I have a friend named Tyler that my other friends and I consider a player. Just this last weekend, I found out that he is a mere amateur. While his exploits have garnered a healthy sum of about 15 females that he has kissed, this number pales in comparison to other men with whom I associate.
I went to a cabin with a bunch of guys from my ward last Friday. We set up 4 XBox gaming systems and played Halo for hours on end. For dinner, we were standing around the kitchen eating pizza. one of the guys started asking how many girls the other guys had kissed. A few of us had only kissed a couple (I am including myself in this group); Tyler and another guy were around 15; One guy was up in the 30s; another was up in the 40s; and the champion/loser (you decide) was up in the 70s. I knew that there were people like that out there, but I didn't know there were that many, and so close to home.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
One Last Dance
So I went to a high school dance last week...NOT as a chaperon.
Even while writing it, I still don't believe it.
I better give some background. I'm 26 yrs old and attending a university student ward (congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). There is a program within the church where members visit other members to share with them a gospel message, get to know them better and help them feel more welcomed and loved. This program is called Home Teaching. I was home teaching a 20 year old young woman in my ward. As I was about to leave, I asked her a question that most people ask at the end of a home teaching visit, "Is there anything I can do for you or help you with?" She thought for a minute and said, "Actually..." She went on to explain that she would be going the next weekend to the homecoming dance with a group of people and that there was a girl that she would like to have join the group, but the girl needed someone to go with. I said that I was willing to go. I was aware that homecoming activities were going on, I had just gone to the University of Utah homecoming game the day before, and was not too surprised at the request. As she continued to explain the details, there was a moment where horror struck me. I quickly said, "Oh, you mean VIEWMONT's homecoming?!?" I had incorrectly assumed that she was referring to the U of U homecoming or Weber State's. I had no idea that she was referring to a high school dance. Not only that, but MY former high school, Viewmont. When I was in high school, I always thought it rather strange when I saw people that had graduated the year before go to the homecoming dance the following year (let alone 7 years after graduating!). I could never imagine myself doing that. Why would anyone go back once they were graduated? I will tell you why: Home Teaching.
It turns out that the girl that I would be taking had had a brain tumor and undergone numerous surgeries on her head and on the limbs on the left side of her body. Due to the tumor, her left side had been somewhat paralyzed and her muscles were left very tight. The surgeries on her limbs were done to alleviate the tension. They involved the cutting and rearranging of tendons, among other things. The tumor and her surgeries kept her at home for most of high school as well as left her self conscious about her remaining paralysis. These factors have kept her out of the social scene for some time now. Her friend wanted this girl, who had been through so much, to get out and enjoy a high school dance. It was an experience that she was never able to have while in high school and I was lucky enough to play a part in giving her that experience.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, as embarrassing and strange as it was for me to go back, I reached a point where I didn't really care that a few younglings that I knew thought it was funny that I was there. When the cause is great enough, the definition of sacrifice losses it's very meaning and ceases to be.
Even while writing it, I still don't believe it.
I better give some background. I'm 26 yrs old and attending a university student ward (congregation) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). There is a program within the church where members visit other members to share with them a gospel message, get to know them better and help them feel more welcomed and loved. This program is called Home Teaching. I was home teaching a 20 year old young woman in my ward. As I was about to leave, I asked her a question that most people ask at the end of a home teaching visit, "Is there anything I can do for you or help you with?" She thought for a minute and said, "Actually..." She went on to explain that she would be going the next weekend to the homecoming dance with a group of people and that there was a girl that she would like to have join the group, but the girl needed someone to go with. I said that I was willing to go. I was aware that homecoming activities were going on, I had just gone to the University of Utah homecoming game the day before, and was not too surprised at the request. As she continued to explain the details, there was a moment where horror struck me. I quickly said, "Oh, you mean VIEWMONT's homecoming?!?" I had incorrectly assumed that she was referring to the U of U homecoming or Weber State's. I had no idea that she was referring to a high school dance. Not only that, but MY former high school, Viewmont. When I was in high school, I always thought it rather strange when I saw people that had graduated the year before go to the homecoming dance the following year (let alone 7 years after graduating!). I could never imagine myself doing that. Why would anyone go back once they were graduated? I will tell you why: Home Teaching.
