Adventure has a name!

2010-07-13T19:22:00.001-07:00

Have you ever met a guy, and called him a tool? Maybe he was a tool, or maybe he wasn't. This guy may have just exhibited certain qualities of a tool but was not a fool blown tool.

There are many different definitions of a tool. Let’s look at a few of them.

Dictionary.com

1.anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose.

2. According to Wikipedia, the slang usage of the word tool became popular in the 1990's. Its usage even seeped into late night television. In one particular skit, Jimmy Fallon dressed up as Carson Daly, a popular MTV VJ in the late '90s, and referred to himself as being a "massive tool."
A tool can also be someone who just seems lame or is completely unoriginal. They are so used to conforming that they don't seem like they can think for themselves or think independently from what's popular.
Tools have also been accused of trying too hard--expelling way too much effort in an attempt to fit in or join the mainstream or non-mainstream (whichever the case may be). Thus, sometimes also being labeled a wannabe or poser
Common derivatives of the word tool are: toolbox (generally meaning that this person is an extreme tool) or toolish (which means that someone is acting like a tool or in a tool-like manner).

The Official Checklist to determine if you are a Tool or not a Tool.

The following checklist will help you determine if you are a Tool or not a Tool. Each question can be answered Yes, Sometimes, or Never. If you answer yes, you get 2 points if you answer sometimes you get 1 point and never 0 points.

1. Have you ever popped your collar? Yes, Sometimes, or Never.

2. Do you still wear a Lance Armstrong Band?

3. Do you spend more time doing your hair in the morning then you do in the shower?

4. Do you buy designer T-Shirts that cost over $50? For additional points, does your designer shirt have skulls or angels on them?

5. Do you view every other guy as competition? Example, you go to a party and see every guy has competition. IE, you see a guy talking to a girl and you go over there and start talking to the same girl, and start one upping the guy.

6. When you wear a polo shirt is it usually a size too small?

7. Do you spend more than 30 minutes doing your hair in the morning or for a date?

8. Do you ward off animals with scent of your Cologne?

9. Do you still wear pucca shell necklace?

10. Do your brand new jeans have more holes then Swiss cheese?

11. Do your shoes resemble the beak of a bird?

12. Do you pretend to be a soccer fan?

13. Do you own a tanning pass? Give yourself 3 points for yes and 2 points if you go tanning more than 2 times a month.

14. Do you wear white sunglasses?

15. When going out for a ride on your motorcycle do you park it on the sidewalk, in front of the building so you don't have to walk as far (or so you can show off your bike)?

16. Do you make sure people can see your barbed wire tattoo on your bicep?

17. Do you wear multiple polo shirts at the same time? Add four points for each shirt you wear and two points for each popped collar.

Now adding up the points
If you scored 24-34 you are a tool.
If you scored 17-24, you are exhibiting some tool like qualities
If you scored 8-16, not too much of a tool
If you scored 0-7, you are not a tool just you.

Tool

2010-07-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

A tool can also be someone who just seems lame or is completely unoriginal. They are so used to conforming that they don't seem like they can think for themselves or think independently from what's popular.

Tools have also been accused of trying too hard--expelling way too much effort in an attempt to fit in or join the mainstream or non-mainstream (whichever the case may be). Thus, sometimes also being labeled a wannabe or poser

Common derivatives of the word tool are: toolbox (generally meaning that this person is an extreme tool) or toolish (which means that someone is acting like a tool or in a tool-like manner).

The Official Checklist to determine if you are a Tool or not a Tool.

The following checklist will help you determine if you are a Tool or not a Tool. Each question can be answered Yes, Sometimes, or Never. If you answer yes, you get 2 points if you answer sometimes you get 1 point and never 0 points.

1. Have you ever popped your collar? Yes, Sometimes, or Never.

2. Do you still wear a Lance Armstrong Band?

3. Do you spend more time doing your hair in the morning then you do in the shower?

4. Do you buy designer T-Shirts that cost over $50? For additional points, does your designer shirt have skulls or angels on them?

5. Do you view every other guy as competition? Example, you go to a party and see every guy has competition. IE, you see a guy talking to a girl and you go over there and start talking to the same girl, and start one upping the guy.

6. When you wear a polo shirt is it usually a size too small?

7. Do you spend more than 30 minutes doing your hair in the morning or for a date?

8. Do you ward off animals with scent of your Cologne?

9. Do you still wear pucca shell necklace?

10. Do your brand new jeans have more holes then Swiss cheese?

11. Do your shoes resemble the beak of a bird?

12. Do you pretend to be a soccer fan?

13. Do you own a tanning pass? Give yourself 3 points for yes and 2 points if you go tanning more than 2 times a month.

14. Do you wear white sunglasses?

15. When going out for a ride on your motorcycle do you park it on the sidewalk, in front of the building so you don't have to walk as far (or so you can show off your bike)?

16. Do you make sure people can see your barbed wire tattoo on your bicep?

17. Do you wear multiple polo shirts at the same time? Add four points for each shirt you wear and two points for each popped collar.

Now adding up the points

If you scored 24-34 you are a tool.

If you scored 17-24, you are exhibiting some tool like qualities

If you scored 8-16, not too much of a tool

If you scored 0-7, you are not a tool just you.

