Checking In

You'd think with the number of times I've resolved or declared my intent to write more that I would actually, you know, write more.  You'd be wrong.  I wish I could cast blame on someone other than myself - my roommates, friends, and whoever I end up hanging out with all the time - but you and I would know that is dishonest.  One of the good things with summer ending soon, besides the return of college football, is that I hope to have fewer distractions at hand, fewer opportunities to do things other than writing.  I really do wish I had more down time, more time to occupy with solitary activities like reading and writing.  I'll hold off on making any bold declarations of renewed intent to write.  For once, I'll try and let my actions do the talking (or writing).

In other news:  college football is weeks away from opening day.  Fall camps are in progress across the country, and I am incredibly excited.  I purchased my sports pass this week and cannot wait, though I must wait until September 19th, for BYU's first home game.  There is nothing like returning to Lavell Edwards Stadium for the first home game of the season.  The atmosphere is incredible.  I have some pretty high hopes for this football team.  I think they're gonna be pretty good.  The Oklahoma game is going to be tough, but I am not writing off the team's chances.  Anything can happen in college football.  Anything.

My pretentious reading quest is sputtering along.  I actually started reading a book that didn't win the Pulitzer, though it was a finalist - that's how I justify my actions.  I'm reading A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, who also wrote the film Away We Go and co-wrote the film adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are.  It's a piece of creative nonfiction about Eggers' experience losing both parents to cancer within five weeks when he was in his early twenties and becoming the legal guardian of his younger brother.  From the little bit that I have read, I think I am really going to love this book.  I'll get back to my pretentious quest soon enough.

The best film playing in theaters right now is 500 Days of Summer.  I have seen it twice now, and I've written about it in a couple posts at my other blog.  I recommend you see it if you have the chance.  For those of you in Provo, it's currently playing at the Towne Center and University Mall cinemas.  Support quality cinema.

Fall is nearly here.  That means new people will be moving into my apartment complex.  I'm always optimistic at the beginning of a new school year, though I'm no longer a student, that I will be lucky enough to meet someone who will reciprocate interest and that a healthy, long term relationship will result from it.  I don't know though.  I'm getting older and the girls going to BYU keep getting younger.  There will be girls here born in the 90's.  Is that not insane?  You never know how things are going to turn out so I'm going to continue to hope that things will turn out well.

We got a new bishopric today.  I'm going to miss Bishop Oyler and Brother Larsen.  It was a privilege to serve more closely with them the past few months, and I am grateful to have had them as examples in my life.  I know the new bishop, Bishop Lott, is going to do a great job.  I was impressed with his determination to hit the ground running, and I can tell he is going to be a great example of service.  I'm looking forward to serving with and getting to know the new bishopric of our ward.  The Church is pretty remarkable in how it never misses a beat amidst leadership changes, and that is one of the greatest proofs, in my mind, that it is not the work of men.  Not only are all positions filled by regular members of the Church, sacrificing their time and talents to the work, but the transfer of leadership is quick and painless as everything continues onward.

Thus concludes my little update.