I need to apologize to any of my readers and myself for not posting that much at all on here since I have been home. Work and many other things are keeping me busy enough that I rarely find myself in front of my computer to put a new entry up. I am not going to pretend like I can put something up everyday, I just can't do that during the summer. I will do my best. I am still writing, but not everything goes up here to begin with. I also read a lot more in the summer. Being an English major doesn't come without a lot of reading and that ties me down during the school year. Because of this I don't get to do that much free reading of my own.
Anyway, I found a book on a bench near a movie theater the other day. The sticky note on the book said that it was free. Free book...I'm sold. It was a book registered on www.bookcrossing.com and it was released into the wild. You can register your book on this site if it is only gathering dust on your shelves. Once it is registered, bring it to a place you think someone is likely to pick it up and leave it. I found The Crossing by Cormac McCarthy. There are many books in front of it that I want to read first so I am going to be letting the book go soon. I thought I would read it, and that is why I picked it up, but after a few days I realized that I won't get to it for a while. I am impressed that such a site exists and encourage you to check it out.
Until next time...cheers.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Lessons learned because of Episode III
Doing 15 hours of anything is tiring, even camping out for a good seat for the midnight showing of the last chapter in the Star Wars saga.
Every second of that 15 hours was worth it because of the community these movies have created. People flock from all corners of our culture to see these films, and as soon as you see them in line you know that you have a strong passionate connection to them.
15 hours in line for a seat was something small to ask for in return to see Episode III. The movie was absolutely amazing, and I say this not for the skeptics, but for the fans of the series that might see this site, because this will put a smile on their face...no words I can write here can adequately describe the effect that this movie has on a fan like me...and the countless others. It truly was a pleasure to see George Lucas' vision come full circle. The pieces of the puzzle have created a masterpiece.
When you have pulled too far into an intersection, look carefully before backing up because you might hit a woman on a bike. She will shriek bloody murder, but survive with only some scrapes.
Running an electric scooter into a curb and going over the handlebars isn't graceful, especially in front of a crowd.
Little kids in amazing Jawa costumes are the hit of the night.
The following of these movies is a religion for some, even me, but I am grateful I have found another.
Cheering during a movie is a lot of fun; it should happen more often.
You can start at ten bucks an hour, handing out free Red Bull.
If you want the best lightsaber replica, go with the Master Replica lightsabers. Incredible!
Despite all the criticism George Lucas has received over the years for the original episodes and the prequels, I, nor anybody else I know, couldn't have done a better job. I will never wish it had been done any different.
I will never forget my Episode III experience, buying tickets, camping out for a seat, cheering, and especially the beautiful story Lucas has finished.
Every second of that 15 hours was worth it because of the community these movies have created. People flock from all corners of our culture to see these films, and as soon as you see them in line you know that you have a strong passionate connection to them.
15 hours in line for a seat was something small to ask for in return to see Episode III. The movie was absolutely amazing, and I say this not for the skeptics, but for the fans of the series that might see this site, because this will put a smile on their face...no words I can write here can adequately describe the effect that this movie has on a fan like me...and the countless others. It truly was a pleasure to see George Lucas' vision come full circle. The pieces of the puzzle have created a masterpiece.
When you have pulled too far into an intersection, look carefully before backing up because you might hit a woman on a bike. She will shriek bloody murder, but survive with only some scrapes.
Running an electric scooter into a curb and going over the handlebars isn't graceful, especially in front of a crowd.
Little kids in amazing Jawa costumes are the hit of the night.
The following of these movies is a religion for some, even me, but I am grateful I have found another.
Cheering during a movie is a lot of fun; it should happen more often.
You can start at ten bucks an hour, handing out free Red Bull.
If you want the best lightsaber replica, go with the Master Replica lightsabers. Incredible!
Despite all the criticism George Lucas has received over the years for the original episodes and the prequels, I, nor anybody else I know, couldn't have done a better job. I will never wish it had been done any different.
I will never forget my Episode III experience, buying tickets, camping out for a seat, cheering, and especially the beautiful story Lucas has finished.
Monday, May 16, 2005
The Evening Draws Nigh
The reason I can't see it coming is because it is here. Episode III is upon us in 48 hours.
I will be going to Fort Collins to see the midnight show. I might be lining up as early as noon for my seat. Tickets have been in hand for almost 3 weeks. I will have a chair, food, drink, book, and especially a camera to document the people in costume. Hopefully, I will get a good picture of the line to put up on the blog. I will definitely post my fanboyish review of the film in the days to follow.
For a longtime Star Wars fan, it is hard to believe that the Saga will be complete this week. As the following hours tick off the clock that realization will sink in and I will be giddy.
Camera to take pictures of fellow Star Wars geeks...check.
