Haircut

I cut and colored my hair almost three weeks ago. Today was the day that everyone decided to notice. I am not sure it was a good thing though- the two most memorable comments were "missionary" and "soccer mom". You decide.

Everything is better when...

I have recently discovered that my position of choice is lying down. I would dare say that everything is better when am at least 70% reclined. I don't think I am lazy, I just really like lying down. I do run into a few minor problems, such as crumbs in the bed and occasionally falling asleep during a movie, but nothing major. I would even go so far as to say lying down is on it's way to being the new sitting. Can't you just imagine your weekly business meetings lying down? As Creed would say, "If that's a crime, lock me up."

National Weirdo Coming-Out Day

I hate Halloween. Love dressing up for various occasions, dances, or costume parties- just hate Halloween and I don't really have one all-encompassing reason.

For starters: WHY do people think it is cool do decorate their yards with icky fake spider webs, waxy figurines of Frankenstein or the Grim Reaper, coffins, body parts, headstones and strobe lights? Not to mention the horrible blow ups of spiders, black cats, witches, pumpkins, and ghosts drifting out of cauldrons. Sure there may be one or two tastefully decorated yards with cornstalks and pumpkins, but I would classify those with a harvest theme; harvest.

Second, I have never really been a fan of the blood, guts, and gore. Why are people fascinated with the sick, twisted things that one can do with the human body? Two words: Gross and Gross.

Third, is the world really so scary that parents must succumb to the annual trunk-or-treat in the church parking lot? Little wonder why our kids are so overweight, at least I had to run from door to door to get my candy (I think one year I actually "bladed" from door to door). And if a bully took your pillowcase-full, that was your own fault for being dumb enough to let him. And let's face it, only about 25% of your spoils were edible anyway. What I want to know is who eats those life-size gummy eyeballs? I guess more important, who buys them?

Fourth, Halloween is just one big excuse for all of the little weirdoes inside people to manifest themselves. The official title of October 31st should be changed to "National Weirdo Coming-Out Day." Sure, I chuckled at a few of the costumes I saw today such as the cowardly lion, a pizza delivery girl, and a smarty pants (literally smarties all over her pants). But these were full-grown adults that needed a little something to spice up the nine to five. Other absurd costumes I witnessed actually roaming the sidewalks of campus. I'm sorry, but I am just creeped out by the full-blown Frankenstein waiting at the bus stop. Another girl, dressed as a bum was standing under a tree with a sign that read, "Will date for food". Funny or pathetic? I'll let you decide. For some, it is a chance to indulge deep desires that may never come true, or at least avoid using any creativity. I can't put it better than a friend who said, "Halloween is a time for boys to dress like girls, and girls to dress like slutty girls."

In summary, Halloween is one day a year that everyone uses as an excuse to be weird. Maybe it is the only day that they feel like they can get away with it. Maybe it is their only escape from the harsh reality of day-to-day life, or a desperate cry for attention. Or maybe they just wish they attended Hogwarts instead of Utah State. Whatever the reason, like most holidays, Halloween has been twisted, poked, stuffed, and commercialized until it is almost no fun anymore. But tomorrow, it will be over, and I can almost smell the turkey. Thanksgiving. Now that is a holiday worth talking about.

Today

Sometimes the best thing I can do is to think of all the things I am grateful for.
So here is what I am thankful for today. Just today.
Hot showers.
A funny text from my little brother.
Bright yellow trees with dark-chocolatey bark that line the old streets in Logan.
The crunch my feet make when I step on the leaves that cover the sidewalk, and the way they blow and swirl on the streets when I drive my car.
Driving with my windows down.
I love the smell in the morning when you go outside and the air is crisp.
A good episode of Friends.
A long talk with a good friend.
A treat break.
Bananas.
While I’m thinking about food- Arby’s curly fries.
My beat-up-but paid-off Camry.
An overly-concerned Dad.
Good roommates.
A healthy body, so I can walk to work.
A cheesy forwarded-chain email from my ten-year-old niece.
Music, this sweet thing I’ve just been introduced to called Internet radio.
My comfy bed.
My crazy boss.
A plane ticket to LA.
Getting off work early.
Utah State.
Sweats.
My cute little mac.
Beautiful mountains covered in the fall colors.
Bed time.

All that- just today.

Puppy Talk

Few things in this world that can make two complete strangers instantly speak to one another. Under the perfect circumstances, the barriers of regular social norms can be broken, and connect people in surprising ways. I have found from personal experience, that one of these things is a brand new puppy. My boss just bought a seven-week-old fur ball, and ever since, I have been dubbed the official caretaker. This means that every three hours I take it out to the grass and I let it sleep on my lap while I type and answer phones. Since the arrival of the new pup, I have noticed phenomenal things. While walking through campus, I have witnessed strangers stop their daily jog to squat down and speak to the dog in whiney baby voices. I wind up spending 45 minutes on a routine potty break because I have to appease three middle-aged women who must tell me about their own dogs when they were puppies. Then they move on to their children, and husbands, their book club and various brands of dog food. I catch men trying to surpress smiles as they catch sight of the little fluff poking out between my fingers. One woman never actually spoke to me, she directed all of her questions to the dog in a high-pitched voice. I’d never found myself in this situation before, I panicked and decided to take on my own dog-persona, quickly answering all of her questions in my own baby voice, as if I was the dog. This went on for at least five minutes. At least I tried to answer the questions honestly. I don’t know what came over me, and I regret it. But what would you have done?

Blind

Today I saw a blind girl counting change.

She had lined all of the coins up neatly on the table, and picked them up one by one, turning them over carefully in her hand. I stood there for a few moments and silently observed. She sat alone, but she seemed content- slowly, blindly, counting change. It is moments like these when I realize that I take life for granted. I walked away humbled and grateful for her, and the perspective she gave me. I realized that I was the blind one.

Moldy Cheese

Since I have been in college, I have noticed a drastic change in my eating habits. Suddenly, my rules about fresh vs. expired, and moldy vs. edible have changed.
It is mid-July, last week I left a turkey and cheese sandwich in a black bag in my car by accident. I am making an educated guess by saying that the temperature in my Toyota reached over 110 degrees that day. On my way home I discovered the sandwich. As I juggled it in my hands like a hot potato, I noticed the cheese had melted and oozed through the bread. “What a waste,” I thought as I looked sadly at the sandwich and salad my Mom had prepared me that morning. Upon my arrival at my apartment, my stomach growled and I thought longingly of the sandwich. I pulled it out again, ready to toss it in the trash, when I stopped. “Maybe I could still salvage this, I am pretty hungry.” I thought about the appropriate hot and cold temperatures for food, I rationalized that surely my sandwich had been kept above the appropriate hot temperature all day. I peeled back the flimsy plastic baggie, squeezed my eyes shut, and took a small, quick and precise bite. I carefully chewed, realizing that it wasn’t half bad. I turned on the toaster oven, threw in the previously chewed sandwich and waited two minutes. Shortly after I enjoyed a delicious toasted melt. The rest of the evening I waited to be sick, but the urge never came. Positive reinforcement. Occasionally I drop food on the floor, stringent rules would say “Throw that away!” Me? Eat it! The only exception in carpet, I’ve had bad experiences with lint and hair, no-go on carpet. Moldy cheese? Cheese is mold! Expired milk is a little tricky, but I am stubborn enough that I won’t see a whole bowl of cereal go to waste even if it is chunky. I think I save more money by eating bad food than fresh food. You never know until you try, but I attribute my incredible health to my bad eating habits.