A Few Costume Ideas

Halloween has always been a fun time of year for me. I especially have always enjoyed getting tons of candy that I usually never ate and just kept for the year until next Halloween rolled around. One of the fun activities that is associated with this holiday is dressing up as something you aren't. Applying knowledge from my Greek and Roman Mythology class, the Greeks would view this "pagan" holiday (as my Mythology professor pointed out to us) as a Dionysian holiday seeing as Dionysus was not just the god of wine and partying, but of the theater, liminal abandon, and pretending to be something you aren't (that is where the theater comes in).

Over the course of my life I have had many a great costume ideas. When I was really young I remember one year I was a bumble bee. I think that was my mom's idea, not mine. (Hopefully)
A few years later when I was in elementary school I remember being an astronaut. It was a pretty sweet outfit, including a helmet with a visor that you could lift up and down. Although I think I looked more like a future spaceman than a real astronaut. That one lasted for a couple of Halloweens. The next costume I remember was my grim reaper costume. It was just a black robe with one of the hoods that had a mesh where I could see out, but people couldn't see my face. I think that i used it for 3 years. Then when high school rolled around I think is where I got a little more creative. A couple years in a row I dressed up like a fat hobo (because somehow that makes sense). I even had a little sack on a stick. One of those years I pulled this one off I ended up passing out candy to the kids on the block. I remember having an old plaid shirt with a pillow stuffed inside of it (to make me look fat of course) That's about all I remember of this particular costume. My senior year my friend and I went around the neighborhood together getting candy. I wore my lettermans jacket and had a plush alien on my shoulder, and my friend had aluminum foil on his head like from the movie Signs. We went around to peoples' doors telling them about how there was an alien invasion, while at the same time trick or treating. It was pretty brilliant.

The next two years I dressed up as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of course that's what I was for those two years anyways, so I don't think I can really count it as a costume, plus I didn't even go out to get any candy. When I got home the next Halloween I dressed up as a cambodian. I had a sarong (it's basically a piece of cloth that looks like a dress) and a cambodian shirt. I went trick or treating with my nephews as well. That was a lot of fun. So that brings me up until the present. For this year I'm not sure what I am going to dress up as. I have been thinking about being Fry from Futurama. I just need to buy a red jacket and some how get orange hair. It's in the works, but I think it would be fun. If I could get someone else to be Bender that would be awesome. I think that my inspiration comes from the fact that I am a delivery boy right now. If this idea fails I guess I could just put on my pizza hut uniform and do that. But that would be lame. Maybe I'll come up with something else. For now, though, Fry it is. I'm sure I'll have just as much fun this year as I have had in the past. And once Halloween is over the holiday season is just right around the corner. Man time flies.

If They Laugh, It Was Worth It

In life there are times when we say or do something that we wish that we could take back. These are the embarrassing moments that others love to use to make fun of us when they need to lift their self-esteem a little bit. (I could go off on a random tangent with that thought, but that could be the focus of another blog) Personally I feel that these moments help to humble us a little so that we are forced off of the "high horse" that we like to sit on all the time. Luckily, for people like me, I am pretty much immune to public embarrassment because one, I really don't care what other people think about what I do (even if it is a little retarded) and two, I like to make other people laugh, and if the only way to do that is do something stupid, so be it. I have a high enough self-esteem (at least I like to think so) that I can take public embarrassment. Heck I say and do stupid stuff at work all the time, but it gets my coworkers laughing, and that makes me smile.

I can't say that there are many defining moments where I have just been totally humiliated in public. There are just the little things that people forget over time. The ones where people remember forever is something that I don't really think I have ever experienced (either because they haven't happened, or I have subconsciously buried them in my brain). I mean there was a time when I was in third grade where I got hit in the head by a loose baseball bat flung by a sixth grader. I think that that hurt more than it was embarrassing though. I think most of my embarrassing moments have been personal ones where I was the only one around to witness it. I guess if I asked my brothers or parents they could tell me a few things. I do remember one time when I was little where I really mix and matched my wardrobe. I have no sense of color coordination even to this day. So one day I decided that I would wear plaid pants with a checkered shirt (see what I mean) in public. I remember going to the store with my mom, and when we were in the parking lot she saw what I was wearing and told me that my sense of dressing myself was way off. I think she was probably more embarrassed than me though because I had no idea what I was doing.

