Blogging in...

Hello!









































Good Bye!

Some of Us

do post. Just on other blogs. I try to post on this one and my own blog, but sometimes one or the other gets neglected and cries little blog tears. A-like-a so:

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Where is Everybody!

Hey all, how come no one wants to post anymore, is it becuase I haven't said anything in a while?

List of the While....

Food of the Day: Taco Soup
Happiness of the While: I can almost run through the cauldron.
Clothing of the Week: My flip flops that I brushed all the dust off of
Smell of the Day: Frosting Lip Gloss
Quote of the Day: I'm the Human Wedgie
Action of Tommorow: Sitting With Chris Thomas becuase he looks lonely.

Have a Fantastic Day!!!!
P.S. Uncle Fill in The Blank is fun!

Internet time waster

Website of the day: Cyborg Name Generator

I just thought I would throw that in there before I forgot it. :)

Aloha!

Howdy dudey!

I see that not a whole lot of people have blogged of late. So, I'm blogging. Both of the judges at the Jazz festival complimented my play! I was excited!

Am I Coming or Going? I Can't Tell! 

Czech

it out, Jason: download.com has Scorched Earth 3D. Very fun stuff - play online agaisnt other players and all that. They even have a nod to the old gorrillas throwing bananas game back from the day that was similar to scorched earth: you can choose a gorrilla with a shoulder rocket as your tank. You can also choose an ATST or Hoth gun and a bazillion regular army vehicles including (my favorite) the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Anyway, check it out - I think download.com calls it Scorch3D or something like that.

and speaking of Czech it out, my next door neighbor left this past Tuesday for the Czech Republic with his friend to pick up his friend's son who just finished his tour of duty there as a missionary.

song of the day: theme from The Neverending Story

woe of the day: that it is so cold in this building

happy thought of the day: a fun concert etc. on Monday

day of the day: Saturday - but you probably already knew that from the date/timestamp on this post.

'kay, bye.

Very intense and very...

...addicting games come few and far between. Hey, do y'all remember the old PC game called Scorched Earth? I remember literally spending hours tweaking the config file, playing the game and then tweaking some more to get the best possible gaming experience out of it. Well, the days of the 386 may be gone (and Scorched Earth with them - bless you, Wendell Hicken) but now there is a new generation of Windows-compatible Scorched Earth games. One in particular that I tried out is called Atomic Cannon. This is basically, no frighteningly similar to the old computer game of yore. The best part is that the graphics are (slightly) better and it does have cool game music and sounds. One thing that it doesn't have is the talk.cfg file that you could tweak to no end with the old Scorched Earth game. That was fun because you could key in all kinds of taunts and each time the tanks shot at each other, they would rattle off some spiny, sharp-toothed, and sometimes offensive little statements. Aaaah, the golden days of computing - before Windows and all this bloatware (Every OS Sucks, by Wes Borg and Co.) Well, today we have, like I say, a slightly more modern version of the addicting classic. Play it against the computer. Play it against the computer many times over (that's Computer * many). You can even play it against your friends (or enemies, should you so choose.) Be sure to download the free demo version unless you want to spend $20 so you can get a bunch of extra weapons and terrains. Personally, I think the free version is great (except for the ad that shows up on the screen at the beginning of the 5th round.) Try it out. You'll be addicted.

So, I wrote to Nadine Wimmer of KSL News about a story that I read on ksl.com. I never saw the investigative report, but what I read was about the "Utah Driver" phenomenon. Utah seems to be nationally known for its bad drivers and the situation appears to be getting worse. They discussed on the news about how people just seem to be klutzes behind the wheel and it's affecting people's insurance rates and it's also dangerous. The story really hit home to me because I usually go out of my way to obey laws and drive safely. However, what I notice on a very frequent basis is the lack of concern most drivers seem to exhibit when turning at intersections. I frequently see people turning right at an intersection turn straight into the left lane of traffic. The same goes for those turning left. They go into the right lane. People, that is dangerous and it's illegal! It is considered an improper lane change because you are not supposed to change lanes in an intersection. Anyhow, the report on KSL that I read didn't say anything about this problem and so I wrote to KSL about this problem. Nadine Wimmer has been following up with me on it and said that she would love to interview me if they pick the story back up. I was also talking to one of my coworkers about it today and he suggested that I make a trip to the city council and bring it up before the city officials. I just don't see many people getting into any trouble for improper lane changes like what I just described. What it has become is that people just think that it doesn't matter what lane they turn into and so they break the law in a very cavalier sort of mentality. I don't know how many times I have seen people get cut off by some [expletive deleted] turning into the wrong lane at an intersection. It just makes me really irritated. It's happened to me too. Anyhow, I'll keep y'all posted as to the development of this little gem. :)

