Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

I need pictures in this post. I thought of putting emoticons to match the respective emotion. It would have been tedious to get the emoticons because I would be super picky and have to have exatcly matching types and there isn't a simple enough way (meaning in less than 1 minute) to find what I wanted. Therefore, I will post random awesome pictures of nerd t-shirts throughout this post just to have some pictures. If you don't get one, I'd love to help explain so we can have a chuckle together. WARNING: not for the casual nerd, but for real nerds.

Happy:
My "Swim Team" playlist. This is my playlist that I've assembled that is what I view to be most worthwhile to play for a group of people like my swim team. That's what I originally created it for and that's what it's still called. It has various popular music from the recent 3 years, a fair amount of alternative music, and not quite enough classic rock.

Sad:
Emotionally riveting soundtracks. Lord of the Rings, Finding Nemo: the Musical, Lion King (broadway), etc. I am really into soundtracks. I have to have seen the movie/play to really enjoy it. Also, Josh Groben would fit this mood.

Bored:
I usually don't listen to music when I'm bored...I think. I suppose I would pick a soundtrack to listen through.

Hyped
Pirates of the Caribbean (any of the first three) and Tron: Legacy are the first soundtracks to come to mind. They I really enjoy those anytime. Also, Eye of the Tiger is the all time classic go to when it comes to hype and pumping up.

Mad
Dark Knight soundtrack. I could see some Linkin Park fulfilling this sometimes too. Dark Knight is, well, dark. While I know most aren't into soundtracks like me, I think many can agree that the music in Dark Knight certainly helped darken the tone of the movie making it a great mad music. Linkin Park has some great screaming if you are angry. It also has some smooth vocals that balance it out for me. I wouldn't listen to something screaming and yelling and hating through the whole thing. I tend to feed of the mood of my music so that would be bad for me

With all of these, I really listen to all of them, all the time. Just cause you hear me listening to Dark Knight doesn't mean I am mad. Same with Finding Nemo: the Musical!, I definitely listen to that just for kicks quite frequently.

Yup, gotta get this one.

LOL...this one too.

Up Next: Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends

Day 09 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days

I have increased my productivity at work. I am proud of it. I don't think I was being lazy or inefficient before but I've improved. I have been able to focus and accomplish tasks faster than before. All this being said, my workload has more than doubled. I am the Events Coordinator and Systems Administrator for USU Campus Recreation. I schedule all the recreational buildings on campus (HPER, Fieldhouse and, outdoor playing fields, QUAD included). I manage all of the computers in our department. I also manage our recreation management software, "Fusion".

One reason my workload has jumped so quickly is the various parts of Campus Recreation trying to start use it more, all at once. Intramurals, Club Sports, the Hockey team, general facility access, and I am even moving all the event coordination functions to this software. I have to balance preping new hardware, troubleshooting existing hardware, and hardest of all, helping staff use it all.

All in all, I really enjoy my job. It is challenging and fulfilling. My next work-related accomplishment will be better estimating the time it will take to do some of these things. I often have to work outside of business hours when the computers aren't in use. With no one there to distract me, I loose track of time quickly while getting so much done. I will be better.

Up Next: Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why

My short short term goals list:


1. Tighten the finances. This phase in life can be hard financially. Add spouse applying for med school, finances get harder. Add student loans, finances get harder. Add dying car that costs buckets of money to fix, over and over, finances get harder. Pay my tithing, be responsible and smart, not spending frivolously, following a budget, etc., we'll make it through.


2. Finish IT goals at work. Truthfully, most who might read this would be bored to hear the details. I'll be brief by saying, I am adding quite a bit of new hardware and implementing several software solutions. Also I have to train quite a few people on varying levels of understanding. I have lots of work that is easy to get distracted away from and then I can't get everything done. Be like Scottie; Miracle Worker.


3. Be better at home. More patient, more helpful, more sympathetic, etc. I don't think I am in the failing range for any of these but its easy to fall into routine. Routine can often give you the false sense of going nowhere. Realistically, you are always moving in one direction or another or another. I want to be moving forward to become more patient, more helpful, more sympathetic rather than assume that I am a great guy that just does those things great (don't mistake that last phrase, I wasn't claiming I've ever done them great).


Told you that was short. Much longer and I'd forget what my goals were. The first one I'm kinda forced to meet by the fact that I need to be able to pay rent and groceries. The second, I suppose I have to meet because I need to be able to pay rent and groceries. The third, I need to always work on so I can have a wife to pay rent for and bring groceries home to.


Up Next: Day 09 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days

Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Gabrielle and Britain, the loves of my life.

Well no duh. This one wasn't even a challenging question. This part of the 30 day challenge doesn't really elicit any deep meaningful response that is earthshatteringly revealing. Anyone who knows me a little bit knows that Britain is my number one, Gabrielle is my number two, and that I love them both more than anything. That't it. Short post.

