Must there be a pick up line?

A year and a half ago I was taking an evening class in statistics here at BYU. My third class or so I sat down next to a girl whose name was Esther. I remember her name because the last girl I had dated shared it. The name "Esther" means "star" by the way and this girl certainly did outshine a few others.

We talked briefly and helped each other with the homework and staying awake during the lecture. Well I had tickets to a play that night and had forgotten to get a date. I summed up my courage and asked her if she'd like to attend with me. Of course I also explained that I have never asked a girl out within the first hour of meeting her. It went over better than expected actually. Of course she did turn me down (apparently she had a study group) but she at least expressed an interest in going (perhaps that was just courtesy). I was dumb however, and never went to sit by her again. I know, dumb move. It was an exhilarating feeling though! Putting yourself on a limb. Becoming so vulnerable with the risk of an exciting payoff! I think I'm wanting that feeling again.

Life tells me that there are certain situations where you are allowed to meet people:

• A ward
• A class
• Through a friend
• At a party
• At a dance
• In an elevator (sometimes)

Those situations are great for meeting people but sometimes I just see a girl and I want to meet them. Maybe she's sitting at a table in the library. Perhaps I see her leave a classroom as I walk down the hall. I'll give you two examples of girls I've wanted to meet in the last 24 hours.

Example 1

Last night our stake had a leadership meeting. Men and women alike attended. I was seated near the back right side of the congregation. During the meeting my eyes wandered and I saw a pair of eyes glancing briefly in my general direction. I know they weren't looking at me but I still consider myself fortunate to have seen them. For two brief seconds I saw a pair of eyes and gorgeous blond curly hair that I wanted to meet...desperately. She wasn't sitting by any other men, but she was sitting nowhere near me!

After the meeting I looked back in her direction only to find that I had lost her. I doubt I'll meet her now. What would I have done to meet her anyway? I had no in. I had no friend to introduce us. These societal rules were impeding my Eternal progression!

Would it have been acceptable for me to just walk over to her after the meeting and politely introduce myself?

"Hi. I don't know you, but you look like someone I'd like to meet."

Example 2

This afternoon I was walking to my office and a beautiful girl walked past me. I think I caught the whispers of a smile from her but that could have been anything. I was walking the opposite direction as her though. Could I have swapped directions and said something similar?

"Excuse me. I think I'd like to meet you. My name is...."

There are thousands of people around me everyday! Do I really have any limitations other than my own choice on whom I meet? Am I forced to never get to know these attractive girls that I have no connection with whatsoever? Do I have to lie and ask for directions or something? Can I not just introduce myself like we did on the mission?

I like being straight forward.

I admit that a lot of the people we directly approached in the mission rejected us. Maybe I need to go ahead and introduce myself to these girls with the firm acknowledgment that I most likely will be rejected in the first 30 seconds. The sting of rejection is easily healed by the one girl that is flattered and accepting. [shrug]

I do only have to meet that one girl.

Commitment: taking it one step at a time

If you were to look at my left ring finger right now you'd see the faded markings of what looks like the number 4. If you were to think it was the number 4 you'd be terribly mistaken. It's actually an upside down rudimentary drawing of a chair.

Why do I have a drawing of a chair on my left ring finger? Because I wanted to share a thought with you but I didn't want to forget it. Since I didn't have any string I opted to make a line on my hand. Ten minutes later I almost forgot what the line was for so I adapted it into being a chair.


When I go into a room I always identify my exits. It's not a habit from over-flying I can assure you. I want to make sure I have a quick way out of the room should I need to rush out. Why would I need to rush out? I don't know. I haven't thought that far yet. My habit carries over into how I select my seat in a classroom as well. I generally sit on the half near the door, often on the front row or on the aisle. It makes for the most efficient exit. Efficient exits are very important. Do you think I'm a little peculiar? I don't think so. In fact I'd say that most of us do this on a subconscious level. I just do it consciously. Why else is it that in church every one sits towards the aisles and leaves huge spaces in the middle of the pew (sp?). In the Marriott Center they're always asking people to scoot into the center to make room for more.

I think this habit of ours stems from our overall fear of commitment. When we enter a space, if we choose an exit seat we really haven't committed to the space.

Today I made a choice. I committed to my Sunday School class. I was the first one there and I went and sat smack dab in the center row right against the wall (it's a small room). For me to have been able to escape I would have had to knock over 3 girls and a large man. It wasn't going to happen.

At the start of class I was amazed at how nervously jumpy I was. In time I calmed down and was able to contribute responsibly to the lesson. It certainly was a good one and I most certainly will accept some credit for it (I didn't disturb the flow with so many of my random comments this time).

I had no idea commitment could be such an adrenaline rush!
(this blog entry in no way reflects my role in relationships, honest)

A Letter of Complaint to Red Robin

Dear Red Robin,

Thank you for reading this letter. I am writing to inform you I have been severely disappointed in my last two visits to your establishment. Let me explain why.

