Oh yeah (again)........

I stole a truck this past weekend too. Seriously, I bought a truck from my best friend Tim for about $500000000 under book. He gave me the best deal and I feel guilty purchasing it for that little, but it also gladly helped me out by fitting what payment I could afford.

Thanks Tim. I LOVE driving a truck.

Oh yeah......almost forgot

Among all the mess of trying to get that re-model done, my two best friends from (said in your best Gov. Ahnold voice) "Khalifornia" came out to visit me. Mark Wills and Roman Rosario, two good friends I've had since high school. Roman and I are tight as brothers and Wills isn't far behind. Wills is the kind of guy that can talk to ANYONE. Homeboy makes you feel good about yourself and is all about having a good time. Never in a bad mood, never huffy. Just dope. Roman is really moody and grumpy. He is also lazy and only thinks of himself.....KIDDING. No, for real. Roman is a brother, that's for sure. He's always there for me, always understands my situation and always helps me out.

I took Mark out for some eating at a brew-pub and then he, my brother Jeff, and friend he brought with him (Jenny) went to a club. Mark just wanted to hook up with a Utah chick and ended up kissing some girl. His friend Jenny did the same. Jeff just watched in amusement as Mark and Jenny got drunk.

The next morning we went up to Brighton for some snowboarding. Mark and Jenny had never seen good snow (that dang So-Cal snow sucks) and they hit it all on a good day. It was cool to see Mark have such a good time. I only boarded for half a day and had to leave to pick up Roman at the airport. Mark, Jeff, and Jenny stayed up for more boarding. Later that night we went out to dinner and then down to my parents. Mark and Roman used to live with us in Salinas for a couple of years. It was good for them to see the family and how much the younger kids have grown. Mark and Roman were both suprized how much Alana and Bobby have grown.

Cool thing was that we got lot's of pictures and got to hang out. It really was good to see Mark. It had been like 5 years. I see Roman a couple of times a year for the most part. I think they are both coming out for my wedding.

After Mark left, Roman was such a sport and stuck it out with me to go back and work on that kitchen/bath remodel. We tiled the tub/shower area. I guess it was cool that he got to learn how it's done. We were up until about 1am doing it. I woke up early the next day and went over to do some more work, then about 2:30 I went home to pick him up. I took him up to Brighton for some night boarding. He had a blast. We got some good footage of him boarding too :-).

Anyway, it was all fun to see them again.

I'm getting married (and other random catch-ups)

DUDE! I'm getting married. Like I said, I boycott V-day, but I still gave in a little bit :-). I proposed to the lovely Alene Celeste Speer (soon to be Root, hehe) the day before V-day. It was a Sunday and earlier that morning I received a knock at my door and a mail man (on a Sunday) was standing there with a package. I had ordered the ring via this company back east (in N. Carolina) and I didn't expect it until Mon/Tues. Since I had it, I was so excited I spontaneously proposed.

Caiden needed some V-day cards for his pre-school class, so when Alene and I got down to my parents, we headed off to Walmart to pick up some stuff. On the way back, I decided to go the LONG way, which meant up a pretty canyon called Hobble Creek Canyon. Since Alene and I both love the outdoors and the beauty it posesses, I decided I'd do it in a setting like that. We drove and talked. I was nervous, even though we both had pretty much decided it was going to happen (get married). I tried to keep the subject on "us" as I drove, just chit-chatting. Out of the blue I pulled off the side of the road and told her to get out of the car because I wanted to hug her. As I held her close, I got really nervous and didn't know what to say. We sat there in each others arms for a long time just talking about each other, just little things. I then told her how much she meant to me and how happy I am with her and I reached in my pocket and pulled out the ring and asked her to be my wife. I didn't get down on a knee because I didn't want to dirty my pants......KIDDING! No, for real though, I just thought it was all too cliche. I figured saying it to her while she was really close to me would work best.

I love that woman to no end. She makes me so happy and I hope to make her just as happy.

So, we're both excited about getting married. It's going to be in May, likely on Friday (the 13th). We decided to do the reception the day before the wedding, so we don't have a ton of pressure to go to a reception after the wedding. We are also going to keep it simple and toned down. Not going to go all-out with extravegant costs and other things associated with weddings. We are renting a nice art Gallery (the Springville Art Gallery). We're likely just going to be dressed up nice; not in the traditional wedding attire (you know, fancy tux, big poofy wedding dress, etc.) and we are just going to mingle with friends and family to celebrate the moment. Not sure what we are going to do for a honeymoon, but it won't be long because Alene starts school on the following week. We will likely save up our money and go on a nice get-away in the fall.

I'm excited.

