Sunday, November 30, 2008

Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is my new favorite word/disorder. It was recently used on an episode of 30 rock. The literal definition is a fear of the marketplace, but it is basically a fear of fear. In other words, someone needs to go to the store later, but they are scared that they will be scared or have a panic attack at the store, so it renders them useless. Even though it sounds serious and somewhat funny I suppose that many people have already suffered from this disorder to some degree or another. Like, when you have to go on a date with someone and you are scared that you will have a bad time on the date, or if you have to play in a game and you are scared you will mess up. These are lesser degrees, but kind of humorous if you think about it. Oh well you agoraphobics I am out of here.

Recent Reads

I didn't get any homework done this entire weekend, but I did get the chance to finish three books. I have been wanting to read them all for quite some time and I finally go t the chance. Catcher in the Rye was good, about a young lad who has a proclivity for cursing and contradicts himself more than a local weather man, but an interesting read and has some funny phrases (i.e. Did you give her the time?) I'm going to start using that term liberally in my speech.I finished this book a little post-maturely, if that is even a phrase. Yes, I know McCain was defeated in the recent election, but this book is an interesting read for anyone interested in Navy lore and stories. I was disappointed in the sketchy character of young Johnny Mac, not quite the winsome man that we now witness on tv. I enjoy war tales, so this was a good look at the men behind some of the biggest decisions in Americas largest battles over the last century.

Amazing book. If you have read Blink or The Tipping Point you will understand how interesting these books are. Outliers is no different and offers an interesting view into what makes people successful in the world. It also offers some interesting ideas for rearing children and giving them opportunities to make them extremely smart. It also helped me to review my life and notice the opportunities that I have given and what to do with them. He also makes interesting correlations between the Beatles and Bill Gates, and how they achieved success. This was my favorite of the three and if anyone is interested in reading this book, let me know and I'll hook you up.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Skinny Jay-(n)z

The rapper Jay Z so eloquently coined " Can't wear skinny jeans cause my knots don't fit No one on the corner gotta pocket like this, So I rock Roc jeans cause my knots so thick" in a recent song called "Swagga like Us". It's a sweet song with T.I., Kanye, and Lil Wayne. But anyway, he refers to skinny jeans, which is interesting because you don't picture most rappers wearing skinny jeans, but the lyric worked for his rhyme so I see no problem in the reference. I recently purchased a pair of skinny jeans and according to the obvious innuendos in this song I should be able to purchase them for a specific reason (because my knots do fit), but this is also just a nonsense lyric and skinny jeans are actually very accommodating to knots, maybe just not his. I'll move on. I was at Sears (of all places to shop for clothing) and found a pair of dashing 511s. They had my size (well my actual size does not exist, but this is the closest thing) and so I tried them on and they were tight of course, because that is what skinny jeans do, they tight you. I decided to get them because the price tag said they were 27 dollars. Not a bad price and it is hard to find jeans that are close to fitting me. So I swaggered up to the counter and the baby girl rang those pants up and they came to 10 dollars. I don't know why they came up so cheap, but I was glad and considered it as a Thanksbirthday miracle. I bought them and got up on out of there. Just another way that Jay-Z is such a blessing in my life.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksbirthday

It isn't very often that a man gets to sit down and enjoy his birthday on one of the major holidays of the year. That was the case this year as I shared the celebration of my birth with the celebration of native americans giving pilgrims maize, amongst other things. So, I attempted to look at my life and see all of the ways that I can apply indian principles in my life. First of all, I can give maize to anyone in need, especially hungry people. I figure the best way to do this is to have my pockets constantly full of the stuff so that at any moment's notice I will be able to fish out some of this food and give it to whoever asks. Second of all, I will become proficient with the bow, but not the bow that is commonly associated with the native americans. No, I will focus on the bow used to translate the book of Mormon, the one that Joseph Smith inserted the seer stones into to look (peep) through and decipher those ancient hieroglyphics. This bow will obviously provide positive returns for me and my study of ancient texts in the future. Third, with India growing so rapidly on the international scene with the advent of globalization and the flattening of the modern technological world it is becoming increasing difficult to distinguish between Indians from India and Indians of the native american origin. Really, this is a perplexing issue for me anyway, because when Columbus arrived in the Americas it should have taken him all of five minutes to realize that he had not landed in India via a faster sea-route. So, why didn't he change the name of this indigenous people? Any name would have suited them better, Squawks, Reds, TimTims, but because of his error we are stuck with the awkward question in contemporary speech to ask people to clarify what Indian they are referring to. This all could have been cleared up many years ago and there needs to be a suitable way to reform this nomenclature. A fourth item that I will try to implement into my way of life is to eliminate xenophobia from my life, this is also known as the fear of foreigners. I know there are perplexing issues involving illegal immigration and even legal immigration in this day and age, but I vow to not be scared of foreigners, just like the native americans, and teach them and help them in any way that I can until they eventually overrun me from my way of life as was the case with the pilgrims. So there you have it. Some birthday lessons that I learned on this glorious day and the things that I am going to try and change in my life. Thank you for all the birthday greetings!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Kanye verse Killers

November 25th two new cd's from two of my favorite artists in my two favorite genres of music are hitting the shelves. I really wish they would collaborate and make a song together. Chris Martin did it with Kanye, Elton John and The Killers recently teamed up as well.

What I'm listening to:

Let it Rock-Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne

Independent-Webbie

Put On-Young Jeezy ft. Kanye

Heartless/Love Lockdown-Kanye

Human/Losing Touch/Spaceman-The Killers

I'm not going to teach your boyfriend how to dance-Black Kids

Starting Now-Ingrid Michaelson

Freeze-T Pain and Chris Brown

Live your life-T.I.

His Girl Friday-Academy Is

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Stang-a-rang

My best friend Jesse recently got engaged and I am so excited for him. He is marrying a fine young woman who is absolutely perfect for him and will be a joy in his life. Her name is Darcy and she is from St. George. They actually used to work together at the Pizza factory and fell in love over a calzone earlier this year. They are getting married in the St. George temple December 12. Jesse and I have been friends for the last 14 years and worked, schooled, and played basketball together for most of that time. Just like the Killers are known as the best British band to come from America, I like to think of Jesse as the best British man who has come from America. His style and humor far exceeds that of many of my close kin. I'm extremely excited for him and the events at his wedding. I have never been able to relate with a man on so many things and always be on the same page with him. Even after years apart and attending different schools, we maintain the same ambitions and humor.