Wishes

The Best of! Happy Birthday Party Jessica!!

for Jon 

for Jarrett 

For Andrew 

 

Concurrant Jam

So very eloquently put, Ben.

Shoeless because the vinyl floor is a barefoot or sockfoot only surface and they have to get used to it for when they perform anyways. And cause it looks cool. We'd let them wear sox, but they're too slippery and falling with a drum on is not fun.

Nice pic, ben. You'll have to show me how to make one sometime.

Farewell and Godspeed, Jarrett. May the sun shine on your path and the wind be at your back. And... um... your backpack as well. Be at your back, I mean - not shine on your path. Unless you have a pack equipped with lights for night travel on foot. That'd be cool.

Also, I saw a ca. $2000 home theater projector on theTV. Has 2.1 speakers, DVD/etc. player and projector all built into one sleek unit. Don't know where you could get one. I'm sure we'll see more of the like in the next few years on the market.

Here's a little song I heard the other day from TMBG's childrens' album/book:


The day is done
The sun is down
The curtains have been drawn
And darkness has descended over everything in town
The covers have been turned and I've got my pajamas on
I've had my fun
I've stretched and yawned and all is said and done
I'm going to bed
Bed bed bed bed bed

I've done so many things today
There's nothing left to do
I ate three meals, I rode my bike, I hung out with my friends
I did my chores, I watched TV, I practiced the guitar
I brushed my teeth, I read my book, and then I sat around
I'm going to bed
Bed bed bed bed bed

Moo
Moo
Moo
Moo

Oh it's pointless staying up for even twenty seconds more
When everything has happened and there's nothing else in store
The thing is now to lay my head down, close my eyes, and snore
And so to bed directly I go
The day is done
The sun is down
The curtains have been drawn
And darkness has descended over everything in town
The covers have been turned and I've got my pajamas on
I've had my fun
I've stretched and yawned and all is said and done
I'm going to bed
Bed bed bed bed bed

Bed
Bed bed bed bed bed

I'm going to bed
Bed bed bed bed bed bed bed bed bed


What a fun song. But I never get it stuck in my head when it's time for bed - just when I'm walking around or sitting in class or driving to the store.

Ben, this is your friendly reminder to go back to Focus. Not permanently - just long enough. ;)

Hava, we all hope you get feeling better soon.


Peace

Hi!

Have a great day!

 

Curse that Groundhog

Joyfully did I announce the advent of the day of Groundhog. And how did the Phil repay me? With 6 more freaking weeks of winter. I thought that, being in Utah AND the recent weather, that it wouldn't matter to me the more weeks of winter . . . BUT OH WAS I WRONG! Curses to the groundhog. Curses upon curses. Stupid snow.

How I Hate This Weather

Hey all-
A few items of business, Jarret-good luck and I hope that your mission is fantastic, I know it will be AMAZING! All will be well, and lastly God Be With You Till We Meet Again.
Ben-are you going to be gaming with us Thursday night? If so you are welcome to eat dinner with us, if memory serves, your working though. I think
Jon-question? Why do all the Thenami kids on the main page not have shoes on?
Jessica-only 3 more days till you are no longer a teenager (BTW, everyone, and I mean everyone who would like to come on Friday is very welcome, we are having a party in Jessicas honor. Like 6 ish or something at UV, depending on the guest list will either be at Jessicas apartment or in the community center.)

I hate the snow here is my list!