About 2 months ago, I and two friends, visited your Provo Towne Center location for dinner. Upon looking at your menu I was very delighted to see all the many selections of hamburgers I could order. I have always been a fan of spicey food so I opted to try your 5 Alarm Burger. Our waitress was wonderful and service was prompt. Unfortunately, your 5 Alarm Burger barely singed my taste buds. At most it was a 1, maybe 2 Alarm Burger. More careful taste tasting should be conducted before making such high claims as you did for the naming of this burger.

Tonight, was my second visit to your restaurant. We went to the same location and the atmosphere wa\as yet again great. our waitress was less than outstanding but she did get us our fries promptly (after we badgered her for them). I ordered the A1 Peppercorn Burger and a bowl of French Onion Soup. First off, I expected the soup to be served before everyone else was served their food. That's how it's done at pretty much every other restaurant that exists. Soup is supposed to be served well before the main course. Please do that next time. My second complaint is that the A1 Peppercorn Burger had far too much pepper. The overall burger was very dry because of it and therefore had to be drenched in ketchup in order to be edible. In all honesty, I could not finish the burger because the overwhelming pepper taste began to cause me to gag. Please inform you cooks to not purely dump out the pepper shaker when next time preparing this sandwhich.

Red Robin, I really have high hopes for you. The atmosphere in your restaurant is always so lively but the food and service is just not making me want to go back for more. This is two strikes. I hope to not have to call a third. Please make any changes necessary and I'll be back in 6 to 8 weeks.

Sincerely,

Just Another Customer

Restaurant Night - January

We're going to...


If you want to come then email me and I'll let you know what time we're going. If you're wondering what Restaurant Night is then you need to read this.

Goals for the rest of today:

1. Turn in Add Card at One Stop.
2. Go to BoM.
3. Work on Accounting homework.
4. Plan weight training routine.
5. Pick a restaurant for Restaurant Night. (details to follow)
6. Choose a movie to see this weekend. (I have to for class, honest)
7. Not die. (Hopefully I get to this one today)

Anyone taken Accounting 200?

I hear Norm finishes up his mission come July of this year.


Keep up the good work Norm.

Looks like I'm desert island material...

For those of you wanting to be smart about this title, "No, I am not talking about sand!"

Every so often someone sends in an application to the Board to become a writer. In virtue of the authority I do not hold I will disclose on of the questions listed on said application.

shhhh...

If the 100 Hour Board were a reality TV show, which writer would you chose to be with on a deserted island? Why?

Here's the clincher. Someone applied last December, sadly I didn't see her application until today (a little late I know). Guess what her answer was?...ugh...you're taking to long. Here you go:

Just Another Cassio. He’s funny, not obnoxious, nice, and seems to be an intelligent thinker.

She chose me! Ok, ok I'm a little flattered. In the past other writers have been chosen for that desert island excursion and they've shown excitement on being chosen but since I hadn't ever been chosen before I didn't really know how they felt. Let me tell you it's a good feeling. In fact, Uffish Thought and I were chatting about it today.

me: I never realized how flattering that would beUffish: woo, woo!

yeah, it's pretty awesome

me: everyone else always celebrates when it happens to them but when it happens to yourself...wow

Uffish: yeah--because they picked you out from everyone

me: it's true

Uffish: you feel like you won the "best writer of ever" prize

me: sure do

Uffish: and also "most attractive" to boot

me: well...if you say so

Anyway, that's enough gloating for that compliment. If you're reading this Applicant, know that you've got my vote. Flattery gets you everywhere.

Can someone please flatter Blogger because this post is not formatting right...?

Just Another Dictionary Entry

Restaurant Night - noun - The second Friday of every month where a group of my friends will go out to a restaurant for food. Married friends are allowed, as are single friends with or without dates. Dinner will usually cost $5-20. Antonyms - Eat At Home Day

Marriage Prospects

I decided that I could marry a Theatre major. I've always been very against it. For as long as I can remember I planned on marrying a teacher or someone that wears scrubs to work. I've only ever discriminated against Theatre majors but it looks like my requirements are changing.

Meh.

Life's about change.

I feel like I'm surrounded

The weirdest thought entered my mind today at the bookstore.

I wonder if any of these hundreds of people around me read the 100 hour Board.

I was at the bookstore between 4 and 4:30 pm this afternoon. Were you?

Revelation in the Key of Gee I'm an idiot

Saturday I had nothing to do for most of the day. In the afternoon the thought came to me that I should give my Mom a call. Then I thought I should call my married sis and see how she and the kids were doing. I fell asleep and didn't end up making any calls that day.

I got to bed fairly late, due to my roommate trying to introduce me to Mystery Science Theatre 3000. He has a ton of episodes on CD to watch on the computer. I see them as that milk that you keep sniffing trying to decide if it's good or bad but you can't really tell so you use it on a really sugary cereal just to cover whatever spoiled taste you thought it might have had. Yeah, that suits it.

During the night I had a dream about the people I served on my mission...

