tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78018928193406660012024-03-13T19:50:42.929-07:00a blog about nothing.Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-3807305702616920712010-10-11T16:56:00.000-07:002010-10-11T16:56:07.365-07:00Life Goals!!!I sat in my front room thinking, looking out the window, past the balcony and into the mountains, and I started getting sentimental... thinking of home and my family and some of the dreams I have. Sounds cheesy I know, but it happened, and here is the result ~ a new and improved list of my life goals. I'm thinking of doing like my friend <a href="http://cestlasara.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> and posting the list on my sidebar, right under "Quotes from my Mom." And when I accomplish them, they'll go on the bottom of the list with a little checkmark by them. Let it be known that every single item on this list will someday be accomplished, and this is in nowise complete! I'll add to it as I remember/think of new ones<div><br />
</div><div>The bolded ones are goals I've had that I've already accomplished.<br />
<br />
Speak fluent German<br />
Read the Old Testament<br />
Read the Old Testament in Hebrew<br />
Visit Sedlec Ossuary in Prague<br />
Go to Mecca and walk around the Ka'ba<br />
Visit the Gates of Paradise in Florence.<br />
Visit the Vatican<br />
Visit the Garden of Gethsemene<br />
Visit to Machu Picchu<br />
Go sky diving<br />
Become scuba certified<br />
<b>Visit Dracula's Castle in Transylvania</b><br />
Actively invest in real estate<br />
Run a full marathon<br />
Compete in an Iron Man competition<br />
Face my worst fear<br />
Go cliff diving<br />
Go on a gondola ride in Venice<br />
Base jump<br />
<b>Learn to rock climb</b><br />
Camp in a snow cave<br />
<b>Make my own sushi</b><br />
<b>Sing in General Conference</b><br />
<b>Go surfing</b><br />
Drive a race car on a real track<br />
Jump a motorcycle<br />
Learn to hip hop<br />
Build a five-foot sand castle<br />
Own a corgi<br />
Run a horse in an open field<br />
Sell a sculpture<br />
Bowl a 200<br />
Sail on a boat<br />
Go paragliding<br />
Swim with a dolphin<br />
Save someone's life<br />
See a tornado<br />
Defend someone's honor<br />
<b>Live somewhere foreign</b><br />
Have a book published<br />
Learn to play the violin<br />
Learn to play the piano</div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-72632286461562384012010-07-25T23:07:00.000-07:002010-07-25T23:07:16.758-07:00Dear Charlotte Church<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TE0g7eYCPfI/AAAAAAAAAWU/miFMuVT-3nM/s1600/Charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TE0g7eYCPfI/AAAAAAAAAWU/miFMuVT-3nM/s320/Charlotte.jpg" /></a>Here's a letter I wrote to Charlotte Church when I was 16, in 10th grade:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dear Charlotte Church,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wow. How convenient that I found your address. The Internet is seriously amazing these days. All I had to do was search you on Yahoo, hack a couple secure pages, and wham! ...Now you're getting this letter. The next challenge is making it persuasive enough that you'll actually read it and respond.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, I'm in a pickle (pick hold?). I'm currently needing a date to homecoming, and you're currently 10,000 miles away. Do you see the problem? Let me begin with the official asking: Charlotte... I would be honored if you would be my homecoming date! Will you go with me?There.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You do not need to worry about this date at all. First, I wouldn't showcase you by making you sing. Other people might get excited about that, but I'll tell them you're here for the dance, not to entertain. Any singing would take place as a personal serenade in our limo or when we go for that romantic walk near the gezebo. Second, I would try to not introduce you as my official girlfriend. Instead, I would just tell people that "we're working on it" or "her fame keeps us apart." Third, I insist that our colors be orange and teal because I already have a vest in those colors. You will want to find a dress that matches (not skimpy). Fourth, absolutely no dancing with other guys. You're obviously going to be the hit of the night, so let's not make it complex. You're with me, and the rest of them can be satisfied with what they asked! Lastly, the goodnight kiss would not need to be longer than 10 seconds. I understand if your body guards need to be present, but please, tell them beforehand to not watch. I might get shy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay, I anxiously await your reply. You have two months in which to prepare for the greatest dance-experience of your life. If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to call me on my home telephone number. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Dallen</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(contact info)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(That little brat never got back to me!!!) </div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-62453656586650518762010-07-23T23:45:00.000-07:002010-07-23T23:54:31.363-07:00Late Books and Library FeesI guess I've always had a mischievous side. I've never been rebellious or what some would call "bad"--I have too much natural remorse for that (and I like to think I have too much moral direction, too). But mischievous is a good label.<br />
<br />
My mom and I have always had too much in common in that way. Now <i>she's</i> mischievous! Just take one car ride with her and listen to her ideas and schemes and you'll know what I'm talking about. Listening to stories of her when she was my age: HA...we would have been best friends! As a elementary school teacher, my mom would often come home and complain about the stupid things her students would do, but I could do the exact same thing and she'd think it was funny. It was because she trusted me, and she knew I had a lot of energy and ideas (not to be used for evil). ...Like the time my friend and I went to Vegas instead of a sleepover because we wanted some cheap crab legs. My mom laughed after she heard about it (I told her about it myself) because she knew I wasn't trying to prove or get-away with anything! "Just never tell me before you do these things." ...Or like the time I tried to sell the house while she was working late at parent-teacher conferences. (I figured it would be good money. And I can split responsibility with Zack Morris. It was half his idea!!!). "It was a good idea, I'll give you that!" she said. "What were you gonna <a href="http://autos.yahoo.com/2010_ford_shelby_gt500/">do with the money</a>?" She still trusted me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEmRgSZnm2I/AAAAAAAAAWE/mfHwYJ2_TFY/s1600/sold-sign-home-for-sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEmRgSZnm2I/AAAAAAAAAWE/mfHwYJ2_TFY/s320/sold-sign-home-for-sale.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It's good to have familial trust. ...But I will never, ever have the library's trust. The library and I have what marriage therapists would call a dysfunctional relationship, filled with neglect, hostility, and stonewalling--a veritable disaster to any type of relationship.<br />
<br />
It's even more like a marriage in that I know what I'm getting myself into. When I swipe that card, I'm making a vow: "I, Dallen Johnson, take you, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, for my lawful library checkout, to have and to hold, for the next three weeks, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until three weeks do us part."<br />
<br />
I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWrnOKSvnXgZVsSSDWnD2oyMsgQvWgS4lxRof4BziefMbPdg4_9y3cClDbghLKr1c0ed94NideJl-InRxZKoEPITwuhtz8nL5Y3Jfww7yERjnqyRQkvB9kE-NLShZsWpEfMM8P_qWdnco/s400/charlie-brown-sigh.jpg">fail</a> in my vows every time. I never hold the book. I never experience the better/worse crap (what the characters go through, I suppose), and three weeks inevitably turns into three months. The library is so giving and I am so taking. This is clearly neglect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEqK-A3QBXI/AAAAAAAAAWM/V-aKrlUmhxY/s1600/charlie+brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEqK-A3QBXI/AAAAAAAAAWM/V-aKrlUmhxY/s320/charlie+brown.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Charlie Brown fails at a lot of things too)</div><br />