War of the Shopping Carts

2009-12-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

As many of you faithful readers will remember, a few months back this blog started a campaign against shopping carts and the individuals who leave there shopping carts randomly around the parking lot. During the Holiday season, I was reminded about this issues and peoples seemingly inability to put away their shopping carts. I fully understand that during the holiday season we are busy and have errands to run and people to see. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the rush of the holidays we may forget to put away our shopping cart. The holidays season is now over and we have an opportunity to all become better individuals. During the New Year we all make resolutions some to quit smoking, some to loose weight, some to conquer their fears of snakes. What ever are resolutions are we can all do one thing to make our lives a better place. This year lets put our shopping carts away. Lets put at least one cart away if we see it in the parking lot when we go shopping. If we put one cart away we can then have hope that we can believe in! For all of you who read this blog commit yourself to put away one cart away the next time you go shopping. Not only do you help a car in need but you also help your body. By pushing that cart you are working muscles you may have not other wise worked out that day. Also think back to when you were a kid, one of the great joys in life was running with a cart and jumping on it and riding the cart in the parking lot. So lets bring hope back to the parking lot and back to America and put away are shopping carts but also those carts that are just left in parking lot.

By reading this blog you are now committed to putting away one cart this week!

That Spirt of Christmas

2009-12-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

Once again Christmas is upon us all. It is that glorious time of the year that we get to be with the ones we love and share so much joy and cheer. You have to admit it is wonderful feeling. During Christmas we all have a lot of fun, sitting by the fireside, taking walks through the snow, listening to choirs singing about the true meaning of Christmas and reminding us about the birth of the Savior. Lets remember that we can keep this Christmas Spirit all through the year, not just at this special time but all year long.

Sometimes we think the Santa takes away from the true meaning of Christmas, but if you were to take a look into Santa you can see Santa Clause embraces the true Christmas spirit. Santa teaches us to have hope and faith, he also teaches us to give without thought of what we will get in return. Santa spreads joy and hope into they eyes of child and also to adults. The idea of Santa allows us to give and in many situations allows us to give freely. Many times we give gifts with a monetary value but in giving we pass on the Spirit of Christmas to each other.

One thing I have discovered this Christmas season is that Christmas is full of hope. Sometimes we lose focus of the hope that is in Christmas. In the truest form of Christmas we can remember that Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and in that we can gain great hope and a light that can guide us through the entire year. Lets keep that Spirit all year round and think of others and carry a Spirit of Love to each other.

Twilight: Beauty and the Beast

2009-11-20T07:58:00.001-08:00

This week, I have continued my reading of Twilight. I am now 200 pages into the book and I would admit that I am enjoying it. Maybe this goes back to when I got chicken pocks in the 6th grade and got hooked to soap operas on TV. When your that age there was something intriguing about soap operas. It probably also goes back to when I was in Junior High and High School and started to watch wrestling. There is something about drama that intrigues and compels us to watch. Why do you think so many people watch the "Hills", its not because of the amazing stories and acting. With Twilight there is a drama that is building. I still have not come across much drama or mystery in the book, other then Bella trying to figure out her fears and attraction to Edward. For any person reading the books the attraction is understandable, most girls want to tame the beast, and Edward is Bella's beast. I don't know if the name Bella was chosen by Mrs. Myers on coincidence or on purpose. My guess is on purpose. But as I was reading the book last night, I started to see a parallel between Twilight and "Beauty and the Beast", now I don't know if this parallel will continue or not but at least there is starting to be a connection to the song as old as time.

Twilight: The Adventure Continues.

2009-11-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Last night, I continued my adventure into the Twilight Series. I have now read up to Chapter 4. So a brief recap of what transpired in those chapters. Edward returns to school and now talk to Bella and Bella notices his eyes are different and then can't talk to him because he is so beautiful. She then goes grocery shopping, this was probably my favorite part of the book thus far. It gave Bella something to do other then to wine and wonder why Edward does not like her. We also had the first snow in the book. Also we finally had some action transpire in the book. It all started so innocently. Bella wakes up and it greeted by snow on her truck and ice on the road. She drives to school and when she arrives to school she notices her dad (I will call him dad and not Charlie because it makes no sense that Bella calls him Charlies, and makes a point of it every 15 seconds) had put on chains her truck to help her navigate the ice and snowy roads. Once she arrives at school this is when things pick up for a few seconds. Bella steps out of her car, a van come sliding out of control and then Edward run in and saves Bella. In the book, I had to reread this section 3 time to understand what actually happened. It was interesting to note the reactions of a few people here.

1. Bella, she insisted and probably rightly so that Edward was not standing next to her. This causes Bella to go Nancy Drew in the story and start investigating the facts of the accident and her rescue. She quizzes Edward relentlessly about were he was standing.

2. Edward, he reacts defensively to all of Bella's questions. He should know that anytime you are defensive with a women she is automatically going to think you are lying. (I know this line is going to get me in trouble)

3. Reaction of Edwards family, this reaction was interesting and stood out to me. They were upset that he saved her, why I don't know yet.

4. Dad (aka, Charlie) like a concerned Parent and help her leave hospital.

The main point I want to talk about in these chapters is the relationship between Bella and Edward. I would have to say it makes perfect sense to why Bella is intrigued and starting to crush on Edward. Edward is a bit of a jerk, a tool and mysterious. Bella is looking for a father figure and a protector and now Edwards is now that protector. Edward is sorta rude to her and probably causes her to want what she can't have. It makes her wonder "what if" this seems to be common in society. The "what if" syndrome is were we wonder what might be. In Bella's case she wonder what his mystery is and what it would be like to have a relationship with sorta jerkish boy Edward. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. I will keep you updated on my thoughts and ideas.

Twilight: One Mans Journey to Find Out What is all About.

2009-11-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Last night, I started my journey to research the phenomenon that is the Twilight series. I have decided to read the books with no preconceived ideas about that books. I am reading these books as if I am the first person on the face of the planet to read them. I also want to read them from the eyes of man, and to see what a typical man would think as he read the many pages of the book. So last night my journey began. First I need to thank my friend who let me borrow her beloved Twilight book, without her this adventure would not be possible.

