Air Pollution

Irritated by Cache Valley's air pollution problem, my classmates and I made a short instructional video about it. This is the first iMovie I have made. I've got to make one for my final in Multiculturalism soon, so, it was good practice. I've actually always wanted to buy a video camera and make a mockumentary, or even a real documentary. That seems like a fun hobby.

Murphy's Law Got Me to Work on Time

Well, I showed up to work this morning, and no one is here. Haha, I guess I didn't pay attention as to whether it was a free study day for the students or not. That sort of thing always happens on days that I really want to sleep in. Is that part of the whole Murphy's Law thing? Hang on, I don't even remember the specifics on that. I'll find it. Ah, one definition from Wikipedia: "If anything can go wrong, it will, and usually at the most inopportune moment." Uh...I'm sure there are far better situations to apply to that than this one.

Actually, I was considering Murphy's Law when I was headed to the bus stop this morning. I'm spoiled enough to have 4 bus stops within the vicinity of my apartment complex. And when I'm running a little later than usual because of my "sleeping in fantasies," it's important to gauge which bus will get me to work on time. Albeit, the time the campus shuttle arrives is certainly not down to a science. Anyway, I made my decision today by watching for which bus left most recently, and going to that stop. That seems counter-intuitive, unless the phrase "Murhpy's Law" oddly pops into your head...and then it becomes clear that the best bus stop to go to is the one that you might least decide on by deductive reasoning. And this instinct was correct! And yet, it turns out that I didn't need to be on time today after all, so, it matters only to amuse me. Come on, it's early...I have no proper sense of good entertainment or amusement.

It's my dad's birthday, so that's likely to be slightly entertaining, for him. He's 62 today. He's actually started eating really healthy, heart-friendly foods, and I'm pretty impressed. It's a little depressing that things that are good for you are always a tad expensive, though. Well, except cocaine. I'm sure there are other exceptions, but I like to choose the most blatant. So, I hope he has a happy birthday, and starts it off with a big bowl of those Cheery O's.

A Fond Farewell to Tetris Too?!

I listened to The Division Bell today for the first time. Wow, it was beautiful! I've actually already heard at least half of the songs on it, and really liked all of them. I didn't know they all came from this album, though. Now I have to buy it. I must.

And in deciding to play some Tetris today, which I haven't played much in the last couple of years, I can say that it doesn't take the edge off like it used to...so I'll have to turn to drugs. Just kidding. Although, I'm not sure what has taken the place of establishing order for my thoughts like the entrancing joy of arranging falling blocks. Hmm...that is a mystery. Maybe I deal with my problems in an emotionally mature manner now. It's kinda too bad, I miss that outlet. I'm not good at the game at all anymore, honestly. Weird.

Kicking off the Break

I think I'm still sick after taking two different kinds of antibiotics. Ugh...I think the infection has been lingering, at times in latency, for years now. It doesn't want to go away quietly. A pox on it! Anyway, I'm now officially on my spring break. Like usual, no big plans at all. I never have much money when it comes around. And so, I'm thinking to save up a little fund, just for next year's spring break (my last!...finally). I vow it will be a good one. For now, I'm just enjoying spending some time with the family. I want to perhaps do a bit of writing as well, which I never really get around to besides letters and school papers.

Honestly, I think that the major writer's block I have on some projects is due to the fact that I have recently become disenchanted with fiction. Oh, no, that's not entirely right. No, to say "disenchanted with fiction" is to say...something I would never hope to truly feel. I take it back. What I mean is that I am more inspired by nonfiction lately (last couple of years). I actually bought this book a couple summers ago from the USU bookstore on writing nonfiction. I haven't read it yet, actually. Half my bookshelf is unread. I like to buy books, hoping to get around to reading them. I hate renting them from the library, as I love to write comments in the margins...occasionally just a "haha" if I find something amusing. It's fun to write comments, and quotes, etc. Actually, my "nonfiction writing" is probably half quotations that come to my head as I think about ideas. I'd really like to shake that habit, I mean, shouldn't I be writing the quotable? But, maybe my writing will just be an enthusiastic account of my reading. Fine enough, as long as it makes me happy, and helps me down the line somehow...to remember.

