Why must you Mormons hate on Obama!!!

Day after day, week after week I hear my fellow Mormons complaining tirelessly of Obama. I am honestly getting to the point where I might have to pull out the race card here sometime, and I am a white guy. Barack Obama is a man in good standing with an optimistic outlook on our future. He goes to church, he pays his taxes, AND he is loyal to his wife...all you Latter-Day Saints catch that one???

Our economy is at what many know as an All-time Low (speaking of that, their new album comes out in two hours...) in history. Some are choosing to blame this on Obama. Others choose to blame this on bush. Even better, people with brains are blaming it on the American Banking System. Next time I hear a member of my faith complain about Obama screwing up the economy, I might just shoot myself in the foot. It is not Obama's fault. He has done more good than bad while in office and he probably spends most of every day pondering over solutions to the economic turmoil. Economy = bank fault. NOT, Economy = Obama fault.

Who do you trust in office. A man who has a wife he loves, and two daughters he bought a puppy for, or a man whose wife is decades, if not scores younger than him who he met through an affair he had while married to his first or second wife? If any of you out there that are Mormon would choose the latter, you would be surprised to know that you did not pick Barack Obama. Instead, you picked John McCain. The right-wing is not quite in the right after all. Hmmmm. The Obama family is classy, and they all love one another. Is that not a fundamental principle of our church???

Also, did you know that Barack Obama attends church on a regular basis. The same regular basis that we all go to church on. Every. Single. Sunday. Ever. John McCain on the other hand, he seems more like an Easter and Christmas kind of guy to me. Don't quote me on it, but he never once spoke of God or Jesus Christ in the race for the presidency; at least of the hours I listened to.

Our church does not support nor comdemn any political party in existence throughout the world. The advice of the First Presidency is simply to vote for the person or party whose core principles and points of emphasis are most in line with our beliefs. The way I see it, I'll go with the man who has never cheated on his wife and goes to church every sunday. Sounds like a mighty, might good man to me!

Barack Obama 2012...I'll be voting absentee on my mission!!!

.02

Song of the Moment: "Deliver Me" by Quietdrive

Falling off the Apple tree...

"They" say that with evolution comes progression. What exactaly progression means seems to be something that is up for argument. Sometimes progression is more clear than expected, while at other times what may appear to be regression is actually progression. This last part is probably a bit perplexing, but here is what I consider to be an example. Take an addict of almost any sort. Before being completely free from the addiction, the addict will most likely experience a few relapses. This regression is actually progression in the greater scheme of things.

Where this all falls into place is very personal to me. I hope that some evolution (I am still a creationist, but I believe that evolution all ties back into the theory of evolution...just my opinion) has taken place from my parents, more particularly my father, to me. While enjoying a lovely barbeque in the park with old friend, family, and neighbors, I sat and listened to my dad converse with these many different sorts of people. We had a state attorney, and a guy who works the graveyard shift as a maintainance man at Tektronix. It was pretty much the most diverser group of working individuals ever.

The easiest way to say it is, my dad probably pissed some people off really badly tonight. He insulted many facets of life as we know it today and was just flat out rude in relation to being tolerant of other people with differences in heritage, belief, and thought. He acted like he knows every last thing on Wikipedia. Well, considering he spends a lot of his work days on Wikipedia, he probably does. But anyways, I saw what it was like to be around a know-it-all. I would go so far to say that it caused me to have an epiphany.

So, my question/request to all of you who are my good friends in life is this; If I ever am being a know-it-all in public, please, please, please, please tell me what I am doing and to shut the heck up. I have realized how annoying it is and looking back I have realized some of the reprocussions of knowing so much and vocalizing it. I have lost many opportunities to be friends with people simply because of the way I talk and act. I am far too "matter of fact" per say. It is a trait that is admirable in the academic realm of life, but far from a blessing in the social side of things.