Anyway, I've FINALLY finished that re-model I've been doing. It's been a lot more work than I figured. I put a lot of hours into it and I've fallen behind in my school work. It's been tough, but worth it. I did a lot of things I've never done before. I've never hung cabinets, intstalled a counter top, hung a microwave, or installed a tile back-splash (although I've done lots of floor and tub/shower tile, so it wasn't THAT hard). The hard part about the back-splash AND the counter-top was that the wall wasn't very plumb, so I had to kind of "shim" out the backerboard in some places so it looked like the tile was flat all the way across. It turned out much better than I figured it would. I still have a few small things to take care of (a few pieces of base boards, some filler board, and a 9" toe-kick).

I feel so bad for Caiden though because I've made him tag-along with me on all these jobs. I'm going to try to arrange to have Caiden's cousins come up this Friday or the next and stay the night. He really needs some quality time with kids his age. Poor guy would ask me over and over if we could just go home. I was so stressed working there, that I'd often snap at him and tell him he needed to go play. I'd then feel bad and give him a big hug.

I've never really "listened" to Pink Floyd in the past. I've seen "The Wall" and had the album, but I've never really got hooked on it. Lately I've been looking for something new to listen to. I've plugged that CD into my ipod play list and I've been hooked. I love the sound. They were so different from everything else that was out at that time. They remind me of the modern-day Modest Mouse.

Speaking of, I'm stoked. Russ, Alene and I are going to the Modest Mouse concert this Friday. I've always wanted to see them play their guitars in that funky style. As long as they do "Teeth like God's shoe shine" (which I doubt) I'll be happy. I really don't care for their new album THAT much (it's good, but not as good as The Moon and Antartica) so I'm sure they will play most of the songs from it. Oh well.

I've got to get back to work. I had to create 15 new badge profiles in our security system today. That took up most of my morning. I've got TONS more to do though.

Been busy

Started a side kitchen/bath remodel job for my ex-in-laws. They're good people and always keep me busy with fixing up their rentals. The thing is, I LOVE doing stuff like this. I wouldn't mind it as a profession, but I'm too scared that if I get into something that I love and have to use it to support myself, that I'd end up hating it.

Anyway, I feel badly that Caiden has had to tag along with me for this stuff. He is so cute though, and always tries to help and be involved. He LOVES using the nail-puller. Anyway, after this I'm going to reward him with a trip to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. I think he'd love that.

Anyway, I've somewhat decided to boycott Valentines day. However, I'm sure I'll give in in some way. I just like to think that EVERY day is a Valentines day :-). I don't like it because Hallmark is likely the one that made it up in order to sell lots of lame cards with stuff like "I love you like the moon, I love you like the stars, I love you no matter where you are's". I'm going to express my love on another day (maybe the day before?).

Anyway, can I just say how lucky I feel? I honestly know that I have one of the dopest girls by my side. Alene is amazing and I feel bad for all other men in the world, that they don't have an Alene. She is the perfect woman in ever facet. I love her so much.

So, I'm a little peeved about a text book I ordered about a month ago via half.com. I've never had a problem with half.com, but whoever it is I bought it from has stalled too long. He advised me I should have it by last Friday at the latest. Nothing. Media Mail, according to his confirmation of my order, should have been delivered by the 2nd of Feb. I'm not sure what to do about it, but needless to say I need the book and I'm going to give this fool negative feedback.

OK, I'm off to more work.

What is wrong with how dirty men are?

WHY? Why Why Why Why Why?????

Why are men so dirty? What is it about them that makes them so sloppy, so un-organized? So non-worried about "the details" when it comes to keeping things clean? Why do they not care about their own personal cleanliness (that often times affects others).

I've made a good assumption that AT LEAST 1/3 of all men never wash their hands after going "potty". Every time I see it, I nearly vomit just thinking about all the things they touch that I may end up touching later on. Twice, in less than 24 hours I've seen men NOT wash their hands after going to the bathroom. I see it commonly at work. It makes me sick to think they are opening doors, touching areas in the break room, and most notably: Using their keyboards at their computers. I think it should be a rule that after a man leaves the company, his keyboard should be destroyed.

What is the reason though? Is it men's typical thinking they they dominate everything and are superior to all things (including having to take 15 seconds to clean their hands)? Is it laziness?

Any thoughts?

I for one RELIGIOUSLY wash my hands after doing something that may be dirty, especially draining the Thunder. I don't get how this not a basic understanding to cleanliness for men? Why can't they do it?

I'm off my soap box (for now).

(said in a Napoleon Dynamite voice) YESSSSSSS!

I just took a History quiz that I thought I was going to bomb. Turns out it was likely one of the easiest quizes I've ever taken and I was the first one done.

It was a short essay, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blanks combination. I like those kinds of quizes.

The thing is, the class grade is based on 10 quizes, a written assignment and the final, so each quiz is important.

Anyway, I'm happy.

Also, I got this kitchen re-model job that I'm going to score an extra $800-$1000 on, so that will be nice. In addition, I have my taxes coming back, so I'm pretty much debt-free now. Its a good feeling.

Now I need to get out there and find a car to buy. I feel so bad borrowing my parents truck (not to mention the $40+ it costs to fill up the tank). I'm going to buy a truck in the next couple of weeks.

