Strange Sensations

I was in my English 343 (Modern Drama) class today, one of those classes where only a vocal minority participate in the discussion so the teacher is forced to ramble on for long periods of time, naturally I was falling asleep. Anyway, I was in that strange state of limbo--where you can listen to what is happening around you, but your mind is wandering in other directions--when the mental image in my mind, something to do with my guitar, exploded in my face. Like a balloon popping an inch in front of your nose, there was a shockwave and everything, both heard and felt. It jerked me back into alert consciousness with thoughts of potential disasters running through my mind, but so far no such disaster has manifested itself in my life (I was thinking of what Obi-Wan felt when Alderaan is blown up by the Death Star). Anyway, since I don't think (or feel) that it was a supernatural vision of impending doom (because the Earth is still here), there is only one logical explanation for what happened to me today. Somebody cast a spell on me--just a simple illusion or mind intrusion, but enough to convince me that there is probably a powerful warlock or sorceress hounding my tail. Today was just a simple test to gauge my own powers; a foolish gamble--now I am alerted to his or her presence.

I wonder if this is related to the hunted feeling that I had several weeks ago. I was shopping with my roommate at Costco, when I felt the strangest sensation of unrest, much like I imagine wild animals feel before an earthquake or during a solar eclipse; the sensation that something not quite tangible is dreadfully wrong. I wouldn't have been surprised in the least bit if Salt Lake had disappeared in a nuclear explosion. However, the feeling passed, and nothing dreadful ever happened. Maybe that was a result of a dark wizard as well. Who can say? The only thing that I do know, is that I'll be much more careful walking down dark alleys in the future.

Preparation is key.

Fields of Gold

Eva Cassidy's cover of Sting's classic is absolutely astounding in its simplicity and elegant beauty. This is a song that reaches into your soul with every soaring note and wrenches your emotions. I've heard this version before--as a Rumba in ballroom--but I've discovered it for the first time away from the interference of dance. Listen--it might make you cry.

Bring on the End of the World

I've just spent the last several hours reading an article about California's Prop. 8 and the subsequent responses on the discussion board. I am constantly shocked by the pure hatred that exists in the world today, especially as demonstrated by the liberal community who opposed prop. 8 against the LDS community. It makes me want to weep.

Clumsy? Me?

I've been living my life with such grace and poise over the last couple of years that a couple of recent events, that could loosely be labeled as clumsy, have taken me completely by surprise. Luckily, both of them happened when I was alone, so there were no awkward embarrassing moments. Of course, now I am here revealing them to you so you can laugh. . . at me.

The first happened the other day when I was doing my science homework in my room. My room is small, comprising of a bed, a desk area, and a narrow walkway in between. I also have a very useful office chair in which I like to sit and feel important. On this particular day I was sitting in my chair with books and papers spread across my bed and my laptop on my lap. My desktop computer was also on, and I was dividing my attention between my two computers and my homework. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to readjust my position to be a bit more comfortable so I put my feet up on my bed which required that I tip my chair back a little. However, during this mundane process--which I have performed countless times over the last four years--I felt the wheels of my chair slip from underneath me. Time seemed to slow down. Many thoughts ran through my head, one of which was something to the effect of "Is this really happening?" Most people have this particular thought when something monumental happens, such as winning $1,000,000. My other thought was generally along the lines of, "Must protect laptop," which I did with superhero control as I plummeted backwards onto the floor. The impact was jarring, though not painful, and I laid on the floor and chuckled at myself for several seconds.

The second event occurred while I was brushing my teeth Sunday night. Yep, something that I have been doing regularly since I was six or seven. Anyway, I was brushing with vigor when suddenly I lost control of my toothbrush and stabbed myself at the base of my gum. It hurt. Now I have a very painful bruise in my mouth.

So, the point of all this is that even I, image of poise and grace, radiator of power and beauty, have awkward clumsy moments. Now you know.

This Wall can Talk

A girl that I am attracted too came up and started talking to me this evening. I was certainly pleased by the attention that she gave me but I did nothing to express this. I just stood there, like an idiot, with my arms crossed, and gave a good simulation of a wall that could talk.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Mi Casa es no Su Casa

I can't actually speak Spanish :(

I was recently explaining to my mother about how tired I was of living in my current dwelling. Somewhere at the end of my elaboration I said something to the effect of, "Why don't you [parents] buy a house down here in Provo and let me [and siblings] rent it from you." I said it with an element of sarcasm and was quite surprised when my father seemed genuinely interested in the idea. And so, it has begun, the long process of finding the perfect house so we can then seriously consider this purchase. It's certainly not set in stone, and it seems that my parents are leaving tomorrow to visit my sister in Toole before they go back home, so we may never find the house that we are looking for. I may have to continue the search after they leave, though I have no idea how I would convince them that a house that I find would be worth buying.

Anyway, this process has helped illustrate to me how desperately I need to find a new place to live. The night before we went to view our first house I could not sleep until 6am. In comparison I went to sleep about midnight on Christmas eve, while sleeping on the floor with no padding. I can't believe how excited I am at the prospect of moving. I knew I needed a change, but this bad?

Incidentally, my mom got a look at the place that I am living and feels as strongly about me moving as I.

I thought I was used to living in. . . grungy. . . places from my two year tour in Georgia, but never did I live in the same place for 4.5 years. That is a long time for sub-par living conditions to drag a man down. That is a long time of feeling a bit ashamed about inviting someone (girls) over.

I pray that my parents can find a place that they are satisfied with, soon, because I've been spending too much time behind this horizon. It's time for me to move on to the next.

In closing, 2009 is here. My goal is to move (preferably to a house owned by my parents and occupied by my sisters, maybe brother, and I). And perhaps, I'm really getting on a limb here, invite a female friend to dinner. That would be awesome.