So, my friends, pals, buds, and homies (yeah, maybe not so much...), please help me be a better person by telling me when to shut up! As I move on into college I do not want my chances at making new friends diminished simply becuase of the fact that I make people feel inferior, dumb, and worthless. I want this fresh start to be a good one that makes the rest of forever enjoyable.

Do what good friends do, and tell me to shut up sometime. Please.

.02

Song of the Moment: "Violence" by Blink-182

And they say Cabs are dangerous...

Well, last night the new EP came out from The Cab on iTunes. Let me just say that it is probably some of the best music I have spent money on in .

a long time. The remake of "I'll Run" is pretty incredible in my opinion. I really love an artist who can take a power ballad and turn it in to an acoustic masterpiece. What alternative artist have you heard incorporate a piano, harp, cello, and acoustic guitar in the same song. It is quite literally a symphony of amazement.

For those of you who have never had your ears graced by the sound of The Cab, I highly reccomend you jump on iTunes right now and give "Whisper War" and "The Lucky Lady - EP" a good listen. Alex DeLeon, the lead vocalist, has a pretty impressive voice.

My one precaution is, their music is most assuredly power-pop. But, if you like Boys Like Girls, The Hush Sound, Cartel, and All-Time Low, you'll probably like The Cab.

So, you all should give them a listen, and then decided if I still have an odd taste in music...let me know.

.02

The Comedy of Passing the Time...

I just wasted a pretty good portion of my night on Netflix wastching a documentary called "The King of Kong". Hopefully, you'll see where I come from in my post instead of my hypocritical state of mind...I think more girls will agree with me than will guys.

Video Games are a waste of time. They are simply an activity that secludes you from reality and takes away many valuable opportunities in life. In the movie I watched, a guy spends 5 years of his life trying to set the world record for Donkey Kong. After achieving his goal, and being beat, he tries again. When he gets beat again, he cries. How pathetic is a father, husband, brother, and friend if he devotes his time, money, and life to being the best in the world at a freaking video game??

In middle school a nifty little game called 'Halo' came out. It's premise was simple. It's game play was mind-melting goodness. Well, that is to just about every male ages 11-30 that is. Personally, I suck at the game. I spent hours of my early teenage years playing it. I wasted soooo much time on the game. In all honesty, I sucked at it. In retrospect, my pathetic amount of thumb coordination may have been a blessing in disguise.

Since I quit playing 'Halo' a few years back, I have not really played video games consistently at all. When I am bored, I do not walk over to the TV, turn it on, turn the Xbox 360 on, and melt hour after valuable hour of my day, and life, away.

For a while there, I really did not have any close amigos. I was a lone wolf on my own. Since I had little else to do, I did my homework. I did it to a point that one might consider borderline obsessive compulsive. Eventually, hours of homework became a single hour of homework. I became an efficient student. My hours that could have spent trying to raise my Xbox Live 'Halo' rank to 75 were instead spent trying to raise my GPA to 4.0.

After years of working, that miniscule seeming, yet gift granting, number did appear next to the "GPA:" part of my report card. For two whole years my 4.0 was left untainted by the accursed alpahbet character "B". Then, I met Mr. Tom Puterbaugh. Once again, I ended up spending hours of my night trying to get that most glorious 4.0.

First Semester Junior year, perhaps the most critical semester of high schoo, I got my first B. I was crushed at first, and in some ways still am. But, somehow Tom Puterbaugh, being the freaking amazing teacher that he is, made me feel like Einstein for getting a B.

This however is not the story of my academic life. It is merely an extended metaphor for this post. In my patriarchal blessing it says, "You have, and will often face the choice between good and better. If you think carefully and listen to the Spirit, you will know, and do, the better". I very easily could have swept years away with video games, but instead chose the better and recieved perhaps the biggest blessing in my life this far. It is something eternal and wondeful. It's knowledge and logic.

