Halloween!!!

Halloween is a lot of fun. You get to dress up, eat tons of candy, and sometimes even make a fool of yourself and it's ok.

Aubrey's Family had a bit of a party over at their house, and that's where I spent the majority of my halloween. It was fun. Katie and Chris showed up, and we basically goofed the night away.


Afterwards we went our separate ways, and a little later Alex came over. I had previously challenged her for a rematch on Madden '08 (She had already beaten me). We played two games, and although they were close she ended up beating me yet again. She is just to good at some of these video games. Even with the loss, it was a good night hanging out with friends. What else is needed?

The Mile and a Half Run

Today for PT the Instructor decided to see where we were at compared to our first PT test. I had already passed everything except the mile and a half. When I ran it today, I shaved about 4 minutes off my time. I got it down to 13.04 minutes! I'm pretty happy with that. We do have another 3 weeks till the final testing, and if I can take a few more seconds off my time great, but I would also be just fine with keeping it at what I am. I was surprised when I finished at just how well I did. While I was running I though I was doing pretty poorly. I was out of breath and just whooped, but I guess pushing yourself really makes a difference.

On a side note, I haven't raced Alex in the mile yet. She was pretty quick to point out that I've now gotten it down to about where she was when we first ran. So it looks like it will be a pretty interesting race.

Another Day Down

Monday turned out to be a pretty stinking long day. Mostly because I didn't sleep from 4pm Sunday to just before midnight Monday. After work I met up with Alex to go for a run. We probably went about a mile along the Provo River Trail, but my leg was killing me so we took it pretty easy after that. Alex decided we needed some Eggo Waffles! My first thought was that I don't have and waffles. She quickly pointed out that she was suggesting we go to her apartment and eat ones that she had. We did. It was awesome. Mrs. Butter-worth joined us, so delicious.
(When ever Mrs. Butter-worth comes up, I can't help but think of the time that Chris told me that when he was little he had tried talking to her, or something like that. It's funny none the less)
(Normally Alex has to go through like 5 pics before she gets one that she says is acceptable to go on the blog, but I was able to sneak one in!)

While we were eating, Alex was playing random songs off her computer and hit upon a song from Pocahontas. I mentioned that I had never seen that movie, and it was decided that we had to watch it. I went and borrowed it from Tara, and that's what Alex and I did. It's not all that bad of a movie, but it definitely is geared for young girls. (I would also like to point out that there isn't a single ugly indian in that entire movie, and they all are insanely ripped.) We didn't have to much more planned so we just watched Tin Man and wasted the rest of the day away. Until I had to go to school. I didn't get to much accomplished during that first part of the day, but it was still a pretty good time.

At the Academy, I took my first aid and cpr test. I aced it! I was thrilled, it now brings my average in the class up to like a 96%. Pretty stinking good. And just the cherry on top of an already good day. I wish every day was like that.

Some People Shouldn't Be Cops

I suppose that's kind of a nice way to say that there are some cadets in my class that I hope I never have to work with or rely on. When it comes to police work, they are going to be worthless.

Class yesterday was just rough. We did eight hours of "conflict resolution." Not to long after we got back from lunch, we decided to spice things up by playing a game. There are three cadets in the class that have a knack for saying and asking the most retarded of things. We placed bets on who would by the end of class have the most tallies for the dumb things they said. And for an added measure we put everyone else in the class as a whole in another set. Each one of these three, far out shone the entire class. And I'm talking in a three hour span saying 15 more things then the class combined. They are either immensely stupid, or just don't think before they speak. I'm pretty sure they are stupid. My favorite outburst of stupidity was from this one gal. The instructor was talking about a domestic violence he had gone to, and was describing in some detail what happened, and when he got to a lull this gal blurted out did he go to jail? The instructor's jaw literally dropped and he stared at her for a good five seconds before he could say yeah we took him to jail. He couldn't believe she had even asked. Like the grisly scene he had just described would mean that the dude wouldn't be taken to jail. Stupid comments and questions come up all the time from these three people, and it's going to get to the point where the class is just going to get pissed at them and tell them to shut up.

There is one person that gets on everyone's nerves. She is a person that everyone is pretty sure is going to fail, and hopes that she does, just so that they never have to work with her. She is already one of the three that puts stupid comments out there. But the thing that really pisses people off, is that she doesn't pull her weight or do what is required. Like we had to get uniforms for class and pt, and she didn't get them until like a week ago. And she still doesn't wear them everyday. Or when she does decide to show up for pt (which isn't that often), she'll leave in the middle of doing our exercises and take a 30 minute break. She is never on time for class, and never on time getting back to class when we have breaks. When we have tests she freaks out and lashes out at everyone else cause she doesn't feel prepared. For our defense tactics practical, she didn't know hardly anything. She didn't even know the basic holds. The night before she was freaking, and wanted everyone to focus on her and teach her how to do things. One kid got pissed and flat out told her that if she had showed up for class she would know how to do it like everyone else. Another kid got annoyed of her bugging him, and finally "showed" her the restraints. After that she decided that she needed to go home because her wrists and shoulders hurt. Suffice it to say she didn't and hasn't yet passed the defense tactics practical.

Stupidity is one thing. But being stupid and lazy is one thing that an officer just can't be. Stupidity can be over come by hard work. Lazy is lazy, and I won't put up with it from my fellow cadets. I want them to succeed, but if they don't put the work in themselves, I don't feel bad what so ever in leaving them in their hole. Hopefully these few cadets will snap out of it, or do everyone a favor and drop out.

Paranoid and Over Protective

I think I may have said it earlier, but it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to say that I'm a little paranoid and over protective. And that was before I started the Academy. Now having been in for almost two months and been instructed by veteran police officers, its safe to say that I'm straight up crazed when it comes to safety and security. They have stories that will make you never want to leave your house. Or let anyone in the house for that matter.

