Today is has been one of those days...

I've started taking the Metro to school, it's cheaper than gas + parking pass and that whole environment kick that everyone is on. For some strange reason, I can't stand bikers, I realise you're considered a vehicle, but that doesn't give you the right to drive in the middle of the road, connard. Also, if bikes are vehicles, why don't they obey traffic law? Ever see a bike stop at a stop sign? Didn't think so. Anyways, back to the Metro. St. Louis still has strongly divided lines as to what color of skin goes where, and as far as I can tell feelings are strong on both sides. And even coming from what was once dubbed "The Mississippi of the West," I am sometimes shocked at the deepness of racial animosity that can exist here. This is where I say I hate the Metro right? Not at all. It's been nice to not drive all the way to school. The few minutes that I do spend on the Metro helps me get my mind in "school mode" without driving getting in the way. And yes, I'll admit it I can be an angry driver (just look at the biking rant.)

I'm really enjoying school as well. The only bad thing about it all, is that I honestly believe that I should've been doing this sooner. I've held strong anti-french feelings since my mission, and the reason for this, as I believe I've said before, was that I wasn't as good of a missionary that I should've been. But, WOW, do I feel like I'm in the right place. Ever since I've decided to go down this road, I've felt like everything was going to be OK. It's odd, because, with all reason, I've left behind a rather rock solid career. All I feel now is that I'm onto a happier life for myself and my family.

So, yeah, it's been that kinda day. The kind I couldn't wait to get up for. The kind I don't want to go to sleep from.

Also, here's the preview for the film we watched in my language/culture class (it's all about language and culture through film, jealous?



P.S. I have read "First Meetings" (and as far as I know OSC hates the name "Ender-verse." And as much as I like a good dare, I have no interest in reading about teenage vampire angst. Besides, I'm not much for dares, I'm all about bribes.

The Quiet Riot in My Mind

I'm not sure where this post is going to go... which could be said for many-a-post on my blog. School is creeping closer, summer is getting hotter, soccer season is upon us, there's a virtual cornicopia of things to talk about (or in my case, rant.)

Well, for starters, I've got 3 books left in the Foundation series. I'll be honest with ya, the thing I like about the series is the idea behind it, the characters are a bit weak. That's probably because, it's more of a collection of short stories as opposed to all out novels, (except for books 1,5,6 & 7.) I really like the idea of psychohistory and the establishment of the foundations. I realise all that means nothing to you... so read the books. When I'm done I'll be moving on to LotR, which I've only read once, and I'm dying in anticipation. I'm not sure if I'm going to include The Hobbit and Children of Hurin, in the adventure, but I'm considering it. School starting will no doubt hamper my progress through the books, but I'm sure I'll be able to sneak in a chapter or two here and there.

The Ender Series is really what calls to me. For all the greatness of Middle Earth, I do like me some Buggers and super-intelligent military children. I just bought the Lusitania novels and I'm lloking forward to reading them with a more "adult" eye as opposed to expecting more of the same as Ender's Game. Speakers, Piggies, sentient programs and Buggers kinda change the landscape from that of Battle School.

Along with the books, I bought Robin Hood, not the "Hi! I'm Robin Hood *twang*" one with Kevin Costner, but the one where Maid Marian is a fox... literally. I've been watching Peter Pan with Noah, every now and then, so I figured it was time to force more of my sentimentality upon my boy. But I'm sure that no one can deny that it's the best of all the Robin Hoods. (Admit it... you're starting to get the theme song stuck in your head.)

Honestly, somtimes the craziest things happen while I'm posting...

I've started to slip back, a little bit, into sleepless nights. Sometimes, it's from oversleeping after a shift, and other times, it's probably from stress. Anyways, I've taken to Tylenol PM at times (I have trazadone, but don't feel like sleeping in 'til noon), I also try hot cocoa (does the job nicely), sleeping on the couch, and watching stuff on hulu. I'm tempted at times to play WoW, but that can work me up a bit, so I try to avoid it after midnight. I really have no purpose in telling you that. Just wanted to tell ya.

