By popular Christmas demand!!

I have received a request for a different version of White Christmas on the playlist. I found the track and I think you are all really going to like it. Check it out. Ba-da-da-dump.

Back in town, now it's back to the slopes

I finished my finals, they were intense. To give you some idea, my last final was in Criminal Law, the test was three and half hours long, I wrote 5,000 words or so, like eleven or twelve pages. Put a couple of weeks of solid studying behind that, (my last class was the Friday before Thanksgiving, and the only days I have not put in some good studying since then were Thanksgiving day itself, and Sundays) you'll get the idea I think. I put so many miles on my brain the past couple of weeks I'm starting to think I won't get a good price if I tried to sell it. I guess I could just put it up on the market and see what kind of offers I get. However, I digress. I only told you that part above so you can understand the joy in my heart to have a break and to go home and see the fam. The family was definitely priority numero uno on this trip, but snowboarding was a close second. There I am on the right preparing for a day of pow, pals, and picnic lunches (hint, hint, Lance). Try not to hate me.

No this isn't the Sant Clause 3? 4? 5? I'm not sure what number they're on now.

This was by design, not because I am turning into Santa Clause like Tim Allen in the popular holiday movie. I have changed the blog to Christmas colors, before it was just set to match my mood, black. Just kidding, but seriously I did change it for Christmas. My first present is to myself, I am going to take my final and do really well as an early Christmas present. On that note I better get back to studying. Hope you enjoy the Christmas blog, let me know if you have any suggestions.

Is for fun

Lance and Renee and I had quite a fun summer this past year so I decided to make a little video of some of our experiences while learning about vista movie maker.

Let's Hear it for Christmas

It is the most wonderful time of the year. I just want everyone to know how much I love Christmas. After church the other day I was a little bummed because we didn't sing any Christmas songs. I was singing them to myself and I realized how much I like Christmas music. I decided to join the choir for the Christmas program. I am really glad I did. We are singing a bunch of songs, my two favorites are Oh Come Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Come O Come Emanuel. I just can't get enough of Christmas music. I created a Christmas Station on Pandora and I have been listening all week. Thanks to music tags it runs heavy to Mariah Carey, and Wham! with a large helping of Paul McCartney (with Wings). Hope we all remember the reason for the season and get in to the Christmas spirit, I'm glad I did. Somehow studying for finals isn't that bad when you're humming the Christmas song (Christina Aguilera edition).

We . . .Have . . . Ignition. And a Christmas Mix!

You all asked for it. Actually you didn't, but I made a Christmas mix and it will be on it's way shortly. In Christmas Colors to boot!!!!!!!!

p.s. I know what you're all wondering, well I got it at Goodwill and it was only five dollars. I get all the good secondhand stuff 'cause the homeless people are too weak to fight me off because of their poor nutrition.

Quote of the Day

Here I am writing my Civil Procedure outline, and I thought I would share what our T.A. called a quote of the day. This to show you all how exciting law school can be! The sad part is summary judgment is exciting for me. Civil Procedure is actually my favorite class, law school is not for everyone. Now the quote!

"Summary Judgment procedure is properly regarded not as a disfavored procedural shortcut, but rather as an integral part of the Federal Rules as a whole, which are designed 'to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every action," Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (1986) (citing FRCP 1)


Yeah!! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, or put it in your bubble pipe as may be the case and blow bubbles with it, who smokes pipes anyways? Just the statistics teacher at Hillcrest. What's his name again?

Even those we don't know personally can leave a little hole in our life

I was just reading a little blurb about Elder Wirthlin and Urban Meyer, who used to be the University of Utah football coach. I just wanted to say that Elder Wirthlin was a great man. I can hear his voice in my mind as he talked about playing football and showing love to others. You could really hear in his voice what kind of man he was. I hope we all put ourselves out there on our sleeves like that. To be the kind of person who you can hear kindness on their voice, that is a worthy goal. I am going to miss Elder Wirthlin in conference, not big in stature, but a giant in spirit.

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!!!

My Christmas decorating this year so far consists of me putting colorful tabs on my torts book. As you can see I am done and it is fabulous, but for some reason it isn't making me jolly. I guess I just need more Mariah Carey Christmas.

In related news, I almost got hit by a car this morning.

It wasn't a big deal, if the car would have hit me it only would have consisted of a few bruises for me and a big negligence lawsuit for the guy that almost hit me, so he's actually the lucky one. The story has a funny ending, however, and that is why I am writing this.

(Curtain Rises) Matt is walking across a crosswalk on the way to catch the bus, a white pick-up approaches.