Anytime I go out now, (especially at night) I'm always looking around, trying to see into shadowed areas, and keeping my eye on everyone that I see. When I'm out with a female, I try and keep myself between her and everyone on the street. I also try to walk her to her door, or at least watch her get inside if walking to her door isn't possible. And I'm even more on my guard if that's possible. Sometimes I find I worry about them, like when they say they are walking home at night by themselves. HELLO! Red lights going off in my head. I worry about the creeps that live near them, I worry about them making sure their doors and windows are locked. It just seems like every conceivable thing that could happen, I worry about. I know they can take care of themselves, but again it's that over protective, paranoid side coming out

Personally I think it's got both its ups and downs. On the up side, there needs to be that person that is always on the lookout for trouble. If your looking for it and preparing for it, you'll be ready if it does come up. Also I think that many people in the "Happy Valley" area get complacent and don't worry as much as they should about security. On the down side, I'm freaking crazed. I automatically think these strangers are up to no good, and I may be a burden to those around me. I know my roommates sometimes get annoyed that I dead bolt the door, even when I'm sitting in the living room. (I dead bolt the door the second I walk in the apartment, no matter what I end up doing after I get in)

But it does make me feel good that I'm doing all that I can to keep them safe. I would be extremely upset if they got hurt or into trouble because I wasn't on the ball. That seems like a pretty good quality for a police officer to have.

Insurance Is A Scam!

I have to re-register my car this month. Unfortunately to pass my safety and emissions I have to replace my windshield because there's a huge crack across it. I go over to Techna Glass and want to do it through my insurance, since I have full coverage. I'm in there getting things set up and we get a hold of the insurance company and go through all the steps. When wouldn't you know it since I have a $500 deductible, and haven't paid anything, and the new windshield costs only like $300, they aren't going to pay it. Talk about pissing me off.

Basically what they are saying is that even though I haven't ever had a claim, and have full coverage, they're going to keep all the money I've already paid, but not pay for this. Doesn't that sound like a scam to anyone else? Why am I paying all this money for years, without ever taking anything back, if when I need it, they won't do anything for me? I have to have my windshield replaced because I have to re-register my car. I don't have $300, I wanted to for once use the insurance that I'm paying for. But no, that's just not going to happen. All the insurance company is good for is taking my money. They should be drawn and quartered.

And I have no idea what I'm going to do.

Adventures In Park City!

Katie, Aubrey, Chris, Brady, and I stayed in Park City on Saturday. Katie's parents have a time share up there, and they were nice enough to let us use it to celebrate Katie's birthday. It was a pretty fun adventure.


Aubs, Chris, Brady, and I drove up around 2. It was a pretty good drive, we did have to stop at the store in Heber to get some chicken. We were pretty white trash, just standing in the parking lot, eating chicken and potato wedges. But who cares, not like we needed to impress anyone. And we did get lost like twice. Luckily with the four of us in the car it didn't take to long to right ourselves and get to the hotel.




The hotel was pretty stinking amazing. It had three rooms; a main room with a kitchen, fireplace, t.v., table, and couches. A master bedroom with a t.v., a whirlpool bath, and the master bathroom. Then a second bedroom, with basically the same thing as the master, but instead of the bath, there was a little counter and table setup. It was just a way nice place.




We plopped our stuff down and decided to hit the town. And it was a perfect day to do it. High sixties, and mostly sunny. Just a wonderful fall day. Park City is pretty well kept. Nice little park type places to sit, and look at the art they have up.

And lots of expensive shops to go in, if you had the money of course. But we eventually made our way back to the hotel, and on the way found that they conveniently made these nice little fire pits every block or so.
It was nice just to stand there and get warm and talk to the few people that were out and about.

Then it was time to go swimming. For some reason, when Chris and I are together we just make fools of ourselves.
It's just part of our nature I guess. I'm not a huge fan of swimming, so after a while Aubs and I went in, and left the three of them there to frolic in the water. For most of the rest of the night we just goofed off, played games, and watched movies.

By 10 the next morning it was time for us to go. It was a ton of fun, but I was super tired and ready to crawl into my own bed. I would totally do it again, if I get the chance.

Embarrassing And Hilarious Moments In Life

It seems that at least at one point or another in a person's life they will have an extremely embarrassing yet ultimately hilarious event take place. Some people have more then others. In my opinion, I think I have more then my fair share.

I don't know why I was thinking this, but I was laying in bed one night and I remembered the time I had a tick in my belly button... As a family we were going somewhere, (I think it was the Kipputs house) and I was scratching my stomach. Something just felt odd. I lifted up my shirt, and looked. To my surprise there was a little black thing in my belly button. I may have mentioned it, (it's possible I freaked, I don't really remember if I did) and sure enough on closer inspection by those in the van it was a tick! When we got to where ever it was we were going they got tweezers and a match, and burned/pulled that sucker out. I think the consensus was that when we went to Grandma's house the week before I must have picked it up, and it had been there all along.

I don't know what to even say about it now. It's just one of those things, that's like what the crap! HAHAHA! The really sad thing about it is there are just so many more stories (some probably worse then this), that we could bring up. And I'm sure there will be more as life goes on. I just have to get through it to be able to laugh at it later.

On a slightly different track, I got a call from Drew the other day. I was on my way to the academy and he asked me about getting my nipple bit off at grandma's house. Now I don't remember anything about that, and I don't believe I was involved. I would however like to know the rest of that story. Cause I am sure that is one for the records.

Music

A couple of years ago while in Vegas my car got broken into. They tried stealing the radio but couldn't get it out. They did however jack the thing up pretty bad. That same radio finally died a while back and I just took it out. All of this makes it so that I've got no music in my car. I don't care all that much about it, but some people I know do.