Because of my neglect, I ensure myself<i> </i>the late fine. It's not the library's fault. It's mine. I've realized that my library card has become more like a <i>credit</i> card. I scan it, take my "merchandise," and secure to myself at least a dollar or two of debt later (for each book).That's where the hostility comes in. I get sad and upset because of the imposed fine that I am now responsible for--that was really all my fault.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEmAqY9iE_I/AAAAAAAAAV8/Quxd3kY3t18/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TEmAqY9iE_I/AAAAAAAAAV8/Quxd3kY3t18/s320/2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This fee is now up to about $2.50 I think)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">And now I'm stonewalling. I'm not going to read their stupid books anyways, so why go there? Why even think about it? ...I'll read books my mom suggests and gives me. I always keep my vows to those.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well I don't know where to go from here. ...I just decided to write about it because I took back late yet another book. Actually <a href="http://cestlasara.blogspot.com/">Sara</a> took it back for me because I was too lazy. And no I'm not going to tell you <a href="http://a0.vox.com/6a00c22521fa5e8fdb00fae8bb4b80000b-500pi">what book it was</a> either. I'm embarrassed.</div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-21551706534564443072010-07-15T19:22:00.000-07:002010-07-17T09:05:31.162-07:00Never Have I Been More ConvincedAm I impressionable? ...A lot more than I realized! It all started with an Old Spice Commercial.<br />
<br />
I guess that's where it ended, too. Old Spice commercials. Usually the only commercials that influence me (in ANY way) are those made by Applebees and Tucanos, and I'm only susceptible to them when I'm hungry. Or when I'm eating something repulsive (again) (I hate you cheap chimichangas!). Once during a Tucanos commercial my mouth started watering so much that I almost drooled. Sickening. ...Besides those, commercials usually just become background noise, or else they get muted by my roommate Dave. He and I then commence to have two-minute, awkward half-conversations which end as soon as the commercials are over.<br />
<br />
Well <b>never </b>have I been more influenced to buy a product than now. Entertaining? Yes... and boy do I wanna be an Old Spice man! <br />
<br />
<object height="351" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uLTIowBF0kE&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uLTIowBF0kE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="351"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
After seeing this commercial, I actually scoffed a little at my spray-on <a href="http://newsbusters.org/static/2008/07/Right%20Guard.jpg">Right Guard</a> (Right Guarde?) and recalled the time when, right after applying it, a girl told me I smelled like bug spray. Forever influential. I think of it every time I put on deodorant (but, yes, I thank you for your honesty!!!). I think her comment, combined with of the confidence and style of the Old Spice man (a true man's man!) is enough to get me to switch. I wanna swan dive through the air onto a hot-tub motorcycle, and I know how I'm gonna do it: Old Spice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="351" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gNafOWbjpm0&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gNafOWbjpm0&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="351"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I was so easily influenced. My laughs were long and loud. Corporate America, you finally got me. I didn't realize it until I was planning exactly where and when I could <i>buy</i> my new magic formula and become an Old Spice man, not Bug Spray man. Here is one more commercial for your entertainment!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><object height="351" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PoI2-zZfO3Y&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PoI2-zZfO3Y&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="351"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">(and I'm still whistling the theme song)</div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-57332007493992251442010-07-09T03:10:00.000-07:002010-07-16T07:15:34.225-07:00Wipeout Application: SUBMITTED!<div style="border: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDb0zrAMdYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/sDapqk_Q5rs/s1600/Pilot+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDb0zrAMdYI/AAAAAAAAAVE/sDapqk_Q5rs/s320/Pilot+1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dear Casting Director: </span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hi, I'm the Red Baron, also known as "Dallen Danger" to my friends, and I'm the greatest and best looking "Ace" that has ever lived. I'm a commercial pilot ready to shoot down the other 23 Wipeout contestants. I'm not afraid of showing myself to the enemy. Let them see me, and let them be afraid!!! That's why I go red. Red for love, red for blood, and red like the big balls. </span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDbzHemd09I/AAAAAAAAAU0/Blmi1uyHJxo/s1600/Pilot+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDbzHemd09I/AAAAAAAAAU0/Blmi1uyHJxo/s320/Pilot+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm typically the first to dive in. I'm typically the first to pull through, and I'm usually the only one to get out alive. That's why Wipeout is perfect. Bring on the hits. I'm used to them, but I've got a few sucker punches of my own. The $50,000 is more than in reach, and I'm going to fly through </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">the course, if you know what i mean. Go Red or Go Home!</span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sincerely,</span></div><div style="border: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dallen Danger</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(I was going for cocky and ridiculous!)</span></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-26306206900079005122010-07-07T15:46:00.000-07:002010-07-07T20:05:40.666-07:00Dear Dallen...<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LI7qhV36FQ0&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LI7qhV36FQ0&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's alright! Have a good time! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cause it's alright!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whoooooa, it's alright! </span></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-75209878290273388142010-07-06T03:34:00.000-07:002010-07-06T08:14:42.367-07:00Jacob Keele: Modern Man or Mammoth Myth?<a href="http://islampoetry.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/superman-flying.jpg">Superman</a> was my first hero. Then I realized my grandpa was WAY better than Superman. Then I realized my mom was WAY better than Grandpa. Haha. just kidding. Both are champions! And that is why my family is ranked number one in my book.<br />
<br />
But today is not about Superman or Grandpa or Mom or any other well-known super-heroes. Today's blog is about Jacob Keele--the man, the legend. A hero!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL5o0t7bRI/AAAAAAAAAUU/N7Q2XxZJk0g/s1600/Jacob+Awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL5o0t7bRI/AAAAAAAAAUU/N7Q2XxZJk0g/s400/Jacob+Awesome.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
From ordinary beginnings grew a boy. Now Jacob, 19-years-old, is about to leave on a two-year volunteer mission in Peru for <a href="http://www.mormon.org/">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a>. I'm almost eight years older than this remarkable young fellow, but, truly: I've come to regard him as one of my <a href="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0grfsFfJN1qazljzo1_250.jpg">best friends</a>. <br />
<br />
Want a better feel for Jacob? Watch this video. <br />
<object height="364" width="445"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKWQ9Q-p0Ro&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jKWQ9Q-p0Ro&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br />
(This was for a competition. Jacob WON... $2,000 bucks!)<br />
<br />
Jacob's good with people. He's <a href="http://jacobkeelesblog.blogspot.com/">good with art</a>. He's good with basically whatever he decides he wants to be good at! Like film. Did you <em>see</em> that <a href="http://www.familyharvestchurch.info/myspace/pastorrobbthompson_files/01-large-cash-money.gif">$2,000</a> work of art he made above. What's great is how willing he is to serve. Now <em>he's</em> the type of do-gooder this world needs. <br />
<br />
