Guilty

Guilty pleasures are a common thing.  At least I'd like to think that they are.  Bad days happen, or you're just stressed out, so you need a go-to thing to de-stress or to take your mind off of how busy you are.  They vary.  They could be anything from food, to TV, to activities.

So what's one of MY guilty pleasures?  "Family Guy".  Now, I know what most people are thinking: "OMG 'Family Guy'?  Really?  That show is so crude and controversial and stupid.  I can't believe anyone in the whole wide world would like that show."  Then the thought follows: "Well if he likes that show, that means he's [blank] type of person."

Am I really being judged for something that I'll occasionally watch?  Is that fair?  Last time I checked, there were quite a number of other things that people like to read/watch that I don't really agree with, but I never said, or even THOUGHT, anything like that.  "What are you talking about?" you ask?  I'm talking about the obsessions people have.  Going to a midnight showing of Harry Potter dressed up like your 'favorite' wizard is one thing that comes to mind.  Maybe I'm offended by the predominant theme of witchcraft and wizardry.  Am I going to judge you for liking it?  No.  Why would I?  You like what you like and I'm not going to stop you.  I'm not going to refuse friendship, or create distance between us, just because you're into that whole magic-witch-and-wave-a-stick-and-cast-a-spell nonsense.

And how about the TV show "Modern Family"?  I'm not inclined to watch a show that features parents who are portrayed as mostly clueless (they aren't clueless, but that seems to be the message that's getting across), and an openly gay couple that adopts a child.  I don't like that and I won't watch it.  But if that's your cup of tea, go ahead, watch it.  I'm not going to think any differently of you for doing so.

And your movies, like "Just Go with It" and "No Strings Attached".  Making a mockery, basically, of procreation, marriage and family life.  Disgusting.  But you can watch it if that's what you like.  In addition to the horror movies that are graphic beyond belief and chase away the Spirit just for the thrill of it.

So why am I getting judged for liking a silly, stupid TV show that I just watch to let my brain take a break from the 13 straight hours of school and work that I go through every day?  And yes, there HAVE been times where I've turned off the show because there was something that didn't sit quite right with me.  But just because I watch it sometimes shouldn't give me a "bad person" label, or a "he's going to be a bad influence on our children" mindset.  I haven't given that label to anyone else because of what they like to watch.  I think it's totally unjustified.  And I don't need to apologize for this.

Mormons are Christians

As most of you are well aware by now, the good Rev. Jeffress declared Mormonism to be a "cult", stating that "Mormons" are not Christians.  His reasoning is that the Church was founded by a man (Joseph Smith) and that it does not follow solely the teachings of the Bible.  For those of you who are of the LDS faith, you are familiar with the teachings of the Church.  For those of you who are not of the LDS faith, let me give some clarification.

The name "Mormon" is a nickname given to the members of a church called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The very name of the Church bears the name of Jesus Christ, as He is at the center of all of our teachings.  We believe that God called a prophet in our days, Joseph Smith, through whom He restored the keys of the Priesthood of God.  This Priesthood power is essential in performing the will of the Lord on the earth.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints accepts the Bible to be the word of God.  Because God loves all of His children, He has supplied us with another account of the divinity of Jesus Christ in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  Here, the name "Mormon" refers to the ancient prophet who compiled the records contained within this book.  This is a record of God's dealings with His children in the ancient Americas, spanning from around 600 BC to around AD 400.  Every prophet whose teachings are found herein testify of the divinity and the mission of Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind.

The core beliefs of the LDS Church are well-stated in The Articles of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For example, the very first core belief is:

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

We believe that we have a loving Father, and that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins.  If we look to Him, and have faith that He will save us, then we can be saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God.

The third core belief is as follows:

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."

If we prove ourselves faithful in following the example of Christ, living His teachings and keeping His commandments, we will be saved by His Grace and joyfully return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

And perhaps one of the most defining aspects of being a Latter-day Saint is best said by Joseph Smith himself:

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

As a follower of Jesus Christ, and as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I testify that I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  I know that we can be saved only through Him.  He suffered for our sins.  He experienced our sorrows.  He knows us, and He loves us.  And because He lives, we may also receive eternal life and live with our Father in Heaven again.

Would Someone Teach Them How to Drive?

As I was driving around the Provo/Orem area this afternoon, I was quite displeased with what I saw.  The people who drive around here are some of the worst drivers I have ever seen (worse, even, than some that I encountered in California!).  There's a good reason that Utah County has a reputation, locally and nationally, for being home to the worst motor vehicle operators.

You want to make our roads safer?  You want fewer car accidents?  You want to rid yourself of the road rage that you feel while you're driving?  Let me give you a few tips that will help make driving easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Tip #1 - Pay attention to what you're doing.

This really makes no sense when you're not even going very far to begin with.  It surprises me how utterly oblivious people are to other cars/drivers.  That's why they invented rear and side-view mirrors.  It also helps to actually look at what's going on around you!

I was driving behind a couple of dudes today who were more interested in pointing out every little store on each side of the road instead of where they were going or what they were doing.  I think it would have been more fun to watch them run into something than to follow them for as long as I had to. . .

Tip #2 - GET OFF THE PHONE!

I don't know what everyone's fascination is with talking on the phone and TEXTING while driving!  It's next to impossible to focus on what's going on on the road if you're consumed by the dramatic sob story that your BFF  is making a feeble attempt to explain to you.  So, to the lady driving down State Street at 3:45 this afternoon: hang up the phone because it will make it A LOT easier to stay in your lane!  And you're less likely to kill someone on the road.

Tip #3 - Go the speed limit.

You can agree with me before I even explain this one.  Go ahead, say, "Yes, Matt.  No one knows how to go the speed limit."  People speed, yes.  But what's worse is people who go too slow.

I'm generally pretty good about not being in a hurry to get somewhere.  I think it's just part of my personality.  "Matt in a hurry = snail at a leisurely pace."  So I may not be in a hurry to get somewhere, but I just want to get there!  Camping out in the far left lane is stupid anyway, but going 10-under when you're in the left lane is more stupid than I can describe.  You think it's dangerous when that one guy whizzes past you at 90+.  What about the guy going 35 mph in a 50 mph zone?  Don't think that's dangerous?  Just look to see how quickly you gain on those red taillights.  You'll agree with me then.

Tip #4 - Stop when the light is RED.  Go when the light is GREEN.

It's simple.  Even for those of us who are colorblind.  If you can reasonably stop at a red light, then stop.  When the light turns green, MOVE.

See?  Simple.  A 1st-grader could tell you that.

Tip #5 - Live with your mistakes.

