Holy Moly!!

Guess what? All of you in Blog land that didn't already know...I am engaged! It's a little fast, but that's okay. This girl is absolutely amazing. I'd write more details, but there's a hundred million things for me to do, and no time to do them.

I've included a picture from our Spring Break California trip-isn't she gorgeous?

One Hundred Thousand Somethings

So the old Subaru Justy that we all know and love finally crossed over the 100,000 mile mark. It's hard to believe I've had that reliable little thing so long. It got me thinking about all of the memories I've made going all kinds of places, both extraordinary and ordinary, in that sweet little ride. It has been a great blessing to me. As far as material possessions go, I think it's been one of the best.

Angus Mackenzie, the editor-in-chief of Motor Trend, wrote a column several months back about how the people in Germany spent the money they'd saved while the wall was up. As soon as it came down, those who could bought automobiles. He said that to us they would have seemed like ordinary old Renaults and Peugeots, rusty and out of repair. But to them, they looked like freedom. It made my cry. I have taken that car for granted along with all of the inexpensive yet priceless freedom it affords me. I think we don't realize that many of the so called ordinary things in our lives are really our greatest blessings. So if you are reading this, think of one thing you use often but don't really think about a lot...and then think what it really means to you. Say a little prayer of gratitude. I bet your day will get better.

I got a few pictures of the odometer...probably a few too many. But here a few are, along with a photo of the car in it's present state (the poor thing needs an oil change and a detail) and the gorge-dorable chica that was with me on a date for this momentous occasion. So enjoy.

With all my free time, the opinionated posts are bound to return soon, so stay tuned.

Writing and driving-why they are both great.

T.J.-thanks for the shout out. This one's for you, man.

So I should be working on a powerpoint presentation I have to have done by friday, but I'm not. I'd rather write. I like writing. It's like driving. Only much cheaper, and in some ways (given my current automobile) more therapudic. Okay, maybe it's not like driving at all. But I really like driving and writing. They both stir something deep inside me. They are different though. Writing has the ability (with the proper audience) to dust off things long forgotten in the dirty corners of my world-weary brain. I like that. It's like a really deep massage. It can take some work, but it sure feels good afterwards. Driving on the other hand, gives me some sort of an outlet. It's a great way to feel good about connecting with a machine and nature all at the same time. The car follows you and the road which follows the curve of a mountain. And it's all connected. Deep into a corner, many parts of all of those elements are against each other and yet working together. It's beautiful to me.

Anyway, this may be the longest post I've written since....last time a wrote this long of a post. But seriously, it's almost pretty long. And it's been pretty long. And it's ugly late. So goodnight, and good luck.

Math and Why in the world am I taking it?

I was taught when I was young that life was meant to be enjoyed, but that didn't always mean that it would be easy. I am now in Calculus for a third time, and I have invested 1200 dollars and 18 months of my life to pass a class I care so very little for. I recall a scripture that says we should not spend our money for that which is of no worth. I hope I'm not in too much trouble with the man upstairs for wasting his money on this good for nothing class three times. I hate it. I hate math. Can I tell you how much? I look forward with great anticipation to the day when I can hock my calculator. I'll take the money I sell it for and go buy a book that's on my list. And I'll learn something useful. Something real. Go ahead, engineers. Tell me that my life revolves around math. Maybe yours does. And I'm truly glad there are those who know it and can apply it well. I am not one of those people. I like ideas. I like people, words, feelings, conversations, and laughter. I have never felt anything good for math. I have never laughed at math. "So I says to the guy, yeah it's actually the square root of 1!" Have you ever heard this punchline? Nor have I. I am going to leave this rock a better place than I found it, and I have a nagging suspicion it will have very little to do with math at all.

In Spite of it All

I just thought I'd quickly blog a moment and say thanks for a great summer, to all those who were, even in a small way, part of something wonderful. I have learned a lot, slept a little more, and smiled a whole lot. Life has been good to me this summer, in spite of it all. I've had a lot of fun, some of the best things being the simplest.