So just today I got Alex to make me a play list, and we put it on my phone. The reason for it being on my phone is that, my phone can be used as a playing device, and the speakers are good enough that you can clearly hear the song. It's actually pretty amazing. Who would have thought that a phone good be used like an ipod, that could be used as a portable stereo? Technology has come so far! And now at least there will be music in my car for all to hear, not just me. All thanks to Alex and her mad computing skills. Oh and I can't forget Robert, her computer.

Dinner, Apple Beer, Rock Band, and An Awesome Movie!

Earlier in the evening on Saturday, I had a dinner engagement with my former roommate Chris Wilson and his wife Jen. It was pretty informal, just kind of a random thing we bumped into each other in the parking lot and realized that we lived in the same complex. So he invited me over for dinner. It was delicious, Jen is a fantastic cook. They said I didn't need to bring anything but I thought it would be nice, and that I really should. I wanted to bring over some apple cider. I almost got up the stairs from my apartment with the gallon of cider in my hand, when I tripped. The container goes flying out of my hand, and busts all over the stairs! I was ticked, only I could be that clumsy. I only had to get the thing like 200ft and I'd be good, but it just wasn't going to happen for me. I was able to save some of it, but it left a gigantic mess on the stairs and the front porch.
Late Saturday night (not really it just seemed late, because it was dark and way to freaking cold out) I met up with Alex and we went on a little adventure. We needed Apple Beer. It didn't take to long to find, just two gas stations, and the creamery to get it, but get it we did. Unfortunately it wasn't already cooled, so we couldn't drink it right away. While it was cooling we played Rock Band! It is a pretty awesome game. The idea is you assemble a band, (singer, guitar, bass, and drums) and you "play" songs. It's a ton of fun, and I highly recommend it. The drums are kinda hard to get used to, but the other instruments are pretty easy to get the hang of, and you can play with up to 4 other people which makes it even more fun.
We played for awhile, had a few apple beers, then eventually got pooped out, and decided to go to my apartment to watch a movie. Our choice was the newer Superman. I really like that movie, and hope that they make another in the same fashion. I don't know specifically what it is I like about the movie I just do. It's just one of those movies that sticks with me. But by the time the movie was over, it really was late, and so we braved the cold and I took her home. The end of a very nice night.

One More Test Down

I took my Defense Tactics Practical on Saturday. I passed. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I was probably way more nervous then I really ought to have been. But I did my best and passes and that's all that counts. There was one point early on in the test where Instructor King told me to do an arrest procedure, and I did the wrong thing, and was about half way through it, when I realized I was doing the wrong one, and felt like a complete idiot. But he just said to fix it and it wasn't to big of a deal. It reminded me of when I went to take my driving test, and the Instructor told me to turn right and I turned left! I just felt stupid. HAHAHA!

What the Piss!?! I Lost Weight!

Apparently since the last time I weighted myself, I've dropped a few pounds. That is not what I wanted. I want to put weight on not, take it off. Suffice it to say it was a little distressing. But as Alex pointed out to me, I was bound to lose some weight just because of all the running I'm doing. Oh well, I'll have to work extra hard to put some of that weight back on. (I'm down to 152lbs.) Bummer.

On the bright side I did just buy myself a sweet scale. It not only keeps track of my weight progression, but it also measures body fat. (I'm at like 12.5% body fat) It's pretty cool and has a digital display and everything. Which just gives me one more way to keep track of how I'm doing.

Competition

Everything is a competition. Specifically Alex is really pushing me to exercise and workout. Our first competition is to see who gets a better mile time. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she's got a good minute ahead of me. I'm pretty confident that I have a more strenuous routine then her (mostly due to the academy), and I know I can cut my time by quite a bit. The question is how much will she be able to cut? I believe we'll be re-timing in a month to see how it's going.

The newest competition that's brewing is who can tone up the most. Now not everything has been set out yet, but the general idea is that we get this workout routine, P90X and go through it. It's an intense 90 day workout, that's supposed to bring insane results. Everyone swears by it (including Alex). So when we start, we're going to take a bunch of measurements, and then at the end of the 90 days, see who improves the most. Neither of us have started it yet, and I at least won't be able to start until December, but it's just one more thing that's been cooked up for us to compete against each other.

I can't say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing to be so competitive, but it certainly makes things more interesting. And makes me want to work just that little bit harder.

Awesome Test Scores

So we took another law test in the Academy on Monday. I scored a 93% bringing my average in the class to 95%. I'm very happy with the results. Plus Captain DeMille was saying that the tests only get easier. For now I only have to worry about the Defense Tactics practical on Saturday. I'm pretty sure I can do it, but I just worry about everything. Hopefully I don't get to worried and blow it.

A Long, Yet Fun Weekend

This weekend has been pretty tiring. I had PT everyday this week, which was just plain rough. And so Saturday I had the Academy stuff from 8am till noon. It seemed like the Instructor just wanted to make us ache. Then I meet up with Alex at the BYU Indoor track, and take another light jog around.

I was already tired from my earlier exercises, and I was starving. But it was a good run. Then we went and got a bite to eat at Panda Express, and came back to my place, where we were reminded that conference would be on in like half an hour. We ended up going to Alex's apartment to watch that second session. It was pretty good, and I amazingly was able to stay awake through it all. Alex wasn't so lucky...

Alex has to go to work soon after, and I thought about going and taking a nap ( I ended up playing video games). I got a call later that night from Aubrey and Katie, saying they wanted to do something. We met up at Aubrey's apartment and watched Baby Mama. That movie had some funny parts, but i can't say it'll be high up there on my favorites list. Probably won't even make it to the favorites list. After the movie I decided it was time to go back home, but was side tracked by Alex because she was "hunting" for something sugary, and it just so happened that I had a dozen krispy kreme doughnuts sitting in my fridge. I took some over to her. While I was sitting on her couch, I looked over to her table, and saw a bottle of lotion. I picked it up and read it, and interestingly enough it said it would instantly make skin silky smooth. I tried it... it kinda does, and it has a pretty good smell too.