It started with me pulling out my snuggie and then snuggling up on my lazy-boy. I opened the book and first read the different chapter headings. This is something I do with every book I read, I like to know the overall scope of the book. I then began to read the first chapter of the book. The book is written through the prospective of Isabella Swan aka Bella. It starts out with her mom taking her to the airport and we as the reader are privileged to go inside the mind of a teenage girl. I don't know about you, but this is something that I always wanted to do when I was a teenage boy. Anyways we learn the Bella is a little insecure of herself and comes from a family that has been separated and she has been living in Phoenix with her mom, with the occasional visit to her Dad (Charlie) she calls him Charlie in her mind and not Dad, but in person she calls him Dad. He seems like a nice guy thus far, so it is a little confusing to why she does not call him Dad. In the first chapter she arrives in Washington gets an old truck to drive around it. With the emphasis put on this truck and its noise I am not going to be surprised if the truck carries the plot in some direction.

The next part of the first chapter is Bella starting High School in Washington. Again we are treated to Bella's struggle to fit in. We learn she does not feel she is special in anyway. She did not fit in Arizona and believes she will not fit in in her new High School. She goes from class to class with nothing really nothing of note happening. Until she gets to Biology class. She is assigned to sit next to a boy named Edward Cullen. By the reaction of Edward to Bella you would assume Bella forgot to put on deodorant in the morning. He seems completely repulsed by her in every way. At the end of the chapter he tries to change to another Biology course to avoid her all together.

So that is my recap of the first Chapter. Overall it was nothing to exciting to start. There is some mystery involving the Cullen's and there story. Bella seems a little moody and insecure about where she fits in the world. Overall this seems like a book that will draw in more female readers in the male readers, but there good be some elements that men will relate to as well. We will see.

Brought to you by!

2009-11-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

Like many of you, I watch TV, watch sports on TV and even attend sporting events. While on a recent adventure to a sporting event, I noticed something very interesting. Everything is brought you by some product or company. The time outs are brought to you by a bank, the touchdowns are brought to you by an insurance company, when the team enters the red zone it is brought to you by Dodge trucks and every first down is sponsored by some company. I would even wager that you could find somebody to sponsor the kickers face mask. Now I understand that revenue needs to be brought in for a team to compete and to play. So I am not going to rag on the sponsors or the team, what I want to propose is that, I want different things in my life to be sponsored. Here is my list of what I want sponsored in my life. If you would like to sponsor any aspect of these please let me know or if you would like to sponsor something else let me know.

1. Waking up in the morning (I think this would be perfect for a cereal company or an egg company)
2. My shower in the morning. I can hear the add now, This Hot Shower brought you by Head and Shoulders shampoo and conditioner
3. I think a date would be a perfect thing to sponsor. One, it would cover the costs of my dates. Second I would probably have to do a date based on that date. For example the date could be sponsored by Chili's and I would have to go to Chili's on my date and mention how much I enjoy going to Chili's on my date, and how much I love the Chili's molten love cake...YUM I do Love Chili's.
4. The first mile of my runs. I have already written a letter to Little Debbie for this one. When ever I have a long run, I eat a Nutty Butter Bar...they work better then any energy bar!
5. Laying on the couch. And this lazy time laying on the couch brought to you by Frito Lay's
6. Making my bed.
7. Going to the restroom (You can decided what for)
8. Text messaging.
9. Renting a video from Red Box.
10. Bouncing a tennis ball, just because I can.

As you can see there are limitless possibilities to my life, and I just listed a few of the things that you can sponsor.

This Blog entry is brought to you by Franklin Cleaning Technology. Making

Back!

2009-11-02T08:41:00.001-08:00

After, a long hiatus my blog is going to be back and running and hopefully weekly.

Update!!

2009-03-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Last night, a lone shopping cart sat in the middle of the parking lot. It sat there doing nothing and looking innocent. But there were intentions of malice behind the carts innocent lurking. It sat there right in the middle of the parking lot, tempting cars to hit it. I noticed the cart sitting there with its smug little grin, and stopped my car and put the cart away in its place. If we can all put at least two carts away when we go grocery shopping we can make the world a better place. Yes We Can!!

Attack of the Shopping Carts

2009-03-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Imagine this scene if you will. A parking lot filled with shopping carts and cars. In this parking lot, there are stalls that are designated for the return on shopping carts. In a perfect world persons would return the shopping carts to these stalls after use. In the world that we live in the shopping carts are not returned but are allowed to roam the parking lot and hunt for victims both real and imaginary. The carts stock their victims with the a cunning and agility that is normally only found in lions or tigers. The speed in which they attack can be quick and fatal, and other times slow and painful. The carts lay in waiting, the wait behind other carts, they wait behind car, they wait behind lamp posts. These carts move around the parking lot free to inflict their will and pain against cars and humans alike. The sad part of this story is how quickly this could all end. If us humans could only put the carts away we could live in peace when we go to the grocery store. We would not have to lives in fear of shopping carts following us to hit us in the ankles or hit are car doors. Lets us work together to curb this terror. Lets put our shopping carts away and build a better America for our Children. Yes We Can!!!

That Spirit of Christmas

2008-12-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

"Christmas is the time of year
For being with the one's we love
Sharing so much joy and cheer
What a wonderful feelin
Watching the one's we love
Having so much fun

I was sittin by the fire side
Taking a walk through the snow
Listening to a children's choir
Singing songs about Jesus
The blessed way that he came to us
Why can't it remain
All through the year
Each day the same
Heyeah, that's what I wanna hear
Heh heh
It's truly amazin
That spirit of Christmas"

"That Spirit of Christmas" song by Ray Charles is on my favorite Christmas songs. As the song opens "Christmas is the time of year, for being with one's we love", it is one of things that I think of with Christmas is spending it with the ones I love and sharing so much joy and cheer. There are so many memories that are created during Christmas, we share so much fun together, and it does not really matter what we all do together, but we share so much fun together.

