Blood, sweat, and tears.

Anyone who doubts my commitment to my religion should have been in attendance for the alumni day at Seminary this Thursday at 5:40 in the morning. I had stayed up almost the entirety if Wednesday night studying scriptures, marking them, memorizing them, and preparing to compete in Scripture Mastery Chase. We were paired up, and our Officiator, the Seminary teacher Sister Bingham, told us the rules. We lined up on one side of the gym, facing five chairs, one less than the six teams of Seminaryologists. The far left chair was worth 5 points, then 4 points, all the way to 1 point for the far right chair. Sis. Officiator Head Referee Umpire Bingham would read 3 to 6 words from a scripture, and we had to write the first three letters of the book of scripture and the chapter and verses (ex. ‘Trust in the Lord’ = Pro 3:5-6). Then, you grab your writing tablet (actually a plastic plate with dry erase marker on it) and run full throttle across the room to the chair. First one with cheeks in the seats gets the chair. If it is simply an arm or a hand or a stomach, feel free to kick the chair out from under them, tackle them, employ bump and run coverage while running. Honestly, we would get called for unnecessary roughness even in the early 1970’s NFL of headslaps, spearing corner backs, punching, pile driving, etc. Well, my teammate and I were able to overcome a slow start and take 4 first place chairs in a row en route to a 20 point victory. I have 7 quarter sized patches of rug burns, a bruised and swollen abdomen, a bruised bone in my hand, and a welt on my arm where someone sat on a chair that I was currently under. It was tremendous amounts of fun. Discount Double Check belts adorned my waist, and Clay Matthews III was briefly channeled after the victory.

3 hours after getting a minimal amount of sleep (which I woke up during multiple times to see Patrick Carroll’s head hanging over the side of the couch as the rest of him contorted to stay on), I found myself at work. At 1, I left to go to lunch with my manager at Pizza Ranch, then ran home… ok, I made it two miles on 16 slices of pizza and a huge salad, but I consider that a success!

In unrelated business, I read through a slideshow of the 25 best college uniforms of 2011. I LOVED IT!!!

This just in! Tangled is officially my favorite Disney movie. Flynn is my favorite Disney Prince (by marriage!). ‘I Had a Dream’ is my favorite Disney scene. ‘At Last I See The Lights’ is my favorite Disney song…  Who knew? I watched it two nights in a row and thoroughly enjoyed it each time. I then listened to/sang the songs for the next hour.

I just witnessed a beautiful exchange that melted my heart. A five year old girl joyously shrieked at the sight of Santa. As she jumped up and down waving him over to her.  She talked with him for two or three minutes, asking how his wife, the elves, and reindeer were doing, and closed the exchange by hugging him around the waist. I cannot put into words the pure childlike innocence of the scene, but only say that it almost made me cry at work.

 

Thank You

I hate to cry. My lip was trembling all day during sacrament meeting yesterday. It was a farewell address for my dear friend Adam, leaving in less than a fortnight for Provo before heading to Richmond, Virginia for the next 100+ weeks. I looked into the congregation, gathered before us sitting on the front stand. I was the only person who spoke who was not a member of Adam’s family, so I felt honored to be included in the invitation to speak. All throughout the church were tears, smiles, laughter, and an overwhelming feeling of the spirit. I, of course, felt very nervous about speaking in front of 200 plus people, especially since at the very beginning of my talk I stated that I had decided NOT to serve a mission when I was younger (although later on I did state emphatically that I do want to serve one now). But I know, deep within my heart, that my faith is undeniable for me. I truly believe it. Thank you to everyone who has been an example for me. Thank you to everyone who has prodded me in the right direction. Thank you all for being a part of my life and to all who helped me choose the right.

gasp!