Sometime later, I decided it was really time to go home and go to sleep. So I did. The downer was that it was raining cats and dogs, I got drenched. But you can't win them all.

Is there a change?

So I didn't weigh myself this week. Mostly because I was just busy and didn't get around to it. But I did take a new picture, I don't think there's any visible change. Like everything good, it takes time.

The Mile Run

I went running this morning with Alex at the BYU outdoor track, just to see what our mile times were. I ran it in 9 minutes 28 seconds. Not bad, and if I can keep that up for a mile and a half I'll have the academy pt in the bag. Alex however ran it in 8 minutes 15 seconds and put me to shame. I can only hope that by the time the academy is over my time will be far better. I don't know if I could handle being ridiculed by her for to long.

Lunch at Fuddruckers

Alex and I went to Fuddruckers for lunch today. They make a pretty tasty burger. And the atmosphere is pretty good, but a little over powering. There's just to much stuff in the place. Makes it so that you can't really just look at one thing, your eyes just stray from one picture or object to the next. But it's better then some places that I've been.

Alex didn't think it to funny that I was taking pictures right after she ate.

But I must say she put me to shame, she was able to finish her entire burger.

I was able to finish most of mine. There was only a little bit left on my plate.

A Good Home Cooked Meal

So just yesterday Mom made a delicious meal over at John and Tara's. I got stuffed and so did Aubrey and Chris. I do so miss getting those meals. Chris got a little scare put into him by Drew. Chris had an unpaid ticket, and got a warrant put on him. Which Drew was more then happy to try and resolve, if you know what I mean.
Lilly seemed to just not be able to smile when there was a camera in her face.













And I tried to teach Emma a new phrase!

An Interesting and Fun Saturday...Except for the Damn Thieves

Besides the eight hours I spent in law class, I had a super fun Saturday. Aubrey wanted to get a group together to go out and have fun. She came over to my apartment and we tried to marshal the troops.


Eventually Katie came over and the three of us were going to wait for Chris, but we were starving so we went to TGI Fridays without him. It was delicious. Afterwards we headed to the theaters, but the only movie that we could watch was sold out. Katie had to leave to go attend to her little sis. So Aubrey and I went back to my house. Where Chris eventually came, and he wanted to eat and show off the new satellite radio he got in his car. We ended up going back to TGI Fridays, so Chris could eat and we got some dessert.


Then Aubrey had to leave, and I got a call from Alex, saying she was ready to go do something. So Chris and I went and picked up Alex, and headed to the Nickelcade where we met up with Chris' roommate Brady. The arcade was a lot of fun, but Alex "lost" her phone somewhere along the way. We back tracked our steps, and the only thing we could find was a group of hispanics. The owner was super nice, and let us look around after the place closed and even turned off all the machines so we could try and hear it... to no avail. (I've been calling her phone off and on since then, and I'm pretty sure somebody has it because the number of rings to get to the voice mail isn't always the same.) It pisses me off that people can be so inconsiderate, and just take things that aren't theirs. Yeah, it probably dropped out of her pocket, but the decent thing to do would be to turn it in. Not take it.

But we left a little disheartened and went back to my place and watched Meet the Parents. It was a good night but that one part about the phone really ticked me off. Oh well, I hope Alex doesn't hold it against me.

I'm Trying to Gain Weight

So in all actuality, my weight is about 155 lbs. I would like to put on another 20lbs. To do this I'll be working out (mostly with Drew), eating right, and drinking plenty of protein shakes. I hope to gain this weight by the end of the academy, so in like 10 months. That's really not to bad, just 2lbs a month. I'll be sure to keep you up dated on the progress.

This is a picture taken, September 26th. I'm going to try and take one every week. It should be interesting to see if there's any major change.

Are There To Many Laws, or To Many Stupid People?

So the Academy is still going really well. I had my first test just last week. I got a 96% on it. I'm learning a lot, mostly about the law. It turns out that I will never be able to learn all the law has to offer. Mostly because there are like 400 changes made to the law every year. When I first heard this I thought that was just plain crazy, but after learning more about how our system of government is set up it kinda makes sense. Apparently anything is only a crime if it's written down as law. Which means that for every horrible thing that is in the law, somebody had to do it, and get away with it before it became a law. That actually pissed me off to think that a criminal could get away with a heinous act just because it wasn't written as a crime. I just hope that the law can keep up with technology, so that the next wave of crazies don't get away with to much.

Speaking of things that piss me off... I found out today that my roommate didn't pay his share of the electric bill, again! Not only was he reminded to get it done several times, the bill was on the fridge in plain sight the entire month, and he still didn't take care of it. What's even more infuriating then that is the fact that at the beginning of the month he was complaining he didn't have the money for the $16 bill, but he some how comes up with the money to buy a $100 air compressor. What the crap? I couldn't even talk to him about it today. If I had tried, I know I would have blown my top. There just isn't any excuse for that kind of irresponsibility. I mean I don't really care what someone does with their money, just so long as they take care of the things that will adversely effect me first. Not go spend it on some frivolous thing.

A Girl? Go On...

So I've gone on a couple of dates with this girl Alex (Alexandra). Things have been going really well. She's smart, and funny, and down to earth. I believe she's an Accounting major at BYU, although she's not set on that yet. She's kind of a tomboy, but she does know how to be a lady. She also knows how to take as well as dish out the jokes. It seems we have a good time together, and like doing a lot of the same things.

We went on a date to Los Hermanos, and then to Comedy Sports, which was a ton of fun. And we hang out a bit, and make each other laugh. On Saturday, we're going to hike the Y and have a picnic. I expect it to be just as fun as everything else we've done. Just so long as it doesn't end up raining. I kinda like her, and I think I may just have to pursue this relationship a little farther.

