Friday, July 31, 2009
Preview of Silliness to Come
This is for a book club type thing, for a part of a larger project in total.
Any questions?
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
LET us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherised upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question …
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.
And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the window-panes;
There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to murder and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—
[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”]
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
[They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”]
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.
For I have known them all already, known them all:—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?
And I have known the eyes already, known them all—
The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,
And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?
And how should I presume?
And I have known the arms already, known them all—
Arms that are braceleted and white and bare
[But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!]
It is perfume from a dress
That makes me so digress?
Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl.
And should I then presume?
And how should I begin?
. . . . .
Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets
And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes
Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?…
I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.
. . . . .
And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!
Smoothed by long fingers,
Asleep … tired … or it malingers,
Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.
And would it have been worth it, after all,
After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,
Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,
Would it have been worth while,
To have bitten off the matter with a smile,
To have squeezed the universe into a ball
To roll it toward some overwhelming question,
To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead,
Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”—
If one, settling a pillow by her head,
Should say: “That is not what I meant at all.
That is not it, at all.”
And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worth while,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—
And this, and so much more?—
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,
And turning toward the window, should say:
“That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all.”
. . . . .
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—
Almost, at times, the Fool.
I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.
-- T.S. Eliot
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherised upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question …
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.
And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the window-panes;
There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to murder and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
And indeed there will be time
To wonder, “Do I dare?” and, “Do I dare?”
Time to turn back and descend the stair,
With a bald spot in the middle of my hair—
[They will say: “How his hair is growing thin!”]
My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin,
My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin—
[They will say: “But how his arms and legs are thin!”]
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.
For I have known them all already, known them all:—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room.
So how should I presume?
And I have known the eyes already, known them all—
The eyes that fix you in a formulated phrase,
And when I am formulated, sprawling on a pin,
When I am pinned and wriggling on the wall,
Then how should I begin
To spit out all the butt-ends of my days and ways?
And how should I presume?
And I have known the arms already, known them all—
Arms that are braceleted and white and bare
[But in the lamplight, downed with light brown hair!]
It is perfume from a dress
That makes me so digress?
Arms that lie along a table, or wrap about a shawl.
And should I then presume?
And how should I begin?
. . . . .
Shall I say, I have gone at dusk through narrow streets
And watched the smoke that rises from the pipes
Of lonely men in shirt-sleeves, leaning out of windows?…
I should have been a pair of ragged claws
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.
. . . . .
And the afternoon, the evening, sleeps so peacefully!
Smoothed by long fingers,
Asleep … tired … or it malingers,
Stretched on the floor, here beside you and me.
Should I, after tea and cakes and ices,
Have the strength to force the moment to its crisis?
But though I have wept and fasted, wept and prayed,
Though I have seen my head [grown slightly bald] brought in upon a platter,
I am no prophet—and here’s no great matter;
I have seen the moment of my greatness flicker,
And I have seen the eternal Footman hold my coat, and snicker,
And in short, I was afraid.
And would it have been worth it, after all,
After the cups, the marmalade, the tea,
Among the porcelain, among some talk of you and me,
Would it have been worth while,
To have bitten off the matter with a smile,
To have squeezed the universe into a ball
To roll it toward some overwhelming question,
To say: “I am Lazarus, come from the dead,
Come back to tell you all, I shall tell you all”—
If one, settling a pillow by her head,
Should say: “That is not what I meant at all.
That is not it, at all.”
And would it have been worth it, after all,
Would it have been worth while,
After the sunsets and the dooryards and the sprinkled streets,
After the novels, after the teacups, after the skirts that trail along the floor—
And this, and so much more?—
It is impossible to say just what I mean!
But as if a magic lantern threw the nerves in patterns on a screen:
Would it have been worth while
If one, settling a pillow or throwing off a shawl,
And turning toward the window, should say:
“That is not it at all,
That is not what I meant, at all.”
. . . . .
No! I am not Prince Hamlet, nor was meant to be;
Am an attendant lord, one that will do
To swell a progress, start a scene or two,
Advise the prince; no doubt, an easy tool,
Deferential, glad to be of use,
Politic, cautious, and meticulous;
Full of high sentence, but a bit obtuse;
At times, indeed, almost ridiculous—
Almost, at times, the Fool.
I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.
Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.
We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.
-- T.S. Eliot
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Missionary Wednesday
Hello you all,
At the transfer meeting Thursday I found out it wasn’t all talk about me being the most coveted companion in the mission. I had a bunch of people come up to me and tell me how after Elder J. and Elder S. go home they will come to Cicero and be my next companion. It will be very interesting to see if any of the people who talked to me will actually be my next companion.
This week while tracting we came across a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses, they said they crossed the street just to talk to us, which is funny because normally they cross the street just to avoid us. (Editors Note: And then leaves us hanging about what happened afterward) Friday was pretty much a waste of time. The AP's called us and told us they would need some help closing down some areas. They told us to wait for their call but when they called us they told us they no longer needed our help, that was our main plan for the day, we couldn’t do anything entirely productive because we were waiting for them to call us, and by the time they did it was too late to do any other work.
We worked hard Monday to make up for doing little work the rest of transfer week. Tuesday, at District Meeting and in the President's interview, President R. told me to get to know every street and every inch of my area and to work my two companions hard before they go home. Hopefully this means that even though some areas are shutting down, Cicero will stay open. Everyone else thinks the last part about working my companions means I’m becoming senior companion next transfer, but we’ll see about that. All the elders just love to mess with my head out here. They keep insisting that Elder J. will get be transferred due to some emergency in another part of the misison in his last four days the way Elder S. was. I don’t buy into that for one second, but I know from first hand experience just how possible emergency changes are. I pray a lot that none of my companions ever get emergency transferred ever again.
That’s about it for this week, hope you all have a blast!
Elder Fields.
At the transfer meeting Thursday I found out it wasn’t all talk about me being the most coveted companion in the mission. I had a bunch of people come up to me and tell me how after Elder J. and Elder S. go home they will come to Cicero and be my next companion. It will be very interesting to see if any of the people who talked to me will actually be my next companion.
This week while tracting we came across a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses, they said they crossed the street just to talk to us, which is funny because normally they cross the street just to avoid us. (Editors Note: And then leaves us hanging about what happened afterward) Friday was pretty much a waste of time. The AP's called us and told us they would need some help closing down some areas. They told us to wait for their call but when they called us they told us they no longer needed our help, that was our main plan for the day, we couldn’t do anything entirely productive because we were waiting for them to call us, and by the time they did it was too late to do any other work.