If you miss a turn, don't make a wild turn to try to get where you were supposed to go.  Just keep going.  Turn around when it's safer, and then find your turn.  Also, when you forget that you were supposed to get into a turn lane, don't try to squeeze into it while sticking across 2 lanes of traffic.  It's totally unnecessary.

Tip #6 - 

(This is more of an observation than a tip)

Male drivers do stupid stuff.  Female drivers just don't know what they're doing.

Male drivers: Put your hands back in the car, quit trying to impress your girlfriend, and start using your brain.  You won't think you're so cool when you're dead.

Female drivers: Just tone down the estrogen.  Figure out where you're going and what speed you should be going on the road.  Oh, and drive a car where you can actually see over the steering wheel.

I'm sure that this applies to more places than just Utah County.  But Utah County seems to beat them all.

7 Invaluable Lessons from BYU's Finest

As I have reflected on my time in Provo, I realized that there are many, many things that I've learned.  Let me tell you a few:

1) It's okay to be disrespectful to other people if you don't have a problem with what you're doing.

Example: Two students watching a video on a computer in the "No Shhh! Zone" of the library with the sound up to where everyone in the room can hear the video.  Okay, so maybe I'm not allowed to tell you to be quiet, but when your stupid video can be heard in a big room while people are trying to study, at least turn in down. Or get headphones.

2) Chewing and making loud noises with gum is cool.

Example: Kid is sitting behind me in a lecture smacking his gum and popping these loud, obnoxious bubbles.  Dude, I will break off your jaw.

3) Holding hands with someone doesn't necessarily mean you are "together".

Example: Couple walks across campus holding hands.  I ask them later, "Hey, so how long have you been dating?"  The response: "Oh, we're not 'official'."  Whatever THAT means...

4) Being racist is acceptable.

Example: Roommate has a friend celebrating her "Asian Birthday".  The conversation goes as follows:

Roommate: "Why is it your 'Asian Birthday'?"
Girl: "Because I'm turning 22!"
Roommate: "Okay, but I still don't understand."
Girl: "Oh well you know how all Asians hold up 2 fingers (a peace sign) in pictures?  That's why lol."
Roommate: "Wow... you do realize that was racist, right?"
Girl: "What?  I'm not racist."
Roommate: "What you just said was racist."
Girl: "Well it's not racist if it's true!"

*facepalm*  These are our future leaders, folks...

5) White rappers are cool.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYjG1llQVlA
Not to mention the fact that it's A LIBRARY.

6) It is taboo to put materials back where you found them.

Example: I find headphones, staplers and books that have been checked out in random places around the library.  Is it really that hard to be responsible (like the adult that you WANT to be) and take your stuff back?  Or should we just treat you like a child again and say, "Okay, so-and-so, let's clean up your toys!"

7) "Forgetting" things is a valid excuse.

Example: Class assignment is due, and there is at least one student who inevitably says to the professor, "Oh, I forgot that this assignment was due today.  Can I turn it in next class period?"  Um, NO.  You're old enough to be responsible for yourself and what you've been asked to do.

Example 2: You need your ID card to print on campus.  Students come to the desk EVERY DAY with the same issue: "I 'forgot' my ID card.  Can you send my print job to the printer for me?"  It's not that hard to bring your ID card to campus.  And if your assignment is really THAT important, you should make the effort to bring everything that you need on campus with you.  Should I wipe your sorry butt for you too while I'm printing your homework?

There are just so many things to learn in college.  I'm just glad that these things have been included in my education.  And with no added tuition!  SCORE!

Visiting a Middle School

With this being the beginning of a new school year, I have definitely learned several things.

1) Getting up to be in class by 7:45 every morning SUCKS.  I actually already knew that, but it bears saying again.

2) Getting to bed between 10:30 and 11:00 every night isn't so bad.

3) Driving in Provo is a nightmare.

4) My schedule is intense, for lack of a better word.

5) Junior High/Middle School students are really funny.

Let me explain the last one.  I was at Centennial Middle School on Wednesday morning.  The band teacher, Dr Rothlisberger, was teaching these kids how to make sounds from their mouthpieces.  Keep in mind that this is a beginning band class full of 7th graders.

He taught the brass players that the shape of the mouth should be tight and they should make the sound "emmm" to practice having the proper form.  Since I have never played a brass instrument before, I thought that that piece of information was pretty cool!  So they practiced it and got a few rather interesting sounds to come out of their mouthpieces.

Then he moved on to the flutes.  He went over the same kinds of things with them, getting them to have the proper form so that they can make a sound come from the instrument.  This time, instead of giving the same instructions as he did to the brass sections, he told them to do something a little differently.

"You're going to put your flute up on your lip and say 'poo'."

..........................................................................................................................................

Pause for a moment.  Do you hear that?  It's the sound of twenty 12-year-old boys busting out laughing because their teacher just said "poo".  Wait, you hear something else?  Oh, that's the 15 college-age boys doing the exact same thing.  The girls were laughing too, but they were just laughing at us.

That's why I love kids that age.  The dumbest things are hilarious.  And we have many similarities when it comes to humor.

Oh look, Obama thought it was funny too.

So even with all of the things that terrify me about teaching, I'm very excited for this part of teaching junior high.  It makes me laugh already.

Problem Solvers

If there's one thing upon which I truly and completely pride myself, it's my ability to solve problems.  If I can't get something to work one way, I'll look to see if there is another way to get around it.  If I get stuck on an issue, I'll put it away and come back later to take a fresh look at it, hoping that there was something that I may have missed the first time.  This has worked very well for me.

But let me tell you what I despise: people who try to solve other peoples' problems.  Especially when the one with the problem *isn't asking for anyone's help*.  Thank you for "caring", but I can do this without you.  Why?  Because your suggestions suck.

Example:

Friend: "Matt, you just need to have positive thoughts."
Me: "You think I HAVEN'T thought of that already?!  Thank you for stating the obvious."

Reason for outburst: it's something I like to call "Clinical Depression".  You may have heard of it before.  But for those who don't understand what that entails, let me show you.

There are certain chemicals in the brain that help it to function "normally", if you will.  As you see here, with my type of depression, the serotonin levels are off.  So when I go any length of time without something to help get the serotonin back where it's supposed to be, I get increasingly depressed and irritable.  Edgy, as I like to say.  It also makes it extremely difficult to just "think positive thoughts".

And for those of you ignorant people who just say "it's a choice to have positive thoughts", you have no idea what you're saying and you have no right to say that.  Especially to someone like me.  Trying to tell me that only makes it worse.

I've had people tell me that being around me when I'm like that is like "walking on eggshells".  Two things.  1) Why would you ever walk on eggshells? and 2) it's your own d*** fault.  So don't try to blame it on me.

