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}