We worked hard Monday to make up for doing little work the rest of transfer week. Tuesday, at District Meeting and in the President's interview, President R. told me to get to know every street and every inch of my area and to work my two companions hard before they go home. Hopefully this means that even though some areas are shutting down, Cicero will stay open. Everyone else thinks the last part about working my companions means I’m becoming senior companion next transfer, but we’ll see about that. All the elders just love to mess with my head out here. They keep insisting that Elder J. will get be transferred due to some emergency in another part of the misison in his last four days the way Elder S. was. I don’t buy into that for one second, but I know from first hand experience just how possible emergency changes are. I pray a lot that none of my companions ever get emergency transferred ever again.
That’s about it for this week, hope you all have a blast!
Elder Fields.
Trainer
There is a fencing trainer dude who volunteers at the fencing club now. This is great. This clearly means you should all come one Tuesday and learn from a pro. Do it! Do it now!
Well, not now cause no one will be there. But next Tuesday go! Or Saturday!
Well, not now cause no one will be there. But next Tuesday go! Or Saturday!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Over-Exaggerate
You know, if you're wondering how I'm doing especially after reading my piece labeled "Courage", and other such thoughts about feeling invisible and on the outs... Don't worry. They're all exaggerations, sort of.
What I mean is that there are times, last this last Sunday, where I feel not included and alone. But then there are days like these that because I decide not to care, because I decide to go to activities and try to be myself, that things look sunnier and more hopeful.
Obviously I still have much to work on, and less thinking about how everything is turned against me when I am feeling down, but things are at least Ok.
So I thought I would clarify lest I concern you.
What I mean is that there are times, last this last Sunday, where I feel not included and alone. But then there are days like these that because I decide not to care, because I decide to go to activities and try to be myself, that things look sunnier and more hopeful.
Obviously I still have much to work on, and less thinking about how everything is turned against me when I am feeling down, but things are at least Ok.
So I thought I would clarify lest I concern you.
Progress
As of this procrastinative moment, I am now finishing chapter 6 of 21 of my English 316 and starting Chapter 3 of 10 of Math. Much to do still, much to do.
Oh, and Naazju, I should be ashamed. I haven't seen The Half Blood Prince yet...
Oh, and Naazju, I should be ashamed. I haven't seen The Half Blood Prince yet...
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Mom Says No Spooning
The following is an actual conversation of of how a silly conversation turns awkward fast, all done through text messages.
Me: There is no spoon.
Brother: To what?
Me: To life?
Brother: Mom says no spooning.
Me: ...
Me: Why?
Brother: Mom says morals.
Me: Yes... But what does that have to do with there being no spoon?
Brother: Um, I don't know.
Brother: We asked her opinion about what you said about there being no spoon, and she came up with spooning.
Me: Odd.
Brother: Did you find your spoon?
Me: There is no spoon. You cannot find that which is not there. It is like saying that the cake, which is a lie, is actually not a lie.
Brother: That makes no sense.
Me: It makes perfect sense! Cause there is no spoon and the cake is a lie!
Brother: What cake?
Me: The cake.
Brother: Is this cake real?
Me: No. That is why it is a lie.
It fortunately got silly again, but it got awkward fast.
Me: There is no spoon.
Brother: To what?
Me: To life?
Brother: Mom says no spooning.
Me: ...
Me: Why?
Brother: Mom says morals.
Me: Yes... But what does that have to do with there being no spoon?
Brother: Um, I don't know.
Brother: We asked her opinion about what you said about there being no spoon, and she came up with spooning.
Me: Odd.
Brother: Did you find your spoon?
Me: There is no spoon. You cannot find that which is not there. It is like saying that the cake, which is a lie, is actually not a lie.
Brother: That makes no sense.
Me: It makes perfect sense! Cause there is no spoon and the cake is a lie!
Brother: What cake?
Me: The cake.
Brother: Is this cake real?
Me: No. That is why it is a lie.
It fortunately got silly again, but it got awkward fast.
Diagnosis
O.K., T.C. JR., as of Thursday afternoon is back up and running.
Basically the radiator died, making it over heat. Also a fuse blew, causing the brake lights not to work. And the CV Boot tore and was making noises, and thus had to replace the shaft.
So yeah, T.C. JR. was one sick little car. I still have to get the passenger sized door handle to be fixed as well. Although it does also mean that I get more opportunity to be chivalrous. Hee hee.
Basically the radiator died, making it over heat. Also a fuse blew, causing the brake lights not to work. And the CV Boot tore and was making noises, and thus had to replace the shaft.
So yeah, T.C. JR. was one sick little car. I still have to get the passenger sized door handle to be fixed as well. Although it does also mean that I get more opportunity to be chivalrous. Hee hee.
Courage
If I Had the Courage
If I had the Courage,
I'd be more than what I am,
I'd say the things that come to mind,
Trivial or important, all that others would say.
The small jokes, the one liners,
Asking to know you, to flirt, to smile, to laugh
I wouldn't worry how I appear
Or second guess what people think, even when donned in a top hat.
I'd get past the small talk
To the personal information
To be a friend, a confidant, trustworthy,
Not just another face in the crowd.
But here I am before you,
Shy and nervous as can be,
I worry, I freeze, I stutter,
And say nothing in the end.
And so in the end, less is said,
Opportunities lost, awkward silences had,
Out on the edge, out on the fray
Part of the group, the circle, the activity.
But a spectator only
When participation desired.
Unknown how to rectify
Confused how to change
When if I could I would,
Compliment you, flirt with you, get to know you
Smile, laugh, being happy and sharing experiences
Not cause I'm there, but for the friendship obtained.
So here I am as quiet as can be
Enwrapped in all the conversation,
listening to all that said,
But not saying anything myself.
Not talking, just listening.
Hearing others, but not being heard
There, but not there...
Invisible you might say.
All that I could do
All that could be said
Worries, thoughts and ideas meetted out
If only I had the courage.
If I had the Courage,
I'd be more than what I am,
I'd say the things that come to mind,
Trivial or important, all that others would say.
The small jokes, the one liners,
Asking to know you, to flirt, to smile, to laugh
I wouldn't worry how I appear
Or second guess what people think, even when donned in a top hat.
I'd get past the small talk
To the personal information
To be a friend, a confidant, trustworthy,
Not just another face in the crowd.
But here I am before you,
Shy and nervous as can be,
I worry, I freeze, I stutter,
And say nothing in the end.
