I recently found out that one of my friends compares my roommates and I to the guys in The Big Bang Theory. For those of you that have never seen the show, here is a very simplified summary. The main characters are four scientists. Leonard and Sheldon are two physicists working at the California Institute of Technology, and Howard and Rajesh are aerospace engineers. In contrast to these science nerds, the fifth character, Penny a blonde waitress/aspiring actress, moves in across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon. The humor comes from these scientists trying to understand how to navigate the social part of life. As well as for those around them to come to understand their quarks and realize what great guys they really are.
The reason my friend compared us to these guys is because they always have their week planned out. Every Thursday may be Thai food, at least that is what we used to do. They are very comfortable in their own little world, and they don't see any reason to have it change. It works for them, they are enjoying life, and life is good. They don't realize what they are missing, nor do they care, until their lives get thrown out of orbit by someone so different and challenging to them in a way that is anything but scientific.
My schedule has also become rather predictable lately:
Monday: Basketball
Tuesday: Biggest Loser, then Golds Gym
Wednesday: LDS Conference chat, gym
Thursday: Bowling league, Thursday TV shows.
Friday: Lately it has been an accidental 3-4 hours nap, then not sleeping well that night, and being tired all Saturday. Then I do it all again the next week. I also fit in 3-4 Jazz games, and now an RSL game into the mix. It also was warm enough to disc golf, so we did that on Friday, and will be going more often when we are all done with work.
Like these scientists, I am also very comfortable, it works for me, and I am enjoying life. I'm not just sitting at home all day, I am getting exercise daily, getting out of the house, and doing things I love and enjoy. I have never needed someone else to make me happy, or to make me feel complete. Yet I am very glad that I have a lot of friends that pop in and out of my life. They always seem to be there at the right times when I need them, and I try to do the same for them.
Maybe my roommates and I really are like these scientists. We may not really stick out in a social setting, but those that get to know us often get a lot of laughs, and an enjoyable evening. We may say, or do, some funny things, but I don't know of many better guys. When we see something we want, or that interests us, we go for it. But it has to be obviously worth changing up the good thing we've got going, and we might happily complain along the way for having our routine ruined.
Unfortunately, we have not had our Big Bang moment. We aren't going to try and force ourselves into any social situations, forcing yourself on us isn't going to work either. The right people always seem to fit in naturally anyway.
I know that some of you are probably going crazy right now saying, I know someone that is perfect for you, or maybe even, I'm perfect for you. Well, sometimes I am slow, sometimes I am tired, and sometimes I'm just comfortable. A little hint is a good thing, but I hate being told what to do. Even if it's what I want to do, I need it to feel like it is my choice. We scientists are weird like that, we like discovering things on our own.
Hopefully I will be lucky to find my own Penny. Someone to help knock me out of this comfortable orbit, and onto a path that turns my good life, into the best life. A path that is continually moving up, instead of wandering around in circles. I hope she doesn't mind Thai on Thursdays.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Why do you believe in God?
I have always had a belief in God. I believe that we are his children, that he loves us, and that he has a plan for us to return to live with Him and our families again. This belief has brought me a lot of peace and happiness over my life.
It helped me so much, that for two years I chose to spread that message. During those two years, and since, I met so many amazing people! They came from many faiths and denominations, but all had been impacted by the beliefs in God(s). I loved talking to them and being able to hear how that belief had blessed, or changed their lives.
I love learning about people, and what they believe. I have taken world religion classes, and continue to enjoy learning about what people believe and why. I have not been able to have these discussions as regularly, so I thought I would write this blog post today to hear what you have to say.
In my studies I have found it interesting how much we all have in common. How you can look around the world, even in some of the most remote places, and find a belief in God. I know that this is a very personal topic, but I would love it if you would share with us your belief. I would also like to know how your belief in God has helped you in your life, how you came to that belief, and how it may have changed throughout your life. You are also more than welcome to post why you do not believe.
I am also very aware of all the bad that has been done in the name of God throughout our history. This is not a post to discuss that. Personal attacks will not be tolerated from either side, and will be deleted. It is a shame I even have to post that. This topic is just something that has a big impact on my life, and I would love to hear how it has impacted you.
It helped me so much, that for two years I chose to spread that message. During those two years, and since, I met so many amazing people! They came from many faiths and denominations, but all had been impacted by the beliefs in God(s). I loved talking to them and being able to hear how that belief had blessed, or changed their lives.
I love learning about people, and what they believe. I have taken world religion classes, and continue to enjoy learning about what people believe and why. I have not been able to have these discussions as regularly, so I thought I would write this blog post today to hear what you have to say.
In my studies I have found it interesting how much we all have in common. How you can look around the world, even in some of the most remote places, and find a belief in God. I know that this is a very personal topic, but I would love it if you would share with us your belief. I would also like to know how your belief in God has helped you in your life, how you came to that belief, and how it may have changed throughout your life. You are also more than welcome to post why you do not believe.
