For some reason this year, I have had multiple friends mention that they are having a hard time feeling the Christmas Spirit. And for some reason I have seemed to feel it more this year than ever before. I have felt it in the lights, the winter chill, in the faces of children, the faces of adults, in the words of the Christmas songs being sung all around me. This year, the Christmas Spirit has been everywhere!
This has been such a great season for me. Perhaps that is partly because I finished most of my Christmas shopping before December began and that meant less time fighting crowds and feeling irritated. But mostly, I think it's because this is the first year where I didn't focus so much on myself but instead focused more on those around me. This year, I seemed to have a better understanding for the reason we celebrate this season.
I mentioned in my grievances that I am frustrated with all the people who tell me I can't wish someone a "Merry Christmas" but instead have to use phrases such as "Happy Holidays!" or "Season's Greetings!" I have never understood that, and most likely I never will. Christ is the center of this holiday. If it weren't for Him, we wouldn't even be celebrating it. So why do people feel they can try and take Him out of it?
It makes me think of the line in the scriptures where He says, "I came unto mine own and mine own received me not".
His people did not receive Him then and some still don't receive Him now. Why? Why are people not willing to recognize His hand in their lives? Do we not understand that He came to this earth for us? He lived His life, He preached His Gospel and He died on the cross...for us. He did nothing for Himself. And in return, all He asks is for us to come unto Him, to receive Him. And yet, we don't. This I do not understand.
But this I do understand; that Heavenly Father gave us the gift of agency - the ability to make our own choices - and not everybody will choose to believe what I believe. That is their choice and their right. But that does not give them the right to take my beliefs away from me.
I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives and I am so grateful for Him; for His birth, His life and His death. For without Him, I am nothing. He suffered on that cross for me. He felt every joy, every pain and sorrow, every doubt and fear that has ever come into my life. He knows me intimately. I am grateful to know that when I kneel to pray I never have to wonder if He understands what I am feeling. I know that He does. He is my older brother, my friend and my Savior and I love Him with all of my heart.
So friends, though I mentioned it before, I will mention it again. I will not apologize for my feelings and beliefs regarding my Savior nor will I apologize for celebrating Him at Christmas time. He is in everything I see and feel this time of year: He's in the lights, the winter chill, in the faces of the children, the faces of adults, He's in the words of the Christmas songs being sung all around me. This year, Christ has been everywhere!
HE is the reason I celebrate this season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!
December 23, 2009
December 18, 2009
An Early Christmas Gift...
My sister was due on the 22nd. Look who decided to show up on the 17th!
This is little Maggie. Isn't she so cute?
She weighed in at 8 lbs 8 oz. She was definitely anxious to get here and we are all excited to have her. I thought being an aunt to 19 kids was awesome, but now I think being an aunt to 20 is even better!
Welcome to the family Maggie! We love you to pieces already!
This is little Maggie. Isn't she so cute?
She weighed in at 8 lbs 8 oz. She was definitely anxious to get here and we are all excited to have her. I thought being an aunt to 19 kids was awesome, but now I think being an aunt to 20 is even better!
Welcome to the family Maggie! We love you to pieces already!
Airing of Grievances...
Next week on December 23rd, my office will be participating in what has become an annual tradition here on campus: Festivus. For those of you who aren't familiar with Festivus, check out this clip from Seinfeld.
Even though I know it's only the 19th, I've decided to start my own personal Festivus celebration a few days early. According to Frank Costanza, the tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. "I gotta lot of problems with you people and now you're going to hear about 'em!"
So now, in the tradition of Festivus, I will air my grievances:
Chartwells: You try hard, but your food sucks. Either learn to cook or get out of the kitchen. Nobody wants to eat cooked "root vegetables" that are cold ever again. Though your food at the Holiday lunch was somewhat decent this year, it does not make up for the last six years of having to eat the crap you cook. Do you actually taste your own food? I didn't think so.
Campus Food Services: Fire Chartwells. They suck.
UTA: When a snowstorm hits at 8am and you can still manage to run your trains on time, I don't want to hear "the trains are delayed due to a snowstorm" at 5pm when we are all trying to get home. Especially when it's been NINE HOURS since the snowstorm hit. We had to wait for nearly an hour to catch a train. Get it together.
Students: Learn to take responsiblity for your life. Life is not handed to you on a silver platter. We are not paid to babysit you. When you enter college you are considered an adult. Act like it. If you fail or withdraw from your classes, too bad. We aren't going to take them off your transcript. We will, however, allow you to repeat those classes for a better grade. Just pay us $4,000 to do so.
TRAX Riders: Show some freakin' courtesy! When I'm in front of you to get on the train, don't shove your way past me just so you can be first. Three of you pushed in front of me today. Three of you just about had your face punched in. Lucky for you I was feeling the Christmas Spirit.
