General Conference

Guess what everybody! I'm singing at General Conference this weekend! I haven't told many people about it because of the constant threat of being kicked out of the choir due to attendance, but if you've been paying attention to the upcoming performances listed on my blog, you probably figured it out by now. There has always been a constant threat of being kicked out of the choir by missing just one rehearsal. Now that there's only one more rehearsal left, I think it's safe to announce that I'll be singing this weekend.

So make sure to watch for me during the Saturday afternoon session. I feel really lucky to be singing at this session, as it's my favorite session all year (the one where they read the church statistics and sustain a whole bunch of new officers--including, most likely, the new apostle this Saturday).

I've got even better news! The church is giving everyone in the choir one single, solitary ticket to the session for a friend/family member. If one of you independent individuals would like to attend the session and silently cheer me on, let me know. :-) If you let me know before Wednesday night, I might even be able to get you a parking pass for the parking lot underneath the conference center--no guarantee, though. Hope to hear from you soon!

New Desk

So I moved to a new desk today at work. I didn't really want to, but I didn't feel like I had much choice in the matter. The island I previously sat at was where all the "talkers" worked--meaning, we're all quite social. Since the rest of the office is quiet people, anyone in the office could hear when we were talking. While he's never said anything to me, I think my boss was under the impression that my talking has led to lower productivity. I don't ever want my boss thinking that of me. So when he asked me to move, I felt like I needed to in order to prove that I don't have productivity issues.

The two big selling points of the new desk are that it's in a more private area and that my neighbors actually have the same type of accounts to work on (so they can answer any questions I have). However, there are some things I don't like about it. The new desk is right by my boss, so he can see whenever I stand up and talk to my new neighbors. Speaking of neighbors, my new neighbors are not likely to joke around with me like the old ones. I no longer face the windows, so I feel quite closed in. It's in the "quiet zone," and everyone around me can hear any conversation I have on the phone (I've tried talking quieter, but the person on the other end of the phone invariably asks if something is wrong because I'm talking so quietly).

I'm sure not all will be bad about this position. I'll get to make new friends in the office. It will please the boss, which is always a good thing. Besides, sooner or later another desk will open up and I'll be able to move again (there is really only one desk I wouldn't prefer to my new desk, and I'll never be asked to move there).

Spanglish

I know very little Spanish. I took German in school, and don't expect to study any Latin-based languages any time soon. But, seeing as I've had 3 roommates at different points in my life that were native Mexicans who didn't really speak English, I've had to use Spanglish to communicate with them.

The first bit of Spanglish I made up was the useful phrase that I'm sure most of you have heard me say before: No nintendo. Those two words say everything I need to say. First, it sounds like "no intiendo," which means something to the effect of "I don't understand you." But by saying "no nintendo," I'm also telling the Spanish speaker, "I'm a gringo. I do very American things like play nintendo, and am hopeless at learning your language." And hopefully the Spanish speaker will also see that I have a sense of humor.

Last night, I performed at my stake "Taliente" show--at least, I'd been calling it the taliente show before last night (for those of you who can't figure out what I'm talking about, it's a cross between talent and caliente). Turns out that for the most part, the show was boring. There were a few acts with "taliente," but that was about it.

Anybody have any good words to share?

Mr. Personality

So I spent the last couple days sitting through a seminar at work. We talked about where we fit on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and how that can affect our relationships. Then we spent the rest of the time talking about effective communication skills--especially in situations where there is conflict.

Turns out my personality is ESTP. You can find out what each letter means by doing a google search on Myers Briggs Types (and might even be able to take the test to see what you are). According to the info in my seminar and wikipedia, it means that I'm spontaneous, easy going, outgoing, charming, witty, fun, generous, observant, socially sophisticated, resourceful, a troubleshooter, unpredictable, action oriented, clever, "most adept among the types at manipulating other people," and one who "sees life as it is." Other ESTPs include Winston Churchill, Eddie Murphy, John Wayne, James Bond, and Heathcliff.

