(Little) Si Hike - May 5th, 2012

Last week I went on a hike on Mt. Si with my dad, brother, and my mom's cousin. That didn't last too long. I've never been on Mt. Si before Saturday, and I wasn't quite too sure what to expect. I know it is a pretty popular hike so I figured it wasn't too bad. Well, come to find out I just couldn't hack it - at least at the pace everyone else was set on hiking. We had a world-class mountain-man with us, and I didn't feel like slowing him and everybody else down, so I decided to turn back. My dad encouraged me to at least do something, which helped fight off the temptation to just get in the car and head to the outlet mall in North Bend. So, I decided I could at least do Little Si. It was a nice day so being outside and getting some fresh air was paramount.

So I turned back and when I got to the fork in the trail I headed north to climb Little Si. It goes along rather flat for most of the trail, gliding up a rocky floor that wasn't quite pushed up enough to become cliffs like the rock to the west. Ferns and cedars cover the lower section of the trail.

Then, you come to the hairpin that turns you back towards the hill. The climb begins to the top, stepping up the rocky terrain. In just a few short minutes I reached the top. It is an open area, allowing for a good few of the big brother to the east, as well as the valley and neighboring peaks. Also, the cliffs that lined the lower section of the hike served as great, open vantage points for Mt. Si, as well. Overall it's a nice little hike. Doesn't take long, so it's a good way to get out, but also still have time to do other activities throughout the day.

A view of Rattle Snake Ridge to the west.

Mt. Si to the NE.

No way I was going to make it up that.

A view of the Snoqualmie River Valley.

Trillium, one of my favorite flowers. This one looks beat up a bit from the rain. 

It would be fun to climb this.

Our Most Difficult Task

During Sunday School today something hit me. I love Sunday School because that is probably when I learn the most at church on Sundays. We had lesson 14 ("For a Wise Purpose") as our lesson today, which goes over books Enos through Words of Mormon in the Book of Mormon. The main thing we talked about were all the records that were kept, as well as how they were kept and by whom. Of course, this led to a discussion on our own record keeping of today, be it journal writing, blogging, scrap booking, etc. We talked about how important it was for the people in the Book of Mormon to keep their records for many reason. Some of which were to preserve their language, as well as pass down their beliefs in Christ. We also discussed what can happen if records are not kept, and a language not preserved. In Omni, verses 17-18, it tells us of some of the side-effects the Mulekites suffered because they did not 1) bring any records with them to the New world, and 2) did not keep their own records when they got here. Their language was corrupt, they did not have a 100% reliable source for their genealogy (it was written down solely from memory), they denied the existence of their Creator, and they fought many wars (language barriers/differences between cities and tribes most likely playing a significant part in their lack of unity). We also know that many - if not all - of the same things happened to the Lamanite people after the destruction of the Nephites and the record keepers. The natives of North and South America did not have a written language when the Europeans came to the New World, and they suffered many of the same consequences that the Mulekites suffered 1700 years earlier. So we see that record keeping is very important to the people of the Book of Mormon for many reasons, which are outlined over the course of the book. God even had Nephi kill a man for the sole purpose that he could preserve his people's language (by obtaining the Brass Plates) and therefore the ability to know and keep the commandments and write his own record.

As I was thinking about a certain question asked (which I cannot recall now) I found an answer I don't think many of us have thought about much before. I was pondering the difficulty these men - Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni, et.al. - had to endure in order to write their words on plates of gold. All of the major writers of the Book of Mormon indicate to us the difficulty of writing as they were required to by the Lord. Nephi says "I...cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking..." (2 Nephi 33:1) Moroni said this as he abridged the Jaredite record: "And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of our weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing...And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them. Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words." (Ether 12:23-25) We see from these two men's records alone that they did not enjoy writing, and Moroni even expressed his anxiety that the Gentiles would mock his words.