I am also very aware of all the bad that has been done in the name of God throughout our history. This is not a post to discuss that. Personal attacks will not be tolerated from either side, and will be deleted. It is a shame I even have to post that. This topic is just something that has a big impact on my life, and I would love to hear how it has impacted you.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
David the Basketball Player
Story written by one of my 4th grade students, shared with permission.
Dedicated to my teacher: Mr. Horan
Written by: Name removed for privacy
Once there was a person named David Joel Horan. He was a teacher. He loved sports, especially basketball. He was really good at basketball and liked to play it. But he was a teacher, and that was about to change.
Chapter 1: D-Will
One day when David came home from teaching school he changed in basketball clothes and got in his car. He was going to the park. He was going to play basketball on their basketball court. Later while he was playing basketball, the famous basketball player D-Will saw him playing basketball. D-Will thought it was really good, he told David that he had a good chance for being a famous basketball player like him. David was way way excited when he said that. A half an hour later David went home. He called all the family members he had. They were all excited too!
Chapter 2: A Phone Call
The next day while David was eating breakfast his phone rang. When he answered it, the person on the other end was D-Will! D-Will told David that he needs to go to the Jazz Stadium at 6:00 PM that day to try out to be on the team! At 5:53 PM he arrived at the stadium At exactly 6:00 PM he tried out for the team. At the end of tryouts they said he made the team!
Chapter 3: The End
So he played on that team and he thought it was way fun!......but he missed his class especially (The Author)! The End.
Glad I wasn't one of the Jazz fans booing DWill this past week, thanks for helping me make the team! I also am glad that I arrived 7 minutes early to the stadium. Maybe I could still teach my class via Skype or something. I really would miss them! -Dave
Dedicated to my teacher: Mr. Horan
Written by: Name removed for privacy
Once there was a person named David Joel Horan. He was a teacher. He loved sports, especially basketball. He was really good at basketball and liked to play it. But he was a teacher, and that was about to change.
Chapter 1: D-Will
One day when David came home from teaching school he changed in basketball clothes and got in his car. He was going to the park. He was going to play basketball on their basketball court. Later while he was playing basketball, the famous basketball player D-Will saw him playing basketball. D-Will thought it was really good, he told David that he had a good chance for being a famous basketball player like him. David was way way excited when he said that. A half an hour later David went home. He called all the family members he had. They were all excited too!
Chapter 2: A Phone Call
The next day while David was eating breakfast his phone rang. When he answered it, the person on the other end was D-Will! D-Will told David that he needs to go to the Jazz Stadium at 6:00 PM that day to try out to be on the team! At 5:53 PM he arrived at the stadium At exactly 6:00 PM he tried out for the team. At the end of tryouts they said he made the team!
Chapter 3: The End
So he played on that team and he thought it was way fun!......but he missed his class especially (The Author)! The End.
Glad I wasn't one of the Jazz fans booing DWill this past week, thanks for helping me make the team! I also am glad that I arrived 7 minutes early to the stadium. Maybe I could still teach my class via Skype or something. I really would miss them! -Dave
Monday, January 16, 2012
#DaveWeek Wrap Up
"Whoa, you guys are overwhelming me, and I'm not easily overwhelmed" -David Locke
I could easily say the same thing. I am not often surprised, I rarely overreact, or get too excited. But this week there was a surprise around every turn, and it was definitely exciting!
Two of my friends, Lauren and Elyse, hadn't seen me in a while. So on January 7th, Elyse wrote that the next week would be dubbed Dave Week. Lauren added that maybe we could even get #DaveWeek trending. I agreed, and #DaveWeek was born. Little did we know what #DaveWeek would soon become.
Sunday night we got together for dinner. It was nice to eat and play games. There were about 8 of us, and it was a great time. At the end of the night we planned what we wanted to do each day.
Monday: Half off appetizers at Applebees.
I showed up at 9:00, and met my friends there. They also invited a few people from their ward and it was fun to make a few new friends. One of the guys walked up to me and said, you are @downrightdave? It is a real pleasure to meet you! I felt like a celebrity! I got home around 10:00 and started getting ready for bed.
I checked my Twitter account, and it was going crazy! Somehow all of my friends, and many more, had started tweeting funny things, and adding #DaveWeek onto the end of them. It began to go viral in SLC and made it all the way to #1. (Trending basically means that a group of people, within a given area, and given time, are talking about a particular thing.) So between about 10:00-Midnight, more people in SLC were talking about #DaveWeek than Alabama, LSU, or anything else.
