Anxiety and Excitement

So far I have had two dreams about what life will be like being in school again this fall.

In the first, I arrived at school to find that "school" was actually just some guy in his garage talking about health and medicine with nine or ten of us who I guess got duped into paying tuition. This dream did not leave me very excited about the fall.

In the second, my school was this amazing Utopian community with all white marble palaces for classrooms surrounded with beautiful green fields full of eager students walking to their classes. I know, eh? Pretty impressive. To make things even better, when I got to class, and was sitting in the crowd, I started looking around and realized that some of my best friends from over the years were sitting scattered all around me. We had a joyous reunion and were all there studying and working together. I can't imagine a happier way to start off a return to school.

Generally I don't believe dreams should be used to predict the future, but sometimes I think dreams are pretty good at pointing out the things that I am both scared silly about, and very excited about (especially when they are about things that we have yet to experience). In this case, I am scared silly about heading back to class, and also incredibly eager to start this new chapter of life.

My Wife, the Half-Marathoner

1) Janelle's Number & Running Gear (morning of the race)
2) Hundreds gathering for the race just before it started












3) Thousands more pouring out of a Trax car (seriously, the most jam-packed train ride I've ever been on).
4) The official pre-race portrait...












5) Followed by the pre-race couple's portrait (I insisted).
6) Janelle cruising past us at liberty park. Run Janelle, Run!















7) Janelle just after crossing the finish line. That girl in pink was hogging the spotlight, so just look behind her. Janelle is in black.
8) The post-race couple's portrait. Doesn't she look great!

Who knew when I spent this...

... that it would probably be the best three dollars I ever spent?

Although I did not need it, this was one of those things I dug up to substantiate my marriage for my green card interview yesterday. Even though it went unused for the interview and everything, I was glad to have had an excuse to find it.

(This was the ticket for the movie we watched for our first real date)

"How can I prove my love for you?"

Although that sounds like the title track for an awesome power ballad, it is actually the phrase that repeats in my mind as I contemplate tomorrow morning's Green Card Interview. Yeah. Talk about pressure.

Apparently there are evil-minded conspirators who treat marriage so lightly that they get married (technically) without having fallen in love. This interview is designed to determine whether Janelle and I are these shallow souls, or whether we are joined in a bona fide marriage of love. Tomorrow morning therefore, it is my task to "prove my love for Janelle" to the government of the United States of America.

I can't imagine it going anything other than smoothly, so I am excited to have it happen and be over with, but part of me still hopes that we have at least a few minor hangups -- just enough to keep it interesting, you know? One thing I've imagined happening a few times over in my head is "forgetting" Janelle's name as I am answering a question, or referring to "that cute young woman that was just in here." Janelle is probably not excited that I have even thought of these things because it will make it more likely to happen. She is probably right too.

I have looked over the types of questions they supposedly ask and can't imagine having a difficult time answering them. I guess that is one of the perks of knowing and loving the person you marry.

Reading in the Park

All day today I have been jealously thinking of my friends and family who haven't spent the entire day locked in a windowless box, like me.
Days like today are about as perfect as I can imagine. It's comfortable, but not hot, with a cool breeze. I have a good book to read. I have time to read, a park to enjoy, and for at least a little while, not a care in the world.

Two Weeks

Not too long ago I heard that they made contact lenses that you can leave in your eyes for a month at a time. The last time I was visiting my optometrist (he was checking how my new contacts were fitting) I asked him if they really existed. He responded that indeed they do, and that even the ones I was getting were FDA approved for two weeks of continuous wear. Yeah, TWO WEEKS at a time!

• That is a whole pay period.
• That is enough time to run 40 miles doing half marathon training.
• That is long enough to quit your job! 

Needless to say, I didn't take those contacts out for two weeks, and I'm not sure I will ever be able to return to a daily contact lens routine.

If you happen to be a consumer of Accuvue Oasys contact lenses, don't be a fool: wear your contacts for two weeks straight.

Curses!

If you don't know me very well, you won't know that I thoroughly enjoy playing games. I've been told that people from colder climates tend to like board games more since that is all there is to do during the frigid winter months. That might be true.

