I am the worst! Seriously I totally suck I can't even believe what a moron I am. I believe everything, always, never doubting. Maybe I can just say I have incredible faith, right? I'm really embarassed to even write this but I need to so I can remember it in the future.
So I'm going to share two gullible stories, and let me just point out that if I want to believe something, I make the connections in my head all the way down to the bitter end.
Let's begin.
Thursday at work I got an email from my buddy Jared Selman. It was a cnn.com article from Tuesday that somebody else had sent him. The topic of the article? Snoop Dogg converted to mormonism! I clicked the link, read the article, and was in hook, line, and sinker. I totally believed it. It said he met up with Gladys Knight and loved the Book of Mormon. I made all these connections in my head like, "This totally works! Gladys is LDS, Snoop is trying to be a better family man, etc! Never mind that his latest hit is "Sensual Seduction" and that's the edited title." I forwarded the link to my hotmail account and I was literally seconds away from forwarding it to my entire contact list with some type of pumped up message (that is significant because I have never forwarded an email to anyone). Luckily (or unluckily depending on your point of view) I texted Rachel first and told her the awesome news. She didn't even have to go to the cnn website; she immediately texted me back, "You idiot! Tuesday was April Fool's Day!" I literally let out a cry of anguish as I got the text back. I knew that it was true, indeed I was an idiot. I had got SO PUMPED about this too that it just dragged me down for hours. Rachel kept texting me to make fun of me. All I could respond was, "I suck! I know I suck bad!" And three days later. . . I still suck!
The experience reminded me of one of the worst "gullible" moments I've ever had. . .
First, some background: A reminder that I make connections and pretty much convince myself when I want to believe something. This experience happened in the MTC. Key points to know is that Tommy (one of my best friends) was in the MTC with me, roomed around the corner from me, all of the guys in my "district" knew him well and knew that we were friends, and Tommy loves to lie. Another key point is that I know two Stephanies in this world: my sister Stephanie and Stephanie Stevens; also, I only know of one Jodie from my high school, Jodie McIntyre. Last, I received a letter a few days before from Mark Stubler without the post office stamping the postage (that is relevant as well). On to the embarassment:
So in the MTC we checked the mail like 5 times a day. I received a letter one morning from "Jodie". I noticed that the stamp wasn't postmarked but as I noted above I had received a legit letter from Mark only a few days earlier that wasn't postmarked--so no big deal there, right? Anyways, the letter was from Jodie something (I don't remember the last name) and the address was somewhere in West Jordan. She wrote that she was so sad she couldn't make it to my farewell because she was at some cheer camp (me thinking, "hmm, she must be hot if she was a cheerleader; but she must have been a JV cheerleader because I knew all the varsity from the previous year. But it was October and football season so she must have had something!), she had always had a huge crush on me, and that Stephanie had given her my address and she wanted to come see me in the airport when I left for Paraguay.
Words cannot describe how pumped I was to get this mystery love letter from this mystery girl. Jodie? I only know a Jodie McIntyre but I know this isn't her. Stephanie? It must be Stephanie Stevens! I don't know any other Stephanies that went to Copper Hills! I needed to ask Tommy if he knew who this mystery girl was so I could know if she was hot or not!
I spent all day on cloud nine, telling all the other elders about this random additional hot chick that was coming to the airport to see me. Of course they were all jealous of me, right?
I found Tommy in the afternoon and asked if he knew who Jodie was. His reply, "Yeah, she was pretty cute, don't you remember her? " Me, "No, who did she hang out with? " Tommy, "You know Sara Jacobs and Natalie? Their crowd of girls." (Interestingly enough, Tommy is now married to Sara!). The plot was perfect. I knew Sara and Natalie but I didn't really know any of their other friends, so it was easy for me to believe this mystery Jodie girl ran around with them. "Well," I thought, " this is going to work out great for me." You could've told me I had just contracted gonorrhea and the smile wouldn't have been wiped off my face.
But still, I needed to find out more about this Jodie girl. How exciting! I announced that I would write my buddy Jeff Davis (who was still at home at the time) and he would give me the goods on this Jodie girl so I could be prepared for our airport encounter (which, if this were real, would have been a nice handshake so I don't know why I was pumped). I sat down and started writing frantically; this letter had to be mailed out first thing in the morning! I didn't even notice that my entire district and all of Tommy's district had gathered in my small room. Suddenly I feel Elder Keaton put his hands on my shoulders and shamefully announce, "Elder Ball, I wrote that letter."
