Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Metaphor
This may be a metaphor for my dating life and why I'm still single. (Too lazy? Too picky? However you want to think about it, my point is it's probably mostly my own fault.)
Monday, October 22, 2012
Bucket List
So it's been awhile since I've posted. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try to make up for it by posting twice. (It's like when you eat a salad after eating a steak to even out your diet, right? That makes sense I'm pretty sure...)
So I was extraordinarily motivated late one night while I was daydreaming about my new goal to travel the world. I came up with a loosely-organized plan, listed all the places I want to visit, tried to find the cheapest way to do it all, and wrote it all down in an Evernote list.
Then while I was motivated I came up with a bucket list. I expected to forget all about it and procrastinate doing any of it. But it turns out when you're unemployed you've got lots of free time (that which isn't being spent applying places, that is...) to do the stuff you've always been meaning to do.
Anyway, here's my work-in-progress list. I'm currently working on four of them. These are not in any kind of prioritized order.
So I was extraordinarily motivated late one night while I was daydreaming about my new goal to travel the world. I came up with a loosely-organized plan, listed all the places I want to visit, tried to find the cheapest way to do it all, and wrote it all down in an Evernote list.
Then while I was motivated I came up with a bucket list. I expected to forget all about it and procrastinate doing any of it. But it turns out when you're unemployed you've got lots of free time (that which isn't being spent applying places, that is...) to do the stuff you've always been meaning to do.
Anyway, here's my work-in-progress list. I'm currently working on four of them. These are not in any kind of prioritized order.
- Travel the world
- Chop down a tree with an ax
- Mona rope swing one more time
- Ask out a complete stranger
- Build a computer from components
- Learn to make beautiful websites
- Go to culinary school (or at least a few great culinary classes)
- Get married to the girl of my dreams
- Move out of Utah
- Learn/memorize how to fold a fitted sheet
- Fly a kite from a mountain
- Leave a message in a bottle with my contact info
- Do as much family history research as I can get information for
- Go on a date in a foreign country
- Learn Spanish
- Learn French
- Learn Italian
- Learn Japanese
- Learn to do a kick flip on a skateboard
- Learn how to do a backflip
- Make money from selling an iPhone app
- Start a successful business
- Learn to sing like I've always wanted to be able to
- Learn to play the piano
- Start practicing violin again and perform again at least once
- Try growing my hair out
- Ride an elephant
- Be in a place with 24 hours of light/darkness
- See the northern lights
- Throw and catch a boomerang
- Take a road trip on a motorcycle
- Learn to sail
- Learn to tie all those knots from boy scouts I forgot (and know when they're used)
- Learn to pick a lock
- Learn to hot wire a car (if reasonably possible...?)
Can you guess which four I'm currently engaged in?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Brave
It's not that Brave wasn't a good movie. It just wasn't a great Pixar movie.
Find me a moment in Pixar's Brave that elicits an emotion like any one of these clips, and I'll change my mind and say it was a worthwhile Pixar endeavor.
Better grab some tissues.
Toy Story 2
Monsters, Inc.
Finding Nemo
WALL-E
(This is a bit self-serving because the first video here is one that I posted to YouTube because I couldn't find a high quality one.
Up
You ready for this?
Toy Story 3
I can't embed it for some reason, so just follow this link -------> You won't regret it.
Find me a moment in Pixar's Brave that elicits an emotion like any one of these clips, and I'll change my mind and say it was a worthwhile Pixar endeavor.
Better grab some tissues.
Toy Story 2
Monsters, Inc.
Finding Nemo
WALL-E
(This is a bit self-serving because the first video here is one that I posted to YouTube because I couldn't find a high quality one.
Up
You ready for this?
Toy Story 3
I can't embed it for some reason, so just follow this link -------> You won't regret it.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Rooney
I have to preface this by saying that the lyrics will make me sound like I'm bitter about stuff, but I'm not. Well, to a very small degree, but whatever. I'm not mad :) It's more that it's hard when you finally get a chance to step back and take a look at the big picture of a relationship and realize that things could have been so good had it not been for certain circumstances outside of my control.