And so in the end, less is said,
Opportunities lost, awkward silences had,
Out on the edge, out on the fray
Part of the group, the circle, the activity.
But a spectator only
When participation desired.
Unknown how to rectify
Confused how to change
When if I could I would,
Compliment you, flirt with you, get to know you
Smile, laugh, being happy and sharing experiences
Not cause I'm there, but for the friendship obtained.
So here I am as quiet as can be
Enwrapped in all the conversation,
listening to all that said,
But not saying anything myself.
Not talking, just listening.
Hearing others, but not being heard
There, but not there...
Invisible you might say.
All that I could do
All that could be said
Worries, thoughts and ideas meetted out
If only I had the courage.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
In Sickness and in, Well, In Sickness
Poor T.C. Jr., my Geo Metro. He's been under the weather. Actually it is a radiator problem. So there is much sadness. And much dramatic posing of heart attacks upon learning the price to repair it all.
And so until further notice, at least hopefully until later today, I'll be in Tooele.
Sadness and Lamentations.
And so until further notice, at least hopefully until later today, I'll be in Tooele.
Sadness and Lamentations.
Missionary-Obsess-About-Transfers-Thursday
Dear family and friends,
This week we did lots of tracting and looked up media referrals to get our area back in check. Our investigators keep slipping from us so we have to get new ones, which unfortunately occured most of this last week.
Unfortunately, with this week being the last week of the transfer, once again wild rumors began to fly about what would happen this transfer cycle. Elder J. got calls from the AP's and the office asking about certain things. He says major stuff always seems to happen in the last week of the transfer and that the last week of the transfer is always the worst.
President R. has told everyone the last few transfers that fewer people are coming into the mission because "the baby boomers kids are all grown up and their grand kids are only in the seventh grade." So, unfortunately that means fewer missionaries are coming out, more are going home, and the mission is shrinking. This means to make up for the lack of people they have to close and combine areas. As such, nobody knew what was going to happen this time.
There was a rumor that Cicero would close and the three of us would have to move, so we worried about that a bit. On top of it all, there was the problem in Pullman that had yet to be fully resolved. Tuesday night, after a hard day of work and worry we finally got the calls at the latest possible hour. Apparently he three of us, by some miracle, are staying in Cicero! Loads of other areas closed, including Pullman, which combined with cal city. Elder B.'s companion Elder O. went there with Elder P. in those two combined areas. Cal City used to be the zone leader's area, but they moved that to Beverly, and the sisters in that district stayed the same. Meanwhile, in my district, the Stock Yards area split in two and Elder B. got moved there in a foursome. He's the first missionary to come back into my district after leaving it. Elder H. also gets a new comp in the Soldier Field area.
With the stress of transfers over, we celebrated staying together and me being the last comp for them before they go home by getting up early to watch the sunrise on the lake by the skyline view. Unfortunately, just like every other time I've been there, it was cloudy, so I saw the sun through the clouds instead. Hopefully one of these days I will get to see the sun rise without the clouds there.
I'm so glad I get 6 more weeks and the opportunity to be Elder J.'s Elder S.'s killing companion. Really, it made lots of sense for them to keep us together, if they had moved us they would have had to move three, but with them leaving if they end up closing Cicero now, they only have to move me. Personally, I spend too much time worrying about what would happen this transfer and now I'm sick of it. Next transfer I don't care what they do; I get a new comp ether way, and I'd rather focus on the work.
Sorry that nothing else but transfer worries happened this week. Next week will probably have more stuff included in the e-mail.
Love, Elder Fields.
This week we did lots of tracting and looked up media referrals to get our area back in check. Our investigators keep slipping from us so we have to get new ones, which unfortunately occured most of this last week.
Unfortunately, with this week being the last week of the transfer, once again wild rumors began to fly about what would happen this transfer cycle. Elder J. got calls from the AP's and the office asking about certain things. He says major stuff always seems to happen in the last week of the transfer and that the last week of the transfer is always the worst.
President R. has told everyone the last few transfers that fewer people are coming into the mission because "the baby boomers kids are all grown up and their grand kids are only in the seventh grade." So, unfortunately that means fewer missionaries are coming out, more are going home, and the mission is shrinking. This means to make up for the lack of people they have to close and combine areas. As such, nobody knew what was going to happen this time.
There was a rumor that Cicero would close and the three of us would have to move, so we worried about that a bit. On top of it all, there was the problem in Pullman that had yet to be fully resolved. Tuesday night, after a hard day of work and worry we finally got the calls at the latest possible hour. Apparently he three of us, by some miracle, are staying in Cicero! Loads of other areas closed, including Pullman, which combined with cal city. Elder B.'s companion Elder O. went there with Elder P. in those two combined areas. Cal City used to be the zone leader's area, but they moved that to Beverly, and the sisters in that district stayed the same. Meanwhile, in my district, the Stock Yards area split in two and Elder B. got moved there in a foursome. He's the first missionary to come back into my district after leaving it. Elder H. also gets a new comp in the Soldier Field area.
With the stress of transfers over, we celebrated staying together and me being the last comp for them before they go home by getting up early to watch the sunrise on the lake by the skyline view. Unfortunately, just like every other time I've been there, it was cloudy, so I saw the sun through the clouds instead. Hopefully one of these days I will get to see the sun rise without the clouds there.
I'm so glad I get 6 more weeks and the opportunity to be Elder J.'s Elder S.'s killing companion. Really, it made lots of sense for them to keep us together, if they had moved us they would have had to move three, but with them leaving if they end up closing Cicero now, they only have to move me. Personally, I spend too much time worrying about what would happen this transfer and now I'm sick of it. Next transfer I don't care what they do; I get a new comp ether way, and I'd rather focus on the work.
Sorry that nothing else but transfer worries happened this week. Next week will probably have more stuff included in the e-mail.
Love, Elder Fields.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Use The Force Meme
So you know that Facebook meme that go around telling you put as your status the 5th sentence of the 56th page of the nearest book to you? Well a friend sort of linked me to, and I decided to look at the sentence to see what it says.
So, with slight editing to make it fit, my status would be, 'Sam, the Nanti-SARRMM lets people know what he wants them to do or think.'
Original sentence is 'Let people know what you want them to do or think.'
All this from my English technical communications textbook.
I think this explains my random statements of wanting to take over the world. School has incited me to do it.
So if I do take over the world, we only have the school system to blame.
So, with slight editing to make it fit, my status would be, 'Sam, the Nanti-SARRMM lets people know what he wants them to do or think.'
