Off The Record: Volume 8

I know baby, I know.

I've missed you too.

Familiar with the feeling of having no idea where to begin? Welcome to the club. Let's stick to the basics.

I have one year of school left. Had I planned better, I could be done now. Yet how many people truly feel their first year at school is put to good use? Eh. Had the privilege of making a cool video project for my Supply Chain Management Class. Our group parodied 'The Office' with a video called 'The Tanner' (get it? No, seriously, GET IT?!) I'll post it online sometime, because Tarantino says I should. I added an Economics minor to join my Spanish minor. At least it'll look good on a resume. And yes, I'll be back in school for my Master's in a few years.

After the semester concluded, Elise and I visited California for a week. She's a "Wicked" fan, so was excited when I bought us tickets. Allow me here to send out props to Erica Stevens for taking me to it two years ago (and also for giving us directions to arrive at the Pantages from UCLA…it's a maze!). Truth be told, I enjoyed Wicked more the first time around. Whenever I see a movie or a play the second time, I just sit there looking for all the flaws. This time, I realized 10 minutes in that the guy playing the Tin Man was a kid I did theatre with way back when, and he was an oddball. A few years ago I met the cripple girl, too. That just destroyed any suspension of reality I may have enjoyed during the show.

Of course, I went to In-N-Out probably five or six times, too. How dare you think otherwise. "But Lowell, why do you get such a rush off In-N-Out?" a friend in Salt Lake asked me. My only response was to think of Pink Floyd. Have you ever listened to the Dark Side of the Moon? Eric Whitacre? Shostakovich's 5th Symphony? First time or two you listen, nothing really stands out. Give it time, though, and it envelopes you. Maybe that's only excusing my addiction. Forgive me for appreciating good things.

Back to my California trip… I'm always asked, "Lowell, when are you moving to California again?" Answer: when everyone else leaves. Having the beach, Disneyland, and everything else nearby isn't worth it if you can only avoid traffic by driving before 8am or after 9pm. I am currently living in Sandpoint, Idaho, and doing and internship with Coldwater Creek. "Hey, isn't that a women's clothing company?" Yes. Go ahead and laugh. Elise and I both have good internships up here. I'm working in Management Training and she's involved in numerous HR projects. It'll open up doors in the future. Besides, the area is beautiful. Rolling hills of forest, a peaceful atmosphere, no pollution anywhere, a great job. So go ahead, California, and keep your bloated Mecca of Commericialism™. I'll choose a relaxing, peaceful environment. It is a euphoric moment when you realize how much better many things are outside of Southern California.

On a final note, Elise has been reading my journal this summer. I've kept one since junior high, and have done so very consistently since going to Florida in 2001. And boy, she's been through it all. Any fun date, any random trouble-making incident, my entire experience as a missionary in Chile, whatever might involve you, the reader, she knows… Somehow, she says she loves me more because she knows. Five points for me. [high five!]

Stay tuned for more.

Off The Record, Vol. 7

(January 9, 2007)

School has officially commenced again at UC-Provo… er, BYU (basically the same thing, though, viewing the quantity of Californians here). I find myself developing a cynical mood towards the small details of college, just as I'm sure we all did in high school, and as we all do with work. With an onslaught of a new semester comes the new students. I love watching newbies; they all dress to impress, thinking with a new semester, new year, and new clothes they're a new person, without ever coming to the realization that they're enmeshed in habits they don't want to break, they don't want to leave their comfort zone, so in a month they're back to the same habits, thinking "Next year will be different." Makes me think of that group on Facebook named "Procrastinators Unite… Tomorrow!" Also makes me think of that Pink Floyd song, "Time," yet I imagine very few of you know the line to which I'm referring.

Enough with academia. I loved my Christmas break. Very much indeed. A family reunion in Arizona, In-N-Out in Moreno Valley, taking Elise to the Huntington Library and Gardens in Pasadena (how many of you have gone there? I call it "Eden," personally), a beautiful drive down to San Diego with no traffic either way, In-N-Out in Corona… good times. I ate at In-N-Out somewhere else, too, yet was probably so enwrapped in the moment I forgot where that was. For those amidst y'all who say Magic Mountain is closed, I take it you do not read the newspaper (thanks, Tim). It's open. I also heard a rumor it's closing because it's been flooded with gangs. If your definition of "gangs" means 70% of the attendance is by Mexicans wearing black, why then, yes, it's flooded with gangs. For non-racists, though, that don't assume everybody that's not white is in a gang, it's the same it's always been isn't it?. Good rides, good times, expensive parking. I wouldn't have gone unless I found two tickets on eBay for $40 combined, though—smack me if I ever pay $120 for one-time theme park tickets. I'm getting too old, though. It's true. The rides made me nigh to sick, and Psyclone is jittery enough to shatter your spine. OH!.... that's the other place I ate In-N-Out. Next to Magic Mountain.

