Greetings from 2011!

Hello faithful readers,

I would go through the whole song-and-dance explaining why it's been so long since I last wrote and would follow that up with a pledge to regularly update, but let's be honest: the people who read this know me and understand what I've been up to the last 9 months. Here's a hint:

Abigail has done a pretty fair job updating you on Aveline from her blog, so you can read that if you're not up to date. I will say that Aveline is much more trouble now that she's crawling and grabbing and (very occasionally) standing up, but also much more fun. I do miss when she would lie down next to me while the video games were on, however.

At this point, I've almost taught her everything she needs to know, but now she needs to learn to use the controller, not eat it! Just kidding grandparents...she won't play those for a few years yet.

So aside from our little monkey, what's happened in the past nine months? For the first few months we settled into our new routine with her, and by the time Abigail went back to work I was totally an expert at being a dad. I'm kidding, but it really did surprised me how easy it is. People tell us that we are lucky to have such an "easy" baby, and that may be true, but I have noticed that babies can smell fear, just like werewolves. As long as Aveline knows that we're in control and that she's safe, she's generally pretty happy and calm. Exceptions include teething, the time I let her fall off  she totally jumped off the couch like a ninja, and a recent fever bug thingy, but in a general sense she is super happy, and so are we.

I think I started to talk about non-baby things, but that's sort of difficult. When I got married, I was annoyed the first few months when I would walk into a room and invariably hear one or more of the following: "Where's Abigail?", "How's married life?", and something to the effect of "Are you guys thinking about kids yet?". This was pretty annoying for a while but I got over it, and that's probably best since it prepared me for: "Where's the baby?", "Getting any sleep?", "When's the next one coming along?". I'm not kidding; that's really how it is, and because of it I haven't been too upset about missing social events (i.e. church). I'm never too upset about sleeping in on Sundays, but that's a whole other blog post.

So anyway, after the New Year, we were somewhat adjusted to parenthood and Abigail was back to work. Around February, I began to look into going back to school once again, and we did the budget to see if it would work. Without too much detail, we decided that I could work part time and go to school full time without any real hardship other than giving up my morning $4 coffee ritual. Bearing that in mind, I squared everything with the boss and registered for the Game Production program at Collins College, with the intent of starting full time in early March. Then I went back to the hospital.

Some time in March (I think the 8th, but it's fuzzy for obvious reasons), I was lying in bed with Abigail and Aveline not wanting to go to work. I guess God saw some humor in that because the next thing I remember was waking up in the ER of the hospital where Abigail works. I am told that I had 4 concurrent seizures and the doctor described the damage to my back (which was quite severe) as "sort of like getting in 4 car wrecks in a row." So instead of going to school, I stayed home for a couple of weeks. I started 2 online classes for the 10 week term instead, but my recovery time was cut a bit short when my boss resigned from his position. I learned about this on a Friday and due to a freakish sense of responsibility (thank you so much, parents!) I went back to work for a few hours a day in order to keep the new guy from drowning. I started physical therapy at about the same time.

A couple weeks later, Abigail and I decided I could quit work altogether and we would still be okay going to school, so I put in something like an 8-week notice and worked 3-4 days a week while going to physical therapy 3 times a week. My last day at the Marriott was May 25, although technically I am still on call should they need help. If you have a picture in your head right now of me growing a beard and playing games all day, go ahead and erase it. Abigail made me shave the beard after a week and a half and since school started I haven't had much time for gaming. I will do another blog post (possibly tonight) about school, but let me just say now that it's AWESOME!

This has run rather long, but I would be very thoughtless if I did not take the time to acknowledge the people that have been so supportive the past few months when I have really needed them. I do not have many friends for a reason: I prefer quality over quantity. My friends really stepped up to the plate, and Angela (my friend Matt's wife, and a friend in her own right) was there to drive me to work when I wasn't able to do it on my own. There were some days when I knew her schedule was tight and it was an inconvenience, but she did it gracefully and wouldn't even let me chip in for gas (she did let me buy her coffee on occasion). It was pretty depressing being stuck at the house, barely mobile, and Travis, Matt, and Andrew often visited or checked up on me when I needed it. Andrew even shared his DBacks fortune to take me to a few games, and managed not to injure me too severely during the 7th inning stretch!