Original sentence is 'Let people know what you want them to do or think.'
All this from my English technical communications textbook.
I think this explains my random statements of wanting to take over the world. School has incited me to do it.
So if I do take over the world, we only have the school system to blame.
Signers
Yup. I'm related to two signers of the Declaration of Independence. These guys actually.
Well, ok, I'm only related to John Hancock through marriage, but Justice Robert Treat Paine and Governor of Connecticut Oliver Wolcott are my 3rd cousins 8 times removed. That's awesome.
Oh, and so you know, it is through those Ensigns that I am related, Well more of Isaac Ensign than anything else, but even so, having a branch of your family that has a family history blog up is awesome.
And no I don't know who 'Lark' is, but according to the relationship calculator on PAF, we're 5th cousins one time removed.
Well, ok, I'm only related to John Hancock through marriage, but Justice Robert Treat Paine and Governor of Connecticut Oliver Wolcott are my 3rd cousins 8 times removed. That's awesome.
Oh, and so you know, it is through those Ensigns that I am related, Well more of Isaac Ensign than anything else, but even so, having a branch of your family that has a family history blog up is awesome.
And no I don't know who 'Lark' is, but according to the relationship calculator on PAF, we're 5th cousins one time removed.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Laughter...
Is the best medicine. Unless it kills you. Or gives you asthma.
Anywhat, random story time-ish. There's this guy in my ward, 'Steve', who is hilarious. He's a great story teller, and not afraid to make fun of himself. In fact, as Sunday school teacher, he usually tells a story like where in the mission, while being chased by a demon dog on a bike, he swerved into oncoming traffic, or this week's story that when he was trying to ask a girl out, that it came all mumbled and after getting her name, he backed away and fell over a handicapped girl.
You of course have to be there cause the way he tells them, and what happens is hilarious. As such, I am usually laughing like crazy.
But you know, apart from it getting people to remind me to breathe, or getting other people laughing, I haven't thought about the effect that my laughter and smile has on others.
Something today after Sacrament, a girl that I barely know came up to me. Well, I don't know her, I've seen her around, but I hadn't had the pleasure of introducing myself. Anyways, she comes up to me and thanks me for spreading joy, for laughing and always smiling. It just sort of made my day.
Anywhat, duty calls (Not that duty, other duties) and I must be off. So be of good cheer!
Oh, and I'll leave you with this thought: "Some say you should laugh like there is no tomorrow. I say you should laugh so hard that there is no tomorrow."
Anywhat, random story time-ish. There's this guy in my ward, 'Steve', who is hilarious. He's a great story teller, and not afraid to make fun of himself. In fact, as Sunday school teacher, he usually tells a story like where in the mission, while being chased by a demon dog on a bike, he swerved into oncoming traffic, or this week's story that when he was trying to ask a girl out, that it came all mumbled and after getting her name, he backed away and fell over a handicapped girl.
You of course have to be there cause the way he tells them, and what happens is hilarious. As such, I am usually laughing like crazy.
But you know, apart from it getting people to remind me to breathe, or getting other people laughing, I haven't thought about the effect that my laughter and smile has on others.
Something today after Sacrament, a girl that I barely know came up to me. Well, I don't know her, I've seen her around, but I hadn't had the pleasure of introducing myself. Anyways, she comes up to me and thanks me for spreading joy, for laughing and always smiling. It just sort of made my day.
Anywhat, duty calls (Not that duty, other duties) and I must be off. So be of good cheer!
Oh, and I'll leave you with this thought: "Some say you should laugh like there is no tomorrow. I say you should laugh so hard that there is no tomorrow."
Friday, July 17, 2009
Swine Flu
It's pretty contagious. So contagious that I think my car has it now.
I noticed it overheating a couple of weeks ago and thanks to lovely and talented Miss Missing Marbles and her brother, they helped install a new water pump as T.C. Jr. (Tin Can Jr.) was leaking coolant. So they fixed that. Of course there is also the matter of a torn front-right CV boot and having to replace the shaft too. So would that count as having fractured something?
Anyways, it's still overheating. Or at least the thermometer says it is overheating, which thanks to my utterly useless sense of smell, I don't know if I can smell anything burning or not.
So, it seems T.C. Jr. is still sick, or he's just playing hokey. I'm taking him to a mechanic on Wednesday and we'll see if he's faking it or not.
I noticed it overheating a couple of weeks ago and thanks to lovely and talented Miss Missing Marbles and her brother, they helped install a new water pump as T.C. Jr. (Tin Can Jr.) was leaking coolant. So they fixed that. Of course there is also the matter of a torn front-right CV boot and having to replace the shaft too. So would that count as having fractured something?
Anyways, it's still overheating. Or at least the thermometer says it is overheating, which thanks to my utterly useless sense of smell, I don't know if I can smell anything burning or not.
So, it seems T.C. Jr. is still sick, or he's just playing hokey. I'm taking him to a mechanic on Wednesday and we'll see if he's faking it or not.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Missionary Thursday
Hello you all!
To start off, here are some interesting things I found out this week. First; the difference between the north side and the south side of Chicago. South Siders can spell, but they can't add. North Siders can add but can't spell. That's why the streets in South Chicago are numbered and those in North Chicago are lettered. Second; Elder B. in my district has also never been on a date before in his life. I got to know Elder B. and found out we have a lot in common, we're both weird and funny. This week in the mission we tracted and tried to find lots of new investigators because most our other investigators dropped us. On Monday we fasted for an investigator who had a job interview for a weekday job. We hope this helps because not going to church on Sunday is the only thing holding her back from getting baptized. On Tuesday we picked up a new young couple with a baby on the way. She loved us being there and wants to come to church. Her husband, well, not so much. It's going to be a real trick to get him in the water. Hopefully they don't fall off because of anti-Mormon propaganda, that drives so many people beyond our reach, I hate it when people listen to that anti garbage and don't give us a second chance.
Today we went to the zoo, there are lots of good stuff there. I liked the bears. One bear looked like it was passed out drunk on a log, the other was doing the backstroke in the pond. The big cats, water animals and the primates were cool too.