For those who don't know what a mission is, Jacob is going to represent his church by teaching the principles he believes and serving the people however he can. His schedule is beyond full-time. From 6:30 in the morning until 10:30 at night, he will do nothing but missionary work. And no one sponsors him during his two years. He pays for the plane, where he lives, what he eats, and every other thing that he needs for the entire time. He's spent the last couple years saving so he could afford to go. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDMEeT_kwTI/AAAAAAAAAUk/27pBkUJWAkA/s1600/Jacob+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDMEeT_kwTI/AAAAAAAAAUk/27pBkUJWAkA/s400/Jacob+Temple.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<strong>People of Peru</strong>: listen to his message! <br />
<strong>People he knows</strong>: write to him! <br />
<strong>Girls</strong>: He won't be gone long, Don't waste your time on anybody else....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL5YNPEjXI/AAAAAAAAAUM/L3HafcKOtaw/s1600/Jacob+Girls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rw="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL5YNPEjXI/AAAAAAAAAUM/L3HafcKOtaw/s400/Jacob+Girls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">(Although there may be some heavy competition. Check it out!)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Jacob</strong>. Peace out for two years, bro. Thanks for being a true friend. Don't die, because I wanna have more river-rafting, movie-making, fake-punching, boy-banding, batman quoting, <a href="http://troll2nilblog.blogspot.com/">Troll 2</a>-watching adventures, k? See ya suckaaaa!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL8ZaIwO8I/AAAAAAAAAUc/Jjd_FiFOuF0/s1600/Jacob+Keele+awesome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TDL8ZaIwO8I/AAAAAAAAAUc/Jjd_FiFOuF0/s400/Jacob+Keele+awesome.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-30850605570903870912010-07-02T08:01:00.000-07:002011-06-04T07:37:46.970-07:00If You Want To View Paradise, Simply Look Around and View It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3s8VRQ7KI/AAAAAAAAATM/S0vnYlk5nOk/s1600/wonka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3s8VRQ7KI/AAAAAAAAATM/S0vnYlk5nOk/s320/wonka.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Willy Wonka holds so many life lessons worth living. I mean the <i>old</i> Willy Wonka! One of the reasons I didn't like the new Wonka is that a lot of the cool lessons were <i>lost</i>. It was just more about being weird and entertaining. ...I'm really of daddish that way, though. I love shows and books that make you think. That <i>change</i> you. I can totally see myself pausing movies like Willy Wonka and preaching to my kids. "Now what is something you think Mike TV should have done better? How are <i>we</i> like Mike TV?" ..."Dad! FREAK! Stop pausing the movie!"<br />
<div><div><br />
</div><div>Well ever since my <a href="http://dallendanger.blogspot.com/2010/06/wanna-change-world-theres-nothing-to-it.html">blog post</a> a few days ago... the one with the Wonka song in it... I've had that song stuck in my head. And I've been known to suddenly start singing, "If you want to viiiiiewwww paradiiiiise simply look arooouund and view iiiiiit!" Usually in the shower. Or to myself. But mostly in my head!</div><div><br />
</div><div>And while I was working at 4 this morning, there it was again. And I started pondering how true those words are! I realized just how good I have it. In spite of it all, I can honestly say that I <b>thoroughly</b> enjoy my life.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">:: My Personal Paradise ::</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>1. Church</b><br />
I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Been a member my whole life! And I listed this as my first one because religion, doctrine, principles, covenants, and etc etc etc help me to find understanding, direction, hope, and peace in this life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC34-87IDHI/AAAAAAAAATU/V5q3HVDlldI/s1600/SLTem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC34-87IDHI/AAAAAAAAATU/V5q3HVDlldI/s200/SLTem.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(The Salt Lake Temple)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC35LVHxt0I/AAAAAAAAATc/3ehAyfshayc/s1600/morman_missionaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC35LVHxt0I/AAAAAAAAATc/3ehAyfshayc/s320/morman_missionaries.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Missionaries. I was one of them once)</div><br />
</div><div><b>2. Family.</b><br />
Okay... my mom's hilarious and one of my best friends. Just so you guys can get an occasional taste of our daily interactions, I've made a "Favorite Quotes from my MOM" section over there on the right. Oh, so funny. Mom, you're the greatest! And just to spare you the embarrassment, I won't post your picture. You're welcome.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b>3. Friends</b><br />
The best friends money can buy! ...er... wait.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC37JWQwn6I/AAAAAAAAATk/pvfs299ZnTM/s1600/Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC37JWQwn6I/AAAAAAAAATk/pvfs299ZnTM/s320/Friends.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(We hang out anywhere, even in strangers' trucks)</div></div><div><br />
</div><div>4. <b>The career I've always dreamed about!</b><br />
I've wanted to be a pilot since I was 3 years old. I started flying when I was 14. ...and I haven't crashed yet!</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC37j8vktII/AAAAAAAAATs/Ww5rpD9vBFc/s1600/Airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC37j8vktII/AAAAAAAAATs/Ww5rpD9vBFc/s320/Airplane.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Preflighting the Katana, Summer 2009)</div><br />
</div><div><b>5. A future filled with hope.</b></div><div><b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3-yueWxqI/AAAAAAAAAUE/zZ8f_OuEdbc/s1600/Arms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3-yueWxqI/AAAAAAAAAUE/zZ8f_OuEdbc/s320/Arms.jpg" /></a></div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>6. A past filled with trials.</b></div><div><b><br />
</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC39c3B3v0I/AAAAAAAAAT8/eb7ksSShIlc/s1600/Depression.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC39c3B3v0I/AAAAAAAAAT8/eb7ksSShIlc/s320/Depression.jpg" /></a></div><b><br />
</b></div><div><b>7. A present filled with stability and cleanliness.</b></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3834zLDFI/AAAAAAAAAT0/dGL2UrtSxXc/s1600/mrcleanpicforremix3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TC3834zLDFI/AAAAAAAAAT0/dGL2UrtSxXc/s320/mrcleanpicforremix3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This isn't quite what I meant, but... oh well)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div>Now I'm not naive. Things can be really hard. Things can be downright miserable. But what I'm saying is that if you really sit back and think about it, and kinda look deep inside... maybe to the more innocent part of yourself... you'll realize that you can still manage to see the paradise. If you're having trouble with that... write me and we'll talk about it a little further! :)</div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-55124397852982239882010-06-30T03:46:00.000-07:002010-06-30T03:50:17.837-07:00I Basically Just Wanted Another Award<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've only followed <a href="http://theblogocheese.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-rules-for-following-blogs-and.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheBlogOCheese+%28The+Blog+O%27+Cheese%29">Blog O' Cheese</a> for a few days, but for some reason I feel like I can relate to that guy. Especially his last post about commenting and following. True 'dat Cheese Man. You hit the nail on the head for me too. I haven't been blogging long, but I already feel outnumbered by women in this blogging community! ...it's like being a male nurse!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCsfz0Jj8EI/AAAAAAAAAS0/3XbxkLCMe9w/s1600/meetparents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCsfz0Jj8EI/AAAAAAAAAS0/3XbxkLCMe9w/s320/meetparents.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Just like Ben Stiller)</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But really, this post is about accepting his award, simply because I don't think Blog O' Cheese expects anybody to do it. And I guess I like to claim that I'm all about paradigm breaking--or maybe just doing things for the sake of reaction. So yes... Cheese... I accept your <strong><span style="font-size: large;">free</span></strong> "The Taking Names and Kicking Butt Award." I found an appropriate picture, too. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCsd0woxZpI/AAAAAAAAASs/hf2gXm0Otrk/s1600/KickButt.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCsd0woxZpI/AAAAAAAAASs/hf2gXm0Otrk/s200/KickButt.