Notice

So, it turns out that I won't be having much internet access during this trip. So, I'll be posting when I can.

East Coast Extravaganza: DC - Mount Vernon and National Cathedral

The past two days have been filled with excitement. After a long flight, layover, and another flight, we finally arrived in North Carolina. After a quick trip to the Waffle House, we went to bed to get ready for our nice long drive in the morning. After waking up bright and early with the sun, we loaded the car and hit the road.

A Quick Rant Concerning Patience

I consider myself to be a relatively patient person. I grew up with an autistic brother and have always tried to be an understanding and patient person. I like to think that most of my life I've been pretty successful at this undertaking. Surely on the outside I come off as a patient person, but I have to say that sometimes I can feel myself just getting as annoyed as can be and my patience running thin. Let me rant about an example.

At work, I am now employed by two different librarians: Kayla, for whom I've worked for just about 4 years, and Ruth Ann with whom my employ is very recent. One of the student employees working for Ruth Ann has the assignment of training me and Jason on several projects. If you were to hear him training us from the cubical next door, not knowing with whom he was speaking, you would seriously assume he was talking to 5 year olds. And that is not to say that he is working with people that have a 5 year old work ethic.

His condescending way of dealing with us, and his assumption that our knowledge bank on the project starts at zero, remains incredibly frustrating for both me and Jason. Remember, I've been working in this department for over 4 years now, and am officially the longest working student employee in the department. After these years, one would assume that I picked up on a few terms or a procedure or two. . . but not this one. He feels this incessant need to explain what every delimiter means, every indicator, every subfield, and every field. WE KNOW. WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THESE LONGER THAN YOU.

I'm a very patient person. I get along swimmingly with most people. I'm what some would consider to be a people person. Well, after this people may have to sing a different tune about me. . . but Such is Life.

Glee Assignment

Anyone who knows me understands that I'm a gleek (prolly in more than just the traditional lover-of-the-tv-show way). I watch the show religiously. Not only is there great music and pretty great voices, but it also has that wonderful thing that I do love so much in a great TV show: drama. It just takes me right on back to how awful it was to be in high school.

In this week's episode the glee club was given the assignment to find and perform a song that represents who they are at that moment in time. Some wonderful songs were chosen. As I watched that episode I thought about how amazing it is that songs can perfectly describe us, our circumstances, our emotions, our relationships, hopes, dreams, fears, desires, and even our entire being. I've decided to do the same as the club today and take this assignment on full force, though I will most certainly not be performing them for anyone. Rather than pain countless people with my attempting to sing them, I simply found the videos on youtube and put them here below.

Perhaps some of them will surprise you, perhaps some of them will make you think "Oh...that explains a lot" or perhaps you'll just learn a little something about me. Here you go, in no particular order.

1. Unforgettable - Jack and Karen. Besides the undeniable truth that I am completely unforgettable, its also true that I have a slight obsession with Will and Grace, or more precisely with Jack and Karen. Here they are at their best. Just remember...I'm unforgettable too!

2. The Awakening - Joseph Martin. Being a student of the choral arts, I obviously had to pick a choral song. More than any other choral song I've heard or sung, this song describes my love of music. Not only is the text powerful, but he music is dramatic and moving.

3. Perfect - Alanis Morisette. Chalk this up to childhood.

4. Crush - David Archuleta. Ok, this one is not what it seems. I have this nasty tendency of quoting song lyrics to people but trying to make it seem like they are my own words. I've had some wonderfully awkward moments doing this. This song was probably source of one of the funniest of all!

5. Say Goodbye - Katharine McPhee. This is a song from her new CD. Don't really want to explain too much about how this one fits in, but. . . it does.

Notice

For those who have been asking. James is officially back in Utah. He'll be here until Saturday the 22nd. He does have himself pretty booked, but I'm sure he'll want to see whoever. Let me know if you wanna get together, and as his temporary personal assistant, I'll see if I can't pencil you into his schedule.

"I will cut you!"

Well, after putting Anjelah's new clip on, I realized that I never put on her original: the very famous "Nail Salon" and "Bon Qui Qui" clips. So, here they are. Enjoy. She is ridiculously funny. . . in my opinion anyway. And after all, this blog is all about my opinion :)

Anjelah Johnson

Many of you know that I have a certain love for a comedian named Anjelah Johnson. Well, the chica is at it again with some new material. She was recently on the Bonnie Hunt Show. Here is her act! Its got some good stuff!

Some Lee-isms

"What is this, what's going on here, what's happening?"