Well that's about it for this week and the work. Next week is transfer calls and the three of us are hoping that we all get to stay one more week.
until next week,
Love Elder Fields
To start off, here are some interesting things I found out this week. First; the difference between the north side and the south side of Chicago. South Siders can spell, but they can't add. North Siders can add but can't spell. That's why the streets in South Chicago are numbered and those in North Chicago are lettered. Second; Elder B. in my district has also never been on a date before in his life. I got to know Elder B. and found out we have a lot in common, we're both weird and funny. This week in the mission we tracted and tried to find lots of new investigators because most our other investigators dropped us. On Monday we fasted for an investigator who had a job interview for a weekday job. We hope this helps because not going to church on Sunday is the only thing holding her back from getting baptized. On Tuesday we picked up a new young couple with a baby on the way. She loved us being there and wants to come to church. Her husband, well, not so much. It's going to be a real trick to get him in the water. Hopefully they don't fall off because of anti-Mormon propaganda, that drives so many people beyond our reach, I hate it when people listen to that anti garbage and don't give us a second chance.
Today we went to the zoo, there are lots of good stuff there. I liked the bears. One bear looked like it was passed out drunk on a log, the other was doing the backstroke in the pond. The big cats, water animals and the primates were cool too.
Well that's about it for this week and the work. Next week is transfer calls and the three of us are hoping that we all get to stay one more week.
until next week,
Love Elder Fields
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
We Must be Crazy
Let me get this straight... President Obama is supposed to select someone to be a Supreme Court judge to uphold the laws of the land and defend the constitution right? And Congress is supposed to grill her to ascertain her position on a variety of issues and see if she a capable person, able to review cases with the certain neutrality, poise, knowledge and ability to review cases that come to the supreme court, right?
My question is then, WHY ON BLAZES ARE WE SERIOUSLY THINKING OF ALLOWING SOTOMAYOR BECOME A SUPREME COURT JUDGE?!!!!!!
I was watching her confirmation hearing, and from her own mouth she said that she doesn't consider the second amendment right to bear arms a fundamental right to our society. And furthermore, she said that the second amendment doesn't apply to state and local governments. To re-emphasize she believes that THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
Which means, in her opinion, that state and local governments can restrict gun ownership all they want. Bull!
This of course came from a case where a lawsuit came before her that she dismissed, that challenged the owning of nun chucks. This isn't a direct quote or anything, but she said they were allowed to be banned because swinging them around can break someone's arm or give someone a concussion. So, shooting someone tickles then?
She can easily apply her decision on nun-chucks to guns.
So my question is, why are we letting Congress make someone a supreme court judge who essentially doesn't believe in the second amendment? Have we really fallen that far now? Honestly people!
/Rant over
My question is then, WHY ON BLAZES ARE WE SERIOUSLY THINKING OF ALLOWING SOTOMAYOR BECOME A SUPREME COURT JUDGE?!!!!!!
I was watching her confirmation hearing, and from her own mouth she said that she doesn't consider the second amendment right to bear arms a fundamental right to our society. And furthermore, she said that the second amendment doesn't apply to state and local governments. To re-emphasize she believes that THE SECOND AMENDMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
Which means, in her opinion, that state and local governments can restrict gun ownership all they want. Bull!
This of course came from a case where a lawsuit came before her that she dismissed, that challenged the owning of nun chucks. This isn't a direct quote or anything, but she said they were allowed to be banned because swinging them around can break someone's arm or give someone a concussion. So, shooting someone tickles then?
She can easily apply her decision on nun-chucks to guns.
So my question is, why are we letting Congress make someone a supreme court judge who essentially doesn't believe in the second amendment? Have we really fallen that far now? Honestly people!
/Rant over
Monday, July 13, 2009
Meese!
No, not the DC dude. This!
I went up to Donut Falls Saturday with some people in the ward, and I got some good photos of the waterfall and all. So enjoy.
Chilly, I want to see you take a picture of a moose now.
I went up to Donut Falls Saturday with some people in the ward, and I got some good photos of the waterfall and all. So enjoy.
Chilly, I want to see you take a picture of a moose now.
Slow-Mo George
So I received one of those "Where's George" dollar bills that tracks where a dollar bill has been, and I was excited to pull up where it's been, but upon seeing this, I immediately thought "Well that's lame."
Gosh, the dollar bill has only stayed in Utah for the past two years. That is lame. I think I am going to wal-mart to spend the bill and see where it goes. So assuming it goes anywhere exciting, we'll watch its course over the next period of time.
Let's hope it goes somewhere exotic, or at least out of Utah.
Gosh, the dollar bill has only stayed in Utah for the past two years. That is lame. I think I am going to wal-mart to spend the bill and see where it goes. So assuming it goes anywhere exciting, we'll watch its course over the next period of time.
Let's hope it goes somewhere exotic, or at least out of Utah.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Clayvision Starwars!
There was a clay type activity bundled in with some other activities today. I just thought I'd share:
Darth Vader and a sitting C3P0.
R2D2, Luke Skywalker and Luke's hand.
Another look at them.
"Jenny", a very good friend, with the clay figures she made.
I'm thinking of firing them up too, to have permanent Starwars figures.
"The force is strong with this firing kiln..." -- Nah, it doesn't sound the same.
Enjoy though.
Darth Vader and a sitting C3P0.
R2D2, Luke Skywalker and Luke's hand.
Another look at them.
"Jenny", a very good friend, with the clay figures she made.
I'm thinking of firing them up too, to have permanent Starwars figures.
"The force is strong with this firing kiln..." -- Nah, it doesn't sound the same.
Enjoy though.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Missionary Wednesday
Hello you all,
Well, last Thursday was zone conference. The theme, for the fourth time in a row, was becoming baptizing missionaries. It's a great theme, but after a while the same theme gets old and there's nothing new you can get out of it. This time President R. was very pleased with the mission because his personal goal was achieved and the mission baptized a total of 41 people in the month of June. This was a very awesome thing and President R. let us all know how pleased he was. Unfortunately, I also found out that Elder B. from my last district had to go home early. It's really sad; I liked that guy. And with Elder B. getting sent home, that presents a small problem for two districts. First off there is currently a missionary tri in the areas of Beverly and Pullman, but that I don't think can last more than the rest of the transfer. The problem is who will take over down there come next transfer. When my old companion Elder S. was transferred out to fill in for Elder H.'s greenie, when he got sent home, he was transferred right away. This time, Elder J., as a former AP, stayed with us and didn't find out about what happened until zone conference. So the question is whether or not Elder J. will stay here or go to Beverly for the rest of the transfer? I personally think that since it has been said that less missionaries are coming into the mission, that they're going to close and combine areas anyway. I think they should ether keep the areas of Beverly and Pullman combined, or combine Pullman with Cal city. But after asking around, to people who might know, it looks like Elder J. will be heading out and I may be with Elder So. alone. Of course there is still a chance that Elder J. could stay and someone else may go down there, but we'll have to wait for transfers to see what happens.