I will never forget neither the eruption of laughter that bellowed down those halls nor the vomit taste in my mouth as my stomach tried to reject my heart that had just sunk down into it. Immediately I knew I was the fool. I had made 20 different connections that day making this whole story work in my mind. How could I be so stupid! (I'm sitting here 7 1/2 years later embarassed right now!) I relieve the entire shame every time I think of the experience. Damn Snoop Dogg brought it all back again.
So here's how it happened. Elder Keaton wanted to play a joke on somebody and they picked me. They made up the name Jodi, thinkingly used my sister Stephanie's name as a reference (they didn't know that she didn't go to Copper Hills), and made sure they got hold of Tommy before I got to him--and he was definitely in for the ride. Elder Keaton's only hangup was the fact that the letter would arrive without being postmarked. If I noticed that, his jig was up. Incredibly, like I said above, I received a legit letter from Stubler just a few days before that for some reason wasn't postmarked. I haven't seen Elder Kenny Keaton in years (he went to Uruguay not Paraguay), but I'm sure he would confirm that the joke worked out beyond perfection.
I suck. . . bad!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Free Lunch
So I made a new friend at work the past few weeks, but I think the main reason he might be a friend is because he enjoys taking my money from me so much. (Sidenote: Rachel also enjoys him taking money from me because whenever I make a stupid bet and lose--which is always--she gets to spend an equal amount of money on herself!)
So we were talking golf and we decided we were going to sneak out for a long "lunch" and do a quick nine holes. I must talk a good game because he wanted to play the nine holes straight up for the wager. Knowing that I couldn't touch him straight up, I managed to adjust the wager to the point that if I beat his score on one of the nine holes or tied his score twice, I would win the wager. From the way he talked I figured he was in the Mike Davis-range of golfers (which is pretty good for those who don't know Mike). I dialed Mike up to see if he thought I could possible beat him on one of nine holes. Alas, no answer (when I later did talk to Mike and ask him that question, he had himself quite a laugh). So out I go feeling confident that my lunch would be paid for. It was the first time out this year for both of us. I had to have one lucky hole, right?
Curses! (Seriously, you know what I mean when I say curses!) I lost bad. In fact, I only had one hole where I was close to tying, but he nailed a 25-foot putt to win the hole outright. He told me he knew after my first tee shot (a duff that went about 10 feet to the left into the bushes) that it was in the bag. I pretty much knew the same.
Unfortunately, due to my utter lack of self-doubt (which is to say my extreme level of overconfidence in my worthless abilities), I did not take my loss and move on, I simply moved to another sport. Basketball! Yes, I wagered on a one-on-one game. I showed up at his early morning ball game, played a couple hours, then faced him one-on-one. Since we all know how fat and out of shape I am, let me just say I was begging him to end it (I will add, however, that he was gassed too, as he couldn't hit a wide open layup for his life to end the game). It was a sorry showing, but I was so gassed after the regular ball I had nothing left in the tank for when it counted.
My saving grace is that I pay up. Words can't describe the grin on a man's face as he sees another man pay for his lunch, involuntarily. Logic would say that I've learned my lesson and I'll stop trash talking. The sad reality is that I'm most definitely NOT ready to do that. Tennis anyone?
So we were talking golf and we decided we were going to sneak out for a long "lunch" and do a quick nine holes. I must talk a good game because he wanted to play the nine holes straight up for the wager. Knowing that I couldn't touch him straight up, I managed to adjust the wager to the point that if I beat his score on one of the nine holes or tied his score twice, I would win the wager. From the way he talked I figured he was in the Mike Davis-range of golfers (which is pretty good for those who don't know Mike). I dialed Mike up to see if he thought I could possible beat him on one of nine holes. Alas, no answer (when I later did talk to Mike and ask him that question, he had himself quite a laugh). So out I go feeling confident that my lunch would be paid for. It was the first time out this year for both of us. I had to have one lucky hole, right?
Curses! (Seriously, you know what I mean when I say curses!) I lost bad. In fact, I only had one hole where I was close to tying, but he nailed a 25-foot putt to win the hole outright. He told me he knew after my first tee shot (a duff that went about 10 feet to the left into the bushes) that it was in the bag. I pretty much knew the same.
