While talking with a friend the other day, I mentioned that I was feeling "bored with life." It felt right to say that at the time, and still does, but at the same time it feels counter intuitive. She seemed to think so as well. I don't have everything I want in life right now, but I have no reason whatsoever to be ungrateful. I don't have a job (not for lack of looking), but I have plenty of money for my needs at this time. I'm almost done with school; I don't know what I'm doing after, but this semester hasn't been very difficult or stressful at all so far. I feel quite on top of church, my responsibilities there, and my personal life — like I haven't in over 18 months. In fact I feel like I could be doing a lot more, and that's probably why I feel a bit bored: There is more that I completely capable of doing in my life. I have had times in my past where I felt like I was drowning in life and could barely keep my head above water. At those times I would look forward and think to myself, "If I can barely do what I doing now, and not that well, how in the world can I do all that I'll be expected to later?" The irony of it appears to be that I have turned out to be quite capable, and maybe then some.
«Don't get all cocky now.»
I can't take all the credit for this, of course; my efforts alone weren't enough. I know that others have helped me and prayed for me when I needed it. More importantly, I know that coming unto the Lord and trusting Him made all the difference.
For the time being I'll continue to do all the good I'm already doing. I'm doing things I enjoy doing (I'm reading for fun more now) and I picking up new things that I want to do (like rock climbing! I wish I had the money to do it more). And I'll keep looking to do other good works. I don't need to be told everything good to do. I'll keep on the path I'm on, keep my eyes watchful for opportunities along my way, and patiently wait for what is to come.
«You sure sound more confident that you feel, I'd bet.»
(Shush! I'm good right now. Don't spoil it.)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul
«And goodness does my soul need it...
Yours too!»
I made myself (mostly) finish my group presentation slide show before I'd let myself post today. So this blog is turning out to be helpful to some degree, and seems to be fulfilling its purpose.
«So far anyway. Lets not get too ahead of ourselves.
Not to discourage your optimism.»
Anyways, I (like most people who aren't emo, and even some of them, too) love a good laugh. Some of my favorite memories with my family are when we all were cracking up, laughing until we cried. The people I love spending my time with are the one that make me laugh. And whoever I spend forever with will be a woman that I love to laugh with, a lot. Laughter can extend your life, so I want to spend my time with people who will add years to my life and make those years very enjoyable.
My humor can be dry and I often enjoy listening to comical cynics. I love satire, particularly satirical writing. And a good role-reversal skit is hilarious. There really is too much to list, and I'd really rather not go into it all. What I will share are a few things that I love going to for a laugh: comics. The comics page is one section of the newspaper I always read. My family has been known to get into big fights other this, usually who gets it first and then next. Recently my brother and I have been debating about the quality of humor of a particular comic. I was somewhat partial to it before, but defending it against my brother has endeared it to me more. Like most comics, its not funny all the time, but I really like this comic now. I like its humor. Its called Bliss and now that I've also looked at other selections from the artist, I'm pretty sure I'm a fan and will always like it. It's no Calvin and Hobbs, Non Sequitur, or Far Side, but it's good. (The previous are all comics of which I am a fan.)
There are several online comics that I love to follow. After discovering each of them, I'd waste away several days reading through their archives to catch myself up completely. The one I'd recommend most is xkcd. I love the commentary and humor. Looking For Group also has some really great days for humor. Those two are probably my favorites of the online comics I check regularly. Others include the likes of Sequential Art and Ctrl+Alt+Del. Besides xkcd they all have a plot line to follow. I put permanent links of the side for a few.
I know I didn't give much detail, but I'm only sharing what I like. I don't need to defend.
So go have a laugh.
Yours too!»
I made myself (mostly) finish my group presentation slide show before I'd let myself post today. So this blog is turning out to be helpful to some degree, and seems to be fulfilling its purpose.
«So far anyway. Lets not get too ahead of ourselves.
Not to discourage your optimism.»
Anyways, I (like most people who aren't emo, and even some of them, too) love a good laugh. Some of my favorite memories with my family are when we all were cracking up, laughing until we cried. The people I love spending my time with are the one that make me laugh. And whoever I spend forever with will be a woman that I love to laugh with, a lot. Laughter can extend your life, so I want to spend my time with people who will add years to my life and make those years very enjoyable.