Things The Snow Ruined: my ritualistic running through the cauldron, my drive to Ogden this morning, my mood, my good feelings about spring comming soon, and my will to do anything!
Moment of the Day: Being the SS building and seeing a certain someone for like more than 5 seconds.
Phone Call of the Day: Calling Jessica about aformentioned someone.
Excitment of the Day: Finding out that it won't be just us girls at Dinner on thursday and that we are eating on the floor.
Paradox of the Day: Person A and whether they should come to the shindig.
Bus moment of the Day: Cute guy-crowded bus! He practiaclly sat on me!
Laughable moment of the day: Finding out that Uncle Fill in The Blank possibly locked his keys in his car again! I don't care how smart he is, he is stupdid!

Thank You And Good Night!

About links

I would actually still be posting links in all my blogs if it were possible to do so on my Mac (which, it is not possible to on my Mac). It adds a lot to a blog and you can come up with some pretty funny links if you try.

Ben, you said it perfectly in your post about the gender relations war. That is exactly correct.

Jarrett, I have not heard of any such device as of yet.

Flattered

Might I say that I am quite flattered that you would pay homage to me in duplicating my old "too many links" technique.

AWESOME!!!

A Question

Since the Band Blog tends to work like some sort of Panel Discussion (cf. our recent posts on Gender Relations), I will post a question.

Does anyone know if there is a small, inexpensive kind of digital projector available? In the Technology Review (MIT's magazine) in the summer of 2004, some company was working on such a "Pocket Projector", but I wanted to see if anyone had heard of one that already existed. What I am talking about is a small digital projector, probably under $500. If not, I can wait. Technology Review's things usually market within about 3 years.

And yes, my most recent post had too many links. I was making a nod to the old Tradition of excessively-linked blog posts. If you read the archives, especially of Ben's Blog, you will see the origin, growth, and decay of this technique; I think it passed because we all got bored of it (and sick of Google image search -- another thing not worth the risk.). People tend to grow and change as time passes (I'm excited to see how things are different when I get home. Hee hee hee).

10,000 pieces of Gold(fish)

ok ok ok ok ok, heheheh. Now for something completely different...

The Donkey and the Goldfish

Sorry, just had to share that with y'all...

-Kristin

All About Girls and Guys . . . From a Guys Perspective

Britty, girls are attractive to guys simply because they're girls. Other than that, there are things that add to the girl experience. All the things you listed (personality, attitude, and what not) factor in, while the God given urges of physical attration do as well (we were given them for a reason, right?) Now, the thing that makes a guy want to be "just friends" is simple: the guy has tried to make something more of the friendship (whether inwardly or outwardly isn't relevent) and has decided that it won't work out, for whatever reason. Now, there were also some winning attributes of this girl that has led the person to consider the "more than just friends" relationship and the guy would really like things to be in a "just friends" status. This, I've experienced, is not a phenomenon reserved specifically for the guys. At one point in my own frustrated dating life, I even refered to my sides as "just friends handles" in lieu of love handles. Sometimes, however, there are some of the other things that happen to take effect. I remember the first girl I went out with when I got home and she was a wonderful wonderful person and lots of fun to be with and she spoke french and all that, but she wasn't in the least ways attractive to me. Despite trying to make things work for me, I couldn't. There was no "spark". Is this my fault? No. Very emphatically, no! The God given ways for me to find a date/wife/companion had not confirmed for me the choice. Now, this person would have been a wonderful wonderful friend, but not a good date, you understand. The only reason why you seem to be stuck in that all to excrutiating state of "just friendliness" is that all these factors have not lined up for both you and your suitor at the same time. Not too long ago, I wondered if those many factors would ever add up for me, seeing as they seemed to be so random and so far-fetched. The one thing that I know for certain is that every good person will WILL have the chance. I'd take that as a promise! On to your other question about the covered, uncovered thing. I believe that modest is hottest! I'll repeat that: MODEST IS HOTTEST!!! When I was on my mission in France (NOT the modest of places) I remember thinking that an individual was extremely attractive (while not being all that cute) and when my companion remarked the same to me, we realized that it was because she was dressed modestly. Now, guys are programed (hard-wired) to like unclothiness (its a simple fact, no getting around it). The reason we don't like it is because we like it. So, the reason that guys seem to flirt more with those girls is because it draws them in . . . exactly why the girl wears it. Now, any guy I'd assume you'd want to date, would be the kind that didn't like it (because he liked it) and you'd just better get used to the fact that that is the way that guys are and that one day this will be advantageous to you (and the appearance of children in your life).

