California Gurls, Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dog

As I talked with a friend today, I realized, "Life keeps you on your toes for preparing what's coming up." 

You may or may not know that my cousin and I took a random trip to great city of Los Angeles in hopes of being a part of the So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Finale. We had received tickets and the timing for everything was perfect. We woke up this morning and ventured on our way.

Well as we hit St. George I decided to check my email.  An email from a contest sponsor emailed me letting me know I was a semi-finalist in the Lady Gaga contest and to send some contact info their way. I did so, and within minutes I was told that I was the winner...

What does this entail?  A trip (hotel, airfare, and meet and greet) to see Gags in person on Friday in Vegas.  So our plans have taken quite a crazy spin:

Today we hit up Disneyland --World of Color is amazing and inspiring.  It's like the Bellagio fountains on turbo speed with Kool-Aid shooting out.

Tomorrow (Thurs) is SYTYCD finale day. Cross your fingers we get in!

Friday we hop on a plane from LAX to Vegas to see and meet Gaga.

Saturday: Plane returns us from to the Golden Coast, where we then drive back to Utah.



Real question is: What would you ask or say to Gaga? I would love any advice!

Of Men and Angels, The Rocket Summer

1. Life is extremely frail. One moment you are here, and within a blink you are gone. If you need help or need to talk to someone confidentially, please call the Hope Line. 1-800-SUICIDE

2. Lately I have been faced with decisions and thought that I need to give up, but I am determined to  keep going.

3. My last text message (or IM) ended in these words: say no and disconnect.

4. Cobb Salad with La Brea Bread is what I'm thinking about for dinner sometime soon.

5. On the 1st day of August I was forced to get the idea that my summer is over in 20 days and counting.

6. My music choices have moved from lively and energetic to calm, cool, and meaningful. .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with my California cousin, tomorrow my plans include a funeral service that never should have been, and in the evening, "taking the biggest step in 3D" (Step Up 3), and Sunday, I want to slow life down with a hike in the canyon!

Friday Fill-Ins

Who Says, John Mayer

Dynamite, Taio Cruz

I recently heard about I Write Like through blogger and news chatter:

http://iwl.me/

Take a look into the site because it's an entertaining site for bloggers or writers.  When you post a writing sample, it analyzes what author's style you write like. Apparently my blog posts are like the science-fiction blogger, Cory Doctorow. But my emails could be seen as New York Times Bestselling author, Stephen King's writings...  Look for my new co-authored book in bookstores this September:

I'm Fat, I am a Nazi, and Other Lies we Tell Ourselves.

I write like
Cory Doctorow

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Amazing, One Eskimo

Welcome to the beginning of another week of opportunity!

Hope it's a good one... 

The past week has been run-here, do-that, which made the week go by quickly but has made me tired. The highlight of the weekend was when, I realized that humanity and kindness still creep out through the madness of the world. 

For that I am thankful.

Brace Yourself, Howie Day

As a kid in elementary school, almost any reason for an assembly was awesome. You had the choir kids come sing, fireman present fire safety while wearing a troll mask "Stop, drop, and roll troll," and the memorable classic bus safety experience. 

We gathered in the gym and listened to a speaker inform our young audience of the importance of school bus safety. Perhaps it was because it's mandatory, or there weren't enough field trips to keep the bus drivers busy. Who knows.... but what was important was implication and testing of the safety tips! 

All the kids in my grade walked out of the school and towards the bright yellow vehicle in the front of the school. We ushered our way into the bus and sat down.  The bus driver voice beamed from above as they instructed that we would be taking a drive around the neighborhood to practice the usefulness of "brace yourself." 

This practice helps keep you from flying forward in the event of an accident.  When a bus driver yells, "brace yourself," all the riders must cross their arms in front of themselves, and immediately put their head between the locked limbs. Does this actually prevent injury to riders? Who knows...

So the driver puts the bus into drive and within seconds the first line of command is given as the brakes are slammed. "BRACE YOURSELF!"  Many were not prepared, and they slammed into the seat in front of them. I am sure the bus driver maniacally laughed because this was their one chance to get revenge on the schoolchildren. We then moved forward and out onto the oak tree lined streets.  Giggles ensued from the students and teachers as we drove past my neighbors houses and continued practicing this ancient art of safety.  Our road trip came to an end as we pulled into the school parking lot, but the memory of bracing one's self will always abide whenever I ride a bus.