While I'm pretty sure this doesn't apply 100% to me exactly, I think it's fun to look at. Plus, it justifies why I have such a messy desk--the piles represent my "to do list." Do any of you know your Myers-Briggs type?

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patty's Day! Wear green, listen to Flogging Molly (or other Irish music), and dance a jig. I hope you all find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, or at least a lucky clover. And watch out for drunk drivers (you better not be one)!

A Laugh and a Half

Hey all,

If you get this before tonight, don't forget to come to my improv comedy show. I've been told that we've gotten funnier and funnier with each performance, and tonight's games are especially among my favorites.

Temple Controversy Gets Limelight

I received an email today asking me to write to HBO and Time-Warner in protest to a controversial episode of Big Love to be aired this weekend. It will basically recreate the temple ceremony as accurately as possible. I was mollified a little when I read this statement by the church on the issue; now I don't plan on writing a letter. However, it still bothers me.

The controversial debates caused by this have raised several questions about what we do in the temple and why it's a big deal to broadcast it on TV. There isn't anything that would embarrass or compromise us. There's no skeleton in the closet we don't want out. I'm pretty sure anyone hoping to find something like that in the ceremony would be quite bored with it. Simply put, I feel like you've stripped me naked and are broadcasting my private parts on TV against my will. It's something church members feel is just as private--or more--as their bodies.

So if you are unfamiliar with our temple ceremonies, please don't watch Big Love.

Frog and Toad the musical

My best friend and I got to relive some of our childhood this weekend when we saw a stage production of Frog and Toad at the SCERA Theater in Orem. I loved reading the books when I was a kid. They had little conflict and represented true friendship very well. I was excited to see that there is a musical based on the stories, and so was my friend, so we went. It turned out to be surprisingly fun. The music was fun and the main characters were extremely talented. I think the show closes this weekend, so get your tickets fast.

I think it was appropriate that I went with my best friend since childhood. It was as if we saw ourselves on the stage telling scary stories, baking cookies, swimming, and sledding. There's something special about having a friendship where everything you do seems like an adventure. Here's to you, Chism!

What do we have for him, Johnny?

IT'S A NEW CAR! This 1999 Honda Civic coupe comes complete with side airbags, 130horse power, and only 97000 miles. Its manual transmission and sunroom make this a fun ride. And this car can be yours if the price is right!

I bought a new car yesterday. During my lunch break I started noticing some electrical problems in the White Dragon (lovingly named for the burning oil smoking out of the hood). Last time I had these electrical symptoms, my alternator died within about 10-20 miles. Add electrical problems to my burning oil, major oil leak, bald tires, dead break light bulb (in the back window), timing belt that needs replacing, check engine light, and who knows what other problems the White Dragon had. I decided I shouldn't waste any more time in that car, so I took the rest of the day off to go car shopping.

So a few car lots and test drives later, I found myself negotiating a price on this Honda Civic. I can't explain how I did it, but I was able to negotiate the price down $4000 from their original asking price! So I feel good knowing that I'm not the sucker they originally took me for.

Yes, the car is a 2-door, which is one of the reasons I don't plan on driving it for years to come. But the bright side is that I don't have to worry as much that my car won't live through my next commute. Plus, people will be less inclined to pressure me into driving when it's time to carpool. :)

Cookie Season

It's that time of year again! All over the country you can find girls running from door to door and setting up shop in public places to sell girl scout cookies. And while budget cuts have made the cookies smaller, these are still a novelty that nearly everyone loves. True, the Trefoils don't taste nearly as good as they did before they changed the recipe. And I've found better chocolate mint cookies than the universally appraised Thin Mints. But I still love buying girl scout cookies. And nothing beats a good Samoa. I think there's something really rewarding when you buy a box of cookies from a girl, knowing I'm contributing to her girl scout experience.