Unfortunately, due to my utter lack of self-doubt (which is to say my extreme level of overconfidence in my worthless abilities), I did not take my loss and move on, I simply moved to another sport. Basketball! Yes, I wagered on a one-on-one game. I showed up at his early morning ball game, played a couple hours, then faced him one-on-one. Since we all know how fat and out of shape I am, let me just say I was begging him to end it (I will add, however, that he was gassed too, as he couldn't hit a wide open layup for his life to end the game). It was a sorry showing, but I was so gassed after the regular ball I had nothing left in the tank for when it counted.
My saving grace is that I pay up. Words can't describe the grin on a man's face as he sees another man pay for his lunch, involuntarily. Logic would say that I've learned my lesson and I'll stop trash talking. The sad reality is that I'm most definitely NOT ready to do that. Tennis anyone?
Work-Life Balance
So before I even write about this topic can I just say that I've had like 3 DOMINANT posts lately that I've wanted to post but I've been struck down by the powers that be from fear of offending people. So it's not that I haven't written in forever; it's more that I've written "secret posts" that are now stored away in my heart forever. Ah, the internet, where whatever you write is permanently posted somewhere.
So I'm nearing the end of my first "busy season" as we call it in accounting. This week I worked until 3 am on monday night and 1 am wednesday night. My usual night ends with me getting home post-10 pm. I'm pretty sure if I break down this salary thing into an hourly wage I'm making somewhere in the minimum wage range. This accounting profession has it figured out! Take educated people right out of school, work them a ton, and pay "salary" so you don't have to pay any overtime! I will say I haven't really worked any weekends, which are now pretty much "Dad's time to see Cannon awake", so that's been good.
I'm writing a lot of gripes, when in truth I actually enjoy what I'm doing a ton. I'm learning a ton and I like the people I work with (a key for enjoying any job). I'm not saying that I'd prefer to be at work rather than at home all night; what I'm trying to say is that I'm enjoying it despite some long nights. I'm actually excited for some of my future prospects later this year. Things should mellow out for me sometime in the next few weeks and that's when this "life" side of things hopefully will be able to kick into gear.
So I'm about 3 months in to this accounting thing, and I still feel like it's brand new. This is definitely a major tranistional period for Rachel and me. I'm thinking this entire year might be a transitional period because so much has changed for us in the past 8 months or so and we still aren't sure how to react to it all. We always had "just get through school" in our minds as kind of an "ending point" to our early years of marriage. Now that we've started a family and essentially started what the rest of our lives together will be like (for the most part. Rachel won't work forever. I included this side comment specifically for her so she knows that :) ) I think we are both caught off-guard as to how fast this all snuck up on us.
Anyways, I'm rambling. Basically if anybody's up past midnight and needs somebody to talk to, I'm most assuredly awake and most likely at work so feel free to call for a chat! Careful, though, I might lure you into some boring accounting talk. One positive is that if Rachel is having any trouble sleeping at all, she only has to tell me, "Brandon, tell me about your work" and she's out like a light within minutes.
So I'm nearing the end of my first "busy season" as we call it in accounting. This week I worked until 3 am on monday night and 1 am wednesday night. My usual night ends with me getting home post-10 pm. I'm pretty sure if I break down this salary thing into an hourly wage I'm making somewhere in the minimum wage range. This accounting profession has it figured out! Take educated people right out of school, work them a ton, and pay "salary" so you don't have to pay any overtime! I will say I haven't really worked any weekends, which are now pretty much "Dad's time to see Cannon awake", so that's been good.
I'm writing a lot of gripes, when in truth I actually enjoy what I'm doing a ton. I'm learning a ton and I like the people I work with (a key for enjoying any job). I'm not saying that I'd prefer to be at work rather than at home all night; what I'm trying to say is that I'm enjoying it despite some long nights. I'm actually excited for some of my future prospects later this year. Things should mellow out for me sometime in the next few weeks and that's when this "life" side of things hopefully will be able to kick into gear.
So I'm about 3 months in to this accounting thing, and I still feel like it's brand new. This is definitely a major tranistional period for Rachel and me. I'm thinking this entire year might be a transitional period because so much has changed for us in the past 8 months or so and we still aren't sure how to react to it all. We always had "just get through school" in our minds as kind of an "ending point" to our early years of marriage. Now that we've started a family and essentially started what the rest of our lives together will be like (for the most part. Rachel won't work forever. I included this side comment specifically for her so she knows that :) ) I think we are both caught off-guard as to how fast this all snuck up on us.