Friday was Elder So.'s birthday, so after a hard days work we had a little bit of birthday fun. Saturday was the 4th of July and over here its pretty much the perfect time to get away with murder. It would be to easy to confuse a gunshot for a firework and nobody would ever know the difference. All day long on the 4th people launched fire works randomly and it was annoying. The city throws a legal fireworks show on the third and fireworks at any other time anywhere in Illinois are illegal, but nobody here cares and the police don't enforce that law, so it may as well not even be a law. We saw the illegal firework show on the fourth. We found a big hill with a great city view and watched over 360 degrees of fireworks. The fact that it's illegal and not enforced probably makes people want to do it more and because it's that way, you can see fireworks in every direction and the show is that much better. It was a very good night to watch fireworks.
Monday and Tuesday we worked it good but our area is struggling and our appointments aren't holding. We may have to start from scratch soon. Today we had a zone activity, where we played sports in the rain then took awesome pictures at the Buckingham Fountain mission border and awesome tourist attraction. It was loads of fun, but zone activities are getting a little predictable. I have to go, the library is closing. That's all the time I got. Hope you're all doing well!
love Elder Fields.
Well, last Thursday was zone conference. The theme, for the fourth time in a row, was becoming baptizing missionaries. It's a great theme, but after a while the same theme gets old and there's nothing new you can get out of it. This time President R. was very pleased with the mission because his personal goal was achieved and the mission baptized a total of 41 people in the month of June. This was a very awesome thing and President R. let us all know how pleased he was. Unfortunately, I also found out that Elder B. from my last district had to go home early. It's really sad; I liked that guy. And with Elder B. getting sent home, that presents a small problem for two districts. First off there is currently a missionary tri in the areas of Beverly and Pullman, but that I don't think can last more than the rest of the transfer. The problem is who will take over down there come next transfer. When my old companion Elder S. was transferred out to fill in for Elder H.'s greenie, when he got sent home, he was transferred right away. This time, Elder J., as a former AP, stayed with us and didn't find out about what happened until zone conference. So the question is whether or not Elder J. will stay here or go to Beverly for the rest of the transfer? I personally think that since it has been said that less missionaries are coming into the mission, that they're going to close and combine areas anyway. I think they should ether keep the areas of Beverly and Pullman combined, or combine Pullman with Cal city. But after asking around, to people who might know, it looks like Elder J. will be heading out and I may be with Elder So. alone. Of course there is still a chance that Elder J. could stay and someone else may go down there, but we'll have to wait for transfers to see what happens.
Friday was Elder So.'s birthday, so after a hard days work we had a little bit of birthday fun. Saturday was the 4th of July and over here its pretty much the perfect time to get away with murder. It would be to easy to confuse a gunshot for a firework and nobody would ever know the difference. All day long on the 4th people launched fire works randomly and it was annoying. The city throws a legal fireworks show on the third and fireworks at any other time anywhere in Illinois are illegal, but nobody here cares and the police don't enforce that law, so it may as well not even be a law. We saw the illegal firework show on the fourth. We found a big hill with a great city view and watched over 360 degrees of fireworks. The fact that it's illegal and not enforced probably makes people want to do it more and because it's that way, you can see fireworks in every direction and the show is that much better. It was a very good night to watch fireworks.
Monday and Tuesday we worked it good but our area is struggling and our appointments aren't holding. We may have to start from scratch soon. Today we had a zone activity, where we played sports in the rain then took awesome pictures at the Buckingham Fountain mission border and awesome tourist attraction. It was loads of fun, but zone activities are getting a little predictable. I have to go, the library is closing. That's all the time I got. Hope you're all doing well!
love Elder Fields.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Ninja Dates
It was toward the beginning of a fine Sunday evening, a nap had been taken, and some singing had been accomplished too.
But antsy, a young man was, in part due the high temperatures and poor ventilation system, and in part due to the exhaustion of reading the text for his class.
The young man then set his text down and traveled down the road, well to be exact, went only just around the street corner.
So the young man knocked upon the door of a female residency and entering, entered into a strange discussion about the locations of the Ozarks and the Azores. Other things were discussed as well, and frozen, flavored ice treats were shared as well.
But then came the moment that caused the young man to pause, to start sweating a bit more, and his smile wavered slightly. He mentioned his seeing an announcement of an activity in one of the museums, and of the performance of a certain improv comedy group.
But then confusion came; well slight confusion for the young man in question at least. For the young lady took it upon herself to ensure that this young man was not engaging in deceptive-ish behavior. That he his intentions were to take the fair lady out on outing commonly labeled as a 'date', or if others were planning on accompanying them in a group hangout/date activity that may be a date in hiding.
Or something like that, for the young lady's words as to the intentions of the young man caused him to pause, and to think about what she said, which to him, he thought she was asking if it was going to be a double date type activity. The young man responded slowly and clearly confused that though he wasn't planning on others coming, he could try and organize a group date activity, if that's what she wanted.
Probably sensing the young man's confusion, the young lady stated herself clearly, asking if it truly was the social outing, labeled as a 'date'. The young man responded in the affirmative and all were happy.
Though the young man doth protest against those rapscallions who would weasel themselves into a date, causing this young lad, and probably many others, to have to be more direct and blunt than they would otherwise have to be.
So thus there are much shaking of fists for those who perpetuate the 'ninja date'.
But antsy, a young man was, in part due the high temperatures and poor ventilation system, and in part due to the exhaustion of reading the text for his class.
The young man then set his text down and traveled down the road, well to be exact, went only just around the street corner.
So the young man knocked upon the door of a female residency and entering, entered into a strange discussion about the locations of the Ozarks and the Azores. Other things were discussed as well, and frozen, flavored ice treats were shared as well.
But then came the moment that caused the young man to pause, to start sweating a bit more, and his smile wavered slightly. He mentioned his seeing an announcement of an activity in one of the museums, and of the performance of a certain improv comedy group.
But then confusion came; well slight confusion for the young man in question at least. For the young lady took it upon herself to ensure that this young man was not engaging in deceptive-ish behavior. That he his intentions were to take the fair lady out on outing commonly labeled as a 'date', or if others were planning on accompanying them in a group hangout/date activity that may be a date in hiding.
Or something like that, for the young lady's words as to the intentions of the young man caused him to pause, and to think about what she said, which to him, he thought she was asking if it was going to be a double date type activity. The young man responded slowly and clearly confused that though he wasn't planning on others coming, he could try and organize a group date activity, if that's what she wanted.