I couldn't breath. My breath was coming in choked gulps. I could feel my stomach shuddering, desperately trying to hold back bile and what little dinner I had eaten. I was shaky; my head was swimming; my legs were cramping from exertion; my arms felt leaden. I looked up, my hands on my hips, hunched slightly. "Okay, that's 50 meters. Let's swim another 200 and then practice flip turns." I was ready to die.
I have come to the realization that I am nowhere near swimming shape. My lung capacity has never even been average for a JV swimmer; my record for holding my breath is 55 seconds, and my average is 26. My legs have ballooned in recent years from my slim 150lbs days of high school to my 180lbs frame now. I have never been able to kick well, and stop completely while taking a breath. I don't even have enough breath to do a flip turn.
This is an admission that I will be either a spectator at the Alumni Swim Meet, or doing breast stroke, seeing as how that is the least breathless event. I tried butterfly tonight, and drowned 2 thirds of the way across the pool. I did almost puke.
Did you know a day pass at the Sheboygan YMCA costs $10... HOLY CRAP!!!! I can buy dinner for two for that much (yes I take my dates to Taco Bell, thank you very much)!
I want to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie, but I do believe they have begun to take serious liberties with his character. I also look forward to seeing the Hunger Games... in 2 1/2 years.
I GET TO SING WITH MY CHURCH CHOIR TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!
I got my belated birthday gift from my brother's dear friend Tony tonight... it was VERY fitting. My sincere thanks goes out to him.
I want to eat a steak right now.
I am 3 badges deep in Pokemon Yellow right now.
I am going top bed... Good Night!

I miss you...

Every time you advance in life, whether it be going from grade school to middle school, middle to high school, high school to college/work force/military/whatever else you plan on doing after high school, you build friendships, make acquaintances, make connections. Over time, some of these dwindle and perish due to lack of care, attention, and nourishment. Others prosper greatly due to the inverse relationship of those previously mentioned relationships that perished. Others need no care, but are totally self sufficient and will always be strong, no matter the last time you watered it, and other will wilt and droop, and whither, even if you have worked and labored with all diligence in an effort to keep healthy a dear friendship. And other times, you are suddenly uprooted from your garden, and haven't even a chance to prune the bushes before you are gone.

I do miss my friends. I miss pledging for Tau Kappa Epsilon; staying up until 3 or 4 in the morning, running around campus, getting to know each other, creating a stressful environment that took each of us and gave us a common cause, strengthening us individually and collectively. I miss Cross Country and Track; running 6 to 10 miles a day, wishing in the back of our minds for a car to swipe us right in the knee so our season would be over, and we would never have to pay for school again, but still dodging the cars driven by idiots and overly caffeinated soccer moms when they blow through a stop sign (unless you're Eric DeSalvo. Then you don't don't dodge it, allow every ligament in your knee to get torn apart, then don't get the license plate of the car that hits you... amateur, Eric). I miss going to the Caf right after practice, worn out, smelly and sweaty, but laughing and joking with teammates. I miss the workouts, and the knowledge that I can get through the pain and the fatigue and the desire to throw up, and come out stronger and faster. I miss the NERF battles between dorms; raiding the unexpected victims, duels at high midnight (Nobody was available at noon), and the chain guns that always, always clogged. I miss intramurals; ultimate frisbee, flag football, and even volleyball and basketball. I miss the inter-residential olympics. I miss Michael Poradek. I miss the events at the Campus Center, and knowing almost everyone because you have seen each other every day for years, had classes with each other, had mutual friends, etc. I miss the times when no one wanted to do any studying, so we went through a series of Shenanigans, just in the hopes that tonight will be remembered, and tomorrow night we can study. I miss the pressure of homework and papers and essays and tests. I miss going to class, always napping 40 minutes before hand so I don't sleep in the front row, and thinking that I won't care about anything that was taught in End of the World, or Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, or Western Civilization, but more often than not, coming away with new ideas, new challenges for myself. I miss doodling, and writing a (fairly terrrrrrrrible book, if I do say so myself). I miss watching netflix for 6 hours while on duty in the office. I miss playing tag with Libby Wissig. I miss talking Packers with Dana Laudolff and Austin Plier. I miss my RA staff. I miss SNC Radio. I do NOT miss the smoking. I miss double screened computer that were so great for data collection. I miss Prof. Quinn. I miss home coming. I miss the collective hatred of loft collection, but the enthusiasm we had of getting through it together.