There was one experience that I had recently that was pretty embarrassing for me. I share it only because I figure that there isn't anything I can do to change the past now, so why worry about it. So I laugh it off, and learn from it. That is why we have those kinds of experiences anyways. Well, getting on the the story I had taken a girl out to dinner and we had walked to her door, (and now to show how completely ignorant I am to the dating process) we stood there for a second, and I said, "I don't know what to do now." She replied, "well you can either walk away, or hug me and walk away." Then I said, "I'll choose the latter." I gave her the hug, said "have a good night," and went home. I look back on that and think of how stupid I was, but I was only being honest. I really didn't know what to do. I guess it will be something that I can look back on when I'm older and tell my grandkids about. Even though it was an embarrassing moment, it really wasn't that bad for me. So if that is the best I can come up with, I'd have to say I haven't gotten above a 4 on the embarrassment scale (on a scale of 1-10 of course). But there are many years left in my life (hopefully) so I'm sure there is plenty of opportunities for me to make a fool of myself in front of others. But hey, if they laugh, then it will all be worth it. So that is my point of the day. If something embarrassing happens in your life, just let it be an opportunity to make others laugh, and roll on. Besides, no one is really immune to a slip up or two. They are bound to happen eventually, so learn to live with it.

Reading Rainbow

One of the recreations that has been on the decline lately is that of reading. More and more kids are turning to videogames and other sources for entertainment. This is a sad thing because there are a lot of good books out there to read, and they are very stimulating to the mind. It has been awhile since I made it through a book, but I did start reading one over the summer. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it because I had to head up to school before I was even a quarter of the way through it. I am a huge fan of science fiction and fantasy novels because that is what I feel stimulates my mind the most.

As of late, since I haven't really had much time to read anything (seeing as I am reading my textbooks and studying) I have taken to reading online walkthroughs on gamefaqs.com. Right now I am reading some walkthrough facts on sidequests to Final Fantasy 12. It is quite amusing to see how the writer did certain things, and my strategies for the same thing. One day when I was at work I was so bored that I read the whole walkthrough for Super Metroid. It was fun, but I wish that I had had something better to do.

So what I guess I'm trying to get across is that we as a society need to read more. I have read many books over my life (mainly because in high school I had to read 1,200 pages a semester) but it was good for me. I feel that every time that you open a book it should be like you are starting (or continuing) an adventure. The one thing that makes a good book for me is if I can relate to the character, and get in their shoes for a bit. That is why I like playing RPG games because for most of the ones that I have played it actually feels like I'm right there alongside the characters experiencing what they go through with them. It's fun for me at least. And who knows, maybe if you read a book, you'll get an idea of your own that you will publish someday.

My First Crush

Life is always full of little surprises. One of those surprises happens to be when someone walks in to your life and just totally blows you away either by how beautiful they are, or with their awesome personality. People tend to use the phrase "first love" to describe the first person that they felt could be with for the rest of their life. Unfortunately not many people end up spending the rest of their life with their "first love." Sometimes that is really hard because that person comes really early in their life and it may just be puppy love.

For me, I don't think I have ever had a first love. I have never really made an effort to ever get involved with the opposite sex, mainly because I am only mentally four years old. But that hasn't stopped me from having "crushes" on the female sex. It was early on in my life when I figured out that girls were actually nice to get to know. When I was in second grade I developed my first crush on a girl. Her name was Jennifer. I don't remember too much from these years of my life because they were so long ago. I just remember playing with her at recess sometimes and it was fun. She ended up going to a different school, so I forgot about her and moved on.

