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.