I have been a part of the institution of learning for 18 years. It is as mush a part of me as my desire to read. I miss it so much. Cherish these days; make memories of the stressful times when you think you will never be happy again by reaching out to a friend. Remember the days running around campus playing quidditch with a slightly unbalanced RA. Make you memories, and hold on to them.

Every hour spent studying should buy you en extra pay bonus, or time off at your future job. Every test you take should be a personal challenge to yourself, to submit yourself to the rigors of understanding your favorite subjects. School is rigorous, but it is so much fun. Share each day with those you hold dear. Every day passed is a day you will never have again, but every day lived to its fullest with those you love is never a wasted day. Take your time each day; do what you need to accomplish, but do it for yourself. It is your life; live it for you.

winter...

I itch. My skin feels like it has shrunk. My car died in the middle of the road over the weekend because of the cold. I have split ends. My cuticles are horrendous. My lips bleed. My nose is stuffy, AND dry, AND leaking. I can’t breathe when I wake up. I have to scrape ice off my windshield in the morning. I sneeze a inopportune moments.I am running low on sweatpants and cold gear. I don't have good gloves. My hands are no longer soft. My legs cramp. My skin turns red.

It is the holiday season, also known to teachers in the grade school world as the "Keep these sick, sniffling, un-hygenic, touchy little monsters away from me" months. This is the time of year when people come in to work stoned to the gills on day time cold medication. The air is permeated with the scent of Vicks, whether it be the rub that people put on their chests that morning, or the tissues soaked in the stuff. Peoples faces go blank for a number of seconds, their eyes twitch, and then their nose explodes violently as they sneeze. You can't sit through a class without hearing at least one person snorting loudly every minute, and apologizing for it every other.

I tend to have a strong immune system. I don’t know the last time I had a fever. I have only had the flu once, and only gotten a vaccine shot once. I don’t freak out about germs when someone coughs or sneezes on me (I freak out about having someone rudely cough or sneeze on me).  But I do get one bad cold a year, and wake up every morning with phlegm stuck in my throat. I hope this isn’t the start of my cold. I do not want a cold. I never like colds. I don’t like snorting and hocking throughout the day to no avail, and blasting 6 gallons of mucus out of my nose and mouth to no effect. I don’t like having a raw, Rudolph-red nose and a raspy voice.

I want to fly through this winter on a Mint scented cloud of  angel fluff… not sure exactly what that means, but oh well.

In other random happening, my fingers may be broken. My back door had not had a door know on it for about 3 years now. When we came home, we would simply push the door open. If we were carrying groceries, we only had to open the outer screen door, then turn slightly so our back was to the actual door, and press with our butts, and, lo, the door would open. If we were aggressive, we would booty bump it. Since Saturday, I have run my fingers into the door at least a dozen times, and bruised my butt. Upon leaving, I have grabbed the upper handle and pulled, only to hear a resounding thud as the bolt caught. I am not used to my house working as other houses work, and it has resulted in a painful learning curve.

The last item of business goes to our Christmas tree. My family bought a tree from Roy's out in Kohler, as we do every year. We settled on a fattish 9 foot tall tree, slightly smaller all around than our standard tree (10 feet tall, 7 feet wide). It has since shrunk in size because of a family member wo decided he wanted the tree to himself; Quigley. Quigley is our young dog. He is 2 years 8 months on Thursday, and he has a teething problem. He eats (not simply chews or gnaws on, EATS!!!) milk jugs, aluminum cans, frisbees, quilts, whole ham bones, and, apparently, the tops of Christmas trees. He also bites his nails.His redeeming quality is a nearly unmatched athleticism, and a face that just looks pathetically cute to the point where you can't hate him. His affection for humans is a double edges sword, as he has dislocated at least one of my mother's toes every week since he was 20 pounds.

In closing, I would like to say that I am dearly looking forward to the Third Annual Ice Bowl, a day after Christmas tradition where former high school classmates romp through the snow hitting each other as hard as they can, maybe trying to score a touchdown, and throwing insult with far more effectiveness than a frozen football. I have been awaiting this day for months, and am more excited for it than an exchange of gifts on Sunday morning.

overload!