Saw some old time friends, too, which I enjoyed. Was the first time I've seen PJ since high school, and was glad to catch up with him. I was filled in regarding what I otherwise would not know, such as (a) who has chosen to be gay since high school, and (b) that despite there being probably over 100 Starbuck's in the Inland Empire, you could skip those other 99, baby, because the one worth traveling to is ten miles away, and even though that one is out of everything you would want, and the hot chocolate tastes like chalky cocoa, it holds its own due to the memories with friends that were created.

I wish California made sense, though. What was one of the few remaining fresh strawberry field in the Inland Empire—the one place that would consistently have the best corn and strawberries year round—finally was crushed, and now a Lowe's Hardware towers over that once-fertile soil. What once was a cow field full of pooh and flies is now a rather nice condo complex where McKee and Borja have nice homes. I mean, props for them, cause the homes are really nice and they're happy, but won't the additional 5,000+ homes being built down there only make the already jacked up traffic worse? I like Edward Norton's perspective; he sees California as heaven gone awry. "I get heartbroken flying into L.A. It's just this feeling of unspecific loss. Can you imagine what the San Fernando Valley was when it was all wheat fields? Can you imagine what John Steinbeck saw?"

Last Wednesday we boarded our cruise ship in Long Beach. Advice to you: take a cruise. Sometime. Even better in the off season (like mid-March), when you could get a 4-5 day one for less than $350. Decent food, good views, they keep you entertained, and if you don't want to be entertained, you could do your own thing. Rooms are small, but are you going on a cruise to stay in your room? Pictures will be on my page tomorrow. My only regrets are the 5-10 lbs I assume to have gained, yet boy were they worth it. Elise and I took part in one of their activities called "Love & Marriage." It's a game show they do with three couples; newlyweds, a couple that's been married a while, and the oldest marriage in the audience. Long story of how we were chosen out of the 8-10 newlywed couples wanting to play; let's just say that I dislike those people that draw attention to themselves for no reason at all (I don't see myself in that category, thank heavens), when there is a prize at stake, and the audience is voting, don't get in my way. I'll try and post a video of the show on my page soon enough. The few days after the game show, we were celebrities-of-sorts. 'Twas weird. Most places we went, even in San Diego and Mexico, people recognized us and wanted to talk about the show. We got off an elevator, and the people at the base of it recognized us and began to applaud. Was fun for the first day, yet both Elise and I were ready for it to be done the last day and a half. I've decided that if I ever see a celebrity (i.e. Bono, Conan, or Tina Fey), I will never bother them. After I get a picture. And an autograph. And their socks.

Long enough. I'm out.

Off The Record, Vol. 6

(November 28, 2006)

I just feel a need to ramble. If that doesn't interest you, I'm sure there is something more apathetic you can watch on YouTube. If not, welcome.

I've been on this reading binge since May, and am enjoying it. Since Dan Brown and his Robert Langdon books so disappointed me, I've turned to reading biographies of men I most admire. But I want to make sure they're quality books; I don't want to waste time reading a book that is a 400 page "People" Magazine. You'd be surpised how many lame books are written and passed off as authentic; separating the quality ones from the fan-zines isn't a breeze.

I have a peeve with all of these Will Ferrell fanatics nowadays. I guess it's because back when he joined Saturday Night Live for the '95-'96 season, I had already been watching the show for two years. When he came along with the entirely new, re-vamped cast, I was the only person in my Jr. High who would actually watch the show. Now after seeing him in Ron Burgundy, everybody watches the "Cowbell" skit, and everything on his "Best Of" videos, then claim (a) they're die-hard fans, and (b) these are the best things he did, which isn't true. The cowbell skit, sorry to say, is crap, and one of the least funny things I've ever seen on SNL. It's just fashionably cool to like it, so people do. Same thing with Adam Sandler and Chris Farley. Everybody NOW loves them, and says "Oh, SNL was at it's best during the time Sandler and Farley were on the show." Truth be told, that was the show at it's most pathetic. That's why the canned the entire cast and writing staff, and started afresh. I hope this makes sense to somebody. It's like when somebody says, "Hash Pipe" and "Buddy Holly" are the best Weezer songs, when any true Weezer fan will tell you their best stuff is found among their lesser-known material, or when somebody judges U2, David Bowie, or any of their associates by their hit singles when if they really knew what they were talking about, they would know the songs you never hear on the radio are the real gems. But what they hey, "More cowbell!"

Maybe I'm alone here, but that new Pirates movie was junk. Nowhere near as witty as the first one; it was like a 4-day old donut that still has a bit of the original taste, yet you only eat it because it was there. 'Tis a shame what Disney will do to make a bajillion dollar. I have to hand it to Johnny Depp, though; the entire world loves him now, so when he and Tim Burton film the musical "Sweeney Todd" next year, millions of people will go see it just because of him, and will be very uncomfortable when he's singing and cutting people's throats at the same time.