While knowing a lot may nip me in the butt more often then preferable, I am grateful that I have never fallen victim to wasting my life. I have done many things that a lot of people have never had the chance to. I wandered Berlin alone for hours at the ripe old age of 14. I walked on Sacred Mayan ruins. I was a nerd on my first cruise and explained to a drunk girl just why it was the Triple-Sec made her vomit. She probably does not remember that though.

My message for tonight is as follows. As we go on in life, we face many choices. The choice may not always be between good and bad. It may be between good and better. My CTR ring, which I seltdom wear, tells me to choose the right. In reflection of this, I think it means something much deeper than can be seen. It is a clever reminder for us to always choose better. Some friends may be good friends, others may be better friends. In this next chapter of life I, along with all of you, will face many choices between good and better. Whether it is to serve a mission, what to major in, or how to spend money, we must always make the better choice.

Don't settle. After all, settling is what causes sink holes, and those kill people.

.02

Song of the Moment: "If I Fail" by Cartel

The internet can not handle me...

Song of the moment: "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bob Marley

So, about 45 minutes into writing an ingenious introductory blog post, my wonderful internet browser (Safari..so much for Apple) decided to freeze like a popsicle. So, my "new" post is going to be written in a totally different mood. Camden, being the night owl she is had me breathe deeply. I decided that some Bob Marley would cheer me up. In combination, I think that my frustration went away pretty quickly.

So, this one day I swore to myself I would never have a blog. Then, a wise friend just randomly planted a seed in my mind. She said I always like writing and should put that to use and do this fun thing called a blog. In my miniscule mind I came up with the idea that it should be theraputic and mostly a big time-filler.

I am gonna turn this post into an introduction to me, and my rhetorical mannerisms. Through this post, you should be able to disect how I will write in the future and possibly who I am at my core. Don't try the last part though, I am not even sure of that one.

I intend on using this as a release for both boredom and for stress/frustrations. Some posts may be as sweet as Lucky Charms, and others might be as dark as my bedroom as I am writing this (it's not pitch black, my screen gives off a pretty good amount of light...). I am not bipolar or anything, but I guess you could say I have many emotional facets.

I really, really love two concepts of rhetoric. One of these happens to be humor. The other happens to be sarcasm. As one less than poetic Seminary teacher once said, "I have proof that God has a sense of humor...Look at all of you." I see humor and sarcasm as powerful tools that can used for both good and bad. I am not a pro at either of those two things, but I enjoy them both. If I can make you laugh just once, I am happy.

The reason my blog is entitled "Life Without a Censor..." is because I personally think a blog is all about being 100% honest and yourself. It is not about thinking carefully about how you word something or how you convey your thoughts. It is about writing as your mind releases thought after geniusly unique thought. Everything I say on here was simply written and never looked at again before pressing the button that says "Publish Post". This being said, if you disagree with me or think differently, please leave a comment with your uncensored thoughts.

I am beginning this "trendy" blog on a pretty big day in any kid's life. Today, I turned 18. I am legally an adult. I put this in italics because in all actuality, I think I am pretty far from being an adult. All of us 18-21 year olds are. For 90% of us, mom and pop are paying for a significant portion of college. We are not paying rent, and we are not working full time jobs. Just face it kids, we're still kids.

While a bright future is ahead for all of us, we have a long ways to go. So many people look at high school's end as the end of life as we know it. In some ways, it is. I'll never see 99% of those kids ever again. Do I care? Not really. I have my few close pals and they're all I'll need for the time being. I will someday separate from them and discover a new group of friends. I am not anticipating this at all, but I realize that it is going to happen.

That being said I would like to take this opportunity to go through everyone and saying something about them.

Keegan - Rollerblades and N64 used to be cool. We've always been great friends and I really appreciate all that you have done for me. You have always been an incredibly loyal friend. I do not know who my friends would have been had you not been around earlier in my life. I hope I have done enough for you to make you feel satisfied with me as a friend. I know I have let you down a time or two.