So, counsel from the wise to the uneducated, keep your "advice" to yourself.  I'm doing just fine figuring out my own problems and don't require your input unless I specifically ask for it.  You don't see me telling you how to run YOUR life.  So let me take care of my own life, just like you want to be in charge of yours.

Technology + Age = Disaster

I love old people.  No really, I do.  When I think of old people, I think of people like my grandmother.  She turns 90 in October and is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people ever to exist on the planet we like to call "Earth".  I'm also very surprised that she is so mobile at her age!  We were just down in New Orleans a couple weeks ago and there were days where I had no idea where she was because she'd gone off to look at some stuff around town!  I hope I'll be like that when I'm 90.  Except not as a woman . . .

But as much as I love old people, there are quite a few that are just crabby.  You know what I mean: something doesn't work right or they don't understand something, so since you're the closest intelligent life form, all of that rage is directed right at your face.


Example: lady comes to the library trying to make some photocopies from a book.  Since the copying machine won't do what *she* wants it to do, it's automatically MY fault.  Now you may say that it's because I was the only staff on the clock at the time, but that's beside the point.

This is how I see old people, represented by a mathematical equation:

+

=

If it were up to me, I would find a way to get old people to avoid using any kind of technology at all costs.  The only problems are 1) it's not up to me, 2) I don't have any ideas for what to do, and 3) there are A LOT of old people.  But it sure would make things a lot less stressful on the technology-savvy if old people were banned from using things like computers.

Kudos to my grandma for sticking with the United States Postal Service and refusing to try using email.  I wish more old people were like you, Meema.

TSA: Too Stinkin' Anal

I recently returned from a trip home to Georgia and was intrigued by the differences in the TSA agents in the two airports from which I flew: Salt Lake City and Atlanta.

I had surgery on my wrist a couple days before I left Utah to head to Georgia, and I was trying to adjust to wearing a soft cast on my right arm.

It looked like this:

I expected to have to do some kind of extra security check at some point before they would let me on a plane, so I planned for a little extra time with our beloved TSA people.  After I went through the metal detector, the TSA agent told me to go see another guy to get my cast swabbed (I guess to make sure I didn't have any weapons on the OUTSIDE of my cast...).  It took about a minute and I was soon on my way to my gate.

And yes, for an entire two weeks (insert sad face here), I was in a hot and humid environment and was unable to wash my right arm.  Feel free to shed tears of sympathy now.

Here comes the good part.

My flight from Atlanta to Salt Lake was scheduled to leave at 6:15 AM on Sunday.  I figured that airport traffic would be light, considering the day and time.  Well, the only check-in that had a line was Frontier.  The one that I just happened to be flying that day.  There was a lady who was tapping her foot because she was worried about missing the flight (I walked into the airport at 5:15).  So was I.

And let me just say this: the people who check you in at the airport are slow and useless.  Much like the offense for the Atlanta Braves.  I didn't move in that line for almost 20 minutes while two people were checking in passengers more slowly than the plot development of Master and Commander.  But I digress.

By the time I finally got past check-in, I was booking it to get through security.  But there was a problem.  I still had this cast on my arm.  So Atlanta, being as huge and ridiculous as it is, decides that it needs to be SUPER thorough in checking to make sure that I don't have anything suspiciously hidden inside my cast.  After going through the body-scan, the TSA guy took me aside (away from my stuff) TO TAKE PICTURES from every possible angle of my arm using this outdated machine.  Was it necessary?  No.  I mean, I can understand that you want to make absolutely sure that nothing gets by unnoticed, but SERIOUSLY?  I had about 20 minutes to get to my gate before the flight left.  And I still had to get on the train to go 4 concourses down to my gate.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fact that we've woken up and have a heightened sense of security in our airports.  But could you please cut down on the unnecessary procedures and MOVE FASTER??!!  It would help a lot of people be less stressed about flying.  Most importantly: ME!

Harry Potter

So the 2nd part of the last Harry Potter movie is coming out tonight and a ton of people are excited about it.  In fact, I have already seen at least a dozen Facebook statuses telling how stoked people are to wait in line, dressed up in their Harry Potter-best, dying to get in to see the movie.  It all sounds so RIVETING!

But here's the problem: it's a movie.  Here's another problem: anyone waiting in line for this movie has most likely already read the book series.  So . . . what's the big deal?  You already know what's going to happen.  You already know that Harry dies, comes back to life (somehow) and then everyone lives happily ever after without "you-know-who".  (Side note: I still think it's stupid how everyone is so scared to say Voldemort.  It's just a name . . .)  So why are we all in such a hurry to stay up until 3 AM and watch what we already know is going to happen?  And then, after it's over, everyone will complain about something that the filmmakers left out, or something that wasn't exactly how it is in the book.  And after that, everyone will go see it again anyway.  And still say that it's the greatest movie ever made.  It's a fact of life.  For some odd reason.

And before you call me an ignorant hater, let me just point out that I have read the first book (and have no desire to read the rest no matter how good you tell me they are) and have seen the first 5 movies.  So I know that I don't like it.  Harry and Ron remind me of Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street.  They are always together, they're best friends, one is tall and the other is not-as-tall, and no one really knows whether or not they are actually gay.  That's just one thing that I can't stand about it.

Then there is the teenage angst.  It's everywhere.  It's like a bad episode of The Young and the Restless.  A bit redundant, but still true.  Ron has a secret crush on Hermione (and Harry), who secretly likes Harry, but Harry likes the Asian girl (who had to hear about her sparkling boyfriend dying), who just wants Harry because he's Harry.  And then apparently Dumbledore IS gay, Snape is on crack and Malfoy is and always will be Harry's nemesis because he has an inferiority complex.  Ta daaaa.

Maybe some of you go for the social experience.  But I have to ask you, are these people worth being social with?  Something is telling me that it's not.  Just a hunch.  It's like if a group of dudes went together to see the Justin Bieber movie . . .

*beep beep beep* Oh, excuse me.  That was my gaydar going off.

Anyway.  But what could POSSIBLY be better than Harry Potter, you ask?  Let me think: Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, Tron, Kelly's Heroes, Dodgeball, Star Trek, Sherlock Holmes, the Bourne series, Inception, Batman Begins/the Dark Knight, Angels in the Outfield, The A-team, Iron Man, Princess and the Frog, Indiana Jones . . .


. . . . . . . . and there's this series of movies called The Lord of the Rings.  I don't know if you've ever heard of that.

I could entertain myself for hours watching Youtube videos and other movies on Netflix.  So I'll save my $10 and spend it on something worthwhile.  You can enjoy the letdown of sitting in the back row of a midnight showing of a silly children's book series.