Off The Record, Vol. 5

(October 5, 2006)

So in this moment of spare time, I went back to skim through what I've written here previously. I found a typo in the "Syndrome" one and thought if I fixed the error, the blog would stay in the same spot. Instead, it jumped up to the top my blog list. Why? Good question. I think I fixed it, but if it pops up around this one, and you think "Why did he post that all over again?" I wanted to explain what happened.

I was going to write a new one, anyways. My friend Laura writes blogs I enjoy, and she just wrote one, which is why I use her as an example. While reading it I thought how cool it is to know what's going on in her life. I saw her and 'the dude' twice this summer, for the first time in around ... five years?... and I have no idea when I'll see 'em again. I like blogs, especially because while I appreciate and love the friends I have throughout the country, I'm not the best at maintaining communication (I can't stand excessive yapping on the phone, too, so there goes that option!). When I read somebody's blog, in some cases that's the only way I'll know with what their time is occupied. Otherwise, forever and a day passes by 'till we meet again, and by then the conversation is back to "What's going on?" "Oh nothing much..." without knowing all the small things that have made life cool (and if they do take you up on the offer and update you on every single thing, all you can think is "Wow, you're a talker. Been in solitary confinement, have we?").

I guess I'm just verbosely (is that a word?) rationalizing why I write random things in my blogs.

Please tell me I'm not the only one wondering why people change the Top 8 on their MySpace page to the Top 16, or even 20. I could understand 12. Yet are we supposed to think "Wow, I can see more of their friends NOW than I would see anyways had I just clicked on their 'See More Friends' button, and as a result their main page looks even more cluttered. Whillakers!" Are people going to stay your friend in real life only if they're a top friend on your page, so you need to add more to appease the masses? If they're like that, go ahead and kick them off your friends list just for kicks. Also if you have 6 songs and videos playing when I visit your page, does that entice me in the future to say "Hey, why don't I go see their page today? I like a classic Viking ambush on my senses."?

Did you hear about my winning that Disney trip? Let me fill you in--this is a doozy. When I first won the trip (I think it was my doing the worm on stage.... that was probably it) I wasn't too excited as I've read many accounts of these being less than they seem. Didn't those people on Survivor only receive a fraction of what actually won? Then I thought to myself, "Come on, Lowell, this is different. National seminar, big names, well-respected... of course they'll deliver!" Yeah ... not so much. The "package" is a room at a Disneyworld Resort, a mediocre sum of "Disney Cash," and a smile. This is a great deal.... if you live in Orlando. The "Disney Cash" doesn't even cover the park passes for the time we'd be there. Am I supposed to pay for airfare, food, Mickey Burgers, and a lightsaber at Star Tours to claim my "prize" as a newlywed student? So ... yeah. [sarcastic little jig in my seat] I'm glad I did not expect much, and doubt I'll be visiting Florida anytime soon.

On the cool side, I discovered I could receive the cash value. I might just prefer that instead. Then Elise and I could do a Royal Caribbean Cruise out of Long Beach after the New Year with the value. Anybody interested in joining us?

There were a few other things I thought of sharing, yet I cannot remember them now. Thanks for reading. The "Total Views" on this tells me a lot of you actually look at these, but if you read them is another matter. If you do, then mention it to me sometime. If I quiz you, and you answer correctly, maybe I'll give you a treat. You'll need to wait, though, because first I owe Justin $5 for completing a dare I gave him six and a half years ago. Good thing there's no compounded interest gathering on that.

Off the Record, Vol. 4

(August 31, 2006)

I attended a Business Seminar on Tuesday; one of those conventions that "trains" on how to be successful (i.e. make more sales, be a better leader, etc.). Normally I wouldn't attend--these conventions typically reek of artificiality-- yet my company had free tickets, so I didn't need to pay $225. Quite the array of speakers; Steve Forbes, Rudolph Giulliani, Robert Schuller, Zig Ziglar, John Stockton, etc. After lunch, prior to Rudy Giulliani coming on to speak, they had one of those little "competitions" to help CEOs and their employees relax. This was a dancing competition, to see who can most rile up the audience. I didn't know anybody there, so decided to go for broke. Was one of the 12 who competed in front of this 15,000 person audience, and won the competition. The audience voted by cheering; I know how it feels to be a pop star now. Anywhoo, I won a free vacation for Elise and myself to Disneyworld in Orlando. How 'bout them apples?

School commences anew this coming Tuesday. This was the first year I purchased all of my books online at Half.com, and I ended up saving around $150. I'm cool with that.