Sometimes we don't realize ourselves just how difficult it was to write like the Nephite prophets had to, or how time consuming the process was. We can look to chapter 28 of 3 Nephi for an example. This chapter is about Christ's last few moments with the Nephites. He asks his 12 disciples what they would wish of him before he leaves. Nine of them are blessed with life up until their 72nd year. The three others seemed ashamed to ask what they desired. They all desired to never taste of death, but to live until the 2nd coming of Christ. After quoting this account, Mormon writes his own words that he is not sure if at this time (after being taken up to heaven to experience a change to their bodies allowing for extended life) the Three Nephites are still mortal or immortal. (3 Nephi 28:17). Now, 19 verses later (a mere two columns on the page, about 2 minutes worth of reading) we have Mormon's response to his own uncertainty. He says, "And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom they Lord hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality- But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord, and he hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste death;" (3 Nephi 28:36-37; italics added) So, during his abridging, two things could have happened. 1) Mormon took a break from his work, and during that time inquired of the Lord, and received and answer (something that usually doesn't happen right away). Or, 2) As he's abridging, Mormon's curiosity on the matter leads him to ponder on this issue. The abridging takes so long that he has so much time to really think about this issue, and pray about it many times, and then get his answer from the Lord. The abridging of these 19 verses took him at least a couple days, therefore allowing for the process I just described. I believe the latter possibility (and there may be more than two) is how things happened. It is consistent with how most people - even prophets - receive revelation. It usually doesn't come all at once, but over many ponderous and prayerful days. Therefore, it most likely took Mormon at least 2 days just to abridge this little section of scripture! Talk about commitment. Add on top of the time consumption the fact that these men were weak in writing. How strenuously painful would that have been for these ancient prophets.

I would say that writing on the gold plates was the most difficult task these prophets had to endure, except for the suffering they experienced due to their people's wickedness. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary for, really, the fate of the whole human race. So what is our most difficult task? What are we required to do (or at least what are we supposed to do) that we don't enjoy doing? What is asked of us that we feel people will make fun of us for doing? What is the one most difficult thing for us to do that may make us shudder at the thought of doing it? The one thing that we always put off for later? I have a few things myself. But now I can think about those prophets of old and remember that what they had to do was far more difficult, and far more strenuous. It may lead to greater blessings than me doing anything that I find difficult to do, but that doesn't mean doing whatever my most difficult task is will not bring blessings that could affect my life for the better. We'll never know how great the blessing will be unless we just do it.

Mid-January Update

Things have been going well these last couple weeks. I'm on a new project for work, and that's going well. Institute started back up and we picked up right where we left off. I'm glad to have an awesome Institute instructor, Bro. Bushman. He has taught me a lot so much already. I'll be sad when I'm done with New Testament.
The Gators won the Gator Bowl, beating OSU. It always helps winning the last game, but we did that last year and it didn't really do much for us this season. But, Weiss left to coach KU, so we have a new OC, Pease from Boise State. Just look at BSU's offensive production, and Alabama wanted him, and you'll know why I'm happy we got him. Gators b-ball is doing alright. Lost a few games we should have won, but they'll get it together before the tournament. Tebowmania went crazy. He beat the Steelers in the playoffs at home. He lit them up (as much as one can with only 10 completions). But then he lost to NE in Foxborough. It's not easy to win there on the road. He just didn't do too well. But he had a season like that at UF and then came back the next year and was the best he ever was at Florida, so he can still do it.
I'm still reading "Fourth Thousand Years", I'm in Judges in the NT, 1 Nephi in the BOM, and about to read "A Broken Heart," which my dad suggested. I also want to start on Tebow's book. I've had it for a little while now and haven't read a bit of it. It's out in the garage, and it's cold out there.
Speaking of cold, it snowed today. And it's supposed to keep going for a couple more days. It looks so pretty. Much better than Idaho snow.