During my life I have had a number of girls that I have liked, but I have never really put forth an effort to go any farther than the like stage. Up until this point in my life I have been in the mindset that getting involved with a girl took too much effort, time and money. The money was the main issue for me since I am not the richest person in the world (actually I'm in the poor college student bracket right now). But now I am beginning to break out of this mindset and actually get myself out there. I am not the most outgoing person in the world, but I think that it is time for me to get out there and experience this important aspect of life. There is much to be learned in life, and there are many things you can't learn by yourself. That's the way I see it. Life is an experiment of gathering information, knowledge, and experience. The person with the most of these things, I feel, will be better off, because they can contribute more to society.

Memories That Happen Twice A Year

This past weekend was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seeing as I am a member of this organization I took 8 hours out of my weekend so that I could watch it and be edified. There are always good messages that are given, especially by the prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. He is such an amazing man, and I hope that one day I can be a little bit like him. During the first session I was very moved by many of the talks that were given, especially the one given by President Monson. He is such a wonderful speaker, and his words touched my heart. The other sessions of conference were just as good, although by the time the 5th session rolls around it is a little bit harder for me to stay focused. But as usual I hung in there and made it to the end. Unfortunately I had to miss one of the session because of work (I hate work). But twice a year I get to look forward to what the leaders of the church have to say. It is always a good experience, but it hasn't always been easy for me to sit down for 10 hours and listen to "old guys" talk for a very long time.

When I was younger it was a bittersweet thing to watch conference. It was nice because I could sleep in a little bit, and wouldn't have to get dressed up in sunday attire for church, I could just stay in my pajamas. I also liked the idea that I didn't have to go to church, but I didn't like the fact that my parents had my brothers and I sit there for the whole time watching. It is hard for a young kid to sit in one place for 2 hours 5 times in a row. Sometimes I'd fall asleep just because I was bored and didn't really understand what was being said. And as usual I'd be counting down the minutes until I'd be free (I still do that to this day) so that I could go out and play with my friends. The two hours that I had between sessions was a nice break from the long two hours of sitting, but it was always too short lived because when you are having fun time flies by.

I also remember that before conference started I'd be up in the kitchen eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast, and I would finish it just as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was starting to sing the opening hymn. These are the good memories of youth. For the past couple of years before I went on my mission I would skip the 3rd session and go with my best friend, Scott, to a Japanese community center. It just so happened that on the first saturday of every october and april there was held an event called aki matsuri. It was always fun to go to it. But I digress. On my mission is where I think that I gained a real appreciation for General Conference. I was out teaching people that there was a prophet on the earth, and that twice a year we had an opportunity to hear from him. Although the weekend of the first general conference on my mission I happened to get an ear infection. That wasn't fun, but I was still able to enjoy conference anyways. Towards the end of my mission I watched some of the session in Cambodian. That was always neat. And since I have been back I have had the same opportunity as well. It helps me to keep up on my language skills.

Now at this point in my life I try and apply the things that I have learned from the talks that are given so that I can better myself. It is a quest that I am on, and it always helps when you are given a few pointers. I know that we have been given a prophet and apostles to guide us to know what it is that we can do to become better people. Life is hard enough and we aren't expected to do it alone. I am grateful for the fact that I can receive guidance from one that is chosen by God to lead His children back to His presence. It makes me smile just thinking about it. I love President Hinckley and all that he does. He is a spiritual giant, and we can all learn a thing or two from him. Those "old guys" really know what they are talking about, so we should give an ear to what they have to say. Who knows, maybe you might learn something.

Battle Wounds of Life

Life is full of small adventures (especially when you are a little kid) which sometimes leave marks on us. These marks (I will to refer them as "scars") can sometimes have good stories behind them. I like to think of them as my battle wounds of life. Most of the scars that I have are on my hands, and many of them I don't know where they came from. I have a couple of scars that are pretty big that don't have that great of a story to them, but I am a pretty careful person, and I am not very accident prone.

