thumb hurts

Back from my weekend with chicago nick exploring the wild west. Was good times.

my computer is broke….thinking about getting a macbook. Not sure. New years eve tomorrow. Heading to the IU bowl game. Should be a good day. Happy New Year.

You’ll shoot your eye out kid

Looking forward to this weekend.  Chicago Nick is flying into town for the IU bowl game. But first we are driving up to Utah tomorrow after work to see some really cool stuff. We are going to spend time at Zion National Park, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, and Canyon de Chelley.  The Utah border is a little over 5 hours from Phoenix, so we will be doing a lot of driving and sight seeing in a few short days. Hoping to capture some great pictures, as it should be some of the best scenery you could ever see.  Phoenix Nick might be coming as well.

I spent Christmas day on tuesday eating lunch with my roomate Chad at ‘Joyful Chinese Restaurant’. It felt like a real christmas story. We were the only 2 in the joint, and the chinese waiters all came out and sang ‘Deck the Halls’ to us. Ok, i made that last part up, but we really were the only 2 in the restaurant.  Then i went to see a movie called “juno” with my friend Cynthia. It thought it was really good movie, very funny and well acted….definitely something i suggest, especially with how many sucky movies are out right now.

It was 27 degrees this morning here in Arizona. Good thing our heat doesn’t work in the house.

layup skillz

My brother sent this to me. I find it to be hilarious, but maybe it’s just me.  The announcer for me is what makes it so funny.

Malibu

Remember this guy?

Sweet

2007

2007 has been a year in which not a whole lot of good things have happened in my life. There have been a few great things though that have been life changing. Basically it’s been a year full of working a lot of hours, deaths of loved ones both young and old, very little social life, becoming and uncle, and eating way too much junk food. Needless to say, life is what you make of it, so to sum up 2007 for me, i think it was more about finding a work ethic and trying to get serious about life and figuring out the best way to attack it. It went by quick, and i think i probably could of thrown a lot more fun in there. But what can you do.

I do feel i have learned quite a bit this past year however, mainly from my first real experience with business in both the States and in Mexico. Also, learning and realizing how people can be so different in different parts of the country, values, ideals, fashion, interests, and integrity. I think i have started to figure out a little bit more of what i want out of life, and who i want to experience it with. Of course heavy emphasis on ’started’ as i will probably never figure that one out.

Highlights and lowlights that have happened in my life in 2007 (in no particular order)

• becoming and uncle for the first time, and of twin boys at that!
• death of grandma Cassidy and cousin GJ Cassidy.
• Colts winning a superbowl
• started following politics much more closely.
• getting a passport
• dad breaking neck(luckily he has bounced back like always and is doing as well as he can be considering)
• seeing little brother mature 10 fold after his short stint in the Navy.
• Became much less naive….still a ways to go though.
• Seeing a high school friend make and also succeed in the Big Leagues….very cool.
• Became less interested in needing to watch sports….that started when i moved to Cali and didn’t have a tv to watch or friends to watch it with.
• Became more interested in staying active or doing constructive things to occupy my time.

Anyway, 2007 certainly hasn’t been my favorite year of my life, but there has been some very important things happen that have changed the way I see things and the way i go about things. It was more of a transitional year mentally i guess. One thing i have started to figure out is that each person in this world is unique, and not everyone needs, wants, or should have a cookie cutter life. That judging people is a waste of time, because everybody starts at a different point and will end at a different point. Everybody has there issues, there mental and physical battles. And that success isn’t determined by how much money you make, but only by if you are happy. My goal for 2008 is to find out what makes me most happy, and to get on the path that will take me there. I’m just hoping that a girl is partially involved in that one!

Once

I think after watching the movie titled “Once” for the second time, i have settled on the fact that it was the best movie i saw this year.  My guess is that if your not really into folk music or indie type music, it might not be something you would enjoy all that much. But seeing as i am, i thought it was fantastic. Here are a few links about the music and/or movie. It just came out on dvd, so i highly suggest going out and getting it. The soundtrack got nominated for a grammy, as did one of the individual songs.

USA TODAY Article

once myspace page

IMDB page

blazing saddles

Looking back, this has been a very interesting week for me. Not so much because a lot happened, but it just has been for a few different reasons.