Any of you familiar with that Terrence Malick film "The New World?" I need to plug this movie. One of the most beautiful, poetic, unique, and evocative films I have ever come across. This film, to me, defines why cinema exists. If you enjoy the typical Hollywood fare, don't bother; it's one of those you'll either absolutely love or hate. Malick is a modern transcendentalist; he does for cinema what Emerson did for words. It isn't a movie told by words as much as its told by how you feel. I've never seen a film where the face expresses so much, instead of words. Blows away every other historical epic I've seen, except for maybe Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia. It's what Braveheart wanted to be. James Horner (Braveheart, Beautiful Mind, Titanic) is disappointing, I admit. He regurgitates some melodies from Titanic and Braveheart, yet his music isn't even the main music in the film. Wagner's "Vorspiel" and Mozart's "Piano Concert #23" are what carry the movie entirely, and they enchant you; they magnify every angle and shot in a way I never thought possible. Visual poetry. It's heartbreaking that movies like this aren't recognized anymore; I haven't been this entranced by a film for probably five years.

And In-N-Out now owns land in Utah. Just a little north of St. George. [tear] Hopefully they won't wait too long. Call me a fanatic. I just like good things.

Off The Record, Vol. 3

(August 24 , 2006)

This weekend we're going to see the new Phantom of the Opera show in Vegas. It'll be sweet. We were planning on going to one of those really nice, ritzy restaurants, but something hinders my paying $30 for an 8oz. piece of meat. Maybe its logic, I'm not sure. When In-N-Out is nonexistent in Utah, that in itself is reason to drive five hours to Vegas.

This is the upside to knowing people that you met in Chile who have really big houses in Las Vegas, you don't have to pay for a hotel!

Not much else going on right now until school begins in two weeks.

Did I mention I was married now? It's wonderful. I could be one of those people that goes off, saying "They're perfect!" or "I'm with the best girl in the entire world!" yet whenever I've read that on other pages I smell artificiality. We motivate and support each other, make each other laugh and each want to be a better person because of how good and well-rounded the other person is. She lets me fly my own kite, and I try to do the same with her. I'm cool with that.

And for the next time you're really, really bored: www.kittenwar.com

A Momentary Lapse of Reason

(June 7, 2006)

One of my greatest pleasures this past month (besides being engaged, of course) came from finally having time to read. When in school, my schedule is soon filled with too many activities that I can't find the time to read as I'd like. I've read quite a few doozies over the past month.

Including Angels & Demons and The DaVinci Code.

I confess that the Dan Brown method is entertaining. You feel antsy at times, wondering what will happen, and DaVinci Code is one of the bestselling books ever (although Angels & Demons is a superior plot).

Yet truth must prevail. Dan Brown is not a good writer, and both books fall horribly flat. In no way are they of the material from which classics are made. And while I'm no English Lit major, I feel nearly any of them would agree with me.

For all of you who include this as a favorite novel of yours, I seriously question (a) how much you've ever read, (b) if you ever ask deep questions on your own, and (c) if you would still think it cool to make it a favorite of yours if it weren't so "fashionable" to do so.

I've thought a lot about this. Just a few days ago, as I was finishing DaVinci Code, I stumbled across a comment by the author Salman Rushdie saying, "It's a book so bad, it makes bad books look good." Considering his colorful array of novels (Satanic Verses, anyone?), I know he's not talking about the theme. On the contrary, the theme of the novel is a very good point on which to meditate; when you really want to understand your views or beliefs, you must consider all possible options, not just those with which you feel comfortable. Only after sufficient pondering should you then reject it, or take whatever truth may be there and dispel the rest.

Themes aside, I felt like I was reading one of those "Choose Your Own Adventure" novels. You know, the ones from 6th and 7th grade where you choose how you want the book to go? Dan Brown writes each chapter with a final sentence or two that is supposed to make you go, "Oh! Let me continue on a little further! That little pump of adrenaline has made my loins giddy!" While the easy-to-understand language obviously contributes to its mainstream success, the sentence structure is nigh to overly simplified in both books.

Actually, Dan Brown reminds me of Star Wars. All six movies suffer from perhaps the worst dialogue ever written, just like Brown's novels. You want to know what would have made the last three Star Wars worth the hoopla? Make the dialogue believable. Hire Quentin Tarantino to rewrite the script into normal language (without Tarantino dropping swear words in every sentence), and you'll find conversation anybody would have. Normal conversation does not flow like Obi Wan and Anakin, nor does it flow like Langdon and his associates. $5 says a large part of this recent craze has come from the fact anybody with a 4th grade education could read the book and easily follow what's happening. Like the 2am infomercials say, "It's that easy!"

Let's not forget that if you read either of these books, you basically can guess how the other will end. You know who will be bad, who will be good, and that Langdon will score with an intelligent woman because he is a professor.

Then, or course, he explains exactly how you should view each situation. Ever read Steinbeck, or seen either of the "Solaris" movies (or did your mind hurt too much in the first few minutes because you had to think, so you turned it off and watched "Zoolander" instead?)? Depth in art comes through presenting your message and allowing the audience use of their mind to connect the dots on their own. Everybody has read this book, yet you never hear anybody really discussing it in detail in a group setting.