It also hard when you see the person you care for going in a direction that, at least in my opinion, is less fulfilling than it would otherwise be. But maybe I'm just being biased. I guess I just think I'm a pretty great catch :P
Rooney - When Did Your Heart Go Missing?
Love don't come so easily
This doesn't have to end in tragedy
I have you and you have me
We're one in a million
Why can't you see?
I'm waiting, waiting for nothing
You're leaving, leaving me hanging
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing?
I treat you like a princess
But your life is just one big mess
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing, yeah?
I meant every word I said
I never was lying when we talked in bed
I'm retracing every step in my head
What did I miss back then?
I was so, so misled
I'm waiting, waiting for nothing
You're leaving, leaving me hanging
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing?
I treat you like a princess
But your life is just one big mess
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing?
I don't understand
How could you forget what we had,
It's so wrong
I'm waiting, waiting for nothing
You're leaving, leaving me hanging
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing?
I treat you like a princess
But your life is just one big mess
When did your heart go missing?
When did your heart go missing?
Monday, March 26, 2012
Pandora
Today I hate you, Jason Mraz Pandora station. How do you choose all the music that fills me with doubt, fear, and nostalgia? It's quite a talent you have.
Quit it!
-BZ
Quit it!
-BZ
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
My problem
The biggest problem with not having been in a relationship for so long is that when one starts to come up, I enact a self-fulfilling prophecy by worrying that I'm going to mess things up.
Why can't I be less of a girl and stop over analyzing everything? (No offense to any girls reading this.)
Nope, instead I read into every little thing and play it up to be something much bigger than it probably is.
To anyone else who has this problem: what are your coping techniques? Advice?
Why can't I be less of a girl and stop over analyzing everything? (No offense to any girls reading this.)
Nope, instead I read into every little thing and play it up to be something much bigger than it probably is.
To anyone else who has this problem: what are your coping techniques? Advice?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tithing
Money's been tight the past few weeks, not gonna lie. Here's my reinvigorated testimony of tithing:
Tried to pay it about a month ago, but forgot that the check I used was for an account I closed. Bounced, returned.
Then Christmas break happened, and there really wasn't anyone around to take my check anyway.
Time comes to pay it, and by this time it's a fairly substantial amount to pay all at once. Whatever, I'll pay it anyway and trust things will work out. (They always do, after all)
The same day I turn it in, my roommate comes to me with the reimbursement forms for about $110 worth of stuff I'm going to get reimbursed for that I totally forgot about.
I also called and got a $25 fee removed for making a credit card payment a couple hours late. Just cause Amex rocks, they also removed the interest charge.
Today I remember that I not only made a few sales on half.com, but made a new sale of a book that I've had sitting there online for over a year. Another $85 in the bank.
Checked my credit card rewards, and they're already back up to $25. Thanks for the free money, Chase!
Things always work out in the end you guys. That's all I can say.
Tried to pay it about a month ago, but forgot that the check I used was for an account I closed. Bounced, returned.
Then Christmas break happened, and there really wasn't anyone around to take my check anyway.
Time comes to pay it, and by this time it's a fairly substantial amount to pay all at once. Whatever, I'll pay it anyway and trust things will work out. (They always do, after all)
The same day I turn it in, my roommate comes to me with the reimbursement forms for about $110 worth of stuff I'm going to get reimbursed for that I totally forgot about.
I also called and got a $25 fee removed for making a credit card payment a couple hours late. Just cause Amex rocks, they also removed the interest charge.
Today I remember that I not only made a few sales on half.com, but made a new sale of a book that I've had sitting there online for over a year. Another $85 in the bank.
Checked my credit card rewards, and they're already back up to $25. Thanks for the free money, Chase!
