2007 Goals

Here is a list of very important goals that I have set for the next calendar year. For the first time in my life I actually want to accomplish something long-term.

1. Become a proficient and organized online blogger who contributes meaningful thought to the online community on a regular basis.

2. Write in a journal (by hand) every single day of the year.

3. Weigh in at less than 200 pounds on January 1, 2008.

4. Complete the NaNoWriMo 2007 competition which requires spending 10 months outlining a potential novel.

5. Record a 3.4 or higher GPA for the next calendar year of semesters at BYU.

6. Read three classic novels.

7. Increase my spirituality.

8. Learn a new skill or find a new hobby.

9. Enter a writing competition of some kind.

10. Find a new job.

11. Use the same email address for an entire calendar year.

There they are. I think they are all very doable. Wish me luck.

Here We Go

I am thinking that the first few days of 2007 are going to be super busy, but busy in a fun way. On tap are trips to see The Price is Right and Disneyland. Those two alone are enough to keep my fun level up for weeks.

Hi-C Orange: The Miracle Drug

Right now, there is little to dissuade me from the thought that Hi-C Orange from McDonalds is not the cure for every possible ailment known to man, but perhaps that is a discussion to endeavor upon at a later date.

I am now sitting in the living room of my in-laws in Redlands, California as Holly and her sisters play a board game and I putter around on the computer. I don't have to work for an entire week, and I'm excited about that.

Can't Sleep

It is very, very late (or early depending on how you want to look at it) and I am still awake which bothers me immensely because I have to be up to work on some things in the morning. I don't understand why I am so awake, but oh well. Finals are finished, school is done for two and a half weeks, and I finally have some time to do what I want to do, not too bad. I'm still not happy about not being asleep right now though.

Late Night Thinking

Here I sit tucked nicely into my luxurious queen sized bed with my beautiful wife wrapped up tightly in the blankets next to me. I like this, quite a bit actually. There is something about keeping her close to me, even when doing something as simple as sleeping while I work on dumb finals that I don't want to do. She hardly moves and she is a warm sleeper which means I will never have to worry about getting cold while I sit here sharing my thoughts with a few souls.

I should be laboring diligently on my research paper regarding Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness at the moment, if for no other reason than I meant to do it two days ago so it would be finished well ahead of when it is due. However, I've done a few additions and subtractions over the past couple of hours and may well work on it again before retiring, but I may also just set my alarm for 8:00am and attack it anew in the morning. The only problem with that is the other things I need to do tomorrow. There isn't much left to finish with this paper, two paragraphs and a couple of supporting quotes is all, but I just don't want to work on it right now. I want it to be Thursday already with finals finished and two weeks of nothing but my own whims to haunt me.

I recently discovered how to consolidate all three of my blogs, Scrap Judgment, Elemental Concentration, and Captain Jack Frogger onto the same username which brings me large amounts of joy. I would like to someday become the kind of person who publishes to several blogs, each pertaining to different subjects or other such things, and actually has a decently sized following. I've got family and friends who read my blogs, or at least one of them from time to time, and they seem to enjoy them which brings my great pleasure, but I still have to conquer the ever-present wall of motivation that inhibits me from publishing in a consistent manner. Captain Jack Frogger, odd name, yes I know, is supposed to be an avenue for the sharing of my own creative works in writing. I would like to have it be one that is published weekly, with new material for reading and commenting upon by any who wish to. Scrap Judgment is meant to be my personal blog with tidbits of news about life, school and family; the types of things I would normally write in my journal that I don't seem to find time to keep anymore. That leaves me with Elemental Concentration which previously served in the capacity that this blog now does. I don't exactly know what to do with Elemental Concentration, but perhaps someone can suggest a profitable use for it. If not, I will just hold on to it until I can think of something myself.

My Wife Takes Me For A Sedative

Holly has discovered recently that it is easier for her to fall asleep either at night for bed, or in the afternoon for a nap if I am there for her to cuddle with. I think it is pretty cool, what self-respecting husband wouldn't? Honestly. She says that I trick her into lying down for a quick rest and then I get up 45 minutes later to do something and she is down for the count for about 3 or 4 hours. So I mean it when I say that my wife takes me for a sedative. I am the perfect sleeping pill. How cool is that.

Finals are upon me and yes, I do not want to do them, but today has been a good day, and yesterday was great, so despite having to work on school for the next couple of days I am in a pretty good mood.

The End Is Near

I think that there is something to be said for successfully completing a semester of classes. Each one of us will have different ideas on what our level of success may be, but whatever it is, it sure feels good. I myself have wanted to have a semester where I can feel like I did everything perfectly, and this last one was much closer to that goal than I have ever gotten before. After the Christmas break I think I will be energized enough to make a couple more improvements and maybe next semester I can finally pull off that elusive 3.0 GPA.

I am grateful to my instructors that have decided to make most of my finals take-home with open notes and open book. That reduces my stress level quite a bit. I'm also grateful that none of my finals are until Tuesday of next week which will let me have plenty of time to study. Now, if I can just finish my ISYS 100 & ISYS 101 lessons and take the finals before tomorrow evening at midnight. That would be nice.

Today has been a great day so far. I got to wake up, not too early, but not late by any means, and I got to get a ride here to campus from Holly as she made her way to work. I don't mind cold weather much, but I can live without having to walk around in it. I have lot's, repeat that: LOT'S of homework to complete today, but I would say that I am thoroughly in the groove and will get everything done in plenty of time.

I really like my wife. I think I like her far more than anyone else likes their wife actually. I'm sure there are plenty of men willing to argue that point, but I'm right on this one so the rest of them will just have to deal with it. Holly lets me watch sports whenever I want, she handles me stressing out over small things, she lets me have my odd quirks that make little sense to anyone, she even likes to watch TV on DVD with me as long as I want to. We share lot's of things, like a love for American Idol and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, BYU sports, etc. She looks real fancy when she leaves for work each day, probably far fancier than I ever look to be certain. I love her with everything I've got and if anyone wants to have a problem with that they can start running now.

Dang Folks, What Is Going On?

Holly got out of bed this morning far earlier than she ever should have had to and let me tell you, since that moment I have been overwhelmed by frantic insanity. I tried to go back to sleep after she left, but somehow I couldn't get comfortable. My shower went haywire when I slipped and almost killed myself. My towel was silky for some reason so I had to wander around an air dry for a bit. My socks feel weird and don't want to fit right. I meant to shave and then...forgot, which isn't good because I haven't shaved all weekend. I had cookies for breakfast and halfway through remembered there was not any milk in the fridge, so had ice water instead; that just doesn't work, not even close.

I swear something in the universe is out to get me today. Luckily I can see that and have been pushing through to get everything done that I need to. My list is long and it is getting smaller, but can a guy get a break from the absurdity? I can't help but laugh at my completely nuts day so far. What on earth is going on?

Finals Week

I believe it is possible to have a semester when the week of finals will arrive and I won't be dreading the idea of accomplishing all that I have to in proper time. I also believe that this will not be that semester, but luckily for me three of my four finals are take-home tests, two of which are open note and open book. I am excited for the semester to be finished and to have the chance to work a few extra hours and spend some time relaxing. Next semester is looking promising for me and I hope it stays that way.

The First Of Many

I am hoping that this site will be one where I can pass along some insights and thoughts about events surrounding my life as well as events in society today. Hopefully it can be an avenue for me to continue with my dream of being a writer and will allow me to hone my skills in other areas as well. To all who read, please enjoy.