Just kidding, I'm not going to reenact it like it was a play. I was on the crosswalk and a guy in a white pick-up was driving towards the stop sign. I am in the habit of looking to see if they see me from riding my bike so I looked up and I could see his face so I assumed he saw me, he also started slowing down so I kept walking. About the time I would have been a few feet away he got to the point where he either needed to push the brakes harder to come to a complete stop, or ease up on them to roll through the stop sign. He elected to roll through the stop sign, about a foot in front of me, If I would have taken another step I would have hit him, but I had stopped walking as he was not going to stop. At this point he rolled up far enough that I must have come into his peripheral vision. I guess I had been in the sweet spot where the frame of his car had blocked his sight. Even though he was abreast of me by this time he hit the brakes hard to stop as soon as he saw me. I had looked up as soon as I realized he wasn't stopping and managed to see his face as soon as he saw me, it was classic. One eye was all the way open, eyebrow raised, the other eye almost squinted shut, while his mouth was silently screaming. I think his face was stuck half in surprise for seeing me and half squinted up in anticipation of a collision. All around pretty funny, you don't get to say that every time you narrowly avoid a collision with something. I experimented with my web camera and this is as close as I could come to his actual expression.

Good time, good times. (Curtain falls, end scene).

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, I know I did. Thanks again to the Blodgies, it is really nice to have some family around just to know I have somewhere to go when I'm stuck in Cali studying.

I just wanted to take a break for a second and tell you all that you should be thankful you're not in the library studying during your vacation. I know, because that is where I am. Not to worry, I'll be out on break soon and then things will be even. Things are going good by the way, I took advantage of my time off class and I think I will be ready when tests start next week. I also stopped by H&M this morning on the way to school, so I guess I did take advantage a little bit.

Separate note to Lance: They have a bunch of Drain and Sliq jeans at this H&M, so if you're interested I can see if they have your size. They also have some of the skinny jeans like the grey ones I bought.

On a happier note, now that Thanksgiving is over I can finally listen to Mariah Carey Christmas with no shame, or maybe not.

Aaauuggggh!!!!!!!!!

Now that I've started I can't stop!!!! I have too many quirks.
I can't throw anything away, I just keep storing more boxes at Dad and Mom's. I know you're all thinking, why Matt, we all do that! Do you still have your third place Oakdale Spelling Bee trophy? How about old scout Grand Prix cars, I even have the one Dad didn't help me with that looks like it got ran over. There's more. Keychains, pocketknives, patches, stickers, little knick knacks from weird places. This might be an obsession. I'm just gonna have to throw some stuff away when I get home this Christmas.
Another thing, I love my own jokes, like I'm crying-and-holding-my-stomach laughing, and no one else is. How about reality tv? I like it. The Hills? I know the whole plot line and all of the characters and have a very specific opinion about each one. So specific I feel I need to yell advice at them when they make bad choices.
One more thing. I hate name brand clothing. It's OK on shoes and pants and when it's really small on stuff, but just right there in your shirt? I just feel like you are proclaiming to the world, "I don't know how to dress, so I'm gonna go buy fashion advice and while I'm at it I might as well just advertise for them as well." Just because it's expensive doesn't mean you should be broadcasting it about, I mean, you don't wear shirts that say your therapist's or lawyer's name on them do you?
That felt good even though it was kinda mean. I also have an ego, Brooke, and I think my ideas are better than other peoples, furthermore I realize that I am mostly harping on people that just wear clothes that look nice and aren't trying to make a statement, so I'm sorry, I appreciate people trying to look nice.
Did I mention I hate posers too? Oh gosh, OK, quirky blogs are over. I'm perfectly normal and sane, which must mean I'm not a Harrison, so never mind, I'm weird, and I like myself, a lot.

Quirky McQuirkyton, or Quirky McGimmons if you will.

This guy? Quirky? No way!

So my friend Amanda,(who also happens to be married to my friend and former roommate Matt, but I knew her before I knew Matt so we are friends as well) anywho, she tagged me in this thing where you have to list six of your quirks, so lets get some things off the old chest.

Quirk One- People talking to me like I'm dumb. Everyone has this one I bet, but seriously I don't talk to little kids like they are dumb (animals are a different story, but they don't understand Spanish so no harm done). There is really no reason to talk down to someone unless you are trying to make them feel bad. I don't get mad often, but this gets me steamed, and I will not take it unless it's at work, cause it's my job man. Cops, friends, septuagenarians, watch yourself because you'll get an earful. Mike can attest to that, so can my old friend Elder Ackroyd. So treat people with respect, civility, and if you can muster it up, kindness.

Quirk two- People trying to act like adults. Sorry middle and high schoolers, this is directed at you. You don't "act" like and adult you "be" one. Act however you want, but be who you are. I think I should be able to have fun and joke around and generally be a goof, I'm still an adult, I pay my bills and do my homework and ain't nobody lookin over my shoulder. Everybody respects the guys who can have fun with kids and still have adult conversations, live your life.