2012 - New Year's Update

It's a new year, so it's time to update the blog. Not too much to update, though. Over the last four months I've been working at Nintendo. My first project was released already, so I can tell you it was Mario Kart 7. It was a fun game to test, and has gotten pretty good reviews. I've had the last week-and-a-half off of work, and I'm totally ready for it to start back up again tomorrow. And then I'll be ready for it to stop by Friday.
I went to Institute all this Fall. I had gone before, but this was the first time I actually went every week. I have had a pretty rad teacher, Brother Bushman. He's pretty knowledgeable of the Old Testament, so it's been fun with him. His experience plus reading the 1000 Years series has helped me learn a lot.
We just started reading the Book of Mormon as a family tonight. Hopefully that lasts.
This Christmas was really nice. I got the best gift ever: a Florida Gators pillow pet. It's awesome. It was also nice to see most of the family again, like at Thanksgiving.
For New Years we went out to Sebastian's, out at Lakebay. He actually lives really close to Camp Colman, so we went out and lit off fireworks at the beach there. It was crazy being back and realizing my memory of the place is pretty accurate.
Now it's 2012. I don't have too many resolutions. To continue reading and to work harder. To find some sort of drive in my life. I don't know, something like that. We'll see how it goes.

Update

I'm sitting at the licensing center, so it's gonna be a while. I figure I might at well type up an update.
Last month I decided to move back to Washington. My time in Idaho was long overdue, and it was time to move on. I wasn't going anywhere over there anyway, so it was a good decision. My brother Gregg helped get me a job as a game tester with Nintendo. He has been working there a few years, and when I visited for Grant's baptism he mentioned how I should join him. I thought and prayed about it, and I felt that it was what I was supposed to do right now. I've been doing that for three weeks now and love it.
Back in May I visited Florida...again...for the 3rd time. It, of course, was awesome!! Highlights include the beach, Sarasota, my awesome friends that I miss so much, going to church in Deltona, seeing the whole Nolasco family at church, St. Augustine, Universal Studios & Island of Adventure, and Gainesville. The best part, though, was seeing Melvin give a talk about his mom for Mother's Day. It was very sweet and touching, because his mom is so awesome.
Not everything went as planned, but it was still amazing.
I've continued my drive to read more. So far I've read "True Grit", "Animal Farm", "1984", "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" & "Through the Looking-Glass", and "The First 2,000 Years". They have all been awesome. I'm now working on "Moby Dick" and "The Thrid Thousand Years".
Overall the last 6 months have been great. Now that I'm in Washington again, I hope having a winter without snow and freezing weather will be great, too.