My mother deserves a special mention for essentially living with us for about a month and a half. I think it's fair to say that the situation wasn't ideal for anyone, but she not only helped me move about when I needed it and took care of Aveline, she got up with her during the night and put her own plans on hold when ours changed. Abigail's parents were also there for us in different ways; they also watched her when needed and Al actually took care of the weeds in our yard when I wasn't able to (as did my brother Tim on multiple occasions!). I'm very thankful that Aveline has grandparents and other family that she can depend on when her daddy is being high maintenance!

Most importantly, however, I am so thankful for Abigail's constant support. She has supported my decision to go back to school from the beginning and has worked hard with me (I live here too so I get 1% credit) to redo our budget in order to make it possible. When I was hurt and unable to do much, she was very good with the situation and took great care of me, but did not let me fall back on my physical therapy and made sure I continued to move around and take care of things. It has not been an easy 3 months, but she has been invaluable. I think I'll keep her.

Okay, well I think that pretty much brings you to speed. I'll try to post at least one or two more topics in detail, but if not...see you in 9 months or so (no that is not a hint)!

Stay frosty,

Scott

Random Jottings

I've found that I'm pretty good at starting projects. If I opened up my hard drive for you to look at, you would find quite a few poems, several short stories (unfinished), two novels (unfinished), a weight loss tracking chart (I think that lasted a few months and even made it to the blog), and a couple of animation clips from the expensive graphic arts software I bought and have used maybe four times. I also have a book of quotes that I'm very fond of (the title is "Random Jottings"), and I have occasionally kept up with it throught the years. When I think about the number of good quotes I have missed, it makes me sad. This blog is another of those neglected projects. I have great initial bursts of creativity, and then I remember how cool the X Box (actually now it's the PS3) is. I actually tried giving up video games for Lent this year. I made it about 28 days out of 40.

I'm going to be a father this year, and the third biggest fear I have (next to the fear of being into the room while my wife's in labor and most of all my fear of dropping the child) is how long my interest will last in this new project. Am I ready to commit to something full-time for once, or will my daughter have to hear "not right now" for most of her life? We haven't decided on a name for the little one yet, but the thought of being actually responsible for her scares me. I sincerely hope that I treat her with more attention than my pets; if my cats didn't jump in my lap I'd probably forget all about them, and my dog still lives with my parents (I think he's happier there, though).

Growing up sucks. Please don't get the wrong impression; I really am completely happy with the choices I have made, and I look forward to my (our) little Monkey's arrival in September. My problem is more of a lack of direction. Supposedly I'm should be in control of some aspects of my life by now, but to be honest I'm lucky to remember what day of the week it is on a given day.

I know I want the best for my family, and I suppose most parents/spouses do. I had everything figured out before I graduated high school, and literally nothing has gone the way I expected since then, and suddenly almost six years have elapsed. It's kind of like a line in the Ben Folds Five song "Jackson Cannery": "Seconds pass slowly, and years keep flyin' by." I suppose it would be better to enjoy each moment as it comes, but that is much easier said than done right now. Every time Abigail says she wants it to be September, I tell her we'll get there, but to be honest it's hard to follow my own advice. I wish it were Christmas, myself, and maybe by then I'll have everything figured out. Were I a betting man, though, I would put money on "probably not."

In all fairness, maybe most of this is the past few hours listening to jazz and blues talking. Tomorrow is a new day, and maybe everything will make sense then. I'm going to put some nature sounds on and get some much needed sleep now. Take care, people!

Your brain makes time go faster, and experience might make it slow down

Yesterday I heard a segment on NPR (National Public Radio) that piqued my interest, and so I have posted a link to it. You can read a text article (the Homer Simpson "Every Day" video is amusing), or listen to what went out on the radio here:
Why Does Time Fly By As You Get Older?-NPR

What they discuss is why it seems like time passes more quickly as one ages, and it seems like time moved so much more slowly when we were children. The person being interviewed explains that there is a neurological reason for this. They have a more detailed explanation in the article, but the analogy they use is that we "write things down" in more detail in our brains when we experience them for the first time, and so our perception is more vividly remembered. 