Quirk three- I am running out. Let's see. How about people that don't like the same music as you? I am guilty of making a gagging noise and face whenever someone mentions the Goo Goo Dolls or Dave Mathcrapper's Band but it bugs me so I probably shouldn't. I happen to know that '80's metal is not the most popular music right now, I am aware people, but I like facemelting solos so leave it alone, and I will try to refrain from making fun of Coldplay and Dashbaord, although Dashboard don't need anybody to make fun of him, his music does it all. Just Kidding, sorry.

Quirk four- I will try any type of food at least twice, but if I do not like it I will not finish it. I have gotten to the point where I will not eat the last bite if I don't want it, in the same vein, however, I will eat myself sick if I want. With food I reserve the right to do whatever I want, it's one of life's great pleasures, and I will eat it if I want and I will leave it if I don't. I spent two years choking down insane portions of food I sometimes did not like, I even ate avocados-the only food I can think of that I genuinely do not like. I earned my right to be picky.

Quirk five- It bugs me when I feel like I do something the right way and people don't do it that way and I know my way is better. I have a habit of thinking through almost everything I do. I can almost always tell you my reasoning for doing most of what I do. I feel like others don't think like that and it drives me nuts when they don't do it the best way. These things include driving on certain roads or in a certain way, cleaning (I think the cleaning is because I was a janitor and yes there is a better way and yes I know it), flipping channels, cooking, serving tables, talking to customers, et cetra.

Quirk six- I like poetry. I know it does not fit with the hard rock image I try to convey, but I like it. I also like art and fashion. Maybe it's because my family is very different and I have a lot of really cool opinionated people around me, but I like it. There is definitely a time and a place, but I will search it out all by myself, so I must like it. I like writing poetry too, I would like making art, but what I make is not art, so nuts. Anyway, my main message is be yourself, you only live once, so live the best you know how and with no regrets.

Now to facilitate the blog version of chain mail, I don't think your hair will fall out if you don't do it, but it might fall out if you do, cause mine is.

here are the rules:

1. link the person who tagged you.

2. mention the rules on your blog.

3. tell about six quirks you have only 6!
4. tag six fellow bloggers to do the same.

5. leave a comment to let them know.

Who do I know that is quirky, oh yeah, there are fourteen of us. Maybe Brooker, Trace, Kendybar, Shaun, even though he has never posted on his blog, anything to get Lisa blogging again, and the indomitable Ashley Nimer. I hope you all look at yourselves differently after this experience.

The Way We Were

In tribute to the new season of 90210 (which I never watched mom because I obviously wasn't fourteen or fifteen or whatever the rule was), and in keeping with the prior post that dealt with how quickly time can go and how little we seem to remember, I thought I would refresh some of your memories, courtesy of pictures that I got off of Mom and Dad's old computer, enjoy!!I might as well embarrass myself first, some of you have seen whitetrash, well, I lived it!

This would be my nineteenth birthday party, where else do you go with a mullet? BBQ!

I will be seeing the Blodgies next week for thanksgiving, so I might as well as wear out my welcome now, all of these pictures are from '01- '02 by the way. This is D-Dawg and Dave.

Uncle Denny and Aunt Jill, thanks again for letting me live with you.

Chad and Julie, this must be '02 'cause I did not meet Julie til after my mission.

Marc and Tracy, footloose and fancy free, before the high-stakes world of Medicine and Law took it's toll on their lives.

Lisa and I, and I have no idea when this is because I can't tell if i have a mullet in this picture or not. Yes, I date myself by my hairstyle, much like women do.

Gotta be Easter in '02 or '03 because favorite son (me) was not there. That is Haley Adamson, not a random neighbor girl.

Trent, using his talents, oh yeah, it also looks like he is playing the violin in this too.

This happened, I was there, and the spectacle is burned into my mind. Dan "D-Nyde" Nydegger, and Scott "Walter" Waltman. Plus a whole lotta cheeseburgers.

A year can go so quick

What a difference a year makes. I just finished the Doctrine and Covenants and was going to start the Book of Mormon in Spanish, and I realized that I finished it in Spanish last December. I can hardly remember last Christmas, so much has happened in just eleven months.
I started and finished my last semester of college, wrote my capstone paper, graduated, worked a lot of hours at Magleby's, went to LA to see Kim and Bryon (Kim was barely preggers), flew to D.C. to see Karl Conni and family, spent some time in Portland with Nick and Lis and their families, went to a family reunion on the Oregon Coast, packed up my things and headed out to San Fran all on my lonesome, started law school, lived with the Blodgies for two months, moved into a new place, and here I am finishing my last week of classes for my first semester. Boy howdy, that's just the quick recap. A year can really go fast.
To go along with these sentiments I'll share part of a poem I've been working on. If you don't like it read it sometime when you're feeling melancholy late at night, that's when I like it best.