Okay really, I can give a few tidbits about their impacts on my life. Britain has balanced me out to be a much better person. More tolerant, more educated, more willing to seek new perspectives. I appreciate her for that. Gabrielle has taken the love that I feel for my wife and added a richness to my love for Britain as well as earning herself a special place in my affections.

There is a transition you go through when you get married. The love you feel, the experience of being married, and the depth of your love are completely foreign and literally impossible to comprehend before marriage. Try as hard as you can to explain it, un-wedded couples try to pretend they know and understand. Get married and you realize how much richness, joy, and excitement is added. Those same couples almost every time say, "Wow! I had no idea!"

Having a child is a similar. Unique and different from marriage, of course. But this is the best comparison I can present. A change that can't be explained until you make the change. A couple will try to convince you that they know how much you can love the child and how it will change your life. But no. Talk to them at the 1 or 2 year birthday and they'll say the same thing, "Wow! I had no idea!" I am guessing (only being weeks past the 2 year mark) that this only compounds itself and in another 2, 5, 10, etc. years, I'll repeat the same phrase over and over.

To end I'd like to share something that bugs me: "I know what its like to have a kid; I have a [insert pet type]!" Oh brother. "I love my babies [referring to pet] just as much as you love your child." How naive to assume that a human can love a pet as much as a human child. I will fully acknowledge the attachment you can feel to a pet. You can really love them too; they can care for you in return. To say that you have deep commitment and experiences as a loving caretaker because you have a pet is either a sign of know-it-all-ness or an expression of insecurities (often both). No dog will compare to a human child. No hamster will ever give you the pure joy of sweet and loving eyes when they first utter the words, "I love you Daddy." Have a kid and see if you still call your fluffy mammals your babies. To close this point on a lighthearted note (kind of), You can't say you love your pet as much as someone loves their child because you don't let someone you really love run around in a car, un-fastened or in some kennel/cage. Until you get a pet restraint device at or on par with the safety of current child restraint devices, you have no way to claim you care more or even equal.

Okay, I have to end differently. I love Gabrielle. I know that every mother and father that reads this post can join with me and know that the most challenging and trying part of your lives is also your source of greatest joy and fulfillment. Go to your child tell them you love them and remember that first smile, that first da da, or ma ma, that first time that little hand held your finger to take a walk down the street. That's love.

Up Next: Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why

Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why

Uh-oh. This is the question I've been fearing. How can I commit to just one? I suppose a lengthy analysis is the best option. What defines a superhero? That is a tough question. I have many that I would love to list but will have to be selective. My focus is going to be on many superhero stories that have been made big by Hollywood. If Hollywood made them, typically it means they are already pretty darn good superheroes.

Fantastic Four (Marvel Universe)

First. The Fantastic Four. Pretty good flick. Nice comics. Favorite. No. They are cool and their team dynamics make them worth of making movies out of. It helps that they pick a good looking actresses for the key female part.

X-Men, any variety (Marvel Universe)

While pictured is the good-guys group from X-Men: Last Stand, I would also include the baddies too. X-Men really makes it because what is good and bad? There's the obvious characters, Professor X is good, Magneto is bad. Magneto's cause is good but he goes about it in the wrong way. Professor X is unwilling to bend to do wrong. As you get to more characters, you find out there reasons for being here or there are deep. Character development is some of the deepest in all comic books. Add extraordinary spectacle, and you have something awesome. Favorite, no. Why? One is the massive number of characters. Even if I picked just one, they are missing something to make them my favorite; each one missing a different aspect or lacking any all together.

Ironman/Tony Stark (Marvel Universe)

  Awesome movies. With that said. I don't care deeply about the series outside of the awesome movies of the 2008 and 2010 renditions. So obviously not my favorite superhero. However, Tony Stark AKA Ironman does have a very unique quality. EVERYONE knows that he is Ironman. It is fun to explore what its like with the typical secret identity syndrome removed from the equation. He is extremely narcissistic which makes him handle the fame in a fun way. He also advocates for removing secret identities. Think about how that would affect different super-heroes in their respective cosmos'. Fun to think about.

Spiderman (Marvel Universe)

The Spiderman franchise is excellent. You take a superhero and face him with a beat hard personal life and add in massive crossing of his superhero life, you get a dynamic character. You get to see real emotion. The movies don't quite realize it but Peter Parker/Spiderman is super smart. While he has been given super strength, commonly he will not be more powerful than his enemies but must resort to outsmarting them (often with science). His character is one of the most explored in regard to secret identity conflicts. He also has the worst luck at looking horrible or having to dodge out to save the day at the expense of something really important in his real life.

