I didn't want to do that. Leaving was the lesser of two evils. I feel leaving will make me stronger in my faith. If you're my friend, I'm gonna love you for who ever you are.

4. I think FB is making me lose touch. It's stopped me from communicating. I'm gonna send more emails, read/ write more blogs, write more letters & postcards, send more packages, (Hopefully, get some in return.) & make more phone calls. Hopefully people like this.

I hope you all understand.

AND... HBD to Spencer...

See you in the future...

And remember...

So... I Bought a Book...

At Urban Outfitters. I have had gift card that's been burning a hole in my pocket since December 28th, 2008. (Birthday present from my friend Jill. I'm a hoarder of all things money related. Just ask how many different gift cards I've got.) I've gone into UO a few times looking for the right thing for me. Clothes... No. I'm very specific about what I wear. Records... No. I'm not going to pay $30 for the new Band of Horses. I'll wait, get it at the show, & give my moneys to them. (Sadly, I'll not be able to attend on Tuesday, STUPID math quiz. I'll just wait & get it from Amoeba in December.) Everything else is a little kitschy to me. But I'm a book lover. It's just been recently that I've been this way. I attribute this to Harry Potter. (I've been on the lookout for the next big thing in books. I've been able to read some great books: Spud, 13 Reasons Why?, Looking for Alaska, & so on & so forth.) I was lucky enough to find a book in the discount section (I won't pay full price at UO). It's called The Happy Book...

It has a lot ideas on jotting down & remembering what makes you happy. I thought I'd post a couple of things in no particular order to start off my adventure. These are things that are making me happy right now...

This song is killing it for me. It's a new side project from some amazing musicians, CoCo, Jem, Poni, Greg Oblivian, & a few special guests. I've been lucky enough to meet CoCo, Jem, & Poni when they came through SLC last time. Great band and even better people.

This picture is on my desktop. It makes me smile & wish I was doing that exact same thing every day... This is Norah & Jake. We're waiting patiently in line for the Toy Story ride with our 3D glasses in California Adventure at Uncle Walt's House. (Great Ride.) I love being able to go to Southern California every year & enjoy all my friends. Every year the group keeps growing & growing & growing... (Will it happen this year? It did & still might?) And it's Disneyland. I've been every year for the last 9. Started on my 23rd birthday. I still get chills walking into the park. It's such a wonderful place for me. I can't explain it; you just need to experience it for yourself. Take a day, patiently stand in line (Cause you will be standing in line most of the day. Pull out a phone & play monopoly. It's what Lin, Mel, John, & I usually do. I don't know if we've ever completed a game. Maybe, this will be the year.) for whatever you wanna ride (Me... Space Mountain, please...), but make sure you make a wish at the Snow White's Wishing Well, and get your fortune told by Esmerelda. These are musts. Take everything in. So much to see & so little time to see it. One day isn't enough. Someday, I'll spend more time exploring Uncle Walt's backyard.

I'm so lucky to be in school. It makes me happy that I'm bettering myself for the future. It may be the hardest thing I ever mentally go through (Especially this year.), but I wouldn't have it any other way. Not only the learning part which is a majority, but also the social. I've been able to meet some pretty great & talented people from all over the world. Have I met a girl? Sure, I've met a few. Have ask any out? No. I know this is partially why I'm up there. I'm learning skills I didn't in high school. At 32, it's hard. I think I'm getting better at it, but I'm still too comfortable being by myself. I'm working on it kinda sorta.

So, there's a few things that make me happy right now. Take a second & write your happiness thoughts down. When you're down or need a pick-me-up, re-read your thoughts. I know I will. (I hope.)

See you in the future...

My Big Bro Doug (Chopper)...

In December, I learned that my brother Doug (Chopper) had gotten engaged to be married. In June, I got a call that he & Niki had eloped in Truth & Consequences, New Mexico. I'll be honest I was a little bummed that I wasn't there to see it, but truthfully, I might do the same. (Sorry, Mom) Saturday, Doug & Niki celebrated themselves. It was held at the Museum of Natural History on the campus of my vaunted rival the University of Utah with the dinosaur fossils. They did it their way. Nothing was traditional. Earlier that day, Doug had mentioned that that's the way they wanted to to it. They had a DJ spinning records. (Both are avid collectors. Doug's partially why I caught the bug.) They had the band The Rubes play a big set of covers. The last, Doug got up and serenaded Niki with...