Things always work out in the end you guys. That's all I can say.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thanksgiving message from a thankless place
I know probably very few of you reading this will understand the circumstances this comes from, but it is a good message nonetheless. I'm just copying and pasting part of an email from someone close who has been dealt a rotten hand and is dealing with it in the most amazing and inspiring way I can think of:
"I've thought a lot about The Atonement and Repentance in comparison to the Criminal Justice System. It seems to me that justice is far less important than punishment in the CJS. There is talk about rehabilitation, but punishment seems to be the core of the system. I see as much hypocrisy, unfairness, even dishonesty, taught and practiced here as much as in the free world. It feels like we are subject to a frustrated, hate-based culture; overseen by people who hate the inmates, endure their jobs begrudgingly and don't really like each other. There are exceptions, of course, but I know of few. (Some like their jobs too much.) It is a sad environment. Hope is a challenge if one is not properly armed. But as they say...it's prison! :-)
It is also interesting to note the dedication the public seems to have in seeking revenge and punishment for crimes, and how much money they are willing to waste on it. It makes sense to a certain degree, because we has humans are so deficient in our capacity to heal. So, when something bad happens, and since we can't make it better, we look for someone to punish...whether they are responsible or not in some cases. You've heard the saying, "Someone has to go to jail." It's actually a rule.
The Gospel plan is much different. The Savior has the ability to heal, truly heal, not only the sinner, but those who suffer because of the sinner. Having that power allows Him to offer a great gift; forgiveness on condition of repentance. Forgiveness is available in place of punishment because healing is possible. Rather than labeling the sinner forever, He says He will remember the sin no more. Wow! Imagine if that could be put to use in the CJS?
His forgiveness of the sinner is acceptable to the victims, since He heals them, too. For example, suppose Bernie Madoff (the guy that cheated his investors out of 17 billion dollars and is currently serving something like 150 years in prison) truly repented of what he did, sincerely and in acceptable form to the Savior...and was forgiven? How would the victims feel about that? Now suppose that as part of Bernie's healing process, each investor was not only given ten times what he or she lost, but was healed from all anxiety or any other effect Bernie's actions had on them? (Bernie's son was not involved, but the anger was so great against him, he committed suicide.) Would forgiveness be acceptable to the victims, then?
I am grateful to live in this dispensation where we will be privileged to receive the Savior and live at a time where not only justice will be perfect, but mercy, repentance, forgiveness and healing, as well. It is a great honor and a responsibility. Until then, we do all the good we can and learn to live after the manner of happiness in spite of the world around us. We must succeed under conditions as they are. We can and we will. It's our job. It's why we were born at this time.
I am truly grateful for a clear conscience. I am glad I know I don't belong here. I am grateful for friends and family that know that, too. I am grateful for the peace, and even contentment, the Spirit can give in the midst of adversity. I am also grateful for the sure knowledge that our Heavenly Father lives; that we are his literal children; that He is the literal father of our spirits. He loves us and he wants us to return home with honor. He has given us all we need to get there, too; even to allowing His Only Begotten Son to be sacrificed so we would not have to suffer because of our failures, if we chose. I am really glad that this life, this world, is only a test, and that it is designed for us to ace if we will accept the Holy Ghost as our tutor and Christ as our Savior. I am thankful for the "do overs" He offers and the healing he alone can provide."
I'm grateful that I've been given some of the most amazing opportunities ever. Ever. If I think of my hand compared to the millions or even billions in the world who struggle with survival, all reason to complain is squashed. If you're reading this, you should be dedicating yourself to thanking God more often than you complain. He gives us so much.
How lucky we are!
"I've thought a lot about The Atonement and Repentance in comparison to the Criminal Justice System. It seems to me that justice is far less important than punishment in the CJS. There is talk about rehabilitation, but punishment seems to be the core of the system. I see as much hypocrisy, unfairness, even dishonesty, taught and practiced here as much as in the free world. It feels like we are subject to a frustrated, hate-based culture; overseen by people who hate the inmates, endure their jobs begrudgingly and don't really like each other. There are exceptions, of course, but I know of few. (Some like their jobs too much.) It is a sad environment. Hope is a challenge if one is not properly armed. But as they say...it's prison! :-)
It is also interesting to note the dedication the public seems to have in seeking revenge and punishment for crimes, and how much money they are willing to waste on it. It makes sense to a certain degree, because we has humans are so deficient in our capacity to heal. So, when something bad happens, and since we can't make it better, we look for someone to punish...whether they are responsible or not in some cases. You've heard the saying, "Someone has to go to jail." It's actually a rule.