How frail is memory,
how fleeting it's remarks,
What today is crystal clear
is tomorrow's broken parts.

Joy is only half remembered,
Sorrow's half forgotten,
victory happened twice as much,
and losses half as often.

Some forget and laughing say,
to live each day anew.
While others hold to petty hurts
whose bitter tastes they chew.

So choose this day whether mem'ry will
be for you a help or hindrance,
a light to guide your waking hours,
or a self-inflicted penance.

A Phone with a Camera!?!?!

I guess that's not such an anomaly these days, but it used to be. If we forget history we are doomed to repeat it. All I'm saying is that if we forget that phones didn't used to have cameras we might start making them without cameras again. If that happened how could I go through my phone and get off all these memories that I had forgotten about because I didn't use my "real" camera. I got all the nieces and nephews here, except for the ones less than a month old, give me time people!

The Nomster did agree to let me babysit her, but neither of us agreed to the wind. Oregon coast.

I ain't never seen no boy that hankered to tractors this much. He's a born driver I tell ya. Asher McBasher at the Blue Heron cheese place.

I told him and told him, but he never learned to use a binkie. Lis and Bri's old house I guess.

I think I was just trying to take a picture, but he must have thought I was punishing him?

Just a normal picture of Lance and Renee, and we happened to be at Burgerville, the onions are not the only thing that's sweet about this picture.

This is Gavin, and my soon to be soggy sunglasses. No, he is not in front of a rail fence, that's Lance.

C.J. and Ne-Ne, whatev.

I swear mom, that sandwich was this long! (and this tall for Conner).

Nothin brings family together like double-bacon-Dels at Del Taco. Still the best burger for your buck, but I haven't had the triple yet, so that may change. Del Taco used to be a regular family occurence when I was in Provo, I hope Brooke can fill my awesome shoes. *Sniff*. I just got something in both my eyes, sorry.

Chugga-chugga-choo-choo!!!!!!

I guess the Bandanna scarf lost in the polls, but not in my heart. Luckily in San Francisco you can wear whatever you want. To all of you who hated it, just make sure you ain't missin the fashion train when she rolls into the station.
Update on law school, I got a B on my first test, so I probably won't flunk out, you can all stop holding your breaths. I'm talking to you, Chad and Mike, you're turning purple.

The Cowboy Scarf

Ok guys, check it out. I want every bodies opinion on this, can you rock the bandanna as a Scarf? This is an important issue in our time. Vote on the side, give it to me straight.

Sometimes we just need to be inspired . . .

[IF]

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling

This has always been a favorite poem of mine, so I thought I would share it. For all that I love television, especially spanish television, there is a definite power that only the written word can really carry to our hearts.

My personal best costume ever.

For all of you who don't know, I love Halloween, one of my favorite holidays. This year I have to say that I outdid myself in the costume department. I have had some good costumes in the past, Mr. T, Patrick Swayze, Axel Rose, to name a few, but none of them got the response I got this year. It makes me want to be Hulk Hogan again and again. Who can complain about having to grow a handle-bar mustache. Thanks again Dan for introducing me to Beard Season.
Here is some of the crew from our Halloween bash in Berkeley. There's Hulk Hogan, my roommate Dan, the cowboy is Betty, the Zebra is Yuka and the one in Pink is Gisela. On a separate Halloween note, I entered a Halloween donut eating contest two weeks ago and I lost to a huge samoan dude, he ate six and I only ate four, but pound for pound I think I won, because he was at least twice my size.

You'll notice it was "Dirty Dancing" Patrick, not "Ghost" Patrick.

Guess who's ready for Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who did I think I was kidding?

Here I am, a little after seven at night, in the library at Hastings (That's University of California Hastings College of the Law to you all). Sadly, being here this late has become the norm for the last three weeks, and it doesn't look like it is going to let up. I remember when I started and I thought I could just put in eight hours a day and be good. That was then. Now I feel like as long as I stay till eight I can get everything done. This is not griping, however, I am really enjoying myself and feeling like this is the place for me. As Chadski used to say in high school, usually after running lines in the gym, "throw it at me (gasp) coach!", "(Cough) throw it at me!!!" Bring it on Law School, just kidding. Here's a shot of me in the biblioteca. The goatee is cut in preparation to cut my handlebar mustache for Halloween, that's right, guess who's going as Hulk Hogan!!!!! I'll send you the pictures Kendy.

