spring fling– yeah. Our team was crushed like an aluminum can. And I don’t have time to ellaborate now (actually I do, I’m just lazy and not in the mood)

I dunno- Work. At least I get paid rain or shine. It’s really really boring. Oh well, go figure.

As I was signing yearbooks today, I realized I must sound manically depressed from my last entree(s)– and that’s not me. Oh well,

Anyway . . . We got our t-shirts for Mr. Armstrong’s class. That class is so amazing. I will miss it so much. In many respects I really discovered myself this year- and a lot of that was from that class. Pizza Party tomorrow– yAy!

Tomorrow is the last day of seminary. ::tear::
I will miss this year even though it brought so much sorrow. The happiest times of my life have come as a Junior. (naturally, being 16 and all )

I have so many apprehensions for next year. If it weren’t for A.P. Art I would just skip it. I want so badly to be at BYU– to get into BYU. I really wanted to go on “Y” weekend too, although I scored one point lower than I needed for that. What can you do though.

Speaking of AP Art, our first meeting was today. I can’t wait to get started on my portfolio. I’ll be working a still life, two self-portraits, and probably some other figure drawings (I was thinking of looking through old pictures for that and finding some good memories to capture). I’d like to explore watercolor/pen and ink washes in more depth . . . Painting II just didn’t do it for me.

Well I better get going, see everyone later,

Dan

P.S. Memory for the day:
Remember the Haunted House we went to that one year with Bro. MacFarland? Good times. I was proud of myself for staying dry- Andy didn’t think I could. If I remember correctly, the car ride was just as much fun as the house itself. Usually is . . .

I have to be happy (or pretend to be happy) for at least 10 days. The world is making it very hard on me.

With disheartening information pouring into me all week, I have managed to put on a cheerful front, with the help of good friends and memories. If only it were that easy though.

I had to park the car at the Church today so that I could get to work on time. As the bell rings after school, it was announced that all students were to remain inside the building until further notice. ‘Great,’ I’m just thinking, ‘I’m going to be late to work now, and I have to walk in the rain for 20 min. to get to my car.’

As the student body was finally released, I began the long journey, the school newspaper as my only protection from the pouring rain. Amidst the crackling lightning, I rushed to get to the Church as other cars zoom by. The irony of it all seeps in along with the cold water down the back of my spine– I’m a lifeguard. I am trying to get to the pool for work as it is pooring rain.

And that’s only the beginning of the irony. That rain was direct answer to prayer. Since I didn’t want to have to work today and since I get payed regardless of weather, I asked everyone at Seminary to pray for rain. I failed to realize what I was asking for, and I payed for it all the way to the Church.

I thought for sure that some kind, generous soul would stop to pick me up and rescue me. I am grateful to that kind soul from my English class who did pick me up, when I was more than half way there– and after my bag was soaked, my jeans drenched, my t-shirt sheer, my hair fallen, my socks soggy, and the ink from the newspaper bleeding down my hands held above me head. Ohh it was interesting. I’m so glad that I had Heather’s lucky quarter with me. Without that, I wouldn’t have been picked up at all.

At Church, I noticed Elizabeth’s car still there, so I decided I would go and find her. I didn’t find her, instead I found traffic. It was insane. I finally got to the pool at 4:10, no one was there. It was locked up, and I went home. Driving while cold and wet and depressed is hard to do. I blasted Puddle of Mudd and Trapt and Simple Plan’s “Worst Day Ever”– (I hesitate to post lyrics since they are always misinterpreted or interpreted by the wrong person anyway)

“Watch the clock,
But it’s not moving
‘Cuz every day is never ending
I need to work I’m always spending
And I feel like I’m living the worst day
over and over again . . .
I feel like
I’m living the worst day
I feel like you’re gone
And every day is the worst day ever”
(Simple Plan)

And then when I got home, mom had parked her car in the middle of the garage so that I had to park outside. So I got even more wet.

Well, I’m sure there is something good about it all. This way my faith in prayers is confirmed. And this way . . . hmmm

It’s yearbook week- which means that by the end of the week I’ll be crying and *sigh* ok I’m done.

*sigh*

I was suposed to go boating with John and Weggs, but that fell through. I just got back from taking my brother to go in my absense. (snarl– too much driving)

What a weekend. I accomplished absolutely nothing, and yet so much it seems has happened.

Work is really boring. Which reminds me, I have to go a finish my chores and then leave and go back to the pool. Maybe it won’t be as bad as it was Saturday. Grrrrrrr

I guess I shouldn’t be so negative. This morning was the annual ward memorial day breakfast. Sometimes next to Easter and Christmas I think Memorial Day must be one of the more meaningful/important holiday’s in the Church. Maybe it’s just because the Military Branch Presidencies of the Stake for the most part have lived in our ward boundries. I don’t know. It is important to honor the troops and the nation that provides such great freedom of worship.

After the breakfast, I helped do yard work for brother Johnson with Weggs- that was good.

Well my mom is calling me so I have to run, bye . . .

P.S. Don’t click on this link either (for the record, my brother started it).