The Gospel plan is much different. The Savior has the ability to heal, truly heal, not only the sinner, but those who suffer because of the sinner. Having that power allows Him to offer a great gift; forgiveness on condition of repentance. Forgiveness is available in place of punishment because healing is possible. Rather than labeling the sinner forever, He says He will remember the sin no more. Wow! Imagine if that could be put to use in the CJS?
His forgiveness of the sinner is acceptable to the victims, since He heals them, too. For example, suppose Bernie Madoff (the guy that cheated his investors out of 17 billion dollars and is currently serving something like 150 years in prison) truly repented of what he did, sincerely and in acceptable form to the Savior...and was forgiven? How would the victims feel about that? Now suppose that as part of Bernie's healing process, each investor was not only given ten times what he or she lost, but was healed from all anxiety or any other effect Bernie's actions had on them? (Bernie's son was not involved, but the anger was so great against him, he committed suicide.) Would forgiveness be acceptable to the victims, then?
I am grateful to live in this dispensation where we will be privileged to receive the Savior and live at a time where not only justice will be perfect, but mercy, repentance, forgiveness and healing, as well. It is a great honor and a responsibility. Until then, we do all the good we can and learn to live after the manner of happiness in spite of the world around us. We must succeed under conditions as they are. We can and we will. It's our job. It's why we were born at this time.
I am truly grateful for a clear conscience. I am glad I know I don't belong here. I am grateful for friends and family that know that, too. I am grateful for the peace, and even contentment, the Spirit can give in the midst of adversity. I am also grateful for the sure knowledge that our Heavenly Father lives; that we are his literal children; that He is the literal father of our spirits. He loves us and he wants us to return home with honor. He has given us all we need to get there, too; even to allowing His Only Begotten Son to be sacrificed so we would not have to suffer because of our failures, if we chose. I am really glad that this life, this world, is only a test, and that it is designed for us to ace if we will accept the Holy Ghost as our tutor and Christ as our Savior. I am thankful for the "do overs" He offers and the healing he alone can provide."
I'm grateful that I've been given some of the most amazing opportunities ever. Ever. If I think of my hand compared to the millions or even billions in the world who struggle with survival, all reason to complain is squashed. If you're reading this, you should be dedicating yourself to thanking God more often than you complain. He gives us so much.
How lucky we are!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Debating
Don't forget that just because you may be a better debater than someone doesn't mean you're right or that you have the only answer. If the person you're debating with didn't make the arguments they could have to defend their stance, it still means that those arguments exist and could have been made. They could have just as easily put you on the defensive.
That's what bugs me about politics. People way in to politics always think they're the right ones and that the other guys have it all wrong. They may be great at debating, but if one candidate is way better at debating that the other, it probably means the strengths of the weaker candidates' position are not getting fairly represented for people to see the whole story.
If anything, debates serve to show the overall intelligence of the people debating, and you would obviously want to choose the more intelligent candidate. I just think it's sad when people watch debates and don't keep an open mind, but rather look for "their candidate" to roast the other guy with rhetoric.
That's what bugs me about politics. People way in to politics always think they're the right ones and that the other guys have it all wrong. They may be great at debating, but if one candidate is way better at debating that the other, it probably means the strengths of the weaker candidates' position are not getting fairly represented for people to see the whole story.
If anything, debates serve to show the overall intelligence of the people debating, and you would obviously want to choose the more intelligent candidate. I just think it's sad when people watch debates and don't keep an open mind, but rather look for "their candidate" to roast the other guy with rhetoric.
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