First Test in Law School

So, I took my first test today, my only midterm. Tracy was right, they are pretty tough. The studying was crazy, but it was nothing compared to the test itself. Imagine one of those old black and white videos where thousands of ladies are typing away, that was what my fingertips were doing. We had one hour to cram as much analyzed law and facts into three questions (that's better than a three hour final). I feel like I did OK, and that seems to be the general consensus in the class. To give you guys a better idea to how it was I'll post some before and after pictures.

Before

After
Just kidding, I was way more stressed before the test. Cool beans, I took it and survived, now I just have to wait for my grade.

Just normal fun stuff

So I just wanted to share a couple of things that I did/saw today. I think everyone knows I like to pull stuff out of dumpsters, no surprise there, but I saw what I could turn into in thirty years if I'm not careful. (Note: I see people digging through the trash all the time, but this was different). So my campus has two buildings across the street from each other. I was waiting to cross that street and a guy walking by threw his cigarette on the ground, I noticed it was barely smoked and said (sarcastically in my head), "what a waste of a good cigarette". This is when the magic happened. A guy walking by, sees the ciggy and picks it up and starts smoking it, like he just found a dollar on the ground! This was not a bum, just a normal looking older dude, crazy. I hope that's not me in a few years, "hey, who threw away this Snapple?!?!" "It's still got a good swallow in the bottom!"

The other bit of news is that today I had to write a fake letter to a fake client, guess what fake law firm I worked for? That's right, Harrison, Harrison, & Nuttall. Lance and Tracy, Yes We Can!Who wouldn't want us to represent them, for an exorbitant amount of money?

Have you ever ridden a bus alone? I have.

I'm not talking without anyone you know, that happens all the time. What I'm talking about is last night I got on the bus about nine thirty or ten, coming home from FHE, and I was the only person riding the bus. Just me and the driver. I tried some jokes to break the ice, but no dice. It was kinda weird. I guess it was good though, because I would have looked foolish craning my neck around and standing up to read every street sign so I didn't miss my stop. Oh well, good times.

I love tag, Especially Freeze Tag

Thanks Brooke, loved your bit. I'm not mad, I'm glad. I always be lookin for a chance to blog-a-log. Before I start, I contemplated using this to force someone that does not have a blog, e.g. Lance and Renee or Jamie, to start a blog to comply with the tag. However, I think I will actually tag Dan and Krystal Nydegger, because no matter who does it, or if they do it together, the funniness will not be D-Nyde, which incidentally is also Dan's nickname. With no further ado. The list.

10 Favorites . . .

Color- It will always be blue, it brings out my eyes, but black and gray are making a comeback for sure. I definitely don't wear a lot of blue, but I like it. A lot.

Food- there it is, the category is my favorite one. Food itself is my favorite. Don't let my boyishly slim figure lead you astray, I love tha eats. Lets start with Mag's Smothered Rib eye, Halibut Oscar, Bleu Cheese dressing, the list could go on and on. Del- Bacon Double Del, Fish tacos, strawberry shake, deluxe chili cheese fries. Mom- anything she makes, BBQ beef, Chicken and Dumplings. OK, OK, next category. (oh yeah, apple pie, creme brulee, . . . ) Guys can like food too OK, and it doesn't matter where it comes from, if big K-mart soda taught me anythings, it's that taste is all that matters.

Song- This is almost as bad as the other one. Would have to say Holy Diver, right this minute, it's been stuck in my head ever since Dan gave me that The Very Beast of Dio CD for my late B-day, thanks Dan.

Movie- Hold up, any Rocky but five falls into this category, as well as Six-String Samurai, so we'll go latest and greatest as . . . who am i kidding? I forgot about the Shawshank Redemption that is the best movie of all time! (All you hatas out there, you might not like the idea of defense attorneys but I would have kept Andy out of jail!)

Sport- To watch? College Football. To play? Softball. To make fun of? Is the WNBA a sport?

Season- Warm. That's every season in Puerto Rico, and I can even enjoy winter if I'm warm and I'm snowboarding.

Day of the week- Friday, c'mon. Since Danny Tanner and the Girls on TGIF (not to mention so-called uncles Joey and Jessie). To parties in High school, to knowing I have a night with nothing due for two days in law school, nothing can touch Friday, nothing. Maybe Christmas.

Ice Cream Flavor- this is where I fall off the food train, I'm not a huge Ice Cream fan, but mint chocolate chip all the way. Love ya Grandma.

Time of day- Right when I finish my reading or homework, walk outside and realize I'm free for a few hours. Call me a patriot if you must, but I LOVE freedom.

9 Currents-

Mood- I am the most even keeled guy any of you know. How do you explain that? Content? I am also excited because the BoSox pulled even in the ALCS.