Bishop Brown

That's right, you read correctly. Bishop Brown. As in, a member of my dad's family is a bishop. Haha. They talked about miracles a lot today at church and it truly is a miracle. Who would have thought this day would come. Okay, enough joking around. I know my Uncle Doug is a wonderfully spiritual man is definitely called of God to be the bishop in his ward. I also know my dad would make a great bishop as well. All them priests would get their Eagles. haha.
Anyway, after spending an amazing couple days with one of my best friends, I was able to go to my uncle's ward and see him get sustained a bishop in his ward. There were some amazing things shared, but nothing sweeter than the Spirit that I felt.
Doug started off by commenting on the temple being built just down the road from the ward. He urged everyone in the ward to be worthy to go now, and until the Brigham City Temple opens, to go regularly to do the Lord's work. The Ogden Temple is closing for renovations in April, so he wanted everyone to know he expects them to go to Logan during that time and show their faith, to sacrifice time, for those deceased, converted souls.
He then talked about our family for a bit, but very briefly. Just about how his parents are getting old so they were under no obligation to be there. Same with my family. And also that he was sure his in-laws were present at the meeting.
After that, he talked about contention in the home. He shared the story of how, when sitting in the upper room with the apostles, Jesus told them all one of them would betray Him. They all responded by asking, "Lord, is it I?" Doug said that when we find ourselves being contentious in our home, we should stop and ask, "Lord, is it I?" I guess contention always comes from both sides, so whoever asks this will hopefully recognize their fault in the matter and maybe see from the other person's perspective.
Another thing he mentioned was how he knew a few months ago that he would be called to be the next bishop. And it wasn't a feeling or thought like, "Oh, the bishopric will probably be changed soon. They will probably call me." He could have bet his life on the revelation he received. I'm sure most bishops feel that, so they can prepare for the great responsibility they will hold - and maybe stock up on some sleep they know they will miss.
That's about all I remember from his talk. It was very spiritual. I almost cried.
When he was set apart, the stake president said some things I loved. One was a phrase - "The Solemnity of the Eternities." I don't know what it means, really. I just thought it was a nice phrase that I will understand someday. He also blessed him with the power of discernment. I usually take that to mean the discernment of people - what they think, need, feel, yearn for, desire, hope, etc. But then the stake president mentioned the Gifts of the Spirit, and I realized the power of discernment is also to discern between the Gifts of the Spirit - my guess would be to see who possesses which gifts, and how those people and their gifts can be used in the ward. But that power could be used for many things, I suppose.
Also when setting Uncle Doug apart, the stake president bless him to love the people as Christ loves them. I know I've never loved anybody like Christ has, so I thought that would be an amazing feeling to have. I almost cried then, as well.
Well, that's about it for the calling. Also this weekend, I went to Areito. It's a Dominican celebration they have at USU. It was amazing, the singing, dancing, and food. I loved it. Then my friend, Paola, and me went to SLC. We went shopping, saw "I Am Number Four" (better than expected), and to Rodizio for dinner. That was an amazing day. I love her, I always have a good time.

My Car (AKA: Growing Up)

Earlier this week I went a got a car of my own, my first one. The Tercel of my parents that I was driving isn't doing so well, so I needed to use my saving to buy myself a car. After shopping around and doing some research, I settled on a 2007 Saturn Aura XR. As you will see, it's a pretty nice car. It isn't too easy to impress me or anyone else in my family, though. We haven't had a new car since 1997 after we got the Caravan.
Here are some of the specs for my car: 3.6L V6 engine; 252 HP @ 6300 RMP; 6-CD changer; remote ignition (still gotta figure that one out); remote entry; remote trunk; universal garage door opener; 4-wheel anti-lock brakes; rear seat radio controls; and much more (can be found here: http://autos.yahoo.com/saturn/aura/2007/xr-sedan/features.html)
I have yet to take it anywhere but to work, to the mall across town, and shopping. I hope to take a trip to Utah this month to see my friend and see what it's like on the open road. I can't wait.
Here's a video I made showing off some features of my car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl3PTixbwQU