Due to the high Catholic influence I think, whenever a member would have a baby they would always have the baby blessed the first Fast Sunday possible. In my dream I continued my non-dream thoughts that it's odd they don't wait a couple of months before taking the baby to Church. I dream thought that that's how my Mom always did it. She'd wait a couple months for the baby to get a bit bigger and then take werf to church for a blessing. In my dream I commented that that's even how my sister is doing it with her kids.

Next morning I get up and get ready for Church. I arrived a little early and we did the whole sing, pray, sacrament thing and then the testimonies began. The first testimony was by a wardie and the first thing she said was, "I'll make this brief because I've got to leave early to make it to my sister's baby's blessing."

My mind opened up...today my sister was having her baby blessed! I waltzed out of the Sacrament metting (without a partner), jumped in my car and got on the cell to call my other sister. No answer. I started driving to my sister's chapel (generally an hour away) and my sis called me back.

"Is it over?" I asked.
"They just finished the blessing." she answered.

I hung up and made it to the church in 45 minutes. I was going at least 85 the whole way. I walked through the chapel doors just as the closing prayer was being said, ashamed of the uncle I was.

My sister wasn't upset at all though. She was glad I was there. I'll do better next time. But sheesh. If only I had called my Mom the day before.

I'm not dead yet...hoorah...

First day of class. Yep that's what it was. Halfway across the parking lot I realized I didn't have my wallet as I walked to school this morning. 13 hours later I finally got home to eat something.

Head pounding, little loopy, somewhat tired.

I was technically only enrolled in two of the 4 classes I attended today. I dropped one of them and have to wait a week in order to get a signature on my Add/Drop card for the others. Ugh...it was a long day. I'm excited about my classes though. I feel a bit of energy shooting through me saying "You can get a 4.0!" Of course my Self Respect tells me differently. I tell him to shut up. Self Respect is supposed to support you isn't it? That's what I said.

I'm really into letting nouns be Proper Nouns. Probably because I started reading Loa of The Divine Narcissus today. Mexican/Spanish literature from the 16th century. The characters all have nouns for names like...Religion or Zeal. Reminds me of Everyman. Really gives you a way to connect with what your reading. I think I'm going to start using it in my everyday speech:

"Hi Mom! How was my day? Well Hunger was giving me a hard time. He and Pain made an attack for my head but I shot 'em down with the help my good friend Mr. Excedrin Migraine. He's a tough one Mr. EM. Pain and Hunger didn't stand a chance when Mr. EM, Food and I were on the defense."

What? That's not funny? Good thing you're not wasting time reading my blog then isn't it?

My Uncle Mufasa

Have you ever looked at someone and thought "Gee, I'm glad I don't have that guy's life."? (sorry about the punctuation)

That's what I thought today. I got this job for a TV Studio last week. All I do is sweep a street. I know you're thinking that doesn't sound like much of a TV job but seriously I get some great exposure. 2-3 times a day I'm on TV. More if there's a crisis on the set. Today I was sweeping by the Star's house. He seems like a really nice guy. He has a nice house and a gorgeous wife but things don't seem to be going right for him. I've heard him talking and he doesn't sound like he enjoys what he does. I'd invite him to go sailing sometime. That really relaxes me. I don't think he'd go though. Besides the fact that he doesn't know who I am, I'm pretty sure he's freaked out by the water. Yeah well. We like him still. We all love watching him. It's so dramatic watching him on TV. Seriously. A lot of people were pretty envious I got the chance to work here with him. We all love him. I don't understand why his wife is going to leave him soon. Oops! I really shouldn't have let that leak. Dang! I'll probably get fired soon.

Do I sound odd? What you don't know is that I've been playing a game with you. What game? It's called My Uncle Mufasa. It's based off of an episode of The Office. In the episode Michael, the boss, is holding a grief counseling session because a former supervisor of his died and he wanted everyone to have the chance to grieve. No one else really knew the guy though and they see no point in being there. Ryan, former temp current employee, shared a story about how his Uncle Mufasa got killed in a wildebeest stampede in Africa. He was totally claiming The Lion King as his own story. Michael didn't get it. So then Kevin, guy in pic, talks about his uncle (or someone) dying but how they had to act as if he were still alive over the weekend and Michael recognized he was using the story of Weekend at Bernie's as his own story. How Michael caught that story and not The Lion King is a mystery left to the wonderful writers of the show.

To play the game you talk from the perspective of a character in a movie tell about "a guy you knew" who was part of the story. Everyone in the group listens and as they figure out what movie you're alluding too they raise their hand. The last person in the group to raise their hand names the movie. It's hiLARious. I loved every minute of it!

A Duck of Many Things

I played Munchkin for the first time two nights ago. Oh my! It was insane. It took much longer than it's supposed to but that's because there were three of us there that had never played it before.

How did it turn out? Technically... we didn't finish the game. Three of the six players backed out at the end because they just weren't good enough. In an effort to provide a fair reporting of the event I'll state that they felt we were a little too into the game and should have been ok ending with a draw.

Heck no! We were winning and I would have beat them all!