If we therefore write things down in great detail on first experience, but less so upon further experience, one might compare Dickens' writing (long, winding paragraphs, since he got paid by the word) with Hemingway's (he was taught to be short and to the point, and it showed in his writing). When you ask a child about their first day of school, they will tell you about everything from the appearance of the school, to all the kids they met, to the teacher, and everything they did (Dickensian). If you ask a teenager about their first day of school, you will most likely get something to the effect of, "School was okay," (Hemingway). It is effectively the same answer; the brain has simply learned to write for the Readers' Digest.

My thoughts on this are as follows: time goes by far too fast as it is, it's true, and on this planet one thing we have in common is that we are all still limited to the same 24 hour day. However, if our brain can "slow down time" when it is processing new information, then why not keep providing it with more? One could try to learn a new language, right now, or start attending classes at your local community college. Go to a new country; there's plenty of them out there, and as a bonus you can volunteer or do missions work (I understand the Haititians could use some help right now).

If renewed perception is indeed the key to slowing down time, maybe people are spending too much time doing the same thing. I have said at least this much in an earlier post: embrace the random in your daily life. Take an alternate route sometimes, go to different grocery stores, maybe actually read a book instead of watching TV, or chuck them both and go to the park. Play hooky from your job, It's okay, really, as long as you have a vacation/sick day to take. I think it would be fun to invent a holiday that only you and a select few know about; and you have to be really "in the know" to know about it. "Talk Like A Pirate Day" probably started like that.

I guess that's pretty much all I have to say on this topic. I still tend to get excited about psychological/neurological issues, but who knows where I'll come from next? My buddy writes a political/baseball blog, my wife writes a baby/nurse blog, and I write an exciting celebration of randomness. That's how I roll.

Reset Button

The reset button is a great invention in gaming. It's the last-ditch, "oh holy crap something bad is happening" moment that saves you from total humiliation at the hands of an overwhelmingly powerful foe...and for most it is likely the 357th time this has happened. If you're cool and remember the NES, it's also one of many ways you try to get your game to work. You pushed the reset button about 30 times in a row (extremely quickly when your mom wasn't in the room to say "When you break that, you're not getting another one!"), and blew on the cartridge, and hoped to play Contra yet again.

Life has no reset buttons in theory, and if they did, you would hope that there was a password system or something to start you about where you wanted. I would rather deal with things now then have to start from birth all over again, even if I had all the knowledge I have now. However, once in a while I believe God gives us the break we're looking for. It could be an "extra life" when you know you shouldn't have survived a car accident or illness, or a "warp pipe" that takes you to a promotion or state in life quickly and unexpectly. It might just be a "shield boost" that gives you extra toughness and courage to get through a rough patch in your life, or perhaps the strength to help someone else with theirs (if you're the person getting help, then it would be an "assist" power up). 

In my case, it seems like after just over six years of waiting, God has given me a reset button. I will explain (briefly) what I mean. I had a grand mal seizure in December 2003, just after school let out for the semester. My entire brain was affected, but in different ways. In the short term I had some memory loss and disorientation that was normal, and I wasn't allowed to drive for 3 months (which was interesting, since that's when I started my relationship with Abigail). 

The real problem has been the effects on my cognitive skills. People that knew me well before the seizure will understand this (I hope) better, and unfortunately that doesn't include my wife. I have never at any time since then really felt like myself. That doesn't mean I have been unhappy, but because my intelligence and creativity are such defining characteristics of my sense of self, I knew I would not be happy until I was able to be at my full potential.

I am on a new medication now (Keppra) that works in a different part of my brain; the part that has sustained some long-term damage. I was sick for the first couple of weeks, and Matt's wife Angela who works with me has been (to risk a great understatement) a godsend in carpooling with me and even taking me to the doctor as needed. In the past few days, I have really started to feel less sick, and on the heels of that, I have started to notice a change in my thought patterns. It is hard to describe, save to say it's like sitting in the driver's seat of your car, and realizing that someone snuck into your garage and tuned it up overnight. Nothing was upgraded per se, but everything just...feels better.   

In anticipation that this might happen, and in part to help, I started a creative writing class this semester. I am now finished with the second week and it is going very well so far. I wrote a lipographic poem in which I rewrote "Little Miss Muffet" but removed "I" and "U." The satisfaction I felt in that silly little poem might sound strange to you so I won't go too much into it, but there was something so tremendously satisfying in finally writing something after all these years.

