Writing is becoming more difficult lately. And I confess that I've been falling short of my daily writing goals. This isn't necessarily a bad thing though. The reason for this struggle is that I'm plowing into the unknown. I've now reached the point in my current story (The Raven) where I'm not sure what exactly is happening next. And I've developed a few more questions within the story for which I need to know the answers before I can move on. It may be time for a serious brainstorming session on my wall-sized marker board.
Uggghh. Writing is hard. How do the professionals make it sound so easy? It's going to be hard, once I get published, to convince my adoring fans that poetic and vivid writing just drips from my proverbial pen.
Anyway, progress is still happening. Today I crossed the 200 page mark, which isn't that big of a deal in the writing world, but it sounds cool. Professional writers won't really be impressed by my modest 57,000 words.
I've also been a bit discouraged by the content of my writing for the last 20,000 words or so. My descriptions seem to be lacking and my action scenes feel very flat. Which sucks. However, this is still a first draft, and I'm just trying to blaze through it to the end, so I haven't been focusing on vivid descriptions and tight action scenes. Once it's finished I can go back and make it intense, poetic and clear. It's just discouraging, because I know that I'm a much better writer than this rough draft is making me sound. Blech. I can't wait to be finished!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
One Last BYU Hoops Post (until next Fall)
It's hard not to look back on BYU's Sweet Sixteen game and imagine how different things would have been with just a few different lucky breaks during the year (as in: what if Brandon Davies and Chris Collinsworth were still able to play?). What's amazing though is that BYU was still able to make the sweet sixteen without them. Usually, losing two of your best big men dooms your team. Not BYU.
But now we move on. . .without Jimmer Fredette, Jackson Emery, and Logan Magnusson (and Kyle Collinsworth for two years). Some people think we are going to suck without The Jimmer. Not me.
We're going to be good next year (top 25 good). We'll make the NCAA tournament. And we'll win games (yes, plural, more than one) there. That's my call, take it to the bank.
BYU has some good players coming in next year, who may not be able to equal the production of Jimmer and Jackson, but as a team we'll be just as strong. Our incoming freshman, DeMarcus Harrison, looks like a legit, athletic guard. He has a better shot than Kyle Collinsworth, and is just as athletic, if not more-so. Anson Winder, who reshirted this year, is also quick and athletic and he has the benefit of a year in the program. Last of all, UCLA transfer Matt Carlino, will replace The Jimmer at point guard in December (once NCAA transfer rules are met). He won't be Jimmer, but I believe he'll be much more dangerous than Nick Martineau. In short, I think BYU as a team will actually be faster and more athletic next year. And we'll have our front-court back.
So here's my wish list for the basketball team next year.
1) Stephen Rogers needs to hit the weight room and put on about 30 pounds of muscle. This will help him develop a legit back-to-the-basket game, as well as making him quicker when driving to the hoop. He would be a super dangerous player with those added dimensions to his game; a match-up nightmare.
2) Charles Abouo needs to step up consistently. I love his game when he brings it, but he seems to be really streaky. I'd like to see him average double digits next year (15 would be nice). It is time for him to be a leader and a constant threat on the floor. His defense is awesome.
3) Chris Collinsworth needs to get mission rust out of his system and stay healthy.
4) James Anderson could use some weight room time as well. He's a tall guy, and he's had some success on defense. Let's make him a scoring threat as well. And, he needs more fire.
5) I'd really love for both DeMarcus Harrison and Anson Winder to come in and average double digits as well. One of them will have to play off the bench, which would actually be really good for us. We didn't have a consistent off-the-bench scoring threat this year.
Here's what our starting line-up should look like next year:
PG-Matt Carlino
SG-Anson Winder (or Harrison, but I'm betting on Winder because of experience).
SF-Charles Abouo
PF-Noah Hartsock
C-Brandon Davies (who will come back. If he doesn't the BYU student body should overthrow the Honor Code office).
Anyway, I'm already excited for next year. Go Cougs!
Here's a DeMarcus Harrison highlight video:
And here's Anson Winder dunking a lot (he can shoot the 3 too):
But now we move on. . .without Jimmer Fredette, Jackson Emery, and Logan Magnusson (and Kyle Collinsworth for two years). Some people think we are going to suck without The Jimmer. Not me.
We're going to be good next year (top 25 good). We'll make the NCAA tournament. And we'll win games (yes, plural, more than one) there. That's my call, take it to the bank.
BYU has some good players coming in next year, who may not be able to equal the production of Jimmer and Jackson, but as a team we'll be just as strong. Our incoming freshman, DeMarcus Harrison, looks like a legit, athletic guard. He has a better shot than Kyle Collinsworth, and is just as athletic, if not more-so. Anson Winder, who reshirted this year, is also quick and athletic and he has the benefit of a year in the program. Last of all, UCLA transfer Matt Carlino, will replace The Jimmer at point guard in December (once NCAA transfer rules are met). He won't be Jimmer, but I believe he'll be much more dangerous than Nick Martineau. In short, I think BYU as a team will actually be faster and more athletic next year. And we'll have our front-court back.
So here's my wish list for the basketball team next year.
1) Stephen Rogers needs to hit the weight room and put on about 30 pounds of muscle. This will help him develop a legit back-to-the-basket game, as well as making him quicker when driving to the hoop. He would be a super dangerous player with those added dimensions to his game; a match-up nightmare.