Holding Trina in the Smithfield cemetary and wanting so badly to already be in love with her, while not realizing at the time that the moment I was living was just about as good as it gets.

A simple rope swing in Idaho with Joshnormous and Nate. I cut my finger pretty good, but it was a great memory.

Shooting the first minute and thirty-one seconds of the fireworks show on the 24th of July. You touch a little wire to a metal thing on a board, and a split second later you feel about as close to being a magician as I ever have. Everyone should be able to do that just once in their lives.

A Ganache fight at Coldstone with Meredith and Trina; a great way to end an era there. I have made many good friends and made good friends better at that job.

Driving to Aberdeen Idaho to visit my buddy Kirk when the outside temperature was 103, and me in my little Subaru without air conditioning. 103 was neat, but 110 is even better (can you say Malad pass? I don't think those little 12 inchers were ever intended to spin that fast).

Making flower bombs with Amber, Ross, and Richard. I don't want to get in trouble here, but the boom was fantastic, and I just hope we didn't scare any of the old people.

Anyhow, it's been a grand summer, in spite of it all. Good stuff. And thanks again for everything. If I forgot to mention you, I'm sorry. We are still good friends, I promise.

Don't write professionally about what you don't understand

So I was reading a story on MSNBC today (because I'm far too cheap to subscribe to a newspaper) and the guy sounded like a real auto industry pro at the beginning, citing some studies that said U.S. Automakers need to improve quality (and why did someone actually spend money studying something that obvious? I'm not sure either...). Thanks for the update.
He went on to compare some of the models incorrectly, which happens to drive me nuts.
He said that things were just horrible because Buick hasn't sold as many SUVs as Toyota. Genius. Do you know anyone in their right mind under the age of 55 that would think of setting foot in a Buick dealership, even to use the bathroom? No! And when buying an SUV? Are you kidding me here? Who is this guy?
He then compared the Ford Taurus, a midsize has-been (which I think should have been a never-was, but that's another story altogether) with the new Ford 500, a full size Buick-fighter that's waiting for a bigger motor. The guy said that the U.S. Auto industry is in a bad way because Ford didn't sell as many 500s at launch than they did Tauruses. What an idiot. He's apparently never heard of the Ford Fusion, the actual replacement for the Taurus. "You know, the apples just aren't selling like the oranges did ten years ago over there at Albertsons. From this we see...." Argghh.
Now, be it known that I sold 500s for a few minutes, and while I think they are great for grandpas who drive 5,000 miles a year, I'd never buy one. They are put together like most of the other overpriced crap on wheels you can find in a domestic dealership. And yes, sales for the domestic companies has been slow. That's fine. You wanna write a story about it? Great. Get your stuff straight so you can actually prove your point.
Or give me a call. I read motor trend, turn my head when I pass a dealership, and actually spin a wrench once in awhile. So save yourself the embarrassment pay me a couple of bucks a column inch to write your blasted story.

The University Run-Around

So today was super productive. I called yesterday up to the Man-aka the University-to make an appointment with my advisor. I thought it would help me figure out which classes to take and get a better handle on things. So I left work in time to get up there, waited paitiently for them to finish a meeting, and went in to talk to her.

I came away more frustrated than ever. I'll quote one of her helpful sentences for you-this is for real a direct quote-"Well, I can't tell you which classes you should take." What?!?! Then who can, honey? Isn't that her job? She also informed me that although she could advise me about certain areas of the business program, she couldn't help me with a marketing minor. She gave me a little pink card with her signature on it so that I could actually get in the office and talk to the people I originally called. Genius. It looks like a prescription. I really might be sick, so I guess it makes perfect sense.

So that's that. I am seriously considering changing universities after this whole ordeal is over. My sister is moving away from the valley for good, my family is getting older and my folks need my help more than ever. There are better jobs in Salt Lake, I always end up dating girls down there, and my project truck is down there.

I know what you are thinking, and I read your mind. I thought it was about time for a good BMW photo. This is a real winner. It's a good hind-end shot of the new Z4 M. Wow. Nothing like some twisted steel with curvy appeal to restore my ambition. Enjoy.