Tuesday: Jazz game
You can read all about this day here: http://www.downrightdave.blogspot.com/2012/01/daveweek.html
It was easily my favorite of all the days. Since social media was a key ingredient to #DaveWeek, it was kind of funny that the people who got most excited, and that we got to meet, were the media people. One highlight was when David Locke recognized me, even though he had never met me in real life before.
What began as us finding cheap $5 tickets, that were on the very top row, turned into a series of miracles. Security let me go onto the court, we got our picture taken on the halftime set, made it onto the background of the postgame, and got pictures with both the TV, and radio announcers. Plus the following morning David Locke gave #DaveWeek a shout out on his podcast.
#DaveWeek also trended in SLC for the second night in a row, making it up to #3. It even went national, and international. Although those tweets would not have helped it trend in SLC. It was amazing how many people were joining in, asking what was going on, and wanting to be a part.
Wednesday: The Chocolate
Since the point of this week was because Lauren and Elyse wanted to see more of me, most of our activities did not originally include large groups of extra people. It became obvious that a lot of people wanted to be a part of it, wanted to meet me, and were just looking for crazy fun things to do. So we devoted this day to them. The Chocolate did a great job of making it special for us. They even sent out this tweet earlier in the day:
We had a great turnout, and I was really impressed by their delectable desserts, as well as a really well run business. They will definitely be included in future #daveweek plans.
Thursday: Bowling
My roommates and I are in a bowling league. So between that and watching some great TV shows, like Parks and Rec, I enjoyed a more relaxing day with two of my best friends and my brother. I love doing crazy and random things, but I also like to just chill at home sometimes too. This week was tiring, and it was nice to unwind a little bit.
Friday: Dinner at Cafe Paesan, Shirts
One of our friends who had contributed quite a bit to getting #DaveWeek trending hadn't been able to make any of our activities. She threw out the idea of meeting at Cafe Paesan for dinner, and so we did. After dinner four of us went and made #DaveWeek shirts.
Saturday: Movie, Dinner, and Broom Hockey
The three of us went to go see a movie. After, Elyse made us a delicious dinner and we went to her YSA ward activity, broom hockey at 7 Peaks! We had enough people there for two games, and the people we brought with us were enough to make up one team. Team #DaveWeek may not have won, but we had a ton of fun! It was nice of their ward to let all of us join in and play with them. They were super nice, and I quickly made friends. It was just what a YSA activity should be. I also ran into some old friends that happened to be there that night.
Finale: Sunday/Monday
Since Sunday was more of our planning day, and today was a holiday, we kind of extended #DaveWeek a little bit. One of our friends happened to be in town from Las Vegas for the weekend. We weren't able to meet up with him on Saturday, so I had thought I wouldn't be able to. Late Sunday evening, who happened to show up at my house, but him and four of my friends! We decided to go to iHop, (ha ha, I had to leave that after I wrote it) and spent our early Monday morning enjoying a lot of laughs. Seriously, anything is funny at that time of night. It was a great finale to a truly amazing week.
I woke up ready to relax when my mom called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch with them. I did so, and then we went bowling. It was nice to have some family time after running around like a crazy person all week. I was a little tired of eating out, but I will never say no to someone paying for me to eat. After bowling I came home, ready to start that relaxing I had looked forward to.
So immediately my phone rang, and several of my life long friends said they were going to the grand opening of Buffalo Wild Wings. There was an hour wait, so they put our name down, came over to my house and hung out for a while. After 45 minutes we went over there, and waited another half hour or so. It was super good, and I expect it will get my friends up to Lehi more often.
Tonight I will conclude the festivities by doing my favorite thing, playing basketball.
It has been a crazy week, and even though it is over, it seems like my life will never be the same. It is amazing what a simple idea, some initiative, and the world's greatest friends can do. We have already started thinking about next year, and fitting in everything we thought of that didn't fit into this week. If my calculations are correct, this weeks activities included 39 specific people, plus all of those at the ward activity, in the bowling league, Jazz media, plus whoever comes to basketball tonight. There were still many more I wish had been a part of it, and many who were at more than one activity. #DaveWeek was used over 600 times on Twitter, trended twice, and will be something I will never forget.
All of this was done without any personal invites, just through the use of social media. Thank you to all of you that took interest, came to the activities, and made me feel like I was King of the World!
I could easily say the same thing. I am not often surprised, I rarely overreact, or get too excited. But this week there was a surprise around every turn, and it was definitely exciting!
Two of my friends, Lauren and Elyse, hadn't seen me in a while. So on January 7th, Elyse wrote that the next week would be dubbed Dave Week. Lauren added that maybe we could even get #DaveWeek trending. I agreed, and #DaveWeek was born. Little did we know what #DaveWeek would soon become.
Sunday night we got together for dinner. It was nice to eat and play games. There were about 8 of us, and it was a great time. At the end of the night we planned what we wanted to do each day.
Monday: Half off appetizers at Applebees.