It turns out that the girl that I would be taking had had a brain tumor and undergone numerous surgeries on her head and on the limbs on the left side of her body. Due to the tumor, her left side had been somewhat paralyzed and her muscles were left very tight. The surgeries on her limbs were done to alleviate the tension. They involved the cutting and rearranging of tendons, among other things. The tumor and her surgeries kept her at home for most of high school as well as left her self conscious about her remaining paralysis. These factors have kept her out of the social scene for some time now. Her friend wanted this girl, who had been through so much, to get out and enjoy a high school dance. It was an experience that she was never able to have while in high school and I was lucky enough to play a part in giving her that experience.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, as embarrassing and strange as it was for me to go back, I reached a point where I didn't really care that a few younglings that I knew thought it was funny that I was there. When the cause is great enough, the definition of sacrifice losses it's very meaning and ceases to be.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
I like games
An anonymous person commented on my last post saying that I need to write more. This one's for you anonymous commenter!
I am 26 years old. I feel that I have done amazingly well at staying out of relationships. While I do not consider this an accomplishment, my lack of effort in this area has surprised even myself. It wasn't until about a year ago that I started making what anyone might consider an effort. I had no drive before that point.
I have been in two relationships since then. It has fascinated me how the two of them have ended. The first was a relationship with a long time friend. Even with friendship as a basis (admittedly a shallow one), that relationship was doomed to failure thanks to a lack of communication and an amazing degree of incompatibility. Despite our differences, ending that relationship was hard on me. It had meant a lot to me.
The relationship that currently intrigues me the most has been the one I have most recently ended. Unlike the first, I cannot think of any major areas of incompatibility or hang-ups. I went out with her a couple of times a week for over a month. We have similar tastes and interests, similar goals... She seemed to be smitten by me and I couldn't help but feel like I should have been smitten in return. I just wasn't. I ended the relationship last Friday, not because of difficulties and differences, but rather INdifference.
I find it interesting that it can be difficult to end a relationship with someone that just isn't that right for me and then have no problem ending a relationship with someone that seems to fit me very well.
This blog feels a little uninspired, but it's what has been on my mind lately.
I am 26 years old. I feel that I have done amazingly well at staying out of relationships. While I do not consider this an accomplishment, my lack of effort in this area has surprised even myself. It wasn't until about a year ago that I started making what anyone might consider an effort. I had no drive before that point.
I have been in two relationships since then. It has fascinated me how the two of them have ended. The first was a relationship with a long time friend. Even with friendship as a basis (admittedly a shallow one), that relationship was doomed to failure thanks to a lack of communication and an amazing degree of incompatibility. Despite our differences, ending that relationship was hard on me. It had meant a lot to me.
The relationship that currently intrigues me the most has been the one I have most recently ended. Unlike the first, I cannot think of any major areas of incompatibility or hang-ups. I went out with her a couple of times a week for over a month. We have similar tastes and interests, similar goals... She seemed to be smitten by me and I couldn't help but feel like I should have been smitten in return. I just wasn't. I ended the relationship last Friday, not because of difficulties and differences, but rather INdifference.
I find it interesting that it can be difficult to end a relationship with someone that just isn't that right for me and then have no problem ending a relationship with someone that seems to fit me very well.
This blog feels a little uninspired, but it's what has been on my mind lately.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My How Time Flies
So, I was checking out my blog today with a friend. He pointed out that it had been an extremely long time since I had posted anything.
The End
The End
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Note: Snape post written before 7th book
Feel free to read the previous post if you have read the first 6 books or don't care if I spoil the story up to that point.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Harry Potter: Why Snape is "Good"
Warning!!!! Contains spoilers if you haven't read the books!
Okay, so these will be musings from a couple of years back when I actually read the sixth book. I'm afraid I had it worded better back then, but I just wanted to get the gist of my thoughts out before the seventh book hits stores. I don't know if anyone has already covered these ideas. I can't believe that I would be the only one, but I have not ready other blogs or fan sites. These ideas are purely my own.