****SPOILER - SPIDERMAN 2****

You see a glimpse of that in Spiderman 2 when Doc Oc learns Spiderman's identity as Peter Parker and realizes why his professors view Peter as "brilliant but lazy." Not lazy! He's Spiderman! Take quotes like, "With great power comes great responsibility," and add great soundtrack and you have great movies. I love the movies, love the comic books, the old cartoon TV series, but still, not my favorite. We are getting closer though...

Batman (DC Universe)

So, you may notice that I have added my first non-Marvel superhero. Batman is dark. He's the superhero that has unwavering ability to do what needs to be done. The original four movies where very comic bookie in a not so wonderful way. I still liked them. When the series was re-imagined with Batman Begins and Dark Knight (soon to add Dark Knight Rising), I freaked out. This is what Batman is about. A real person, who struggles, but in all truth, has no "super" power. He takes the fall if needed. He is okay being hated.

****SPOILER ALERT (Cartoon version, not live action)****

In a Justice League movie I watched, the villain points out that only Batman would actually follow through with destroying an entire planet in order to prevent the impending evil. Again, for me, too dark to call my favorite. My favorite considers Batman a trusted friend...friend enough for Batman to kill him if he ever lost control...

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JUST A LITTLE BIT FARTHER (Uh-oh, now I seem like a stupid pass this to 100 friends or you'll die email...)

Superman (DC Universe)

C'mon,who didn't see this coming? Superman is my favorite, no contest. He exemplifies perfect and unwavering dedication to what is right. I have seen all Superman related movies and TV shows starting with Christopher Reeves Superman in 1978. I loved watching Lois and Clark. I watched every single episode of Smallville vigilantly from the day in 2001 that I sat next to my Mom and watched the Pilot episode. I daresay I was fanatical. Okay, I admit I am completely fanatical (Ginger may rival me).

Superman/Clark Kent. Who is he really? Superman or Clark Kent? Who defines who? Why is he such an iconic superhero? Some say that it is no fun to follow Superman because he's invincible and super powerful and such. I say it gives him far more responsibility to choose right and stand for Truth, Justice, and all that stuff. He is the icon of what a superhero is and should be. His real choices are of morality, not, "Am I powerful enough to beat this challenge." He has to put what is best ahead of what he might feel or what might be easy. ****SPOILER...kind of (It happens so many times it not completely a spoiler)**** Superman/Clark has to prioritize saving Lois vs. saving the general population. We always know what his decision is. He also has some of the most iconic looking poses. Superman is my number one Superhero.


Up Next: Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Here are some pictures and commentary from my most recent trip: Banff National Forest in Canada!

Canadian Flag over Lake Moranie

Cascade Gardens in the town of Banff

My Family on a beautiful hike

Me on a rock, carrying the kid.

Lake Louise Ski Resort Lodge. We went up the lift to possibly see bears and wildlife...FAIL.

Peyto Lake. Seriously, its that color.

My two favorite girls (or guys for that matter) at Peyto Lake

Gabrielle insisting we walk on the insane hike down to the above mentioned Peyto Lake.

Britain and I in the 41 F glacier water of Peyto Lake. That is a faked smile on my face. By this time, I was in pain.

Yes, a bear, something like 20 feet away. Its an almost grown cub. Bystanders say the mother and other cub were deeper in the brush.

Gabrielle. She was excited for the bear but even more for the bug that flies by in a few seconds after this cute picture.

This is one "toe" of the super massive ice fields. Impressive. Most Impressive.

This is Bridal Veil Falls. It was super misty. Got soaked standing this far away!

This was by far the funnest hike of the trip. Really cool, isolated path that had two waterfalls.

Kiss under a waterfall. Check that one of the bucket list.

Up Next: Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why

Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have

I wish I weren't so darn smart. Just Kidding! Wow, I assure you I am not that full of myself. But in all seriousness, I do have habit that I am working on. I typically read people fairly well and can put forth a good customer service type approach to people. I fail quickly at this when I get going about technology. Sometimes I get excited and just keep going on about it. It being my job, I do have some skills. But I get lost in it and sometimes forget that others don't care as much. More than anything, I go on, realize people don't care, and leave embarrassed that I went off like I did.

Sorry for those that I do this too. I actually did this to my wife tonight and feel dumb about it. In all actuality, I had written the previous paragraph four days ago but didn't get around to posting. Here's to not insisting you are expert at something just because you are good at it. There is probably (almost guaranteed I would say) someone that is better or

Next Up: Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you've been to

Day 03 - A picture of you and your friends

Cross-Country Skiing with my coworkers.

My social life is combined with my at home life with my wife and daughter and also with my coworkers. I enjoy my job a lot and a lot of that has to do with how great the people are. This picture shows just a few of the people I get to interact with.