My apologies for the length of this post. It is my hope, though, that these will be a more regular thing and thus not necessarily as long each time. Hope you like the new layout!

24

I love video games. Let's just get that out of the way right now in case you're reading this blog for the first time and you don't know me personally. I am an avid gamer and have been since my brother Phil first introduced me to the NES in the really early 90's. At least those are my first gaming memories; the first games I remember are sports games (Tecmo Bowl and Mike Tyson's Punch Out!), which is a little funny since I don't play those sort of games too much now.

Video games are fun, of course, and that is the main reason I play them in my adult life, but there are other reasons. They are diverting, which is nice when I am stressed and need to think about something other than work or interpersonal drama for a while. In the game world, if I lose a battle I have the opportunity to play it over again as many times as I need to until I progress, but of course in the real world I have to be able to have the right answer and response to every situation right away. Although I am frustrated by having to do something over while I am absorbed in the game, sometimes the repetition is good to take my mind off of things.

My favorite type of game would have to be the Role Playing Game (RPG) genre, like Final Fantasy. The typical formula has the protagonist gradually learn of their part in a larger destiny and they usually lead the fight against a great threat or evil against the world/universe. At the beginning of many of these games a lot of these protagonists are lost, like they are waiting for something. I think a lot of us feel like that sometimes; I know I do.

I turned 24 last Thursday, which in itself is not particularly impressive, I know. However, I have really had the chance to think about my life thus far and tried to ask myself if I would have done anything differently. One of my favorite exercises as a writer in coming up with plot points is looking at alternate universes from my own life and following them, like if I'd never been born or if I'd moved to Oregon instead of Mesa.

Most people make New Years' resolutions, but I decided I would make a few birthday resolutions. I want to do a few things better at 24 that I was dissatisfied with at 23.
1) I want to be a lot better about staying in touch with people.
2) I need to do more writing (including this blog).
3) I should work harder on my schoolwork. It will only get more intense soon and
I know that I can't afford to waste any time.
4) I have to take better care of myself by going to the gym and eating better.
5) I want to start learning the guitar again.
These are the things that nag at me and I'm always thinking "I need to work on that." I want to be better in all my relationships and be generally happier. I want to learn some new things, and eventually (I know it won't happen in the next year) get my degree. It doesn't necessarily matter that I don't yet know what specifically I want it for; I have a good feeling that I will find out along the way.

I do know that I am happy right now (although I am definitely in need of the vacation we're about to take), and Abigail and I have made a great life together in the past three years. I want to improve some things in myself just as Abigail and I want to change things in our life together (having a baby, for instance). One of the things I have thought about is that it's okay to be unsatisfied and still happy; they're not mutually exclusive. Constantly wanting to improve your life and going after something more is a very good thing, but only if you are able to be happy with what you have.

Abigail is in the habit of putting thematic songs in her blogs, so I will put one here that's been on my mind. We won a CD while we were at Family Camp, Third Day's "Revelation," and the very first track is called "This Is Who I Am."

I'm a son of a good man
I'm the child of an angel
I'm the brother of a wild one
And I'm looking for direction
I'm the lover of a beauty
I'm the father of blessings
I'm a singer of a love song
But is that all I'm good for

Chorus
This is who I am
This is who I am
So take me and make me something so much more
This is who I am
This is who I am
So change me and make me someone better than before

I'm a saint and a sinner
I'm a lover and a fighter
I'm a true believer, with great desire
I'm a preacher of grace, prophet of love, teacher of truth
I've fallen down so many times
But here I stand in front of you

Chorus

Take me as I am
But please don't leave me that way
'Cause I know that you can make me better than I am today

Chorus

I believe God has a plan for me, and if it's to be a great, famous writer or psychologist then that's awesome. If I'm just supposed to be a good man, and somehow that helps someone, then I'm okay with that too. That will be hard enough for anyone to do anyway. :-)

Whoa now, slow down there horsey!

I think one of the reasons people get so stressed is because of the deadlines we set for ourselves, whether consciously or unconsciously. We set timetables and routines on our lives to give us structures and meanings. These help us get out of bed every day and get us places on time; they give us the persona of a reliable human being.