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(I'm cool because I added the words myself)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So sweet man! Thanks! And by the way, I'm giving you back your own award! The only expectation I'm giving you is that you'll accept it without doing anything!</div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-67987794529938900352010-06-28T15:11:00.000-07:002010-06-28T16:03:37.606-07:00So, umm, sorry! This is for a date!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have determined that people will do just about </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">any</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">thing for you if you let them know they're helping your date. It's simple enough: all the two of you have to do is look a little embarrassed and say, "So, umm, sorry! This is for a date...," then you continue on to make your unusual, <a href="http://ke2yk.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/dodo_bird.jpg">absurd</a>, and creepy demands. Whatever you ask of them now seems doable. Acceptable. Automatically attached to any request is an element of fun and adventure.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkLqSYmVKI/AAAAAAAAARk/Y-goZ_FKhEg/s1600/250px-Shrug+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkLqSYmVKI/AAAAAAAAARk/Y-goZ_FKhEg/s320/250px-Shrug+(1).jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Times this phrase would come in handy:</span><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>1. When you need food!</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b></b> "So, umm, sorry... We're on a date, and we need two bowls of ice cream. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Could you by chance spare some?"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkNiIKgBpI/AAAAAAAAARs/vylU6cmaUmY/s1600/Ice_Cream_Sundae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkNiIKgBpI/AAAAAAAAARs/vylU6cmaUmY/s320/Ice_Cream_Sundae.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Why sure! You two dears look so cute together. Is this like a scavenger hunt?)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2. When you break something!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> "...So, umm, sorry... We're on a date, and we just broke </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">one of your lawn chairs."</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkOqJn7R8I/AAAAAAAAAR0/vQ-ogivk50I/s1600/broken+chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkOqJn7R8I/AAAAAAAAAR0/vQ-ogivk50I/s320/broken+chair.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Oh, nobody ever sat on that old thing anyways! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Your adorable date wasn't hurt was she?)</span></div><br />
<b>3. To invade boundaries.</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"...So, umm, sorry. We're on a date, and we saw a trampoline in your back yard...</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkSrDjAuLI/AAAAAAAAAR8/QgvsKtUIeS4/s1600/bia-on-trampoline-5-03-with-large-group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkSrDjAuLI/AAAAAAAAAR8/QgvsKtUIeS4/s320/bia-on-trampoline-5-03-with-large-group.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Hey! Grandpa would like to join you if that's okay.)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. To get away with something</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So, umm, sorry Officers. We're on a date, but we'll take off if you want us to!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkTgGYjEfI/AAAAAAAAASE/GYozCNtE3HI/s1600/police-officers-on-Park-S-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkTgGYjEfI/AAAAAAAAASE/GYozCNtE3HI/s400/police-officers-on-Park-S-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(Oh you little raggamuffins! What fun you must be having. Ah, the joy of youth!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">DOWN, KILLER! RELEASE!!!)</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">One of my own stories: A few years ago, my date and I decided we really wanted ice cream, but, bless her dear little heart... she felt bad that I'd have to spend money. So I had an idea, and it would work perfectly since we were right in the middle of an apartment complex! We went to the first door, knocked, and I said, "So, umm... we're on this date... do you happen to have an egg?" The person looked a little confused at first, but immediately perked up, and with a "just one moment!" went and got us an egg! "There you are..." Next door: Knock Knock. "So, umm... we're on this date... would you be willing to buy this egg from us for 25 cents?" ..."Oh... umm... yeah! Sure." Ca-CHING! So easy! ...We went door-to-door for about 10 minutes asking for eggs and selling them, and pretty soon we had about five bucks for ice cream! Next stop: The Malt Shoppe! Yeahya!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'm actually thinking of basing an entire date based around this idea. Beforehand, the other guys and I would get together and come up with a list of challenges (which, knowing my friends, might be pretty embarrassing). Then we'd give our dates a chance to help out with (or <a href="http://news-political.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/reject.jpg">reject</a>) ideas. Man... I'm kind of getting excited about this. If I ever do it, I'll be sure to report to you.</span><br />
<br />
...PS: One note. I have a strict honesty policy! If you're ever going to use this little technique, you dang well better be on a date! </div><div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkVQbtrMfI/AAAAAAAAASM/CTVCG2ZrMJQ/s1600/scolding1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCkVQbtrMfI/AAAAAAAAASM/CTVCG2ZrMJQ/s320/scolding1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div></div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-23377585123188511162010-06-26T05:43:00.000-07:002010-06-26T05:43:53.942-07:00Wanna Change The World? There's Nothing To It!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I saw this commercial on TV, and I felt <i>inspired!</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div><object height="360" width="580"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CEcvi9hzWXs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CEcvi9hzWXs&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">What do you really want from life? What do you expect from the world? Go ahead, sit back, and think about it! Write down whatever comes to mind. Then write down how you can be the change you wanna see.</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you want:</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Greater Happiness? <b>Then Do What's Right!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More Love? <b>Then</b> <b>Go Serve!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More Respect? <b>Give it!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">More Forgiveness? <b>Ask for it!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Better Leaders? <b>Be one!</b></span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">A Better Society? </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Be</b></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> <b>the change</b> you want to see in the world. -Mahatma Gandhi</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCX1uSK-s8I/AAAAAAAAARU/jdK8fuCVdfo/s1600/gandhi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCX1uSK-s8I/AAAAAAAAARU/jdK8fuCVdfo/s320/gandhi.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">OH</span>... and go listen to that song again! Doesn't it just make things seem so simple? :)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-3594594947613538902010-06-25T05:16:00.000-07:002010-06-25T06:43:10.753-07:00Wipeout Application -- I need your help!!!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you don't know what Wipeout is, you better get yourself out of your books and back in front of your television set. I promise you, this is one hour wasted that you'll <em>never</em> want back!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Wipeout is enough comedy to make even cynical, cranky old people wet their pants in <a href="http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/sites/music/img/27368_laughing.jpg">laughter</a> (even though that might not be that hard). </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSdBh-aC0I/AAAAAAAAARM/tyU4QoRdY_8/s1600/wipeout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSdBh-aC0I/AAAAAAAAARM/tyU4QoRdY_8/s320/wipeout.