Taste- my own. I'm gonna dress how I'm gonna dress and I will live my life (thanks for the line T.I. and Rihanna). Also, saliva.

Clothes- 520 Levi's, black faded wash. Old school Huskies shirt and a red sweater that Jamie helped me pick out a year or two ago. Vintage and still a classic.

Desktop picture-
I especially like the guy in the vest. Happy B-day Jame.

Toenail Color- I guess kinda clear, whiter at the ends, the sides of the big toe are a little yellow. I get it, there are only 8 of them, thanks a lot you guys.

Time- 10:44 p.m. Pacific Time.

Surroundings- the bedroom that Uncle Denny and Aunt Jill have so graciously let me borrow these last few weeks. The bedspread is a sweet mixture of different animals coats, like zebra, cheetah, leopard, you get the idea. It is also a little messy, I'm packing up my things because, *sniff*, tonight is my last night with the Blodgies. I will be in my new place tomorrow. It is sweet by the way, post to follow.

Annoyances- Superiority, at least that isn't justified, you thought it was bad in college? Wait till law school. (Holla at my girl Tracy, she knows what I'm saying). I also think bathroom jokes are in poor taste, Just Kidding, it's me, c'mon, I invented those jokes.

Thought- Gosh, I can't type that fast. I guess it's just a mixture of what is going to happen in my life, I've had so many changes lately sometimes it's hard to get my head around it, but it's cool.

8 First

Best Friend- I guess you could say Zack Foulger, but Nate Burt is forever my best friend, so he would have to be the real first. He called me up out of the blue the other day, really a true friend. Going through a crazy accident is nothing if you get friends like Nate out of it, truly, truly.

Kiss- I'm kinda embarrassed about this so in the interest of anonymity lets just call her L. Strong, no, no, Lindsay S.

Pet- I had some hamsters, and Arson the garter snake, as well as a Bird, Mr. Bean, that my family starved to death. I think the hamsters were the first though.

Crush- Um, probably orange flavor, but I'm not ruling out strawberry or grape. (the soda, for those of you who didn't get the joke). I wouldn't even know what person, guys remember soda more than girls at early ages.

Music- I can't believe none of you put down Huey Lewis. We would all be dancing around in the basement (you were leading the charge if I remember right, General). We all knew it was "hip to be square".

Car- technically the first car I drove was LGOR, Dan named her, little gunner over-runner. The purple Toyota. The Van was really my first though. I loved it, and it got like 11 miles to the gallon.

Speeding ticket- right where 9th east turns into 7th east by Hillcrest. I was 17, on my way to sophomore orientation, SBO sweater and all. I was 17 over in a 45. The cop saw me on seventh and caught up to me three turns later in Hillcrest's parking lot. There I was, student body secretary, getting a ticket while all the new sophomores and their parents were driving by gawking. I had street cred after that, you better believe.

7 Last

Cigarette- if you count the gum kind, high school.
Drink- water, I'm pathetic. I hate water. But I'm getting healthy.
Car Ride- Uncle Denny Picked me up at the Bart station after I walked from my new house to the bus, rode the bus to the Muni train, and took muni to the Bart train, which I took to walnut creek. Counting earlier in the day I rode on a train seven times and on the bus three times. I am an Urban Warrior. You're lucky I was even in a car today.
Kiss- If you're talking the band, like a year ago, if you're talking lips, ditto.
Phone Call- Telling Uncle Denny I was coming in, but he did let me know the Red Sox were leading by two in the bottom of the ninth, so it was a merry event.
CD Played- I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, the new Angels and Airwaves is awesome. I can't get enough. Do I hear a holiday CD exchange?

6 have you evers-

Dated one of your best friends- By my definition of Best friend, I hope not, and no I haven't.

Broken the Law- Of course I have, the stories I could tell. Apparently it's a matter of law taking food out of dumpsters. I did it, and I got caught, by a copper, dirty handed (pun intended), ankle deep in a dumpster.

Been arrested- I have been told I was, and I was in the back of a cop car once, but no not officially.

Skinny Dipped- Yes, and it was mostly because we didn't have swimsuits, nothin glamorous about it.

Been on TV- this story is funny. Puls and I were on the mtn. (a Utah sports network) in the background of Canadian and BYU basketball player Jimmy Balderson's post- game interview. I believe the exact words we yelled were "We stand on guard for thee, Jimmeeeeeeeee!!!!!!"

5 things (5 for each)

You're wearing- Let's see, my Hacksaw Harrison buckle custom made by a Mr. Dan Nydegger. Two friendship bracelets, Thanks Kendy. HLJ Ring, the only one I haven't lost, Love ya Mom. My beard, and a silly smile, cause I think I'm pretty clever.

