You're More Fun When You're Awake

This Christmas it's just been me and my youngest sister, Leslie, at home. It's been great because of how incredible of a person she is.

After Mom and Kelly left around noon on Christmas Day, Dad came down from Idaho Falls and we took a drive to the farm with him. Got some great pics of some deer just off the road (unfortunately on Dad's camera so I don't have them to show) and got to see Peggy and John and their cute little daughter, Emma, up at Jimmie and Annabeth's place.

That night, after Dad had headed back, Leslie and I just hung around for a while... long enough for me to get mocked for drawing a brown Christmas tree (yeah, I'm color blind, leave me alone). We eventually decided to drive down to Logan and watch Sherlock Holmes. Great movie.

I think my favorite part of Christmas is Christmas Eve. The Christmas spirit is so real to me on that night. I don't know why I get so emotional, but it gets me all teary eyed and stuff when I think about the fact that there are people out there cold, hungry, or alone on Christmas Eve. I just pray that they can feel some comfort. I wish I had that big of a heart year round and did more about it. I'm so fortunate to have a great family to spend these times with.

One of my favorite movies is "It's a Wonderful Life" and my favorite part is the line at the end: "No man is poor who has friends." Regardless of what my finances may or may not say about my worth and wealth, I truly believe that, between my family and friends, I'm the richest man alive.

Calvin and Hobbes

"It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what’s cool."

I miss childhood. I really do. I've recently been re-captivated by one of my favorite childhood memories. Calvin and Hobbes. When I read this comic strip, I'm transferred back into life as a kid. I'm amused at Bill Watterson's satirical view of adult life and the world as portrayed through the eyes of a six year old.

Calvin: It’s hard to be religious when certain people are never incinerated by bolts of lightning.

Calvin: Mom and Dad say I should make my life an example of the principles I believe in…But every time I do, they tell me to stop it.

Calvin: I think life should be more like TV. I think all of life’s problems ought to be solved in 30 minutes with simple homilies, don’t you? I think weight and oral hygiene ought to be our biggest concerns. I think we should all have powerful, high-paying jobs, and everyone should drive fancy sports cars. All our desires should be instantly gratified. Women should always wear tight clothing, and men should carry powerful handguns. Life overall should be more glamorous, thrill-packed, and filled with applause, don’t you think?… Then again, if real life was like that, what would we watch on television?

Calvin: People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don’t realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.

Hobbes: Isn’t your pants zipper supposed to be in the front?

Life is complicated when you're trying to be a grown-up. We all have our releases, things we do to momentarily escape the stresses of school, work, financial worries, dating, and pressure to succeed. I like to snowboard, play basketball, write, or draw, but nothing brings a relaxation to my brain and a smile to my face more consistently than Calvin and his best friend, Hobbes.

Word

I just want to say that the picture I have at the top of this page is awesome. If you don't like it, you're probably an idiot. Get off my blog. Idiot.

I'm Hungry

I don't want to write a blog about my blog. I don't know if five people will even read this. I really am hungry right now and I guess that's just me being honest. Hopefully the honesty thing can be a trend with this 'blog' and some form of entertainment or humor will coincide. If it doesn't, and five people read this, then less than five will read the subsequent entries. I don't care.. but really, I do.

I have nicknames and I'm proud of them. Here are the ones I can think of (chronological):

Toe-head - My older sister, Erica, always called me toe-head when we were really young. Innocent reference to a blonde-headed kid, right? Based on her tone, I always thought it was a derogatory term. I felt insulted.

Lil' Cephus - My older brother, Joe, earned the nickname Cephus after his friend saw the name Cephas in the bible. His wanna-be gangster buddies always called me Little Cephus after that. I felt like a rapper. I felt cool.

Stretch - If you've seen a picture of me, you understand. Troy, a crackhead salesman at Courtesy Ford in Pocatello, where I worked as a lot-boy, gave me that one.

Tony Hawk - Lots of times people ask me, "Anyone ever tell you you look like Tony Hawk?". "Yes", I say, "all the time".

Veins - After throwing a load of tires onto the rack at the tire shop, my friend and co-worker, Justin, marveled at the prevalence of the veins on my forearms. "Frickin' Veins, that's your new name." It stuck among that group of friends. I don't hear it too often these days, but it's nice when I do.

Torque-loins - Years later, same tire shop. Brendon, aka Tires O'Brien, and myself were brainstorming names for everyone in the shop. I got Torque-loins; it's a cool name. Tires O'Brien is cooler.

Clang - My roommates from two years ago, Dalan, Zach, and Bell, found it fit to name me once I had moved in. The result was "Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!" (spoken very quickly with much excitement.. reminded me of an old phone ringing) I enjoyed my new nicksound. It quickly evolved into names more easily spoken: Clang-Clang and eventually the ultra simple Clang.

There might be more.. if you want to give me a new one, I'm open to that possibility. Nicknames are a source of happiness for this guy.