What do you get when you cross and elephant, with a banana? What do you call a bird that doesn’t eat? Why did the Chicken cross the road? What do you call the relationship of a pumpkin’s circumference to its diameter? What happened to Reginald?

All these questions, and maybe one or two more, will be answered. I got summit! Wake up, wake up, wake up! (click 4) No you may not take dance lessons. You’ve gotta stop talking to me. I’m not stupid! Heeeeelp! Blah... 

This simply proves that I watch too many youtube, et al, videos.

Now, to business.

Friday at work was “A Taste of Festival.” A dozen tables around the stores were stocked with friendly, smiling employees waiting to give you a sample of fruit dips, wine, artisan breads, pizza, and so, SOOOOOOO much more. Also in attendance was Santa Claus. I was so excited to see him. I stood behind the teller counter at the in-store bank, waiting for him to walk by. Suddenly, the sound of jingling bells pierced the air. A hearty “Ho-ho-ho!” was heard throughout the store. I heard the heavy trod of boots on the linoleum.  And there he was. Somewhat shorter than expected,  and a little more grey in the mustache than white, but his attire was unmistakable, and his merry attitude was contagious. A grin wider than the Mississippi split my face, and my hand shot up and eagerly waved back and forth in short, choppy motions as his eyes fell on me. His cherubic cheeks turned even more rounded and red as he laid eyes on me, and a soft laughter came from him. An hour later, he walked past again, and my smile again met his eye. This time, he bent at the waist, hands on his knees, laughter coming deep from his bouncing belly. I got my picture with him. Yes; I’m 22, and still believe in Santa.

Santa is an integral part of my Christmas experience. He is the spirit of the holiday tradition of giving. He is charitable and likeable. He is selfless with his time and possessions, spending quality family moments around the world giving to everyone. I would like to be like him. To greet squalling, angry children who have a tendency to tangle my beard and pull on my hair, act atrociously and widdle on my lap with a laugh, a smile, and a candy cane. I want to take the sour parts of this world and work to make them sweeter, even at the expense of having to dry clean my red velvet suit 3 times a day.

... crap in a mocassin...

I just read some bad news. We can all blame BYU for the current BCS system we have. Yes, ladies and gents, it is because of the undefeated 1984 National Champion BYU team that the big wigs in the 5 major conferences put their heads together and said "We MUST not allow this to happen again! No sub par team shall ever win the national championship again!"

In BYU's defense, were riding an 11 game win streak heading into the season, courtesy of an All-American Steve Young led offense. Also, they did beat then #3 Pittsburgh in the first College football game ever broadcast on ESPN, as well as a Michigan team ranked as high as #2, in the Holiday Bowl. Washington, a 1-loss team, ha the best claim to being the Champion next to BYU, but declined the invite to play against them, opting instead for a big money game against Oklahoma. BYU held opponents to 14 points a game while scoring 35 a game. They won 7 games by at least 31 points, scored over 40 points 5 times, and their first year starter at QB threw for nearly 3900 yards.

After BYU beat Michigan to go 13-0, #2 ranked OU hit a game winning field goal, and the Sooner Schooner took to the field. One problem, though. OU was flagged for an illegal procedure penalty, nullifying the attempt, then docked an additional 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct when the wagon wouldn't leave the field... probably because it got stuck in the mud. OU's next attempt was blocked, and the Washington Huskies won. After the game, the Head Coach of Baylor, who the Cougars had beaten by 34 earlier in the season, approached Lavell Edwards and joked "Did you hear about the big investigation going on in Miami? Word is out that the drive of the Sooner Schooner was a Mormon." A few weeks later, BYU was voted #1 and National Champions by all the major polls, the last non major conference team to win it all (Notre Dame counts as a major conference team.)

