Ninja Parade

Ninja Parade, wow...the things that people come up with...LOL.

Maddox on fashion

This website is totally tactless and offensive...so I love it!

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fashion

WARNING: This site may be blocked on company computers.

Brother's Mission Call

For those of you who are unfamiliar, a mission call is an important thing to young Mormon men. It's the time in their life when they find out where the Mormon church is going to send them to teach other people about the Mormon church.

My brother, Luke, sent in his information to Salt Lake City (Church Headquarters) a couple of weeks ago.

My personal guess was that he'd serve in Missouri, but turns out he'll be in the Florida Orlando Mission. Wow, crazy! Two years of your life in a place you've never been before. I can't believe it's been almost 9 years since I was going through the same thing. Gosh, I feel old.

Personal Training

Today's an exciting milestone for me. I'm hoping to make a big change in my appearance (unrealistic perhaps) and begin work with a personal trainer.

My goal is to gain 25 of muscle in 3 months. Too much? Not likely? Well if nothing else I'd like to become the beef cake version of ME. Ok, so maybe that's still skinny, but improvement is what I'm looking for. Most of all I'd like to learn how to use weights...all I've ever done is swim; I'm clueless when it comes to weight training. I'm hoping this program will help me with that deficiency.

Wish me luck, I start today at 7pm.

- Reality Check -

1. Most people don't know I exist

2. Most of my acquaintances don't care about me

3. Many of my acquaintances don't like me

4. Most of my friends don't care if I'm their friend at all

5. Many of my friends only pursue what they can get from me

6. Many of my friends often get annoyed with me

7. Some of my friends love me despite my flaws.

8. Some of my friends love me for my flaws

9. A few of my friends love and care about me.

...And all that doesn't matter if I care about myself as much as I want others to.

Making You Mine

When all the songs seem to be about you
When your voice sheds every shade of blue
And your presence draws light from above
I simply must ask, ‘could it be love?’

When all your wants become mine too
And your smile pearces my chest through
Could it be some silly infatuation,
Or could it be love?

My euphoria sores, my mind's grounded
I know my feelings are firmly founded
When your bliss means more than making you mine
I know it must be love.

Reflections

You go through life trying to please them all
A social construct that will always fall
Your happiness contingent on theirs
Disappointment is the best it fares

Forcing yourself into everyone's mold
Trying to do and look as you’re told
You’re pushed and pulled in all directions
Avoiding truths like deadly infections

You resist eye contact with the mirror
Unfamiliar with how you appear
The shell does not reveal
The person you’re still.

Halo 3

Got my copy of Halo 3 in the mail on Wednesday.

Wow! It is so great! The graphics have substantially improved and the campaign storyline is riveting! I was up until 1am last night "finishing the fight."

It was like watching and participating in a cinematic environment. The scenery was gorgeous with remarkable detail.

The characters seemed like real people as well. Usually video game characters and dialog are one dimensional and lifeless, but the blend of voice talent and animated scenes in Halo 3 sets a new standard for video game story lines.

Angels Find Devils

The world's a certain dichotomy
With a symmetric anatomy
The bad and the good
Both powers understood
Yet the two seem to find
Solace in each other's mind

The bad, they like to take
All the good the good can make
Most bad, they recognize
The good ones as a prize
And still don't wish to be
Like the goodness that they see.

The good, they do not tire
Though their work's consumed by fire.
They'll let themselves be hurt
And drag their feelings through the dirt
They may sing a bitter song,
But go right back to be wronged.

And I cannot comprehend
Why all the energy we expend
Trying to find a fit
With a perfect opposite
While the angels find devils
And demons higher levels.

Sunfish Web Master

Guess who is the Sunfish's new web master? Yeppers! Yours Truly. I'm sure I'm going to get more than I bargained for, but that kind of goes with the territory.

Needless to say I've every intention to improve the site's aesthetics and functionality. I'll be sure to post notes about any alterations I make.

Heartache I Don't Admit

We jumped in real quick
Clearly I was your pick
And you were mine too
Ignoring what we'd go thru
And ignoring who we are
Two worlds; so so far

I change everything for you
Asking for the same is too much
So I leave you behind as I grew
Until our paths no longer touch
The end is painful and slow
And why? Well, we both know.

I still feel your voice
And your skin against mine
Loving you was no choice
Feelings I can't define
The heartache I don't admit
And the feelings won't quit

TMI

1. What did you eat for dinner yesterday? A protein shake with blueberries...not all that yummy, but at least it was something.

2. How much cash is in your purse/wallet right now? NONE!

3. What have you done to avoid being flirted with by someone you didn't like? I don't mind playful flirtation, but I quickly move away from aggressive flirters.

4. Do you believe the theory "Once a cheater always a cheater"? I certainly do~!

5. Describe your sex life in two words. Inconsistent, varied.

Bonus (as in optional): Would you/have you ever paid money for sex? No!

Too skinny?

Ok, so nearly everyone at work thinks I'm too skinny.

I recently started this new low-fat diet and I'm getting leaner, but not really building any mass. I bought some protein shake mix to help my body build muscle, but I don't think swimming is the best way to bulk-up. Soooo, my plan is to get a personal trainer and hopefully consult a dietitian so I can start to gain some GOOD weight.