Memory of the Day:
The Nauvoo Encampment . . . from blimpies to “city beautiful, city Joseph, Nauvoo” to the fudge shop to Carthage Jail . . . *sigh* good days. I remember the bus to and from Carthage probably the most, next to the actual jail visit itself. And I remember not yet having the priesthood, yet still being called up by Bro. Jackson to participate in one of his presentations to the brethren that first Sunday. And I remember following that creek and finding that little waterfall and looking for salamanders and climbing those big rocks and . . . wow Weggs that was a long time ago.

Whatever you do, don’t click on this link

Andy is in Nauvoo so he can’t make fun of my new obsessions in music . . . I made a summer CD. Since I start working tomorrow (I’m a life guard), I figure it’s summer, so I had to make a CD. It contains all the songs I plan to be addicted to all summer long (or until new ones come and replace them) . . .

In This Diary-The Ataris
The H*ll Song-Sum 41
I’d Do Anything-Simple Plan
Addicted-Simple Plan
Everything-Stereo Fuse
Blinded-Third Eye Blind
Wondering-Good Charlotte
The Anthem-Good Charlotte
The Young And Then Hopeless-Good Charlotte
Disease-Matchbox Twenty
Unwell-Matchbox Twenty
I Want To Save You-Something Corporate
Grow Up-Simple Plan
Perfect-Simple Plan
The Worse Day Ever-Simple Plan
Black Balloon-Goo Goo Dolls
Name-Goo Goo Dolls
Headstrong-Trapt
She Hates Me-Puddle Of Mudd (edited version, naturally)
Still After You-Earth To Andy


Anyway . . . it’s been a long week. but it’s now a 3 day weekend!

Except it stinks cause Andy’s out of town and Weggs is gone somewhere and John’s house is to far away and I have to work all weekend except Sunday . . . grrr

Memory for the Day:
Remember all those times a certain someone was grounded for 3 months, but I (and the rest of the ward most of the time ) were unwilling to stop doing things with him. He decided to go jogging- in fact, he got quite good at it, naturally, since he went jogging for hours on Friday and Saturday nights. And for some wierd reason I always seemed to be driving through the area on those nights, when there were parties and events at various places . . . *cough*

yAy! Prom pictures are up . . .

http://homepage.mac.com/bembree6/PhotoAlbum10.html

New Favorite Song, next to only Iris

“Addicted”
I heard you’re doing okay
But I want you to know
I’m a dick
I’m addicted to you
I can’t pretend I don’t care
When you don’t think about me
Do you think I deserve this?

I tried to make you happy but you left anyway

I’m trying to forget that
I’m addicted to you
But I want it and I need it
I’m addicted to you
Now it’s over
Can’t forget what you said
And I never wanna do this again
Heartbreaker

Since the day I met you
And after all we’ve been through
I’m still a dick
I’m addicted to you
I think you know that it’s true
I’d run a thousand miles to get you
Do you think I deserve this?

I tried to make you happy
I did all that I could
Just to keep you
But you left anyway

How long will I be waiting?
Until the end of time
I don’t know why I’m still waiting
I can’t make you mine

Heartbreaker
I’m addicted to you

-simple plan

listen to it here

Memory of the Day:
High Adventure 2001
(the password is mormon)

Prom 2003

Well . . . sorry, it took me so long to write me report on prom. It was sooooo much fun. I don’t have pictures up yet , you’ll just have to look at Andy’s (link above, password=Andy). I’m the one with the red boutonniere, and my date is heather, the pretty girl in pink.

Let’s see, where to begin. I had been bubblely and bouncy all day, but it wasn’t until a little before 5:30 that everybody (Heather, Andy and Elizabeth, and David and Andrea) got to my house for pictures. Good times, black limo to Rosemont, and then Prom.

Much of the fun was going around and seeing everybody all dressed up. More pictures, introductions, and of course more good times. Dinner was served, and then there was music. There was some good stuff– lots of variety from, “. . . I’m coming out so you better get this party started . . .” to “I’m addicted to you/I think you know that it’s true” to “And I wrote this letter in my head/Cause so many things were left unsaid . . . I’d do anything/Just to hold you in my arms . . .” to a bunch of 80′s songs. But dancing was fun. With a few quirks, like some of the other “dancers.” It wasn’t the EFY or stake dance that I’m used to .

Anyway, we got to go to post prom, which was lots of fun. We didn’t get the boat we expected, but we still got a nice one for the cruise over lake michigan. The Chicago skyline was beautiful, and so was the wind and light on the waves and the clouds and the moon that came out for a few seconds. I really enjoyed just standing on the edge of the boat in the cold wind with Heather. And the rest of the group too, of course. They played one of my favorite songs– “. . . I think about you all the time, but I don’t need the same. It’s lonely where you are, come back down, and I won’t tell ‘em you’re name” (Goo Goo Dolls).

By the time it was over we realized we had speant 11 hours together. I didn’t get to bed until 5 in the morning. (It would’ve helped had my mom not kept me up an extra half an hour talking) That makes two all nighters with Andy– my only two. The first being on the ward Missouri trip. Good memories.

