#56- know who your friends are

I have been thinking alot about this one. I think that friendship is one of the most important things we as human beings need. It gives our lives joy, and meaning. Our friends, at least in my experience, give us insight into who we are and what we can become. At least true friends do this. I know that I have had friends, and still have friends who have taught me the goodness that I am capable of, and what a good influence I can be. I think if we could fulfill the goal of knowing who our friends are, we only need to ponder how the people we consider friends in our lives make us feel. True friends don't make us feel we have to prove anything, or change who we are. No, true friends help us to truly be ourselves, and help us feel like we belong regardless of our weaknesses and shortcomings.

This being a blog run by a group of dear friends, I think it would be apropos to talk about all the "weasels" (excluding myself since I'm writing this). First off there is Josh Thompson. Josh and I have often been mistaken for brothers. We are quite a bit alike. We have similar personalities, similar senses of humor, and similar appearances. I think the only big differences we have are our political views, but we still are dear friends nonetheless. Josh has always been one to plan and organize the fun stuff we all do. He has planned two trips to Flaming Gorge, several parties, and countless other things that have helped make life more fun. I think that if it wasn't for Josh, and his leadership skills, our group of friends may not be as unified as we are.

Robert Kitteridge has been my roommate since I moved up to Logan. I consider Robert one of the kindest, most considerate people I have ever met. I have never heard Robert gossip or complain about anyone. He serves others so selflessly. Robert is also a very cheerful person, and is always there for us whenever we are having a bad day. Anyone who has Robert for a friend knows that they are friends with someone who is true and sincere to their very being.

JJ Miller and I both share a deep passion for fly fishing. I can't tell you how great it feels to have someone who wants to go explore fishing holes, and discover new spots with bigger and better fish. JJ always cheers me up. He reminds me of a teddy bear, which I mean in a totally non gay way. He is just such a lovable guy. I was in doubt if JJ would be my roommate this summer, but when I found out he was, I couldn't get over how excited I was.

Jason Jacobsen has always been willing to share with others. He is always cooking some scrumptious treat. Jason is a bit quiet, so I am still getting to know him. I do know that he has been a great roommate and friend in our group, who is patient with us and is a great giver.

I wish I could say more. I feel that what I wrote is inadequate to express how beatiful and holy my life has been up here in Logan because of the contributions of my friends. I can't get over how much meaning friends put into our lives. I think one of the most difficult things in life is when we have to leave the good times and good friends we made as our life changes. I know I miss friends from high school, snow college, and the mission. But one thing I've learned is that God will always bless us with more friends in each chapter of our lives. I will be in Logan for a while longer, but I do know that when my friends and I part ways up here, it may be one of the most difficult things of my life. I do know though that the friends I've made up here, be it my roommates, the girls next door, old roommates, church friends, friends in my social work program, and everyone else are in my mind eternal friends, who mean so very much to me!

#62 - Cook a Meal

This one is pretty simple, and one that all of us have accomplished. The picture is of a meal that Bob, Robert and I made on our trip to Flaming Gorge this past weekend. This one wasn't too complicated, it's a Mountain Man breakfast. It consisted of a dozen eggs, three potatoes, half a package of bacon, one pound of sausage, a dozen slices of canadian bacon and cheese. This was a particularly great meal, and the only one we've actually documented. That's why this one was chosen for the blog. MMM-MMM TASTY! Oh yeah, it was made in a dutch oven too, that adds quite a few flavor points.

#54 - Be a Daredevil

I would like to start off by saying that there are many aspects to this item on the list. First, I was a daredevil by not wearing a shirt and swimming in the lake. There are many fisherman who have heard of the mystical Lake Whale, and I risked being harpooned. Second, I later found out that the jump that I made was illegal. I was about to take another jump when some nice rangers came by to let me know that it was against the law to jump off any cliffs taller than ten feet. I don't know if it really matters or not that I didn't know it was illegal, but for the sake of the post, we'll assume that it made it very daring. Third is just that I was jumping off of a cliff. That's probably the least daring of the three things, but hey, the summer is winding down and we've got a lot of different things that we need to get done. Enjoy the video.

#97 - Learn to Take Great Photos

On our trip to Flaming Gorge this past weekend we had the opportunity to learn from someone about taking great photos. Her name is Carol Aldinger. She taught us a little bit a about taking great photos and then took us on a little hike on the Red Canyon rim and showed us some of the different wildflowers.