Thanks one and some for putting up with my musings and explanations on the life of dating and relationships. I hope that maybe my findings can be of help to those of you in the "frustrated in love" camp. Take care and smile, its worth it.

With all this change i could be a millionaire

Jarret you have waaaaaayyy too much time on your hands. I mean there was entirley too many links in that post. My question is, what is it that makes girls so um for lack of a better word, wantable. I mean what things (ie personality, looks,attitude,intellegence etc) make guys attracted towards girls. And what is it that makes boy want to "just be friends" i mean is there like a friend pheremone that girls give off that makes boys just want to be friends, and then is there girls who give off the "Date Me" pheremone? I mean those stupid 3 word have perpetuated my life. Is there a reason that i can only get on a "friendly" level with the male popluace?

Also, why do guys constantly say "I love a girl who keeps herself covered" and then constantly talk/flirt with all the skanky girls? I know no one on the blog does this, but i am talking about other guys.

Thats my 5 and a half cents for the day!

Uh, Jason?

You win the month for that account. That is the funniest and most shocking piece of storytelling I've heard for at least 30 to 31 days.

Probably a good call to not go chasing after the car. You could've been killed or even injured. I only wish I'da been there to see it all go down.

Jessica, if you aren't interested, just be friendly. If he bothers you, don't hang out with him. If he keeps asking you out, tell him no. If he bothers you after that, threaten his life (or just take it). Uh, wait a second. Not that last one. If a guy can't take it, that's his problem, not yours. Harsh but true. Even if he can take it he might be let down and get all weepy for a while. But he'll get over it. If not, again - his problem. Whatever you do, remember 2 things: be honest (playing along just because you can't bring yourself to crush his feelings is Lying to him), and trust that things will eventually work out, that all hurts will eventually heal if we let them, and that sometimes the kindest thing to do is to be harsh now rather than harsher later.

^
$0.02 also

song of the day: hmm... it's a toss-up between Severe Tire Damage Theme, She's An Angel, and Ana Ng
vocabulary word of the week: Wiki
wiki of the day: tmbw.net
lyrics of the day:

I heard they had a space program
When they sing you can't hear, there's no air
Sometimes I think I kind of like that and
Other times I think I'm already there

Peace

Afternoon of hilarity

...for me at least.

Jarrett, thank you for clarifying my point on chivalry and for giving the examples. It's always good to hear other people's take on things. It's also good to know that I'm not the only guy who thinks that guys are stupid when it comes to women. :)

So, I have to tell y'all about my great afternoon. It was 15 seconds of sheer amazement and then the entire rest of the afternoon of reflection and laughing. Price: about $23,000.

It all began in the morning as I arrived at school at about 6:45am for my 7:00am class. I parked my car in the W lot nearest the Browning Center and being there so early provided me with the closest parking stall to the building. I had parked my car facing west with the ability to pull straight out and turn left to head out of the parking lot. Anyhow, the day progressed and I met with my bando friends for Thursday lunch in the Institute. Lunch was a blast. Then, along came about 11:40am and I had to get to work. So I huffed it back over to my waiting car in the W lot. When I got there, I noticed that the car behind me was pressed against my back bumper. "That jerk," I thought. "He probably scratched my car too." Aside from that, I didn't think much else of it. So I got in my car, put it in gear and proceeded to drive forward out of the stall. As I was turning left, I caught a glimpse of the car behind me rolling past the back end of my car. The car had started its journey out of the W lot into the A lot. I was dumbfounded. I stopped my car and jumped out, half pondering whether or not to persue the runaway car and stop it or just let it crash. I chose the latter. The car happily lumbered down into the A lot, veering slightly to the right, thereby missing all the other parked cars. It jumped the curb that runs parallel to the south side of the Browning Center and took out the No Parking sign. In the process, a mudguard was torn from the car and left laying near the severely bent signpost. The car continued down the hill and was eventually stopped by a tree. The collision caused considerable damage to the front and passenger side of the car.

