This feels like love gone right, in the beginning

J is for Journal

My mother gave me a wonderful book for my birthday, which at first glance looks like a children's book. The title is S is for Story authored by Esther Hershenborn and illustrated by Zachary Pullen. It is an alphabet for writers. It has some great tips and inspirational quotes on writing from famous and some not-so-famous but still wonderful authors. I feel it is important to mention that this book is signed by the illustrator.

One of the pages that stuck out to me the most was on Journals. I think it is widely regarded as true (mostly because it is true) that a large part of writing is just that. Writing. I remember in my Advanced Composition class in highschool, taught by the illustrious, if often high as a kite, Mr. Mork, we wrote 2 pages a day in a writing journal. It didn't matter so much what we wrote as long as we wrote something. This, almost more than anything else we learned in class, improved our writing. I believe that every good writer is also something of a journalist. Collecting the things that they love and then reflecting on them.

I therefore am trying to blog more. And perhaps one day this will even lead to a proper journal. Or perhaps it will dissipate and I will go back to once a week. Who knows?

"When I open my journal, it feels like I'm a child going into my room and closing the door." ~ Jacqueline Woodson

Jar of Hearts -- I was kinda sad today, and this fit

My Birthday Was Today

This is not a reminder. Just a note on my life. For my birthday, I did the following:

1. I ran a 5k (accomplishing the first step in my four step process of running a marathon).

2. I opened my presents, which included many books and a tile with one of my favorite scriptures printed on it. Also, one of the books reminded me of how much I need to begin writing again.

3. I went to dinner at Olive Garden with Jameson. Oh, how wonderful it is to gain 5 pounds in a single meal. So delicious.

4. I went to go and see The Other Guys at my favorite cheap mom and pop theater. It was good, but more rent good than see in the theater good.

5. I gave a talk in church. Not so much to do with my birthday, but it is something that I did.

6. Talked to each member of my family. I miss them all a lot. And love them very much.

7. Watched The Princess and The Frog and part of Star Trek with my new friend Katie Simmons, who just got back from her mission a few weeks ago.

I hope that everyone out there is doing well, and knows how much I appreciate the birthday wishes!

10K training plan: www.halhigdon.com/10ktraining/10knovice.htm

My Birthday is Next Week

The title is just a reminder. I actually wanted to discuss something else: Winston Churchill. For those of you who need a refresher, click here:

http://www.winstonchurchill.org/

On my facebook, I recently published a quote from his famous speech.

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never -- in anything, great or small, large or petty -- never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

I love this quote, especially when I feel like giving in. Of course generally speaking, he said it in response to letting the Nazi's into England. I generally say in response to eating a second swiss roll. Regardless, here are some facts about this amazing man that I think are really great.

1. He came from an aristocratic family -- and his mother was American :)

2. He had a speech impediment that he worked on his entire life.

3. In 1899, Churchill went to South Africa as a war correspondent, and was captured and a POW during the Boer War. He escaped rather bravely and then continued to fight. Impressive.

4. His daughter starred in a movie with Fred Astaire (whom I love) in 'Royal Wedding'.

5. He painted more than 570 paintings and has been sold at major auctions.

6. Churchill once proposed to actress Ethyl Barrymore.

I chose to discuss Churchill because he overcame some pretty poor odds and I think that is something I can look up to and use. Of course, I like to think I have pretty good odds. This week hasn't been very special. And that may be something to celebrate. It means that my life continues to be hopeful and happy. There are always things to rock the boat, but never anything we can't overcome with friends, family, and God.

Great Series that we bought for funsies: Firefly by Joss Whedon

Animals, all over the place

It may not be public knowledge, but there are two things that have largely impacted our lives lately. One is the red panda at the Hogle Zoo. The other is Unknown Anthem, featuring Jameson Jackson on the drums.

First the zoo. We went to the zoo. For me, it was a first time experience. I have a feeling members of my family will disagree. For the record, squirrels squished flat on the road in Yellowstone don't count, Mother. I got to see tigers and snakes (safely behind glass that I wasn't even thinking of trying to make disappear a la Harry Potter). I even got to pet a large lizard. It pretty much rocked my world. The giraffes mostly slept standing up. The monkeys were sleepy as well. The large cats stalked small children behind their glass enclosures. I also got a snow cone AND icecream. My life took one small step for a spider monkey, but one giant leap toward life experiences.

Second, I missed Jameson's concert because I was working. But I did watch most of the Atari's concert. Anyway, to tell you more about that, here is Jameson:

The concert went great! We went on stage around 6:45 p.m and had a half hour set. We had a good turn out of 50 people or so and a lot of compliments after. It was good to play a show again since our last show was just over a year ago. Pictures of the show will be available shortly, I had one of my good friends Alex take photos.

So there you go. Animals on stage and in cages . . . get it?

Great author that I love: Kaye Gibbons

Lucky Lander Land Fourth of July

So this year Jameson got the FULL Lander fourth of July experience, from the Bills fireworks to the war zone that becomes Lander. Anyway, it was a blast (literally) and once the festivities were over, we hiked up to the falls. It was a little too crazy to go off the falls right now, especially with the wild run-off that Lander had this year. But there were some pretty amazing views that reminded me just how much I love this place.

Anyway, it was great to see family. Even if my Mama wasn't there. We have some great pictures and great memories. We got to shoot off some fireworks with the whole block of kids. We had bottlerockets, and none of them did. Their mothers had to drag them back to their houses. The boy next door, Riley, hung out with us all day, and thought he was a pyrotechnic professional by the end of the night.

Good Music: Unknown Anthem (Jameson's band that is opening for the Ataris in Salt Lake at Kilby Court on the 29th of July!)