Anyways, I'm rambling. Basically if anybody's up past midnight and needs somebody to talk to, I'm most assuredly awake and most likely at work so feel free to call for a chat! Careful, though, I might lure you into some boring accounting talk. One positive is that if Rachel is having any trouble sleeping at all, she only has to tell me, "Brandon, tell me about your work" and she's out like a light within minutes.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Live With Your Parents!
Interesting article in the desnews today about the growing number of adults moving back in with their parents. The article cited a 50-year old moving back in with her 80-year old parents. She acknowledged it was quite the humbling experience, but she needed somewhere to get back on her feet.
(Can I just make a quick note completely off topic? I'm sure everybody has noticed that my spelling has been quite off on most of my recent posts and I blame the keyboard on our new desktop. It's a piece and it doesn't pick up my keystrokes. I've had to fix like 30 words already! Anyways, whatever I can do to shift the blame off of my noticeably bad spelling.)
Back to living with the parents. Somebody posted an interesting comment after the article, noting that our capitalist society is what dictates that everybody live in their own house, even though our houses are huge. I kind of agree with that comment. I know in Latin cultures it is not uncommon for multiple generations to live together in the same home.
I guess I'm writing about this because I know if I was still single I'd probably live at home and I'd want to somehow justify myself for being an at-home adult.
I keep wanting to write that I don't see any problem with somebody living at home after they've fallen on hard times, but I guess the reason for the "hard times" would potentially be a problem. Got laid off from your job in a rough economy? No problem. Don't have a job because you're lazy? Problem. Have a job but you're just stupid with your money? Problem.
Other examples of problems: One idiot comment tried to turn it into a rivalry thing, saying it was stupid Utah fans who live at home. BIG MISTAKE-especially since the spineless loser posted as "anonymous". Even being the BYU homer that I am, it is clearly the kids "down south" who pump out 3 kids on the government dime (which equals my dime) while still in school and then move into the parents house for a couple years of "transitioning" period once schools out. Good call.
I have to say, I started this post with the intention to say it was okay to live with the parents after I felt so bad for the lady in the article who had to move back home for a while after getting laid off; however, I've clearly noted points against living with the parents as well. It's also worth noting that the "problem" points are much stronger than the "no problem" points. Hmmm. . . note to Cannon: You cannot move back in with us when you're 50. Sorry!
(Can I just make a quick note completely off topic? I'm sure everybody has noticed that my spelling has been quite off on most of my recent posts and I blame the keyboard on our new desktop. It's a piece and it doesn't pick up my keystrokes. I've had to fix like 30 words already! Anyways, whatever I can do to shift the blame off of my noticeably bad spelling.)
Back to living with the parents. Somebody posted an interesting comment after the article, noting that our capitalist society is what dictates that everybody live in their own house, even though our houses are huge. I kind of agree with that comment. I know in Latin cultures it is not uncommon for multiple generations to live together in the same home.
I guess I'm writing about this because I know if I was still single I'd probably live at home and I'd want to somehow justify myself for being an at-home adult.
I keep wanting to write that I don't see any problem with somebody living at home after they've fallen on hard times, but I guess the reason for the "hard times" would potentially be a problem. Got laid off from your job in a rough economy? No problem. Don't have a job because you're lazy? Problem. Have a job but you're just stupid with your money? Problem.
Other examples of problems: One idiot comment tried to turn it into a rivalry thing, saying it was stupid Utah fans who live at home. BIG MISTAKE-especially since the spineless loser posted as "anonymous". Even being the BYU homer that I am, it is clearly the kids "down south" who pump out 3 kids on the government dime (which equals my dime) while still in school and then move into the parents house for a couple years of "transitioning" period once schools out. Good call.
I have to say, I started this post with the intention to say it was okay to live with the parents after I felt so bad for the lady in the article who had to move back home for a while after getting laid off; however, I've clearly noted points against living with the parents as well. It's also worth noting that the "problem" points are much stronger than the "no problem" points. Hmmm. . . note to Cannon: You cannot move back in with us when you're 50. Sorry!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Mind of a Teenager
Rachel and I were cleaning our basement yesterday and I came across a notebook that had a journal I wrote all of my senior year of high school. Wondering what's on the mind of a teenage boy? Pretty much one thing. . . Kissing Girls!!! Yeeeah!!!! Well, then we called it "getting action" so pretty much if any of the boys got so much as even a little peck from a girl they "got action."