Vlad

Let me introduce you to my friend Vlad.

I made Vlad while standing at the Periodicals desk in the library.  On Thursday afternoons, it usually gets pretty quiet down there, so I just wait for people to come see me if they have a question.  After I drew this character, I just knew that I had to call him "Vlad".  That's just what he looked like to me.  And in order to keep the alliteration rolling, I came up with several descriptive words for him, all starting with the letter "V".  His name reads: "Vlad, the vicious, V-neck-wearing, veracious, verbile venator".  So, without further ado, allow me to present Vlad:

<----- (Vlad)






Now, most of you might think that Vlad is not a very good-looking person.  However, he is good at dodgeball (7-time All-Star of Eastern Europe), likes to ice fish with his bare hands, and is #3 in the world hair-growing rankings.  Anyone who knew his personality would be crazy about him!

That would be anyone EXCEPT for the department assistant, Kim.  Notwithstanding Vlad's outstanding credentials, she did not take kindly to finding out that she was betrothed to him.  It was up to my coworker, Andrea, to remove Vlad from his prominent position on the Periodicals desk.  When I showed up to work the next day, I was disappointed to not see Vlad.

So, with the passing of my dear friend, I would like to leave him with this profound homage:

"Dear Vlad.  I like you.  I might be the only one.  I think you're nice."

Everyone, a moment of silence for Vlad.

..............

That's enough.

Independence Day

When I was living in France as a missionary, I came to realize that there were many things that I took for granted.  One such thing was my family.  You know how it is.  You always get into fights with your siblings, your parents are over-protective, everything that they do is annoying.  But in the end, it's your family.  They are always there and are always willing to help.  While that was obvious to me (the fact that I took my family for granted and *gasp* actually MISSED them!), something else was lacking that I wouldn't have thought of right away.  That would be simply this: living in the United States of America.

With Independence Day weekend just barely past, I took the time to reflect on what makes this country great.  I made a mental list of several things.

1) Baseball (obviously)
2) Driving on the right (directional) side of the road
3) the American flag
4) Checks and balances in the government
5) the South (can I get an "AMEN" from the congregation??!!)
6) the fact that everyone claims to hate the U.S., but they all actually want to BE the U.S.
7) Being free

Some of these are more humorous than others (notice that baseball is #1 on the list.  This is not a joke.  It is God's gift to man), but I saved "being free" for last because it is perhaps the most important, and quite possibly what we take for granted the most.  Think back to those tedious US History classes from high school and those endless dates to memorize.  Why were those so important?  Why were these such memorable days/years in our history?  The events of the past have strongly influenced where we are and where we are going.

During my time as a missionary, I served as the pianist for several congregations of the Church (and you should know that I am a pretty lousy pianist!).  One day, as I was sitting down attempting to practice, I flipped open the hymnal to #340 (in the English LDS Hymnal), "The Star-Spangled Banner".  The last verse hit home the most of the three verses.  It goes as follows:

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
and this be our motto "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


We forget how miraculous the creation of this country was.  It was basically a bunch of punks (American colonies) who were tired of being beaten down by "the Man" (Britain).  These poor people stood up for what they believed in.  On July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared its independence from Great Britain.  What these men did was in blatant defiance of the King of England, and was considered treason.  But these brave men had faith that their God would be at their side.  Should we not do the same?  Should we not also stand "between our loved homes and the war's desolation", even when we could lose everything?

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

May we always remember the freedoms that we have and enjoy from day to day.  We must ALWAYS put our trust in God.  As long as we do this, we will always have the right to say, "God bless America, my home sweet home!"

BYU Doctors: "Best of the Best"

I'm going to put this as mildly as I can: I hate going to see the doctor.  The only reason that I even consider going is if there is nothing else that I can do, or that I'm too sick to do anything else.  I still maintain that my least favorite of all places to go is the BYU Student Health Center.  I've been there many times for a number of different things, and I consistently come away with the same feeling, "Well that was a waste of time."  The  incompetence in that place is potent.

In November 2009, during a flag football game, I was reaching out to grab someone's flag as he was running by me with the ball.  As I reached out, he made a cut towards me and, almost literally, ran straight through my  right arm.  I felt my wrist snap.  As I jogged off the field, I could see it start to swell and stiffen.  It hurt!  I was even afraid to tell Eric, my bass teacher, about it because I was sure that he would have pulled out a gun and shot me in the face!  So I let it sit.

A few months later, I was out playing frisbee on a slick field with my friends from freshman year.  At one point, I jumped up to catch the disc, but my feet slid out from under me as I came down.  I tried to catch myself but landed on the same wrist that I hurt during football.  The pain that I felt was almost exactly the same.  I decided not to throw another frisbee for the rest of the game.

After this incident, I went to the aforementioned BYU Student Health Center.  I told them what had happened and how my wrist felt.  They recommended getting an X-ray.  I got it right then and there.

The results, as they told me, showed no structural damage.  So there was obviously "nothing wrong with it", which is what I had heard for just about everything else that I had been there for up to that point and everything that I have been there for since then (shoulder pain, IBS, and depression, just to name a few). I was told that it was probably just a sprain, so they gave me a brace and sent me off.

That was over a year ago.  I still experience that same chronic pain that I did before.  So, as much as I didn't want to, I went to see another doctor.  A hand specialist.  They started the same way: X-ray.  But let me explain the difference in treatment here.

1) Dr Frazier actually LOOKED at my wrist, rather than just glancing at the X-rays.
2) He gave me a guess as to what might be wrong with it.
3) He looked at the X-rays with me and pointed out some very key things.

Now, one of these very key things is that there is, in fact, a bone sticking up out of my wrist.  What did Dr Frazier say that means?  "Well it looks like you actually broke your wrist when you hurt it the first time.  That break probably caused a cyst to develop on the top of the wrist, which would explain where the pain is coming from."

................. I sat in silence for a minute.

Really, BYU?  Really?  You told me that there was nothing wrong or broken.  This guy showed me, in less time than it took you to guess, that there was indeed a broken bone. If it had been caught and had healed properly, there would not be any problems with it.  It's like you didn't even TRY.

At the time, I was on the *mandatory* BYU health plan (for students who are not on private insurance; it is required to have some sort of medical coverage in case of "an accident, unexpected illness, or hospitalization," which "can result in a significant financial burden to you, your family, and the community" (BYU Student Health Plan statement).  So please explain to me why it was required to be on this health plan when I could have come to the same conclusion as you did for myself for $500 cheaper?