My humor can be dry and I often enjoy listening to comical cynics. I love satire, particularly satirical writing. And a good role-reversal skit is hilarious. There really is too much to list, and I'd really rather not go into it all. What I will share are a few things that I love going to for a laugh: comics. The comics page is one section of the newspaper I always read. My family has been known to get into big fights other this, usually who gets it first and then next. Recently my brother and I have been debating about the quality of humor of a particular comic. I was somewhat partial to it before, but defending it against my brother has endeared it to me more. Like most comics, its not funny all the time, but I really like this comic now. I like its humor. Its called Bliss and now that I've also looked at other selections from the artist, I'm pretty sure I'm a fan and will always like it. It's no Calvin and Hobbs, Non Sequitur, or Far Side, but it's good. (The previous are all comics of which I am a fan.)
There are several online comics that I love to follow. After discovering each of them, I'd waste away several days reading through their archives to catch myself up completely. The one I'd recommend most is xkcd. I love the commentary and humor. Looking For Group also has some really great days for humor. Those two are probably my favorites of the online comics I check regularly. Others include the likes of Sequential Art and Ctrl+Alt+Del. Besides xkcd they all have a plot line to follow. I put permanent links of the side for a few.
I know I didn't give much detail, but I'm only sharing what I like. I don't need to defend.
So go have a laugh.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Temperance is a Virtue
So many people when they post on their blog, or twitter, or facebook put up every fleeting thought and precipitate feeling that crosses their mind.
«Tell me about it. How annoying.»
I really don't like that and I purposely leave things out. If people really need to know I'll tell them personally, or they'll find out through the grape vine or whatever. The problem is I really do like having someone with whom I can share most everything. Most of my life I haven't had anyone that really filled that role, but for periods of time I have and I grew to enjoy it. Unfortunately they haven't lasted (I get left behind) and I have to get used to tempering my own thoughts again.
«This isn't some kind of sob story is it?»
No, no. Or a least I'm not trying for that.
I think many people may write every little thing because they don't have someone the can tell anything to. I know that for me, as much as I dislike writing, I find it therapeutic to write down all the thoughts in my head. But I would never then show that to anyone, and definitely not post it for the whole world. I try and put my best foot forward. What I'm trying to say is that I am going through withdrawals and I am resisting posting a lot more than I have been tempted to. I am going to be cautious and critical about what I do post, too. I'll find a balance eventually.
«The world thanks you.»
«Tell me about it. How annoying.»
I really don't like that and I purposely leave things out. If people really need to know I'll tell them personally, or they'll find out through the grape vine or whatever. The problem is I really do like having someone with whom I can share most everything. Most of my life I haven't had anyone that really filled that role, but for periods of time I have and I grew to enjoy it. Unfortunately they haven't lasted (I get left behind) and I have to get used to tempering my own thoughts again.
«This isn't some kind of sob story is it?»
No, no. Or a least I'm not trying for that.
I think many people may write every little thing because they don't have someone the can tell anything to. I know that for me, as much as I dislike writing, I find it therapeutic to write down all the thoughts in my head. But I would never then show that to anyone, and definitely not post it for the whole world. I try and put my best foot forward. What I'm trying to say is that I am going through withdrawals and I am resisting posting a lot more than I have been tempted to. I am going to be cautious and critical about what I do post, too. I'll find a balance eventually.
«The world thanks you.»
Friday, February 20, 2009
Music is what feelings sound like
So music has always been a part of my life...
«Wait! Are you doing this everyday now?
What happened to you not liking to write?»
Well, I'm a bit bored and I had this idea in my head already and I wanted to put up some new stuff on the side bar to the right, there...
«Oh. OK.»
The posts will be more frequent at first as I'm establishing everything, getting my bearings, finding my voice, etc...
«Sure that all makes sense.»
Is that OK with you? I have your leave, then?
«Yeah, go ahead. Carry on.»
(...Jeez. Who's blog is this anyway?)
...So music has always been a part of my life. I have participated in producing it — vocal and instrumental — as well as listening to it. It has always brought me great enjoyment. Both of my parents were involved in music, so it was quite natural for me and my siblings to pick it up. We were always singing, I took piano lessons from quite a young age until high school, even picked up a bit or organ, I played clarinet in school, played some drums as well, sang in choirs, and performed in musicals. Yet even with all that, I don't feel I'm that good at anything musical. Decent, but not great. Having said that, I do still feel somewhat competent musically and I believe I have some potential beyond the level at which I currently perform. I try not to hide my talents a lot more now, which helps to develop them (more than I'd expected, too). I take more time to practice, particularly the piano, trying things that stretch my abilities, improve my skills, and force me to learn new things. I've always want to learn more musical theory, and I've even considered taking lessons again. I have also considered expanding my talents to other common instruments like the guitar.
