Why Blog?

It's so bad. I have this paper I should be writing right now and my week is not getting any less busy. Tomorrow I help the students in the class I TA for with their medal exams...hope to remember the routine + routine + routine. Tomorrow night I have a little performance for the social dance lab + restarting to practice with partners in preparation for Nationals in March. Thursday helping a friend out, up in Aspen Grove, then off to see Tangled and what all the hubbub is about. Friday..well, I'm sure there was something, oh yes I have ballroom lessons in Lindon...and nope..no dates. Saturday donating plasma and another performance in Orem with the team. 

 So why am I blogging, well I'm not sure why anyone blogs. What makes us feel like our lives are so important to publish? Acting as if something important happens in our ordinary lives. Promulgating the mundane into an unrealistic reality...and yes I just used that word correctly. We all wish our lives were as interesting as those blogs and secretly we hope that people will understand us better through them. 

Okay you wanna know something that always crosses my mind. Who are we? I don't mean Sunday school answers because I've known that since forever. I mean, are we the person we portray to our friends and co-workers? Or how about those moments of reflection when no one is around to vent to? When we toss theories of life around in our heads. How superficial are we? How emo are we?

Procrastination is blogging.

 

{Sir Charles}

...grateful for stupid people...

I'm trying to think positively, and the conclusion I came to was not

"Can some people just grow up" 

or 

"Wow, I thought they didn't let your kind into BYU"

or even 

"Seriously? Acting dumb and smart-alecky was cool in high school."

Instead I thought, I'm grateful for stupid people :)

{Sir Charles}

I'm Mr. Lonely...

This is not meant to be a "woe-as-me" post, but I talk to my roommates about this all the time. Absolutely no one should take offense to this post, I do not mean to offend anyone....oh what the h...here it goes.

So I used to go out on a lot of dates. yep..not any more. That's all. And it's a bit irritating. Okay, so we can absolutely blame this on me, after all it is the man's fault. Let's be honest. But this is my blog: I can have bad grammar if I want, I can spell words as I please, I can certainly act like things are not my fault if I want :)

So, I stopped dating a really wonderful girl because it had gotten to the point where BIG decisions needed to be made. We collectively didn't feel like that was the way we wanted to go. The best part of that end was that we didn't call it a break-up. I hate some of the grammatics and wording we use so loosely: break-up, girlfriend, boyfriend...DTR. Well we called it "taking a break" all though we both knew that we were ending. But we have remained great friends, we still care about each others' lives, family.. its the best way any relationship could end.

I started dating shortly after and it was a TON of fun. Only problem, every girl I was dating had a boyfriend. Not my problem if they were flirting with me. Seriously though, it was slightly odd. I would go home, be grilled by my roommates and the conversation would end with, "but she has a boyfriend" or "she's trying to get back with a boyfriend." I don't know why it was like that,...well. I do. Ask any normal guy and he will tell you, the hard-to-get-girl is always more desirable. And, I can't help it if they flirt with me.

Well, I started to get sick of the whole situation. I didn't feel like I wanted to date any of the girls I was hanging out with, predominately because I wouldn't want my girlfriend flirting with other guys. So...I stopped hanging with all those girls and took time to figure myself out.

 

Well the conclusion I came to is: I'm just not mature enough for it. Honestly, I think I have decided that I'm okay with not being engaged like every other guy out there. I have a lot of things I'm working on in my personal life and there is not time like the present to set new goals and higher standards (for myself).

{Sir Charles}

$elling my $ody for $oney

Well folks, it has come to this. I work at an AMAZING office where I help students with disabilities find volunteers. My official title is University Accessibility Center Volunteer Coordinator...try fitting that on a tag :) Well, I have pretty much the best job in the world: great pay, great hours, great people...BUT I just don't have enough extra money. I have wonderful parents who cover my insurance and cell phone bills but I get the joy of paying for (or getting loans for) my tuition, rent, car payments, gas, groceries, $allroom, dates, etc. 

So....

I need more money. Nuff said. I figure I need some extra way to put money aside for one of two things

 

Yes that's right. I figured out that if I put away $75 bucks per month for the next 3 years, I will have enough for myself and my wife to fly to Rome for the temple dedication. Just fly...not eat, or sleep or have fun :) So a master plan was hatched...I would donate plasma twice a week and not even touch that money ever ever. I started last Saturday and will proceed again on Tuesday...and so it begins....

{Sir Charles}

Talk About Impressive

So the other night we decided to go on a double date to see the new exhibit at the MOA (Art Museum at BYU) of Carl Bloch. Sure, you may not recognize the name, but it would be hard not to recognize his work. Just a little background, apparently this exhibit was 9 years or so in the making. Also, turns out the paintings are being loaned to us from their original resting places in Denmark! Sick huh! More Info.