When the car came to rest, I ran over to it and was joined by about five other students who were in the area and heard the crash. I told them to stay where they were while I went and got the campus police. When the police arrived, which was before I actually arrived back at the scene, we filled out witness statements. During this time, the owner of the car showed up, probably just leaving from class and heading to work. Well, she was, needless to say, a bit shook up by the happenings and by the condition of her car. I never saw her again because I assume she was talking to police or something. I turned in my witness statement and was free to go on to work. I just found it sort of amusing that the crashed car had not had its parking brake set and was thereby using my car as a parking brake. When I moved, well, it moved too. I felt very badly for the girl who owned the car, but let this be a lesson: always set your parking brake.

Now, I must add that the crashed car was a brand new 2005 Mazda6, very nicely equipped. This is why I say that my fun afternoon only cost about $23,000. For the rest of the afternoon, I could not help laughing at what I was part of. It was really funny watching that car run over a sign and hit a tree all by itself.

Anyhow, that's my afternoon. When you see a bent sign along the south side of the Browning Center, you'll know what caused it.

Chao!!

$0.02

My two cents.
I must add a comment to the matters that have been addressed: that is, Jessica's statement of "guys are dumb for not noticing when girls really like them," and the ensuing discussion. I will first address this point, and then address the chivalry issue that arose. As Elihu did, I have waited for the experienced people to speak (see Job 32); but some things have not been said that should be. Despite my youth and inexperience in these matters, I have something to add. I agree with everything that has been said up to this point, but these are great ideas that deserve some explication.

It is true that guys are stupid. It is both useless and no fun at all to deny it. I adamantly refuse to exclude myself from this designation: that is, I am a stupid guy. We are the Oblivious Sex in every way; we do not catch hints of any kind; and we often say/do things that are patronizing, offensive, and so on. Now, we aren't responsible for this weakness any more than a Woman is responsible for having periods -- and who among us having sisters or an acquaintance of many females can deny that these are annoying in their effects -- it's just part of who we are as people, and part of God's plan for our development. Cf. the proclamation on the Family.

So yes, "guys are dumb for not noticing when girls really like them". It's not the only thing we don't notice. We also are incapable of catching a hint when a girl doesn't like us. Or when a girl wants us to leave her alone.
Given these ideas (which are truths universally acknowledged and readily self-evident), I make a plea to all females who may read this:

Please, whatever you want to express, just come out with it. Say it, in clear and direct terms. You'll save time, energy, and stress, both mental and emotional, for everyone concerned. You like a guy, do you? Hang around him a little, get to know him. Most guys are completely not offended if you ask yourself out. I'm very Old-Fashioned, and I'm not offended by it. You despise a guy or are sick of him bothering you? Tell him! "In all honesty, I'd rather not." It seems harsh; but I promise you, a guy's feelings are not hurt for long. Say "No." Or even, "***** No." I should add, and this is important: You don't need any good reason to refuse the offer of a date, especially if that offer comes with less than a week's notice. If the guy is creepy, you can and should, nay, MUST, say No. Use violence (or violins) if need be. I have said before, and will repeat: "There is far less slapping in our culture than there needs to be."

**Example 1.1: **

Mike: Would you like to go X with me?
Cindy: "Well, I'm busy" or "I have so much homework" or whatever it is you say in your attempts to be polite.

Cindy was Less Effective. Colette will be More effective.

Tom: "Would you like to go X sometime?"
Colette: "No."

Cindy will have that guy on her tail for months, even years. But use Colette's method enough times and your problem is over.
I realize that we, as guys, should do everything we can to learn to speak 'female'. I try my best, as all nice guys do. But girls -- Please, please, make a least some attempt to speak 'male'!

Now to the Chivalry Issue. I plead, let him get the door. If he doesn't, call him on it. He might not know he's supposed to. His mother may have died young or something. A single, "You know, a polite young man would get the door..." is worth a Thousand, nay, a Thousand Thousand 'subtle hints'. However, this is only for the Uneducated. Should the guy "protest too much" or fail a second time, it's time for a nice and harsh "No."
Now, there are fine points. For instance, unless I'm told to, I won't get the door for a girl if it's her car. It's an awkwardness issue; I think it's quite silly-looking.
May add I few fine details about Chivalry? It's much more than doors. It's also compliments, among other things (gifts, rituals, so on). If a guy (who is well-trained in these things, not just a Normal Guy) compliments you, he's just being nice. It doesn't mean he wants to "Date Seriously" (if you like that term) or enter into pseduogamy (my term, which I prefer as being scientific. 'Pseudogamy' is my word for "Boyfriend and Girlfriend"*). And if a guy compliments you, accept it graciously.