Probably sensing the young man's confusion, the young lady stated herself clearly, asking if it truly was the social outing, labeled as a 'date'. The young man responded in the affirmative and all were happy.
Though the young man doth protest against those rapscallions who would weasel themselves into a date, causing this young lad, and probably many others, to have to be more direct and blunt than they would otherwise have to be.
So thus there are much shaking of fists for those who perpetuate the 'ninja date'.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Redefining One's Self
I have a question for you all, that hopefully you may be able to answer. And no need to to wait for permission to respond, you all can reply and are encouraged to reply.
How do you reinvent yourself? I hear that with each semester we are allowed a chance to redefine ourselves, to become those people who we want to become? But what about shy guy type struggling to burst out of his shell? If a group of people with whom he associates with perceives him as a shy guy, and does nothing to help ease his transition, will his changes be noticed? Will he no longer be shunted off to the side as the shy guy that he was and allow themselves to view said guy in a different light, with a different perception?
That, I suppose is my question. How can the shy guy break out of his shell? Maybe the answer is as simple as attempting to be more conversational. Or maybe it isn't.
There just happens to be some people with whom I associate with, that due to acts of shyness and aloofness, I feel shunted off to the side.
So I'm just wondering how I can fix that so things are so awkward for me.
How do you reinvent yourself? I hear that with each semester we are allowed a chance to redefine ourselves, to become those people who we want to become? But what about shy guy type struggling to burst out of his shell? If a group of people with whom he associates with perceives him as a shy guy, and does nothing to help ease his transition, will his changes be noticed? Will he no longer be shunted off to the side as the shy guy that he was and allow themselves to view said guy in a different light, with a different perception?
That, I suppose is my question. How can the shy guy break out of his shell? Maybe the answer is as simple as attempting to be more conversational. Or maybe it isn't.
There just happens to be some people with whom I associate with, that due to acts of shyness and aloofness, I feel shunted off to the side.
So I'm just wondering how I can fix that so things are so awkward for me.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Holy Heat
85 degress. 85 degree Fahrenheit is the temperature that I woke up to this morning. No, not the temperature outside. The temperature inside my apartment. That's with the windows open and a fan blowing. It's crazy.
I actually woke up at four or so this morning because of the heat and decided to go outside for a quick walk. I was severely tempted to just go lie on the grass and sleep there, cause it was so cool and comfortable.
And then there's my one roommate, Jerry, who thoroughly enjoys these high temperatures. I think he's crazy. No matter.
Enjoy your Sunday!
I actually woke up at four or so this morning because of the heat and decided to go outside for a quick walk. I was severely tempted to just go lie on the grass and sleep there, cause it was so cool and comfortable.
And then there's my one roommate, Jerry, who thoroughly enjoys these high temperatures. I think he's crazy. No matter.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Victory?
So is it a victory if people in your ward suspect you to be a European at first because of a slight accent and mannerisms? Because this totally has happened to me.
Well twice now actually. My last ward thought I was from Europe too...
So is this a victory? I think it is. Although, to be suspected of being from Europe and having to disappoint and reveal that I'm just Utah native... must be quite a let down. To be expecting something foreign, but in the end be from somewhere tame... Though technically with it's higher than the national crime rate, Kearns is far from tame.
I'll have to ponder this...
So do you think this is a victory?
Well twice now actually. My last ward thought I was from Europe too...
So is this a victory? I think it is. Although, to be suspected of being from Europe and having to disappoint and reveal that I'm just Utah native... must be quite a let down. To be expecting something foreign, but in the end be from somewhere tame... Though technically with it's higher than the national crime rate, Kearns is far from tame.
I'll have to ponder this...
So do you think this is a victory?
For the Shame
I... I have a confession to make. Something that may make you shamed of me now.
I have joined a Twilight web site/thing. Yes. I know. You're all wondering how I could sink so low to do something that is reprehensible. But I have good motives, I swear! Kinda...
You see, I have a friend, Joe we'll call him, who has had way more than his share of female troubles and angst. If angst really qualifies to describe it. Anywhat, I was hanging out with him and other friends on Wednesday and he mentioned the site. Now he enjoys the books cause they're an easy read, but he says he joined up and participated in some "discussions" about Twilight and soon began befriending many females who noticed him on the site. With it being a Twilight site and all, there are of course bunches and bunches of females on it. Which means for my guy Joe, he soon was asked by many if he was straight and apparently is very popular with the ladies there.
He thought he would share some of the comments (Like people discussing if Edward could kill Darth Vader) and invited me to join the website. So in effort not to sow discord and see if Joe's claims are all cracked up like he says, I have had to pretend to support Twilight. Which means resisting urges to say my true thoughts and feelings.
So... thus I joined. But honestly, there have to be, and are, better ways to meet women. Maybe Joe likes the attention, but for me, just reading half the stuff and a few comments on my profile is driving me batty. Most people don't use grammar, at all! Not to mention all the other inane stuff posted. Heck, the intellectual people that I would get along with if I wasn't suppressing my opinions are those who speak out against Twilight.
Anyways, I had to say something cause I'm just going crazy.
So.. I guess this means let the shunning begin for the atrocities that I have committed?
I have joined a Twilight web site/thing. Yes. I know. You're all wondering how I could sink so low to do something that is reprehensible. But I have good motives, I swear! Kinda...
You see, I have a friend, Joe we'll call him, who has had way more than his share of female troubles and angst. If angst really qualifies to describe it. Anywhat, I was hanging out with him and other friends on Wednesday and he mentioned the site. Now he enjoys the books cause they're an easy read, but he says he joined up and participated in some "discussions" about Twilight and soon began befriending many females who noticed him on the site. With it being a Twilight site and all, there are of course bunches and bunches of females on it. Which means for my guy Joe, he soon was asked by many if he was straight and apparently is very popular with the ladies there.
He thought he would share some of the comments (Like people discussing if Edward could kill Darth Vader) and invited me to join the website. So in effort not to sow discord and see if Joe's claims are all cracked up like he says, I have had to pretend to support Twilight. Which means resisting urges to say my true thoughts and feelings.
So... thus I joined. But honestly, there have to be, and are, better ways to meet women. Maybe Joe likes the attention, but for me, just reading half the stuff and a few comments on my profile is driving me batty. Most people don't use grammar, at all! Not to mention all the other inane stuff posted. Heck, the intellectual people that I would get along with if I wasn't suppressing my opinions are those who speak out against Twilight.
