June 30, 2005

I think I was being hit on by the 'check out' boy in the BYU bookstore.

I work at 6 in the morning. I walk to campus, grab my stuff, and then go to the SWKT to hang out for 4 hours while I do nothing. Today, I shut off the lights and took an hour nap without any service calls. That about sums up what I do every day. . .well that and watching Family Guy on the internet. Sometimes I read, most times I sleep. Not very often do I have to set equipment or go on a service call. I just hang out in the SWKT wondering when the Bookstore will be open so I can get some food.

Also, we have this dress code at work where we are suppose to wear some type of collared shirt, no T-Shirts especially ones with logos or pictures. Do I follow it?? Most of the time, yes, but there are times when I all I have are T-shirts. I'm not the polo shirt wearing type. If I'm going to wear a collared shirt, I'd rather wear a button down shirt than a polo shirt. . .bleech!

Anyway, today I wore my MLS Los Angeles Galaxy jersey, the one with a big MLS logo on the back and Galaxy in big letters on the front, it's frigging sweet. I've had this jersey since the MLS first began about 10 years ago. It's like my Toyota, I take care of it and it looks as good as the day when I got it. I love it.

So I'm wearing my jersey, my shift ends and I go back to the Fletcher building to drop off my keys and radio. Well, it's about 10am and the bookstore is open for bizness. I mosey on over and grab myself a Poweraid and a bagel. As I walk up to the counter, the 'check out' kid scans my food and I give him my debit card. In that space of time when the card is being authorized, prints the 7 miles of authorization papers (CompUSA is the worst for that), and I have to sign, there is a silence, which I'm ok with. I don't mind Not conversing with the 'check out' kid because I'll probably never interact with him ever again. But today, he feels the need to chat or is uncomfortable with that silence. Apparently, we are suppose to bond in some other way because we have the buyer/seller relationship already established. I blame the RM tendency to want to 'build on common beliefs'.*

So as I'm signing the little piece of paper, he pipes up and askes: "So...you like soccer?" I'm my mind I'm thinking, "Is he hitting on me?" and "I guess that's what girls experience in their teenage years from awkward teenage boys" and also "Wow, I have some really weird thoughts."

Without looking up, still signing, I say, "Yeah, I enjoy it." I give him his pen, take my card and my food and make a B-line for the door. 'That was weird.'

Now I know that I'm slightly homophobic but I think in instances like this, it's worth being slightly homophobic for the laugh.



* Everyday on the mission trip, missionaries study and role play how to find common ground with anyone that might be a potential teaching opportunity. Some of the examples that are given in the Missionary Guide are so corn ball but they do illustrate the point rather well. After two years of practicing this technique, RM's return with this still on the brain and do very well in retail sales, telemarketing, or door-to-door sales (satellite dishes, pest control, home security, etc.) It's a good skill to have when in one of these areas, but when it's forced like in the already given instance, then it's just awkward for all parties involved, especially when alot of these techniques that are proven in the mission field are employed in the 'trying to get a date' realm and very often in the Home Teaching realm. Granted it's important to find common ground in human social interaction, but the methods taken are very often still unpolished and/or need to be revamped for the different situation.**

** I still think that there should be an RMTC that all missionaies are required to go through when they are finished with their missions. This will expose them to a healthy doseage of TV, movies, music, wardrobe selection, and carbonated beverages. They will still have the opportunity to read scripture and stuff, but mainly given the opportunity to integrate 'worldly' things into their now changed demeanor. I think Utah would be less weird should an RMTC exist.

June 27, 2005

From apt. 46's ward prayer spotlight:

TOP 10 REASONS WHY I AM NOT MARRIED YET:

10. DDR on my Laptop

9. Kat said No because I believe Blade is a better vampire reference than Buffy

8. Black Nail Paint

7. I'm not tall enough for Paige S.

6.Ninja Turtle Bed Sheets

5. The Java Programming language is a lot easier to understand than girl language.

4. Jessie S. is already taken.

3. I know that the X-Men member Rogue got her powers from absorbing Ms. Marvel's super powers.

2. Em doesn't think I'm good enough . . . and she's right.

1. I'm scared of water and girls.

June 21, 2005

This morning, I woke up at 6:30 am. Pretty early, eh?? But not when you work at 6 am. I slept in. This is the first time I've ever come in to work late that I can remember. I can think of 3 reasons why I was late:

1) With the villa under renovations, it's been mass hysteria. With people moving, I've been trying to compile a list that I can give to the bishop and the presidencies that they can use for HT and VT purposes. That's required visiting all the apartments and getting accurate information. Between when we sent around an info sheet on sunday and monday, there were already a few changes. Also, helping people move their stuff could have contributed to sleeping in today.