**Example 1.2: **

Mike: "You look very nice."
Cindy: "Are you kidding? I look awful. My hair's always goofy..." and she will likely continue in this vein.

Cindy was once again, less effective. Susan will be More Effective.

Doug: "You have lovely eyes, you know"
Susan: "Thank you."

A few other ideas (for all, since it seems no one knows them). If a man is escorting a lady outside of his own home, she should walk on his left, so that his sword-arm is free. Old traditions. If a man is escorting a lady within his own home or anyplace he wishes to indicate that he feels safe, she should walk on his right. For instance, if I were in the Browning Center with a girl, she should walk on the right. But if I were in the Union Building, she should walk on the left.
Let me conclude with warnings: First, whatever you do, be totally honest and forgiving. Nothing else really matters. Second, Men: Don't ever make a big deal of chivalrous behavior. That spoils the effect entirely. Just do it. Third, everyone: don't ever say, "Chivlary is dead." Remember that whenever anyone says, "I don't believe in faeries" one dies. Fourth, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER compliment another person by putting yourself down. Your relationship with yourself is far more important than your relationship with anybody else; and as Oscar Wilde so eloquently put it, "To love oneself is the beginning of a life-long romance."

*I invented the word, or so I thought. I had no idea it was a Botanical Term. It still conveys my meaning.

Recommended Reading and Viewing:
"Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" (Or the other way round, I don't recall) by John Gray (Ph. D)
"The Road Less Travelled" by M.Scott Peck (It's rough, but it's worth it)
"Idylls of The King" Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"The Age of Chivalry" Thomas Bulfinch
"Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight" J.R.R. Tolkien has done a fine translation

If you're interested in an excellent book about the effects of our culture on young girls, I recommend "Reviving Ophelia" by Mary Pipher.

"Uncorked" - film - not really related, but the best movie EVER ("...Dang it", as B.G. would say)

Nota Bene: I have the greatest respect for Dr. Palumbo. You all know that.

Good times, good times

Jason, you are spot on, I think. And Brittney, sometimes guys want to be polite and get the door and know they should, but just forget. For example, I forgot just the other day because I was distracted. What Jason said about giving the guy a subtle hint to help him out is a great idea - also not making a big scene if he doesn't get the hint (of course, then you probably should also consider not dating him anymore, even if he's a hunk - a jerk hunk wouldn't be as good as a nice hunk).

And now....[drum roll]
LADIES-IES-IES-IES-ies-ies... AND-AND-AND-and-and... GENTLE-ENTLE-MEN-MEN-MEN-men-men...
The Fun:
[cymbal crash]

Today's Top Ten list: The top 19 funniest ratings on RateMyProfessors.com

19 His class was like milk, it was good for 2 weeks.
18 Houston, we have a problem. Space cadet of a teacher, isn't quite attached to earth.
17 I would have been better off using the tuition money to heat my apartment last winter.
16 Three of my friends got A's in his class and my friends are dumb.
15 Emotional scarring may fade away, but that big fat F on your transcript won't.
14 Evil computer science teaching robot who crushes humans for pleasure.
13 Miserable professor - I wish I could sum him up without foul language.
12 Instant amnesia walking into this class. I swear he breathes sleeping gas.
11 BORING! But I learned there are 137 tiles on the ceiling.
10 Not only is the book a better teacher, it also has a better personality.
9 Teaches well, invites questions and then insults you for 20 minutes.
8 This teacher was a firecracker in a pond of slithery tadpoles.
7 I learned how to hate a language I already know.
6 Very good course, because I only went to one class.
5 He will destroy you like an academic ninja.
4 Bring a pillow.
3 Your pillow will need a pillow.
2 If I was tested on her family, I would have gotten an A.
1 She hates you already.

Good stuff.

Geek love poem of the thinkgeek.com month:

roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you

'kay, bye.

Bwead is a good time...

...for ev'wybody.