I will never hear this song & not think of that moment. (Side note... It was my Mom & Dad's first time ever hearing my brother sing with a band, & he's been doing it 18 years of my life.)

I've been going to SLC for a good portion of my life. It all started when I was a sophomore in high school & have been doing it ever since. Doug & I have been through some great times like the time we went to The Ramones in '96 (YES, those Ramones.) at Saltair. My first concert. Through the better part of high school, I hitched a ride with anyone I knew was going to SLC. Most the crowd I was around went to Confetti (Actual name) on Friday nights. I went & was dropped off at 27 Punk Street. Those trips saved my life. If I had stayed in G&T, I don't know if I'd be here right now. The morning at Kosta's down the street for breakfast. The many, many trips to the DI to find hidden gems. Seeing him play in his various bands: Decomposers, Wormdrive, Tommy Gun Killers, Hot Rocks, The Switch, & Blackhole. Now, he's all grown up...

Congrats to Niki & Doug!!! (Not actual wedding photo)

Been Awhile...

First, I apologize to all my readers out there. It's been some time since I've posted. I think January. I know you all look forward to these. I'll try to be better but can't promise anything. Follow me in facebook if your that interested. Another thing, no pictures. I lost my camera. So if you've seen it, send it back my way. I miss her.

I guess I've been in a contemplative mood these last days. This last year humbled me & opened my eyes. Most of you know, I lost my job. It was a hard time, but I might have been the happiest I've been since grade school. I've been clinically depressed since 6th grade. That's about 20 years of my life. Losing my job, made me prioritize me. Made me tell myself, I'm important. I've never thought about that. I listen to a band whose key phrase is "Keep Your Heart." They use it multiple times in several songs. I like it. I say it to myself multiple times throughout the day just get me through.

Looking back, I was prepared for many, many rainy days. I'm grateful for that talent from really my Grandpa (Ralph). (My extended family is a weird picture. I really didn't know my Grandparents, Uncle (Mom' brother), Aunt (Dad's sister), or cousin (Yes, singular.)) I horde money. Deciding to go to school soon after the L.O., I didn't get unemployment. I tried many times to get what I deserved, but I wasn't going to lie about what I was up to. That savings SAVED me from having to worry. I lived on that, my small student loan, a $500 CC, & my sacred collection of one dollar bills (From many good nights at work. Wink.) up until recently (New job). If I could give any of you some advice, prepare for a rainy day. You never know when it will come.

School was a godsend. I needed a shove to get me up on campus. I still picture my first day. I got up there early (I didn't want to be late for my first day. That comes from Bernice.) and just sat below Old Main in awe. With the canyon wind blowing at gael force, I knew that's where I needed to be. It took 12 years. Yes, I wish I would have started sooner, but if I would've went right from high school, I would have quit. The social part would have killed me. Most of you know, I'm a loner. Sure, I have friends, but I'm not afraid to be by myself. At almost 32 (I hate the number 31. I will never tell people I'm 31; I say "I turn 32 this year.") socially, I DON'T care. Certainly, I wish I could talk to my campus crush, but I know that's me. It'll happen. I don't know when, how, or who, but things will fall into place. I learned so much last school year. The main thing was I like to learn. School was fun to go to class & even take tests. Especially, when I did well. Kids don't know that yet. They are all in a hurry. I want that too, but working sucks. School is so much easier than the drudgery of a 9 to 5. I savor every minute I'm up there.

I'm grateful for my parents. I don't know what I did for 6-7 years while they were in Hawaii. Seriously. It's good to be able to escape to Eagle Mountain and have no worries. They've helped me more than I can say. Also, the support from all my friends & the rest of my family. I know many, many, many prayers were sent my way. There were many times I didn't know what to do. Being depressed, the thoughts would circle. I just knew Logan & Cache Valley was where I needed to be right now. I don't know why; I may never know. It's all part of a plan. One shout out to my friend Mandilyn, thank you for getting me out of the house and more importantly my head. Every time I was low, you called and invited me to dinner, meet to get Nick & Norah, or go get a cupcake. Thank you so much. To all, I don't say I love you or thank you enough, but I hope you all know I imply it.

Take a look around, you may miss something interesting.

Quickie...

One of my new fave songs...

Dave Hause - C'mon Kid at Revival Tour (philly) from Dave Hause on Vimeo.