Unfortunately, most of my entries talk about my plan to "get action" instead of my experiences "getting action." I'm pretty sure that was the case for most of my friends as well, even though they might tell you differently.
I'm pretty sure I need to throw it away because it has quite the amount of self-incriminating entries. Rachel read it and laughed her head off all night long. She thinks I should post the whole thing on here. I'm tempted, but no. I can't imagine even my kids reading what was going on through my 18-year old mind, let alone anybody else. Luckily after Rachel took me to the dance at the end of my senior year I wrote that it turned out awesome instead of writing something like, "My date with that Rachel girl totally sucked." I probably would've landed in the doghouse for the night with something like that!
Also, it appears that I had quite the amount of really self-incriminating entries because as I thumbed through the notebook I noticed I had lots of pages half torn out. Obviously I went back at some point and tore out entries that I thought were bad or something. Man, if I thought they were bad then, then I'm sure they would be crazy now because I was embarrassed at the entries that I left!
Anyways, Rachel has convinced me to post some entries but I must notify in advance for any who don't know (which is very few people) that my language in high school was very R-rated. If I post any further entries I'll be sure to give a rating up front as a warning. This one is PG-13, with apologies to Mark Stubler (I know Lindsey reads my blog so hopefully she won't be mad either:)). The entry is verbatim with my new thoughts in parenthesis.
12-12-1999
Friday we played Jordan in b-ball. We lost in double overtime (No worries, we won state that year!). After the game I was yelling (in the parking lot) "let's go" to Mark. Some Jordan drill-team chic sarcastically yelled, "Yeah, let's go!" I screamed back, "Hey! You're Ugly!" Her friend yelled "Hey! Show some respect!" Jeff Davis started arguing with them then one said "Why don't you apologize?" I yelled, "Why don't you burn in hell!" She yelled, "Why are you guys such dicks?!" Mark Stubler jumped in right as the Jordan Principle came up behind me and Ms. Garret (Copper Hills VP) pulled up behind him, and yelled, "Why are you girls such sluts!" They yelled back, "Hey! Apologize!" He said, "I'll apologize right after I show you my ass!" Then Ms. Garret jumped in. It was pretty funny, but she was pretty pissed. But we talked to her at the Christmas stomp last night and she said it was funny, too. So it's all right.
I've read this post like 10 times in the past 24 hours and I break out laughing every time. Very uncharacteristic of me to lash out like that at a random girl. Even Rachel commented, "I never have known you to be mean like that." That' s probably why such a menial interchange is so memorable. I'm sure the girl thought she could say something since her team just won. Obviously she had no idea we would bring it so strong! I'm still laughing. I should've been meaner in high school. I would have more funny memories like this.
Unfortunately, most of my entries talk about my plan to "get action" instead of my experiences "getting action." I'm pretty sure that was the case for most of my friends as well, even though they might tell you differently.
I'm pretty sure I need to throw it away because it has quite the amount of self-incriminating entries. Rachel read it and laughed her head off all night long. She thinks I should post the whole thing on here. I'm tempted, but no. I can't imagine even my kids reading what was going on through my 18-year old mind, let alone anybody else. Luckily after Rachel took me to the dance at the end of my senior year I wrote that it turned out awesome instead of writing something like, "My date with that Rachel girl totally sucked." I probably would've landed in the doghouse for the night with something like that!
Also, it appears that I had quite the amount of really self-incriminating entries because as I thumbed through the notebook I noticed I had lots of pages half torn out. Obviously I went back at some point and tore out entries that I thought were bad or something. Man, if I thought they were bad then, then I'm sure they would be crazy now because I was embarrassed at the entries that I left!
Anyways, Rachel has convinced me to post some entries but I must notify in advance for any who don't know (which is very few people) that my language in high school was very R-rated. If I post any further entries I'll be sure to give a rating up front as a warning. This one is PG-13, with apologies to Mark Stubler (I know Lindsey reads my blog so hopefully she won't be mad either:)). The entry is verbatim with my new thoughts in parenthesis.