However, we are still feeling the agony of this great achievement. Starting in the early 90's the major conferences, and Notre dame, began to exclude almost every other team from major bowl games, especially the National Championship. In BCS bowl games, only Hawaii has suffered a loss against AQ foes as an at-large qualifier; Boise State, TCU, and Utah are 4-1 against them. The Undefeated 2008 Utah Utes even beat 12-2 Alabama, 10-3 BYU, 11-2 TCU, and 9-4 Oregon State, yet weren't even given a chance to play in the National Championship game.

Utah, TCU, Boise State, and BYU have all since left their conferences. Boise State moved to the MWC, probably hoping to make it an AQ conference (BYU, TCU, and Utah were all MWC), but BYU is now an independent, Utah is Pac-12, and TCU has accept an invite to the Big 12. They all felt it was necessary to move on in an effort to increase their chances of going to the big game. Now, even major conferences are hating on the BCS. Big 10 officials are stating that they just want a chance at the Rose Bowl every year. Everything else can go east and butt thunder.

To get to the National Title game, you should play through an 8 team bracket. Top two play for champion, the rest go to other big name bowl games. Everyone wins!!!

gosh I hate the BCS...

Moneyball!!!

“And the 2009 Heisman Memorial Trophy goes to…” My heart was pounding. I knew without a doubt who it would be. College leader in rushing yards, 6 more rushing TDs than any other running back, and a passer rating of over 500 (1 of 1 for an 18 yard touchdown). He took his team to their second best record this century up to that point (and it’s first bowl game in eight years), and ran amuck against Notre Dame, breaking more tackles than many guys get carries in a year., finished his career at Stanford with the top two single season rushing totals (1136 and 1871), tops in season TDs (28), career TDs (44), second for career rushing yards (3522), and 3 PAC-10 season records,all while pulling in a 3.9 GPA at an Ivy League caliber school with a double major in Management Science and Engineering.

He was the most outstanding player in the country.

“… Mark Ingram.” WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

This guy won by getting 200 fewer rushing yards, 10 fewer touchdowns, and sharing a back field with Trent Richardson (800 yards and 8 TDs). The lone reason for winning the award was because he was on an undefeated Alabama team whereas my favorite, Toby Gerhart, played for an 8-5 Stanford team. In his defense, Gerhart was able to lead the most successful second place vote in Heisman history.

My vote still goes to Toby. Nobody dominated his team’s success that year more than Toby Gerhart. He didn’t have a star throwing (Andrew Luck was only a for star recruit out of high school), no receivers to pull defenders away, and no blockers of note. He was bigger and stronger than most people that tried to tackle him. Going back to the Notre Dame game, I saw at least 5 plays where he broke 3 or more tackles, and in the end, the defense just let him walk into the end zone. They knew that he was going to score anyways, and just let him do it sooner and with less bruises. His team was average, and he  helped take pressure off the future of the team (and maybe even the future of the NFL). Yes, if not for Gerhart, Andrew Luck would have been pounded for his entire first season. Instead, he got to survey the game while playing an entire year. If Toby hadn’t played that first season, Luck would have been pounded into dust, and Archie Manning wouldn’t be saying how Luck and Peyton WON’T share a backfield.

Okay, I’m probably exaggerating a little bit regarding Luck, but Gerhart was easily the most dominating player in the FBS in 2009.

Now, we are in a similar situation.

Another player in red and white will play second fiddle to an overrated Alabama running back. Montee Ball is leading the FBS in rushing yards and is currently second all-time for single season touchdowns, and only just got into the Heisman finalist group. He has a dozen more touchdowns than anyone in the country. His teams only losses were on desperation heaves. The Wisconsin Badgers relied on Montee Ball. His team lost both games in which he rushed for only 1 TD, and I’m putting that one on play calling. He ran through Michigan State’s defense to the tune of 252 yards and 4 TDs while hauling in another 2 through the air, a defense that was #1 in the Big Ten in rush defense and total defense. When the Badgers were down, half of QB Russell Wilson’s TD passes went to Ball. And anyone that wants to argue that Ball only did this well because of Wilson is mistaken. Watch tape. Ball makes people miss; he runs people over; he stiff arms; he bounces outside when interior blocking doesn’t make a hole; he forces his way into the endzone. Wilson enjoyed the season he did because of Ball. Wilson is good; he is athletic and has a powerful and accurate arm developed in the Minor Leagues of the MLB. But when the Badgers forced the pass (down 8 or more points), Wilson’s pass accuracy dropped from 72.5 to 58.3. When the Badgers needed to win, they went to Ball, or they lost.