Another Academy Update

I have come upon a slight snag in my plans, but luckily it's not my fault. It's UVU's fault, because they're retarded. I found out that I couldn't pay the tuition for the academy because I'm apparently not a student at UVU. Which doesn't make sense because I have a Student I.D. number. And I was pretty sure that they only gave those out to students of the school. Luckily my instructor understands that it's not my fault and said that they would get things cleared up as soon as possible, and that I need to be coming to class, since it's not my fault and I've done everything that I was supposed to do. Oh well.

On the bright side of things, I have started classes and they are going really well. Today I had my first physical training assessment. I was very pleased with how it went. I did have a cold, and was pretty tired, but here are the results.

Vertical Jump: 22 & 1/2 inches, requirement - 17 % 1/2 inches. Funny thing about this is that I was a jumper in high school, and wasn't to worried. But they tell you this special way of jumping that they want you to do. And I just kinda walked over to it and jumped, and got 18.5 inches. I started to walk a way but the instructor was like Good job, now come back here and do it the right way. I did and got the better height.

Push ups: 25, requirement 20. They're military style press, and the hard part is you can't stop at all, or readjust, to do so means you're done.

Sit ups: 32 in a minute, requirement 25, or 28 in a minute I can't remember. I would have gotten a lot higher, but several didn't count. They require that your hands be covering your ears, unfortunately my hands are freaking huge and they covered my ears, while also being interlocked behind my head. That was apparently unacceptable.

300 meter sprint: 51.5 seconds, requirement 64 seconds. That felt good.

1.5 mile run: 17 minutes, requirement 15 minutes. Yeah I didn't pass that one, but it was immediately after the 300 meter sprint, and I have a cold. But I'm not worried, I have 9 months to shave 2 minutes off.

All in all it was a pretty good day.

A Night On the Town

I got a call from a friend from work asking if he could work my Saturday afternoon shift (he needed the extra hours). I quickly agreed. And I just as quickly tried to set something up so that I could take full advantage of the situation.

I got a hold of my friend Aubrey, and we had a night out on the town with a couple other friends. We first went to pick up Tim, and then went to a birthday party for one of the guys at work. We didn't stay to long because we didn't know anybody. We then decided to get a hold of our friend Alex (Alexandra is her full name, so you don't think that it was just a bunch of guys and Aubrey), and one of Tim's friends, Aaron. On our way to get them we noticed that Provo was having some sort of Hispanic Festival on center street. After we picked everyone up we went down to this. It turned out to be more of a flea market then any real festival. But I did get a blue light saber, and Aubrey had fun with it. Especially the part where she attacks Alex. (Not really, but we all know she wanted to hit somebody)



It was close to time for me to head out and go to work the grave, but we had one more stop in store. Spoon Me! It's a frozen yogurt shop, and it's actually really good. They have some odd types of frozen yogurt, but they have very fresh fruit, so it evens out. It seems to be a pretty "hot spot" because every time I go there the place always has a fair number of people. Then I had to call it a night, I had to be off to work. But it was all around a really fun night.

I'm In!

I have a spot in the fall 2008 Police Academy at UVU. I turned everything in, I talked with Capt. DeMille, and I got my uniform. I start September 9. Its gonna be awesome!

Academy Update

So I have almost all the paper work done. I have an appointment tomorrow to get the medical release signed, and then I have to get my driving record monday morning. Then I can go see Capt. DeMille at UVU at 12:30 monday, hand all the papers in and get a spot. Hooray!!!

Just A Bit Going On

So I'm trying to get into the police academy. I took the police officer selection test, which I was a little worried about. I got that back just the other day and passed with flying colours. I called up Capt. DeMille to see when I could come talk to him, and he told me that he was meeting with people on Monday, and that so long as I had all the paper work, and stuff ready I would have a spot. Unfortunately, there are two things I don't have. One which will be easy to get is a driving record report. I just need to talk to Drew, or go down to the station. The harder one to get is the physical and getting my medical waiver signed. I'm confident I will get it signed, the hard part is getting to see a Doctor before noon on monday. (I called Capt. DeMille Friday afternoon) Hence my frustration. The Captain wasn't to sure if there would be any spots open after Monday. I want to get into the Academy this fall. Let's just hope there are a few spots open for me.

I also started to get my fall and winter clothing out, and I found I was in another predicament. The vast majority of my clothes have been the same since high school (5 years ago now) and I've put on about 20lbs since then. Most of that weight has been put on in the last year, and now I've got to buy new clothes. On the one hand I'm thrilled that I'm finally gaining weight, and on the other I hate shopping, and spending money on things that I think are useless. (Clothes rank up their as being useless, cause I just don't care about clothes) Oh, well.

Seven Peaks is also near its end. Only like another week to go. It was a good run, I really liked the people that I worked with, and I made a few friends out of the deal. I doubt I'll be back next year cause I just don't agree with a lot of their policies. But for the most part it was fun, and just reaffirmed my knowledge that I hate customer service, and people are stupid.

Andie Allen moved back home to Arizona a few weeks ago to go to school, and I really miss her. She was one of my best, and closest friends. She could always cheer me up, and we had a ton of fun together. Sometimes I'll be sitting on the couch, bored out of my mind, and I'll be like maybe Andie wants to do something, and I pick up the phone when I realize, "oh yeah she's in Arizona." Bummer. I really miss her, and I think if I don't get in the academy this fall, I may just take a trip down south.

Empty Promises and The Real Power in Government

I'm kinda getting sick of all the bull that's being thrown around in this campaign election. Candidates will say whatever they think will get them elected, whether or not they actually believe it or even intend to do what they say. All it is, is an empty promise. Whether its ending the Iraq war, bringing oil prices down, or creating jobs. They have no clear plan for any of it, they just want to get elected. And it goes for both parties. Yeah they might stay on their side of the line, but in the end it won't matter because they won't end up doing what they say.