Chair so I don't have to stand for 12 hours...check.
Prepared for hours upon hours of Star Wars talk in line...check.
Voice in good enough condition to yell when the crawl hits the screen...check.
Counting the hours now...check.
Goosebumps thinking about the movie trailer...check.
Prepared to be enlightened...check.
One geek ready to shed a tear at one hopefully amazing Episode III...CHECK.
I will be going to Fort Collins to see the midnight show. I might be lining up as early as noon for my seat. Tickets have been in hand for almost 3 weeks. I will have a chair, food, drink, book, and especially a camera to document the people in costume. Hopefully, I will get a good picture of the line to put up on the blog. I will definitely post my fanboyish review of the film in the days to follow.
For a longtime Star Wars fan, it is hard to believe that the Saga will be complete this week. As the following hours tick off the clock that realization will sink in and I will be giddy.
Camera to take pictures of fellow Star Wars geeks...check.
Chair so I don't have to stand for 12 hours...check.
Prepared for hours upon hours of Star Wars talk in line...check.
Voice in good enough condition to yell when the crawl hits the screen...check.
Counting the hours now...check.
Goosebumps thinking about the movie trailer...check.
Prepared to be enlightened...check.
One geek ready to shed a tear at one hopefully amazing Episode III...CHECK.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Back at Home
The Jackson trip was cut short due to bad weather and road closures inside Yellowstone. We got to see Jackson and some of the Tetons, but just their bottom, unexciting half. We did eat at a few good restaurants and were lucky enough to nab a couple pieces of pizza from a family that left their table without finishing their dishes. The two pieces were a great appetizer before the main dish.
Anyway, I am back home in Colorado and will not have my own computer set up for a few days. I need to move my summer stuff down here from UW and that will take a while to set up. I will post more once I get situated here and figure out what exactly I will be doing this summer to earn some money. Any great ideas?
Anyway, I am back home in Colorado and will not have my own computer set up for a few days. I need to move my summer stuff down here from UW and that will take a while to set up. I will post more once I get situated here and figure out what exactly I will be doing this summer to earn some money. Any great ideas?
Friday, May 06, 2005
Laramie, Wyoming - May 6, 2005
The Ferrari 360 Modena is a rare thing in Laramie, so I felt inspired to have my picture taken by it today and to share this beautiful event with as many people as possible.
Also, I am going to Jackson for a few days and there won't be any new posts for a while. Thanks for visiting.
Four Dollar Conversation
***This is loosely based on a conversation I had with my girlfriend once***
“What the hell? You just bought that?” he said.
“What?” Kate said.
“The freaking Pillsbury pie cookbook. It cost four dollars,” he said.
“Yes, I did just buy that and I think it was worth it.”
They learned so much in Automatic Millionaire about how to save hundreds of dollars a year by eliminating such worthless purchases. “Automatic Millionaire, Kate,” was all he said.
“Oh Bryce, get a grip. It has a lot of good recipes in it.”
“Four bucks down the drain.”
“Don’t try to make me feel bad for buying the recipe book.”
“Well, if you wanted to buy it, then fine, but it was a spur of the moment purchase and a stupid one, one that you certainly didn’t think much about.” It wasn’t his four dollars. What did he care?
“Bryce, I am going to have this for the rest of my life. Four dollars spread out over the rest of my life isn’t bad.” That thing was not going to last four years. It was ten flimsy pages, stapled twice, and folded in half.
“I’ll give it a few years. Then…sayonara,” he said.
“I am glad I bought it, and you are going to be glad I bought it when I bake you some pie.”
He grabbed the book and thumbed through the pages. “Ahhh, the pictures don’t look too good Kate. Look at this Sweet Potato Pie. It looks like molded puke.”
“Gross Bryce! Just give it up will you?”
“No, I won’t. You know how many random four dollar purchases you could make in a lifetime if you keep on going like this? Let’s say…one crazy, four dollar purchase a week. That is sixteen bucks a month…one-hundred and ninety-two a year. Add that up and put it in a mutual fund with ten percent annual interest. WOW!”
Okay people, Kate thought, he really isn’t this crazy all the time. “Look at this one, you would like it. It has strawberries and blueberries. Tell me you wouldn’t like that?”
“I wouldn’t like blueberries with strawberries, just strawberries. And look at this, cranberry tartlets? Are you kidding me? Tartlets? They just made that word up for this recipe book,” he said.
“It is a word, Bryce.”
“Oh, well, ya know what I mean? A word that is used once a year when couples are arguing about the Pillsbury Pie Recipe Book.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“The word is as useless as the four-dollar cookbook.”
“We will see about that. I am going to make the chocolate mousse cheesecake when we get back to your place.”
“Fine.”