You've done today- Went to the Red Bull Soapbox race in SF, awesome. Went to Ross, new skillet, stainless steel, nonstick and a metal handle so I can put it in the oven, thanks for the cookbook Nick, I'm using it. Rode the train, went grocery shopping and woke up and looked out my new window that shows all the the west side of San Francisco clear to the ocean. Sorry suckers, but there is plenty of room for visitors, hotel hacksaw is now open! At very reasonable rates as well.

You can hear right now- Honesty, one of my favorite Billy Joel songs, Brooke inspired me to listen to B.J. tonight. My computer humming. Muffled voices somewhere in the Blodgett house. Clicking keys, and a general quiet.

You can't live without- The Gospel, Family, books, excitement, and lame jokes, in that order.

You do when your bored- Read, watch TV, bike, skateboard, blog.

4 places you've been today-

Safeway
Dolores Park (Soapbox races)
Powell Street (all the best shopping in S.F., and Ross)
Walnut Creek

3 People you can tell anything to-

1. Mike Goldman
2. Nate Burt
3. Myself among others, but I think that in today's world too many people are in the habit of lying to themselves, and I fell real honesty to yourself is sadly under utilized.

2 choices

1. Pack or sleep?
2. Take the train tomorrow or let the Blodgies drive me? (We'll see how much stuff I have.)

1 thing I want to do before I die-

1. Become president and I am not joking.

OK Dan and Krystal, I hope you take this as seriously as I did!

Rocktober Trip

Remember on my trip to Utah for John and Catherine's wedding a few days ago and I kept saying "that's going on the blog" when I was taking pictures? Well if I said that when I took one of you, and it's not on here, it's not because I forgot. It's because I hate you. Just kidding. It's probably because I'm a liar, here's to hoping they're all on here! Here is the crew from Jamal's B-day dinner. I think we've given up on the serious picture, we must just jump straight to silly, because this is the only one I have. I love this family. I'm sure you all knew Renee had a new job, check out that uniform!Hi Mom and Dad, thanks for dessert the other night and for letting me stay with you, it was really great to see everyone. Hi Lance, um, thanks to you too. The Blonders, hello.This is how I actually felt at the wedding. Congrats again John and Catherine, I had a great time.

Now I Can Finally Say I'm a College Graduate

I know what you're all thinking, "but Matt, didn't you graduate from college almost (counting on fingers) six months ago?" "Hasn't it been like a half of a year?" Yes, yes my hijos. That is all true, but as far as I am concerned you don't graduate until the Alumni Association sends you a mini diploma. I'm just glad I opened that letter, usually I just throw away the Alumni Association ones. Choose 2 give? Why don't you choose 2 let me into your law school? I wish I had back every one of the $2 I donated over my four years. I'm undefeated too, so there.

p.s. Just Kidding I love BYU and especially the football team, I'm so so sorry BYU I hope we can be best friends again.

Anne of Green Gables

So my Aunt Jill wants me to read this book called the Uglies (which my mother and my whole family has been pushing for a while by the way), so I was joking with my cousin Landon about girl books. I told him not to worry about me reading girl books, because even though I got sucked into Little House on the Prairie, I never read Anne of Green Gables. He then proceeds to say, "oh man, I hated that movie." Then he gives me a quote, (imagine Landon talking in a girlie Anne-accented voice) "I just felt like someone had given me the whole moon, and I didn't know what to do with it". Then he says sarcastically, "yeah, we've all felt like that before." Maybe you had to be there, but it was the funniest thing.

p.s. I'm famous now. Check it out.

You think you know a guy. . .

So I have this great friend John, I treat him great, teach him all my serving skills, he's like my brother, except Lance is not quite as tall and can't dance as well, but seriously when they were roommates I would get those two mixed up. Anyway, John and I had plans. In 2007 we were both going to get married in August and be next door neighbors, that didn't work out obviously (something about John not setting me up on enough blind dates, I forget). Fast forward to 2008, once again the plan is to live together and be next door neighbors, well he went and got married, I didn't, and I just went and rang my neighbors doorbell, not John. Is everyone else feeling as betrayed as me?
Seriously though, I think that John and Catherine make a great couple. They really compliment each other and they are both passionate about the things they like and will be able to support each other in the good times and commiserate in the not so good times. I am really happy that I got to go to their wedding, and even though I'm gonna miss the good times we had, they are on to bigger and better times, while I have to go make best friends with my neighbor.
Best of luck John and Catherine, and enjoy the (insert most expensive present here) I got for you.