The problem is that in a very short time all of us can become locked into and even dependent on these deadlines and structures we put on our lives. Example: getting up at exactly the same time every day to shower, shave, eat something quick, get in the car and take the exact same route to work listening to the same radio station. Then going to work where you most likely do essentially the same thing each day to end at approximately the same time to go back home the same way (still listening to the same station). In this scenario, you might change from your work clothes (or at least change the shirt), but then you go right to your computer. If it's a laptop, you bring it near the TV and you blog/Facebook before eating dinner; married or not. You probably eat, then you check the Internet stuff again before going to bed. You do it all again the same day.

In this scenario, I don't say you necessarily meaning "you" the reader, but it definitely doesn't apply to me. If you look at my posting dates you can tell I rarely go on here, although I really should do it a tad more than I have been. My wife is an avid internet poster, on the other hand, and you can always tell what's going on with us through her. Her habits are pretty standard, but I start to get stuck in a rut if everything gets to be routine like that.

I compulsively change my habits to avoid that sort of rut. I randomly change the time on my alarm (although I make sure I still get to work on time), and sometimes hit snooze. Sometimes I shower at night, sometimes in the morning. Although I usually go the same way to work in the morning (it works, and getting there on time is important), I generally have about 4-5 different routes home to choose from. I usually listen to sports talk radio, but sometimes I don't. Sometimes I drive in silence; or I listen to something else. There are a few things I do in the same order each day at work, but I usually do things differently each day. I don't like my job very much, so if I can at least mix things up it makes it a little more bearable.

It sounds weird and crazy, but consider how much control you really have over your life. Wouldn't it be nice to break out of the routine you've put yourself in and just find a new way to do what you're already doing? It may not even be the most efficient way, but it gives you the opportunity to be creative in a way you are not often able. Something to think about.

So anyway, all that just gushed out of me; the title of this is more related to another thought altogether. A lot is happening this year, and it's almost July already! Sheesh! In this half of the year, Abigail's already finished nursing school and taken her boards, both Matt & Angela and Abigail and I have bought houses, my mom is choosing another career, my dad has changed to another department, two of my brothers got laid off, my older sister bought and sold a house (moved to another part of CO), my little sis is now a senior in high school, Travis is leaving next month for the Army, my dog moved in with us, and I traded in the PSP!

That is the first six months in a very small nutshell, but it's been an interesting ride. I just want a breather week...can I just take a week off to play the X box and not have anything interesting happen? I really miss my X box, and the halcyon days of youth.

Shoobadie Doop Doop Dow...yeah! (jazz hands)

My title has absolutely nothing to do with anything related to my post, but sometimes one is at a loss when coming up with a title. If nothing else, you will try to pronounce it and have issues, I know you will.

I have had a rough day, that's for sure, and so I'm vegging on the couch for a minute while Abigail studies to my right. Tomorrow I am taking a vacation day to embark on a quest of excitement: to go to Tucson to retrieve items for Matt's new house! Yay...ish! My dad ended up being able to go with Travis, Matt, and I so that should make things a little smoother.

I'm sure there are more interesting things out there to use my precious vacation time for (it is ridiculous how little we get, and don't even get me started on sick time), but that's how I roll. I know there will be at least one more day available for when I move myself, and I shouldn't need any more than that. If so, well, I guess I'm doing it for free then aren't I?

Anyway just this afternoon we finally got our written approval on our own house, which is great. We'll be closing 30 days from now, which puts us at about April 24. This assumes the next ten days goes okay and it inspects well, of course. It was gorgeous when we looked it over but we'll see. The inspection, speaking of which, will be happening Saturday while I'm helping Matt move which is awesome. It is nice not to have that hanging over our heads for a change, and while we're not 100% in the clear yet, yay for moving forward!

Anyway that's about it. Hopefully Sunday there will be more, but the next two days will be rather full. Be good to yourselves, and each other.

Okay, okay, so I'm not a good communicator...

I suck at keeping in touch. I'm not totally sure why that is, but it's something I've discovered in the past year or so. I'm sure most of you who will read this will have discovered it much sooner.

