Well, today . . . I had to take my brother and sister to the movies (thank heavens I didn’t have to stay with them this time!!!).  It was really annoying though because they were irresponsible and we were running late, and we got behind this stupid green truck that was going really really slow.  And as it turned the huge white letters set of Haley who cried and Luce who laughed. Finch made it all better- “shut uuupppppppppppp” But anyway . . .

Then the Hernadez’s came over (family friends) and that’s always good. Before long I was off to the blood drive. Giving blood wasn’t bad a all.  Heather walked in right when they stuck me with the needle, so she and Andy kept my mind busy and I couldn’t even feel anything but the presure thing on the top of my arm. So I hung around the blood drive helping out . . . and that was pretty much my day. So interesting I know.  lol. I also made a CD.

I tried to wait until fast sunday when I normally make my CD’s, but I couldn’t wait to make my August CD . . .

Take me Away- Lifehouse
What it is to Burn- Finch
Somewhere Out There- Our Lady Peace
Spin- Lifehouse
Jaded- Mest
In this Diary- The Ataris
Takeoffs and Landings- The Ataris
A Thousand Miles- Vanessa Carlton
Life Got in the Way- Sister Hazel
You’re Gone- Something Corporate
Worse Day Ever- Simple Plan
Blinded- Third Eye Blind
Why Don’t You and I- Santana
Amazing- Josh Kelley
I’d do Anything- Simple Plan
Addicted- Simple Plans
Iris- Goo Goo Dolls
Bent- Matchbox Twenty
Fall- Something Corporate
I think God can explain- Splendor

and I tried to fit in Again I go unnoticed, but there wasn’t enough room.

Today was a day of euphorias. It all started at 6:30 in the morning as I got up and eventually hit the road to meet Heather at Walker Brothers. I stopped by an ATM first. There was no traffic. I couldn’t believe it. No traffic, no implications from construction. I just drove along to the dim ecstasy of a trafficless drive. I credit the first euphoria to Thomas. I enjoyed breakfast with Heather, whose very kind gift led to my next euphoria, this one belonging to Haley.

Heather gave me two burned CD’s. The first I listened to on the way to work. It’s feature song, “Why don’t you and I” was really all I got through in the short drive, but I enjoyed it. At the pool there was little to do past the pool maintenance, so I popped the second CD in the car. Hearing Finch’s “What it is to Burn” with that sound system blew me away into my second euphoria of the day. lol. I don’t know why I got so excited with the music, but it was definitely refreshing. Lifehouse’s “Take me Away” and “Spin” continued the high that kept me smiling through “I think God can explain” by Splendor, “Amazing” by Josh Kelley, and “Life got in the way” by Sister Hazel. Regaining my breath, I continued on with my 12 hour work day. My boss brought me mongolian house beef and broccoli- it was good, I was grateful.


Since there weren’t very many people who came, and since those who did come didn’t stay long, I had plenty of opportunity to read- which lead to my final euphoria of the day. This one I claim as my own- no little people took part. I was reading the Book of Mormon. It’s easy to remember the good vs. evil conflicts of 1st Nephi, the beauty of 3rd Nephi, and the testifying spirit of Moroni. I had forgotten, however, about the action of Mosiah (the one I read today). I mean come on, two people are vividly burned alive, a dying King builds a huge tower to talk to thousands of people, ancient ruins and records are discovered, there are lots of battles and wars, two groups of people are delivered from bondage, 24 women are kidnapped by wicked men, a new Church is organized by a prophet whose son is one of the most wicked guys until an angel strikes him unconscious (a good wake-up call to repent and have a change of heart), kings contend with kings, false prophets contend with righteous priest, a new government is formed, thousands of people are baptized- but perhaps even more people are killed, in one battle alone over 18 thousand people die, and all of this and more happens in 62 pages of text. That’s action. The plight of King Limhi’s people really touched me, and started off my third euphoria of the day. After I finished reading Mosiah, I closed my eyes and relived what I had just read. It was like I was directing a movie. I could hear the cheer of the crowd as Limhi addressed his people. I could feel the military righteous indignation in Gideon as he pursued King Noah up the tower. I saw the fear in Noah’s eyes as he beheld the Lamanite army. I could feel the icy chill of Abinidi’s words as the flames curled around the evil Noah, and I shouted in anger as his wicked priest got away. The joy of King Mosiah as Alma and Limhi’s people entered Zarahemla with Ammon filled my soul with rapture. The scriptures were alive- a history I was watching vividly as the holy scenes burned their testimony into my heart.