I had a representative from the BYU Student Health Center tell me TO MY FACE that the doctors in the student health center are "the best of the best".  Tell me, how is it that the "best of the best" can miss such an obvious bone break, when a supposedly less-than-the-best doctor pointed that out as the FIRST thing that was wrong?


Dr Frazier had me do an MRI, which revealed that I have a ganglion cyst in my right wrist.  Because no one told me that I had a broken bone in my wrist, this cyst has been sitting there for a long time.  I have been reduced to getting it surgically removed.  I hope that my insurance will cover it.  If they don't cover it, and even if they do, I think that I have the right to file a malpractice suit against the BYU Student Health Center.


Best of the best?  Yeah.  Not even close.

Let's Be Fair

So I just couldn't sleep knowing that I just railed on a bunch of girls and said nothing about guys.  Well wait.  Yeah actually I could.  But there is an epidemic that has spread among men everywhere, especially at BYU.  It is what I like to call "douche-baggery".

Douche-baggery is defined in the latest edition of the Matt Green's English Dictionary as being "a) the act of acting like a douche-bag; b) being unseemly loud and obnoxious; c) not thinking before acting; d) wearing a mustache."

There are varying degrees of douche-baggery.  How is this an epidemic, you ask?  Well let me tell you.


1) I find it extremely difficult to take anyone seriously who dresses like this: baggy shorts, t-shirt that is 461 sizes too big, baseball hat that has a flat brim and still has the hat-size sticker on it (not even for a team that you like, but just because the logo "looks cool"), and shoes that are so big that they won't stay on your feet.  This is what you look like to me:

Now, I realize that this may seem cool to some people.  But in reality, you look like a teenage queer who's not quite sure whether or not he should stay in the closet or give in and just come out.  Then you wonder why people still treat you like a child.  Well here's an idea: put on some decent clothes and at least pretend to look respectable.  It would make that whole "I'm an adult so treat me like an adult" thing a lot easier.

Douche-bag rating: 9 (scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the highest)


2) A white guy was walking around on campus playing a ukulele.  He is from Utah.  He has never been outside of the country.  He thinks he Polynesian.  It's a little stupid, but he's not hurting anyone.  Except for me, of course, because he plays the same tune repeatedly using the same 2 or 3 chords.

Douche-bag rating: 4

3) I'm sitting at Red Robin the other day, and there is a group of four that is seated at the table next to me.  One of the guys was standing up at the head of the table, attempting to be stylish with his shorts hanging down past his rear end.  Well, it wouldn't have been so bad if his shirt had at least been long enough to cover his butt.  But while he was leaning over, sure enough, there was the full moon shining brightly (or darkly, I should say, since he was black).  I'm not sure why anyone would think that everyone wants to see his butt hanging out of his pants . . .  Not surprisingly, I lost my appetite.

Douche-bag rating: 6


4) I know that it takes guys longer to mature than girls (or so I've been told), but there are some things that just baffle me that I've seen guys do.

Example: I was at the campus devotional the other day.  As I was walking past the library, I stopped to talk to a friend of mine that I served with during my mission.  While we were talking, I saw 3 guys wearing Foot Locker employee clothing (they were trying to look like referees).  I noticed that whenever they saw a dating couple showing some sort of pubic display of affection (holding hands, kissing, etc.), they would blow a whistle and show them a yellow or red card.  My friend David was "carded" by these three referees.

Don't you have anything better to do?  Sure, this whole "PDA" thing is a little overdone around here, but you're making it more obnoxious than it needs to be.  And you look like morons.  You should focus more on removing your "Dunce Cap" rather than refereeing everyone else's life.  It might be more understandable if you were 14 and in high school.  But guess what.  You're not.  Now you're just another floundering idiot.  And you're not doing anything to help your case either.

Douche-bag rating: 8

There seems to be a problem with what guys think is "cool" nowadays.  At BYU, it is against the dress and grooming standards to have a beard ("clean shaven, blah blah blah").  But for some reason, not all facial hair is included in that.

The mustache has become not only acceptable, but desirable among BYU men.  If your goal is to look like a creeper, then you are most certainly living up to it.  Just make sure that when you're buying a house, it's not the one next to mine.  You personify the classic Michael Jackson joke, making reference to BYU as "Bring 'em Young University".  Yes, you look like a pedophile with that 'stache.  Shave it.


Douche-bag rating: 10

My point is this: if you ever want people to treat you with any sort of respect, do something to deserve that respect.  There's a reason that people can't stand being around you and make fun of you at any chance that they can.  You just make it so easy for them!  So start acting like a grown-up if you ever want to be treated as such.

Fair to Look Upon

Women are supposed to be "fair to look upon".  Especially BYU women.  But for some reason, there have been some rather unflattering styles that have been accepted among the BYU female population that leave me to wonder: what were they thinking?  Allow me to explain.

I've been trying to figure this one out for a long time: when did leggings become an acceptable substitute for pants?  This includes leggings with mini-skirts.  Perhaps you should make reference to the statement in the Honor Code which states specifically:  "Clothing is inappropriate when it is . . . form fitting.  Dresses, skirts, and shorts must be knee-length or longer" (emphasis added).  Last time I checked (and yes, I did check), your leggings are suctioned to your legs.  Form-fitting, some would venture to say.  Your mini-skirt?  Yeah, it doesn't go down to your knees.  So please, do us a favor and keep your fat legs to yourself.  You might as well run out of the house with no pants on at all.  Yoga pants are borderline.  But it's a definite NO for just leggings.

Also, when did it become attractive, or desirable, for that matter, to have belly fat hanging out over your pants/leggings/skirts?  I don't know about anyone else, but the LAST thing I want to see when I'm just minding my own business (besides people sticking their tongues down each others' throats) is skin rolls and butt cracks.  May I have my courtesy barf bag, please?

Pregnant women, I have a question for you specifically: have you ever heard of "maternity clothing"?  You have another living person inside of you.  Do you really think that you can still fit in your clothes that you wore when you weighed 110 pounds?  *News flash*  You've gained 20 pounds!  Get something that fits!

I would much rather you cover yourself than make me have to cover my eyes when you walk in front of me, or bend down to dig around in your purse for 3 minutes, or sit at the computer and lean forward with anticipation.  Please, keep your skin/fat/butts covered.  My eyes would appreciate it.  A lot.

"Finest and Brightest"

You know, for all that everyone says about BYU students being the "finest and brightest" (among college students, I assume), it's not really what I imagined it to be.  Maybe I'm looking at every single one of the bad examples of that, but I work in the library in the middle of campus and see, literally, thousands of these so-called finest and brightest every day.  Final analysis: unimpressed.