When I finished the sixth book, like most readers that I know, I began trying to guess whether Snape was still good and whether Dumbledore was really still alive or not. I became somewhat convinced that Snape was still working against Voldemort, not with him. If this is the case, my ideas have more significance if Dumbledore is dead, so I will go off that assumption. As much as I like Dumbledore, I had felt for some time that he had to die in order for Harry to step up to the plate and really take charge.
Anyway, many around me would throw out conjecture as to whose side Snape was on. I believe that, not only is Snape still "good," but that I know WHY he is still "good." (I put good in parenthesis because, in many ways, he is still a hard, hate-filled man.)
I will now explain Snape’s motivation for staying true to the Order of the Phoenix, and why I hope J. K. Rowling thinks the way I do.
In book after book, Harry would argue that Snape couldn't possible be good or trusted: look how mean he is, he hates me because he hated my father and I remind Snape of my father, etc. Despite all of Harry's arguments, Dumbledore could not be convinced. Dumbledore was adamant that Snape was truly on their side and not Voldemort's. Was Dumbledore really so blind, or did he know something that Harry didn't?
Before I get to that, I need to cover the subject of love. Love has been a theme throughout the books. It was his mother's love that saved Harry from Voldemort at the time of her death and it was that same love that saved him when he touched Prof. Quirrell's skin, etc. Dumbledore has brought up the power of love over and over again. I believe that he referred to it as the most powerful kind of magic, one that Voldemort could never understand. Voldemort couldn't, but could Snape?
Harry saw a memory that exemplified why Snape hated Harry's father. It showed James Potter de-wanding him, lifting him up in the air, and devising ways to tease him even more. No doubt, this seems to be a good enough reason to dislike someone and, perhaps, their offspring. This is what Harry always focuses on. As an example, when Harry speaks with Dumbledore about how information Snape provided to Voldermort lead to James and Lily’s deaths, Dumbledore says that Snape always felt bad about being involved in their murders. Harry disagrees and cuts in with the same, tired argument that Snape hated his father. However, in focusing on this, he fails to look at his other parent. In the memory of Snape being teased, it was his eventual mother that rescued Snape from James. Throughout the books, Harry’s arguments always send the reader in one direction: Snape hated James Potter. Wouldn't it be truly poetic if J. K. Rowling set the stage where Dumbledore not only knew that love was more powerful than any magic (or hate for that matter), but that he was the only one who knew that Snape loved Harry's mother?
I realize that Snape didn’t seem to like her help in the memory and he even called her a “mudblood” at that point, but I’m not saying that Snape is the most likeable character. He may have been torn between his disgust for “mudbloods” and his feelings for one.
If that's the case, what would that explain? Yes, Snape hated James Potter. He thought of him as a mean, cocky bully. He hated him for those reasons, but how much worse would that hatred deepen if this boy he hated ended up with the only person (besides Dumbeldore) that every stood up for him; the only person that ever showed him any kindness; the only person that he ever... loved? I believe that Snape had feelings for Lily Potter. That fact would deepen his hatred for James and, likewise, create hatred in his heart whenever he sees Harry, but Harry is still Lily's child. No matter how much he hated James his love for Lily is stronger. Dumbledore knew of Snapes feelings for Lily and he knew the power of love. That is why he was so sure that Snape was not a traitor to their cause. He may be a somewhat loathesome man. He may not feel any real loyalty to Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix, Harry, but he IS loyal to Lily's memory. James won her heart, but Voldemort stopped her heart. No matter how much he hated James, his love for Lily causes him to hate Voldemort even more.