The real people that get things done in government, are the ones with all the money...lobbyists. They can buy any politician that they want, and get them to do what they want. Politicians only care about the "little guy," for as long as it takes them to get elected. Then the big business comes in and bam, whatever they say goes. Why aren't oil companies getting slammed for a record breaking 12 billion dollar, quarterly profit? Why hasn't the government done anything with gas prices so high, that some people have to decide between gas in their car, or food on the table? Or whats surely to come, between heating their home, or food on the table? You better believe oil companies are paying a lot on both sides of the fence so that nothing gets done. Why haven't cigarettes been banned? They kill people, and there are absolutely no positive benefits to it. Alcohol was banned for awhile, why aren't cigarettes? There have been tons of studies by doctors with conclusive evidence that smoking will eventually kill you. But nothing has been done to curb it. Oh you might say that they're required to but a warning label on the product. But please we all know how worthless that is. How about they make a bill requiring the companies to have a maximum amount of nicotine in their product? Or not allowing nicotine in them at all? Without the nicotine their would be far fewer smokers. Again Tobacco companies spend millions to keep politicians in their pockets. Doing what they want, not whats best for Americans.

But that's the sad reality that's come to our system of government. One can control the many with money. Maybe at one time, a lone individual with the ideals and dreams to shape a better America could. But now a lone voice is quickly cut down in the cacophony of opposing voices. You can't change America without the money to back yourself up.

Luck Favors the Brave

It seems to me that there are some people that just always end up on top. And I was wondering why? A friend told me that there are some that are just lucky. I don't think luck has anything to do with it. I think the difference is that there are these people that go out and do things, win or lose. Yeah they might lose sometimes, but you don't usually remember them for losing, you remember them for winning.

I think that's the big difference. These people actually try to do new things. They are bold, and will take the initiative in all things. They are the life of the party, they are the ones with successful jobs. They are the ones that are happy, and content with their lives.

Nobody remembers the kid hiding in the corner, nobody thinks anything about the kid whos always in a bad mood. The one that says they are bored and nothing is happening in their lives. Nothing is happening because you don't make it happen. If I've learned anything its that life won't just fall in your lap, you've gotta go and make it happen.

I wouldn't have been able to use a backhoe, had I not asked. (It was freaking sweet!!!) And now I've taken the first steps in becoming a police officer. I took the POST entrance exam. (I don't know how well I did, reading and math are easy, but spelling and proper grammar are not my strong points) It wouldn't have happened if I didn't finally get off my but and do something about it.

EMO kids, take a note. Get off your buts and go do it. Take the initiative, get in the middle of things, do something for once for yourself. It doesn't matter if you have money or you don't, you won't be happy in life until you take control of your life and get out there and live it. It's all just a state of mind.

A Good Conversation

So there are actually a couple of girls that I'm interested in. They're cute and fun, and we haven't actually been on "dates," but we do hang out a bit. And I've come to realize there's a very important part to the relationship that I hadn't thought of before. And that's having a good conversation. Cause theres a big difference between just talking and having an actuall conversation. In a conversation theres a flow to it. It goes back and forth, and travels around without to much difficulty. Talking is just talking. You have a topic, say a little something about it and then it very quickly peeters out, and you have to start up with a new topic. Like the topic dies, and you're forced to plunge back in. A lot of the time it's questions with one word answers that give it away as just talk.

I've got to actually be able to converse with these females. I don't want/like to just talk. There needs to be an easy flow to it, that isn't forced, or it just aint worth it. I realized this as I was hanging out with these different girls, and with my friends. I was with this one girl that I thought I liked and I thought liked me (she would laugh at everything I said even if it was the most retarded thing imaginable), and I just had to force us to talk. It just didn't feel natural. Then I went and was hanging out with one of my good female friends, and the conversation just came so naturally. I could talk with her about anything for hours at a time it would seem. Maybe it's so easy becuase she is such a good friend, but it seemed to me like we have just always been able to talk like that.

I don't know, it just kinda shocked me that a "conversation" would be so important. And I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right, cause I know you have to be able to speak with someone, but it makes a huge difference when there's a natural flow and honesty to it. Or maybe I just really like my female friend.

It's Been Awhile

It's been a couple of months since my last blog.

I've gotten a second job working for seven peaks waterpark. I work in the front office. It ain't to bad, and it certainly helps that I work with like 10 girls and just one other guy. I've also moved out of the house in Highland. It was ending up being just way to long of a drive, and Don wanted to sell the place. So I'm back in Provo, living in the Westwood Apartments. They're nice, a little small, but clean, and my roommates are certainly interesting. My ward is pretty nice, I've already got a calling. I'm the family home evening group leader, so I'm trying to make it to fhe as much as possible.

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I was going to do my best about being friendly. Apparently I've been doing a really good job. Both the people at work and in my ward think I'm a really upbeat and friendly guy. Maybe it's just the fact that I'm running on very little sleep, that the sarcasm and bull headedness aren't showing through.

It should be a pretty interesting summer.

9/11 Conspiracies and Other Bull$#!+

9/11 was a horrible tragedy that befell our country. It was perpetrated by some very evil men. Namely Osama Bin Laden. He omitted to masterminding it. Yet there are still some people out there that believe there's some huge conspiracy, and that the real culprit is our own government. I just want to smack these people in the face.

There is no possible way for our government to pull this type of thing off and keep it such an utter secret. There would be just to many people involved. Eventually some big, rock solid proof would come out and it would be undone. And rock solid as in the guys who supposedly planted the bomb, or the top officials that gave the go ahead. These conspiracy nuts see these little inaccuracies in video footage and suddenly they think they have proof. Or you have people that hear rumors, and again suddenly it's fact in their eyes. Are people really that gullible that they will believe anything and everything that they hear?