Well just to give you an idea, it was simply breathtaking: seeing these masterpieces in real life. Just sitting for a few moments to gaze at the majesty of his work is absolutely breathtaking and I will probably need to go back to really take it all in. For heaven's sake, I will most likely never see these pieces in real life again considering their distant residing place. Anyways, enjoy the fact that I have seen these and breathed on them as you scroll down. Oh and, they are rather large works so imagine them taking up a wall by themselves.

Turn-Offs

Listen Girls:

Guys talk more than girls think they do. Especially after their missions because well...we've matured a bit. Anyways, just as a little warning..I know girls have their "turnoff" pet peeves that guys do. Well news flash! Guys do to. I've been trying to keep track of all the things us guys have been saying behind closed doors and let me just say, we are all on the same page. (This will be updated periodically as I remember other things).


- DO NOT!! ACT LIKE A FRESHMAN!! There is a difference between being a freshman and acting like one. Giggling amongst you and your little friends about some inside joke you have is VERY unattractive. The correct way to handle the situation is a quick look or nod in their direction and then talk to them later about it. Do not draw attention to the fact that you are a freshman...believe me if you're one of those your just asking for it.
- (Which reminds me) NO GIGGLE FESTS Please don't misinterpret this, we are big fans of girls with a sense of humor. But going off on giggle fests of unintelligible conversations SOLELY between you and your girls VERY unattractive :)
- NO CAT LOVERS nuf said
- THOSE WHO ARE STILL UNDER MOMMY AND DADDY'S THUMB Realize, we can overlook this little detail. But when your parents run your life, or pay for everything, or tell you, your not aloud to do something...It's kinda like GROW UP you're in college for heaven's sake :) Supportive parents, AOKAY, controlling parent...mmmmmm no. How is the guy suppose to step between that? :)
- NOT DRESSING UP FOR A DATE Yes I have experience with this. We were going out, it was chilly, I had a nice sweater and scarf on and I go to pick up the girl....holes in the shoes? really? She knew far enough in advance to know how to dress for the date as well. How you dress, shows the guy how much you care about going out with him. So okay, maybe she was trying to send a very clear message :) MESSAGE RECEIVED
- TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
- DISRESPECTING MY PARENTS/FAMILY Listen honey, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You disrespect them, you disrespect me. When I introduce my parents to you, you become their new best friends. My parents are VERY likable so this should not be a problem. My brothers, you should love more than me.
- COMMENTING ON YOUR WEIGHT You may have this thought process. "Oh I'll mention how fat I am so that he knows I'm trying to get thinner." Just SHUT UP!!! NO guy wants to hear about your diet or how fat you are. NO GUY!!! It's an instant turn off.
- BE INTELLECTUAL You might remember back in High School the cool thing to do was act dumb or something. Well to tell you the truth, it never really worked but it just makes it that more obvious that either you're a freshman or you're not worth my time. 
- GIRLS DANCING WITH EACH OTHER Why? Why do you? Is it because the guys can't dance? Well I'm sorry, maybe its because the girls start dancing with each other and most guys don't have enough courage to step-in. So, grab a guy, watch him squirm as you both flirt with each other....so much more romantic :) 
- (to be continued)


Now realize, we can look past many of these things if we are forced to (and by forced I mean, she is a CATCH!) but generally speaking, please refrain from mentioning, or doing anything on the above mentioned list.

Dancesport = Finito

Wait...I have a life?

Yessir Dancesport is over and now I am realizing how much time I have. So overview of the Competition:

Friday went alright. We competed in the Novice Latin division where we went through three of the six rounds. We thought about it afterwords and we figured out we did beat half of the Latin competitors :) Sure, half of them beat us but still. There are a few couples that we feel we can most definitely beat and in time I am sure that we will beat them. After all, my partners and I have only been dancing together for two months.We also danced in the PreChampionship Ballroom division, we made it to the Quarter Final round I believe.

Saturday was when we expected to be a little more profitable. We competed in the Novice Ballroom division which we felt we would do fairly well at. We made the final round and felt we could place fourth out of seven. Well we placed seventh out of seven which was a tad depressing when in the past we had beaten some of the couples there. VERY cool part about that final round was that we got to walk out on the RED CARPET!! I felt like a PRO!! The PreChamionship Smoooth division went a little less than what we had hoped. We made the Semifinal round and felt like we had a fighting chance to be in the final but yet again there was something about how we danced that wasn't exceptional. The PreChampionship Latin rounds were fun. We made it past one round which was a definitely an accomplishment for us :)

So now we come away with a new perspective on our performance level. I am overall pleased with how my partners and I did. More excited for future competitions and more trophies since I was one placement away from two trophies :( It was great to watch the upper divisions and picture myself there in a year or so. I love ballroom. I love the way it feels and the fact that when you do win or get passed a round or so...you know that it is thanks to you and your partner. There's no team involved. I like that about Ballroom..it is definitely self fulfilling. I see where my potential is and it is only frustrating to not be there yet, but comforting to know that I CAN improve still.