I read a little past Mosiah, and thought I’d share Alma 5:14:
“And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?”

And those were the euphorias I experienced today. *sigh* Now I’m just sitting here in the solitude of many voices remembering the now faded powerful emotions.

P.S. 5 bucks to whoever can tell me who liz is.

Aright, here’s my weekend report.

Saturday I got up and ran some errands. Then I was tricked into seeing Spy Kids 3D with my family. I’d rather have seen an episode of Barney. At least that’s only a half hour long.

But we went to Potbelly’s, which was fun because guess what I found out they’re opening next to Potbelly’s. Jamba Juice!!! There will be a Jamba Juice in Lincolnshire- yAy! Yet another BYU memory closer to home.

So then I went to work at Hidden Lake- the getto pool of Buffalo Grove. I got off work at 9, when I drove down the street to the Eskape where I was supposed to meet up with Todd Labrum’s surprise birthday party. They weren’t there at 9:01 when I got there, though, so I decided to walk to wendys and then to the grocery store trying to find a pay phone since my cell phone was out of batteries. Listened to some Linkin Park- “Faint” seemed to fit my weekend. Eventually we met up just after 9:45.

Laser tag was a lot of fun. I came in 4th place, (Mary was first, and my brother second). Our team, the red team, definately killed the Green team. It was all Mary’s strategy and our massive laser tag skill let me tell you. lol.

An hour later everyone went back to Todd’s house for cake and ice cream, except Mary, James, and I decided not to go since it didn’t make sense to go all the way to Libertyville so late. So we went home. Caught up with Mary on the phone for a while . . .

You know, 101.9 fm the Mix plays some really good music after 12:30 AM. I heard a new song by Sister Hazel that I liked- “I wanted you so much, just like I do right now. I wanted us to be the ones the poets write there books about . . . but life got in the way” They also played a song I hadn’t heard before called “follow through” that was pretty good. And there was Splendor’s “I think God can explain,” and they played my theme song, “Unwell.” Yeah, so eventually I got to sleep and woke up later for

Sunday– downloaded “takeoffs and landings” by the ataris. Went to Church, Church was good. Good Sacrament Meeting.

I made ham and cheese feticine (sp?) for dinner. It was good. And here I am now . . .

I’m sitting here listening to “Somewhere Out There” by Our Lady Peace, “A Thousand Miles” by Vannessa Carlton and “Again I go Unnoticed” by Dashboard Confessional wishing I wasn’t so bored sitting in my basement alone. Grrr. I’m definately mad at Heather (not really, but . . .). I finally was able to get a Friday night off work, and she’s in Michigan. *sigh* oh well.

Work this morning wasn’t too bad. The same old same old. Got a lot of my art work done today. My drawings look more like me each time. We took my brother to Walker Brothers for his birthday tonight. And now I’m just sitting here talking to no one but myself and thinking about the “voices telling me that I should get some sleep, because tomorrow might be good, or something.”

I have been staring at myself in the mirrow all morning drawing drafts for my self portrait and I think I am going to crack any min. now . . .

Well, I’ve been working like crazy, though it seems pointless. I was at the pool yesterday for 6 hours guarding. Not a soul came, not even my boss or Ed.

Yong Men’s yesterday was alright. We listened to someone tell us about blood for the blood drive next week. Then we were off to some remote place of the ward to do some yardwork for a recent widow. She had a nice house. Nice family too.

Then Andy and I (with our siblings) went over to the McDonalds on the way home. Had a good time there, though I was severely chastised for not calling and for getting home at 10:15. I lost track of time . . . Oh well.

And as for work today. After spending all morning working on my AP Art work, I got ready to head over to the pool to work. As I opened the garage door at 2:40, I discovered that there was no car in the garage. I called my mom’s cell. It started ringing next to me. I shouted for someone, anyone. My brother came up. “Where’s mom?” “Old Orchard.”

I wanted to shoot someone. After making some angry phone calls, and some embarrassing phone calls, I had my boss come pick me up to take me to work. I was 45 min. late. At least she drove her red mustang convertable. *sigh*

I was ready to give my mom an ear full.