I moved around a lot as a kid and didn't have many friends until I got to high school, so keeping in touch wasn't something I thought much about. My older siblings were much older and kind of abandoned me when I was still pretty young (stupid getting older and living their own lives).

I have always thought of myself as being a pretty dependable person, but now I'm not so sure. I think I'm still a good go-to guy in a crisis situation, but I've noticed I really don't do too well in day-to-day things. For example, I essentially got fired from teaching my small group at church after two years. On the surface this is so I can find a new job and finally have some personal time (they probably shouldn't have even asked me to do it in the first place), but still. I've never been fired from anything before and it's kind of sad.

I'm the first one to recognize the fact that in a lot of ways I've been lost for a few years as far as my self-identity goes. I think that happens to a lot of us. I was talking to someone not too long ago who wanted to go back to high school because of how much more things made sense then. I disagreed at the time, although it was kind of nice how compartmentalized our world was then. Everyone we could conceivably want to see or speak to was most likely encountered in the span of 1st to 6th hour, or at least at lunch. It was a lot easier to keep in touch.

As far as identity goes, though, the person you were in high school died once you graduated, or at least they should have. You're not allowed on campus anymore for the most part and there's a very good reason for that. There is a whole world out there that you're a part of now for better or worse. Adulthood isn't compartmentalized into 1st through 6th hour (well maybe college for some, but after that!). It's unpredictable, and completely insane, and it constantly tests you. It is still easy to stay in touch, but only if you're in the habit.

I am still really fortunate, and in a weird way I think God likes me. (shrugs) My family is amazing. I have the benefit of being married to my favorite person, even though hobby wise we have absolutely nothing in common. Between her parents, my parents, and some of my friends', I have a few great moms, and a couple of awesome dads. There's always someone to take care of me, which is handy since I frequently seem to need it. I also still have a handful of good friends, some of whom I actually still talk to when I remember.

That brings me to my original point: I suck at communicating. Don't hold it against me too badly and keep me in prayer (or whatever you do). I really want to work on a couple of things in my life, and one of them is my dependability especially to my friends. So don't give up on me, okay? And if you have, and you're reading this, maybe give me another chance. I'm feeling pretty down lately and I could always use another person around to lean on.

sometimes I get the feeling

that I won't be on this planet for very long

I really like it here

I’m quite attached to it I hope I’m wrong

all I really want to say

is you're the reason I want to stay

I loved you before I met you

and I met you just in time 'cause there was nothing left

from Ben Folds, "Don't Change Your Plans"

Stay cool kids, and remember to floss and all that other important stuff. Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

Here I be...

Okay kids, your prayers are answered: here is the official update to the Scott Blog, as promised! Huzzah and such! Okay, settle down now. Stop crying, you.

I'm in a weird mood right now. I have been working crazy hours this week in order to work a very short day Friday. Consequently, I will work 4 hours at most before they kick me out in order to avoid overtime. "Scott, how can you make up your schedule," you may ask? Well, I got promoted about a month ago, thank you for asking. To Accounting, no less, which would amuse anyone who knows of my feelings about math. So the base schedule is 9-5 M-F, but I'm able to do pretty much whatever I want as long as I get things done. Point: I should be a little more open socially, if any of you are interested.

Let's see, what else? I have moved since December to a townhome pretty much equidistant from both our parents' houses, which is pretty nice. I have also taken up golf since Matt got married in May, and we played as part of his bachelor party. To those of you who are excited to read this, bear in mind that I'm really not very good; my best game is still 106. That's not like bowling,bowling; btw, you should have very low if not negative numbers when playing golf.

My social circle has changed a little. My wife is still working three 12-hour days per week, but added to that as of July is nursing school out at GCC. So she is a very busy lady, while all I have right now is work. I will be picking up some extra work helping out with some web design, but it's mostly to take up time more than anything. I still have a lot of books I haven't read and there are always video games to play and replay, but I tend to get bored easily at this stage in my life.