"Why is that, Lowell?" There's nothing to explore! Had the significance of new characters at the end of the book not been explained, that in itself would have produced debates for years on end. I cannot see a high school analysis, let alone a college thesis, be successful by analyzing anything in the novel; there is nothing left to analyze.

Since when has that method produced anything of lasting importance? Even Harry Potter doesn't fall into this trap. I get so mad at the Potter kid sometimes for his lack of self-control, yet at least leaving his teenage mind unanalyzed makes him more well-rounded.

Another rant, I guess. Only because I stayed up late last night, reading the last 100 pages, and realized at the end that the Rushdie quote I wanted to disprove was true.

I'll still see the movie, of course. I mean, it's the latest craze, isn't it?

UPDATE 7/6/06: I saw the movie last night in Boise, Idaho. Was worth using the free passes I had. And I thank Ian McKellan for 50 percent of that.

Off the Record, Vol. 2

(January 9, 2006)

So I've found a new love: Scrubs. This show is great. Whoever decided to put TV shows on DVD was a genious (I hate commercials). Nice to have found a show that reflects my humor.

Speaking of humor, have you read that book The Color Code? I just finished it a few days ago, and highly recommend it. It's funny how much I learned about my character- I'm an even split between Blue and Yellow, apparently. I've always wondered what it is that shapes my odd character, and the book explained every detail of it to me. You wanna learn a bit about yourself, take a few days and read it.

The semester is over now, and its been sweet. I have an internship in Provo this summer with Northwestern Mutual thatll help me understand my field a lot more. My random dance class was surprisingly cool, too. Many of the women in my class told me 'Im one of the better guys in the class to dance with... I'll take that compliment. [high five!] I may not be black, but at least I have some kind of rhythm. Not too bad for a whitey.

So how many of you kids above 20 want to take a trip down memory lane? Go to YouTube.com and watch Intros for your long-lost cartoon friends. Do you still remember the theme song for Gummy Bears? My Pet Monster? That Cops Cartoon? Pirates of Dark Waters? Tiny Toons? $5 says no more than ten of you remember Marshall Bravestar. I watched some old-school commercials for the Teddy Ruxpin doll, and got all nostalgic.

The past two weeks have been very hot up here in Provo, and then suddenly last Tuesday we had a freezing snow storm. I swear, the weather could be such a girl sometimes. Just make up your mind already.

This past Friday marked my 1-year anniversary since my 24-hour road trip to Phoenix for a U2 Concert. Got back to Provo dead tired the next morning, and took out a 96% on a final. Thanks for the help, Bono.

I found out this week that my high school/ jr. high mentor, Adair Satterfield, passed away. I was surprised to hear that; I guess that news always is a surprise. I last spoke with him a month after I returned from Santiago, back in 2004, when I needed some academic records from high school, and it felt so good having a normal conversation with him about life and how everything had been for us. He taught every single person who knew him to be happy with whatever they did as a career. You know that line from Hamlet, Above all, to thine own self be true? He defined that. I'm a better man for knowing him.

And finally, for you Californians and any outsiders who love In-N-Out, look up the following link. This should not allow anyone's gut to feel good.
http://supersizedmeals.com/food/article.php/20060125050438458

Off The Record, Vol. 1

(Januaryy 2005)

Anybody out there try out the Texas Roadhouse Restauarant yet, besides myself? I went there twice during Christmas break, the second time just to have their ribs. I'm not a ribs person, at all, but sweet mercy you just can't get enough of those at that place.

So this morning I buy tickets to go see Coldplay at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas on February 3rd, and I'm really excited. Then four hours later I go to Men's Chorus, only to find out that we have a concert that night. If I don't go to the Men's Chorus concert, I automatically fail. Ironic, isn't it? Just my luck, too. [high five!] So Vegas is almost blown, but I'm going to see if I could pull any strings here..

I went running in California during Christmas break, and was surprised at how warm it was. Went running tonight for my first time this semester, in Provo, and after an hour I was surprised that even though it was freezing cold outside, my arms weren't cold. Then I felt them- yeah, they were completely numb. Don't try that at home, kids.

My friends just got this brand new Hot Chocolate machine, just for making hot chocolate. It's how I always imagined the hot chocolate from that "Chocolat" movie to be, or even that river in "Willy Wonka"- just perfect.

Saw the "Corspse Bride" last Saturday. Everything is better than "Nightmare Before Christmas," except for the music (and that one part in Nightmare when the kid pulls a head out of the gift box... priceless!).

Anybody else think King Kong and Chronicles of Narnia are two of the best pictures of last year? No? Just me? Okay then...

I played Dance Dance Revolution for the first time in five years on New Year's Eve. Last time was in Innoventions at Disneyland, when I was a senior. That thing is addicting.