So besides the fact that they wouldn't be able to keep it a secret, whats the motivation behind doing this? To invade Iraq and get the oil? Why then would they put the blame on a group (Al Qaueda) that has almost no ties with Iraq? And is in another country? If our government had all the resources, and gumption to pull something like this off and blame someone else, why then wouldn't they just point the finger at Saddam? It would have saved time, and there wouldn't have been another war going on while they fought in Iraq. On a side note, if our country was good enough to pull off 9/11 why then when they needed weapons of mass destruction in Iraq didn't they just put them there? If they're good enough for 9/11, you would think it would be a piece of cake to plant some nukes, or something.

These conspiracy nuts are just so full of hate and self loathing that they just want to tare down everything around them. They hate this great country so much that they will do and say anything to see it brought down. If you hate it that much get out. I won't apologise for what our country has to do to protect itself, and what it does to make sure that it's citizens have the best lives that they possibly can. But I know our great country wouldn't sink so low as to cause this horrible tragedy just to oust some dictator in another country and take the oil there. That's a load of bull, and you need to just shut your mouth.

Anyone That Thinks Gun Control Laws Will End Violent Crime Is An Idiot

Many people believe that if you strictly limit or ban guns, then the violent crime in America will stop. This is incredibly foolish because there is an inherent flaw in that thinking. And that is that those committing crimes have no qualms about breaking the law to get a gun. They're criminals, their very name implies that they don't have a problem breaking the law. So why then would they stop when they find out it's against the law to have a gun?

Aside from the fact that they're criminals and will break the law anyway. Violent crime will go on. People are violent. Plain and simple, they go out and hurt each other. If they have guns or not, they will hurt other people. Taking guns away will leave many people defenceless. Or would mean that other people won't be able to come to the rescue. Not to long ago there was a shooting at a mall up in Salt Lake. A man with a shotgun was going around and indiscriminately shooting people. A bystander who just so happened to have a gun decided he was going to do something about it. He pinned the man down until the police arrived. If guns had been banned then the bystander could have done nothing about the shooting, but watch it happen.

Now I will admit guns aren't for everyone. There are many people out there that just shouldn't be allowed to legally own a weapon. I'm talking about convicted felons, or the mentally unstable. I won't argue the fact that they shouldn't be allowed to have guns. But the hard working American, that just wants to protect their family? Yeah they have earned the right to carry a gun. They abide by the law, and when trouble rears its ugly head they should be able to do something about it.

Guns aren't the great evil that the liberal wing has led you to believe. Yes they can cause great harm, but so can a car. It all just depends on the person behind it that will dictate what it will do.

Vagabonds - A Leech on Society

There is no reason for a hardworking American to be without a job for so long that they have to start begging for handouts. There are tons of jobs out there, even if they are just fast food, a job is a job, and if you really have fallen on hard times then you have to take the job you can get. It pisses me off when I see the same bum, on the same street corner, with the sign saying, "fallen on hard times, please help." Get a friggin job. The eight hours a day you spend begging for money, could be spent finding a job, and then you wouldn't need the help.

The real reason these people aren't working (for the most part) is that they don't want to work. They would rather beg for a living, doing their own thing, and not have a 9 to 5 job. They cling to the belly of society and take all that they can from it. And the problem is that people allow them to. I've heard that some bums, can make quite a bit by begging. In some cases a ton more then if they had an actual job. I understand that there really are some people that need help, those with mental problems, or disabilities, or just for some reason are hard put to find a job. But do we really need to be spreading the idea that it's ok to be a bum, that we will spend our hard earned money, so you can sit on your but all day and do nothing? No. If you want to give money to the poor, then you should give the money to a shelter or give more money to the Church and let them dispense the money where its needed. Not the bum on the street that's just looking for a handout so he can go buy some more beer.

Another leech on society is welfare people. Talk about throwing your money to people that don't deserve it. I know there are some people that do need a little help from time to time. That's alright, I'm talking about the people who do everything they can to get on welfare and stay on welfare. Again it's a person that doesn't want to work and wants free money from the government. Why should my money go to these lazy bums? Welfare should either be like a loan, where you pay it back as soon as you get a job, or it should be changed from welfare to workfare. Those on welfare should have to do so many hours of either community service, or so many hours working for the state. I don't know why people get upset when you suggest this type of change either. You're already paying them, why shouldn't they be working for you?

I don't know it just pisses me off. Why does society allow these people to suck the life out of it. Eventually it needs to end, otherwise it's just a vicious circle, that will just keep repeating itself.

April Fools Day and My Mother

I think it would take a lot to be my mother, especially around April fools day. You see she has five boys, and they have a wide and deep sense of humor. For many years, we have taken it upon ourselves, to play practical jokes on our mother. In so much that she usually won't talk to us on or around April 1st.

Now these practical jokes range from all over the spectrum. Most of them however have to do with either getting married, or having another grandchild on the way. And every year we try to out do each other. One year those of us younger siblings, that weren't married yet sent fake engagement pictures, and she had to guess which one of us was getting married (nobody was). One of my favorites however, was by my oldest brother John. He planed and implemented a reverse April fools joke, meaning that he was pulling a prank on her, but it in fact was real. I won't go into to many of the details about it, but the gist of it was that he needed her to send a crib, showing that there was another grandchild on the way, but he let her know on April fools day. So she was happy, and then she was pissed when she realised what day it was. It wasn't until later that she found out that he was being for real.

I thought it was hilarious. So in the spirit of April fools day, I would just like my mother to think about all the things we have been talking about recently, and decide if I've been on the level of not. Happy April fools day mom!!!