Against a Penn State team that Richardson went for 130 yards and 2 TDs, Ball went for 171 yards and twice the touchdowns. Against teams then ranked in the Top 25, Ball rushed for an average of 149.25 yards, 3 TDs, whereas Richardson Averaged 126.75 yards and 1 touchdown. I see a discrepancy.

Now to Andrew Luck. He is throwing behind one of the better offensive lines in the country. He has all day in the pocket and can wait for a defender to slip or cut the wrong way. Yes, he has helped Stanford rise to power, but his numbers this year are worse than last year, a year that saw him come second in the voting.

RGIII has some monster numbers, but so does Case Keenum, and he isn’t here. 36 TDs is made more impressive by only 6 interceptions (6-1 ratio for you math majors), but Russell Wilson has 31 TD passes and only 3 ints (more than 10-1). But 5 QBs had more yards than him, and 3 more TD passes. Griffin also has 4 losses on the season. Gerhart got snubbed for being on a poorer team, and Griffin will, too, though I think he is the second on this list behind Ball (Though I am biased, you also shouldn’t be able to argue with 38 visits to the endzone).

Do people not know that Paul Hornung won the Heisman on a 2-8 Notre Dame team?

Mathieu is dang good, but on a team with two great corners, he is not the most outstanding player. His team can win 10 or probably even all 12 games without him. Baylor cannot win 5 without Griffin. Wisconsin cannot win the Big 10 without Ball.

If Ball didn’t basically take the non-conference games off (about 17 touches a game), he would be unanimous #1 on this list, even with the 2 losses. In conference, Ball averaged about 28 touches a game for over 190 yards and 21 points. Oh, and his perfect 2-2 passing for 57 yards and 6 points. If he averaged that for all 12 games up to this point, he would have 336 touches for 2280 yards and 42 TDs. How is that for a Heisman resume?

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

As we progress deeper into the Christmas season, I find myself feeling more unprepared, and more hurried. I have to clean out two bed rooms, two basement rooms, help repaint the bathrooms, rearrange the entire first floor to make room for a gargantuan tree, and try and keep my sister and father from messing everything up. I have never been good at cleaning. I don't know if it is the having to throw things out, or trying to sort through things by moving them from one area of my room to another in an attempt to uncover other things hoping that I will eventually have less stuff than space, or if is the not knowing exactly what to do next so I stand there in my doorway for 10 minutes just looking at my room listening to music, or how my room became the storage room when everyone else left home so I have more stuff in there that ISN'T mine than is, or how my closet doesn't even have enough room to hang 6 shirts... there is a lot that works against me when I try and clean my room. But here is the real kicker; I DID IT!!! Yesterday I had a day off, and I started working at 10am, and stopped at 10pm (there were a few breaks in there, but I probably put in 10 'Strawn Hours'). I now have a stack of stuff 6 feet long, 5 feet high, and 3 feet deep that I either do not want (A TV and a box of old school work), or was never mine at all so I do not know what to do with it (Boxes of papers and cardigans of my sisters, some Russian book of my brothers, and boxes of posters and memorabilia of my other brother's), or was put in my room and it was assumed that it became mine by the rest of my family because "no one else wanted it, so just shove it in Gavin's room. He won't notice!" (Which is the remaining half of the stuff). But I did it. I have also almost gotten the guest bedroom cleaned up (after taking over the closet). I feeling much more relaxed about Christmas this year!

