If You're Happy and You Know It, Clap You're....

Oh.

I got this the other day. Made me laugh hysterically.

You make my heart beeeeeeeaaaaaaaat

FASTER!

Pumpkins and Bullets

A giant pumpkin from the garden: 1 convincing argument for my mom

12 gauge shotgun: A great scout leader

Lots of skeet: Wal-Mart

and hot chocolate: Brother Anderburg

Shooting a pumpkin until it looks like an orange black hole: Priceless

Missionaries

For my school, I have to do at least 10 hours of service. I decided to go to a local elementary school and help with the after-school program.

As I was walking to the school, which is about 6 blocks away, I was stopped by the missionaries :)

They walked right up to me and asked my name.

"Josh Willliamson. How are you?"

"We're doing good, what about you?"

"I am doing good." With a smile

"Are you Mormon?"

Hahahahahahaha! "Yeah!"

"I knew it, you were too nice."

"Yeah, sorry I'm not Mormon... I would totally accept the Gospel."

"Well, do you know anyone that is a non-member?"

"I don't... the only reason I come up to Salt Lake is to go to school at LDS Business College. The only people I see are LDS. But do you guys have a pass-along card with your number on it? If I run into someone, I will give it to them."

"YEAH!!!!! That would be great. Can we give you some homework too?"

"Anything." I thought they were going to ask me to read a certain chapter in the Book of Mormon.

BUT...

They hand me the card and a Book of Mormon with three pamphlets in it. "Give that to someone."

"I'll do that!"

I found out that one of the elders was out on his first day. I was sooooo happy for him. We shook hands, said goodbye, and I walked off.

With a smile. With a warmth. With a renewed happiness.

This experience made me realize that in a year I will be spreading the Gospel to the world. In a year I could have a profound effect on someone's life, just because I walked up to them, with a smile on my face and name tag on my suit pocket.

I also thought about all of my friends, close and not so close, but friends nonetheless, that have gone out to the world to further the Work.

These are the few that I can just remember from the top of my head. One of my friends is leaving soon... McKay Johnson, and I hope that he realizes how much I look up to him.

Before you guys finish, I have a challenge for you. Don't worry-- it's for the missionaries.

I want you, yes YOU, to share the Gospel with someone. Give out a Book of Mormon, share a testimony, anything to spread the Gospel. It has to be personal, not a link on Facebook. Be it the weird guy on Trax, the scruffy-looking guy smoking on the curb, or the friend you have had that you know could be blessed by the Gospel.

Do it. Report back here.

Oh, I neglected to mention that there is a time limit.... until Christmas Eve.

Addictions.

We all have them. They can range from a certain drink (like hot chocolate) to a television show.

I have too many addictions. (Please note I am using the word addiction quite liberally)

It's fun to watch. My vicodin is House. I own all the seasons that are on DVD. It's great. I am on the 5th season right now, and I just can't stop. If you ever wanna borrow them, just lemme know! (:

This is my guilty pleasure. My scary show. I watch this to be freaked out. However, the last half of the 5th season became quite bland. Oh well.

I also watch Raising Hope, Arrested Development, and Psych. All funny shows. I totally recommend them. Oh! and the Office.

That's hot chocolate. Not coffee.

Argyle. It's classy. It's sorta spunky. It's me. You should totally go buy me a half-zip argyle sweater.

Batman is THE BEST superhero ever. I really want this game that just came out.

I play piano when I feel like it. When I'm frustrated, confused, tired, and happy.

I browse it all the time during class. I really need to get this one under control.

These beauties should be on my doorstep by the end of the day. Of course, I ordered these during class. From Amazon. : P

Snowboarding. This isn't me, just FYI. But I do have a picture of a snowboarder on my debit card. I am obsessed. And I have indulged myself, trying to get everything ready for this season. I was a hobo one night in front of Sports Authority, to get some good deals on gear. I got a $380 snowboard for $50. Brand new.

Yay for being a hobo!

Addictions. They're fun.

They all make us do stupid things. I think I have way more than just these few, but it is fun to look at my own addictions and habits.

A Beginning for an End

Well, I have to say, I have had quite a remarkable Summer. I can't beleive all the stuff I did, all the things I managed to do.

Here are just a few:

Service Projects

Hiking Mt. Timpanogos... twice in three weeks

Laser Assualt with some awesome people :D

Kodiak in Wyoming

Youth Conference in Salt Lake City

Scuba Diving

Buy some snowboard gear

I know I did more, I just can't remember it.

But now I am a student at LDSBC, and it's a new chapter in my life. I have to be responsible. I have to get up at 5:10 AM to catch my bus up to Salt Lake City.

Speaking of public transportation...