Another thing about "That Spirit of Christmas" is that Christmas really is about hope. There is so much hope in Christmas. When you look at the eyes of a little child, you can truly see the hope in there eyes. There hope is in Santa Clause, they have this hope of this magical being who brings joy and cheer everywhere he goes. As I have grown older I have realized that the hope I had as a child as given me hope in other things. I know of hope in love, hope in my friends, hope in my family, hope in a a better world, and most important I have learned to hope in the true Spirit of Christmas, and that hope is in Jesus Christ. When you look at Christmas you see so much hope it is not possible to not think of Jesus, and truly the blessed way that he came to us. When you read the story in Luke and learn about the humility of the Savior to come to this world in such lowly circumstances to give us the ultimate gift of eternal life.

The hope that Christ brought us is an amazing gift in itself. For which I am eternally grateful.

I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas.

What not to Wear!! (Jon H. Style)

2008-12-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I went to Disneyland and while there I learned there are few things that should not be worn out in public. In the comfort of your own home you should be free to wear or not wear what you want.

1. "Real Men Wear Pink"

This cliched term, really describes something that should not be worn. Men can wear pink, but they should not have to rationalize themselves into wearing a color. Just because you were Pink does not make you a real man. When was the last time you saw an action movie star wear pink. I don't think Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, or Steve McQueen ever wore pink. If you don't think these men are real men, I would dare you tell them that. Also most the time you say that "Real Men Wear Pink" you are just trying to understand why you bought a pink polo, and feel like you need to pop the collar. Most likely the reason that you bought it, was you were trying to impress a lady. There is nothing wrong with that, and every guy has done that before. Lets just stop trying to make ourselves feel better for it.

2. Basketball jerseys are for Basketball player.

Why do men insist on walking around wearing the jersey of their favorite trendy basketball player. The problem with wearing a basketball jersey in public is that, the jersey was not made for your body type. 10 times out of 10 the jersey is to big and we can see your hair arm pits. This may be a news flash but this is not attractive.

3. Sleeves are not good. Despite what "Right Says Fred" Says.

We all know the song, and have been guilty of singing it at some point. But the sad fact is that it is not cool to wear tank tops or any type of sleeve shirt.

All I want for Christams is....

2008-11-21T09:48:00.001-08:00

A Three Piece Suite. After watching the action comedy "Get Smart" last weekend I have determined that last wardrobe item that I need and that will complete me, is a three piece suit. There is a certain elegance and class behind any man that wears a three piece suite. The three piece suit speaks of a time when men where gentleman. That is why I am going to start a savings fund for the purchase of a three piece suit. This fund will accept contributions as little as 1 cent. Feel free donate and help make Jonathan Hughes a man of class and gentleman.

Thanks for your informations the suit that I like is $350. Or I may go to the DI to find a nice on too. It all depends on your donations.

7 Random Things. (You may know, or may not know)

2008-11-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

Here are 7 Random things you may or may not know about me!!

1. When I laugh I giggle. The 3 most ticklish spots on me are in order of most ticklish. 1. My Knee 2. My feet, 3. Arm pits.

2. I have a strange of obsession with Argyle. I have who knows how many sweaters I have. I love Argyle socks and if I could find a bed spread that was Argyle I would buy it. Also if anybody ever finds and Argyle tie, please let me know.

3. I am a bit of a pack rat. I find meaning in everything that I own. It could be a movie ticket to a random movie, but I will have a hard time throwing it away, because I find it to remind me of something. That thing might not even have to do with the night.

4. When I fall asleep, I have to be on my back. I can't fall asleep on my side or my stomach, but I can fall asleep sitting down (Just ask any of my college professors).

5. I am horribly afraid of snakes.

6. I like there to be balance. At my office there are three elevators and its drives me crazy. There are two next to each other and one across from one of them. I really wish there were four elevators so that each elevator could have one across from it. It just does not make any sense.

7. I am superstitious when it comes to sports. If I am watching a Jazz game and they start doing bad, I try to think about how I was sitting before, because somehow in my world that affects how well Deron Williams is playing.

Home Sweet Home!

2008-11-19T07:03:00.000-08:00

This morning, my condo finally became home. How you may ask? Well this morning when I went to get my regular news paper, I found a nice little surprise next to my newspaper. It was a plate of delicious brownies, with a wonderful layer of marshmallows as the frosting. Now the person who brought the brownies to my door step has choose to remain anonymous. This kind person left no note or no indication of who they might be. Now granted they may have baked a note into one of the brownies High School style, but I did eat the first one really fast so I am not sure if I may have swallowed it. If that is the case I am sorry, they were just to darn tasty.

What not to Wear!! (Jon H. Style)

2008-11-17T14:47:00.000-08:00

So this past weekend I went to Disneyland and while there I learned there are few things that should not be worn out in public. In the comfort of your own home you should be free to wear or not wear what you want.

1. "Real Men Wear Pink"

2. Basketball jerseys are for Basketball player.

3. Sleaves are good. Despite what "Right Says Fred" Says.

We all know the song, and have been guilty of singing it at some point.

Crazy Eights

2008-11-17T09:15:00.000-08:00

A Victory like no other! And other Random Thoughts

2008-11-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

The headline in the paper on Thursday Morning "Biggest Game Ever" the headling on Friday morning "Biggest Win Ever" and "Black Magic". It was one of those nights in sports, that reminds you why you are a sports fan. One of the great things about sports in the continual theme that is redemption. In the world of sports, there are many stories of redemption. Last nights game between TCU and the University of Utah was just an example of redemption played out in one game. Utah's offense did not play great the entire game, they and only put together a few small drives that resulted in 2 field goals. The other drives were unremarkable, even when we had excellent field position. The Utes were not able to move the ball on TCU's defense all night. TCU's defense was everything that it was supposed to be. It was quick, fast, and hard hitting. There offense was also effective and fast, and at times you thought that they would start to blow out Utah. The good thing was the Utah's defense showed up to play. And may have allowed some plays here and there, but when it came time, they were able to make the big play and stop the offense from scoring. Then with the final drive of the game Utah was able to find redemption and drive 80 yards to score with 47 seconds remaining. The drive 2 has the local radio analysts are calling it, was impressive and effective. It completely redemeed the offense and helped keep the undefeated ream a reality.