I think I offended somebody today, completely by accident. But that's nothing new. After so many times, it's hard to care that much.

I just signed up for a dance class at school. I wanted to take at least 15 credits, and had 14.5- all of which are business classes, so I feel justified in taking something out of my comfort zone. Just to branch out, I guess. I always have had this vision of taking my wife dancing every so often when we're married, and actually knowing what we're doing. I remember whenever I went to Disneyland, in the little pavillion next to the castle, they'd have a live swing band at nights, and all these different couples would come to dance- old, young, gangster- and I always thought that was cool. I guess that's when the idea first popped into my head.

Anyways... back to homework now.

Changes (a la David Bowie)

(December 22, 2005)

So I have another thought to get off my mind. Maybe it’s this beautiful weather I’m enjoying in California that's making me think, or something along those lines.

I began reading a biography on Abraham Lincoln back in June, and couldn’t touch it during this past semester due to the demands of school. On Monday I was reading a few pages dedicated to explaining how he epitomized the American notion that a person can change their surroundings. He was born with literally nothing, while farming would take breaks to sit under a nearby tree and study law, and made himself the one of the eminent lawyers in the western US. All of that he did on his own. No schooling, to real mentors early in his adult life- he developed the character over time which made him what he still is today.

So think back to how in high school all of your friends tell you in your yearbooks to “Not Change…. Never!” “Stay the way you are, forever.” Yadda yadda yadda.

At my high school graduation as we’re walking down the football field, the announcer read some pre-written statements by some of those graduating. The majority were by kids who hadn’t planned much after high school, basically saying on the announcement their schooling was over. “Mom and Dad, I made it! I’m done! I’m through! I’m finished with school!”

Did you ever see that Home Improvement episode in the early days (you know, before that JTT kid hit puberty?) when Tim’s college friend comes to visit and hasn’t changed in the 10 years since college? Towards the end of the episode, Tim realized they had nothing in common, because Tim loved the present, and the other guy “glorified in the past while the future dried up.”

I had the chance to go to Santiago Chile as a missionary. For those of you who aren’t LDS, I wish you could in some way grasp what that experience means and is. When I came back, there was so much I had learned about myself during that time that I couldn't return to who I was previously, even if I tried.

Basically, I’m trying to explain how glad I am for the principle of change. I’m sure glad I’ve been able to, if even in the smallest way. If we’re the same person at the end of the year that we were at the beginning of the year- if we haven’t developed better attributes, are not kinder, have not left behind some vice or addiction we know are destructive to us, are we really moving in life at all? I reflect on the past decade occasionally, when I come home and look at my photo albums from then. I had a lot of fun, yet I’m glad I’m not the same person I was back then. I think he was a good guy, yet there were some traits he had which, looking back, I’m glad he’s gotten rid of.

People go to school for years to get a Bachelor’s Degree or a doctorate, but their character and personality very often doesn’t change. We pursue education for a degree, and facts and information which just lay dormant, without our incorporating them into our life. If you are not a better person after studying and going to school- more refined, more trustworthy, higher integrity, etc.- what was the point of wasting so much time? U.S. News and World Report, in 1980, had an article declaring that "Universities are turning out highly skilled barbarians." I wonder how much truer that is now, 25 years later.

I love a quote that says “I believe that how one lives his life is the ultimate test of an education.” I guess that’s all I wanted to say.

Again, if you stayed through all of this, I appreciate your company.

Survey

(December 1, 2005)

So I haven't done one of these in about four years, and thought it would be fun. Forgive my indulgence.