One of the scars that I have is on my right thumb. I got it when I was around 5 years old. My brothers and I were with my dad while he was helping someone to move. We were sitting in the van that we had at the time (it was a brown Toyota van) and I decided to get out. Then after I had gotten out my brother decided to close the door while my hand was still in the van. I managed to get most of my hand out, but my thumb unfortunately got caught in the door. All I really remember is that my thumb really hurt, the fact that I was crying was a good indicator, and that it was purple and blue. I also remember that my dad put ice on it to keep the swelling down. As for the rest of the story, I can't recall any more since it was so long ago. But it did leave a nice little scar that I get to look at multiple times everyday of my life.

I also have another scar that isn't as visible, and isn't the most interesting of things, but it is still a scar. It is along my abdomen, and it is just a line. I got it when I was born because I was six weeks premature and I needed an operation where they cut me open. So it is a pretty cool scar, but I never really get to show it off since it isn't in a very visible spot, and it is hard to see anyways.

One of the coolest scars I know of isn't one that I have, but that my youngest brother has. My brothers, my best friend, and I were on a camping trip with my dad and we had climbed up a pretty steep hill just for the fun of it. Unfortunately the coming down part was more dangerous because the dirt on the slope was very loose. Two of my brothers and I managed to get down safely, but as I was going down my youngest brother slipped and fell off the slope, somersaulted in the air, and hit his head on a rock. I remember walking him to the van where my dad was, all the time blood was pouring out of his head. My dad took him to the hospital leaving the rest of us at the tent. That night was particularly windy, and our tent eventually caved in due to the force of the wind. My dad came back with my brother around midnight and set the tent back up. The next morning we saw the damage. He ended up getting 16 stitches. Today the scar that was left makes him look a lot like Harry Potter, but it is on the opposite side of his forehead.

So scars are pretty cool things, and I wish that I had more to show off, and good stories to tell. I think it helps to make life a little more interesting and fun. If you don't have any scars, you really haven't lived. It is just a part of life that we have to learn to deal with. All of those who are striving for perfection, and perfect whatever are living in a false reality. Nothing is perfect, and being perfect is boring. You don't have any cool stories to tell. So if during a time in your life you manage to get a scar, let it be, and allow yourself the opportunity to tell a good story.

What's For Breakfast?

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day. At least that's what people say. I guess I would have to agree because it is the meal of the day that gets you going. If you don't get the necessary nutrients in the morning you won't have enough fuel to get you through the day, and you will burn out. I've been there. Even though I never have time in the mornings to cook anything elaborate, I like to dream of the things that I could eat. Usually I just have a bowl of cereal. The type of cereal is always changing because I like to eat different things at different times. You could say I go through phases, but those phases are always random. Right now I'm in the Fruity Pebbles phase. And I have to say that there are some pretty amazing cereals out there. Raisin Bran Crunch is one of my all time favorites. Frosted Flakes came out with a cinnamon kind, but they have discontinued it. Very sad. Anyways, I pretty much like all cereals, except the super healthy ones (Shredded Wheat, All Bran, etc.). The only cereal that I really don't like is Golden Grahams and I don't know why. But I definitely prefer cereal to oatmeal, bleh.

There are those mornings though where I feel a little inspired to cook up something nice. One of my favorites is french toast with bacon and eggs. So good. I love bacon with anything. I also like pancakes sometimes, but they are messy so I don't bother with them all that much. I have made breakfast burritos with my friend a couple of times, and I have thanked myself many a time for it. This is one reason why I like to go eat at Denny's, because they offer such a plethora of breakfast options. One of the things that make up a good breakfast is eggs. You gotta have eggs. And it doesn't matter how you cook them, they will go with practically anything. They are a beautiful thing, and they make me smile just thinking about them.

So go out there and experience breakfast the way it should be experienced. There are so many choices to satisfy the desire of you stomach. Just listen to what it wants and you can't go wrong. I often find myself following its commands and I always thank myself later. To be able to feel your stomach "smile" is a good feeling. And believe me, you will thank yourself for it too.