Anyways, I had to say something cause I'm just going crazy.
So.. I guess this means let the shunning begin for the atrocities that I have committed?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Missionary Thursday
Hello you all,
Wednesday I had the privilege of visiting with a very rich member couple in their sky-rise apartment on the 36th floor. Dinner was amazing, the apartment was beautiful and the view was spectacular. You could see lots of the city, tourist attractions, and the lake. I've never been in a building that high, or awesome, before; so that's another memory building experience.
Thursday we got tubed by a media referral and were inspired to tract around that apartment. We got a new investigator. She's a single mom, former Buddhist, and very open to receiving our teachings. We taught her again Monday and hopefully she will progress toward baptism. After that, we spent the rest of the day at Bro V.'s; his basement flooded and he needed lots of help to clean up the mess. It was a nasty job but it got done.
Saturday we helped the local boy scouts with a car wash at the fire station, they made $800 dollars but were almost ripped out of it by some lady who claimed they cracked her window. The window was already cracked when they got to her car but I guess trying to rip the boy scouts out of honest money is what the world has come to now. Hopefully that will change soon.
Monday we helped another member with a service project. We helped him make a rudder for a boat. That was awesome, we'll never get another opportunity to say we made a rudder ever again.
Tuesday was a bit of a struggle. Elder G., the new office elder needed Elder J. to teach him how to do his job at the Vaplraizo zone conference, so we cleared our calender to go do that. However, we got a call from the Ap's who said that they could take care of that and we didn't have to go. So we spent the whole day tracting and trying to dig up new investigators and appointments. We tracted one door and had a long conversation with a lady in a towel. Apparently answering the door in a towel is a common thing out here because that's happened to the elders before us.
Well that's all for now.
Peace out,
Elder Fields
Wednesday I had the privilege of visiting with a very rich member couple in their sky-rise apartment on the 36th floor. Dinner was amazing, the apartment was beautiful and the view was spectacular. You could see lots of the city, tourist attractions, and the lake. I've never been in a building that high, or awesome, before; so that's another memory building experience.
Thursday we got tubed by a media referral and were inspired to tract around that apartment. We got a new investigator. She's a single mom, former Buddhist, and very open to receiving our teachings. We taught her again Monday and hopefully she will progress toward baptism. After that, we spent the rest of the day at Bro V.'s; his basement flooded and he needed lots of help to clean up the mess. It was a nasty job but it got done.
Saturday we helped the local boy scouts with a car wash at the fire station, they made $800 dollars but were almost ripped out of it by some lady who claimed they cracked her window. The window was already cracked when they got to her car but I guess trying to rip the boy scouts out of honest money is what the world has come to now. Hopefully that will change soon.
Monday we helped another member with a service project. We helped him make a rudder for a boat. That was awesome, we'll never get another opportunity to say we made a rudder ever again.
Tuesday was a bit of a struggle. Elder G., the new office elder needed Elder J. to teach him how to do his job at the Vaplraizo zone conference, so we cleared our calender to go do that. However, we got a call from the Ap's who said that they could take care of that and we didn't have to go. So we spent the whole day tracting and trying to dig up new investigators and appointments. We tracted one door and had a long conversation with a lady in a towel. Apparently answering the door in a towel is a common thing out here because that's happened to the elders before us.
Well that's all for now.
Peace out,
Elder Fields
The Matrix
Ok, maybe it is the inverse matrix. That's what I am working on in Math class. I have no clue how they pertain to real life applications really, but somehow they do and I have to learn about them.
Also I don't like how my math text handles things. I start out the section and it does crazy stuff. It shows the inverse matrix of a matrix and I'm wondering how that happened, how they got it to work. It detracts from what they're trying to say, detracts from the example that it shows because I wondering how they got the inverse matrix in the first place.
And then it shows an extremely hard way that is used to get the inverse matrix. And then a page later the book goes "ha ha, that way is way too long and complicated. Here is a simpler way to do it." Why can't it just show the simple way to get the problem done? I'm not majoring or minoring in math, so I don't care about the proof, of how it works. Obviously it works or I would not be taught it. Heck I'm not even sure why it is important enough to learn, but yet I learn it.
So why teach me the proofs? Yeah it is a good thing to know that yes it can be proven that it works, but beyond this chapter, or even this class, I'm not going to need how to prove how it works. It doesn't matter.
Unless someone can answer me how my life will be benefited by knowing how to prove it works. And no, answers resulting in time travel to introduce it (while cool) or colonizing another planet and needing it somehow will not be accepted.
Maybe I'll ask the 100 Hour Board. Well, look in the archives first and then ask. I bet Laser Jock could answer why it is good to know the proofs of stuff like that.
Because in my point of view, though learning the hard way first and then the easy way can be a good type of history lesson to prove how Newton and others had it hard, I don't think it has much application in our individual lives to know how to prove how some higher functions of math work.
Of course. I could be wrong.
Fred! You read this blog, right? What's your opinion on this? (Considering you're going into electrical engineering and need lots of math and what not.)
Also I don't like how my math text handles things. I start out the section and it does crazy stuff. It shows the inverse matrix of a matrix and I'm wondering how that happened, how they got it to work. It detracts from what they're trying to say, detracts from the example that it shows because I wondering how they got the inverse matrix in the first place.
And then it shows an extremely hard way that is used to get the inverse matrix. And then a page later the book goes "ha ha, that way is way too long and complicated. Here is a simpler way to do it." Why can't it just show the simple way to get the problem done? I'm not majoring or minoring in math, so I don't care about the proof, of how it works. Obviously it works or I would not be taught it. Heck I'm not even sure why it is important enough to learn, but yet I learn it.
So why teach me the proofs? Yeah it is a good thing to know that yes it can be proven that it works, but beyond this chapter, or even this class, I'm not going to need how to prove how it works. It doesn't matter.
Unless someone can answer me how my life will be benefited by knowing how to prove it works. And no, answers resulting in time travel to introduce it (while cool) or colonizing another planet and needing it somehow will not be accepted.
Maybe I'll ask the 100 Hour Board. Well, look in the archives first and then ask. I bet Laser Jock could answer why it is good to know the proofs of stuff like that.
Because in my point of view, though learning the hard way first and then the easy way can be a good type of history lesson to prove how Newton and others had it hard, I don't think it has much application in our individual lives to know how to prove how some higher functions of math work.
Of course. I could be wrong.
Fred! You read this blog, right? What's your opinion on this? (Considering you're going into electrical engineering and need lots of math and what not.)
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