2) Charles Abouo needs to step up consistently. I love his game when he brings it, but he seems to be really streaky. I'd like to see him average double digits next year (15 would be nice). It is time for him to be a leader and a constant threat on the floor. His defense is awesome.
3) Chris Collinsworth needs to get mission rust out of his system and stay healthy.
4) James Anderson could use some weight room time as well. He's a tall guy, and he's had some success on defense. Let's make him a scoring threat as well. And, he needs more fire.
5) I'd really love for both DeMarcus Harrison and Anson Winder to come in and average double digits as well. One of them will have to play off the bench, which would actually be really good for us. We didn't have a consistent off-the-bench scoring threat this year.
Here's what our starting line-up should look like next year:
PG-Matt Carlino
SG-Anson Winder (or Harrison, but I'm betting on Winder because of experience).
SF-Charles Abouo
PF-Noah Hartsock
C-Brandon Davies (who will come back. If he doesn't the BYU student body should overthrow the Honor Code office).
Anyway, I'm already excited for next year. Go Cougs!
Here's a DeMarcus Harrison highlight video:
And here's Anson Winder dunking a lot (he can shoot the 3 too):
Monday, March 21, 2011
Burlesque
As a whole, Burlesque isn't the best of movies. However, it does have a killer soundtrack in which Christina Aguilera is absolutely brilliant. This girl can really sing. Here's my favorite song (which I think would make an excellent ballroom Cabaret. . .if only I wasn't retired). Anyway, this song speaks to me on so many different levels. It's called Bound to You. Enjoy.
Bound to You--Christina Aguilera
Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
You're all I need when I'm holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
So much, so young
I've faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I brace myself, please don't tear this apart
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can't you see that I'm bound in chains
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to
Suddenly the moment's here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all
Come this far just to fall, fall
Oh, I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains
And finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am,
Ooh, I am
I'm bound to you
Bound to You--Christina Aguilera
Sweet love, sweet love
Trapped in your love
I've opened up, unsure I can trust
My heart and I were buried in dust
Free me, free us
You're all I need when I'm holding you tight
If you walk away I will suffer tonight
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to you
So much, so young
I've faced on my own
Walls I built up became my home
I'm strong and I'm sure there's a fire in us
Sweet love, so pure
I catch my breath with just one beating heart
And I brace myself, please don't tear this apart
I found a man I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can't you see that I'm bound in chains
I finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am bound to
Suddenly the moment's here
I embrace my fears
All that I have been carrying all these years
Do I risk it all
Come this far just to fall, fall
Oh, I can trust
And boy, I believe in us
I am terrified to love for the first time
Can you see that I'm bound in chains
And finally found my way
I am bound to you
I am,
Ooh, I am
I'm bound to you
Saturday, March 19, 2011
March Madness
Most of my most recent posts have something to do with writing. Well, this one does too. In short, how can one get any writing done during the NCAA tournament (especially when all the games are broadcast online)? It isn't possible. Therefore I shall not even try.
Go COUGARS!!!
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
The Unexpected
Today I went to my Stake President's office for the purpose of renewing my temple recommend. In the middle of the interview he (the first counselor) kind of paused and then started a half-hour conversation on dating. He asked me what my dating method was, and when I told him about my current unsuccessful methods he told me that I needed to just have fun and focus more on establishing friendships with girls. He then proceeded to "hook me up" with a girl. So now I have the number for a girl written on the inside of my new temple recommend.
The amazing (and important) thing here is that he told me exactly what I needed to hear. Before I talked to him, I talked to my bishop, and he also told me many things that were exactly what I needed to hear. And before that, as I was set apart for my new calling by one of the counselors in my bishopric, I was given a blessing (by a man that I don't even know) that addressed a lot of my specific concerns and needs that I'm dealing with in my life right now.
In short, the Priesthood is real. God knows what we need, and He often speaks to us through His called servants. I have no doubt that all three of these men were following the promptings of the Spirit. I'll also add that no matter how much I want to be gloomy, after talking with these men I can't help but be positive. Their faith is annoyingly infectious.
Too bad I can't have them chilling with me all the time, eh? The hardest part about life is when we have to stand on our own (not that I haven't been doing that for a long time already. . .that's my problem).
Anyway, now I kind of have to call this girl. If a member of the stake presidency gives you the number of a girl you have to call her, right? It's probably one of those laws established in heaven.
*When I first posted this the Darth Vader quote at the bottom was eerily relevant:
"I find your lack of faith disturbing."
The amazing (and important) thing here is that he told me exactly what I needed to hear. Before I talked to him, I talked to my bishop, and he also told me many things that were exactly what I needed to hear. And before that, as I was set apart for my new calling by one of the counselors in my bishopric, I was given a blessing (by a man that I don't even know) that addressed a lot of my specific concerns and needs that I'm dealing with in my life right now.
In short, the Priesthood is real. God knows what we need, and He often speaks to us through His called servants. I have no doubt that all three of these men were following the promptings of the Spirit. I'll also add that no matter how much I want to be gloomy, after talking with these men I can't help but be positive. Their faith is annoyingly infectious.
Too bad I can't have them chilling with me all the time, eh? The hardest part about life is when we have to stand on our own (not that I haven't been doing that for a long time already. . .that's my problem).
Anyway, now I kind of have to call this girl. If a member of the stake presidency gives you the number of a girl you have to call her, right? It's probably one of those laws established in heaven.
*When I first posted this the Darth Vader quote at the bottom was eerily relevant:
"I find your lack of faith disturbing."
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