2) I'm trying to get to sleep earlier, around 9:30 at the latest. But I remember the phone ringing about 12:30 and I answered but I don't remember if there was a response. I just remember being half-asleep and answering the phone. Also, my brother is in town. He's been camping out on my floor. . .and he snores. . .loud. I was awake for about 2 hours thinking I should sleep in the living room but I had my fan on and the AC was on too and it was really cool where I was so I stayed. I blame my brother for being late. I made him drive me to work.

3) Bryce, Chad, Kat, and I played extreme hopscotch last night. We timed ourselves, covered an eye and jumped on 1 leg, and at one point we covered both eyes. I couldn't believe how tiring that was, coupled with the insane heat that's been here. This might have caused me to sleep in late.

Good thing my workplace is super relaxed. I think today, even the crew chief was late. Now I'm just tired and need to find something to keep me occupied. Blogging helps.

June 15, 2005

It seems like people like to post a bunch of Random Thoughts that they've had because so many things run through one's mind in any given time frame, so here is mine:

1) 'For Better or For Worse': What a great comic strip. Very unique and original. It doesn't follow the same format as other comic strips. The characters actually grow up and experience life in much the same way that real people do. Lynn Johnston is a creative genius. Since I was little, this has been one of my favorites comic strips purely for the fact that the characters age. Peanuts, Family Circus, Foxtrot, they have all been the same age for years. But 'For Better or For Worse' shows some of the life experiences that one family goes through.

This is the one that is on the 'fridge back home. It's my sister's favorite.

2) I get distracted super easily, especially when I'm on campus. If I'm sitting in the library, the Clyde building, or wherever, I need music on to keep me focused on whatever I'm doing. Thank goodness for internet radio. Virtually commercial free, tons of stations to choose from, and free. The only draw back is that it sometimes cuts out due to heavy server useage. But I can switch between the 80s channel, the heavy metal channels, or the techno-trance channels. Plus, I can watch all the music videos I want. Typically, before programming, my routine is to watch the AFI 'Girls not Grey' video and Kittie's 'Into the Darkness'. After that, I can start working.

3) Gwen Stefani is getting annoying. When she was with No Doubt, her songs were excellent. But now that she started off on her own and she hooked up with Tokyo's Harajuku Girls and Linda Perry (of 4 Non Blondes), she's starting to get annoying. I don't really like the song 'Hollaback Girl', but I find it stuck in my head from time to time. Early No Doubt: good. Solo Gwen: bad.

4) J Dawgs are really really good. I make the effort to walk south of campus just to get a Polish JDawg. I have 3 reasons why it's worth the trip:
1) It's filling. One JDawg keeps me good all day.
2) It's cheaper and better than anything in the Cougareat.
3) They have Mountain Dew.
I go often enough that they know my order: Polish dog with sauce, relish, and jalapenos. Nate and Jay just have to see me walking up and know to put on a Polish and give me a drink. They even noticed once when I didn't come by for a while.

5) The girl that I took to prom my senior year is now a bodybuilder. I blogged about her a while ago, she's the one I have been friends with for 10 years. Now she's ripped. Kinda weird.

6) And finally, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears need to go. They have strayed from the path and they are annoying. Michael just needs to get out of the public eye (if that's possible) and stop scaring the general populous. The only real purpose he serves is to play the target for jokes and heckles. I love a good heckle but I'm sick of seeing his face everywhere I turn, on CNN, MSN's homepage, even on the front page of the Daily Universe. South Park and Triumph got it right.
I caught a portion of Britney's 'Chaotic' video on mTV the other day and I wished I hadn't. She's not cute and she's not funny. 'Take your @$$ back across the 8 mile.'

P.S. While listening to RTDS (Radio That Doesn't Suck) on the internet, I came across a band called 'It Dies Today' who have a song called 'Freak Gasoline Fight Accident'. Metal Rules !!!