And then I remember that I haven't gotten anyone anything, yet. I am woefully unprepared to welcome my family with material possessions. I am very much looking forward to this Christmas, it being the last one I will have with my family for two years, and I really want to make it a special one. I don't necessarily need to get anyone anything extravagant, but I want to get each person something that they will enjoy and use and not put up on a shelf (unless that is it's purpose) or away in a closet to collect dust. I want this to be the best Christmas that I can help make it.

I have always enjoyed Christmas. My family invites the missionaries over every year (I sign up the first Sunday I see the missionary calendar). We get along for the vast part of the day. Inevitably, a number of us fall asleep, and the rest disappear to play with toys or read their new book, leaving my mom awake and busy talking to whoever didn't choose solitude (meaning she is usually talking to herself). This year, the Packers play the Bears, and my sister flies in during the game... so my mom and I nominated my dad to go get her. I am fully expecting this Christmas to be wonderful and nearly perfect (as perfect as a Strawn event can be).

I don't think I am ready to leave for my mission, but i believe that I will always feel something holding me back. I will miss everyone I leave behind so much. I am already going through it, having left school to work to pay for my mission, and I miss every single on of my friends. I got to know so many people, and came to care about so many of you, and when I leave home, it will be the hardest thing I have ever done.

I love this Gospel so much. I know it is true, and the more I study the scriptures, and pray for understanding and guidance, the more the Spirit testifies to me of the truth. I believe in Christ as my savior and God as my Heavenly Father. I believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, and through the Spirit translated the Golden Plates, and restored the fullness of the Gospel on the earth. I believe our general authorities are true men of God, called by Him to lead the world o return to live eternally by His side. I believe that the Spirit guides and directs me to choose the right, and that the Priesthood is on this earth to bless us in so many ways. I believe that this is a church of love, and that when we obey the commandment to love God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, no other commandments are needed. I have been a part of this church my whole life, and hope and pray that I can better myself daily that I may one day be worthy of the love of our Heavenly Father and our savior, Jesus Christ.

As New Years comes along, resolve to be a more charitable, loving, and selfless you. If everyone worked to be a better 'me,' this world would be a truly wondrous place.

What are you doing here? Oh, I thought you were someone else.

The highlight of my work day was getting told I look like Aaron Rodgers. Second on the highlight reel was finally getting to see the fist fight between two 70-plus year old coaches in the CFL. Third was getting a free wrap for lunch.

More about my Number 1 Highlight: As part of my job, I stand out in the aisles of Festival Food with a cart covered in Associated Bank propaganda (cookie cutters this week! As well as a 200- dollar giveaway!), and on my other side is an Aaron Rodgers, almost life size, cut out. In my 15 minutes shift between the cart and the cut out, I was greeted with dropped jaws at least a half dozen times when I said hello. Of the 20 people I greeted coming into the store, about 10 thought that I was Aaron Rodgers, including a guy in produce who is a bank customer I have worked with on numerous occasions, while two thought I was also a cut out. I do take this as a compliment (the Rodgers connection, not the fact that I can apparently stand very still). I may think that A-Rodge is a bit goofy looking, but if people want to compare me to one of the most dynamic playmakers in the sports world right now, I am all for it.

It does bring to mind a number of other comparisons I have drawn. In high school, a friend compared me to gold medalist Shawn White. Later, I was told I looked like Ben Stiller. In college, I was told I looked like Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Mark Wahlberg, Lance Armstrong, and even Peyton Hillis (except for my lack of massive pipes). Many times when someone compares me to a celebrity, I just laugh it off. People have also said I look like my brother Tom, but I disagree with that as well (But we both look like our older brother Brandon).

It is fun to google celebrity look-a-likes. I generally look at sports figures with celebrity figures (Aaron Rodgers and BJ Novak, Ed Hochuli and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Josh Hartnett and Raphael Nadal, Sidney Crosby and Andy Sandberg, Dan Marino and David Hasselhoff to name a few). It is also fun when you notice one of your friends REALLY looks like a celebrity (John Anstett/Michael Phelps. Anyone on the SNC campus that knows him can confirm this).

I don’t think the other two need any more analysis. Feel free to watch the video of the fight on Youtube, though!