Anyway, i met with a financial planner tonight, and i am very excited about having done that. Makes me feel more confident that financially i will be working towards a better future for myself and puting things in place in case unexpected things happen. I’m not disciplined enough to save money or allocate my funds without being told to do so. Mom, that reminds me i need you to send me a copy of my life insurance policy so i can organize that with them.

I ran for the border tonight and went i go to the window to get my food, the guy wanted to make sure i had the correct drink. I said yes, and he said he just wanted to make sure because he is learning to read. At first when he said it i laughed real quick, and then instantly felt bad because i realized he was serious. So i felt pretty horrible about laughing. It’s amazing to me that people can get through life without being able to read. It’s something i certainly take for granted and can’t imagine how difficult for people it must be to get through each day without being able to read. Whether it’s a disability or just never having the proper schooling to learn how to read, i hope the guy at taco bell learns how to read.

I bought this really awesome SIU hat online tonight with my gift card…pre-frayed and everything. Hope it fits.

that’s all i got.

Notes have been taken

 No suprise this article below struck a chord with me when i saw the title. Thought i would share it. As a shy guy myself, it’s a pretty accurate article i would say. 

Dating advice for shy guys

By Tim and Michael Burke

As a shy guy, you’ve probably heard more than an earful of advice on how to bust out of your timid shell and engage women in witty repartee. Sure, these gregarious mentors may mean well, but they often forget that it’s not easy to change who you are. Think of it in basketball terms. If your team lacks height, you don’t repeatedly try to go inside. No, you use your speed, passing and outside shooting to beat the competition. Same goes with dating: Play up your strengths, and you’ll improve your odds of romantic success. Here’s how to do just that.

Be eye-catchingly honest
Remember George Costanza’s approach in Seinfeld: “My name is George. I’m unemployed and live with my parents.” Hey, it worked for him. So why not try being straight up with women? Tell them you’re not much of a player. David Wells, 31, confirms, “When I was younger, I made the mistake of thinking I had to act suave,” he says. But since then, he’s upfront about the fact that he’s shy. “A lot of women think it’s charming!” he says.

Ask for help
Damsels in distress have been doing this for years; there’s no reason guys can’t take advantage of women’s desire to swoop in and save the day, too. Just be sure to pick a topic on which women will feel they can offer some assistance. You’ll rarely go wrong seeking style advice (“Excuse me, but I need a woman’s opinion on this jacket. Is it a keeper, or should it never leave my closet again?”) or relationships (“Hey, my pal and I need a woman’s perspective on how long a guy should wait before calling after a date. What’s your opinion?”). Asking for advice will diffuse the pressure of it being a pickup.

To read the rest of this article, click here

Baconater

Just have to let it be known that the most searched way that people find my blog is that they search “baconater”. Every single day since i posted a picture and mentioned the sandwich “the baconater” from Wendy’s, i’ve been getting a ton of hits just from people searching baconater. That explains why America is getting fatter by the day.

have 1 and 1 make 2

I’m starting to discover how little patience i have when i get my mind set on something. If i know i want something or something done, i become very impulsive. For example, the car i now drive was simply due to my lack of patience and was a total impulse purchase. I asked god to grant me patience about a week ago, and he certainly is puting me in the situations of seeing if i can be patient. Funny how that works.

It’s amazing to me how childish and immature adults can be. When you are a kid, you always think that adults will always be responsible and mature. Then as you grow to become an adult, you realize that many adults just never really develop those skills. They are just older kids who have developed the necessary life skills to get them by. It’s amazing to me how many adults who are very immature and irresponsible go on to be very successful. Maybe it’s because they figure out a way to always get there way just like they did when they are kids, which intern allows them to be successful as an adult. But it’s really annoying when you run into people like this in real life….you just want to punch them in the face….at least i do.

I bought a mattress pad and a new comforter yesterday. With the temperature dropping into the low 40’s at night, i was having trouble sleeping with lack of proper blankets. I’d much rather make those purchases than be the first roomate to wuss out and turn on the heat. So i am hoping the extra cushion and extra comforter will allow me to sleep a little better.

I did all of the shopping yesterday at Target. I must say Target is probably my favorite store to shop in. I typically find all sorts of clothes there i want to buy, not mention many other things. It’s very difficult to leave Target without spending more money than you planned on. Good thing i rarely ever shop.

Rest in Peace Ferrell’s Grandma. She was a good one.