I showed up at 9:00, and met my friends there. They also invited a few people from their ward and it was fun to make a few new friends. One of the guys walked up to me and said, you are @downrightdave? It is a real pleasure to meet you! I felt like a celebrity! I got home around 10:00 and started getting ready for bed.
I checked my Twitter account, and it was going crazy! Somehow all of my friends, and many more, had started tweeting funny things, and adding #DaveWeek onto the end of them. It began to go viral in SLC and made it all the way to #1. (Trending basically means that a group of people, within a given area, and given time, are talking about a particular thing.) So between about 10:00-Midnight, more people in SLC were talking about #DaveWeek than Alabama, LSU, or anything else.
Tuesday: Jazz game
You can read all about this day here: http://www.downrightdave.blogspot.com/2012/01/daveweek.html
It was easily my favorite of all the days. Since social media was a key ingredient to #DaveWeek, it was kind of funny that the people who got most excited, and that we got to meet, were the media people. One highlight was when David Locke recognized me, even though he had never met me in real life before.
What began as us finding cheap $5 tickets, that were on the very top row, turned into a series of miracles. Security let me go onto the court, we got our picture taken on the halftime set, made it onto the background of the postgame, and got pictures with both the TV, and radio announcers. Plus the following morning David Locke gave #DaveWeek a shout out on his podcast.
#DaveWeek also trended in SLC for the second night in a row, making it up to #3. It even went national, and international. Although those tweets would not have helped it trend in SLC. It was amazing how many people were joining in, asking what was going on, and wanting to be a part.
Wednesday: The Chocolate
Since the point of this week was because Lauren and Elyse wanted to see more of me, most of our activities did not originally include large groups of extra people. It became obvious that a lot of people wanted to be a part of it, wanted to meet me, and were just looking for crazy fun things to do. So we devoted this day to them. The Chocolate did a great job of making it special for us. They even sent out this tweet earlier in the day:
Thursday: Bowling
My roommates and I are in a bowling league. So between that and watching some great TV shows, like Parks and Rec, I enjoyed a more relaxing day with two of my best friends and my brother. I love doing crazy and random things, but I also like to just chill at home sometimes too. This week was tiring, and it was nice to unwind a little bit.
Friday: Dinner at Cafe Paesan, Shirts
One of our friends who had contributed quite a bit to getting #DaveWeek trending hadn't been able to make any of our activities. She threw out the idea of meeting at Cafe Paesan for dinner, and so we did. After dinner four of us went and made #DaveWeek shirts.
Saturday: Movie, Dinner, and Broom Hockey
The three of us went to go see a movie. After, Elyse made us a delicious dinner and we went to her YSA ward activity, broom hockey at 7 Peaks! We had enough people there for two games, and the people we brought with us were enough to make up one team. Team #DaveWeek may not have won, but we had a ton of fun! It was nice of their ward to let all of us join in and play with them. They were super nice, and I quickly made friends. It was just what a YSA activity should be. I also ran into some old friends that happened to be there that night.
Finale: Sunday/Monday
Since Sunday was more of our planning day, and today was a holiday, we kind of extended #DaveWeek a little bit. One of our friends happened to be in town from Las Vegas for the weekend. We weren't able to meet up with him on Saturday, so I had thought I wouldn't be able to. Late Sunday evening, who happened to show up at my house, but him and four of my friends! We decided to go to iHop, (ha ha, I had to leave that after I wrote it) and spent our early Monday morning enjoying a lot of laughs. Seriously, anything is funny at that time of night. It was a great finale to a truly amazing week.
I woke up ready to relax when my mom called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch with them. I did so, and then we went bowling. It was nice to have some family time after running around like a crazy person all week. I was a little tired of eating out, but I will never say no to someone paying for me to eat. After bowling I came home, ready to start that relaxing I had looked forward to.
So immediately my phone rang, and several of my life long friends said they were going to the grand opening of Buffalo Wild Wings. There was an hour wait, so they put our name down, came over to my house and hung out for a while. After 45 minutes we went over there, and waited another half hour or so. It was super good, and I expect it will get my friends up to Lehi more often.
Tonight I will conclude the festivities by doing my favorite thing, playing basketball.
It has been a crazy week, and even though it is over, it seems like my life will never be the same. It is amazing what a simple idea, some initiative, and the world's greatest friends can do. We have already started thinking about next year, and fitting in everything we thought of that didn't fit into this week. If my calculations are correct, this weeks activities included 39 specific people, plus all of those at the ward activity, in the bowling league, Jazz media, plus whoever comes to basketball tonight. There were still many more I wish had been a part of it, and many who were at more than one activity. #DaveWeek was used over 600 times on Twitter, trended twice, and will be something I will never forget.
All of this was done without any personal invites, just through the use of social media. Thank you to all of you that took interest, came to the activities, and made me feel like I was King of the World!
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