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">So Here's the Deal</span></strong>:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>World famous reality television producer Endemol USA (that brought you Fear Factor, and Deal or No Deal,) is casting more episodes of the television hit WIPEOUT. In each episode, 24 contestants compete to win $50,000 while conquering the world's largest obstacle course. </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>INTERESTED CANDIDATES</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>STEP 1: Fill out an online profile and application. Include a brief summary of why you're the perfect candidate for this show. You MUST upload a photo to be considered.</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>STEP 2: Our casting department will review your application. If they would like to bring you in for an audition, they will contact you to schedule an appointment at our </strong><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Burbank&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Burbank,+CA&gl=us&ei=DpskTPm5FZWEnQf0ptDLBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCoQ8gEwAA"><strong>Burbank</strong></a><strong> office.</strong></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>...If you've ever <em>seen</em> the show, you know they generally have some pretty, um... how do I put this? ...<em>interesting</em> people on there. They're usually colorful, hyper, and downright laughable. So what I need to do is pick some quirky or unique part of myself and exaggerate it up the <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kazoos.com/store/graphics/00000001/wazoo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kazoos.com/store/merchant.mvc%3FScreen%3DPROD%26Store_Code%3DKK%26Product_Code%3DWAZOO%26Category_Code%3DWAZ&usg=__qhqATK34SWKcuNlRePLxVUVft4M=&h=406&w=400&sz=76&hl=en&start=9&sig2=Y-cGt5ca55Aa6yrt7-BMLg&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=-jFgQQKRaRrw-M:&tbnh=124&tbnw=122&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwazoo%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=rZckTMvMHtC3nAe-pJzGBA">wazoo</a>. Those who know me, please! I need your help! Point out, even rudely, my most laughable qualities. Whatever idea I choose, I'm going to write my essay and do a photoshoot that will make my application undeniable.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Help me get on Wipeout!!!</span></strong></div><br />
And to close, here are some future pictures of me competing on Wipeout.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSbcRKut5I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Wx7ABya-Gzo/s1600/wipeout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSbcRKut5I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/Wx7ABya-Gzo/s400/wipeout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(me hurtling the big balls)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSb_bYkluI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sg0KS0KDncc/s1600/WO+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCSb_bYkluI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sg0KS0KDncc/s400/WO+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(I don't know what's happening, but it appears my legs are tied to that flag or something)</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCScO_Wi4EI/AAAAAAAAARE/ebxvZ73-ROc/s1600/wipeout15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCScO_Wi4EI/AAAAAAAAARE/ebxvZ73-ROc/s400/wipeout15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">(There I am wasting my competitors)</div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-7917070356477862202010-06-23T23:31:00.000-07:002010-06-24T03:59:42.438-07:00Indiana Jones and ExpectationsWe've already discussed how <a href="http://dallendanger.blogspot.com/2010/06/dream-is-wish-your-heart-makes.html">my dreams are psycho</a> and grotesque at times, but usually I absolutely LOVE them. I look forward to going to sleep. For example, I get to be Indiana Jones at <span style="font-style: italic;">least</span> once a month. And so it was yet again last night. After hours of sheer awesomeness and heroics worthy of the big screen, I woke up and said aloud, "That was one of the <span style="font-style: italic;">coolest</span> dreams I have <span style="font-style: italic;">ever</span> had!" Then I texted a few people about it.<br /><br />...why, as Indiana Jones, I've been conveyed into a South American <a href="http://www.stcolmcilles.org/pupil%20zone/Extreme%20Earth%20Webpages/Geog%20Clipart/volcano_hawaii_kilauea_puu_oo.jpg">volcano</a>, been trapped in a collapsible room filled with spikes and skeletons, and explored Mayan caves blocked by a minotaur.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCMyPzoBhJI/AAAAAAAAAP8/v_MiuK9KuaA/s1600/indy_idol.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCMyPzoBhJI/AAAAAAAAAP8/v_MiuK9KuaA/s320/indy_idol.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486284018204902546" border="0" /></a>(me in my past life)<br /></div><br />So, who saw the new Indiana Jones movie? Who liked it? No one! ...<a href="http://blog.mikefullerton.com/wp-content/oldcontent/indyepicfail-tm.jpg">didn't think so</a>. Well <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">I DID!</span> </span>But not the first time. And that leads me to my topic of expectations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCMxn6SP91I/AAAAAAAAAP0/FNjbdDRtRws/s1600/expectations.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCMxn6SP91I/AAAAAAAAAP0/FNjbdDRtRws/s320/expectations.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486283332797855570" border="0" /></a><br />When I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie in the theater, my expectations were unrealistically high. In hindsight I'd say they were nigh unreachable. The previous movies are ground into my life, deep and immovable--some of my favorites.<br /><br />Well it <span style="font-style: italic;">couldn't</span> meet my expectations. I saw flaws and silliness and scoffed all the way through. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Disaster</span>. Well, months later I was over at my friend's place with a few hours to burn, and he wanted to take a nap in his room. So I popped in the new Indiana Jones. To burn time. Something happened that I did <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> expect. I <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">loved</span></span> it! I loved every bit of it. ...except the part where Indy's son flies through the trees with all those monkeys.<br /><br />What made the difference? <span style="font-size:180%;">Expectations!!!</span> They just weren't unrealistic the second time. I didn't expect life-changing action or drama or something to be added that it was incapable of adding.<br /><br />This and a few other things has got me thinking a lot about expectations. Where are my expectations unrealistic? When is it bad to have high expectations? Are standards and expectations different? Are expectations good/neutral/bad for relationships/life goals/movie watching?<br /><br />I've done a lot of thinking about it and have plenty of opinions that I'm ready to mold and discuss into something new. Please collective world. Your thoughts!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCM03D2El1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/IeiISbadJXU/s1600/monkey-thinking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCM03D2El1I/AAAAAAAAAQE/IeiISbadJXU/s320/monkey-thinking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486286891596945234" border="0" /></a>(this is you... thinking)<br /></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-25278490645349337422010-06-23T00:22:00.000-07:002010-06-23T23:18:36.817-07:00King of Tonga: I Miss You<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCG3PY9nmLI/AAAAAAAAAPc/VzA2qVecaeI/s1600/tupou.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCG3PY9nmLI/AAAAAAAAAPc/VzA2qVecaeI/s320/tupou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485867296140794034" border="0" /></a>Anyone who knows me well knows that I <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">love</span></span> the King of Tonga.Well, more specifically I love the <span style="font-style: italic;">late</span> King of Tonga. Sadly, <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>he passed away in 2006. ...on my birthday.<br /><br />The King of Tonga and I share a special bond! In fact, he was my pen-pal once. Back in 2004, I found his address randomly in a book I was reading, and me... with all my free time... decided to write him a letter.<br /><br />...The letter was ridiculous! And it certainly carried all the graces deserved by higher nobility. (Sarcasm). After reading my letter, I wouldn't have been surprised if he thought I was a some irritatingly obsessive pre-teen lacking respect and a proper education. My letter ended with me begging him for an autographed photo, promising that if he sent it, I'd frame it and hang it on my bedroom wall.