What do you do in a situation when a guy is completely clueless and doesn't open your door for you? Hmmmm. You do have a point in that you can't always know when the guy you are with is going to be a gentleman or not. So, here's what I would do if I were in your shoes. I would sit in the car until it became obvious that the not-so-gentleman was not going to open my door. Then, I would open the door and get in or out casually, trying not to make a big scene or whine about it. Whining becomes a turn-off really fast. Throughout the remainder of the time that you are on this date, casually mention or imply that gentlemen are important to you and that gentlemen score points with you, or whatever phraseology you choose to employ. If some other guy in your date group holds the door open for you, look them in the eye and thank them by name. If your date is paying attention, he will take note and wish to make up lost points. Basically, you shouldn't ever come across as demanding, but do it in a way that the dater in question will want to open doors for you and be chivalrous. If the dating becomes more serious and he still isn't pulling the wagon of knighthood, you may want to take a more direct approach and really tell him straigh up that he needs to learn to be a gentleman. However, anyone in a serious relationship with a woman should know chivalry inside and out way before the serious adjective gets tacked on to the relationship. In other words, if he can't take a hint and be a gentleman, he's not really worth your time. Here's something a General Authority said on it: How to Treat a Girl.

Britty, I have to applaud you for thanking guys who show gentlemanness and hold the door for you. That really makes us feel good and makes us want to be that way all the time. I hope what I said earlier helps in any dating or relationship issues dealing with the somewhat dense-headed male population. If not, just tell me I'm full of crap and to take a long walk off a short pier.

"I believe they studied calculus last semester."

Life is a wild ride! 

Flustration

I'm so frigging mad at Blogger right now! I mean, this is twice now that I've blogged a very merry Groundhog Day and twice now that it hasn't showed up on the blog. Stupid thing. So, I'm not going to be wishing nobody nothing today. So there!

Don't Ask Me Why, Pumpernickle and Wie!

Jason, in reply to your most recent post i must protest on one point that you made. There is no way for a girl to know that a guy will open the door for her (in the car) in fact i used to wait until i wen on a date with a good friend and sat there for like 30 seconds waiting and he didn't get that i wanted to open the door. I get quite frustrated at this, as that i have never had a guy really "get the door" for me when it concerns cars. Maybe if its like a first date then i think a guy should in a most humorous manner say that they are gonna get the door. Its kinda confusing becuase you think "Well, should I wait, or should i just get out so that they don't feel stupid? Its one of them female paradoxes!

Please tell me what to do in this situation! BTW I alway thank, even perfect strangers, for holding the door, i did it today to jon when he opened the door to the Studen center. Thanks Jon!

The Stupiditude of Guys

So Jessica, I think I can side with you about how stupid guys can be from time to time, especially when it comes to the needs of the ladies. I must admit, I have been, and will be in the future, guilty of these heinous sins of omission. It comes with the territory of being a guy. Guys can simply be morons sometimes.

My complaint about guys, however, doesn't stem so much from their lack of affection towards women when women want it. It does stem from the genuine feeling of male supremacy I see all around. Nothing irritates me more than to see guys being mean and rough with other people just because they are "guys." When men show no intelligence at all, that irritates me.

Another thing with men that really irritates me is their constant need for power. The most best example I can think of for this is those big, huge pickup trucks that guys buy. Not only do they buy these trucks that obviously generate a sizeable gravitational pull, but they drive them badly too. I get on the road and these jerks drive these blasted behemoths like they own the road and their not afraid to intimidate us people who drive sensible, economical, DECENT-LOOKING cars. Women do it too, but not nearly as much as men. ...and what's with the blasted diesel engines? Guys buy these trucks and then have to scare the pants off you at intersections by putting the hammer down and making their 81 liter engine roar so loudly that you can feel your teeth rattle. I guess what I'm getting at is that guys need to learn to be more sensitive to those around them. The world doesn't revolve around men. We do have to share the world peaceably with the women-folk and if anything, they deserve more of the respect that we guys do.