This is what it feels like somedays. Hectic, kinda freaky, and WAAAAYYY too many people. But it gives me time to study. I'll take it, even though some of the people are freaky.

Wow...

It's been over a month. I have been waiting to make a giant blog post for my summer and what I accomplished. But first things first...

BOOK REVIEWS!!!  Can I get a holla!?!?!? hahahaha

Ray Bradbury has a particular method for writing. It's unique, odd, and astonishingly satisfying. He uses hyphenated words and sews together the sentences into a beautiful quilt. He managed to make me legitamatley afraid of carnivals in this book... and though I was kinda creeped out by them before this book...

The books is about two boys, Jim Nightshade and Will Hollaway. A carny rolls into town, and of course, the carny is the creepiest thing around. The boys can't help but take a peek.

They end up seeing something they shouldn't have, and the carny's start coming after them, trying to capture them before the manage to get anyone to believe their story.

The books is about undying loyalty, learning to grow up, and acceptance. At least, that's what I remember about it.

Shakespeare is a freakin' genius, alright? He can make a soap opera seem interesting. The hardest part about reading Shakespeare is the language. It's like reading in Isiah; you just need to keep doing it, then all the sudden, every word, line, and verse make sense.

Actor David Suchet said, "We find Shakesepeare boring because we're lazy. We're not willing to get thorugh the language. That's the only barrier."

I promise to whoever reads this, and they try to read Shakespeare, just keep pushing though. It will be one of the most rewarding things you had done when you have finished the book.

Othello is about a Moor, Othello, who is the victim of hate. His friend (or so it seems to him) Iago, just hates him. He wants him behind bars, so he plots a fake affair, and steals everyone's life inadvertantly. Honestly, it's a great read.

The book is about soccer teams, from Clarkston, Georgia, called the Fugees. The teams get their names from the make up of the team, a bunch of refugees. Of all races.

Luma, the coach of the team, has one goal: to unify the boys to the best they can be. She has strict rules, and they are hard to abide. But when the boys humbled themselves and obeyed the rules, they became one of the best teams in their state.

It's a national bestseller. It's a clearer understanding of the world.

To me, that last sentence, makes a book worth reading.

Day 6 and 7

Mozart. Bach. Beethoven and Pachelbel.

Jon Schmidt and George Winston.

People who amaze me. They hear music and interpret them into notes, so simple pianists, like me, can play their music. I love Jon Schmidt most, because he takes an idea, even a place, or an even, and puts it to music. By far one of my favorite pieces by Jon Schmidt is Game Day

Playing the piano distracts me from my stress. It builds my talent, and it I know that I can always run to a piano when I am lost in the world. I can sit and play the beginning of a thousand songs, but I only know the ending to one. I usually start learning a song strongly, then will die out, but that's okay, I know that if I keep working on it, I will get it.

There was this one part of a song that took me three weeks to get down. It was agonizing, coldblooded, sweaty, and noisy work. But it all paid off.

Day 7: Favorite movies.

Do I only pick a few? Well, I will just show a bunch of movie pics for the movies I love :D

I can't think of much more...

Day 2..... and 3, 4, 5....

Well, I already sucked it up on the 30 day challenge. I have a good excuse, don't worry: I was working on my Eagle project/ Youth Conference.

Well, Day 2 of the challenge is supposed to be about the meaning behind your blog name.

I think it is really straight forward... Joshua's Jots: Where nerds and humor unite.

This blog is a collection of my disjointed, cluttered, and scattered thoughts. I think they tend to be funny, and I tend to be nerdy... but the good kinda nerdy.

Like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings nerdy :D


but it's a simple, yet cluttered journal. Kinda like a bookshelf. Everyone has one, and they are chock full of phrases.


Day 3: My first love.

I was four. maybe five.


Young, stupid love.


and it was with a girl named... I can't remember.


hahahahahaha, that's great. I just remembered we kissed.


and we were playing monopoly. Or a rather what we thought was monopoly.



Day 4: the old folks.

What's to say? They're tired, and I am the oldest kid currently living at home.

So we just joke around and get through each day.

My dad works at 1 800 Contacts, and I get free stuff aplenty and cheap eye stuff. Free soda, movie tickets, eye exams, and discounts on glasses and contacts. *jazz hands*

Mom stays at home and reads.... at least that's what it seems like ;)


Day 5: A song to match my mood.

this one is hard. Like a rock.

 I pick Taylor Swift. I just like this song.... (:

I don't know why I like it. It's just a good drum I guess...

Facts and Sportsmanship.

So, a friend of mine is doing the 30 day post challenge thing, so I decided to join her :)

This is me. And I am an interesting person.

I know, I know, you're probably thinking, "this guy is full of himself..."



I am.

And I can prove that I am indeed full of myself and an interesting person. Won't be that hard, I promise.