<br /><br />Months and months and months later, with my letter long forgotten, I got an oddly-shaped envelope in the mail. At first I figured it was a wedding announcement, but I thought it was strange that there was no return address, stamp, or postmark. Only a crest overlaying the backside seal--an official coat of arms exactly like this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCLxHhX1EUI/AAAAAAAAAPk/P1HA3zJQ1hE/s1600/Coat+of+Arms.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 226px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCLxHhX1EUI/AAAAAAAAAPk/P1HA3zJQ1hE/s320/Coat+of+Arms.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486212407610380610" border="0" /></a><br />I read the seal and only recognized the one word. TONGA. I was probably a little more excited than I'd like to admit. I opened it and inside I found a picture of the entire royal family, autographed by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV himself!<br /><br />Awww... Look at him! I don't think he has a bigger fan than myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCLyILMgcCI/AAAAAAAAAPs/NxcbsfGbmK4/s1600/tonga_king_narrowweb__300x474,0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 322px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCLyILMgcCI/AAAAAAAAAPs/NxcbsfGbmK4/s320/tonga_king_narrowweb__300x474,0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486213518348808226" border="0" /></a><br />I wrote him back, but like I said... he died! My mom called me the day after my birthday and broke the news. Our friendship ended! ...But we will all meet him at the pearly gates someday!<br /><br />So King of Tonga, again... this post is dedicated to your loving memory! My mom and I both love and miss you. And thanks for the autographed photo. Tonga Forever!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />PS: I'm thinking about writing the new King, telling my story, and challenging him to outdo the last King, or at least a battle of wits. Whatta ya think?!Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-68007671296386491582010-06-21T03:59:00.000-07:002010-06-24T16:15:48.734-07:00A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...Disney tells us this is true... and we feel all warm and fuzzy when we hear it because we hope, like Cinderella, that <i>our</i> heart's wishes will <i>also</i> come true! Ah, dreams! ... These are how our soul, in its purity, would have life be.<br />
<div><div><div><br />
But me... I don't think <i>my</i> heart really know what's best for me. I wake up some mornings completely unable to interpret the random idiocy that just took place. Other times I awake wondering how I could possibly have come up with such bizarre, violent, or emotionally wrenching situations for myself.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Let's take a gander at a few of my more recent dreams/wishes to see what I <b>wish</b> life would provide: </div><div><br />
</div><div>1) I wish that I would be <span style="font-weight: bold;">raised</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">ruled</span> by <span style="font-size: 180%;">penguins</span>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBMceF0g4I/AAAAAAAAAO8/uLavIoDoNSw/s1600/penguins.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485468398134788994" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBMceF0g4I/AAAAAAAAAO8/uLavIoDoNSw/s320/penguins.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 264px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 350px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBMjfjBU2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/szbAH67jLGo/s1600/penguin-suit.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485468518784783202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBMjfjBU2I/AAAAAAAAAPE/szbAH67jLGo/s320/penguin-suit.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 319px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 237px;" /></a>2) ...that I'd get <b>run down </b>and <b><span style="font-size: 130%;">devoured by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">dinosaurs</span></b>.<br />
<br />
</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485183491423622578" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TB9JUt4kVbI/AAAAAAAAANs/yCmbCgg-vTs/s320/t-rex-jurassic-park.jpg" style="display: block; height: 260px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 402px;" /> <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485184930296145282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TB9KoeGgpYI/AAAAAAAAAN0/9_oo2rEHQwI/s320/jurassic-park-4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 232px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 360px;" /><br />
3) That <b>an alien will kill all my friends and family</b>, and I will be left <b>completely and utterly alone</b>, to walk a void planet filled with noxious gases.</div></div><br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485191459150154210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TB9Qkf-myeI/AAAAAAAAAN8/a3xIumz86w0/s320/Alien.jpg" style="display: block; height: 232px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 404px;" /> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TB9rzBuL5AI/AAAAAAAAAOI/c3RbKBaOYw4/s320/alone-no-one-to-support-me-wallpaper.jpg" style="height: 247px; width: 385px;" /><br />
<br />
</div>4) That I will be <span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">completely and absolutely in-love</span>, but that girl of my dreams will never... <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> never love me back -- because <span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">I'll be a zombie</span>. A heartbroken zombie. :(<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBGFdEOPgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/4BmAUQFUpXA/s1600/Happy-Girl-Services.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0pt;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485461405652893186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBGFdEOPgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/4BmAUQFUpXA/s320/Happy-Girl-Services.jpg" style="height: 327px; margin-top: 0pt; width: 217px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBGFdEOPgI/AAAAAAAAAOU/4BmAUQFUpXA/s1600/Happy-Girl-Services.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><img src="http://www.crcentertainment.com/crc%20zombie.jpg" style="height: 320px; width: 219px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
5) And probably the dream that caused me to wake up with more shock and terror than any other (honestly!!!)... that the United States Constitution didn't have a Bill of Rights, and that there was <span style="font-size: 130%; font-style: italic;">nothing</span> I could do about it!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBPaqjVUZI/AAAAAAAAAPM/rnFoj_QvqAg/s1600/torn-bill-of-rights.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485471665654944146" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/TCBPaqjVUZI/AAAAAAAAAPM/rnFoj_QvqAg/s320/torn-bill-of-rights.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 280px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 237px;" /></a>Like I say, most morning I wake up either confused or bothered. Sometimes <span style="font-weight: bold;">shaken</span>. If Cinderella's right and my dreams will come true... <span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">we're all screwed</span>!<br />