Time Just Gets Away From Us

Ever since I watched No Country For Old Men I have been nearly addicted to the Western genre. That's not to say I have watched Westerns nonstop, but I have watched more Western movies in the last couple years than I have throughout the rest of my life.
When I heard the Coen Brothers were making another Western, I was really excited. Of course, I read up on the movie and found out it is based off of a book called True Grit by Charles Portis. I also found out John Wayne starred in another film adaptation of the book and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film. When I learned there was one book, and two movies to be based off of it - one starring the most renowned Western actor, the other adapted by and directed by one of the best duos in the movie business - I had to see how they all matched up against one another.
I first saw the 2010 film. My brother Geoff and I went to see it in the theaters. The first thing you notice is this film is no No Country For Old Men, which is perfectly okay. There is music, and a narrative, and humor, all absent in the Coen Brothers's previous film. However, the story goes along nicely, is not complicated, is very funny, well acted, and indulges us with a great ending. However, It wasn't mind blowing like No Country For Old Men, so it wasn't everything that was expected. A great movie that I expect to do well at the Oscars, but won't be surprised if it does not win Best Picture. I hope it does, though.
Next I read the book. There isn't much to say about the book that I haven't said about the latest film. It is funny, entertaining, exciting - a well written piece of American literature. Why is this book neglected in schools? I do not know. I enjoyed reading it, and it's the second novel I have read by my own freewill and conviction since...well, at least since high school.
This morning I watched the earlier film adaptation of the book. For a 1960's Western not directed by Sergio Leone, I was very impressed. I think I laughed just as much watching this film as the more recent version. Also, the 1969 version features famed actors Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper, and the aforementioned John Wayne. I don't know how famous Duvall and Hopper were in 1969, but it was great to see those icons play their roles.
Well, after reading the book and watching both films, the natural question is which one follows the book more closely? Which one does the book more justice? Well, I can honestly say the 1969 film follows the book more closely. Since I watched the 2010 movie first and then read the book, as I was reading I was waiting for certain things to happen. Some things did not happen. It became disappointing the Coen Brothers left certain parts of the book out, or added their own parts. One of the main things they changed affects the story completely (not the end result, but the story as it goes along) is LaBoeuf breaking off from Mattie and Rooster, then rejoining them as he is met by Ned Pepper and his gang at the little holdout when the shootout from the cliffs takes place. In the novel, LaBoeuf is always with the other two on the journey, and he shoots at the bandits from the cliffs on  the other side of the valley. He never bites part of his tongue off, but gets splinters and lead lodged into his arm. The earlier film does a much better job staying accurate to the novel in that aspect of the story, and others.
In the end, after all is said and done, I love this story. Both films are great as movies - entertaining, funny, great cast and acting. The novel is great as well. It is a story that you care about, and for someone who has not read much throughout my life, I will read it over and over.

Haricut

Well, as you can see, I got a haircut. I had grown out my beard since mid October, and my hair longer than I have in six years. Also this week, I should be getting a car this week. Going to go car shopping with Geoff on Saturday morning. I hope I can find something good, at least good enough to get me to and survive in Florida.

New Year Update

Well, since I've posted last a lot of things have changed or happened. First off, I got a second job working with my brother at Sony for PS3 technical support. I enjoy it, but it is hard to have two jobs, work about 60 hours a week, and work everyday. It's worth it so far, but the real payoff is going to be when I have enough saved to move down to Florida.
I also "left" BYU-I. I never liked it there, I never wanted to go there, and I never should have. After taking some classes for my major (history education), I realized I didn't want to be a teacher. I still don't really know what I want to do, so I'm taking a break from school until I can manage a plan. I of course had to move out of school housing, so I eventually moved across the street from my bro, and live with a co-worker from Sony. Things are going well, we just need some ladies to visit.
Some sweet/crazy trips have also taken place, as well. The first was the best, to sunny Florida in May. I went to see Polethe get married. It was great to see her again (2nd time in person, but we're such good friends), and to see her family again. Her husband is a great (and of course, lucky) guy, and has an awesome family. The Fishers are totally cool.
Also on the trip, I got to see some mission amigos. No one was as special to see as my favorite two Colombianas, Daniela and Lili. They are the best! Dani took me to Opa with some friends for some Greek food, and some great...entertainment. Her friends are pretty cool, but it sure is hard to be involved when everything is in Spanish. She and me had to cancel the trip to Miami, so we went to Blue Springs State Park instead. An amazing, beautiful place. I wish I had gone there on my mission, except that wouldn't be good because I'd want to go into the water. We had some fun at another birthday party, and another birthday party. I think that made three. It was fun. (Also cried like crazy watching the last episode of LOST. I was so emotional for weeks)
In the summer I went with Zack and some of his friends to a place by Rexburg called Packsaddle Lake. It's a place not even my friend Cort has heard about, so I don't think too many people know about it. It's about an hour hike in, not too bad. The lake is small, and extremely cold, being up in the mountains. There is a rope swing, a log used as a diving board, and enough camping spaces for a small group. There was a group up there for Girls' Camp actually, so that would be the second time I've been to GC. I hope to go back there this summer (the lake, not Girls' Camp).
For my birthday, I went down to Logan to spend it with my friend Paola. It was great. We had a good time together after her being home in DR all summer. I went down a couple weeks later and we went to an Ogden Raptors baseball game. Then we went to The Pie by Weber State. It was a great date. In November I went down for her birthday. We mostly just talked, sat around, ate, and watched TV. Always worth the drive.
In October, Daniela surprised me by going to Washington with her mom. I was able to leave for home that night, see them the next day, and take them around some amazing places in Seattle. I always wanted to have them visit Seattle, and it was an amazing trip home. They met my mom and little brothers, and we went up to the Seattle Temple for a bit. Then to Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, and the pier, eating no where else but Ivar's. It was only for a day, but the best trip to Seattle in a long time. I hope they can visit for longer next time.
For Christmas, the whole family was together for the first time since Spring of 2009. Not an extreme amount of time, but long enough. It was nice to have everyone in town. I had to work a lot, so I didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted with them, but it was enough.
And now it's 2011. Hopefully this year will be better than last, even though last year seems like it wasn't all that bad. Things to look out for: buying a new (for me) car, saving up some cash, completing my AA degree at BCC (finally, after 7 years), and moving to Florida. I hope to move out of here before it gets too cold next year. Also, my little bro. will be baptized this year. Not much else is planned or expected, so we'll see how it goes.