Now, I cannot simply state that men are slobs and women are perfect. There are two things about women that really irk us men: ingratitude and impatience. Sometimes women just expect to be shown a certain level of treatment and when they receive it graciously at the hand of a man, they show no sign of gratitude. The same holds true for ladies who don't care to have guys open doors and show a little chivalry. When you approach a door with a man, ladies, please allow the guy to open the door and then politely thank him afterwards. Also, when on a date or riding in a car, please, please, please allow the guy to open your door for you. Do not give the excuse, "Well, it's faster if I just open my own door." Gaaaah! That drives guys crazy. It's not a matter of how fast you can go or how many tenths of seconds you can shave off of your dating experience. And guys, you MUST always open doors for the ladies. Unless you want to come off being the uberjerk, you must open doors for the ladies. Period.

All in all, I think that we as a society need to pay attention to one another. We have become a very individualistic society and that has led to a general rudeness of people. Guys don't pay attention to girls, and girls don't give guys the time of day. How do we expect to perpetuate the species if we treat each other with disregard? So, Jessica, thank you for making the observations about guys that you did. I know you probably meant them mostly in jest, but y'know, our society has some things it needs to work on and it takes each of us to begin the correction.

Frog f = new Frog();
f.ribbitt(2);

I do!

Have a cure for boredom, that is.
Jessica, congratulations on your high F. That's quite impressive.

For the benefit of those interested, here is a list of things I like to do when I'm bored.

-Read Children's Books
-Play on weird or loud instruments to the delight, confusion, or annoyance of those around you
-Invite your friends to your house and make them watch weird movies and eat weird food
-Daydream about interesting/cute/etc people
-Conquer the World (or the Universe)
-Go exploring: drive or walk (or ride a donkey) someplace you've never been before ("I wonder where this goes?")
-Take a Nap
-Memorize a Poem, Quote, or Scripture
-Watch "Telemundo"
-Bake something Tasty
-Fold Origami
-Go to a Public Place and watch people; laugh at them
-Go Gnoming: that is, go to a Public Place and be very happy doing something very odd; laugh at how people respond
-by using Long Words (I like big words, and I cannot lie), insult someone and make it sound like a compliment; or, compliment someone and make it sound like an insult
-Tell someone to "Eisteddfod off"
-Try something new
-call Dr. Root "Dr. Prime"
-Say something that sounds dirty, but isn't. "Flageolets are fipple-flutes"
-Play with toys
-Dance
-Blog eccentric things
-Do something Outlandish
-Daydream about being a wealthy landowner
-Go to the Mountain
-Bouncy Balls: the gift that keeps on giving
-Make a movie
-Slap someone
-Swordfight your friends (or duel your enemies)

Tsk tsk...

Now lets not be trying to steal any music from our beloved They Might Be Giants...

And Jon, you were in Salt Lake and you didn't come visit me?! For shame...

...through the atmosphere. Here they come.

Well, Ben. That depends on what you are trying to rip and what you are ripping from. If you are referring to the Clock Radio, then I currently have no good suggestions. I capture audio with SnagIt from techsmith.com, but it only gets it in mono and not stereo. Not the greatest. I haven't ever needed to capture in stereo where it was super super important, so I haven't taken time to find a good stereo capture program. As for capturing in stereo for personal listening, I usually just buy tracks on Napster when I want a song.

Too busy to post? There has been at least one post every day since the 17th. But my not posting is not because I'm too busy, it's because I don't have anything to say (just like when I post) or because I don't feel like posting.

Cool thing of the day: well, to find out what that is, you'll have to read my blog where I posted it cause I'm too lazy to put the link up here again.

cool thing of the yesterday: It was a tie between several things, one of which was taking a tour of the roof of the Conference Center on Temple Square. It was the first time I'd been up there and even though it is winter and no flowers planted up there it was still very cool. Another item was submitting my story for Metaphor. And there are others.

cool thing of the tomorrow: guess we'll have to wait and see, won't we?

funny thing of the today: Institute. Bro. Nelson cracks me up. And the class is good, too. I always enjoy learning things that I can apply.

song stuck in my head of the while: Experimental Film

Especially since I showed the directors' commentary for the music video to three people at work today. Yeah. That was fun.

Which reminds me, I must hereby declare that the showing of the movie(s) was great. Those things are even funnier on the big screen. They still make little sense and are very off-the-wall. But the evening was enjoyable. Jarrett even brought an authentic hot-air popcorn popper.