The other night my little sis had a birthday and we played a new game that is sure to be a hit with anyone who enjoys being silly. It's called "Curses!" Basically you just have to do simple little tasks each turn, but as you go you accumulate more and more curses.

For example
You have no elbows. don't bend your elbows.
AND You become scared and faint every time a bell rings.
AND Everything you say must be spoken through clenched teeth.
AND You must speak in a high falsetto.
AND every time you read a card you must slap yourself in the face.
AND also, you are Santa. So tell everyone in the room what they are getting for Christmas.



Granted it isn't a game for everyone, but for those of us for whom it is, it is quite the game.

Etch-a-sketch

On the last couple days, this piece of artwork has come up a couple times in conversation. I believe it was completed in 2005 on a Sunday morning as I was waiting for church to start. When I finished the picture (which took about 3 hours or so to do) I kept it safe for several month before finally shaking it up.

Since then, I have never undertaken a new etch-a-sketch, because I almost feel like I can't really live up to doing something so great again. Maybe that is true and maybe it isn't, but challenges from friends have started me thinking about giving it another try, whether or not I can make it as awesome as this one.

In Memoriam (1995-2008)

I recently sold my first, and so far only, bass amp: a Sunn SB160 60-watt Vintage amp.
This amp was purchased in 1995 and was already "old" when I first got it. It was bought to accompany my still wonderful Ibanez Soundgear (model SG1600, I believe). It has been with me through thousands of hours of practicing and who-knows-how-many dozens of shows in several cities over twelve years.

I know it was time to let it go--I never use it anymore, and it isn't easy to accommodate in a crowded apartment--but it is still a little sad to see it go after so long playing together.

Maybe one day I'll regret having let it go, but by then I'll be a billionaire, and I'll be able to buy it back, and get a new Brite button to replace the one it never had when I owned it.

Goodbye SB160.

Just a Little Bit of Christmas

Today I came online in Gmail while two of my sisters were also online. We had a group chat. If you haven't tried this yet (make sure it with people you love), it is super fun. Invariably two people will respond to each question that anyone poses and if only exaggerates the feeling that normal chats give: that the two sides of the conversation don't quite match up.

We talked about Christmas. Since most of the family has gotten married this last year, all our plans are getting more complicated. As we discussed our plans to get together with my siblings for our "family Christmas" celebrations, we eventually turned to discussing last year's events.

Since I was out in CA for the 25th, we decided to make Christmas morning on the 27th, which was after my return to UT. Unfortunately, my schedule isn't super flexible sometimes. So I think I still needed to be at work by 7 or 8 am. This meant that from the time we got everyone awake, to the moment that I had to leave for work, Christmas morning lasted about twenty minutes.

But what a twenty minutes.

Wedding and Engagement Pictures (finally online)

So, after such a long wait, we finally do have access to the proofs from our wedding.

Our photographer just let us know yesterday that we can get our engagement pictures at 30% off until tomorrow night at midnight (So buy them fast if you are going to!). Our wedding pictures are 30% off until midnight on Sunday Oct 12th. There are some really great pictures of guests, details, friends, and family from our wedding events. Let me know what you think!

Great News!

I got engaged!

Since that happened I have found it quite difficult to find the time to write posts. What happened!? I'm not sure.

It's been official for a few weeks now, and since then we have been trying to orchestrate a wedding in a fairly compressed time frame. It is not easy to plan a wedding. We have done a really good job though, and I am excited to see how everything ends up.

Unfortunately, there really is too much to sum up. Lots of planning going on. Maybe I'll get around to writing about it eventually, but maybe not.

Newest Challenge

Its been five years since I left Madagascar.
Five years since speaking French was required to survive.
Five long years of forgetting vocabulary and conjugations.

This is why I am so proud of myself and my latest endeavor: Reading the novel, Les Misérables. Granted, it's the condensed version, but it is the condensed French version, and that is the personal victory.