These are the things that she taught us:

1. Shoot during the Magic Hour: 1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset

2. Rule of thirds: Divide picture area into a tic-tac toe grid and put the horizon line on the top or bottom 1/3rd line.

3. Change your elevation.

4. Frame your shot for perspective and use lead lines to guide the eye.

5. FILL YOUR FRAME. Get as close as your equipment, and the subject, will allow.

6. Include signs.

7. Backlighting can give dramatic shots of trees.

8. Tuck in your elbows and support camera with the left hand under the lens.

9. Equipment isn't as important as "seeing". If something causes you to look at it twice, it's asking you to take it's portrait.

10. Wildlife doesn't hold still. Be patient and wait until the critters look at you if possible.

You can see her website at http://www.naturalvisions.org/

Some of the photos that we took from that little walk are posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/spunkyjt/97LearnToTakeGreatPhotos#

I personally don't think these are that great, but I'm sure with practice they'll get better.

#67 - Build the ultimate sandcastle and have fun in the sun

Building a sandcastle during the summertime is not a particularly difficult thing to do. We simply headed up to Bear Lake, found a beach and built this sandcastle. The thing that makes this sandcastle particularly impressive is that we built it mere hours after having had a snowball fight.

#99 - Be Vegetarian for a Week

This was one of the items on the list that I was particularly interested in doing. I've never wanted to be a vegetarian, but I thought that it might be something that was kind of challenging. I started on Sunday July 5 and ended on the 12th. It did not turn out to be too difficult. I discovered that about half of my diet consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches anyway. After having tried vegetarianism for a week, I ultimately decided that I would not like it. It's just so much easier to cook when you are able to use meat as the main dish.

#66 - Have a snowball fight and fun in the snow

This is one that we thought we might have a little bit of trouble accomplishing. We, however, are warriors and found some snow. On July 11, we drove up to Tony Grove Lake and then made the four mile hike to White Pine Lake. Unfortunately we did not bring our snowboard goggles and gloves, but we did find a substantial amount of snow. Here's the video:

#6 Touch These Creatures

Today we held a burial service for Steve McJackson. On July 7, 2009, Steve tragically left this world when he flew into our neighbor's window. A lengthy and drawn out service was presented in his memory, in which mourners shared memories, musical numbers, and tears for their beloved friend. Those in attendance were Sam, Becca Jo, Jason, and Robert.

In life Steve enjoyed eating birdseed in our front yard, flying high, and pooping on my car. He was flying high (or low) up until the moment of his death, and he is still flying high in the life to come.

Steve is (probably) survived by several chicks and eggs.

We had to touch him in order to put him in the casket, so we're going to count that as #6 on our list, but actually, Steve touched each and every one of us. His memory will forever live inside us. Anyone wishing to express their condolences may come and visit his grave at Park Place #1, underneath the "Leaking Tree."

Do Something Nice Without Being Asked Follow Up

I saw this video today and thought that I would share it. It also illustrates well the idea of doing something nice without being asked. I'm not advocating illegal graffitti obviously, but I think that this shares an important message. There are people out there that are hurting. Most of them are not in hospital beds or have and IV stuck in their arm. Doing something nice for someone always helps. Anywho, off of the soapbox. Enjoy the video.

Birthday Poetry

For the party on Tuesday, Bob decided it would be a good idea to have a poetry competition. Well, Bob was wrong. It wasn't a good idea. It was a terrific idea! I've decided to post the poetry so that everyone can be reminded of the poetry that was written and so that those who weren't there can enjoy it as well. There are no names associated with these poems, so if you would like to take credit, please do.

A Birthday Friend

Summer night

Friends celebrate

Josh beams.

Gifts pile

Box wiggles

Present unwraps

Puppy jumps

Fur stroked

Wet tongue

First kiss

Hearts warm

Tail wags

Happy dog

Birthday friends

Enthusiasm Poem

(To be read yelling and making the shape of the letter with your body)

Give me a J!

Give me an O!

Give me an S!

Give me a SHUA!

What does that spell?

(Follow with awesome leg kick)

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Sunday naps are great

even better than a date

An ode from the drunken

Get up and dance you pansy pants!

The night is young and free!

Come join my inebriated mindless rants,

And feel my endless glee

I know I spilt my beer on you,

But there's no need to fret,

We'll meet up later for a rendezvous

At the local laundromat!