Until next time... enjoy "Day Man"

This Looked Like Fun... Part 2

Well, I couldn't help it, so I figured to give a quick rundown of the pictures...

1) I'm turning 29 on my next b-day
2) I saw this picture on my mission of the beach in Biarritz, and it's the one place I wish I could've spent more time when Em and I went to Europe a couple years ago. Not just Biarritz but the whole Pays Basque, really.
3) Colter Bay, Tetons Nat'l Park... Heaven on Earth
4) Awesome pic of a soccer ball
5) mmmm... pizza /drool
6) Em was expecting a penguin, which would be equal valid, but at the moment I did the post, 5-fingered garbage eaters beat out flightless swimming birds.
7) It's green. I knew this one would be confusing, but in reality this pic is reall all about the green flash.
8) Salt Lake City, UT
9) Central West End is the neighborhood in which we live in StL.
10) It's a lab... I couldn't find any pics I wanted for Sam, Samantha, or Samantha Jane
11) Astronomy isn't so much a PAST love as it is one that I currently don't indulge in, unfortunately I can't drive 30 min to Red Rock to see the sky at the moment.
12) The guy who designed the chair had Mathias in his name
13) A house on Tholozan (my WoW character) Ave
14) Chief Joseph, there was also a pic of Joseph Smith's martyrdom, but I didn't want to be a Debbie-downer.
15) Ammon rocks.
16) Dunrobin Castle, home of the Duke (or some other title) of Sutherland
17) World of Warcrack
18) Ah pipe machine... how I don't miss you
19) The Queen Mary... My dad mom is Mary, my mom's is Mary Lou.
20) Yes, I'm getting a degree to follow topless women into battle.
21) Tell me you don't think this whenever I go weeks without a post.

This Looked Like Fun

I usually don't do survey thingies because they make me feel like I need to give some clever response, this just requires pictures...

My Age:

A Place I'd Like to Travel to:

My Favorite Place:

My Favorite Object:

My Favorite Food:

My Favorite Animal:

My Favorite Color:

Where I was Born: Where I Live: Past Pet: Past Love: Best Friend's Nickname: My Screen Name:
My First Name: My Middle Name: My Last Name: Bad Habit: My First Job:My Grandmother's Name:My College Degree:What I'm Doing Right Now:

It started at 9:51 pm

Several things have been on my mind, none of which that I can remember at the moment. And just for the record, I'm starting this post at 9:51 and I'll be adding to it through the rest of the shift, so by the end of it you should be thoroughly confused at the confusing maze of my non-linear mind.

It occurred to me the summer is quickly reaching it's end, and I'm none to excited about it. I feel like it's just getting started, but that may be because I equate summer with heat and not so much as not being in school. We've been rather lucky so far to not have a hideously sweltery summer, but it is mid-July and I think we're starting to get smacked with the outdoor sweat house that is St. Louis summers.

I don't think I've mentioned Spain winning the EURO Championships. It's like the World Cup, but only for Europe and the football was fantastic. The final was especially wonderful and a big thanks to ABC and ESPN for airing so many games (yes, I know they're owned by Disney, my nemesis, but I've got to be thankful to them), and also a big thanks to Grandma Lambson for letting me hijack her TV to watch the games.

Several things that I like right now are: keeping up the the WotLK beta updates, watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on HULU, just finished season 3 of BSG and will now have to wait for season 4 to come out on DVD and in the meantime, avoid reading spoilers (yes, I know they get to Earth), doing stuff with Noah and Em, they rock and I'm glad that I get so much time with them.

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1:04- So, I'm reading the Foundation series again and I plan on reading LoTR next and then the Ender's Game series. I realize that some people may cringe at re-reading a book, but it's kinda like getting to know an old friend again. I'm saving Ender for last because in all truth that is my favorite series, AND I just read that there's a comic/graphic novel version of it coming out in October. I'm hoping that it's a preliminary for the movie... one can only hope.

I've been having a rough time sleeping lately and I attribute that to 2 things: 1) the return of a full work week, and 2) having put a couple of things off, crunch time is coming and I need to get my act together. Problem 2 has for a very long time been my Achilles Heal. I'm glad that I have a wife who is very patient with me and is good at communicating her frustration with my apparent lack of motivation.