The Day After!

2008-11-05T08:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, was a historic day in American Politics. A person could probably argue that every elections holds a bit of history in its hand when it takes place. If you were to look at the history of elections in the United States, you would see a shift in the American Political landscape in some essence. Sometimes this shift is small and sometimes it is a large shift. Sometimes the shift is good and takes America to a higher plain, and other times its like we take a step back and loose a bit of what it means to be an American.

Yesterday was again was one of those shifts in American history. Some people will focus on the fact that Barack Obama is the first black President, some will focus on his political beliefs, others might even focus on his inexperience in an executive leadership, while others will focus on the change he might bring. Whatever you view as the historic nature of this election you can not argue that there will not be a shift in the way American will be moving. That is not to say there will not be struggles and there will not be bumps on the road. For American to be the Beacon on Hill again, America is going to have to work. We are going to have to sacrifice, as anybody who grew up during the great Wars will tell you, they sacrificed. We are going to have to be accountable again.

Lets work together and make America great.

Halloween!!

2008-10-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

Today is Halloween, a Holiday that I only like because it allows me to dress up. I feel that I have had many memorable costumes throughout the years. It started when I was a kid, and I have to say that my mother was very creative in creating costumes. When I was younger I though Star Trek was the coolest show on TV, so I really wanted be Captain Kirk, my mother made me an awesome costume that I still have costume to this date. Another funny costume, was when I wanted to be Tyrannosaurus Rex for Halloween. The costume was great in my mind. When I saw it I really thought that I was a Tyrannosaursus Rex, sadly not everybody else saw it like that. In my elementary on Halloween they would always have a costume parade. Well I was really excited to walk down the halls as a Tyrannosaursus. I even tried to look big and tough just like a Dinosaur. As I started walking down the halls, everybody thought I was a dragon. My little heart was broken, I was a Tyrannosaurs not a dragon. In my mind dragons where weak and not at all cool or awesome. I was so sad at the end of the day. There were of course other costumes as the years went by. I have even had people dress up as me on multiple occasions. Once person stuffed his shirt with a pillow, not really sure why (I think he thought I was fat), one just tripped over everything and said they were me. (HAHAHA) Over all Halloween has been a fun holdiday.

Dream Crushed!!

2008-10-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

Last night my dream of an undefeated match between Utah and BYU was crashed. BYU was hosted by TCU in Forth Worth, Texas. I had a lot of hope that is would be the statement game that would legitamize BYU. I probably should state that I am a Utah fan. I really wanted BYU to go undefeated so that Utah and BYU would both be undefeated on November 22.

The List

2008-09-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Following is a list put together by a very close friend of mine. It always makes me laugh and smile. So I thought I would post on this blog for all to read.

1. Must love the church2. Must love Indiana Jones (or at least appreciate it)3. Must have an understanding sense of humor that is more grateful for Jon's uniqueness, than somewhat baffled by it. For Jon's uniqueness is not easy to come by.4. Must love dogs (including little poodles) 5. Must enjoy, maybe not hard core excersise, like Jon, but at least a light jaunt every now and again for some fresh air. 6. Must be creative. As Jon has a very creative mind and is always thinking of new ideas, he will need somebody that not only fosters this creativity, but can add her own personality to it as well, making it not just a good idea, but a masterpeice. 7. She must have impecably soft hair of medium to long in length. Nothing above the shoulders. 8. It would be a definite bonus if she could have dark hair to excentuate her fair, beautiful face, as well as stand out with personality from beneath a variety of hats. 9. She must dress sensibly and include at least 5 items of argile in her closet. 10. Must be outgoing and a people person, so as not to hinder Jon in anyway while he is being sociable. 11. Must enjoy going out on the town for a fun filled evening of dinner and bowling, ice skating, movies or whatever date Jon has planned out, as well as appreciate the fun and quiet peace of also staying in and just being together. 12. She must have a good attitude and be very positive, but not overly positve... for those moments when Jon is feeling negative towards things and displays an air of bitterness... She will be able to lighten his mood and make the problem seem small and solvable. 13. She must have a close friend who finds great interest in Jon's friend so that they may have close together weddings.14. Must enjoy to an extent, winter sports, so that Jon and her can take weekend vacations to their snow bird get away and enjoy a pleasant day or two on the mountain. 15. She must love penguins16. She must be a good hostess and enternainer, as Jon is constantly responsible for being the host of various parties and gatherings.17. She must be supportive of Jon's 100 callings in his ward18. Must know or at least of some experience with the french language so that some day they can joyfully visit the country of Jon's mission.19. She must be a sweetheart as Jon deserves nothing less, so that he can spoil and praise her always.20. And lastly, she must be a former U of U cheerleader, as we discovered this to be Jon's destiny when the number that was drawn for him to win the prize, held a picture of him and his future wife (a u of u cheerleader). Plus, to avoid too much contention it would be nice if she was on his team's side.

No Place Like Home

2008-09-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

Being a new home owner has been an interesting expereince. One of the first things that was interesting was how long it took for my condo to feel like home. For the longest time, I would refer to it as my place, but never home. Eventually that changed and I refer to it as home.

Today I was thinking about the things that made it felt like home. The first was the day I came home and found a new phone book sitting on my door mat. I am not really sure why this made my place feel like home but did it. My guess is that, I was remember coming home from school or work, and finding the phone book on the porch and sorta being excited.