1. I am an interesting person.
2. I read. A lot. I lettered in English because I read 15,000 pages outside of class assignments in three years.
3. I am the first assistant in my priest quorum.
4. I can't eat veggies or fruit. not because of the taste, but because of the texture. UGHHHHH!
5.I turn 18 in a week.
6. I am enrolling into college.... LDSBC
7. I keep all my movie ticket stubs. actually, I keep all of my ticket stubs. I have stubs from Brighton, movies, and Boondocks.
8. I will listen to pretty much anything, besides metal and rap.
9. I am preparing to serve a mission (can't wait)
10. I have a journal that has over 125 pages written in it.
11. I am a night owl. I sometimes get ready for my day around 3 PM, and will really wake up around 6 or 7 PM.
12. If you steal my food, there is really only one thing in my way of killing you. The law. Not my conscience.
13. I will scream random things.






Armadillos.


See, random.


14. I am running out of facts.
15. If you meet me, you will be entranced. I am like an oompa loompa, or a car crash. You just can't help but look. You will slow down, and think about me.




Today, I went golfing with my brother-in-law Austin at Fox Hollow. While we weren't too great at it, we still had fun. The people that were in our party were entertaining; one kept hooking it into a hill of trees.

So he threw his golf club into the trees.


Sportsmanship: Something he hasn't have.


We did decent, for, ya know, never really playing that much.

 Also have been working on my Eagle Project....

the week before my eighteenth birthday. hahaha, procrastination.


I think the literal latin translation for procrastination is:

To put off until tomorrow.

It's bad. It's convenient. Until the end.

and then you're screwed.

on that lovely note, I leave you. G'night!

Summer.

Wow, a lot has happened this summer already. I have done more this summer than I have any other summer.

I graduated.

I got scuba certified.

I went down to Sand Hallow and scuba dived.

I even went to the St. George temple, and I have to admit, I hadn't been to the temple in awhile. It was great.

Kodiak was the week after St. George. I went up with a friend to Wyoming, not really knowing anyone else, and had the best experience up there.

We went river rafting

Fought with foam swords

and met some new people

and best of all, felt the spirit.

I went to Harry Potter, part II

even to a Harry Potter party that same night






worked on my eagle project

and got contacts.

.

But right now, I think the best thing that has happened to me, is my new calling. It's in my original ward. I am the 1st assistant for the Priest quorum. Which I thought was very odd, seeming as I should technically be going to the singles ward, and I turn eighteen in two weeks.

But I think it's where I need to be.

and I love it.

The Glass Castle

I just finished reading The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Wells.

The book is a memior of the author's life, and it is a powerful story of a little girl that overcomes her family's biggest trial: Her father.

Her father was a drunkard, and he just couldn't hold a job. But the family would get into loads and loads of debt, and then, when the creditors would come for the money, her family would upack up and leave to another town. Usually the next town would be a dying mining town, such as Welch and Battlecreek.

Another one of the trials was her mother. Her mother would not be responsible. Since money was always tight (really tight), she would go for a teaching position at the local school, but always would be overwhelmed. The mother would throw tantrums, and could not take the pressure.

The family was, quite obviously, poor. Stunningly poor, actually. The father would always spend money on alchohol and cigarrettes, and, in the end, would stumble past the sagging porch and through the rotting door.

And the author made it through the trials, enduring even the worst part.

She made it to New York, and became a writer, and lead a normal life.

And I think that this book shows that anyone can be like that.

Be such as a phoenix, rising from the ashes, from the dust and becoming so much more...

The Screwtape Letters.

The Screwtape Letters.

C.S. Lewis. The one who can make any not-exciting topic, such as mortality, and put a new twist on it. He wrote this particular book in a refreshing perspective: from a demon's own perspective.

The book is a collection of letters that an "Uncle demon," Screwtape, sends advice to his nephew, Wormwood, on how to secure a man's soul to damnation.

The books addresses several topics, such as why good people suffer trials. On page 38, Screwtape explains to his nephew how to secure a man's soul when the man goes through his cycle of "peaks and troughs," Peaks, being spiritually strong, and troughs being when man is at his weakest state.

 "He [God] relies on the troughs even more than on the peaks; some of His special favorites have gone through longer and deeper troughs than anyone else... It is during such trough periods, much more than during the peak periods, that it[man] is growing into the sort of creature He[God] wants it[man] to be.”

I shared this quote with a mission prep leader, and he told me that God always work best in the troughs, because that's when people are most humble, most willing to accept God.

My review? Beautifully written, satire even, Lewis understands how to provoke thought and recapture ideas. All of this made possible due to the unique perspective he offers. The book lifts you up, and you keep going up.