Saturday I slept until 11, got up, ate breakfast, picked up my brother, returned to sleep, and woke again at 3:15. By 4:35 I was at Heather’s house to celebrate her little brother Scott’s first Communion. It was a neat experience. It’s good to remember that we worship the same Jesus Christ.

Heather’s family took me out to Maggiano’s. It was good food, and good conversation. I like Heather’s family. Her grandparents are a lot like mine, and I just love her parents. Her brother makes jokes just like Andy, and her littlest brother is cute. None compete with her, though .

With that I ran to the Wegner’s to pick up my brother; I ended up giving Megan a ride home too. And then sleep and then Sunday.

“Here in this diary, I write you visions of my summer. It was the best I ever had.
There were choruses and sing-alongs, and not a spoken feeling. I’m knowing that right now is all that matters. All the
nights we stayed up talking listening to 80’s songs and quoting lines from all those movies that we love. It still brings a
smile to my face. I guess when it comes down to it…

Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up: These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually you’ll finally get it right.

Breaking into hopes of swimming pools, and reeking havoc on our world. Hanging out at truck stops just to pass the time.
The black top’s singing me to sleep. Lighting fireworks in parking lots, illuminate the blackest nights. Cherry cokes under
this moonlight summer sky. 2015 Riverside, it’s time to say goodbye. Get on the bus, it’s time to go.

Being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up: These are the best days of our lives.
The only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually you’ll finally get it right”
-The Ataris

just wait until August, this song will make me go crazy then

Heather, the lucky quarter you gave me is awesome. Something very wonderful and very amazing happened to today.

Bad things happened. I was offended twice. Jeff Prows said somethings that really make me angry, and my English teacher wrote my father and I a weak e-mail in which I lost a lot of respect for my high school. Many other bad things happened, and yet somehow with that quarter, I was cheerful today. I had a good day. I am in a good mood. I feel fine. I was able to let go of what offended me and smile and nod knowing I’m right on the inside , while saying on the outside, “I don’t mind what you are saying,” and “I’m not going to let you make me upset.” Somehow with that quarter I was able to stash away the things that eat me up inside, feeling like I am strong. I didn’t worry, I didn’t fret. I was obsessive still, but not compulsive , and I was able to eat away at some of my narcissism.

In reality, though, it couldn’t have been the quarter. It possesses no magical charm; it is no icon touched by the robes of any ancient prophet. No, the quarter symbolizes something different.

It does possess the inscription, “In God we Trust,” which seems to whisper, “Don’t worry, just trust God that it will all work out in the end.”

It also possesses the inscription, “E pluribus unum” meaning “Out of many, one.” I am a lover of unity. This comforting reminder that we are all one as children of God helps me to respect myself and others.

Perhaps it was none of the symbolism at all. Perhaps it was my excitement for prom tomorrow. Perhaps it was the fact that it was Heather’s quarter. Perhaps it was the reminder that only I can determine how I feel, that only my attitude can stop me from being happy.

Perhaps it was my vacation. Tuesday I put on my hawaiian shirt and went on vacation. I relaxed, I simmered down. I took the much needed break.

Perhaps it was Seminary. Maybe the quarter wasn’t related at all, maybe it was just the fact that today and yesterday I discovered hidden joy in something as little as seminary. Maybe it was the spirit I felt as we learned about Spencer W. Kimball, the sweet whisper that told me that modern day revelation is real.

Perhaps I am letting things happen that I previously would have tried to stop. Is my wall protecting me even more today, or is my wall shrinking?

I think that it is neither. I think that I have a different wall today. This wall prevents things from becoming burdens, it protects me from the wear of other people. This wall doesn’t keep out sadness, it takes it in and resolves it, nutralizing it with happiness.

Whatever it is, I like it. I like the enchantment of Heather’s lucky 1998 quarter. I like what it is doing. I like the increased ability to feel the spirit, the increased ability to relax. I like the way I feel.

P.S. Yes, I know I’m a dork, you don’t have to tell me . . . sorry about the length.

Memory for the Day:
The swim meet at Frosh/Soph Invite at Nequa Valley two years ago. . . it was the most fun I’ve ever had at a swim meet . . . Fabyan, Dinero, you all know what I’m talking about.

I have been bouncing up and down on cloud nine all day. Heather let me borrow her lucky quarter this week, and let me tell you, it has been an awesome week in comparison to last week.

Yesterday was just awesome . . . finalized Prom plans. It finally worked out the way I hoped!

Today I’ve been strangely overly cheerful since seminary. I suppose that’s a good thing. I really want to listen to Blinded by Third Eye Blind; it’s been in my head all day. Definately felt like skipping since History when we watched Wizard of Oz. Lalala . . . Work starts next week . yAy, summer!!! Anyway,

It seems like there is so much making me happy but now that I am writing this there is not much to say, or perhaps not much I should say, or perhaps nothing relavant anyway. I guess with that I’ll sign off

Memory of the Day:
The car ride to the hotel at the end of the Missouri trip. That was an interesting car ride. Much sprite. Many bathroom stops. Interesting things I tell you. . . .