Another thing that has always been a part of home life is receiving random things on your door step. In particular cookies. This as not actually happend but I for some reason always hope that, when I wake up in the morning to get the paper or when I get home from work, I am going to find a plate of cookie (or brownies) at my door.

Thanksgiving.

2008-09-18T10:45:00.002-07:00

Let us all be thankful for our many blessings.

With the advent of fall, brings college football. This year many of us have something to be thankful for. Whether we be fans of the University of Utah or BYU we have much to be thankful for. Up in Salt Lake we are thankful that Brian Johnson is finally healthy, and once he get in rhythm is almost unstopable. Down in Provo, BYU fans can be thankful that there team may actually live up to the hype of being a BCS Buster. Fans of both teams I am sure could list many more things that they are thankful for, but there is one thing that I am in paticular thankful for. That one thing is the unfathonable possiblity that both teams could be undeafeadted come November 22. Granted there is still a lot of football to be played and any number of things could happen between then. There could be an injury to a key player, an opposing team could get hot at the right moment, or any other number of strange things that happen in college football.

If this historic meeting were to take place with two undeafeated teams, and two nationaly ranked teams the historic nature of this game could not be expressed into words to justify it. For many years BYU fan have felt like they deserved national respect, and in someways they are correct they have produced some great Quarterbacks, and had some great teams. Lavell Edwards and Norm Chow even changed college football to be more pass happy. The University of Utah had some national succes in 2004 when they became the first team to break into the BCS. But the one thing that has held back both teams from becoming conversations on ESPN is the fact that most time they have weak strength of schedules. Most of that fact as to be because of the weak Mountain West Conference. Another thing that has hurt the national exposer of these two teams is that usually it seems that only of the teams is in the national speak. This year how ever is different. BYU started as a preason top 25 and has since moved up the rankings steadily. Utah started just out side the top 25 and is now number 20. BYU if the things follow into place could even be considered for National Championship Game. Granted that possiblity is small is still a possiblity.

The How you doing, how you doing?

2008-09-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been walking around town, at work, or anywhere for that matter and encountered somebody that you know as a friend or an acquaintance and then preceded to ask the following question. "How are you doing?" What was the response you got back? Was at full answer to how they were doing or how things were going in their lives. My guess is that it was not the response you received. Typically in these situations we receive our questions, with the same question. Then when you were asked that question did you respond? The typical respone that I have noticed is that we don't respond. We just continue to walk by and don't even realize two questions were asked, and there was no response given. I call this phenomenon the "The How you doing, How you doing?

This bizzare phenomenon could be caused by a number of different factors and may be different for each person. One reason that I think we do this, is because we see the peerson and our natural respone is to ask how are they doing? We get into our own little worlds and are thinking about things, and then we see somebody we know, and we just go into a sorta of robot like state. We know the poliete thing to do is to ask aknowledge their precesne. We do this by asking how they are doing, they of course do the same.

What causes us not to answer the questions. Sometimes we may really not want to talk to that person, or we may not want to really express how we are feeling. The reasons could be many, but if the answer is to busy, lets examine ours lives a little closer. Why would we be to busy to talk with somebody. This excuse has become our cop out to forming relationships or creating relationships. We claim we are busy, but are we really busy. What do we do when we get home. Do we watch TV, do we perfor a task, work on a hobby of ours. Whatever it might be may be worthwhile, and rewarding but lets not forget that what truly matters in life, friendship. Why must we sacrifice our friendships for some hobby that really only brings us closer to it. Does it give us anything in return. Sure it might give a nice painting, a better talent, it may even give us a sense of accomplishment. These things are nice, but are fading. Friendships can last forever, they can be there for you when you are having a bad day. They are what gives our life meaning. No videogame, project or talent can give us that. So lets anser the question to how we are doing? lets be friends and care about our friends.

What makes one jump out of a plane?

2008-09-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

What makes one jump out of a airplane? This a very excellent question. That is the very question I was asking myself a week ago. It is a question I can easily answer today. But lets first look at reasons to why I wanted to jump out of an airplane.

1. It was on my goal list. This could easily have been postponed, but I knew that one day I would have to do it.

2. Its a great story. If you know me you know that I love a good story. I really can't think of a better story then jumping out of an airplane with a another man strapped to you.

3. It impress the ladies. OK I am not really sure this is actually a good reason to jump out of a plane. But it did cross my mind. If you have ever heard the expression Chicks Dig Scars and Glory lasts forever...you believe this and understand this expression then you know why this would be a thought of mine.

4. Its going to be a huge adrenaline rush! For some reason I have always felt that I could be an adrenaline junkie, but I never had the nerves to follow this feeling.

5. To prove to others, that I am somewhat of a risk taker. Most people who know me probably think that I am a bit cautious and probably not much of a risk taker. In a lot ways this is very true. But sometimes when somebody questions you, or says they are suprised that want to do something you want to go out and prove them wrong.

There you have a few of the reasons to why I would jump out of an airplane. Why would you jump out of an airplane.

# 3...Go Skydving...hold what?

2008-09-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a choice in your life that you wanted to make. But then when you did you really started to question your own sanity. Well I made one of those choices yesterday. Yesterday I decided it has been way to long since I had accomplised a list item from my list of goals. I decided to take on # 3. 'Go Skydiving' at the time I made this list, I always thought this would be something that would be fun to do, but may never actually come true. One I never wanted to do it alone, I always wanted to have people there. Now the perfect storm has arrived and this Saturday I will be taking the plunge.

Rules to Married People

2008-06-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

I think it is about time there be a list created to remind all of the people who are either married or dating somebody, that there are still single people out in this wonderful world. These will be rules to follow while around your single friends. Some of them may also apply to setting up your friends. (As well intentioned as you may be, don't hold your friend accountable went it does not work out)

1. Don't set up your friend with another acquaintance just because they are both single. (Remember back when you were single, not every single person was your soul mate)

2. Try to do some actual leg work. Find out if the person you are setting your friend is dating somebody at the moment. Sounds simple, but you would be suprised how often this happens.