Poem

Josh Thompson is the one

He makes livin' a lot of fun

Josh is not very strange

In fact, it would be said that his talents have no range

He is so cool

He aint no tool

He's so cool if he were a pea

He'd be 2 peas can't you see.

Everyday I see Josh

It makes me wanna dance

And put on my pansy pants

So let's take this special day

And celebrate the Josh Thompson way.

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Josh has been a very good brother

and as a roommate he is like no other

He wears white socks

and thinks he's a fox

We should all thank his mother.

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Fresh baked cookies are really sweet

Just like the person I'd like to meet.

They are not strange,

I like them this does not change.

I'll eat them all day & fight away the ants,

Because I'm no pansy pants.

I'd buy them no matter what the fee,

so give me a shout out to Double P.

Fresh baked cookies are really sweet,

just like being in Josh's presence as we sit at his feet.

Known Among Men as. . .The Josh

When he laughs he turns red.

His cooking'll make 40 turn blue.

But he's still very sex.

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The time has come

To spank your bum

You can't run from this fun

We'll line up and whack you dumb.

You might bleed and we know you'll plead,

But from this fun you can't run.

From 1 to 10 you'll cry a bit,

From 11 to 20 you will fidget

Once we finish your true years,

in the end it'll be all cheers.

So at this time don't you pine,

Just you smile and watch the line.

And remember, next year

To invite less people.

Josh From Nantucket

Josh is a man from nantucket

He sits all day on a bucket

He is very sweet;

and quite a treat.

Josh is THE MAN from Nantucket.

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One Summer evening I happened upon a party for Josh Thompson

I was pleased to see delicious food but what put me more at ease

was to hear that Josh Thompson has turned 23.

I wished him well, and as my fate fell,

I write this poem before I bid farewell.

Happy Birthday Josh Thompson

World Peace

All in Darkness

Black...Boom! Boom!

Hear the screaming

All is lost...

Light is coming?

White...see see

Shouts of joy

It's Josh's day!

Kissing Someone You Like

One eye opened, one eye closed

hoping not to bump a nose

Door step smile, is that a hint?

Where are my altoids, spearmint?

Looking in those sparkling eyes.

Ahchoo a sneeze - a bad surprise

Running away as fast as I can.

Maybe next date we weill just hold hands.

Josh's Birthday Suit

Take off your boot,

We'll give you some loot,

We want to see you in your birthday suit!

Don't be shy,

You're quite fly,

You're our #1 guy!

Little do you know,

You've let it all show,

And we've decided you aint no ho!

Well you're quite cute,

You got the body ta boot,

So let's see you trot that birthday suit!

Toilet Paper

Oh toilet paper

I love you here,

I love you there,

You stand beside me

At the chair

One ply or two

You're there through and through

Wheneve I've got

Something pressing to do

O my friend, little friend

How I love you

Oh toilet paper

I trusted you,

To stay in my home

But now that you've gone

I feel so alone

My small quilted friend

To this bare bitter end

Now I sit here for hours

Wondering how to begin

Oh my friend, little friend

How I miss you.

Blind Date

Blind date, blind date

Will it be fate

Jump up, jump down

Wait this guy is a clown

Running fast, running quick

Please don't kiss me on the lips

Shaking hands it will be

This guy is just not for me.

Better luck on my next date

Dating Josh, Bob's roommate.

This next one is a song that Mami wrote for the party:

Happy Birthday Josh

Happy Birthday Josh

You're everyone's favorite friend

because you are friendly, kind & sweet.

Thank you for being who you are.

You are a great example to those around you.

Wishing you a happy birthday.

#71 - Do Something Nice Without Being Asked

I've kind of been looking forward to this one. I have the best group of roommates that anyone could possibly ask for. They've all done several nice things this summer without being asked.

Jason often cooks meals for all of us. He has also made ice cream for us without being asked to do so. Robert often cleans up others' messes without being asked to do so. I was filling my car up with gas the other day as well and while I was doing that Robert washed my windows. He didn't ask or anything, he just started doing it. JJ also cooks occasionally and will offer us a sweet potato or to partake of his maté. Bob threw me the most prolific birthday party a man could ever ask for. The funny thing is, that as this post is titled, I didn't ask Bob to throw me a birthday party. He just did something nice without being asked. The video attached to this post is from that party.

There have been lots of great things that people have done this summer without being asked. It really makes a person smile. Give it a shot! I know that there are maybe four people who ever check this blog, but hey, you four should do something nice for someone. Do something small. It may make someone's day.