Year Of The Black Rainbow - Deluxe "Black Card" Edition

Well, if you're reading this then you probably know that Coheed And Cambria is one of my favorite bands. Actually, I only like Led Zeppelin more than them, and that's more out of respect. If there could only be one band making music for the rest of this World's life, I would pick Coheed And Cambria. Not the popular choice, but that's who I'd pick.

Year Of The Black Rainbow is the band's fifth album. It marks the end of the writing for Amory Wars storyline, actually being the prequel to the other four albums. The story is mostly about how Wilhelm Ryan became Supreme Tri-Mage of the Keywork, as well as how Coheed and Cambria were created by Dr. Leonard Hohenberger and started to fight evil and stuff. I haven't read the whole book, so I don't know for sure. However, there are some pretty good clues to the story in the music. A lot of "being something you don't want me to be" and "I didn't want to do this, you kind of tricked me" stuff. Anyway, we'll see.

The book so far is really good. I'm not sure how much Claudio actually wrote. Seems as if he gave the basic idea of what needed to happen page by page, or maybe even paragraph by paragraph, and the the co-author penned in all the pretty, fancy words. Who knows, but it's not really important. It's really good and the story moves well. It has jumped a bit, but it's easy to follow and know how it all connects together. The novel gets graphic at times, which is sweet. Lots of action.

So, the CD is 12 songs long with two demos, so 14 songs that covers about an hour. Sadly, no epic songs in this album. The songs are mostly short, for CoCa standards. Overall it's pretty good. At first listen it's just an even more metal progression from No World For Tomorrow, which is okay. I remember listening to that album and wondering what the hell was going on, and that happened with this one, too. But, I love them both now.

Some of the best songs are:

Pearl Of The Stars
World Of Lines

When Skeletons Live

Here We Are Juggernaut

The Broken

Guns Of Summer

In The Flame Of Error

The album also came with a 25 minute DVD that is pretty much a "making-of" for the album. It's always nice to see Claudio's locks on screen from time to time. 

It's also nice to see them in person!! The SLC concert is on May 10th, and I got my tickets today. I can't wait. Because I have the Black Card, I should be able to get into the venue before people who don't have a Black Card. And hopefully that mean scoring some more personal time with Claudio and the band. We'll see. But, that concert will cap off the YOTBR experience. The YOTBR won't end there, but it will be the end of the beginning.

[One of the best things about the whole package is how nice it looks. Columbia does a good job making sure the fans that love CoCa so much get all that they deserve.]