Snape was forced to kill Dumbledore. As Snape steps out and reviews the situation, Dumbledore pleads for him to do it. He's not pleading for him to save his life, but to end it. Dumbledore knew that it was necessary. Harry discusses the look of hatred and revulsion on Snape's face as he kills Dumbledore. This was not his hatred for Dumbledore being displayed, but his hatred and revulsion for what he had to do. Dumbledore (excluding Lily) may have been the closest thing to a friend he'd ever had. As Harry chases after Snape, Snape deflects spell after spell while, in a sense, offering advise on how Harry can improve. Snape doesn't attack Harry. In fact, he stops others in his party when they do so. Snape is getting sick of Harry's persistence, but it's interesting that he doesn't reach his breaking point until Harry calls him a coward and tells him to kill him like he killed Dumbledore. That made him angrier than ever before. Killing Dumbledore had been extremely difficult for him. He hadn't wanted to do it. He hated that he had done it. And here was Lily's child, the offspring of who he was fighting for, calling him a coward when he had just done the most difficult and brave thing he'd ever done in his entire life.
Okay, so these will be musings from a couple of years back when I actually read the sixth book. I'm afraid I had it worded better back then, but I just wanted to get the gist of my thoughts out before the seventh book hits stores. I don't know if anyone has already covered these ideas. I can't believe that I would be the only one, but I have not ready other blogs or fan sites. These ideas are purely my own.
When I finished the sixth book, like most readers that I know, I began trying to guess whether Snape was still good and whether Dumbledore was really still alive or not. I became somewhat convinced that Snape was still working against Voldemort, not with him. If this is the case, my ideas have more significance if Dumbledore is dead, so I will go off that assumption. As much as I like Dumbledore, I had felt for some time that he had to die in order for Harry to step up to the plate and really take charge.
Anyway, many around me would throw out conjecture as to whose side Snape was on. I believe that, not only is Snape still "good," but that I know WHY he is still "good." (I put good in parenthesis because, in many ways, he is still a hard, hate-filled man.)
I will now explain Snape’s motivation for staying true to the Order of the Phoenix, and why I hope J. K. Rowling thinks the way I do.
In book after book, Harry would argue that Snape couldn't possible be good or trusted: look how mean he is, he hates me because he hated my father and I remind Snape of my father, etc. Despite all of Harry's arguments, Dumbledore could not be convinced. Dumbledore was adamant that Snape was truly on their side and not Voldemort's. Was Dumbledore really so blind, or did he know something that Harry didn't?
Before I get to that, I need to cover the subject of love. Love has been a theme throughout the books. It was his mother's love that saved Harry from Voldemort at the time of her death and it was that same love that saved him when he touched Prof. Quirrell's skin, etc. Dumbledore has brought up the power of love over and over again. I believe that he referred to it as the most powerful kind of magic, one that Voldemort could never understand. Voldemort couldn't, but could Snape?
Harry saw a memory that exemplified why Snape hated Harry's father. It showed James Potter de-wanding him, lifting him up in the air, and devising ways to tease him even more. No doubt, this seems to be a good enough reason to dislike someone and, perhaps, their offspring. This is what Harry always focuses on. As an example, when Harry speaks with Dumbledore about how information Snape provided to Voldermort lead to James and Lily’s deaths, Dumbledore says that Snape always felt bad about being involved in their murders. Harry disagrees and cuts in with the same, tired argument that Snape hated his father. However, in focusing on this, he fails to look at his other parent. In the memory of Snape being teased, it was his eventual mother that rescued Snape from James. Throughout the books, Harry’s arguments always send the reader in one direction: Snape hated James Potter. Wouldn't it be truly poetic if J. K. Rowling set the stage where Dumbledore not only knew that love was more powerful than any magic (or hate for that matter), but that he was the only one who knew that Snape loved Harry's mother?
I realize that Snape didn’t seem to like her help in the memory and he even called her a “mudblood” at that point, but I’m not saying that Snape is the most likeable character. He may have been torn between his disgust for “mudbloods” and his feelings for one.