7 Things, Miley Cyrus

1. When it's quiet in conversations I don't feel awkward.
2. I haven't devoured a sno-cone in what seems like a month.
3. My heart is content and loves to laugh.
4. Cold Day in July have no place here.
5. In the town where I was born there is legendary cheese fries devoured by hundreds.
6. Calling life as it is, is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some wii fun, tomorrow my plans include a parade and Sunday, I want to quietly think think think!

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

Neon Tiger, The Killers

Besides reading outside today,  this gem made me smile.  I dare you not to tap a toe or shimmy to this!

Sara Bareilles - King of Anything from Sam Garvey on Vimeo.


I saw you groovin' and shakin' ;)

Don't Waste the Pretty, Allison Iraheta ft. Orianthi

Pop Culture Thoughts:

• Sometime I think wearing sunglasses really makes you cooler than others. It's a similar element of putting on the shades and thinking people won't notice you aka Big Daddy theory. When I sing in my car, it's with sunglasses.

• Did you know Justin Bieber's tour is sponsored by Xbox360? Yeah that didn't make since to me either since his demographic probably isn't interested in the Xbox360.

• If Ke$ha asked me to "have a slumber party in her basement," I would immediately decline. Based upon her appearance, the basement wouldn't be very clean, which would cause dust bunnies in the popcorn as we watch Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.
  

What's a current pop culture pet peeve you have?

Revelry, Kings of Leon

On Shirley's bus we were required to sit in groups of three. Thankfully I had my good friends B and her neighbor T to sit next to. We were the three inseparable amigos who frequently did things together, whether it was making music videos or playing tackle football in the show while "Mambo #5" was on repeat. Life was grand.

Well one afternoon T had to stay after school for some reason, I believe it was for his basketball team, so we had an extra space on our seat. Since we sat farther in the back, the tres amigos sometimes happened to sit next to the sketchy kids.


You know the ones! They had a reputation for being rebellious, cussed, had a corner in the school and were awfully mean to teachers. I called kids like that "trouble-makers."

Well on this particular day, Leo decided he was going to sit next to us, so he would be sitting next to his friends directly behind us. With his command for us to scoot over, B and I slide close to the window. We sat and waited for the rest of the students to board the bus, and while we did so Leo pulled something from his bag.



For the first time in my life I came face to face with the white sticks I learned about from many educational films. My favorite was "Your Choice Our Chance." It featured various situations in 10 minutes, and then left the ending open so you could make your own decision. But I digress...

Leo took out a cigarette from the package along with a lighter from his pocket and lit it. I was stunned. What was I supposed to do? B and I huddled over our back packs trying to avoid the smoke. Seconds later the doors to the bus closed and we began moving forward.

We continued moving from behind the school towards the front of the school. Without a hesitation the bus moved into the empty parking lot and instantly stopped. Shirley opened the bus doors and stood up.

"WHO LIT THE CIGARETTE?" She screamed. Her voice echoed as it bounced back from the back door to the front. B and I looked at each other not know what to do. We glanced at Leo who stared at us snidely.


"DON'T MAKE ME GO GET THE PRINCIPAL! WE WILL SEARCH EVERY BACKPACK IF WE HAVE TO!"

The fear of 50 middle school students froze. After scanning all of us like detained criminals, Shirley sat back into the drivers seat. With a slight jerk forward, the bus moved behind the school. The bus doors opened again, and Shirley continued her investigation. After several minutes of silence someone from behind me yelled Leo's name.

Shirley walked down the aisle and eventually reached our row. After a few probing questions Leo admitted it was him, and was kicked off the bus. As he made his way down the exit steps of the bus, Shirley ranted, " You will never ride this bus again."

For the rest of the ride home I sat in silence. The scenario in my mind kept thinking about how Leo was going to attack me outside my house. Also I knew that Shirley now assumed that I was one of the rebellious kids since I was sitting next to the "trouble-maker." There was no way to improve my situation.