Mother May I?: So much going on already, and so many possibilities.

OK, so my summer life is starting to get in order.
I just got a job at WallyWorld down in Idaho Falls. Yeah, it's a 30 minute drive, but that's a shorter drive than everyday to work last summer at Ross. I'm working in the electronics department part-time, which is less than 34 hours average per week over 12 weeks. So I can bump it up a bit since I'll be done for a whole week in May.
Why will I be gone for so long in May? Cuz I'm going to FLORIDA!! I cannot wait. I've had my ticket for two months now, and it's almost here. A friend of mine is getting married, and they wanted me to go to the sealing, so I am. But I'm also going to have some fun. Dani and I are going to go to Miami for the day, and I'm finally going to get to see my Braves in action. I am so excited! Plus I get to see a lot of amazing people that I love. It's gonna be sweet.
Also in May is the Coheed And Cambria concert. May is gonna be a good month. I ordered the new CD back the first day it was available, and downloaded it early [since I pretty much already bought it]. I've been hooked ever since. I knew it would be different, and it is. No song is really long/proggy, which bums me out. That's the part of their albums I look forward to. But there is enough to enjoy, especially with singing. The concert is in Murray, UT on the 10th. Gonna take my amazing friend Paola to the airport that day [I'm gonna miss her for the summer], then rock out all night. And Coheed's opening acts are actually going to be decent this time. I get the CD, book, and Black Card tomorrow. I'll put pictures and a full review tomorrow, since I'm sure I'll be bored with nothing to do.
Also, Tim Tebow got drafted by the Denver Broncos. I hate them, but love him. So I was planning on seeing him play this preseason. I also checked, and RUSH is playing at Redrocks a few days before one of the games, so that may be my birthday present to myself, and it would be second only to the Florida trip of '08. We'll see though, since it's 8 hours away, and I'd need to get a hotel. Of course, I wouldn't go by myself. And maybe I can make a friend with someone who is from Denver, just so I can use them by staying at their house. But a RUSH/Tebow week in Denver would be awesome. I'm sure Denver is a sweet place in the summer.
Those are the plans for now. I hope to make lots of money, spend some on some good times, and have a worthwhile summer.

ESPNU Road Trip: FSU-Florida Gameday - ESPN Video

Besack is BeBACK!!

Well, it's been over a year since I posted anything. Not much has happened since then, but we'll see if you can guess what did happen. This is...Two Truths and a Lie.

1. I went to Florida again this last summer

2. I almost died driving home and back to school over winter break.

3. I was actually excited to come back to Rexburg

If you said #1, you are correct. Didn't get to go to Florida in the last year. Bummed out about that. I just want to get done with school so I can move down there FOREVER!! That's why #3 is true. Also, all my friends back home either weren't there or are lame (sorry if you get offended SuperFriends, but you deserve it). And #2 was awesome. It snowed in the Blues going through Oregon. Abe and I were going through over night, so it was dark and the flakes were so big that we could not see more than ten feet in front of us. Barely made it. And coming back home I had to drive through Bend, Oregon. It took about 18 hours to make it. Anyways, looking back this year was pretty good.

So what's going on now? Not much. Just school and work and fun. I'm working two jobs at the school. The one is evening custodian in the Hinckley Building. It's a lot of fun. Pretty much all we do is set up tables and chairs for events and classes, and we clean the carpets. Pretty chill. The other one is working in the new Online Learning Center. It's sort of new where the school is trying to get things going with online learning and online degrees. For now we're answering questions and figuring out ways to promote the program. I can only keep one job, though, so I'll probably keep the OL job just because it pays more and will look better on a résumé. I really like the custodial job.

I'm getting closer and closer to graduating. I cannot wait. If all goes well I'll take classes for another three semesters and student teach in winter of '11. Then I'll be able to job search all spring.