Interestingly enough, living with several franco-capable roommates since being a missionary never really did much to encourage my own pursuit of French. I think it made me too aware of how easily I found myself lost in French conversations, movies, setting, etc... So now, sans any close contact with friends who speak the language of love, I find myself setting out alone to retake my lingual skills.

The things that make the difference:
The pace - I can read slowly and think deeply about the words and their meaning.
The story - I've always loved the story and values portrayed in this novel.
The not needing to understand - I can be unfamiliar with any words I don't understand, and can usually still understand what is being said.

So there you have it: I'm not giving up on French (not yet anyways). Ask me again in 500 pages.

The Library

I have said before, and I will say once more, how much I love the library. And not just the building I go to. I love the entire concept of libraries. Those Sumerians were really on to something good.

The City Library in Salt Lake has "Dedicated to serving the citizens of Salt Lake City" inscribed on the glass as you enter. I feel like when I walk into the library, everyone who is there suddenly becomes equals - all citizens (or TN Status Foreign Nationals on non-immigrant visas) and each one treated pretty much the same. So Mr. Homeless, Ms. Business, Mr. "Entrepreneurialship", and Miss Student are all there, shoulder to proverbial shoulder, putting to good use one of the greatest public goods the city has to offer.

Yes, I love the library.

Click on the horses

iTunes' most dangerous feature

Whatever you do, don't push Command+T on a mac when you are listening to iTunes. Sure it seems like a harmless thing to do. What could be so dangerous about turning on the visualization feature? It is so dangerous because it will hypnotize you. Just like it hypnotized me. I could stare at those unpredictable lines for hours. Just take my word and don't try it.

Playoff Hockey

For most of the year I'm not much of a sports fan. That all goes out the window when the NHL goes into the playoffs. I'm not sure what happens but I think it has something to do with growing up as a kid in Calgary that just makes you love the Calgary Flames. I am transformed into a hopeless fan.

I haven't posted lately, partly because my free time has been swallowed up in following hockey. Tonight, unfortunately, Calgary got eliminated in the seventh game of their series against Stanley Cup favorites the San Jose Sharks. I guess that is good news for my blog.

Now begins my customary period of mourning (no pun intended). For a few days I will keep replaying the 8 minutes of poor playing that cost them the game. I will also smile as I think back to the great hit that Calgary's Sarich got on San Jose's Captain. This was in game three and gave the underdog Flames a chance of going on. See below for footage.



He didn't even get a penalty. I love these guys.

So, with my team's hockey season over, I begin the more productive phase of my summer, where I can get things done without a constant worry over how well my flames will do in their next matchup.

Go Flames Go!

Got Books?

Okay, so this is mostly for people who
   a) Have a fair number of books
and
   b) Love organizing things.

I found (via NPR) a website that allows you to enter and catalogue all the books in your home library collection.

Just aim your browser on over to LibraryThing.org. I've found it highly interesting

Will I ever be part of the Jet Set?

Sometimes you find a store that just gets you all excited about whatever it is that they sell, and I recently had that experience. The store/website I found sells travel accessories.

It is called Flight001 ("Flight One"). I hadn't heard of it before, but it made me sad that I have no travel plans in the near future. Since browsing the site I even bought a new shave kit just because these guys got me all excited about going to... somewhere?

On my trip to Dallas I met a girl who spends nine of ten days flying around the country for her job. Part of me wishes that I were in a similar position. Only problem is that I would probably lose interest in it real fast. For some reason I always sleep better in my own bed.

Paper Clips

Paper clips are better than you might think.

Right after I moved, I noticed that my bedroom door wouldn't stay closed because the metal slide plate that the latch is supposed to pop into was too far away. I used 3 paper clips like washers and properly spaced the plate.

Later, I realized that the plate was unstable because there was only one screw to hold it in place. I took another paper clip and made a makeshift screw out of it. My door closes great!

I found myself annoyed because my bathroom's hand towel holder kept dropping the hand towel onto the bathroom counter. Once again, paper clips to the rescue. I jimmy-rigged a little clip out of a paper clip that holds the towel in place without making itself known.

Paper clips are better than you might think.