However, it's not in my top five (even though I don't really have one). I loved it, but I loved The Kite Runner even more.

I recommend it though. It's a good read.

Summer Reading

Yearbook Day

Today was my last yearbook day. Actually my last day at the high school. ever. I had to tell a few friends goodbye for good, and that when I see them, I see them.

These happen to be my favorite signatures in my yearbook (:

"You're cousin's a whore." -- Austin West

"P.S. I am sure your cousin is very delightful!!" -- Mr. Hanks

"Josh! Dude, you are NUTS!!" Jeffery Cartwright

"I know you love Justin Bieber secretly... don't deny it! And you dancing moves are pretty slick! Have a good graduated life!"--Ashlyn Hatch


"I'm sorry I made you lose the Game."-- Nicholas Seppi

"Oh my handsome!" -- Kaovae Belt

"Nice headphones man." --Jared Hasleton

"You're the best and so silly!" -- Nancy

"Josh! Ah! We have known each other since 7th grade! Call me sometime!" -- Temerah

"I can't help but laugh so hard when I am around you." -- Jamie Lee

"You're face is that of a sunset." --Angela Lewis :D

"Optima tibi cupio. Bona fortuna!" (I wish the best for you. Good luck!) --Mrs. Shelley

"Josh! I love you but not in a weird way if you know what I mean." -- Jason Jerman

"I love how outgoing you are and you have an amazing sense of self worth." --Jessica Hunt

"Don't eat my cookies!" -- Adam Sherman

"Do you know how happy you make me?" -- Christa Huggard

"You're pretty awesome and your headphones are legit!" -- Mallory

"You are now an old fart." -- James Heppler

"I will never forget the crazy pink-haired lady!" -- Kari Kane

"I had so much fun with you during lunch!" -- Brianna Davidson

"You are one of a kind. One of a good kind. Alma 57: 27" -- Mr. Beeson

Freedom.

Freedom for Prison Break, the most addicting show I have ever watched. EVER. It was like my hot chocolate; I couldn't go a day without it.

The show is four seasons long, and has a total of 81 episodes. Each episode is about 45 minutes, which means that I logged in a little under 61 hours of sitting on my butt in front of the television, in total awe, drool running from my mouth and pooling on the rug. It was the most epic waste of time.

The story is based on a guy trying to break his bigger brother, who is on death row, out of prison. It turns out that the brother was framed for his crime. And that is where the addiction begins. You need to find out who the guys were who framed his brother, and by the time they answer that, you get more and more questions.

It's like quicksand; the more you squirm and struggle, the deeper you get. I honestly had boat loads of questions by the end of the fourth season, and in the end, all the questions were answered. It was great.

So, here is to Prison Break. To Alex Mahone, Lincoln Burrows, Michael Scofeild, Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, Fernando Sucre, Brad Bellick, Agent Self, Sara Tancredie, and Paul Kellerman (those are the characters)

And now, I have nothing to do with my time. It's quite sad, actually. Prison Break was my leisure time. Ugh! Any suggestions on shows? (Besides 24, Lost, and Supernatural).

Thanks.

You all are peaches.

Latin Movie

And the Winner is...

Well, I have picked a college. After a year of not knowing for sure. I received revelation-- quite literally. I was praying about whether I should go to UVU or LDSBC, the thought to open up the Ensign, which was right by my bed, popped in my mind.

And guess what one of the first words I read was.

LDS Business College.

I couldn't believe it. I don't think I will be a die-hard LDSBC alumni, but I think I will like it there. (:

Preference 2009

This one is a funny story. The night Jandie asked me to Preference, I was gone on a campout. When I came back, there was a garbage bag of movie popcorn and a note saying, "Now that I have buttered you up..."

I assumed that the rest of the message would be in the popcorn, but no, after hours of eating with my friend, we gave up. Then, I went to James' house that night to get rockband. For the five minutes I was gone, she came.

James and I were walking up the sidewalk with a drum set, and we saw someone in the neighbors, wearing a black hoodie, looking at my house. I said hi, and they just stood there. Awkwardly.

I just walked past and went into the house. In the house was a ball of popcorn, and in the ball was a very small name. Jandie's.

We went bowling for the day date, then for dinner, we headed over to Chili's. It was my first time, and it was delicious! We then went to the dance, which was in the Provo Library. It was sooooooo much freakin' fun!! Thanks Jandie!

He Will Give You Help

Homecoming 2009

Well, since it is my senior year in high school, I thought I might as well dwell on the past more!

This was my first date, and Brianna, who was brave, said yes! It was so much fun! We went to the field across the street from the temple and played croquet and had a blast!

For dinner, I think we had some delicious chickon cord'en bleu (I think that is how you spell it), salad, hearty rolls, and for dessert, some lemon bundt cake.