12-12-1999
Friday we played Jordan in b-ball. We lost in double overtime (No worries, we won state that year!). After the game I was yelling (in the parking lot) "let's go" to Mark. Some Jordan drill-team chic sarcastically yelled, "Yeah, let's go!" I screamed back, "Hey! You're Ugly!" Her friend yelled "Hey! Show some respect!" Jeff Davis started arguing with them then one said "Why don't you apologize?" I yelled, "Why don't you burn in hell!" She yelled, "Why are you guys such dicks?!" Mark Stubler jumped in right as the Jordan Principle came up behind me and Ms. Garret (Copper Hills VP) pulled up behind him, and yelled, "Why are you girls such sluts!" They yelled back, "Hey! Apologize!" He said, "I'll apologize right after I show you my ass!" Then Ms. Garret jumped in. It was pretty funny, but she was pretty pissed. But we talked to her at the Christmas stomp last night and she said it was funny, too. So it's all right.
I've read this post like 10 times in the past 24 hours and I break out laughing every time. Very uncharacteristic of me to lash out like that at a random girl. Even Rachel commented, "I never have known you to be mean like that." That' s probably why such a menial interchange is so memorable. I'm sure the girl thought she could say something since her team just won. Obviously she had no idea we would bring it so strong! I'm still laughing. I should've been meaner in high school. I would have more funny memories like this.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Oh No! A Church Calling! (Soapbox Post)
I was called a couple weeks ago to be a Sunday School teacher for the Gospel Doctrine class and today was my first week teaching. I have to say the class met my expectations perfectly. About 50-60 adults sitting in dead silence as I probe for some type of participation other than my lecture from the front. OK, I got 3 people to read and about another 3-4 people to make some comments. So about 50-60 people, 90% of which are sitting in dead silence for an hour and look the other way when I ask for a comment.
I'm actually not writing upset about the lack of participation; it's totally normal and church is not school where you have to participate. Just being at church is enough and whoever wants to sit and listen is welcome. What I am writing about is my frustration with people rejecting callings. Whenever I told somebody my new calling, the inevitable response was, "You're teaching adults! I could never do that!" Well, I'm pretty sure the bishopric were in fact told, "No, I can't do that" multiple times. When they extended the calling (to teach once every three weeks, mind you) they had a look of what can only be described as extreme trepidation. "So do you think you can handle that?" Huh? Can I handle it? Show up once every three weeks and lead a group (LIGHT emphasis on the word "group") discussion? Yeah I think I can handle that. It upsets me that so many people think they can't.
I'm not referring specifically to this calling. It's obviously a huge problem in the church right now. I know last year when Rachel was about to have Cannon we were told, "We're releasing you from primary so you can adjust to your newborn." Well, week after week passed and we were informed by the primary presidency that they had submitted a list of names a mile long and not a single person would accept a calling as a primary teacher. We finished out the year as Sunbeam teachers. In fact, Rachel is still a sunbeam teacher (I was released only becase I was poached to teach Gospel Doctrine) while they continue their search for a new Sunbeam teacher. She has both the kids and Cannon alone during sharing time when I teach and I come in and help during class time.
Is it that bad to accept a calling? I have to say I'll gladly accept any calling extended and I'm even happier when it's not demanding. There are plenty of people who do the heavy lifting, a la Bishoprics, presidencies, young men/women, etc. but it seems like too many reject even simple callings just because they're too worried about having the "option" to not go to church for a week if they're out of town or something.
Anyways, I probably shouldn't even be writing this because it's stupid and I have no idea what's really going on in any one person's life other than mine. I'm basically relying on rumors and that's wrong. OK, now I just made myself feel bad for basically ripping on all my fellow church members. I should repent! And the decision is . . . I'll repent right after I publish this angry post!
I'm actually not writing upset about the lack of participation; it's totally normal and church is not school where you have to participate. Just being at church is enough and whoever wants to sit and listen is welcome. What I am writing about is my frustration with people rejecting callings. Whenever I told somebody my new calling, the inevitable response was, "You're teaching adults! I could never do that!" Well, I'm pretty sure the bishopric were in fact told, "No, I can't do that" multiple times. When they extended the calling (to teach once every three weeks, mind you) they had a look of what can only be described as extreme trepidation. "So do you think you can handle that?" Huh? Can I handle it? Show up once every three weeks and lead a group (LIGHT emphasis on the word "group") discussion? Yeah I think I can handle that. It upsets me that so many people think they can't.