Let me give you a few examples:

Ex. 1:  "I 'forgot' my student ID card (required to check out materials and print in the library, and all over campus, in addition to a plethora of other things on campus).  Can you print this 15-page paper for me?"

Um, if it was really vital that you have your paper printed, you should have remembered that and brought your ID card with you to campus.  You are in COLLEGE.  Be responsible for yourself.  And it would be different, Mr/Ms BYU Junior, if I hadn't had you come to my desk X number of times asking me to do the same thing.  So my answer to you?  Come back when you can wipe your own butt.

Ex. 2: "I'm looking for a book on [insert subject here].  Can you find one for me?"

Do it yourself.  If you can't find one after you have legitimately tried, THEN come talk to me.

Ex. 3: "Can I check out books here [at the Information desk]?"

*Slowly turn head to look at the desk marked "CIRCULATION" not 20 steps to the left and stare at it until point is taken*

Ex. 4: "I am 'an alumni'..."

So you're telling me that you're . . . multiple people in one?

Ex. 5, courtesy of my dear coworker, Carl Hollan: "Can I check out a sewing machine here?"

Only comment: this is a LIBRARY.

Ex. 6: Getting a death glare from a cashier in the BYU Bookstore for having an opinion of Harry Potter other than, "Oh my God it's like the best series ever and it's like so awesome and it's like so good and I can't wait for like the movie to like come out so I can see like the same thing that I like just read and then complain that the book is like better and I don't see how like someone could NOT like Harry Potter!"

*This is my "shut up before I kick your jaw off" face*

Ex. 7: Thinking that wearing only leggings counts as pants/modest clothing; also mini-skirts w/ leggings.

Please, re-re-re-re-re-read (that's reading AT LEAST 6 times) the numerous talks that have been given, in addition to the counsel given in For the Strength of Youth pamphlet about NOT wearing form-fitting clothing.  Also, re-read that thing that you signed before you were allowed to come to school here.  We call it the Honor Code.

Ex. 8: "Do you have this journal in the library?"
"No, we don't have that one."
"But I need it."
"Sorry, we don't have a copy of it."
"No, but I REALLY need it."
". . . and we STILL don't have it."

Just because you need something doesn't mean that it's going to magically appear.  Come on, people.

Ex. 9: "I have a research paper that's due tomorrow and I need to find some sources . . ."

Congratulations.  You are the 24th person today to tell me that.  Go do your homework, and next time, don't put it off til the last minute.

Ex. 10: Guy says, "Hey, do you want to go out with me this weekend?"
Girl responds, "No, sorry.  I have a missionary."

So that bans you from any social activity whatsoever; because there's this boy who you can't talk to or see that lives halfway across the world and most likely isn't even THINKING about you at the moment.  Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.  And because going out on a date means that you have to get married.  Oh yeah, I almost forgot, this is BYU.  It's a foregone conclusion that if you go on a date, you HAVE to get married.

These are my 10 examples for today.  Tune in next time when I have an extension of these 10 examples of our "Finest and Brightest".

Desktop vs. Laptop

I have been debating over whether or not I should do this for a while.  But now it has been a heavier matter in recent days and weeks.  The question?  Keep the laptop, or sell it and buy a desktop?  Here are my reasons.

Laptop
I have had a laptop since I started college (2006).  The most recent laptop I got was in 2009, shortly after returning home from a two-year stay in France.  I like my laptop.  It's a little heavy to carry around in my backpack all the time, so I usually leave it at home.  It does what I need it to do, but it does have some disadvantages.  For example, I like having a big display screen.  The screen on my laptop is 15.6".  Not bad for a laptop, but still, the computers that I use at work generally have a 20-23" monitor.  I like having a lot of windows open at once, but don't like having to squeeze two windows on my screen.

It is nice to be able to take my computer around my apartment so that I'm not limited to keeping it in my room.  If people come over but I want to use my computer still, I don't have to leave what I'm doing and I can still be mildly social.  But at the same time, I can't exactly haul my speakers back and forth because of how bulky they are (two speakers plus a sub-woofer).  So since I rarely (almost never) leave home with my laptop, I'm not seeing too many advantages to keeping it.

Desktop
Since monitors for desktops are pretty much all flat screens now (the last time I had a desktop it looked more like a TV than a computer monitor), space is not an issue.  I have a nice desk that I can utilize.  I've done some browsing and have been able to find some good monitors and towers that aren't extremely priced and fit what I'm looking for.  I have lots of music and would like to be able to hold a lot more than I have.  Generally, desktops are faster than laptops.  Again, I like larger display screens.  Also, since I don't take my computer with me, it would make sense, considering desktops are not very mobile...  and the fact that I have an Android phone, so I can get pretty much anything that I need on my phone that I could get on my computer.

Specs for the computer that I want to get (mix-and-match):
HP - 20" Widescreen Flat-Panel LCD Monitor (sale price $100)

Asus Essentio Desktop - ($400)
AMD Athlon II X2 Processor
2.8 GHz processor speed
4 GB memory (expandable to 16 GB)
1 TB hard drive

Total: ~$500
Current MSRP for laptop that I currently own: $540



I'm leaning towards the desktop for the reasons that I have already mentioned.  I'm curious to know what other people think.

I Like New Hats

I've started expanding my collection of hats.  I have quite a collection at home, but I've started going for the official team hats rather than the ones that I got from playing baseball as a kid.  And since I'm pretty sure that my head has stopped growing (contrary to the opinions of others...), I can get the fitted team hats without worrying about outgrowing them!  Here are the most recent additions to my collection:

The one on the left (for the information of my Southern/east coast friends) is the hat for the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A Minor League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  If you don't know the one on the right, you deserve to be punched in the face!  I already have a Braves hat that has a red bill, so I decided to go with the all-blue road cap.  It was a tough choice between this one and the Sunday home style hat.

I've also decided to take a page out of my good friend Mike's book and get a hat from each stadium that I visit.  So the next step is to start visiting other MLB stadiums...  This summer will take me to Denver (Colorado Rockies) and Kansas City (Kansas City Royals).  Unfortunately, when I'm planning on being in St Louis, the Cardinals will not be in town.  I might still get a Cardinals hat just for the heck of it.  I love baseball!  Can't you tell??

Central Subscription: Give Me Your Money

Okay, so this has been going on for a long time and now it's getting a little ridiculous.  I just got another phone call from a company that calls itself "Central Subscription Services".  What do they do?  They take subscription orders from supposed customers for a number of magazines and charge them accordingly.  There is a small problem, however.  They actually seem to make the orders FOR the customer, rather than letting the customer come to them to make the order.  Don't believe me?  Let me tell you a little story.