June 9, 2005

This week has been up and down is some extremes. It started out with a super fun World Cup Qualifying game between the U.S and Costa Rica. The U.S. pulled a 3-0 win over Costa Rica (and another 3-0 win over Panama last night). So it's been a good week for the National team. I've been excited for them to do good in next year's World Cup.

Then, this week is the last full week of school, which is a good thing, but I have 3 projects that are due by next monday, including write-ups and pass off. So all this week, I've been spending massive hours in the computer lab, asking for help and such. But yesterday, BYU switched to non-routable addresses, so the server's in the Crabtree building were down all day. No body was able to any programming, we couldn't even sign on to the computers. So I spent the rest of yesterday at work and checking back to see if the servers were up.

But, on the upside, Mr. Marc B., earlier in the day, won some Real Salt Lake tickets off of 1280 'the Zone' to last nights game. R.S.L played the 'South American Powerhouse' Universidad de Catolica from Chile. Or as Marc and I called them that night, the University of Kat (because the score board showed 'U.Cat') It was a really, really dull first 70 minutes. The R.S.L sucked. They had so many scoring opportunities but never capitalized. There were even awarded a penalty kick and missed (or rather hit the post). It sucked. A one point Marc and I even considered leaving, it sucked to bad. At the half, the University of Kat was up 2-0. Then R.S.L did a really good thing, the subbed half their team and their goalkeeper. There were some 2nd and even some 3rd string members that were playing. This was good for R.S.L because in the 72nd minute R.S.L finally scored, which was generated by a previous brilliant play from Seth Trembly. Then the flood gates opened for R.S.L. They scored two more times in the 76th and 88th minute, stealing the win away from the 'South American Powerhouse'. In injury time, tempers were flaring and there was almost a bench clearing brawl, of course Marc and I were cheering it on wanting to see a hockey style fight, but to no avail. Overall, it was an awesome game that Marc even go into. It was great that he won those tickets.

Now, today, I'll have to spend the rest of the day trying to finish up these last 3 labs, help Dan C. move, and finish up my buildings at work. I'm guessing there will be no weekend for me, which will sort of be ok if I can get this junk done.

...I'm pretty sure I'll need a really good concert or another soccer game next week.

June 2, 2005

As I was walking to school today, right by the Smith Fieldhouse, I saw a KSL van parked in the parking lot. It was out of place. . .till I remembered that the US National Soccer team was playing a World Cup qualifying match this saturday and they are in Provo to practice. The Wixom saw them at Los Hermanos and informed me that there were here. I was all excited.

So I saw the KSL van and knew that they would practice at the South Field, between the tennis courts and the Smith Fieldhouse. I walked over and there they were. The entire US National team. Cobi Jones, Kasey Keller, Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, and Freddy Adu were there. I didn't see Claudio Reyna or Eddie Pope or Ernie Stewart, but then again, they have a huge roster. It was awesome to see them practice, especially Kasey Keller who is one of my favorite goalkeepers and he was born on the same day I was: Nov. 29. Back in '94, he was third string behind Tony Meola and Brad Fridel. But now, he's starting Keep for the US team. It was awesome to see him and the rest of the team.

I watched them through the fence for a while, thinking the whole time that it would be awesome to go and support the team. The last time I saw the US team play was in '93 when they played a friendly with Chile in Alburqurque, NM and I convinced my whole family to go. That was an awesome day, dispite the fact that they lost 2-0. But I still did get to see Tony Meola at the House of Soccer in Albq. where he signed an poster and a ball for me. I still have the ball, but I don't like Meola that much anymore cause he went downhill after the '94 World Cup and he got a big head because he was starting Keeper. . . anyway.

I've been trying to convince the Wix to go to the game but he doesn't want to fork out the cash to purchase a ticket, so it looks like I'm going to fly solo to the game, which will still be cool because I will be watching the US team again.

The team looks a whole lot more skilled than the '94 team, but the '94 team had Marcelo Balboa, Alexi Lalas, and John Harkes (I think I remember him still being on the team). With the addition of Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, and Freddy Adu and with Claudio Reyna gaining more experience since the '94, this looks to be like a really competitive team.

If you want to catch the game, it will be on ESPN 2 saturday 5:30 pm MT. The US currently stands second in their Qualifying bracket behind Mexico. They need a win here. Costa Rica stands fourth in the bracket.

. . .

I just purchased my ticket and I will be on the 1st row on the sidelines.

I'M EXCITED !!!!!!!!!!!