My heart is so full

My life is very happy right now. I have a woman in my life that is the most amazing, wonderful, beautiful, supportive person I've ever met. I never believed there could be such a combination.

Add to the fact that my son is growing into a good little boy and I don't think there is anything in my life that should be considered a "problem".

Caiden and I were watching home movies from when he was younger (a little over a year). It just amazes me (as I'm sure it does to him) how much he has grown as well as how cute he was then. He's so precious to me and the cool thing is that I know even when he's like 60 and I'm 82 (and hopefully still alive) he will always be my precious son.

I'm so excited for my life.

24 hour film festival

Well, we did the film I spoke about in an earlier thread. It was pretty neat to see something I was a part of, on a big screen being viewed by total strangers.

The thing that was the funnest about the movie was the fact that a group of us came together, took a spark of an idea and made it bigger and bigger.

I think Russ and Tim deserve the most credit for the film. Tim came up with the basic idea and we all added to it. Tim and Dave (our lead actor) came up with a lot of the shot ideas, the narration, etc. In addition, Tim and Russ did all the editing (which, in my opinion is the hardest part of making a movie).

It was just fun to be a part of the whole thing and see it come to life in less than 24 hours. The only problem I had with it was how dark it appeared on the movie theater screen. When played on my own TV, all the lighting in the movie looks fine. Next year we will have to remember to over-exaggerate the lighting.

Tim also has another film he did that will be in the film festival. I bet he's excited.

I am so proud of my son

There is no prouder feeling in the world, than when a teacher comes up to you to tell you how advanced he is in his class, compared to the rest. Now, I know my son isn't the next Einstein, but its good to know that the hard work with math cards, alphabet cards, and word cards is paying off for him. He's 5 years old and he can count to 100 on his own. Pretty neat to hear how excited he gets when he finishes counting to 100.

I was watching some videos from when he was around 1 years old. Its amazing how much he has grown since then. His body is so amazing, how it works, grows, lives. Its so precious to hear his heart beating. Tonight we were driving down to Provo and he and I were in my brothers back seats. I leaned over and kind of rested my head on his chest while he sat in his car seat. I expected him to push me away, as I was likely annoying him, but he just put his arm around me and hugged me.

I love that kid.

I've been sicker than a dog the past few days. Not to mention my car just went to heaven, so that wasn't too nice. I could fix it, but it would likely cost about $1300 (need a new clutch, water pump, electrical work, and likely a starter). I'm just going to sell it for next to nothing and buy another car. I need a truck anyway.

Anyway, I was going to say how sick I've been. Its so nice to have a female companion that truely cares about your health. Alene has been such a blessing, coming over as soon as she is available to comfort me. She is so sweet. I'm so blessed.

Anyway, I need to get to bed. This Nyquil and half an Oxycotn is starting to drag me down. Eye-lids aren't staying open. I hope I can get some good, deep sleep tonight. I need it.

So much going on

My friends and I "competed" in a 24 hour film festival. With this, we were given a theme at 10:30am on Friday morning. Our job was to take that theme (Tolerance) and write, film, edit, and score (music) for a 4 minute movie that cleaverly uses a prop (a postcard) and a line (Sometimes I wonder.....). Anyway, we actually didn't get started on it until about 4pm, so we actually wrote, filmed, edited, and scored music for it in about 18 hours. It was a rush, no doubt. I think we actually did pretty good, but there was 40 participants. The prize is $500 I believe. Anyway, should be fun.

I'm so glad I have the day off today. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work at all. I just wish I could sleep in every day and not have to worry about money. However, then I start becoming aware of my responsibilities and reality hits. I'm actually very thankful for my job.

Speaking of. I'm a little peeved at the fact that I have not been given a review (read: raise) in about 1 1/2 years now. I'm not sure what the deal is? I know that the company generally issues raises in February, but my date had always been in August. I e-mailed my boss about getting a "review" back in October, but she never responded to it. I'm assuming she is just going to wait until next month to do it like everyone else? Or she just doesn't feel I deserve it? Either way, it would be REALLY nice if I got the raise and had it retro back to my August date :). Since my company is kind of tight with money (a good thing), I'll likely just get the raise and be thankful for anything.

Anyway, I finally started using my DVD burner I installed on my Mac. Its VERY NICE to have. I burned about 25 DVD's for friends and family the other day. I made a DVD of the slide-show videos that were made for my grandparents funerals. I put them on the one DVD so they could both be accessed. I then dropped them off to everyone yesterday. It was nice to get that project out of the way.

I have so many other projects I need to work on as well. I have a GIANT family DVD I'm working on, which just features funny clips from our childhood, as well as photos, etc. This is going to be my belated christmas gift to everyone :). In addition, I have one I made for Caiden, which I'm giving to his grandparents and his mother. I also have a DVD I need to put together for my Cousin's wedding. Needless to say, I'm pretty busy.

OK, time to rest and relax for the day.