I’ve decided I am really grateful for the scriptures. Really really really grateful. I’m grateful for the power and reverence in their words. I’m reading the Book of Mormon again. It’s such a good book, why not. And I’m excited for Seminary to start up. I just wish school didn’t start with it . . .

Oh and I finished another really good bood by Clive Cussler. It’s called Inca Gold. The action is really involving, and I found one it’s motifs particularly fascinating. He talks about diffusionism in South America- a theory that some pre-Columbian civilations were decendants of European, Africa, or Asian peoples. To quote Cussler, “decendants of the chachapoyas, many of them still fair skinned . . . speak of a godlike man who appeared among their ancestors from the eastern sea many centuries ago. He taught them building principles, the science of the stars, and the ways of religion . . . This holy man had thick white hair and a flowing beard . . . He was extremely tall, wore a long robe, and preached goodness and charity toward all. The rest of the story is too close to that of Jesus to [make sense]” Hmmm. Actually I think that would make some sense (hence my renewed enthusiasm for the Book of Mormon).

Today I started my still life all over again. This time I like it better, but it’s only pencil because while I was drawing it Spencer called. He begged, he pleaded, and finally he got me to head over to the Lincolnshire Swim Club (in 5 min. I might add) to fill in for a vacant 10 o’clock shift. When I got there, I discovered that they definately needed me. You see they fired the only compitant assistant manager they had and replaced her with Spencer. That pool is a mess and needs to be shut down for stupidity. They need major help.

We also discovered, when I got there, that the pool was reading an extremely low amount of chlorine. Being the genius I suggested that we add some chlorine, but Spencer was quick to point out that there was none left. None in storage, none in the pool. It makes for a great pool of diseases. That’s what happens when you fire the only person who orders chemicals.

Well, they took care of it, and I started guarding. I missed the swim club prior to today. I had forgotten what brats we have living in Lincolnshire- the big ones that I suppose technically are called parents. Urg. And there were so many people- I was blowing my whistle 5 times a min.

Because we only had 4 guards, and 3 had to be guarding at once, I didn’t get too many breaks. I got off at 2:50, just in time to head over to my regular shift at Old Farm Village.

When I got there, the parking lot was filled and all the spots on the street were taken. I had to park far away, which made me slightly aggitated. I almost just went home. The first words I heard walking in the gate are, “Dan we have some problems.” I thought I was going to flip.

Apparently my boss fired the pool manager. It’s about time. He’s always caught sleeping on the job- which is probably exactly what he was doing last Sunday when two injuries occured that weren’t documented- heck, they weren’t treated. He sat there in the chair doing nothing.

So . . . I took his place, and his hours . . . just what I needed, more hours. I feel swamped. grrr- and they aren’t giving me a raise because they already gave me one a few days ago. (I know I know, poor me )

Anyway, I started guarding. It was rather uneventful, if you exclude my boss spending just short of 3 hours at the pool with me, the little girl who went to the bathroom on the pool deck (guess who cleaned that up), the little boy who threw a tantrum, the little . . . I’m done. just done. Fun day let me tell you.

20 Books that Changed America . . . I can’t help but agree. check it out. I think I share Richard Craycroft’s enthusiasm.

I’ve decided a smile can get you anywhere in life. Even if you feel like crap and the world is falling down, a smile and the right words to the right people at the right times could get you, say, a raise for example . People like people who smile . . .

I’ve been writting something at work . . .

At work I’ve been coming across this cult more and more as summer progresses. The cult is world wide, but it has caught our nation really bad, especially this month.

I came across the cult and its bizarre practices at the pool. These cult members worship the sun. The most common form of worship takes place everyday. Members come to the pool (which must act as a temple or shrine of sorts) and consecrate oil by shaking it and then rubbing it between their hands. Often the oil is scented like tropical fruits and flowers; this is probably because the sun likes the tropics better. Once consecrated, members annoint themselves in the oil, which represents the protection they recieve. The more they put on, the more protection they are expecting from the sun.

Once they are glistening with oil, the cult members dedicate a portion of the pool deck to their worship. They lay out brightly colored rugs on long pew-like chairs, I think it’s interesting to watch them as they then look up at the sky, as if to look for a confirmation of their dedication to the sun-god. Worshippers most often take the time to point their chairs directly towards the sun.

