it's july 31st everybody

Birthdays have proven to be rather depressing for me. Last year I kept silent about my birthday the whole month of July and then was very disappointed when no one remembered (my own fault, I know) I've been trying to have a positive attitude this year.

Yesterday, my family came down to Provo and took me out for dinner. Aside from the food I ordered being less than par (my fault again) I was really grateful that they would come down to say hello and buy my food.

Oh and my mom gave me a new blanket she made. Boy was I glad to throw away the old one. (Amber I love you and your family even though I can't come up to see you. I've appreciated your comments on my blog lately.)

They bought me an ice cream cake and I had a bit with a few friends last night. Can I say that two of my favorites ice cream flavors are Mint Chocolate Chip and Butter Pecan. Oh my! Then later on my good friend Erin stopped by to pick up her wallet and give me MORE ice cream (Cookies & Cream, a classic).

There I thought my birthday wishes were done and that I could then begin to settle into depression for the next day. Nope! At 12:01 am, Lavish, Dimmi, and Krishna stopped by my apartment with a giant cupcake. Seriously, that's what it looked like. They sang a little song and then I kicked them out (it was after curfew mind you).

This morning my roommate said HB and then I ran off to work. My Dad was in Provo so we headed off to lunch at Gurus on Center Street. Oh my that place does not disappoint me ever (I've only been twice).

When I got back to the office, the staff came singing to my desk with a loaf of Bread from the Cougareat, chocolate milk, and a card signed by everyone. It really was a touching card. I appreciate them a lot.

An that's where I am. I don't care if nothing else happens tonight. I'd like to get work off this evening but even if that doesn't happen I'm thankful for the day I've had so far. I'm surrounded by good family, friends, and coworkers.

Happy Birthday to me.

Controversy over my tongue

I've received a couple of harsh emails in reference to my Letter of Complaint to Red Robin. Comments have varied from "#@$!" to "You don't know what you're talking about."

I would just like to say that my complaint letter to Red Robin was fair in my mind. i explained I had very high hopes for their restaurant but just that the two times I have been there I was disappointed.

My experience may not compare with those of anyone who glances at this blog but that's just fine. I was not telling people to NOT go there. In fact, I plainly stated that I planned on returning. Feel free to continue to send me more hate mail if you feel my food and service critique was against your own judgment.

On a happier note. I want to go to Red Robin to give it one more shot (as promised in my complaint letter). Any suggestions on what i should order? Anyone want to come with?

A video without a paper bag

Last week I went hiking in the Subway of Zion National Park. Pretty much a blast. Anyway, I just received an email stating the Zion Backcountry has just been closed due to wildfires and they are not issuing any permits. In the spirit of wanting to make other hikers jealous I decided to post a short video clip of my trip.

Snippet

I just spent the past two hours working on applications to become writers for the Board and I fear I'll be spending another hour on them later on. Thank goodness Yellow occasionally assigns me questions. I haven't taken the time to do much reading lately in the inbox so I'm a bit lacking there. Things are picking up though. It's all about getting organized.

So this past weekend I went down to the Subway hike in Zion National Park. Amazing! Sure my heels are covered in open sores now but it was still a blast for me. Apologies to Smo but props to her as well since she really did do a good job on the hike.

K, time to grab some lunch and then get back to work.

Bad Jokes

A Bb, Db, and an F walk into a bar. Bartender says "Sorry i can't serve you. You're minors."

What do you get when you cross holy water with a laxative? A religious movement.

Knock knock
Who's there?
Dyslexia
Dyslexia hoW?

Are you virtue? Because you've been garnishing my thoughts all day.

A man is feeling poorly so he goes to his Doctor. After numerous tests the doc says "I'm sorry but you have an incurable condition and there is nothing more I can do for you." The man pleads with the Doctor to suggest anything he might do to improve his condition and the Dr. then suggests that he go to the spa and take a daily mud bath. "Is there any hope of a cure?" the man asks. "No" says the Doctor, "but it will help you get used to dirt."

So the dyslexic walked into the bra.

Why does an archaeologist make a good husband? Because the older you get, the more interested he is in you.

Further on up the road

It's been about two months since Foodie and I stopped dating. I've been on maybe 5 real real dates since then and a whole lot of "hang out" dates. That's not how it should be. I am a dater. I date for fun. That's how I get my social fix. I'm not embarrassed to say that I've gotten fairly good at it too. But these past two months I've been letting myself fill my time work and hanging out. That's not the way to move on.

I'm hitting myself in the head for writing this post but I really have to get this out.

I haven't really opened my heart to too many people. But this past time I really did. I was more honest with her and myself than I have been in a long time. So it hurt when we ended things.

Generally after a breakup I get out into the dating field, not worried about finding the next love of my life but more concerned about making sure I'm actively dating. I believe strongly that as I date just for fun then Heavenly Father blesses me every so often with a girl that I am completely surprised to meet. I'm thrown off my feet every time. It's only happened a maybe 3 times but it's surprised me every time and each time the girl is more wonderful than the previous ones. Along with that though is always the fear that the girl I just broke up with was the best girl I'm ever going to find. Ugh.

Lately, I haven't been doing my part by dating. I blame it on work, or my calling, or other responsibilities. But if I'm honest with myself I don't know that all of me wants to move on. I can think of so many reasons why I should be glad that relationship was over but none of them really outshine how I felt and how I feel when I look back on it. I'm trying not to look back on it.

I'll get dating again. Let me get through the next few weeks of vacations and I'll be sure to get out there again. It has to be a priority. I know.

85 more days

This morning marks the 5th day of my new life as the ideal of masculinity. Adonis, Fabio, step aside. There's a new temptation for womankind walking out onto the floor and his name is [insert my real name here].

That's right. My sculpted chest, toned arms, and chiseled abs will soon be very dangerous to witness. Women will be unable to control their carnal desires and men will be unable to control their women.

Yes, I have started the new P90X system with my personal trainer Tony Horton (via DVD). Every morning I wake up my neighbors and we sweat up a storm and an hour later are left unable to stand. I seriously wake up almost every morning jumping at the chance to pop in the next DVD and get working. Monday was chest and back. Tuesday - plyometrics. Wednesday - arms and shoulders. Thursday - Yoga. Friday - legs and back. Saturday (tomorrow) - kenpo. I'm really liking these workout DVDs. The recovery drink isn't too shabby either.

Take this as a warning girls of the greater Provo area. In less than 90 days there will be three new guilty pleasures in your lives: me and my two neighbors.