Travis and Josh have moved away, and Andrew is back in Flagstaff, although at least he is only 3 hours away. I may even go see him this weekend; we'll see. Of the two Matts, the big one is married and works the late shift (for now) so I don't see him much. The little one lives near my work, but far from my home, so usually when he wants to get together I don't feel like driving 35 minutes or so. I feel bad for this, of course, especially since my friend Chris also lives out that way, so that's two people I rarely see (although I occasionally see Chris at work). I actually have seen Kayce once this year, which is amazing. Katrina has moved home (as far as I'm concerned), and brought her husband Danny with her. Soon after she had her daughter, Alice, who is pretty much the cutest thing ever. Like most people, I don't get to see them enough.

My little sister turns 16 this year, which means she starts dating this year. High school boys everywhere: I have guns, and they are loaded. My bro graduates this year, which is awesome. I had hoped to be graduating from college this coming spring, but I guess it isn't to be. My new goal is to find a job that will pay for my school like the hospital is paying for Abigail's. Corporate Marriotts offer tuition reimbursement, unfortunately mine is a franchise, so no dice there.

Ok, so I haven't blogged in a while so I'm rambling a bit. That and I'm trying to play golf while doing this and hang out with Matt. So I'm going to call it a night, but if I missed anything please let me know. Remember, this is still not my primary form of communication, so E-mail and phone remain the best way to find me, but I check MySpace and Facebook more now, so yeah.

Peace out, and remember to keep it real!

Let's clear some things up here...

First off, this may surprise you but yes, I'm still alive. I admit, I have been horrible at communicating with you both in and out of MySpace with only a couple of exceptions, and that's mostly because I either live with you or because I work with you. I do have my reasons, though.

I have been busy, I have been lazy, and I have been tired of how trendy and annoying MySpace can be. It reminds me of high school, which is usually not a good sign. However, I have been slacking off and I apologize. So do us both a favor, MySpace friends, and don't judge our real-world relationship by how often I post (or rather don't post) here. Another new blog should be coming this weekend, and I will update my page, but my phone is on a good majority of the time and still receives calls and texts just fine. So if I don't comment on your pictures or your new background, don't assume I hate you and send me messages asking (and no, I'm not just talking about you, sir).

I promise you, if you're on my friends list, chances are I like you, and if you're not completely sure and I don't answer your MySpace message, call me. If you don't know the number, then we probably weren't too close to begin with, so I wouldn't worry about it. :)

With Warmest Regards,~Scott

Are you getting excited?

Well, the time is rapidly approaching. October is actually a pretty busy month for me, especially this year. This Sunday, October 1st, is my birthday. October 18th is Matt B's birthday. October 21st I get married, and then of course I have the honeymoon, finally Halloween. Anyone who knows me can probably guess why I love Halloween.


So yeah, people are endlessly asking me if I am excited about the whole getting married thing. You know, in three weeks from tomorrow. So, for the record, yes. I'm excited. Very much so. And yes, I am really nervous. Both are because of just how BIG this decision is. I've already picked the person I will be spending the rest of my hopefully long and happy life with. That's not in any way a small thing.


I am definitely pretty psyched though. Seriously. Just don't ask me about children yet, or I might faint. (shivers run down spine) Yes, I want kids. Just not now. Or next year. Maybe not even the year after. But when it happens, it happens, I guess. Conversely, I don't want to be using a walker to play catch with my sons, so it's sort of a not now, but not too much later situation.


Seriously though, all is well in my little world at the moment, and I really can't complain. Still don't get to see Abigail enough, but hopefully that will change pretty soon. :) Shout out to my homies, if I haven't been seeing you, then rest assured that you are missed.


In closing, certain male people in my wedding had better go get fitted tomorrow or else. Um...I don't know what exactly will happen to you if you don't, but be forewarned that it will not be good for you. Oh yes. Very much so...er, not so...good. Not so good. (nods)

Yes, I am still alive

I am, as you have guessed, not yet dead. However, I have been extraordinarily busy. Well, extraordinarily for me...lately. Um yeah, so I've been busy. Extraordinarily.

Kudos should go to me as I am at the same job. I haven't yet managed to get the manager to do my 90-day review, but since she spends most of her time in court with her son (don't ask, because I don't know), it's not exactly possible. I would be shocked if I got anything less than favorable since, after all, I still work there.