Right now it's the week before Thanksgiving Break. I'm going home this weekend with some friends and Catherine. It's going to be great because I haven't been home for Thanksgiving in four years - last year I stayed in Rexburg and the two before that I was on my mission. I have a lot of homework to catch up on during the break. I guess that's a good thing because then I'll have a lot to do and I won't be bored all the time. And, Mom and Dad can't tell me to do a whole bunch of crap to do because I'll have the homework cop out. I also want to practice some teaching methods I've learned this year on Gatlin and Grant. Get a little dose of El-Ed and secondary school work. And maybe I can teach my mom a few things on helping the chillens with their homework. But, I probably won't.

Trip to Salt Lake City

So his last weekend I went to SLC to the FOM mission reunion. That was kinda lame. I only saw a few missionaries that I wanted to see that I didn't hang out with all weekend. It was good to see the Farnsworths though. That night we went down to Hires Big H, or something like that. It was a burger joint. It was Conner and Marci, Calderon and his crew, the Sosa Family, and Big Daddy Downs. After that we were going to go to a party or the haunted house, but it was kinda late, so we watched Orange County.

On Saturday we got up late and were going to go to the afternoon session of conference, but we weren't able to get our tickets in time, so we went out ot eat at Rodizio's. It's like Texas de Brazil, but definitely not as good. It was still delicious, though. By this time Smith was with us. He was in our MTC zone. Later on we went to the Priesthood session. It was pretty good. The most I've fealt the Spirit since I got off my mission. That night we went to Coldstone where Sosa works. He got us some ice cream for $2 - missionary discount. Then we went to/drove by a strip club. And we watch Hotel Rowanda. Good movie.

On Sunday Conner, Caldy and his crew and I went to Temple Square to sing. There were a lot of us Latinos there, so we had a Spanish singing group. As we were singing, Jensen walked by with his wife. I was hoping I would've got to see him, and I did. That was pretty rad. The singing got us into the afternoon session. After that we went up to Caldy's to eat baleadas. I got to meet the rest of his family. After that I headed back to Rexburg with Abe.

Conference Weekend

This coming weekend is General Conference of the LDS church. We also have a Florida Orlando Mission reunion Friday, so that'll be rad(?). Probably not, but I'll hopefully see some cool peops. I'm going down this Friday, gonna stay with Conner all weekend. A whole buncha mission buds are coming up, so we're gonna hang.

I can't freaking wait to get outta this hell-hole. Rexburg blows. It's so boring here. But then I think about it, and life was pretty boring back home. So the only place it's interesting is SLC or O-Town. Hmmm, the top two on my list of places I wanted to live after my mission. Of course I would much rather live in Orlando; paradise sun, darked-skinned hunnies, bitchin' beaches. Everything a guy (like me) could ask for.

Gators Lose, AGAIN!

So today the Florida Fightin' Gators of Gainsville lost a heart-breaker in The Swamp. I was devastated, screaming at the top of my lungs in agony. It all came down to a blocked PAT and a 4th and 1 run up the middle by Tebow. He shoulda done the option. Pitch it to Harvin if needs be and seal the deal with at least two points. But, we lost. We'll just have to live with it, us here in The Gator Nation. A sad defeat to say the least.
However, there is hope. Are we short to remember the National Champion Gators of 2006. They lost a heart-breaker in The Swamp early season to the stupid Auburn Tigers (I hate them and am glad the Gators aren't playing them this year). But, the Gators won the rest of their games, got lucky with a USC loss to UCLA, and wham-bam-thank-you-Pam, we won a Championship. So, I think of this a blessing to The Gator Nation. The loss will only show the tenacity of our players, the optimism and wisdom of our coaches, and the heart and support of the fans in our road to another national championship. When the world looks back on this season, it won't be a perfect one. But, it will be one with that crystal football in the hands of Tim "The Titan" Tebow come January. So enjoy your win, Ole Miss ('Ole' isn't even a word), and we'll enjoy the trophy.