Oddly enough, I don't feel any real excitement for Dark Knight, I think that hype can real kill things for me at times. Also oddly enough, Quantum of Solace doesn't get me going either. I think it's because I don't like the idea of a James Bond sequel, I know there have been tons, but this one is directly related to Casino Royale. Forget all that happened in that movie and get him fighting terrorist trying to get nukes or something, one enduring trait about Bond movies is that they're all fairly independent of the rest, the only back story needed is James Bond has gadgets, is ultra-suave, blows things up, saves the world, gets the girl, the end. What happened to the girl in the next movie? Who cares! She's a Bond Girl! She goes on to make Catwoman and Xmen for all we care, but Bond/We forget about them, put the notch on the bed post and move on.

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2:03 So, who else could careless about the election in November? Sure, it's bound to be "historic" and all, but when you think about it, who are we to say whether something is "historic" or not? I'm sure there have been many times throughout the ages when the men of their times touted their exploits as "historic" only to become and interesting footnote in history, if anything at all.

What I find slightly disturbing is that in dubbing things historic, we forget to look into the past, into true history, and seek out the cycles of civilization and the many tragic parts of history that we stumble into only to not learn from it again. There is a problem with looking to the future when you regard the past with an up turned nose and a pride in your own understanding. Change is good, but not for changes sake. Societal Inertia has a lot of weight behind it, and sharp turns can easily turn into a train wreck.

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2:45 Just read Stacie's blog and she had people put in memories that they shared with here, and then said for us to do the same things on our blog. So there's a challenge faithful readers, bring on the memories and then do it on your blog or risk the wrath of the chain letter gods (I made that last part up.)

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4:08 Well, I think this'll be it for this entry, I'll be adding links later, as well as a movie from hulu which will be a must watch for all. Anyways, catch ya later.

Here's the movie:

Look at this! A post!

It's been a while, eh? Well, how are we all doing? May exciting things have happened since the last post, but I realised this has never really been much of a "journal" type blog as much as a random "brain farts" type blog. And just to get it out of the way... no I will not "can" the music on MY blog. If you don't like it turn down the speakers or hit the pause button. And while you're at it "anonymous" (if that's even your real name) why don't you get an account so I can critize your blog. Jive Turkey.

So, I've been thinking about ancestors and honor recently. Two things kinda brought those to my mind one was from President Uchtdorf's First Presidency Message especially where he says:

"I have no ancestors among the nineteenth-century pioneers. However, since the first days of my Church membership, I have felt a close kinship to those early pioneers who crossed the plains. They are my spiritual ancestry, as they are for each and every member of the Church, regardless of nationality, language, or culture. They established not only a safe place in the West but also a spiritual foundation for the building of the kingdom of God in all the nations of the world."

The other is from Karate Kid 2, where Mr. Myagi has to fight to appease the "honor" of his old best friend whose pre-arranged wife he stole.

I think it's important to honor our ancestors, be it literally or in a spiritual sense like Pres. Uchtdorf mentions. We owe a lot to them for who we are and what we have. Be it pioneers in covered wagons coming from Nauvoo or pioneers in a station wagon coming from North Carolina (Thank You Grandpa for moving West), I'm rather lucky to have the gospel in my life, and they set the groundwork in order that I would have it in my life.

Here's a couple pictures to round things out...

Grandpa and Noah, hanging out in the back yard.

Matt, Me and Rob

There's a bunch of randomness swirling in my head... so why not share it.

First of all, I wish I could tap dance. It looks fun. Not River Dance type stuff either, I'm talking real musical type tap dancing. How's that for random.

Also, Noah's teething and it's led to a rather large regression when it comes to sleep for him (and us, mainly Em). He's been so good at sleeping recently, it's hard to see him hurting and struggling with it.

Lastly, A shout out to my bro and his getting his master's from VCU's Brandcenter. Here's a pic of us outside his apartment in downtown Richmond. Dave's the one to the far left.