I'm not referring specifically to this calling. It's obviously a huge problem in the church right now. I know last year when Rachel was about to have Cannon we were told, "We're releasing you from primary so you can adjust to your newborn." Well, week after week passed and we were informed by the primary presidency that they had submitted a list of names a mile long and not a single person would accept a calling as a primary teacher. We finished out the year as Sunbeam teachers. In fact, Rachel is still a sunbeam teacher (I was released only becase I was poached to teach Gospel Doctrine) while they continue their search for a new Sunbeam teacher. She has both the kids and Cannon alone during sharing time when I teach and I come in and help during class time.
Is it that bad to accept a calling? I have to say I'll gladly accept any calling extended and I'm even happier when it's not demanding. There are plenty of people who do the heavy lifting, a la Bishoprics, presidencies, young men/women, etc. but it seems like too many reject even simple callings just because they're too worried about having the "option" to not go to church for a week if they're out of town or something.
Anyways, I probably shouldn't even be writing this because it's stupid and I have no idea what's really going on in any one person's life other than mine. I'm basically relying on rumors and that's wrong. OK, now I just made myself feel bad for basically ripping on all my fellow church members. I should repent! And the decision is . . . I'll repent right after I publish this angry post!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
14 No More!
I got a sweet surprise call from my wife Valentine's morning. . . they had an opening for me to come in and get my braces off! I was so pumped I can't even explain. It was only like 2 weeks earlier than when I would've gotten them off anyways but that is of course irrelevant when I could get them off in the next 30 minutes.
So here I am now with spectacularly straight teeth! All thanks to Dr. Spurrier and the Rache-Train.
I pretty much agreed to get braces just so I could say to our kids that I had them too when they complain about getting them. It was a long, sometimes grueling experience but now that it's over I'm glad I did it (now does that sound like somebody describing their mission or what?)
When I was 15 and had my first (and second) shoulder surgeries, I LOATHED wearing my sling around for the 6 weeks or so after surgery. I felt like everyone was staring and/or laughing at me all the time, which is stupid to think because I know when I see somebody in a sling or cast or whatever, I notice it but I don't care and I don't dwell on it. I felt that same way this entire year of wearing braces. Obviously I noticed when other people wore braces, including teens since that was basically what I was reduced to, but I never dwelled on it. And why would anybody dwell on it? Who cares? I'm making my point to myself because what I'm basically saying to myself is that I'm a moron for being self-concious about wearing braces, even as an adult. Funny thing is, these past few days I still find myself not smiling a full smile because I think I still have my braces on. Funnier still, nobody noticed that I got my braces off. So why am I a loser that thought everybody noticed when I did have braces? (Answer: Because you were a loser that had braces on as an adult so people did notice but now that they're off and you look normal nobody notices you anymore.) :) I can say that because 1) I was an adult with braces so I can make fun of my own. 2) 1 guy at work did notice that my braces were off, only after he made a joke about being a geeky adult wearing braces and then looked over at me for my reaction only to have me smile back with the pearly whites.
Now if I could just get my place back at the cool kids lunch table. . .
So here I am now with spectacularly straight teeth! All thanks to Dr. Spurrier and the Rache-Train.
I pretty much agreed to get braces just so I could say to our kids that I had them too when they complain about getting them. It was a long, sometimes grueling experience but now that it's over I'm glad I did it (now does that sound like somebody describing their mission or what?)
When I was 15 and had my first (and second) shoulder surgeries, I LOATHED wearing my sling around for the 6 weeks or so after surgery. I felt like everyone was staring and/or laughing at me all the time, which is stupid to think because I know when I see somebody in a sling or cast or whatever, I notice it but I don't care and I don't dwell on it. I felt that same way this entire year of wearing braces. Obviously I noticed when other people wore braces, including teens since that was basically what I was reduced to, but I never dwelled on it. And why would anybody dwell on it? Who cares? I'm making my point to myself because what I'm basically saying to myself is that I'm a moron for being self-concious about wearing braces, even as an adult. Funny thing is, these past few days I still find myself not smiling a full smile because I think I still have my braces on. Funnier still, nobody noticed that I got my braces off. So why am I a loser that thought everybody noticed when I did have braces? (Answer: Because you were a loser that had braces on as an adult so people did notice but now that they're off and you look normal nobody notices you anymore.) :) I can say that because 1) I was an adult with braces so I can make fun of my own. 2) 1 guy at work did notice that my braces were off, only after he made a joke about being a geeky adult wearing braces and then looked over at me for my reaction only to have me smile back with the pearly whites.
Now if I could just get my place back at the cool kids lunch table. . .
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