<div></div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-11465201083935055062010-02-11T14:25:00.000-08:002010-02-11T14:58:33.969-08:00Happiness is...<div><ol><li>A really relaxing day.</li><li>A really busy day.</li><li>Going to bed early and actually falling asleep.</li><li>An adventurous dream.</li><li>Finishing something that was really difficult. </li><li>Your favorite breakfast cereal.</li><li>Payday.</li><li>A witty comment where everybody laughs.</li><li>Soccer.</li><li>Hitting it off.</li><li>Being liked back.</li><li>Watching your favorite TV show.</li><li>Showing someone something you think is hilarious.</li><li>Halloween.</li><li>A rope swing.</li><li>Being liked by an animal.</li><li>Eggs, bacon, and toast after sleeping in.</li><li>Taking a really awesome picture.</li><li>Hearing your favorite song on the radio.</li><li>The perfect landing. </li><li>A paper airplane that flies well.</li><li>Getting a cast off.</li><li>Casting off.</li><li>The perfect cast.</li><li>A new Pixar movie.</li><li>Working on a sculpture.</li><li>Building a model.</li><li>Knowing you can be trusted.</li><li>Right before a really good meal.</li><li>Eating out.</li><li>Catching something you drop before it hits the ground.</li><li>New electronics.</li><li>Learning a new guitar song.</li><li>Old friends.</li><li>Camping trips.</li><li>Tripping into a pool.</li><li>Getting thrown into a pool.</li><li>Sound that is very... full.</li><li>Performing in a choir when you know your music.</li><li>Train tracks.</li><li>Rafting.</li><li>Tubing.</li><li>Horseback riding.</li><li>Being scared silly.</li><li>Hitting a bullseye.</li><li>Rollercoasters.</li><li>Dachshunds.</li><li>Understanding another language.</li><li>Making up.</li><li>Understanding engines.</li><li>Ferrero Rocher and Ferrero Renoir. Not the coconut kind.</li><li>Finishing a book.</li><li>Seeing a wild animal when it isn't close enough to kill you.</li><li>Scheming.</li><li>A full tank.</li><li>A slip-to-land.</li><li>Putting 57 things I'm happy for when I only meant to put 20.</li><li>A passport stamp.</li><li>Delivery pizza.</li><li>Receiving a letter from a missionary.</li><li>Being surprised at how much money is in your account.</li><li>A sunday "nice-note."</li><li>A heavy blanket.</li><li>A super-hero movie. </li><li>New slang.</li><li>Long boarding.</li><li>Biffing it but not getting hurt.</li><li>Building something.</li><li>Fall.</li><li>Spring.</li><li>Summer.</li><li>Listening to older people tell stories.</li><li>Being liked by a little kid.</li><li>The dollar menu.</li><li>Reliving childhood memories.</li><li>Reading past journals.</li><li>Ping pong.</li></ol><div>Okay, I'll stop for now. I have to get on with things. :)</div></div>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-73986123315984905572009-10-11T15:38:00.000-07:002009-10-11T16:28:05.895-07:00Arise and Be MenWhen we consider of the admonition to be men, we must think of Jesus Christ. The Lord asked His disciples what manner of men they should be, and then answered, "Verily I say unto you, even as I Am." Jesus told his Apostles, "Whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be the servant of all."<br /><br />He gave His life to redeem mankind. Surely we can accept responsibility for those He entrusts to our care. Let us be men, even as He is. <br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQIQA6s2_Hw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BQIQA6s2_Hw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mormonmessages?blend=1&ob=4#play/all">Mormon Messages</a>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-87188114000630888502009-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:002010-06-22T07:28:00.731-07:00Wall-to-wall With NathanielHere it is: A collection of wall-to-wall quotes with Nathaniel! I prize this collection of quotes as I would a pound of fine gold, or Red Robin Mushroom Swiss Hamburger! Both are of equal value.<br /><br />...why I did I capitalize the hamburger? I have problems.<br /><br />DALLEN: Nathanulated! That's when Nathaniel is ground into a very fine powder and sprinkled on food!<br /><br />NATHANIEL: Dal'n has a really really big wart on the back of his neck!!! HA!!!<br /><br />D: Nathaniel is hooked on illegal pharmaceuticals<br /><br />N: Daln smells funny...<br /><br />D: May God have mercy on your soul!<br /><br />N: Dallen has a patch of hair on his back that is 3 feet long! he braids it and tucks it in his pants. Watch out when you go hot tubbing with him!<br /><br />D: Nathaniel can't grow chair on his chest! He still hasn't reached that phase!<br /><br />N: Dallen, nobody grows chairs on their chest. Did you mean Chairs on my hest? or Hairs on my chest? Either way, your insult failed... HA!!!!<br /><br />D: Dang it! Foiled again! I guess I'm just not good at being a jerk!<br /><br />N: Dallen's armpits are infested with the fleas of a thousand camels! HA!!!<br /><br />D: Nathaniel... I have just two words about you: Special Ed!<br /><br />N: You sit on a throne of lies!<br /><br />D: Buy me candy or I'll delete you from my friends list!<br /><br />N: Hey remember that one time that you spelled spaghetti "speghetti"? HA! That was sooo funny!<br /><br />D: At least my problems can be solved by a click of a few buttons. Yours, unfortunately, are going to take years of counseling! wha ha<br /><br />N: It's time to instruct you in the matters of loss and pain...<br /><br />D: Merry Christmas you filthy animal!<br /><br />N: Dallen's brain is the consistency of jello!<br /><br />D: I'm getting ridiculously close to shoving a coconut up your... sleeping bag.<br /><br />N: "Give" -Little Stream<br /><br />D: If we are ever stranded, and there's nothing to eat... Nathaniel... I want you to use my body for food.<br /><br />N: Dal'n wears his grandmother's under clothes!!! He also has a HUGE rash all over his body<br /><br />D: Nathaniel Gardner, you will lose... everything!<br /><br />N: your soul is condemned... The flames of your sins consume you! Goodbye forever... ex-friend...<br /><br />...We're pleasant fellows, aren't we?Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-59571729024892787402009-10-05T18:18:00.000-07:002010-06-22T07:29:05.347-07:00Poor Red: An October 2nd Tragedy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/SsqcEQbnirI/AAAAAAAAAMw/-NlZLQFqRTQ/s1600-h/Red_Riding_Hood.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UTtfFko9irQ/SsqcEQbnirI/AAAAAAAAAMw/-NlZLQFqRTQ/s320/Red_Riding_Hood.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389291501046434482" /></a><br />I'm sincere when I say that I'm not a superstitious person! ...but I am! I <span style="font-style:italic;">am</span> superstitious! ...and I realized it around three o'clock in the afternoon on October 2nd when I was still worrying about potential Oct. 2nd tragedies. I was just about to go fly down at the Spanish Fork airport, and I actually had the though, "Is it really safe to go flying today today?" HA!<br /><br />Yeah I'm silly! ...but the legacy has actually continued, and to tell you the truth, I wasn't really that surprised when, later that evening, I was pulling out my phone ready to call 911.<br /><br />At about 7 o'clock the sun was going down as peacefully as ever. I had just eaten with my friend, and now we were off to watch the play Into the Woods at the Scera Theater. All seemed well.<br /><br />All seemed well until twenty minutes into the play! I had just been thinking to myself how well one of the characters, Little Red Riding Hood, was at her part. I really haven't ever seen someone with that much energy, and she was <span style="font-style:italic;">perfect </span>in her role. Just at the end of a song, she turned and pranced off to an exit door, where her enemy the wolf had just been. Suddenly, all of us jumped as we heard a blood-curdling scream...and then intense sobbing! "What? Is the wolf back or something?" I thought, but then the sobbing continued... awkwardly... and someone came running out of the exit door calling "DAD! DAD!" into the audience. At about this point, the tech guys turned off Red's mic so her agony wasn't published for all to hear. "Someone call 911!" people started yelling, and my blood ran cold.<br /><br />I bet Red is safe and sound...! I bet she's comfortable and laying peacefully in her nice warm bed at home...! I bet nothing is <i>really</i> wrong. I just know that I didn't buy it when the narrator came out and announced in a choked voice, holding back tears, "We've had an accident. The actress who plays Little Red Riding Hood... umm... sprained her ankle. ...An ambulance is on its way."<br /><br />Hmm... Yeah, I'm sure Red is just fine...! But ever since, I've been a little haunted by her scream and crying, which, may I add again, was broadcast over a theater's sound system. :(Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-44423014161710887492009-10-01T16:06:00.001-07:002010-06-21T06:32:02.753-07:00The Great and Terrible DayOctober 2nd is my personal doomsday. It seems like any other day. Nothing special about it. But it keeps proving to be cursed. Usually I don't remember October 2nd until the day before it's upon me and I start to get honestly and deeply concerned.<br /><br />I don't think I've ever had a normal October 2nd (in my whole life). My first October 2nd I was close to death sitting in a hospital incubator, and my last October 2nd I threw my back out and was bed-ridden for a week and a half. Scattered in-between those have been quite a few other terrifying, sickening, and gore-filled October 2nds.<br /><br />Not all of them have been horrible like that though. I've had GREAT ones too... awesomely-great! Great to the point of life-changing! For example, I went into the MTC on October 2nd. See, that's good, right? right? ...it's just the recent (and more frequent) bad ones that make me expect the worst.