1. What is your full name? Lowell Douglas Smith
2. Were you named after anyone? A bishop my parents had when they were first married, I think. Douglas is my father's name.
3. Do you wish on stars? On occasion.
4. When did you last cry? Almost did last night- probably two weeks ago.
5. Do you like your handwriting? It works, but I plan to improve it.
6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Honey-glazed turkey.
7. What is your birth date? September 10, 1982
8. What is your most embarrassing CD? I'm not embarrassed of any of my music, but I'll say the Simon and Garfunkel Greatest Hits. The worst picture for a cover I have ever seen.
9. If you were another person, would you be your friend? I think so. I would get a kick out of meeting myself- I've always been intrigued by seeing myself from somebody else's perspective.
10. Are you a daredevil? Yes. And I have the scars to prove it.
11. Have you ever told a secret you swore not to tell? Probably, but it would have been years ago.
12. Do looks matter? To a degree, yet their personality and mind are what make them beautiful. There is too much emphasis put on physical attraction. I quote Silent Bob in "Clerks": "You know, there's a million fine looking women in the world, dude. But they don't all bring you lasagna at work. Most of 'em just cheat on you."
13. How do you release anger? I don't have anger. If I did, I'd run it off.
14. Where is your second home? Whatever Temple I live closest to, then Chile. After a year and a half I still occasionally have a dream that I'm there, and I'll wake up feeling homesick.
15. Do you trust others easily? Yes, because I would hope they would trust me.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had an X-Men collection worthy of display at the Smithsonian.
17. What class in high school do you think was totally useless? Economics and American History, yet I'm to blame. I took them with my best friends during Summer School the year before we had to, just to get them out of the way. Everybody else in the class was there because they failed it the year before, so it was very dumbed-down and not motivating. I've made up for it, though- now American History is one of my favorite topics.
18. Do you have a journal? Yes. I've written consistently since the end of my senior year in high school.
19. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Yes. I'm trying to tone it down, though.
20. What are your nicknames? Lowie, "D", Mys, L-Train
21. Would you bungee jump? Did. Twice. Went skydiving, too. Would do it all again.
22. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? I do now- it makes the shoe last longer.
23. Do you think you are strong? As a person or physically? Yes, and yes.
24. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Butter Pecan, and German Chocolate Cake. Have you had that Dreyer's Apple-Pie one that is made only during the fall? That's good stuff.
25. What is your shoe size? I fit into a 12, but wear 13. I like the space.
26. Red or pink? Red. Dark red. Like Burgundy. It's a beautiful color.
27. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I use sarcasm too much, and need to do better at organizing my time.
28. Who do you miss most? I don't really miss anybody. I try to maintain contact.
29. Do you want everyone you sent this to send it back? I didn�t think they had to, but if they want to...
30. What color pants & shoes are you wearing? Khaki pants and brown Skechers.
31. What are you listening to right now? "Wake Up" by the Arcade Fire. They're my new love. Go buy their cd.
32. What is the last thing you ate? Barbecue Chicken Sandwich and some orange juice.
33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Dark blue- the perectly rich tone that you almost never see, but when you do see it, it stands out and you appreciate it.
34. What is the weather like right now? Can't decide if it wants to snow or not.
35. Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? Drew Sellers.
36. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their eyes and how they carry themselves. "You could always tell in the first glance of a person, in the features of their countenance, something of their heart."
37. Do you like the person who sent this to you? It wasn't sent to me- they had it up as a blog, and I thought it was good. We don't talk anymore. But they were very influential in my life, and I'll always appreciate them.
38. What is your favorite drink? Fresh squeezed orange juice. Right around daybreak.
39. Favorite sport? To play: Soccer. To watch: Basketball and cage-fighting (yes, it's real, and yes, it's cool)
40. Hair color? I've heard it all this past year. Red, Strawberry blonde, dirty blonde, dark brown� apparently it changes without my knowing.
41. Eye color? Blue. I like them.
42. Do you wear contacts? No. I like the glasses I use for driving, though.
43. Favorite food? Double-Double, In-N-Out Strawberry Milkshake, Chicken Caesar Salad, real Mexican Food (white people just mess it up), oranges.
44. What was the last movie you watched? Walk the Line. I was surprised that I didn't like it.
45. Favorite day of the year? Fourth of July.
46. Scary movies or happy endings? Probably happy endings.
47. Summer or winter? I like what they said: "Summer. I love the beach, and walking around on warm nights, and staying out late, and all that jazz."
48. Hugs OR kisses? A sincere hug which segue ways into a slow, good kiss.
49. Favorite Desert? Coconut Cream Pie
50. Who is most likely to respond? Not planning on it.
51. Least likely? I repeat...
52. Living arrangements? "The Brown House": Two apartments, one on top of the others, with six men in each, connected by an interior staircase. Eleven of the best men I have ever known.
53. What books are you reading? The First 2,000 Years, a biography on Abraham Lincoln, and the Book of Mormon. I plan to finish all three by New Year's Eve.
54. What's on your mouse pad? Promo ads. I got it for free on campus.
55. What did you watch last night on TV? Didn't watch TV last night.
56. What is your favorite smell? The beach, summer rain, the forest, and this one perfume I smelled that I fell in love with- I forget the name. Butterfly, or something like that.
57. Rolling Stones or the Beatles? Led Zeppelin
58. What is the furthest you've been from home? Niagara Falls, and Chile.
59. How many guys/girls have you kissed? If I could go back to the beginning, I wish I could say '2'
60. What do you look forward to most? In truth, every day. Also, growing old with my wife and being a dad. I visited my friend Brian in California, was cuddling his 7-month old son, and he told me it looked very natural to see me doing that. I can�t wait 'till it's my own son.
61. Who's your best Friend? Allison, Austin Vorkink, and Drew Sellers.
62. Have you every been in love? Yes.