Emma - Well, you'll probably actually never read this, but I have to give you credit. You were a freaking awesome friend while we were in close touch. I always felt like I was a good person when I was around you. It is too bad we did not get to know each other sooner. I hope everything in your life is going good for you.

Brittany F - I could probably go on for ages and ages. You know how much I treasure you as a friend. You welcomed me into a group when I needed it most. You befriended me and treated me so well. You've always been there for me and I appreciate it. If there is one regret I have with you, it is doing something selfish and stupid to make it so we could end up losing the close friendship we had. Life has been really different without you there. It has not been bad at all, it has just been way different than I pictured. I am sure it is different than you pictured it too. All I can say to you is thank you, thank you, thank you. You are an amazingly gifted girl. You light up a room, make people laugh, and you're musically gifted. You have a really strong spirit about you and that is ultimately what counts. It was my pleasure to have been graced with your friendship for the time we were good friends. Let's not close any doors...

Brittany H - You like so many others have not been a huge part of my life for all that long. You have always been there, but I really was just immature and passed up many opportunities to have fun with you. You are smart, fun, honest and 100% good to the core from what I can tell. That is a quality that very few people possess. I really regret not trying to become better friends with you. I am sure that I have missed out on a ton of fun times. Keep smiling, laughing, and trying your hardest. You're going places. That is for sure.

Martha - I could have so easily stereotyped you and written you off. I am so glad I did not. I feel like I am talking to Oprah or something when I talk to you. You are honest, funny, and good spirited. You can keep a secret, well, most of the time at least. You're older than me and you have a been a great source for advice with life in general. I wish I had you as an older sister. I probably would be a better guy if I had an older sister.

Camden - we've been good friends off and on for the last while. You're really easy to talk to and I dunno anyone else who can carry on a sarcastic conversation for like an hour. I also do not know anyone bold enough to tell me my taste in music is odd. Well, the fact is, you are right. It is becoming normal-ish. The 3oh!3 is keeping it odd. Well, basically, I really appreciate you listening the many times you have. You always have an opinion, and a very honest one at that. I know that whatever you say is sincere. I am glad to call you my friend. You're a smart one.

Kyle - Yeah, we had a shaky past, but I will consider you a good friend my man. You always have a thought on any situation. If I am talking to you, you'll talk back. I hope you forgive me for all the crap I did in the past. I wish all of it never happened. So many friendships would not have been sacrificed. You are a determined kid, like no other kid I know. No girls camp prank is how it had to be. I appreciate you putting all the crazy guys in their place. WET TOWEL POWER!!! You are smart, creative, and sincere. Those are all very valuable personality traits. (sounds like an eHarmony commercial, my bad...)

Kevin - We've never been best buds or anything, but we always share some common ground. You're a blast to be around and your honest. You are a little bit of everything in fact. Ultimately, I wish I could take some of your qualities and make them my own. It is too bad I won't be seeing you at BYU! I'd love to have you as a snowboarding buddy! Come visit.

Alexis - I really have not gotten to know you extremely well. I wish I had. I am sorry for the miscommunications we had earlier this year. I did not hate you, I am pretty sure you did not hate me. Your ubiquitous smile and laughter is so awesome. I wish I had your laugh and smile. God's sense of humor was in action when I got my smile...! Well, I really wish I had become better friend with you. You need to keep everyone in check while we're gone. Make my sister go to girls' camp.

Amber - I am sad you kind of dropped off my radar. I really loved talking to you. You have a sarcastic wit to you that is prettyunique. I like wit, and I like unique. So, basically you are going to have an easy life because you have both of those things. Well, actually, it is because you are a nice, caring, thoughtful girl who takes life seriously. You know when to have fun, and when to be serious.

I have loads more people to write about, but I am exhausted. It is almost 2AM and I am still going. I need sleep, I need water, and I need sleep.

Peace Out!

.02

Song of the Moment: "Always Be" by Jimmy Eat World