29 December 2010
I find myself sitting comfortably in my house in Georgia, just enjoying the Christmas vacation.  It's my first time home in exactly one year.  The rest of the year had been spent in school and working.  Not to mention the health problems that I had been experiencing for the previous four months.  I was just hoping for a relaxing, 3-week break.

As I mentioned, I was sitting comfortably.  I was on the couch all by myself.  No people.  No dogs.  Nothing.  Just me and the TV.  As I sat there, I got a phone call from someone claiming to represent the "Central Subscription Services" company.  He talked very fast, so I was having a little bit of trouble trying to keep up with him.  I asked him to repeat himself several times (blame it on me being Southern, but still, he wasn't making it any easier for me).  He was telling me all about these great magazines that I could get with a subscription through them.  Apparently, I had told them before this time that I wanted some magazines.  However, according to fact, this was the first time I had ever even heard of these people.  I explained to him that I wasn't interested in ANY magazines because (shockingly) I NEVER READ THEM!  I never even LOOK at them.  We debated back-and-forth for about 15 minutes until I finally reached what I thought to be an understanding.  I didn't want the magazines, but the only way to get this guy to shut up and leave me alone was to say, "Okay, you already sent them without asking me first.  Don't send them again and don't call me back."

That's when things took a different turn.  He then told me that he was going to record this part of the conversation.  When he told me that he was going to be "signing me up" for 2 years of subscriptions to these magazines, I stopped him.  I said, "That's not what I want.  I don't even want one month's worth."  He then tried to reason with me, telling me that he would only send the one month's subscription and then I wouldn't get anything else and wouldn't be charged for it.  So then he *restarted* the recording (apparently deleting the other one) where he then READ MY DEBIT CARD INFORMATION TO ME.  Keep in mind, I have never spoken to this man, never ordered anything, and yet he is reading my card information to me.  Something isn't right here, is it?  But I just wanted to get him off the phone and never talk to him again, so according to this "understanding" that we had, I wasn't going to be charged anyway, so I let it go.

Phone call ended, I go about my break and other business like I normally would.  On 4 January 2011, I see a charge for one month's subscription from the aforementioned company.  "Okay," I thought.  "Just one month because that's all he said I was going to get.  I'll let this one go."  I had a little buffer money in my account anyway.  So I was fine.

9 February 2011
I look on my bank account (a regular activity).  What do I find?  A $59.80 charge to Central Subscription Services.  This is charge number TWO.  You can imagine how excited I was to see that.  Meaning I wasn't excited at all.  In a slight rage, I called this company to see why they had charged me a second time.  According to them, I still had a subscription.  I had what I thought to be a clear understanding that I wouldn't get anything or be charged for anything after that first one.  Looks like I was being too trusting in a group of thieves.  I took action, since I didn't want this to happen again.  I went to my bank, cancelled my debit card, requested a new one and waited for it to come to me in the mail.  No more stolen money.

Since that time, I have received upwards of 6 separate pieces of mail from the same company telling me that I owe them money.  The amount?  $1000+.  I have had *a* (meaning ONE) customer service rep from this company call me and talk to me several times about this.  She played the recording (a whopping total of 2 minutes) of my conversation with the man on December 29.  That didn't really say anything about what I discussed with him.  I've grown tired of dealing with them.  I have told them many many many times that I don't want their magazines and that I want this "subscription" that I have to be cancelled.  They're not even willing to do that.  I have received phone calls 3 times in the past week or so from this same customer service rep saying that she "needs" to speak with me.  Problem: you keep calling me when I'm at work and I'm not really in the mood to return your unwanted phone calls.

So, "Central Subscription Services", if you want someone to steal money from, you have come to the wrong place.  Who knows, maybe I'll make more money off of you than you have made off of me.  I like the sound of that.  As for this man's money, to quote the great Dr Who, "IT IS DEFENDED!"

Recital 2011

So the much-anticipated recital has come and gone.  It was indeed what one would call a "different" experience. I thought that playing in master class was hard. . . and that's just playing for as many as 10 people that I see almost every day!  But those that came to my recital were not as intimidating to play for as I had imagined.  Hopefully I'll be able to get a video up in the near future.  If not, well, sorry.  Deal with it.

Here is what the program looked like:

Cello Sonata no. 3 in A minor (Antonio Vivaldi)
Concertino for Double Bass (John Boda)
Prelude and Fugue for Solo Double Bass (Miloslav Gajdos)
Chant du Menestrel (Minstrel's Song) (Alexander Glazunov)
Concerto in A major for String Bass and Piano (Domenico Dragonetti)

Overall, I think that the music itself was good.  The performance was good.  The quality of performance could have been better, but nothing is perfect.  It was a good experience and hopefully it will help me in future performances.

Friday Night Lights

So I'm walking to work (it's a Friday night) and I take a detour through the math building.  I look around to see the goings-on.  While I'm walking past the math tutor room, I see several people.  All of them are guys.  And most of them look like this guy:

So what's funny about this?  Well, the fact that there are no girls around leaves no secret: sausage party in the Talmage Building.

But who am I to judge?  I work every Friday night until midnight!  Only difference is that I was scheduled to work by someone else.  This was definitely NOT a personal choice.  And what makes it worse is that those that populate the math building also occupy the library.  At least send some interesting people to keep me company!

This also doesn't help since I woke up at 6 AM because I couldn't sleep.  Burning the midnight oil sucks when you're exhausted. . .  But tomorrow is Saturday!  You know what that means! . . . well neither do I, but now I'll bet you're curious as to what I was going to say.

Oh, and the pre-recital hearing is only 5 days away.  It's cram time!

Barry Green

This week was really cool!  Barry Green came and did a master class on Thursday and gave a recital on Friday night.  One of his favorite things to do is to get people to move with the music, since that's what music should do.  So for that reason, the recital was quite entertaining.

But I think that the best thing about Barry being here was being able to play in a bass quintet with him.  We played Jamba Mon, written by the one and only Eric Hansen.  I was intimidated at first, just because playing with two bassists of that caliber doesn't happen all that often.  But just sitting in and listening to Barry play, then getting some feedback from him after I played in master class, opened my eyes even more to what I can do with the bass.  It was cool!