We went over to someone's house and took as many pictures as we wanted, and we arrived at the dance with only about an hour left. I suck at dancing, as I am sure Brianna noticed. But I am sure she had a great time. I know I did. Again, thanks Brianna for going with me!!

Second Star On the Right, Straight On 'Till Morning!

Brianna and I have been wanting to go to Neverland and never, not ever, come back. We don't ever wanna grow up, we don't wanna be responsible, we like being 17/18. So, we have resolved to go to Neverland, and have epic sword fights with Captain Hook, and tell stories with Tiger Lilly and the Indians, forever. Even my little friend here, Tinker Bell, agrees with me. 

But Brianna and I have agreed to go to Australia and New Zealand first, and then Neverland. 

Growing up is too painful. I am gonna go to Neverland and never come back, just like Peter Pan. 

And if someone would like a few good books to read, I read this series about Peter Pan, and how he became Peter Pan. One of the coolest series I have ever read. I have all of them, if you wanna borrow them. I love them. Then of course, there is J. M. Barrie's original Peter Pan.

Book Review: Shadow of the Giant

Well, it has taken me a third of a year, but I have finally finished Bean's half of the Ender Saga. And man, has it been a great ride. It started with, of course, Ender's Game. Brilliant book, by the way. Then, the parallel novel, Ender's Shadow. Then Shadow of the Hegemon, Shadow Puppets, and lastly Shadow of the Giant.

The reason Shadow of the Giant is so brilliant is the end. But it will take some explaining to get to that:

Bean, the protagonist, is a boy of about 16 in the novel. He has an impairment called Antons Key. This illness is based of the idea of Adam and Eve and the Forbidden Fruit. Adam and Eve lived forever, right? They were immortal, but there was a downside: A lack of knowledge. At least, until they partook of the fruit. Then they lost their immortality, and gained knowledge. So, when Antons Key is "turned" or present in someone, it blesses the person with an insane IQ. The person can basically learn anything and everything, and be fifty steps ahead of everyone. However, it comes at a price: Life. The bearer of Antons Key can only live to be, at most, 20 years old. See the logic? Yes, I know, it's hard to follow. Just don't get me started on the Theory of Relativity. It's insane stuff, and Card implements it in his novels.

ANYWAYS...

Bean, the bearer of Antons Key, didn't believe in God. He didn't believe God would let a monster like himself be born, let alone pass his genes (In the future, I guess everyone will have babies at a young age. This book is placed about 200 years in the future though). However, he learns throughout the whole series that love is God. Because of his Wife, because of his illness, Bean realizes that God does indeed exist. That God omnipotent, does things to help better people. He realizes, in the end, that everything and everyone has a reason. And that is why this whole series is amazing!!

As you have figured out, I read only amazing novels, like the Kite Runner, or Ender's Game. It's because it's a passion of mine to be able to feel through literature.

So, out of five stars, I give the book  4.99999 stars. Yes, it is impossible to have a perfect book. Only amazing books and crappy books exist. No perfect books.

So, I hope I sparked someone's interest.

And now I guess I have to reread Ender's Game to get my juices flowing for Ender's side of the story. Another five books to read. HALLELUJAH! And a new books comes out tomorrow: Scorpia Rising, by Anthony Horowitz. I am just dying to read the last of the Alex Rider books!!

And the reason this series took me so long was.... well, take a look:

That's the flowchart for the series. The red ones are short stories. The blue, obviously novels.

And Orson Scott Card is Mormon, another Bonus!

Three Wishes...

To kick off this post, I'll start you off with a brain teaser.

Once upon a time, in the West Lake village, a servant lived with his master. After service of about 30 years, his master became ill and was going to die. One day, the master called his servant and asked him for a wish. It could be any wish but just one. The master gave him one day to think about it. The servant became very happy and went to his mother for discussion about the wish. His mother was blind and she asked her son for making a wish for her eye-sight to come back. Then the servant went to his wife. She became very excited and asked for a son as they were childless for many years. After that, the servant went to his father who wanted to be rich and so he asked his son to wish for a lot of money. The next day he went to his master and made one wish through which all the three (mother, father, wife) got what they wanted. You have to tell what the servant asked the master.

I will post the answer in a day or two.


So, if I had three wishes, I would wish for:

1. My own Ski Resort, up high like Brighton. Snowboarding has got to be one of the greatest things in life. I feel like the wind blowing through the Saharah, when I snowboard... only it's a tad colder. My friend and I have already come up with a name for a resort we will own together: Cobalt Crest. that's right baby. And, if you are really good, you can go laser tagging on the way down. Don't ask how, it will just happen. And it will definitely have high speed quad lifts.