If that's the case, what would that explain? Yes, Snape hated James Potter. He thought of him as a mean, cocky bully. He hated him for those reasons, but how much worse would that hatred deepen if this boy he hated ended up with the only person (besides Dumbeldore) that every stood up for him; the only person that ever showed him any kindness; the only person that he ever... loved? I believe that Snape had feelings for Lily Potter. That fact would deepen his hatred for James and, likewise, create hatred in his heart whenever he sees Harry, but Harry is still Lily's child. No matter how much he hated James his love for Lily is stronger. Dumbledore knew of Snapes feelings for Lily and he knew the power of love. That is why he was so sure that Snape was not a traitor to their cause. He may be a somewhat loathesome man. He may not feel any real loyalty to Dumbledore, the Order of the Phoenix, Harry, but he IS loyal to Lily's memory. James won her heart, but Voldemort stopped her heart. No matter how much he hated James, his love for Lily causes him to hate Voldemort even more.
Snape was forced to kill Dumbledore. As Snape steps out and reviews the situation, Dumbledore pleads for him to do it. He's not pleading for him to save his life, but to end it. Dumbledore knew that it was necessary. Harry discusses the look of hatred and revulsion on Snape's face as he kills Dumbledore. This was not his hatred for Dumbledore being displayed, but his hatred and revulsion for what he had to do. Dumbledore (excluding Lily) may have been the closest thing to a friend he'd ever had. As Harry chases after Snape, Snape deflects spell after spell while, in a sense, offering advise on how Harry can improve. Snape doesn't attack Harry. In fact, he stops others in his party when they do so. Snape is getting sick of Harry's persistence, but it's interesting that he doesn't reach his breaking point until Harry calls him a coward and tells him to kill him like he killed Dumbledore. That made him angrier than ever before. Killing Dumbledore had been extremely difficult for him. He hadn't wanted to do it. He hated that he had done it. And here was Lily's child, the offspring of who he was fighting for, calling him a coward when he had just done the most difficult and brave thing he'd ever done in his entire life.
Monday, July 2, 2007
One Word Answers.
These questions come from a friend's blog: jenkneebee.
1 Where is your cell phone? close
2 Relationship? open
3 Your hair? growing
4 Work? sometimes
5 Your sister? loved
6 Your favorite things? people
7 Your dream last night? evaporated
8 Your favorite drink? juice
9 Your dream car? working
10 The room you're in? 11A
11 Your shoes? worn
12 Your fears? overcoming
13 What do you want to be in 10 years? happy
14 Who did you hang out with this weekend? friends
15 What are you not good at? terseness
16 Muffins? blueberry
17 Wish-list item? nothing
18 Where you grew up? Utah
19 The last thing you did? inhaled
20 What are you wearing? smile
21 What are you not wearing? socks
22 Your pet? Peeve
23 Your computer? online
24 Your life? Beautiful
25 Your mood? Pleasant
26 Missing? socks!
27 What are you thinking about? answers
28 Your car? ugly
29 Your kitchen? dirty
30 Your summer? great
31 Your favorite color? bluish
32 Last time you laughed? Today
33 Last time you cried? April
34 School? yeah
35 Love? always
36 Tag? You're it! (I make it all the way to the end and I cheat. Shameful.)
1 Where is your cell phone? close
2 Relationship? open
3 Your hair? growing
4 Work? sometimes
5 Your sister? loved
6 Your favorite things? people
7 Your dream last night? evaporated
8 Your favorite drink? juice
9 Your dream car? working
10 The room you're in? 11A
11 Your shoes? worn
12 Your fears? overcoming
13 What do you want to be in 10 years? happy
14 Who did you hang out with this weekend? friends
15 What are you not good at? terseness
16 Muffins? blueberry
17 Wish-list item? nothing
18 Where you grew up? Utah
19 The last thing you did? inhaled
20 What are you wearing? smile
21 What are you not wearing? socks
22 Your pet? Peeve
23 Your computer? online
24 Your life? Beautiful
25 Your mood? Pleasant
26 Missing? socks!
27 What are you thinking about? answers
28 Your car? ugly
29 Your kitchen? dirty
30 Your summer? great
31 Your favorite color? bluish
32 Last time you laughed? Today
33 Last time you cried? April
34 School? yeah
35 Love? always
36 Tag? You're it! (I make it all the way to the end and I cheat. Shameful.)
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