«Good for you.»
Yes, and besides making music I've been working on my music appreciation in general.
«Wha...? How could you be that involved and need to appreciate music more?»
Obviously, I really appreciate music and I don't think one could appreciate it too much, but I guess I mean more being able to talk about music that I like coherently. I've always know what I liked in music, but was never good at naming songs or bands. I wasn't one who collected CDs or mp3s. I could say I liked pretty much all kinds of music besides raunchy hip-hop or rap, or country (*shudder* that's a whole other story), yet I couldn't say what was my favorite. Recently I've become much better at identifying what I like the best. It began simply, but I have found something amazing that has made a big difference. I take no real credit for this discovery and for many it is old, old news. I had heard about this website called Pandora (link on the right side too), but it was some time before I made the time to truly check it out. I love it! It has helped me so much in identifying and listening to what I like. It's helped me bring a lot of things together in an enjoyable way. At the right you'll also see a list of groups that I like. It is by no means a complete list and really only includes the top genres of music that I like to listen to regularly. Besides what's listed I really like Jazz, classical, Reggie, and a cappella — to name a few.
«Hey, wow. Looks like you're coming into your own now.»
Yeah. I feel like this is an important part of myself. Developing and understanding it better can only help to make me a better, more complete, and thriving individual.
«Wait! Are you doing this everyday now?
What happened to you not liking to write?»
Well, I'm a bit bored and I had this idea in my head already and I wanted to put up some new stuff on the side bar to the right, there...
«Oh. OK.»
The posts will be more frequent at first as I'm establishing everything, getting my bearings, finding my voice, etc...
«Sure that all makes sense.»
Is that OK with you? I have your leave, then?
«Yeah, go ahead. Carry on.»
(...Jeez. Who's blog is this anyway?)
...So music has always been a part of my life. I have participated in producing it — vocal and instrumental — as well as listening to it. It has always brought me great enjoyment. Both of my parents were involved in music, so it was quite natural for me and my siblings to pick it up. We were always singing, I took piano lessons from quite a young age until high school, even picked up a bit or organ, I played clarinet in school, played some drums as well, sang in choirs, and performed in musicals. Yet even with all that, I don't feel I'm that good at anything musical. Decent, but not great. Having said that, I do still feel somewhat competent musically and I believe I have some potential beyond the level at which I currently perform. I try not to hide my talents a lot more now, which helps to develop them (more than I'd expected, too). I take more time to practice, particularly the piano, trying things that stretch my abilities, improve my skills, and force me to learn new things. I've always want to learn more musical theory, and I've even considered taking lessons again. I have also considered expanding my talents to other common instruments like the guitar.
«Good for you.»
Yes, and besides making music I've been working on my music appreciation in general.
«Wha...? How could you be that involved and need to appreciate music more?»
Obviously, I really appreciate music and I don't think one could appreciate it too much, but I guess I mean more being able to talk about music that I like coherently. I've always know what I liked in music, but was never good at naming songs or bands. I wasn't one who collected CDs or mp3s. I could say I liked pretty much all kinds of music besides raunchy hip-hop or rap, or country (*shudder* that's a whole other story), yet I couldn't say what was my favorite. Recently I've become much better at identifying what I like the best. It began simply, but I have found something amazing that has made a big difference. I take no real credit for this discovery and for many it is old, old news. I had heard about this website called Pandora (link on the right side too), but it was some time before I made the time to truly check it out. I love it! It has helped me so much in identifying and listening to what I like. It's helped me bring a lot of things together in an enjoyable way. At the right you'll also see a list of groups that I like. It is by no means a complete list and really only includes the top genres of music that I like to listen to regularly. Besides what's listed I really like Jazz, classical, Reggie, and a cappella — to name a few.
«Hey, wow. Looks like you're coming into your own now.»
Yeah. I feel like this is an important part of myself. Developing and understanding it better can only help to make me a better, more complete, and thriving individual.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Like a Storm
In my head there have been so many thoughts and ideas bouncing around today. Plus I've been a bit sick, so that muddled things more. One reason for this blog was to have an outlet for some of those thoughts. I can't immediately post everything that comes to mind, so I will still need to find a good way to mediate between my head and here. I already miss my previous outlet for randomness, and the receiving of many more random texts and thoughts in return. I don't want to lose the propensity for random and creative thought, which that back-and-forth reinforced and encouraged. Here I won't have the relationship building part of the exchange, but I can develop the tendency to record and share random creative ideas. Who knows what could come from that.