I'm a pathetic law student. No. I'm pathetic AND a law student

So this post is actually gonna look like a blog cause I am just gonna tell you about my day.
We are talking about negligence in my torts class, which I really enjoy, but it is giving me cause to realize how law school is changing me. There is something in law called the reasonable person standard. This means that the court can find you negligent in some situations if you did not act as a reasonable person would have in the same situation. So, if you are driving your car and there is a big line to go into a parking garage you think you can zip in the exit real quick, but you hit someone coming the other way. Since a reasonable person probably just would have gotten in line, you could be found negligent. That is just a random example.
Anyway. Back to my story. One aspect of the reasonable person theory is that it is the same standard for everyone. If you are an adult, you are held to that standard. It does not matter if you are smart, dumb, fat, skinny, American, 18 years old or a hundred (although there is a physically disabled rule, you're not negligent for not seeing something if you are blind). One thing about this rule is it does not take into account mental disability or incapacity. This is not crim law. The professor asked us to raise our hand if we thought it was unfair that a 17 year old kid can be judged according to his own intelligence, but a 19 year old mentally disabled man has to be judged according to the reasonable person standard (this is only in the civil courts by the way). I raised my hand. But then I started thinking. My sensibilities were screaming that it was wrong and unfair but reason was starting to kick in. I had to raise my hand with only three or four other kids and admit that I thought the system was fair. I had turned into a law student. While the explanation for my line of reasoning is fairly long, suffice it to say, if we judge any adult according to their own mental capabilities it sets a slippery slope precedent till everyone gets it on their own terms. It is better to go with the rule of law and let the judge and jury find the justice. We have to trust the system. I just thought that this was a turning point in my life, I could be wrong. That story whatever you may think, however, is not why I am pathetic.

The Utes won today. I know, I know. They've done it before, even this year. Six times in fact. In a row. If that doesn't make you sick then your name must be Joey Chestnut . It gets worse however. I . . . was. . . rooting. . .(this is harder than I thought) . . . for. . .them. OOOHHH GOSH! THE AGONY! Puls and I always said that we wanted every team in the Mountain West Conference to win every game they played, except for when they played BYU, that way our conference would be seen as better and our wins would look better. Every team, that is, except for the Utes. We always wanted them to lose, and badly. We wanted their players to wish they had never heard of football or the runnin' Utes (they had to run today their pass game stunk so bad in the third quarter). But this season for BYU to have a chance at all the marbles we need a strong Ute team to be undefeated come the last game of the season, so when BYU kills them it will catapult us into the national spotlight in such a way that WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED! So I cheered for them, and I may have even referred to them as "we" but that was an accident. Even Uncle Denny was in on it. So they won, and it was against the team that beat #1 ranked USC last week. All for the good of the mountain west, and in that way good for the two years running reigning Mountain West Conference Champion, that's right your BYU Cougars!!!!!

I'm not Pathetic. You're pathetic.

Beard Update

I just thought I'd let everyone know how the beard was going as well as broadcast my Support for the Red Sox in this their most recent bid for yet another World Series Title.
Here are some quick beard facts.
1. I have been growing this beard for exactly one month tomorrow.
2. So far this beard is all-natural, no dyes or Just For Men, it's a little sandy, but legit. Yes, too legit to quit, Hammer, no one's forgotten the album that put you into a career tailspin.
3. The BYU cougs have not lost since I started growing my beard, needless to say, as the wins keep coming so will my beard. I also haven't changed my underwear since the cougs win streak started this season five weeks ago either. I believe that is just a coincidence, however, and plan to remedy it shortly.

Hooray! for Family! Parte Uno

I've been going through some of my pictures lately, organizing my compluter (that's what a guy I know in Texas calls 'em). I thought I would share a few of the family memories Lance, Renee, and I made last summer while we were visiting every member of our family. That's right, who are your favorite siblings? We went coast (Kim and Byron) to coast (Karl, Conni and the Crew) to coast (Nicky, Craig, little Nom Nom, Lis, Bri, and Ashiver). Here is a little taste of what ya'll missed out on.














Here are a couple from the first trip, John went with us and his parents let us stay in their house for part of our trip, this picture of K and B is actually from last Christmas, guess I forgot to take a picture of them. Since I am now their closest relative on Kim's side I guess I can take that liberty. Let's hear it for California.

Now for some East Coast love.

First stop, nephew city. CJ Conner and Renee, and then the whole gang except for Conner, he fell asleep on the way home.
























Here are the happy couple and Lance with a couple of the boys.





Gosh, I have so many good pictures from this trip but we can finish it with Conner and I in front of the Botanical Gardens, Karl and the mighty dill pickle, one more of CJ and Conner, and Gavin in all his glory.


































Ok, starting to have a little trouble with the pictures so maybe I'll split this into two posts.