“What the hell? You just bought that?” he said.
“What?” Kate said.
“The freaking Pillsbury pie cookbook. It cost four dollars,” he said.
“Yes, I did just buy that and I think it was worth it.”
They learned so much in Automatic Millionaire about how to save hundreds of dollars a year by eliminating such worthless purchases. “Automatic Millionaire, Kate,” was all he said.
“Oh Bryce, get a grip. It has a lot of good recipes in it.”
“Four bucks down the drain.”
“Don’t try to make me feel bad for buying the recipe book.”
“Well, if you wanted to buy it, then fine, but it was a spur of the moment purchase and a stupid one, one that you certainly didn’t think much about.” It wasn’t his four dollars. What did he care?
“Bryce, I am going to have this for the rest of my life. Four dollars spread out over the rest of my life isn’t bad.” That thing was not going to last four years. It was ten flimsy pages, stapled twice, and folded in half.
“I’ll give it a few years. Then…sayonara,” he said.
“I am glad I bought it, and you are going to be glad I bought it when I bake you some pie.”
He grabbed the book and thumbed through the pages. “Ahhh, the pictures don’t look too good Kate. Look at this Sweet Potato Pie. It looks like molded puke.”
“Gross Bryce! Just give it up will you?”
“No, I won’t. You know how many random four dollar purchases you could make in a lifetime if you keep on going like this? Let’s say…one crazy, four dollar purchase a week. That is sixteen bucks a month…one-hundred and ninety-two a year. Add that up and put it in a mutual fund with ten percent annual interest. WOW!”
Okay people, Kate thought, he really isn’t this crazy all the time. “Look at this one, you would like it. It has strawberries and blueberries. Tell me you wouldn’t like that?”
“I wouldn’t like blueberries with strawberries, just strawberries. And look at this, cranberry tartlets? Are you kidding me? Tartlets? They just made that word up for this recipe book,” he said.
“It is a word, Bryce.”
“Oh, well, ya know what I mean? A word that is used once a year when couples are arguing about the Pillsbury Pie Recipe Book.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“The word is as useless as the four-dollar cookbook.”
“We will see about that. I am going to make the chocolate mousse cheesecake when we get back to your place.”
“Fine.”
Thursday, May 05, 2005
That Splinter
Have you ever had this feeling that someone was lying to you, but you pushed it aside because this person wouldn't lie? It's a familiar feeling, but how often have you been right? This splinter was planted in me years ago by one person and my own suspicion. I return to it less and less as time goes by, but what if...what if that person wasn't lying to me? Sure, they lied a lot, it has been proven, but what if what they said that one time wasn't a lie? That would mean my actions have been heard...like I wanted them to be. The problem is, that something has happened since this person told me this and I can't trust what is said anymore by this person. So, I will never know the truth. A thought...I know I am not alone here.
Monday, May 02, 2005
A ring for the...
The Ring
I gave four years of my life to swimming at UW; was made to wear the same shirt for a week; tried to drink a gallon of whole milk in an hour; drank a boot mug full of black velvet whiskey; woke up at 5:40 am four days a week; practiced 20 hours a week; practiced Saturday mornings; took it easy on Friday nights because of Saturday morning workout; studied on the clock; glared at happy people at 5:40 am; rode in crappy buses with no leg room; and while we are on the topic of buses, put up with ridiculous movies during road trips; made friends; lost friends; put on wet speedos at 5:50 am; walked in the early morning, when it was below zero, to the pool so I could jump in; swam miles after miles; lived under suffocating rules, under a suffocating coach; had short Thanksgiving breaks; had short Christmas breaks; had to swim on New Year's Day; had to share a room for two college guys with four other people; put my 6'9" frame on a pullout bed for a week; spent my vacations swimming; had to see people hurt and pushed to the wayside by a coach; spent hours talking to those people; swam and lifted during finals week at 6 am; had very limited free time; acted like I was happy with the situation at times; listened to a lot of lies; saw a team left in the dark after someone quit; was treated like a 12-year-old; wanted to quit so many times; saw favorites move to seconds, to thirds, and out; was grateful for a minute away from it all; got disconnected with friends; wondered what everyone else was doing; ran stairs at War Memorial at 7,220 ft; ran 5ks before swimming 3ks; dressed in a locker room built to house ten with twenty other guys; smelled like chlorine; skin turned to scales; went to BYU to swim; got beat; lied; took naps whenever I could; thought I wasn't going to make it to the end, even with six weeks to go; won; cried; laughed; smiled; swam as a Cowboy; was proud; screamed after my best swim; cheered for teammates; saw the end of many swimming careers; wondered about the end of mine; cried with my parents when it came; was thankful, happy, sad, serious, and was in awe; and all I got was this ring.
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