<br /><br />Maybe I do it to myself. Maybe it's my own worrying that makes it awful, or my own counter-efforts that make it great. It's more fun to think, though, that somewhere out there, there still lives a gypsy woman, angry and dirty in a run-down mansion, living alone with only bugs and bats as company, and that years ago she cast some sort of spell on my mother while she was pregnant with me.<br /><br />I dunno. But please, please pray for me this October 2nd. PLEASE!Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-53641656622781885442009-09-28T16:12:00.000-07:002009-09-28T16:13:34.489-07:00Eternally LateI do not believe that I have ever, EVER returned a book back to the library on time. <br /><br />...even if they send me daily notices for weeks ahead of time, the book will be late, never fails. <br /><br />And thus it is, again!Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-1275383352667225842009-09-26T20:18:00.000-07:002009-09-26T20:47:56.786-07:00Hope has the power to fill our lives with Happiness!!!No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ we may hope and be assured the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. <br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UbsU3b2srQA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UbsU3b2srQA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mormonmessages?blend=1&ob=4#play/all">Mormon Messages</a>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-52508835633937262192009-09-26T19:12:00.000-07:002009-09-28T16:07:42.780-07:00Oh, the Hilarity!!!A Moment of Stress: The pizza is round. The trashcan is round. WHY CAN”T THE BOX BE ROUND?!?!<br /><br />Message Left on my voicemail by GREG: Dallen Johnson, huh? More like Dallen DUMPFACE. Why aren't you at FHE? Even I made it to FHE, loser. You need to explain yourself to the rest of your roommates before we... drop a dead bird in your bed or something. Yeah...everybody was wondering where you were. I didn't really care, but they made me call you. BYE!<br /><br />ME: So would everybody please turn to Mosiah 10:5? Does anybody have it memorized?<br />ERIN: ...This is about women and CLOTH!<br />ME: OH!!! I mean Moroni 10:5<br /><br />ME: I think I'm going to go make me a horcrux.<br />DAVID: Is a horcrux a type of sandwich?<br /><br />ME: "A light joking pleasure is the most round of all."<br /><br />TY: I'll brb. I think I'm going to go grab me a coffee.<br />ME: Fine! Go get your mind and mood altering substance!<br />TY: YEAH! I'll come back hyper and happy and you'll KNOW it's fake. You'll KNOW it! HA HAAAA<br /><br />NATE: I switched pillows with you because mine gives me nightmares!<br />ME: The one with GEESE on it?!<br />NATE: HEY! Those geese come right on after ya!<br />GRANDPA: That's true!!!<br /><br />ME: Isn't that a picture of October Bloom?<br />DAVID: No... I think his name is Orlando Jones.<br />ME: Hmm... something sounds wrong.<br /><br />ME: I'll give you $10 if you go shove those girls into the fountain!<br />NEIL: That is definitely not worth an assault charge.<br />ME: Oh come on... it's not assault if you add a crazy sound effect and then everybody laughs!<br /><br />DEVIN: Your Honor... You just had to be there. The sound effect TOTALLY got rid of the "assualt" in my actions.<br /><br />CALEB: If ever you're going to poke someone in the eye, make sure your finger's good and salted.<br /><br />BRIANNA: Did I finish my juice? ...I wasn’t mentally prepared for that!<br /><br />A Moment of Stress: The pizza is round. The trashcan is round. WHY CAN”T THE BOX BE ROUND?!?!<br /><br />NATHANIEL: Josh... I love you<br />JOSH: What?<br />NATHANIEL: Not in a weird way. I just love you. I just think you're a good roommate, and I'm glad that you're mine!<br />JOSH: ...Huh.<br />NATHANIEL: That's what I've been trying to tell you all this time by making you roommate of the week!<br /><br />ME: Man, I want you to be back from your mission. You know, I'll be married when you get back.<br />NATHANIEL: Can I uncle your children?<br />ME: ...As long as it's not a verb!<br /><br />GREG: Sucks to be him and ROCKS to be me!<br /><br />MOM: Dallen... I'm at the point where I can't even dye the gray out of my hair. I need to mascara it!<br /><br />BRIGHAM: I went and talked to this group of nerds once because I was seriously wondering how it works: who's the head nerd? Is it the MOST nerdy or the LEAST nerdy guy who's in charge? ...So I went over and asked them, and one guy immediately answered, "The most nerdy guy operates his power vicariously through the least nerdy guy."Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-12200981043043703832009-09-19T16:17:00.001-07:002009-09-19T17:20:49.785-07:00Never put twinkies on your pizzaYou know one of my big problems is self-control! I eat on a whim.<br /><br />The solution is really rather simple: Before I blissfully prance into the kitchen (Okay, I only prance in meadows), I should think, "How will this affect my long-term happiness?" or "Am I going to feel this two days from now?"<br /><br />See? church lessons come in handy in all circumstances!!!<br /><br />...but really, I never learn!<br /><br />My constant inability to think through my food choices has caused me quite a few upset stomachs lately, including now as I write this blog; but you'll be pleased to hear that I'm taking the bull by the horns. Fewer doughnuts and more salads. Chocolate syrup should not go on anything and everything. Ice cream should not come after every meal (especially meals that include orange juice). See!!! ...I realize these things!<br /><br />Ugh. Sometimes I remind myself of a 12-year-old.Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7801892819340666001.post-26734198095334447482009-09-18T10:11:00.000-07:002009-09-19T09:34:24.117-07:00Safe to Remove Hardware<p face="arial" class="Body"> </p><p face="arial" class="Body">I'd like to think that in the depths of the electronic world, January 1, 2009 – May 14, 2009 of my journal is still floating around somewhere. I’m sitting here looking at my computer box and envisioning myself sticking my hand into it somehow (probably through the cd-rom) and pulling out 50 or so perfectly typed and printed pages, but then again the computer isn’t my own personal vending machine.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">…why didn’t I think of sticking my hand in the printer?!?!<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">There are few tragedies in life that compare to losing your journal. The first thing that comes to mind has to be the loss of a pet—one that has been around for years and years and then mysteriously runs away—the kind that is almost like another member of the family (or another child to some mothers, which is weird). Orrrr... those times when you've been slaving for hours on an essay for some class and suddenly something (I don't understand these things) happens, and you lose it all. Now you have to start from scratch, and sometimes you're even in a worse spot, because you're trying to do it exactly as you did before, which doesn't really work so well.</p><span style="font-family:arial;"> (Wouldn’t that be nice though if they had a vending machine around campus that sold typed essays for class?)</span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body"> </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body"> </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">...If you think about it, my journal never actually existed. What I’m lamenting over was something I kind of never actually possessed. It was merely a projected image as part of a program (dang you Microsoft Word) that I could manipulate through my keyboard. Being sad my journal is gone is like being sad my friends Mario and Luigi are gone because my Nintendo game doesn’t work. ...at least I tell myself that.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">Anyways, I think this kind of brought me back to blogging, along with noticing how many of my other friends have blogs. It's kind of fun to actually put your ideas out there for others to read anyways. When it comes down to it, I really don't think anybody has ever read my journal, minus the occasional snippet. It's time to publish!<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">I really don't want there to be any difference between my journal and this blog, except that my journal will probably contain <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> of my randomness. And this blog will likely have nothing about my dating life (which to be honest is a significant part of my journal). Let's be honest... that's just not smart! So anyways, that's really all I have to say about that.</p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="Body">(Wow! That's how I end a lot of journal entries too!!!)</p>Dallenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01883856845666643077noreply@blogger.com0