--Lee, stolen from Karen Walker on Will and Grace

"Ugh, you're such a man sometimes"

--Lee, from a conversation with Chuck

"Things are going swimmingly" "No, they are going glacially"

--Syd and Lee, a conversation

"I make a pro/con list for everything. 'Should I talk to Sydney today?' pro/con"

--Lee

"Listen, j'adore you ok. Je can't get enough of you."

--Lee

Dear Ottis-

Normally I don't go for anyone I see at the gym. Ever. They're just not my type. But there's this guy who works there, and I can tell from the way he swipes my card- he's not like the rest of them. He always smiles at me, looks me in the eye and asks how I'm doing- like he knows me! Today he even looked at the computer screen to get my name and said something like "have a good day, *Hottie." (*name has been changed to protect me and the cute gym guy) So. How do I get my flirt on with a guy I see twice a day for 2 seconds?? (usually that second time- on my way out- I am not looking attractive...so I try to just rush out) Help, Ottis! Help! (then again... he could just be a friendly guy. Aghhh!)

Much love,

The Hottie in the Story

Dear The Hottie in the Story,

Thank you for you letter. What a very intriguing story you have here, one unlike any I've received before! I'm very excited to try it out and see what we can come up with. I've done some pondering, and these are the points I've landed on.

The first concern is that he may just be a nice, friendly kind of guy. This is definitely a legitimate concern. He is in the costumer service industry, and thus may just be good at his job. However, we need not forget that we're in Utah, and friendly costumer service have nigh been one of the strengths here. So, thats looking up.

Second, about the flirting part. First off, I'd recommend getting the bulk of your flirting done upon the entrance of your gym time and not at the exit, since you'll be sweaty and such when you leave. As for how to actually flirt with him, you need to figure out a way that you could stay and talk to him for a spell. Maybe you could have some kind of question that you could ask him upon entering. Something quasi-playful and quasi-legit. Then see if you can't strike up a little conversation with him. This is a good time to catch his name (I'd recommend doing a formal introduction thing, instead of just looking at his name badge. . . though, if you think you could pull that off in a very flirty way, go for it). Once you get his name, you should USE IT. . . consistently. When ever you see him as you come in, say it. This will show him that you've taken the time to remember his name. Always a plus. From then on, little conversations, smiles, and winks should get the message across.

Good luck with your flirting. There are many techniques that have been outlined in other Dear Ottis letters that I'd recommend looking at. Or, if you attended any of my seminars, then you should be set. Just remember these three important things: confidence, humor and charisma. Happy Flirting!

Ottis

Life Goal: Graduation

This weekend was one of the pinnacle moments of my life. I have now officially graduated with my BA degree. I'm the second in my family to do so, and the only to accomplish this feat at my father's alma mater: BYU. It was a glorious occasion, and one that was shared with many family members and friends. My cousin Rachelle and I both walked together, which made it an extremely fun happening.

Joining us for the festivities of commencement were several members of our ward, the BYU 198th ward. We decided it would be fun if we all went into commencement together and sat in the same row. It definitely added an element of familiarity to the commencement ceremony.

We all gathered in the ASB parking lot, and then began our processional to the Marriott Center. On our way, we passed several flags from the countries of our graduating comrades, and a tent filled with the dignitaries that would be attending the commencement and convocation ceremonies. Walking with the graduating seniors felt a bit like being herded with a variety of peripatetic farm animals.

They herded us down into the tunnels in preparation to entering the Marriott Center floor. The feelings of anticipation were near overwhelming. Everyone was filled to the brim with excitement, nervousness, anticipation, thrill and joy. I was so happy to be sharing this experience with dear friends.

As we stepped foot on the floor in the Marriott an overwhelming sense of humility over came me. I am so blessed to have been able to attend this great institution. To have such amazing, inspiring and dedicated professors. And to see all of the friends and family members of the graduating class there, supporting their student, was so powerful.

We quickly took our seats and waited for the dignitaries to come in so that the commencement would. . . you know. . . commence. Rachelle and I of course began the tireless search for our parents.

Once President Samuelson and the others entered, we began. Elder D. Todd Christofferson was to be our commencement speaker.

We had a grand old time. I'm so glad that I decided to participate in my graduation ceremonies. I'm also glad that my parents were able to attend. I owe them so much. They have been so supportive and instrumental in my success. I am so grateful for them and their love.

In the days that followed we had a very rainy day of convocations, and many a dinner out on the town. It's always fun being with family at these times. We also went to the Brown's and the White's for some BBQ/party type fun. It was great. We of course invited all the peeps to come along.

We also engaged in one of my favorite Smith family pastimes: singing.

All in all, it was a great weekend. And in the final words of Elle in Legally Blond, "We did it!"