«So this blog is going to be a bunch and random and crazy posts?»
No. I want to have structure here too. I already have ideas for posts that are more informative or expository. And of course there will be narrative, journal like ones, too. It will be a mix of all that, and maybe more. Fewer random posts at first, but eventually they will be the bulk of my posts I suspect. I want to write something at least once a week. I'll be strict with myself about that for awhile, just to get in the habit. Hopefully I'll get to the point where I write frequently, but not too frequently, without having to force myself. I actually have been excited about this.
«So this blog is going to be a bunch and random and crazy posts?»
No. I want to have structure here too. I already have ideas for posts that are more informative or expository. And of course there will be narrative, journal like ones, too. It will be a mix of all that, and maybe more. Fewer random posts at first, but eventually they will be the bulk of my posts I suspect. I want to write something at least once a week. I'll be strict with myself about that for awhile, just to get in the habit. Hopefully I'll get to the point where I write frequently, but not too frequently, without having to force myself. I actually have been excited about this.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Not its orginal purpose, but good enough.
When I originally set up this blog, it was with the intent of writing about some big thoughts and grand ideas that I had floating around. I still have those thoughts sometimes, but I never got the gumption to put them together in a coherent fashion to then post anything. It was a difficult goal for a guy that really doesn't like writing much, but maybe I'll get to writing then down eventually.
«Wait... If you don't like writing, why are you doing this now?»
That's a fair enough question. I've made attempts at keeping journals an the like at different times in my past, and even at my best I only kept it up for a short while (6-9mo). Yet just as past successes are no sure indication of future ones, I see my former shortcomings as no firm suggestion of my future results. So try, try again I will; persistence can pay off. I believe this is especially true for something commandment worthy so my efforts will be blessed and the Lord will help if I am making a sincere attempt.
«Well, that's nice, but again, why now?»
Right. Well, I won't go into all the known benefits of keeping a record right now, but for me this will help me track of random thoughts and occurrences I want to remember. So often good thoughts come into my head, but they never hang around very long. This will be a place I can collect those thoughts. I'm going to try and write them down wherever I am and transfer them here. I'll make some sense of them before I post them, too... sometimes. I have a really good friend that just began her mission (for the LDS Church, she'll be serving in Recife, Brazil), so this will also help me have things to write to her about. Also this will be a way to record any blessings, tender mercies, and other cool events that I see around me (O, Remember, Remember). Another plus is that, being a proficient procrastinator, I'm always looking for good ways to waste time. Hopefully this will be a good way to spend my time, while actually bringing me some personal benefit.
«Ok then. Good luck with the learning experience.»
And it will be a learning experience. I know I can do hard things and overcome challenges, especially when I am working at what is important and the Lord is working with me. Let the experiment begin.
«Wait... If you don't like writing, why are you doing this now?»
That's a fair enough question. I've made attempts at keeping journals an the like at different times in my past, and even at my best I only kept it up for a short while (6-9mo). Yet just as past successes are no sure indication of future ones, I see my former shortcomings as no firm suggestion of my future results. So try, try again I will; persistence can pay off. I believe this is especially true for something commandment worthy so my efforts will be blessed and the Lord will help if I am making a sincere attempt.
«Well, that's nice, but again, why now?»
Right. Well, I won't go into all the known benefits of keeping a record right now, but for me this will help me track of random thoughts and occurrences I want to remember. So often good thoughts come into my head, but they never hang around very long. This will be a place I can collect those thoughts. I'm going to try and write them down wherever I am and transfer them here. I'll make some sense of them before I post them, too... sometimes. I have a really good friend that just began her mission (for the LDS Church, she'll be serving in Recife, Brazil), so this will also help me have things to write to her about. Also this will be a way to record any blessings, tender mercies, and other cool events that I see around me (O, Remember, Remember). Another plus is that, being a proficient procrastinator, I'm always looking for good ways to waste time. Hopefully this will be a good way to spend my time, while actually bringing me some personal benefit.
«Ok then. Good luck with the learning experience.»
And it will be a learning experience. I know I can do hard things and overcome challenges, especially when I am working at what is important and the Lord is working with me. Let the experiment begin.
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