At the bottom of Cobalt Crest will be a club house, with pool tables, bowling allies, rentals, pools, hot tubs, mini golf, rock climbing, great CHEAP food with a wendy's and arby's and JCW's (yeah, that's right, cheap food at a resort!), free arcades (for anyone who buys a pass), a free bus ride up. That is all I can think of right now.

2. A card for iTunes that never runs out of money. All the music I want, all the shows I want, basically anything digital whenever I want. Of course, this has to come with a iTouch that has around 64 gigs.


3. My own chinese restaurant, like Panda Express or Whistle Work. I love my chinese food!

Pros and Cons. The Good and the Bad.

Okay, so recently, I have been looking at myself, judging my own qualities. I would ask myself, what are my weaknesses? My strong points? Well, this is what I have come up with (:


Pro: I just love reading. You give me a good book, and I will huddle on my couch all day, so long as food is nearby.

Con: My ego. It usually fills the room I am in. I really can't stand to be wrong. It annoys me, and I just really wanna dip the people that point out something I did wrong, after I know it was wrong, into some battered egg and slap them onto a frying pan of popping oil. Sorry, that was graphic. Oops. ;)

Pro: I think I am funny, and so far, a lot of other people do too. Or at least I think they do, and I certainly hope they aren't laughing at me. Just because I wear tweed jackets and vests and giant watches. And I love my ties from DI. :) But mostly my watches...

I love my watches :D




Con: I am easily annoyed. But I really only have one trigger:

People, places, and things. Mostly people though.

I can hold my tongue when I hear something annoying, I can look the other way when someone annoys me. Just be aware when I am annoyed, my eyes get bigger, I say "ugh!" and I have about a million witty comments running through my mind. Fair warning. If you annoy me too much, though, I might have to shoot you.

Pro: I am a proud FBH: Fact butt-hole. I just radiate stupid, pointless facts. Don't ask for one though, usually memory triggers these facts. Like, if you say a word, I might tell you what Latin word it comes from. Sorry. Force of habit. But I like it. And, FYI, my Latin helped on the ACT!

Con: When it rains, it pours. Yes, when something bad happens in my life, it's the end of the world. Everyone must stop and hear my story. When something really annoying happens to me, I will brood on it. Yup. It's the truth.

Pro: I wear tweed jackets, giant watches, tube socks with shorts, and vests. I will shout my grade out in class, no matter the grade, and I will say anything. I don't let myself get bullied around. I will just look past you if you look at me and judge me... I believe Dr. Seuss once said ""Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." I follow it like doctrine, people!

Con. I don't care what anyone thinks about me. I know, confusing right? It's the exact same thing as the last pro. However, when it comes to saying what I feel, I can be cynical. I am trying though. It's hard to just bite my tongue...

Pro: I know this sounds like I am a bit full of myself, but I am leader. I know because it is kinda in my patriarchal blessing. People, for some odd reason, will listen to me, they care about my opinion. I don't know why, it's crazy to someone who goes off of hunches so much. And is as egotistical as I am.

But let's face it....

I AM AWESOME!!!

  So


So awesome in fact, I used colored letters to announce it to you, mysterious stranger-reader person!


Cons: People will listen to me. If I have a bad attitude, and I share it with my friend, especially James, it is usually a shared thing.

Pro: I play piano. How many people in the world can say that? How many, out of the six point five billion people on the earth can say that? A small percentage. So, while it is common for Utahns and Americans to play piano, a lot of people in Madagascar can't. Just saying, I have an acquired skill :)

Con: I am lazy. So lazy in fact, I won't even finish this para


Pros: My scout leader, and priest adviser, told me I was passionate. So passionate, I will memorize things that inspire me. And thanks Brother Jackson, it meant a lot that you could see a good thing in this mess. Hahaha


Con: I doubt. I don't trust enough. A great example is when I do Latin homework with James. He will remember a word in Latin that I forgot, and I doubt him, so I spend half the time we do homework in the back of the book looking  up vocab. More often than not, James is right.

Pro: I have a journal. It's is one of the hardest things I have done, but I keep one, almost daily. I found the key for me is to buy a $10 leather bound journal, and to write down what bugs me, what blessings I have, and my life.


Con: I tend to make things more complicated than needed. So, to end that, I won't write a long paragraph on this. Instead I will just write about my next Pro. Since I am so great. Oops, I made a paragraph. See, I tend to do that!! UGH!!

Pro: I am thrifty. Frugal. Smart with my money, my moolah, my green, and my lettuce. James would say it's cheap. I call it watching my budget, because when I have a steady flow of money, I usually will blow it on a game or a nice watch, like the ones way up there ^^^^^^^^^^^^^. Or DI. Gotta love DI.