The Best Relationships

As I look at the world around me, it seems that those people with the best relationships, were started in friendship.

Friendship as a base for a relationship brings with it an easy going nature, that doesn't always come when you've started a relationship based on attraction. The two individuals in the relationship are more able to be themselves, instead of trying to put on a mask of what they think the other wants. Wearing a mask almost always ends in failure because the mask will eventually have to come off. And the other person might not like what they see, which in turn causes more problems, because you've basically been lying to each other.

And it's not that relations starting out from attraction can move into friendship. It just seems to be a lot easier to be together, when you already are friends. There usually aren't as many barriers to take down, because you already know each other, and on some level like each other.

Having said that, and relating to my lack of a relationship, I think I'm gonna start trying to be friends with everyone. Now this will be kinda hard for me seeing as how I'm not the nicest or most open of person. And looking at my past history it seems that I have a very close knit set of friends, and it isn't always easy bringing new people in. But I think I can do it. And besides I've learned you can never have to many friends.

Where is 'art' going?

I enjoy art. I think it's a wonderful expression and representation of humanity. But then sometimes I think it goes just a little to far. Both in the realms of things that are just way to far out there, and things that just shouldn't have been done.

I was reading about some artists in the former Soviet Union, and how they were trying to express themselves. One such endeavor was a guy that buried himself under a mound of dung and had just a straw sticking out the top so that he could breath. What is that supposed to mean, or even prove? That's the kinda "art" that's just way to out there. How do you classify it as art? I just feel it's meaning less. It doesn't express anything, or show anything that a normal person would understand. I know it probably is a symbol for the oppression that artists at that time were going through, but that just doesn't really stick. How does it have a lasting effect? Like say for instance the Sistine Chapel. Now that is an amazing work of art that speaks to people. How does a man under a pile of poo, move anyone?

On the other side of things, where "art" shouldn't even have gone. I was reading the other day about how this spanish guy (Guillermo Habacuc Vargas) got this dog, chained it up, starved it to death, and called it art. Why? What is the point of that? It's cruel, and worthless. You say it's art because it goes against the norm, and because you are expressing the darker side of man. Art can show both the good and the bad, but you shouldn't have to create the darker side of "art" by causing more cruelty. I just don't see the point of it. There are far better ways to achieve your goal, and I think you did it because you have some morbid fascination with cruelty.

What will be next, stabbing a person, and calling it art? Burning down a house and calling it art? Just because you can doesn't always mean you should.

The World Will Come To An End...But Not Anytime Soon

I find it fascinating that the human condition has an underlying fear of being wiped out. Or not even being wiped out but being sent into another dark age. It's been portrayed in countless movies, and it seems like fairly recently the media has just had a band-wagon of dooms day type stuff. My three favorites and the ones that I see as fairly likely are: global warming, plague, and oil scarcity.

Global warming, where do I begin. I guess I would have to say that I don't really believe that it'll get so hot as to destroy all life. But I do believe that pollution among other things is having an adverse effect on our planets ecosystem. Climates are changing, it's getting hot, and it's getting hot all over. Polar icecaps are disappearing at an increased rate. Whole species and areas of wildlife are being destroyed. You can see it happening. Humanity is on a road that could leave the Earth barren and inhospitable for life. I don't think we are anywhere near that extreme, or even to a point that would cause irreparable damage.

The plague. It just sounds bad, and brings up images of death and destruction. Now there are two lines of thought that I put in with this. That eventually a super virus will be "bred" into existence, or a horrible bio weapon will be. Diseases are a living entity that adept just like everything else. But the theory now is that they will be pushed to a super variety with the help of humans. There are the anti-biotic strains that are now coming to light, or the government engineered killing machines. Both are out there. Do I think that they will kill everyone on Earth? Again that's a big fat no. The human immune system is a wonderful thing. It is vastly complex, and can adept almost as good or even better then diseases. So with like 6 billion people on the planet, there's bound to be more then a few that are immune.

Oil Scarcity just might be knocking at our door. Oil isn't a renewable resource and will eventually run out. And what are we doing but, using it up faster then ever before. Oil is at a record high $110 a barrel. Now either OPEC (curse them) is either trying to scam us, and take our money, or the oil is harder to get at. It leads to a whole list of problems. We could go to war and take the oil (wouldn't argue against that) or use every last drop and watch as civilization comes to a screeching halt. The only real solution is for someone to invent some new and cool energy source that we could use instead of oil.

Why be afraid of something you can't control anyway? It'll just get you upset.

Carpe Diem

Seize the day. I find myself in a bit of a quandary. I want to grab life by the horns, and to live everyday as if it were my last. Yet for some odd reason I'm increasingly falling into a straight boring habit and I'm more then ever concerned about the future. When did this all happen?

It seems like I do the same things day in and day out. Nothing is changing, nothing is exciting. Gone are the days, where on the spur of the moment I would be off having some crazy adventure. Gone are the days that I could drop everything and go party. Part of the that is my own fault. I've just gotten lazy, and put myself in a place where I would worry to much if I did. You might call that responsibility, but why do I need that? I don't have kids, I don't have a house payment. All I got to worry about is myself. And it's not only that I don't go do anything different, it's that everything I do is planned out, and if it's not planned I don't do it. It's like all of a sudden I've become a slave to scheduling. And I don't know how, or why it's gotten to that point.

I've also become obsessive about budgeting money. I have to know where every dollar is going, why it's going there, and what I can do to make sure less is being spent. Why is that? I really don't make all that much money, but I make enough to pay the bills, and have a little left over. What's the point of being so anal about it and being scarred about some future happening? Especially since I'm not making enough right now to be a huge factor in that future event.

I don't know. Maybe living on my own is making me see things in a different light. I know saving and budgeting is important and I accept that. I just want to break the habitual nature and get life to be one thrill after the next. But then doesn't everyone want that?