Finally purified with annointed oil and sacred rugs, cult members humble themselves before God by removing most of their clothes. They leave only the legal essentials. Shorts are rolled up and down at once, straps are pushed off their shoulders, and hair is tied back in the plainest of all fashions.

Sufficiently purified, dedicated, and humbled, cult members are ready for worship, which can take anywhere from 20 min. to several hours. Sun worshipers lie out, opening their souls to the sun. Most of the positions they adapt are uncomfortable, helping them focus on sacrifice and dedication to the light.

Often dedicated cult members perform a ritual similar to baptism. After laying awkwardly in the hot sun for an hour or two, they will dip themselves in the cold pool, washing away their worries.

Sun worshippers in general are a very focused people. It is not uncommon to see them meditating on their colored rugs, or reading what must be some form of scripture (an example would be the cosmopolitan).

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the sun-cult is the way it attracts new members. After worshipping, the sun-god marks his followers according to their dedication. The marks range from a few freckles to the dedicated mark of dark, tan skin. The various marks have even spread the members into a sort of hierarchy, the lighter ones admiring the darker ones.

While the cult seems most popular amongst somewhat overweight 40 year old women, it also attracts a younger crowd of teenagers. Authorities worry about the teenage influence of these occult practices. One such authority said, “It just isn’t healthy. Kid’s shouldn’t spend so much time [dedicated to] the sun . . .”

So today I’ve been listening to Jaded by Mest, and to Amazing by Josh Kelley, and to Take Me Away by Lifehouse, and I’ve come across a new song that I really like. It’s Santana’s “Why don’t you and I” with Alex of the Calling.

I hesitate to say this because I know Heather will yell at me and Andy will ridicule me, but portions of that song are very LDS. No really, hear me out. This is the chorus of that song:

“So I’ll say ‘why don’t you and I get together and take on the world and be together forever. Heads we will and tails we’ll try again’
So I say ‘why don’t you and I hold each other and fly to the moon and straight on to heaven, Cause without you they’re never going to let me in’ . . .”

That would be Celestial Marriage in a nut shell. It’s D&C section 131 with parts of 132 in song form. Compare the chorus of that song with these very distinctly LDS words:

“Families can help bring us the best that life has to offer. Within the family we can also feel the deepest heartache. Families are meant to be together forever and are meant to bring us joy. “

(ie. you and I can get together start a forever family and take on the world together. families)

“Marriage . . . can last through eternity”
(ie. you and I can get together and be together forever. eternal marriage)

“therefore shall a man . . . cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.”
(ie. you and I can hold eachother . . . Moses 3:24)

“and they [a man and wife eternally sealed] shall pass by the angels, and the gods” “and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths”
(ie. why don’t you and I get together, pass by the comsos- like the moon- and inherit the full glory of heaven. D&C 132:19)

“And if he doesn’t [enter the new and everlasting covenant of marriage] he cannot obtain [the highest degree of Heaven]“
(ie. without you Heaven’s never going to let me in. D&C 131:3)

And at the end of the song Alex sings, “And slowly I begin to realize this is never gonna end”

And on www.mormon.org we read, “Your marriage and family do not need to end . . .”

I rest my case, it’s a Mormon song.

I worked 12 hours yet again today. I’m getting real sick of the pool. The board was obnoxious yet again and I dropped a rubber plug down the wrong tube and spent forever trying to get it out (it was a miracle that I was able to). There was always someone in the pool from 11:00 to 9:00, and I thought I was going to shoot myself- would have if I hadn’t met a really cool lady at the end who told me to keep up my standards . . .

She was a Catholic who would make a good Mormon who told me that I would make a good Catholic. She bore her testimony of geneology and the joys found in her ancestry to me, and I bore my testimony of Jesus Christ and the joys of living his Gospel to her. We impressed each other. I thought it was interesting that she said she researched the names of her ancestors in the Salt Lake Geneology Library and in our local Stake Center so that she could pray for them (because, as she reminded me, they are living too). Sure strengthened my testimony of Isaiah’s prophesy that the hearts of the children would turn to their fathers and the hearts of the fathers would turn to their children. Any way, she commended the Church’s work on behalf of the dead, wishing others put more emphasis on it. We had a good conversation that ranged from humanitarian aid to even the 3 missions of the church. And to think it all started just by her asking me where I wanted to go to school after Stevenson . . .