WoW

Yep, that's right...World of Warcraft! My cousin, Eldon, bought me a copy of the infamous MMORPG and now I'm a computer game nerd in addition to already prevalent nerdiness.

As of today I have a level 11 Horde Warrior. I can't believe how addicting this game is!

Scottsdale Jean Co.

So I totally went crazy and made my way to Scottsdale Saturday morning to buy some jeans at the Scottsdale Jean Company.

The service was great. I had two women helping me find my sizes (30X34) and then giving me feedback when I tried them on. I must have gone through more than 12 pairs in 5 minutes. Talk about power shopping.

Ten minutes and $230 later I had my hot new Jet Lag Jeans. Nice!

I invited my friend Jim to come along, just because we hadn't seen each other in quite a while and he lives near the store. He got to sit in the hot seat a.k.a. the husband chair while I tried on my jeans. The people there most likely assumed he is my sugar daddy, but every penny for those jeans came out of MY account.

Social Overload?

Whoa! Crazy busy weekend!

Right after work was finished on Friday I went to see my former coworker Mathew at his going away party. He's moving to South Korea to accept a position as a public school English teacher. I saw other former coworkers there too: Julia, Sean, Mike, Jacob and others.

I spent about an hour at Mat's going-away party and then proceeded to Chris' Grand Re-Opening Event; Chris, a member of the Sunfish, owns a clothing store called Retail Laboratory at the Biltmore. I was silly and bought two shirts there ($70+ ouch). After a short while I was joined at the re-opening event by Eddie, Gregg and Andy from the swim team. Eddie, Andy and I went to see the Borne Ultimatum at the Esplanade across the street once we'd had enough of the heat. The movie was pretty good, but we sat waaaaaaay too close to the screen.

Saturday morning I picked up my mom and my sister's Lacey and Cassi for brunch at FEZ in downtown Phoenix. I love that place. Then for Lacey's birthday present I took her shopping at Chandler Fashion Center. Good times!

After our little shopping spree I went on to swim practice and swam lots of freestyle distance (yuck!)

Finally I spent dinner with my friend and freelance boss Dave.

I spent Sunday Morning working with Dave as well and then had dinner with my family.

OMG! Not a spare moment. I didn't even get laundry done. Sheesh.

Game Night

I had another game night at my place on Friday.

It was a lot of fun. Gregg brought his Wii over and lots of us played that for the first time. I also bought Apples to Apples and lots of the people who came played that for hours.

Even though I invite lots of non-swim team people there was only one who wasn't a member, my neighbor Donna. Eric came for the first time, but I don't know if he enjoyed himself.

Eddie came even though he had surgery the day before.

Overall, great time...next one will be near the end of September.

It Doesn't Matter

It doesn't matter how many times
I'm right and you're wrong
It doesn't matter if I link the rhyms
You can't remember the song.

You manage to maintain your stance
No matter how shaky the ground
In your mind there is no chance
An err in your logic could be found.

You keep your confidence intact
While you're wrong again and again
You're a lie in the form of an act
Yet a positive light you will to spin.

You will contradict me
While you have no facts
I can't make you see
It's like herding cats.

I know what's what
Will you lend an ear?
We're both in a rut
The end is here.

BS West

I went to BS West in Old Town Scottsdale last night and guess who I saw? Yep, Mr. Psycho-Ex himself. It had been such a long time since I'd seen him I had almost thought that he'd moved away.

It appears that he's learned his lesson though, I didn't see him after the initial sighting.

Rich from the swim team showed up as well, we had a good time. They played almost all of my recent favorites: Umbrella, Faster Kill Pussycat, and Shut Up and Drive.

It was fun, but I had a hard time dancing...I felt self-conscience. Just before I left for BS, I looked in the mirror and I thought I looked just like Napoleon Dynamite. Grrrr. It affected me so much that I had a dream I came into work in my underwear (those kind of dreams are usually a metaphor specifically pointing to insecurities about one's appearance). I think it's been over 10 years since I've had one of those...it was awful.

Personality Test: "The Color Code"

Don't ask me why, but I love taking personality tests and silly Q&As. Today I took a personality test from www.thecolorcode.com/ and it said:

You are BLUE.

BLUES are motivated by INTIMACY. They seek to genuinely connect with others, and need to be understood and appreciated. Everything they do is quality-based. They are loyal friends, employers, and employees. Whatever or whomever they commit to is their sole (and soul) focus. They love to serve and give themselves freely in order to nurture others' lives.

BLUES have distinct preferences and have the most controlling personality. Their personal code of ethics is remarkably strong and they expect others to live honest, committed lives as well. They enjoy meaningful moments in conversation as well as paying close attention to special life events (e.g. birthdays and anniversaries). BLUES are dependable, thoughtful, and analytical; but can also be self-righteous, worry-prone, and moody. They are "sainted pit-bulls" who never let go of something or someone, once they are committed. When you deal with a BLUE, be sincere and make a genuine effort to understand and appreciate them.

Understand that no two BLUES are exactly alike. Although you share the same core motivation as many others, your personality is still unique to you alone.


Click here to learn more about the other colors