I could just keep going on about how awesome I am, but I am tired, and for some reason, I have Jamie's blog playlist thing in the background, and I think it has played each song three times over, so, yeah.... g'night world.

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You."

-Dr. Suess 

(actually pronounced like Soyce, like a combo of Soy and sauce. Soyce. But he changed it because it was complicated)

Books...

I haven't read a decent book in a while, and I am dying. So, to help myself get prepared for a book coming out soon, I am gonna tell you guys my favorite books, in no particular order, of course.

This book is about redemption, and how even the worst of acts can be forgiven. The main character's greatest curse is his friend's unwavering loyalty.

The Kite Runner helped me realize that no one can do anything too bad, that everyone can be forgiven if the right things are done.

"Love the sinner, hate the sin." - Unknown

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar withdraws the naked desires of the worldly heart and mind. And it makes you realize how people can be manipulated because of their own envy and greed.

And it helps you become less like Brutus, less like Caesar. You don't want to "Scorn the base degrees from which you did ascend."

This is my guilty pleasure. Kids killin' kids. It's that simple. The first book was the best, the second was decent, but the third one tanked.

It was painful to get through Mocking Jay, but I had to, cause it ended the trilogy. I wanted to hunt Collins down because of her lame ending. But the first book is excellent, and I totally recommend it.





These are all the books I can think of right now that I love.

However, I am SOOOOOO pumped up for the final Alex Rider book. It comes out the end of this month!!! Hallelujah! there is an end!

Fire and Ice

In English, we have to do a parody of a poem. Honestly, I would never, EVER touch these poems. I think they are already perfect. So, here are some of my favorite all time poems.

Holy Sonnet X

By John Donne

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

What I think it means: It is pretty self-explanatory. Death isn't the end. It's just another beginning. 

Fire and Ice

By Robert Frots

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice. 

What I think it means: I had to read this one a bit slower, but what I got from it is, that if it weren't for God, we would destroy ourselves. Really, I think it's a blessing the world will end in fire, and not in ice.

Shakespeare

What win I if I gain the thing I seek; 

a dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy? 

Who buys a minutes mirth to wail a week, 

or sells eternity to gain a toy? 

For one sweet grape, who would the vine destroy; 

or what fond beggar but to touch the crown 

when with the sceptor straight be strucken down.

Interpretation: The context of the poem is this prince is going to do something he knows he shouldn't, and because what he is going to do, his father's kingdom will fall. But he knows this too, and he reasons with himself, saying this poem aloud. So, why is it we do the stuff we do? 

If

Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son! 

What I think: Rudyard Kipling wrote this poem beautifully, and it says, be better than the world, be humble about it too, and you'll be the best person ever. period.

Julius Ceasar

Shakespeare

lowliness is young ambition's ladder,
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmost round.
He then unto the ladder turns his back,
Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees

By which he did ascend.

What I think it means: There is no real title for this little poem, so I titled it after the play it originated.

This poem basically says, "Hey! I want to be better than that dude!"

So you climb the ladder. Once you have reached your goal, you belittle everyone else, you turn your back on them. 

The end.

It's still stuck in my head!!

Music has got to be one of the most influential things ever to touch this earth. Sure, writings, cars, and technology are sure up there, but each generation is defined by its music. My generation is defined by hiphop and pop, and little rock. My dad won several disco contests, and my mom, she likes the dreaded bread (that rhymed!)

I think that I have a unique perspective of music. I listen what basically every other teenager listens to these days, like Bruno Mars and Lady GaGa, but I sure do like my 80's music. Journey, Def Leopard, Bon Jovi, and Whitesnake are epic!! I enjoy basically anything catchy, and I think that the music I listen to is the best out of everyone else's, hence the reason I have it on MY iPod. It's my music, if you don't like it, I could seriously not care less. Don't bash on me for liking music that you don't. There is a boy in my ward that use to thrash my music, and one day, I just told him, "Hey, I don't like what you listen to, and you don't like what I listen too. So why does it matter?" He has since then stopped bugging me about music.

So the music currently playing, that you probably turned down, is the music I love. And honestly, and just can't stop listening to this crap... including the Pokemon Theme (: The Playlist is in the sidebar =======>

You have got to be kidding..!

alrighty, who wants to hear MY drama?? Yeah, shocking, I know: Josh here has drama of his own!


Okay, to start with, I will be replacing the names of people with the ugliest/first names I could think of. So starts the story of Sybil. No, not the Sybil from the movie, the Sybil that kinda caused the most drama of my life Sybil.

I met Sybil last summer, and my cousin Agnes introduced me to her while hanging with some newish friends. So, over the months, Sybil was kinda shy and didn't really talked to me, even though I tried to spark a conversation more than a few times. But it was fruitless. nothing, nadda, zilch.

