Ode to Oroville

I've always considered coming home to be somewhat like re-charging batteries. Meaning that I get so busy, over-stressed, and down on myself during the year, and then I come home to our ranch and I have a week or two to regain my sanity (or whatever you might call the semblence of reality that I possess).
I went to our family's ward (the one I grew up in) this past Sunday, and I truly relished being surrounded by people that I believe truly helped shape me into who I am. Now, if you're not very happy about who I am, first of all, I have to wonder why you're reading my blog, and second of all, I would have some very wise statements to tell you containing words like beam and mote. But that is for another time. In a slight derailment from the normal sarcasm, I'd like to take a few minutes to sincerely point out some hidden gems in the city of Oroville:

1. My parents. I know, they're really not all that hidden. In fact, I think sometimes people might wish they would be a bit more stand-offish. However, I've never met anyone as generous in all my travels. On Sunday, my dad was driving all of us home from church and we had his hometeaching companion in the car with us. My mom was mentioning how we were going to be having spicy filled hot dogs for dinner. When the hometeaching companion mentioned how he thought that would be tasty, and my dad whole-heartedly agreed with him, my father then offered our dinner of spicy hot dogs to this 17 year old boy. My dad is so generous, he's willing to give away our dinner.
My parents are still trying to "get " me, which I think is humorous. My mom told me yesterday," Everyone says you're really funny, but I just see sarcasm." Thanks mom. But I know my parents love me. 'Nough said.

2. Susan Stutznegger and Peggy Taylor: Two of my favorite young women's leaders. You might think that's absolutely ridiculous, but when one is an awkward, homely, teenager (namely, me) it really means a lot when adults treat you like you're not so awkard and homely.

3. Marie Acebo and Becky Hancock: These gals are two gals who I can trust will tell me exactly what's on their mind, which is something I respect greatly and am still trying to perfect. What this means is that I know what they say is what they mean. And extra thanks goes to Becky for giving me one of the greatest compliments of my existence!

4. The Robertsons, Browns, Taylors, Jagodas, Meyers, Papas, and all the other parents of my friends growing up: These folks always take a moment to catch up with me when I visit and remind me of how good it feels to be home.

So there you have it: an honest to goodness shout out to my roots. As much as I poke fun at Oroville (though Oroville doesn't get offended, because it knows I poke fun at just about everyone) it will always hold a special place in my heart, as will its inhabitants (yes, even the cut-offs wearing folks visiting the local Walmart).

I will say, one thing that really surprised me was the amount of people that told me they read my blog. Even our Japanese foreign exchange student (Hi Noriko!) from 1998 wrote my parents telling them how my blog is a little difficult to read, but she struggles through anyway.

Top Ten Ways to Tell it's Christmas-time

I was considering leaving this post till a bit closer to the holiday. Then I realized, it's pretty close to the holiday. Our Christmas Sacrament Meeting inspired me with this list. And I have to say that regardless of the choir's poor practice, we sounded pretty awesome.


10. Hear the sounds of diets being broken all over the civilized world.

9. Men dig through their dressers, dusting off tacky red and green ties and socks with pictures of reindeer on them.

8. Teachers all over the country are searching for non-religious Christmas music (I mean "Winter" music) that is sure to not offend anyone. Just think of all those kids in San Diego singing song after song about snow, and never really knowing if it exists.

7. It's suddenly considered socially acceptable to sit on the lap of a middle aged sugar daddy with a round little belly (I tried doing that at the mall at times other than Christmas, and I got some really weird looks.)

6. Every singer in the world turns out a wholesome Christmas album (and you haven't lived until you've heard Ozzie's "Silent Night." He eats a dove at the end of it.)

5. Luxurious, inflatable creatures begin to inhabit local front lawns.

4. "The Christmas Story" is shown every hour on the hour on TBS, TNT, and AMC.

3. You just got punched in the face by an 86-year-old lady who wanted your "Tickle Me Jesse Ventura" doll.

2. White elephants threaten to over-run the work place.

1. For once, everyone takes a moment (even if it really is just one moment) to think about someone other than themselves.

So in case you don't hear from me before then, Merry Christmas everyone!

Blast From the Past!

I know, such a cliche'd title. But it's true. I've had the chance to visit with my good friend, Carol this weekend (she came for a wedding that I wasn't invited to. I'm not bitter, of course. . . ). While she was here, there were a few things accomplished:

- I'm pretty sure I offended all my friends in the ward choir. I have NEVER been as disruptive and had such a flagrant disregard for the people around me as I did this morning. I'll be surprised if Matt, our choir director, ever speaks to me again.

- I got a chance to share all my most recent Top Ten Lists with her. I'm always in the mood for someone who enjoys my jokes and thinks I'm funny. And Carol definitely thinks I'm funny.

-Flirted shamelessly with a guy I just met. That was quite enjoyable, actually. It's always fun to find other people who don't suffer from personal boundaries.

- Watched the personally choreographed New Kids dances from when I was 19 years old that Carol is in as well. If you haven't seen the homemade "rat-tail" I made out of my own hair and attached to one of my guy friends' hair, you really should ask to see the video. Actually, even if you have seen it, you should watch it again.

- Finally, I had about a three hour expanse of time in which I felt like I did before I had all the responsibilities of life that loom over my head. And the question I have is, why don't I feel like this everyday?