The far left is Melanie. The guy behind in yellow is Kevin, my boss, the director. Scott is next to him, assistant director. Andrea, our accountant, is front and center. Chris is the short dude next to me. His job has changed so many time in the past 2 years, who knows what to say his job is. Lifeguard, headguard, aquatics coordinator, Facility coordinator, HPER coordinator, web manager, etc.

I had the chance to go to a conference in Anaheim with the gentlemen in this photo. It was a blast and not just from Disneyland. We genuinely had a good time at the conference sessions, reviewing what we'd learned, and even in the evenings when we'd go out and relax.

We've been to lunch, tailgating, and running for Aggie Ice Cream, several times. I'm glad I like my job and glad I like the people. Thanks guys.

Up Next: Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have

Day 02 - The meaning behind your Blog name

My blog's name isn't incredibly complicated to figure out. "A Year Speeds By". It has great sentiment of what life seems like as you add more and more to a busy life. If you don't stop to enjoy it and also to record it, you can miss it. Additional, I started it to post at least one picture a day for an entire year. That hasn't happened yet. With any luck, July 18, 2012, I will have kept it up and have a complete year's worth of pictures.

To expand on the purpose of the Day 2 topic, my URL is jp-year.blogspot.com. Like the blog title, I think it is fairly strait forward. I wanted my name in it and year fits with the title. At the time I was into putting "-" into many of my username's, passwords, urls, etc. My digital footprint for several months was littered with -'s. I've spend some time thinking about it and there are only two places that that influence remains: here and in an old email address that I used to use for DEX (now renamed to Collegiate DECA). Funny thing is, the email is semi-pointless now that they've renamed the organization.

For today, here is the picture:

The laundry  is out on the line, at 9 pm because its so warm, 80 F. The low tonight is forcasted at 63 F.

It is so warm! Last night i didn't sleep great because it ended up being almost 80 F at 2 am. Yuck! I know its better and worse in different places but this seems a bit more extreme than I remember in Northern Utah! It's also been much more rainy that usual too. That was mostly earlier in May and June. Weather is always a good conversation topic because its always changing!

Up Next: Day 03 - A picture of you and your friends

Day 01 - A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

This picture is from a trip to Arizona I took with the USU Swim Team in April 2011.

1. I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations Emphasis.
2. I currently work at Utah State University in Campus Recreation as Systems Administrator and Events Coordinator.
3. I am married (Britain) with one child (Gabrielle), a 2-year-old girl.
4. I coach the USU Club Sports Swim Team.
5. My best looking clothes are actually what my younger brother has given me.
6. I have little to no formal training in IT, networking, computers, etc. but somehow I, unlike many others, turned a hobby into a skill that pays.
7. I worked at Walt Disney World for 5 months and loved it. Lifeguarding and Merchandise.
8. I am easily categorized as a nerd. I like shows like Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Lord of the Rings, etc. The list goes on.
9. In the world of video games, I have a pattern: I love Nintendo originals like Mario, Donkey Kong, and Zelda. My interests expand out from there to include Star Wars, Starcraft, and Halo. That's about it. It seems my tastes have established themselves.
10. I am movie geek. I like knowing actors and recognizing them in shows for other works. IMDB is awesome.
11. I like gadgets. Computers, tablets, phones, TVs, etc. Give me a new gadget and I'll keep happy. Now if I only had more money...
12. I've never left North America (namely, USA, Canada, or Mexico). I plan on changing that.
13. I love reliving childhood awesomeness. Once, I re-watched the first three seasons of Mighty Morphing Power Rangers; I was in college. Similarly, I secretly (or not so secretly) enjoy watching Sesame Street with my daughter.
14. Mountain Dew is awesome. I really like it. Canada failed me. It was caffeine free for some dumb reason. Whats the point?
15. I got a Presidential Scholarship to USU (full tuition and fees, 4 years), same at BYU and Utah. I chose Snow College (its only a two year college). Best decision of my life. Met my wife there. Then we ended up at USU together. I love her most.

Up Next: Day 02 - The meaning behind your Blog name

30 day blog challenge

I am starting this challenge to help get me blogging again. My wife is 20 days in and I want to be motivated to blog and help her to stay motivated to blog as well.

Here is what the coming days will look like:

Day 01 - A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02 - The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03 - A picture of you and your friends
Day 04 - A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 05 - A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06 - Favorite super hero and why
Day 07 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08 - Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09 - Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12 - How you found out about blogs and why you made one
Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14 - A picture of you and your family
Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16 - Another picture of yourself
Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18 - Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19 - Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23 - Something you crave for a lot
Day 24 - A letter to your parents
Day 25 - What I would find in your bag
Day 26 - What you think about your friends
Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28 - A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29 - In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30 - Who are you?