My weekend was pretty fun, I guess. That date was a bit weird, but only because it was a group date...that didn't seem like a date, and then it did again. Somehow I didn't end up talking to the guy that asked me much at all, or riding in his car, and another guy ended up paying for three dinners. His, mine, and his "date's"...I suppose. Suffice to say that any group date of a somewhat confusing nature is not much of one, so I don't feel quite as bad. Er, yeah.

Speaking of group dates, I just went to the Red Carpet Date Night at the Capital building last night. Matt was going with a group from his ward that didn't have dates, and I came along too. I love that building! It is so beautiful. Especially when I saw it a couple months ago when it was snowing. Really, the only dances I have been to have been in gyms and the like. Not the best atmosphere. So, I loved going there.

The most hilarious part was when that horrible song Cotton-Eyed Joe started up and my brother and I happened to both take a very conspicuous if not wild dash away from our respective places on the dance floor only to meet at the stairwell that had yellow tape preventing our escape. Unfortunately, living in Utah, there is too much country played at some dances. But, if it pleases the crowd...whatever...make the morons happy. Haha, you know, I don't suspect that calling country-lovers morons will come off too offensive as none of my family members or good friends are into it at all. What an irrational love of bad music. I did dance to a country slow song, but, you can't refuse a guy based on the music. I have before, though. Tisk, tisk, I was a jerk. But the song was really bad! And he knew me, so he understood my repulsion to country.

I actually thought about a dance that my friend Patrick held a couple years back, and remember that it was incredibly fun because I got to submit my own music. It counts so much! Even more than marble pillars. But that's just my gripe because I don't listen to what most people do. Although, I do listen to popular music, only decades behind. I kinda wish I was into lesser known or underground artists (same thing?). Access to the unpopular is, of course, less accessible. I wish that Logan had a lot of local bands and shows. There is a Battle of the Bands in a few weeks though, which is free. I'll be there! And the winner plays at Eve 6. I might go to that too, especially if I like the band that wins the battle. Game on!

Intra-ward Dating

Wow, I found this cover pretty audacious and disturbing. I'm sure that it is supposed to be funny. It reminds me of the times when I heard people referring to the directory as the "menu," and getting a bit unnerved. It makes me really not want to date anyone in my current ward. I'm actually going on a date tomorrow night with this guy in my ward, and I honestly have no idea where he got my number (as the directory has apartment numbers and not cell phone numbers). However, he is the ward clerk, so maybe he looked at my membership record or something. Um...haha, isn't there a disclaimer that says: "For church use only" on those things? It's cool, only light-hearted paranoia here. He's a nice guy, it will be fun. Plus, he's the sort that genuinely likes getting to know people, so I won't feel guilty that I'm not interested in more than that. And I shouldn't ever be, because that is good enough.

In the only conversation I can remember having with him he totally dismissed one of my passions, and didn't realize it. He asked me what my major was, and I said it was Biology. He then responded that he didn't think that Biology was a science. What?! It's like those people that don't think Mormons are Christians. It was ridiculous! Ah well, as long as he doesn't say that again, I'm sure I'll enjoy the date.

Of course, on the last date I went on I ended up crying...so, I'm sure a lot of future dates will go better than that. Although, I do cry a lot lately. Almost every other movie I watch makes me start to cry. Even First Contact. You know, the part where Captain Piccard goes back to save Data when the borg have taken over the ship, and everyone is evacuating? Data isn't even human, but he values their friendship. It was cute. And I cried three times during Les Miserables yesterday, in the first half hour alone. And I've seen it many times, and rarely done that. Although, that is "good crying"...which is a different emotion entirely.

Ah, I need a vacation. Spring break, hurra!