HFAC Practice Tombs. Errr.... Practice Rooms

So I'm doing a research project on the availability and reservation of practice rooms and have come up with a few ideas.  I talked to Kory Katseanes the other day and he chuckled when I told him that students were having trouble finding practice rooms, stating that "every time I go down the practice room hallway, I always see rooms that are open."  But that led me to think about some other things.  For example, students can practice until 11 PM, when the HFAC closes.  But is that realistic?  Some people actually go to bed at decent hours (I may not be one of them, but it happens).  Others can't be there at 6 AM when the HFAC opens.  When students are on campus during the day, they want to practice.  But the rooms are all being bombarded with people trying to steal rooms; waiting for those who have reserved them, who are not using them, to miss their 15-minute window to claim that room.  SO.  Here are some ideas that I have come up with in my research:


Practice rooms that are available for reservation: 42
Practice rooms specifically for Organ/harpsichord: 6
# Upright/electric Piano: 18
# Grand Piano: 18


Students in SoM: ~700 (incl. graduate students)


Bigger practice rooms should be reserved for larger instruments (i.e. basses/cellos). Set aside
specific rooms for specific instruments. Less mobile instruments have reserved rooms in the E
Wing of 2nd floor practice hallway. Smaller instruments have some of those, but do not have
priority on those rooms, since they are more mobile and can be taken to C Wing practice rooms.


Model practice room availability after organ, harp and percussion studios?


Keep the 15-minute rule.


Sine the reservation system stores the students' class information (level and instrument), this can still be done online.  Rooms can be set aside proportionally to accommodate each studio.  Once each student has an opportunity to sign up for his/her studio's assigned practice rooms, reservation opens to all other students.


I'm curious to know what people think about my research so far.  If you have any suggestions, let me know!  I'm going in to talk to Mark Ammons on Monday afternoon to talk to him about these ideas.  Any feedback would be welcome!

BYU Philharmonic Orchestra's "Evening of Concertos"

So this coming Wednesday is the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra's Evening of Concertos.  Every year, there is a solo competition involving instrumentalists and vocalists from the School of Music, the winners of which perform with the Philharmonic Orchestra.  This year's winners and performers are:


Josh Coffey - Artunian Trumpet Concerto in A-flat Major
Gina Connely - Nystroem Viola Concerto
Liberty Pierce - Gounod, Jewel Song from Faust
Abigail Tippetts - Copland Clarinet Concerto
Allison Smith - Ravel's Tzigane
Jessie Fullmer - Strauss Oboe Concerto in D Major
Yurika Ohki Taura - Grieg Piano Concerto in A Major

It should be an exciting performance!




However, I do have ONE small problem. . .  This will interrupt my own Evening of Jimmer.  I will be forced to miss our home game against New Mexico and I am NOT happy about it.  I WANT JIMMER!!!!!!!!!!!

Ode to Jimmer

"Jimmer, you are amazing.  The shots you take take my breathe away.  When I saw you pull up for a shot from 40 feet away, my heart stopped.  When the ball sank through the net, it jumped for joy!  The way you dribble, the way you post, the way you cross; I rejoice in those moments, for I know that you will give me cause to bask in glory.

Those who despise you are only jealous of your abilities.  They want to be you.  They want to emulate you.  But they cannot arrive at your level because your level is far above that of any normal basketballer.  The stunned looks on the faces of your opponents cause the basketball gods to smile greatly.  They approve of your awesomeness.

With this, may it be kept in memory the greatness of the Great Jimmer Fredette, the Anointed One."

LONG LIVE THE JIMMER!

Photo Shoot

 The results of a photo shoot that Jay and I did with Laci on Sunday afternoon.  I think we had a little too much fun!

And some people have made comments about where they think that this photo should be.  Guys Quarterly was one.  Others say that I look like Guy Pearce.  You can decide.




Contemplating the meaning of life.  Laci was taking photos of Jay and I was a little bored, so I just went to the bench and sat down for a few minutes in this lovely pose.

And being Mr. Suave, as usual.  Once I got Laci's attention, I just started posing in all sorts of ways.  This one was the only one that was captured though.

Then I decided to have a little fun with Christine.  This is not an unusual scene.  And for some reason she hasn't run away screaming yet.

This one is the one that I used for the cover page for my Music Education portfolio.  It was widely acclaimed to be a very good-looking photo.  It makes me blush. . .

JIMMER FREDETTE!

There's nothing that I love more than an awesome athlete.  So, in honor of the BYU great, here's my Ode to Jimmer:

"Jimmer, you are amazing.  The shots you take take my breathe away.  When I saw you pull up for a shot from 40 feet away, my heart stopped.  When the ball sank through the net, it jumped for joy!  The way you dribble, the way you post, the way you cross; I rejoice in those moments, for I know that you will give me cause to bask in glory.

Those who despise you are only jealous of your abilities.  They want to be you.  They want to emulate you.  But they cannot arrive at your level because your level is far above that of any normal basketballer.  The stunned looks on the faces of your opponents cause the basketball gods to smile greatly.  They approve of your awesomeness.

With this, may it be kept in memory the greatness of the Great Jimmer Fredette, the Anointed One."

LONG LIVE THE JIMMER!

BYU/SA: Most Controversial Organization at BYU

I was always convinced that BYU/SA was the biggest waste of time and resources.  Really?  Am I paying tuition in support of the supposedly helpful organization?

But something happened last semester that started a bizarre chain of events.  One day, as I was standing in the hallway waiting for my professor, I was approached by my old Music Theory teacher, Dr. Thornock.  As we talked, he asked if I would be interested in serving on the School of Music (SoM) Student Advisory Council.  I accepted.  My only obligations?  Representing the string department of the School of Music and going to SAC meetings every other week.  No big deal.

Well, during the first meeting, I was asked to be part of the College of Fine Arts and Communications (CFAC) Student Advisory Council.  A slightly bigger obligation, but still manageable.  I would attend those meetings on the off-weeks of the SoM council meetings.  Since I didn't have much to do on Fridays, I was okay with that.

Then starts Winter semester.  I get a call from Shelbi, the other student on the CFAC advisory council.  Since one of the other students graduated, there was a vacancy that I was asked to fill on the BYU/SA Student Advisory Council.  I hesitated for a minute. . . trying to understand what exactly was going on.  BYU/SA. . .  Aren't they the guys who send me obnoxious Facebook invites trying to get me to support certain groups and people and events that I never end up going to?  Yeah. . . that would be them. . . and they want ME on their Student Advisory Council?  Hmmm. . .

I accepted the invitation.  But then I went back and thought, "Wait a minute. . . I'm part of that organization that no one likes. . . CRAP!"  But as I've gone to SAC meetings and gotten to know the people that work with BYU/SA, I've come to realize that they're just like me: students trying to do well in school and make something of themselves.  It's been good getting to know what kinds of things go around on campus and what we can do to help.  As the Student Advisory Council, we are the "bridge" between the student body and the administration.  I've been able to see what that really means since I joined BYU/SA.  I never thought I would say anything like that. . . ever.