I think that I need to learn to play rugby. It seems to be a fairly straightforward game, and I think I am more suited for it than football. Football has gotten to be a sport that I am too negative on myself due to my lack of prototypical size, speed, explosiveness, and strength.

Which sport would be the best as a base of training for all other sports? Gymnastics, soccer, or hockey? I think a combination of all three would be terrific, but I think I would lean towards gymnastics as the overall winner. It coaches coordination, strength, flexibility, body control, balance, etc. I think I will have my kids do gymnastics from ages 3-7, soccer 5-10, and hockey 9-14 (Times adjustable based on preferences of the child).

por frijoles! anyone speak spanish?

I have always had a fascination with and desire to learn phrases for other languages that pertain to terms of frustration. A great source for me were the writing of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, specifically regarding his character Samkin in the stories of Sir Nigel, the White Company, and eventually Allyene. He can cuss in three languages, I believe. I soon realized, though, that none of these colorful quote would do me a lick of good, seeing as each of them flauntingly names a deity. Pablo's Picasso, I was at a loss. What in heather Miran's name was I to do? By anchovies, I was nearly hopeless. But, Cheese Its and Oreos willing, I was able to come to my senses, and by turnip greens I came up with an alternative. Por Frijoles! Bleu Poissiont!Cre Deux! Take a good cuss and replace the actual vulgarity with a non offensive word. I think it is more fun in foreign languages, but I am fairly well known for cursing "son of a motherless duck" on the intramural fields on the St. Norbert Campus. I used to use bugger extensively, but I have attempted to tone back on it, as well as bloody, given their uses in their home country. "twiddle farts."... hehe, I like that one.

Anyway, I do not know where I am going with this. I think I am trying to point out that common vulgarities tend to be unimaginative and make people sound less intelligent. But if you can come up with "What the turkey schwarma is going on here?" on the fly, or "Holy wheat grass!", or even "Son of a flea ridden porcupine," you will make people stop for a second. In my dad's day, cussing made you stand out. You were daring to be different and challenge the norm. Nowadays, those that don't swear are the social anomalies.

On a completely unrelated note, no one at all today noticed my mustache. I have somewhere between 8 and 10 WEEKS worth of upper lip growth, and no one noticed (except, of course, my mother). That takes the man right out of ya.

I was helping a customer at work today who was telling me about her grandson, named Aaron (the daughter-in-law claims he was named after the Old Testament prophet, but the rest of the family knows better), and took out her cell phone to show me pictures of him. I promptly took out my phone and we compared my nephew, Samson, to her little one. We talked babies for 3 minutes, and Packers and Badgers football for 5 more minutes. It was a wonderful time.

I was given a hundred dollars in change today. If you are ever asked how much 50 dollars in quarters is, tell them it is a bit more than 1 fluid cup. By the way, we don;t have a change counter at work, so the 70 dollars of quarters was counted by hand.

I do not even know the last time I have been shopping. I am sure that I have gone at some point in the past, but I do not have a distinct memory of going to a store to buy MYSELF an outfit. My wardrobe is a compilation of my older brother's castaway clothing. I haven't worn a new pair of jeans since my freshman year of high school. My denim collection is holier than swiss cheese. I don't think I will ever look good in skinny jeans. I have a curious interest in getting a pair, but I have thickly built runner legs that would not do well in such material, visually of regarding comfort. My shirts no longer fit (courtesy of the push/pull ups, I went from a small being the only size shirt that fits to wearing larges this summer). I am running low on socks. My little sister took all my boxers. Dress shirts are either WAY too loose and baggy in the arms and at the waist and shoulders, or I cannot button it all the way up if I want to breath without feeling like vomiting. My slacks, khakis, and pinstripes pinch my waist and expose my sock. I am in need of a make over (and I would not mind getting a pedi while I'm at it).

My whole house is asleep, and I want to belt out "Oh, Holy Night," "The First Noel," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "If You Could High to Kolob" (Not Christmas, but Chruch hymn), or "I Wanna Go," the Hunger Games version (not even close to being a Church song).

I want to take a vacation day... tomorrow.