3. When out with your significant other and single friend, do not spend the entire evening making out and being touchy-feely with your significant other. This will leave your single friend to squirm in his/her chair and look around at the surroundings. It's like the sun - you never look directly at it. You have plenty of time without your single friend for foreplay, so save it for later. Plus nobody likes Public Displays of Affection (PDA's)

4. If you invite your single friend out for dinner, icecream, or hot chocolate, do not suggest that they could "bring someone along". Believe me, if they had someone to bring along, they would. Contrary to popular coupled belief, not all single people have a hoard of admirers to choose from at all times.

5. Talk to your friend about what they look for in a significant other. Remember when you were dating you had things you looked for chances are your friend does too. And this may shock you, but they probably know what they are looking for better then you know what they are looking for.

6. Do not ask your single friend for a girl's (or guy's) night out and then spend the whole evening talking about how you miss your significan other. This will get you dirty looks, and quite possibly a black eye by the end of the night. Your single friend knows they can't live up to how wonderful your significant other is, but they don't need to be constantly reminded of that fact.

7. Remember that it is possible to go out with out your significant other. Yes it may seem untrue but there was a time that you could go out alone. If your significant other does not want to go to a party, that does not mean you have to make up an excuse not to go.

8. Just as important as not performing PDA in public don't fight around your single friends. Nothing is more uncomfortable for everybody involved then to watch a couple argue about what pizza crust they should order.

9. When setting up your friends, take some time and think about if things would really work between the two. Does it really make sense to line somebody up with somebody that they have nothing in common with.

10. Don't set unrealistic expectaions for your friend. Don't tell them this is the person they are going to marry. It is not fair to them, and its not fair to the person you are setting them up with.

So there you have the 10 rules of being marriend and interacting your with your single friends. Probably the most important thing to remeber is that at one point you were single to. It is amazing how quick married people forget this. Just remember what would I be comfortable with if I was single.

Its out there its up there and its done #54

2008-05-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you have been waiting anxiously by your computers to see when I was actually going to complete one of my goals. Well it finally happened yesterday evening I completed number 54, which was to hit a home run in c0-ed softball. To explain this story it is important to highlight an important fact to be noted. An interesting thing with co-ed softball is that there are two different balls that are used. There is a ball that is used for guy and ball that is used for girls. The main difference is that the guys ball is bigger and not as hard as opposed to the girls ball which is harder and smaller.

Ok now on with the story.

It started in the bottom of the sixth inning, we come up to bat down by one run. I am the lead of hitter for the inning. I grap a new bat, the name of the Bat was Crush (like Orange Crush, that is why the font color is orange) Then with the first pitch the ball goes back, back, back, and still back, and then it is out of the park. As I am making my way around the bases, I was like wow I really hit that good and that came off the bat really good. It sored over the left field fence. This tied the game. We then went on to win the game.

Goal 32

2008-05-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Sing a Solo in Church:

This goal is probably going to become a reality. Thanks to a brilliant move by one Jason D. who arranged with Julie R. to give me a solo the next time the ward choir sings in sacrament meeting. This may be the goal that I am most terrified to complete. I am OK with giving a talk in church and anywhere else for that fact. I think I am OK with it because I am confident that I can do it, but to sing is another issue all together. I know I can't sing and am fearful that is experiement will fail, much like the Shaq trade to the Phoenix Sun. Even thinking about the propisiton to sing in a church sacrament scares me to death. It might be because of my insecruites or just fear of the unknown but this may be the most difficult thing I have ever thought about trying.

I am hoping that the support of my friends will allow me to accomplish this goal (I belive this is the hardest of my goals), I know I have many accomplished singing friends who have a great talent to sing, and admittedly I am jealous of this talent. I know I usually make fun of those people and call them music elitistists (there may be some truth to that) but I do have a great apprecation for what they do know. It may this sudden realization that fear is about wack me aross the face with a flying nerf ball of death and destruction. I would now like to reach out to my musically gifted friends and ask for your support and help. Any tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated and I hope that with all of your support I can accomplish this.

LOTR

2008-05-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if anybody can find the Lord of The Rings reference, but if you do you get a pirize!

76-100, The End of All Things.

2008-05-14T07:55:00.000-07:00

76. Beat Super Mario Brothers on the NES in under 12 minutes
77. Learn to surf
78. Attend an Olympic Event
79. Travel to all 7 continents
80. Visit all 50 states
81. On a windy day, go fly a kite.
82. Kiss a lovely lady (hopefully the wife) on the Eifel Tower
83. Marry in the Temple
84. Build a boat.
85. For some reason, I think it would be really interesting to see the Grand Canyon
86. Decorate my condo
87. Pay for my parents to go to Disneyland
88. Learn to play Rock Band on Hard Level
89. Visit the 8 wonders of the world
90. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
91. Attend the Park City Jazz Festival
92. Own a vacation home in San Diego
93. Actually complete the NY Time Crossword puzzle (why must they make that so gosh darn hard)
94. Produce a card for Hallmark
95. Write a childerns book
96. Vote in every general election
97. Put in your own goal here (this is the place where you get to make up your own goal for me)
98. Watch a sunset and just be at peace
99. Rescue a cat from a tree.
100. Die a Peacefull happy death

Well I finally did it, I wrote down 100 goals. It was not easy but I think that it will give me something to start doing. Every so often there are going to be updates on this blog so you the reader can find out how I am doing with all these goals. I also encourage you to help me if you can.

51-75, the list just keeps going!