Abigail ran into said manager in Target the other day when we were doing our registry. (So for those of you who are reading this, we are registered at Target. Buy me stuff. And if you don't like what we picked out, give me-ahem- us a gift card. You know, for us. Not just me. ) That was, incidentally, great fun and amusement, mostly for me. I got to use the scanning gun for most of the time, but after a while she couldn't take it anymore and I had to give it up. Really, Meg, you should know by now: give a guy something to play with, and he will play. That's what we do. No guy reading this wouldn't have used the opportunity to shoot lazer beams at others. And random packages. And in your eye to see what happens. I think I've made my point.

Abigail and I also picked out a new apartment that I will move into in about a month. I will throw a moving party (read: help me move stuff) at that time. I will get to live there alone for about three months. Needless to say, I am psyched. Granted, less than three months of independent bachelorhood isn't that glamarous, but it is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

I haven't seen much of anyone lately, and for those of you I should be seeing, I apologize. Most of you have my new number, and if you don't and you would like it, let me know. Until next time, same Bat time, same Bat channel.

I hate surprises...except today

I found someone on Classmates.com (yes, I was really, really bored) that I haven't talked to in like 12 years, but she was one of my dearest friends back then. Yes, I said she. I liked girls early. Anyway, that was pretty cool. She goes to MIT now, making me feel intimidated E-mailing her. I know what you're thinking. Scott, you do go to Mesa Community College. Isn't that on par with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology? Well, I suppose it is. Go me. Same education, 1/3 of the money. Plus less cold. That's what I'm telling myself in order to sleep tonight, anyway.

Additionally, I have two job interviews this week as well as like eight more apps out waiting to be scanned so that more potential employers can observe my greatness via resume. Of course, I may have taken a little creative license, but if you don't tell them I wasn't really Vice President of Movie Gallery, neither will I. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear myself screaming for change. I need to move, I need to have a job. I need to lose weight, and I need to learn to swing dance. Um...well, maybe not that last one, but I would love to learn to play the guitar. That would be most excellent. Mostly I just want to have a life I can be proud of. I am extremely tired of telling people I still live with my parents, although statistically speaking I'm still pretty normal. That's what I'm telling myself.

One last thing and then I'm going to bed. Have you ever noticed that Sam's Club/Costco is really evil? They are, and yet so beautiful at the same time. I will walk in there intending to get a hot dog (they have really good hot dogs), and I will inevitably walk out with that 3 pound box of Cheez-It's, or the ridiculously massive case of IBC root beer. I am helpless against its power. I mean, they give out free samples of stuff. I could walk around the store two or three times and have a complete meal!

So, yeah. That’s it for tonight. Have yourself a pleasant existence, and as always, don't eat the yellow snow. Unless it's a lemon snow cone. That's okay.

I just had an apostrophe...

I partake in a small group study every Wednesday night with some of the guys from Trinity Baptist's college group. Four of them are good friends anyway, so I'm pretty comfortable with it. Anyway, tonight was the first time I hosted it at my home, so Greg was there. We are studying the life of David, and tonight we talked about David and Goliath.

The question came up of what characteristic would we like to see in our life to be more like David. Mine was "initiative." It's just what popped out of my mouth. I realized, though, that it is true. Travis and I were talking about it yesterday (or actually Monday, my bad) and we agree that we are getting lazier as a result of still living with the 'rents.

My problem is that I have little idea of what direction I want to go in life. I have ideas, and I know I could be good at a lot of things, but so far I have been unable to come up with anything specific. I still want to be a writer. I am thinking of the FBI. The problem is that I have not seriously acted on anything. I feel lost...

random stuff

Much has been going on in the world of Scott. Okay, not too much, but some interesting and cool stuff. I bid on stuff on EBay for the first time, and I won a movie for Greg, a PSP game, and an X-Box game. I must...fight...the sickness...

I found an old friend from junior high. That's pretty cool. It was just on a lark that I got to talk to him, and I'm kind of surprised he remembers me. Ah, good times. Best part so far is I found out he works @ Krispy Kreme. W00t! I have connections!

I bought an item today that may possibly change my life forever. That's right, I got a new T-Shirt. Oh yeah, that's totally what I'm talking about. For sure. Um...and I have a camel. No wait, a llama. Yes, that's right. A llama...well, maybe not, but that would be cool! Seriously, how many people do you know who have a llama? Not many, I'd say.