And...I have a life again. I can get to know my ward. Go on dates. Get back into the routine studying, sleeping, etc. It's about time as well, the semester is almost over!! ONE more month and I am home free. 

Hillcrest Competition

Ooooooweeeee!

That was fun. This last weekend my partners and I had the opportunity of going down to Hillcrest High School and competing. I have three dance partners: Madison Lund (Smooth), Katie Thornhill (Ballroom) and Katie Guillot (Latin).

(A Little Explanation) 
The difference between the Smooth and Ballroom dances is not much. Smooth means that the partnership can break out of the classic ballroom frame more often, its separated-partner work and more playful. Ballroom is the straight pleasant faces and smiles as you maintain dance position for the entire song. To explain a little more about how Ballroom works. There are three brackets once you get to be my age: Novice, Pre-Champ and Amateur in that order. The Novice division is for the newer competitors and you are only required to do two out of the five dances, Pre-Champ and Amateur start to tack on the other dances.

(Ballroom) - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep
(Smooth) - Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
(Latin) - ChaCha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive

As you and your partner get better you will begin to "point-out" of a competition which basically means you've won the lower competitions enough times that now you are now required to "compete up"...(you following this?) You can never point out of the Amateur division. The next step for you would be to compete professionally.

I competed Novice and Pre-Champ Ballroom, Pre-Champ Smooth, and Novice and Pre-Champ Latin this weekend and I must say it was a workout. There are only a few other people who spread themselves that thin and they are all on Tour Team so that makes me happy. Now, I'm not the best at any of these divisions. We did place Second in Novice Ballroom and Pre-Champ Smooth which was very happy and exciting for us. Especially because the people who beat us are all on higher teams. That was the first time we had used a lot of our routines so it was nice to practice those in a competitive atmosphere: AND actually get through them. I am very excited for my partnerships. I think we are really going to do well in the future and our coaches seem to feel the same way.

{Sir Charles}

Correction!... I am NOT your StRaIgHt "gay-friend"

Please don't be ridiculous and think that this is some ridiculous way of me saying I'm gay. ABSOLUTELY not! I just have to put something up about what happened the other day.

A little background: When I was growing up and learning to pick out what clothes I would wear to school, I would always have to pass it by my mother before I left the house...love you mom :) Often times she would disagree with the fashion sense of a first-grader but hey, I tried :) So, I grew up knowing how to match my clothes. Big woop. My mother also taught me to compliment girls (my mom's awesome) so forgive me for telling you one of many compliments I pay to girls daily. My dad is in theatre so forgive me for knowing if something fits you well, if you would flatter yourself more by doing your make-up differently, or if you re-styled your hair. AND I served in Italy (fashion capitol of the world, FYI).

(PS...I do have a Dolce&Gabana knock-off belt, and a Gucci belt so...don't judge)

Now although girls SAY they want their guy to notice these things, I'm not so sure how truthful that is. Sometimes I think they feel a little creeped out. Forgive my chivalry.

BUT

Do NOT use me. I cannot tell you if the guy your dating is cute. Sorry. I am not here solely to act as an image consultant (although I do enjoy putting in my two cents). Yes, there was an incidence that provoked this post. No, none of you reading this is that person so don't think I am getting after any of you.

Don't get me wrong, I do have an opinion on what girls should and shouldn't wear. Yes guys, I could even give you an opinion on how to impress the girls. BUT I am NOT your straight-gay-friend.

The End

{Sir Charles}

Really...I mean Really?!?!

So this Halloween was not a typical party-it-up night of laughing and dancing for me. Oh no, I had loads of fun sleeping and with the headaches, and lying around, and no appetite...ya it was the best. I'm just coming out of it now and I have seriously the worst kink in my neck on both sides. Its probably because the mattresses at Glenwood are so upper crust :)

Anyways, I'm blogging because, well I'm stressed. I have a fairly large paper due tomorrow and an Italian paper due Thursday (five pages, six sources..and if you even look at Wikepedia you pretty much fail :) So needless to say homework is not light. Not to mention the second midterm in my religion class tomorrow along with work-out rounds with our coach Tuesday and Wednesday night at 10:00. Along with cleaning approximately 9 routines of varying styles all before this weekend.........yay.

The whole ballroom thing has really got to me lately. I see myself in these classes with people on "higher" teams then I. Yet, I see the technique (or the lack there of) and it just frustrates me. So, the only way to prove myself is at these competitions and yet, my partners and I are just not as good as we could be. I guess its understandable when you've got all new partners, all new routines and you just got to get used to each other while everybody else has been with each other for at least a year. WHY didn't I get started sooner :)

So that's the poop. Scoop it if you want. I can only say I am excited for Thanksgiving because lets be honest, after that, the professors don't even want to be here.


{Sir Charles}