The Greatest Game Every Played

(November 19, 2005)

It's about 3am, and my friend Drew and I just returned from the dollar theatre (ahhh the joys of living in a two-university town where, if you wait a month after a movie comes out, you save $9 a ticket). Went and saw The Greatest Game Ever Played. Applauded at the end. I usually don't do that. It is such a breath of fresh air when a movie comes out that isn't high budget, no indecency , no raunchy jokes, no swearing, no monkey on a baseball team that takes you to the world series, no elephant coming out of a friggin' board game etc., but just makes you feel really good about life- and is a true event at that. Whatever happened to that genre?

And I want to go golfing.

Sixth Sense Syndrome

(November 2005)

I realize that many of you who might read my blogs have never had the chance to sit down and chat with me. Half of you I've only been sarcastic with, for instance, and that is all we've done. So hopefully through these blogs, you could get to know me a little better. (curse you, Mike, for getting me into this MySpace thing!)

There's a thought I need to get off my mind.

I'm a fan of worthwhile conversation. I've come to believe over the years that the way one discusses things which are important to them is a pretty sure sign of who they really are. What always intrigues me is when people say they dislike or like something, yet have no reasoning behind it. They haven't bothered to figure out why. That's never settled well with me. God has created man as a rational being with the capacity to develop our mind and skills as much as we do choose to- it's that thing called free agency.

So we all have different tastes. I could hate Neil Diamond, you could hate Tolstoy. He might love Justin Timberlake, and she might think Michael Jackson isn't a freak. One could loathe Kuprick, the Beatles, Mozart, but at least be be able to justify your position! "Because" is not an acceptable answer after Jr. High, and in college it is pathetic if you cannot verbalize your thoughts after so much education. If you cannot justify why you feel a certain way about something which has had a very significant impact on society and culture, I'm sorry, but you are not giving people much reason to value your opinion.

There is this syndrome I refer to as the "Sixth Sense Sydrome." It describes how one finds their "comfort zone" and what works for them, and then dislikes anything which differs. Example: I consider M. Night Shyamalan a cinematic genious. The care and precision he puts into making his films is on a level very few directors care to achieve. Think back to when we all saw the Sixth Sense for the first time. You were probably blown away, thinking, the twist ending and everything was so cool. Then Night goes and makes three more movies which are, on every level, just as good as the Sixth Sense (arguably better), and what happens? Because the tactic isn't as "fresh," they're panned. "Oh, it's just not as good," means "eh, I didn't feel the same shock value." You ask them why didn't like it, and there is no definable answer. Just because the filmmaking tactic isn't as new or as exciting anymore, or has been tweaked a little bit to offer a wider view, they consider everything afterwards to be of lesser value.

There's this little band- Weezer. Blue album. Masses go wild. We all buy "Happy Days" DVD's because of the Buddy Holly video. People running around the streets in their underwear. What happens? Rivers grows as an artist and decides to make the album he wanted to make in the first place- a personal, intimate album that exposes the man we now idolize. Pinkerton comes out. "Oh that sucks! That isn't the same band! Where's 'Buddy Holly'?" Masses pull back, for fear of something outside their comfort zone. So Weezer takes a break for a few years (as Rivers overcomes depression) and releases the Green Album to satisfy our taste for the same old sound. "Ahhh, that's better. Now I could be a fanatic again." Same old story through the years. Pearl Jam is the biggest band in the world, then decides to become men by releasing No Code- which is in many ways their most beautiful, emotional album- and people hate it. "Where's 'Jeremy'? I want to thrive in my teenage angst and depression, not try and overcome it!" Smashing Pumpkins develop a huge gathering, and then decide to become more intimate and personal with Adore. Same old. U2 makes it big with Joshua Tree, and they've released material just as good ever since (their beautiful 90's trilogy is the best three album streak ever by a band. ZooTV is beautiful, and PopMart is genious), yet people just get antsy, and won't listen until they get back to Beautiful Day. "Ahhh, there's that lovey-dovey sound I want to listen to over and over again."

I'll get off my soapbox now. If you stayed through the entire thing, I appreciate your company.

Shifting The Archive

In an effort to keep things as simple as possible, I'm shifting my blogs from MySpace over here.

Anybody new here, I invite you to read 'em. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll throw chairs at kittens, or not. I think they're good, at least.

And if you've read them before... did anybody really get everything out of a good book by reading it just once?

Regards,

Lowell

New Leaf

Will someone please explain to me how 'lowellsmith.blogspot.com' is already used? This Lowell M. Smith beat me by a month... punk. Twenty-four years old, and I have yet to meet another person with the name Lowell, yet now some Texan has my first AND last names? Wha?!

I'm only trying this temporarily. MySpace has been cordial to my blog. Yet the time has come to move up. Tom and his associates immediately remove your oldest blogs after X amount of postings, and I'm just not a fan of that. I like how people can leave comments on my blogs over there, too. Sooooo let's see how this works out. Maybe you could leave comments here. I really haven't the foggiest.

Welcome, and come on back soon!

... okay. I just learned that you can leave comments. Subscribing is game, too. They've thought of everything!