Long Time to Nothing

I don't remember why I created this blog, especially since I never use it and had to go to a friend's blog to even remember what the URL was for mine. I think I created to post the occasional picture for whatever random person decides to look at this thing and to maybe clear my head and post some thoughts, like when I can't sleep.

I've been back and forth on thinking about happiness. I think whether consciously or not, we all think about that in our own lives and, hopefully, in the lives of those around us, to some extent. While thinking and reading lately, this came up:

"Happiness is not simply a choice, but a course -- a course of action that one must follow, but not to any end, for happiness is the means through eternity."

I think the cliché is often true, at least in my life, that life is a rollercoaster -- in some parts of life more than others, such as relationships or school. There are anticipatory moments as you're rising up, waiting to see what's over the horizon, only to find that it's (surprise!) a sudden drop-off followed by an upside-down twist through a double loopty-loop thing where you think you're gonna crap your pants and end up losing all the change out of your pockets. Usually the rollercoaster ends with you walking away still trying to catch your breath, with at least a friend or two, wondering how much you really liked the experience and if you want to do it or anything like it again, and maybe wondering if the change you lost is something you can get back or even want to.

Anyway, just a random, rambling thought. On a different note, here are some pics from my quick trip to Rocky Point that I got back from today:

All I needed for three days (plus some tacos).

Slowly but surely and leaving his mark

Ever feel stuck at a crossroads?

A fitting farewell to my stint of beachy relaxation

Back and Forward

So D.C. has come and gone. I am now back in Provo to begin the end of my time at BYU. Living and working in Washington, D.C. for nearly four months was full of various experiences, all to learn from, a few I hope to not repeat. Luckily, the pros outweighed the cons and I hope to return to the District some day, whether for graduate studies, work, or something else. The weather was great during my stay. What I thought was cold at the end paled in comparison to my first day back in Provo. However, I had close to three weeks to relax and "vedge" in good ol' AZ with the fam. I decided that's about 95% of the reason I go home - to see the fam. My favorite part by far is the opportunity to play with and watch my nieces and nephews. They are awesome! I wish I would've taken more pictures with them while home.

The last few weeks since D.C. have been full of fun. From being able to watch my younger brother do his first solo performance...

hangin with my "sobrinos"...

and duning...

In those last two pictures, my brother and I rigged a helmet cam to my helmet, filling a gap with a couple granola bars. Unfortunately, I heard the cam didn't pick up much more than sand. Sorry guys! Overall, duning this time was great! It's always fun to be with the fam out in the desert and waking up to ride quads for a few days. I just wonder when I'll be able to go again....

So, now I'm back in Provo, with a week of my last semester under my belt. It'll be a tough one, but I'm looking forward to that redeeming light of the somewhat unknown at the end of this deep tunnel.

It's 3am. I haven't learned to post blogs in my sleep, so obviously I'm awake. I lay in bed for I don't know how long. 30, 45 minutes, an hour. I got up, walked around, read a bit, and decided to get online. I tried to focus my thoughts on nothing, but how can we really do that? It's as if my mind and heart were having a race, impervious to my drowsiness and need to get up in a few hours for work. The first few weeks of my mission were like this--late nights, random thoughts, writing about nothing to no one. DC is going well; I love it out here. Something about being in a big city with constant, moving flow running with me. The day brings a peaceful rhythm of city life and a quiet glow at night. One you feel as you move, the other as you stop and simply look. Here's a glimpse of the latter for me:

Night shots and Philly Cheese Steaks!

After the day at Valley Forge I spent some time (probably too much) playing Guitar Hero and then a game of frisbee in the wet night air in PA. I found frisbee can be a little different at night with backlighting so you can't really see the stinkin disc until it's a foot in front of your face. After frisbee I saw something that made me want to pretend I'm a photographer. Here a few shots of my attempted photage (possibly a new word?):

None of them turned out quite like I pictured, but it was a chance to experiment somewhat with my new Nikon.

The next day we went to Philadelphia. We visited a few historic places and, of course, I ate a philly cheese steak (with bacon, just so you know). And, yes, it was very delectable.

The one above and below are of Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

I guess this "LOVE" statue was famous, since Philly is the city of brotherly love. I don't know. People wanted to take a picture with it. Why not?

Philly Cheese Steak (with bacon)!!!

Pennsylvania

A couple weeks ago we went to Valley Forge and Philadelphia. There was plenty of walking involved, along with more tour guide information than I cared for, although I should´ve been more open to hearing all the details of certain parts of our nation´s history. Oh well. My camera battery died early into the second day, which saved me from filtering through the many pictures I undoubtedly would´ve taken. Here are a few that made it:

This great old-fashioned tour guide dude knew his historical stuff. And he had cool shoes. These are replica barracks used by Washington's troops at Valley Forge. Twelve men (and possibly their families) to a shack. Bleh.

I thought this tree looked interesting in it's own solitary way.

There was something unique about this cathedral/church. I'll post an update if I remember. If you know, add it in the comments.

Private Capitol Dome Tour

On the 9th I was invited to do get a free, private tour of the dome of the Capitol building. I would have to miss work and didn't think it was anything too special. After deciding to go, I asked for the time off, easily got it, and went to my congressman's office. While sitting there and talking to a some other people, one of the people said he had been working in Washington for over five years and had never had the opportunity to go on one of these tours. So, I guess it's something a bit more rare. I'm glad I went. A small group of us went around with our congressman and a tour guide to go up and inside the dome, outside to look all around DC, and then out on the porch area of the Speaker of the House. It was pretty cool!

You can fit the Statue of Liberty inside (w/o the pedestal) with approx. 30ft to spare.

Congressman Flake and I

POTUS?

As I was sitting in a small boat on the Potomac this afternoon, I saw what looked like the presidential helicopter fly in front of the Washington Monument, I believe towards the White House. Dubbya?