2008-05-05T10:11:00.000-07:00

51. Beat Super Mario Brothers 1 in under 10 minutes
52. Participate in a Hot Dog eating contest (I don't think I will do well, but hey it will be fun)
53. Order donuts from Stan's Donuts in California. You have to be impressed with a donut shop that is so good that they will ship their donuts overnight.
54. Hit a home run in co-ed softball.
55. Learn to play the guitar
56. Actually take piano lessons seriously.
57. Travel to Antarctica, and see Penguins in their natural habitat.
58. Walk the Great Wall of China
59. Work at Disneyland for at least one day.
60. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef
61. Attend the US Open
62. Golf St. Andrews the old course.
63. Attend the Masters
64. Play the TPC and Sawgrass
65. Hit a Hole in one (OK sorry for all the golf goals, I just love the sport)
67. Play Pebble Beach Golf Club
68. Fly in a Glider
69. Try Snowboarding
70. One day Serve a Mission with my future wife.
71. Attend a driving school for race cars.
72. Create the video to be shown at my funeral (this will involve pictures, really cheesy music, and other tactics to make a person cry)
73. Visit Alaska preferably on an Alaskan cruise.
74. Watch all the Star Wars movies in a row.
75. Get a pedicure.

26-50 Goals and More Goals.

2008-04-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here are my next set of goals that I have created.

26. Run a Marathon ( I am reading the book now about how to train, and motivate myself)
27. Attend an Atlanta Braves Baseball game, in the playoffs
28. Become an extra in a film.
29. Decorate my house for Christmas like Clark Griswald
30. Watch all the episodes, of Pride and Prejudice the mini-series
31. Hanglide
32. Sing a solo in Church, proving once and for all that it is not required that you need a great voice to do this.
33. Learn photography
34. Read the Bible from cover to cover.
35. Be a contestant on the Price is Right
36. Learn to surf
37. Walk across hot coals.
38. Get called to do the Brighton Breakfast two time ( hold on that happened)
39. Read each conference talk at least once for each conference.
40. Volunteer for an I can Read program.
41. Hit a home run in slow pitch softball.
42. Continue to Read the Book of Mormon for 30 mintues a day
43. Learn to Sail, it is truly the only honorable boat in the world, a sail boat.
44. Help a strandard motorist (I know this might be dangerous, but I still want to do it)
45. Get a receipe of my creation in a the awesome checkered Betty Crocker Receipe book (that way I can be in every home in America)
46. Learn more about great artistist like Monet, or any other great artist
47. Film a Documentary
48. Preform a stand up comedy routine
49. Keep continuing until goal number 100
50. Build a Deck.

Well this is getting fun, I hope you all enjoy it.

The Official Start Date of My Blog.

2008-04-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Monday April 28, 2008

I realize this not the first post of this blog site, but it is going to be the start of regular posts. I am hoping this will be a complete representation of some of my thoughts. The first part of this post is inspired my a friend of mine E. Vincent who awhile ago mentioned creating a list of 100 goals. This list has no particular oder and mostly are just ideas I put down on a peice of paper. It was really almost just like free style writing. This list contains both short term and long term goals. It also has goals that are very serious and goals that are just random and make no sense to most of you. So with out further hesitaion here is my goal list. I will break it down into 4 different blogs the first will be 1-25:

1. Go Vist all the Baseball Staduims in the US and Canada in a whirl wind road trip or over my lifetime.
2. Purchase a house or condo ( in the process of doing this actually)
3. Go Skydiving
4. Complete a Masters Degree (first want to decide what in, so it is not a waste)
5. When I retire open a Donut Shop in Salt Lake
6. Learn to Scuba Dive
7. Attend the Temple 2 times a month.
8. Take an improv Class
9. Actually create a 100 goals (which I am doing)
10. Go to New Zealand and walk the path to Mordor
11. Obtain a handicap of 10 or lower in golf.
12. Learn to tie a bow tie.
13. Learn Arabic
14. Perfect my French and learn to write better
15. Hike Mt. Olympus
16. Travel across the US by train.
17. Get an editorial published. ( I have tried, but not successfull yet)
19. Learn to Fly Flish
20. Go to Montanta and help exacvate a Dinosauar
21. Relearn how to solve the Rubix cube.
22. Vote in every general election.
23. Memorize a Poem
24. Learn to Cook
25. Write A screen play.

Well there you have it, the first 25 goals from my list.

The Adventure of Lifetime

2008-01-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my Blog, this blog has one purpose, and that purpose is to take you the reader on an adventure. As the reader you will be taken to world unknown to man and women before. Your life may at times be in danger, but have no fear as your guide you will be protected. AS you can see from the picture I have the proper clothing to be a great adventure. The hat lets you know I am all about adventure the tie lets you know that I am a hard worker and will never hurt you. The head set lets you know I am going to quit smoking.

Adventure has a name!

Tool

War of the Shopping Carts

That Spirt of Christmas

Twilight: Beauty and the Beast

Twilight: The Adventure Continues.

Twilight: One Mans Journey to Find Out What is all About.

Brought to you by!

Back!

Update!!

Attack of the Shopping Carts

That Spirit of Christmas

What not to Wear!! (Jon H. Style)

All I want for Christams is....

7 Random Things. (You may know, or may not know)

Home Sweet Home!

What not to Wear!! (Jon H. Style)

Crazy Eights

Crazy Eight Tag

A Victory like no other! And other Random Thoughts

The Day After!

Halloween!!

Dream Crushed!!

The List

No Place Like Home

Thanksgiving.

The How you doing, how you doing?

What makes one jump out of a plane?

# 3...Go Skydving...hold what?

Rules to Married People

Its out there its up there and its done #54

Goal 32

LOTR

76-100, The End of All Things.

51-75, the list just keeps going!

26-50 Goals and More Goals.

The Official Start Date of My Blog.

The Adventure of Lifetime