Around Christmastime, I started hanging out with Agnes and Sybil, again. Also, a new kid in my neighborhood, I'll call him Zach. Zach kinda tagged along because I was nice and didn't want him to be left out. So we kept hanging out over the Christmas break, and one night, when we were finishing up our crazy night, Agnes, Zach, and I dropped Sybil off at her house. But this is when it starts to get weird. Zach didn't want to let Sybil walk to her doorstep alone, all the way from the driveway.

So he walked her up, then he kissed her. Right smack on the lips. A wet one too. :O

He got into the car, and Agnes and I just sat their in utter, complete, and somehow chaotic, silence."I didn't kiss her," Zack said. So, it being the most awkward car ride of my life got more awkward when Agnes and I dropped Zack off. And he said, "I need someone to walk me to my doorstep," right at Agnes. I just about volunteered to go walk him just to prevent what I think was going to happen.

But I didn't.



And so Agnes walked a 17 year old boy to his door, and he tried to kiss her. But Agnes, being smarter than she really is, turned her head so he kissed her on her cheek, hallelujah!

Keep in mind, this is not five minutes after he had kissed Sybil. I wanted to kill him. For kissing both of them, in one night.

So, about a week later, I was invited by my friend up to his cabin to go on a snowboarding trip, and honestly, how could I resist? Right?

So I went, and that is when I realized something. I was mulling over the kiss Zach gave Sybil, and I wanted blood.

I wanted to castrate Zach and toss him into the lake, and throw a few pounds of explosives in with him. For good measure.And from that, I learned I liked Sybil. I also learned that Sybil liked me back and had cried when Zach kissed her. And I wasn't there to do anything to help.

I got back from my trip, and it turned out that Zach was taking Sybil on a date that weekend. My blood boiled when I found that out. I wanted to take Sybil out, and Zach was preventing that. And he did it again the next week. I was literally plotting for some sort of thing to happen.

But I didn't do anything. Because, on the third week I got back, I took her on a date. And it turned out she felt awkward around me, so she asked if she could bring her friend.... hmmmmm... Bertha and Bertha's date, with her. And I just wasn't going to say "Well of course not, silly goose!!"

So, the night of the date came, and she was still awkward. We planned to make pizza and watch a movie, only it turned out she didn't really wanna make pizza, even though I asked her if she would mind.

And here comes the sting.

When I was getting my shoes on to drop her off at her house, Bertha asked if Sybil wanted to go with her. Sybil asked me if she could, and I just said, "Sure, whatever."

It's not like I could say, "Uhh, no, I paid for this date and I am dropping you off!"

So she went. And yeah. I decided then I no longer liked her.

A week later, I told her "I liked you a week ago, but no I don't know what to think. So what do you think about Zach, about him kissing you, about him kissing Agnes?"

And she said she really liked Zach. And that is when I just stopped.

Not a week later, her and Zach were official. Yay!! Two weeks after that, they broke up. And now no one likes her. Zach found out through a friend of mine that I had liked her, so he told me she was mine. I told him I didn't want her. EDIT: (made March 14, 2011) They're back together.

 Zach and I are still friends, bu honestly, c'mon dude, you can't kiss two girls in one night! Especially when they are best friends!!

Author's Note: (March 14, 2011) I don't hate Sybil. I just don't know what to think about her. I honestly don't like to think about it. I am over it, hallelujah!

Wow, I kinda feel left out...

Today, I found out about a bajillion of my friends are going to BYU this next year. I am so happy for them, but honestly, isn't anyone going to UVU or LDSBC? Yes, I know it's basically tradition: You live in Utah, therefore you have two schools to pick from: Brigham Young University, or University of Utah.

And all my friends picked BYU or BYU-I. And I am stuck with either LDSBC, or UVU. Alone.


So, that's what this post is about. College, and how I feel a bit left out right now.

ALL my friends are going to BYU, and are going to be having a blast living on campus, together. Meanwhile, I will be going to school at either LDSBC, or UVU. Of course, when I told all my friends that, they spun some optimism in it for me, by saying, "UVU is a good school," and "You're going to meet new friends, it'll be great!"

So right now, that is my main concern, the future. What does it have for me? Well, I certainly hope for the best, but we will see... I just hope I didn't make a mistake.

So right now, my prospects are (in a really particular order) UVU and LDSBC. I have my dad dogging on me to go to LDSBC, because I could work on my core credits, and if I manage a 4.0, I can transfer credit to BYU-I and get my tuition all paid for. However, right now, UVU is closest to home, I have high school teachers that can teach me at UVU, opportunities fore scholarships up the yin-yang, and housing between home and all my friends at BYU.... I have a feeling the months between now and graduation and gonna be bitter-sweet.