Homeowners: For those of you who put up Christmas lights, I applaude you. However, in the future can you please try to make them look nice? Nothing is more nauseating than looking at a bunch of lights that are flung about as if they had been vomitted all over your house and yard. Oh and for the record, blue is not a happy color. I have no idea why you'd put solid blue lights all over your house.
I'm not really sure who to direct this last one to, but I'm tired of everything having to be "politically correct". I don't want to celebrate a "Holiday" and I don't want to wish everyone a "Happy Holiday Season". It's Christmas! And from here on out, I will only refer to it as such. If any of you feel left out or feel offended, too bad. I'm not going to apologize to you for what I believe.
Even though I know it's only the 19th, I've decided to start my own personal Festivus celebration a few days early. According to Frank Costanza, the tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances. "I gotta lot of problems with you people and now you're going to hear about 'em!"
So now, in the tradition of Festivus, I will air my grievances:
Chartwells: You try hard, but your food sucks. Either learn to cook or get out of the kitchen. Nobody wants to eat cooked "root vegetables" that are cold ever again. Though your food at the Holiday lunch was somewhat decent this year, it does not make up for the last six years of having to eat the crap you cook. Do you actually taste your own food? I didn't think so.
Campus Food Services: Fire Chartwells. They suck.
UTA: When a snowstorm hits at 8am and you can still manage to run your trains on time, I don't want to hear "the trains are delayed due to a snowstorm" at 5pm when we are all trying to get home. Especially when it's been NINE HOURS since the snowstorm hit. We had to wait for nearly an hour to catch a train. Get it together.
Students: Learn to take responsiblity for your life. Life is not handed to you on a silver platter. We are not paid to babysit you. When you enter college you are considered an adult. Act like it. If you fail or withdraw from your classes, too bad. We aren't going to take them off your transcript. We will, however, allow you to repeat those classes for a better grade. Just pay us $4,000 to do so.
TRAX Riders: Show some freakin' courtesy! When I'm in front of you to get on the train, don't shove your way past me just so you can be first. Three of you pushed in front of me today. Three of you just about had your face punched in. Lucky for you I was feeling the Christmas Spirit.
Homeowners: For those of you who put up Christmas lights, I applaude you. However, in the future can you please try to make them look nice? Nothing is more nauseating than looking at a bunch of lights that are flung about as if they had been vomitted all over your house and yard. Oh and for the record, blue is not a happy color. I have no idea why you'd put solid blue lights all over your house.
I'm not really sure who to direct this last one to, but I'm tired of everything having to be "politically correct". I don't want to celebrate a "Holiday" and I don't want to wish everyone a "Happy Holiday Season". It's Christmas! And from here on out, I will only refer to it as such. If any of you feel left out or feel offended, too bad. I'm not going to apologize to you for what I believe.
December 15, 2009
Merry Christmas you Mormons!
I thought this was hilarious. The "Tapper-nacle" choir was a great touch!
December 11, 2009
The Spirit of the Season...
Do any of you have a little cash to spare and would be willing to donate a few dollars to help send care packages to our troops overseas? Operation Gratitude is currently accepting donations in any amount to help cover the shipping costs for these packages. One package costs $11 to ship. If we all donated $11, think of what a difference that would make in the lives of our troops! Well, you can see for yourself by clicking here.
Our servicemen and women are far from home, away from loved ones, and could really use a lot of exta love and support this time of year. I know that if I were far from home during the holiday season, a package like this would really help boost my spirits. We all appreciate their service and I can think of no better way to say "thank you" for all they do.
This is a great time of year to give a little bit extra to those in need. If it's not in your budget to help a soldier, consider donating needed items to local charities and homeless shelters in your area. Or if you are able to do both, that's even better!
Let's spread the spirit of the season to everyone around us and help put a smile on someone else's face.
Merry Christmas!!!
Our servicemen and women are far from home, away from loved ones, and could really use a lot of exta love and support this time of year. I know that if I were far from home during the holiday season, a package like this would really help boost my spirits. We all appreciate their service and I can think of no better way to say "thank you" for all they do.
This is a great time of year to give a little bit extra to those in need. If it's not in your budget to help a soldier, consider donating needed items to local charities and homeless shelters in your area. Or if you are able to do both, that's even better!
Let's spread the spirit of the season to everyone around us and help put a smile on someone else's face.
Merry Christmas!!!
December 10, 2009
Thursday Confessions...
Normally these would be my Thursday NIGHT Confessions, but I won't be around tonight to write them. So I'm giving them to you a few hours early.
- I once survived living in -30 degree temperatures.
- The house I lived in barely survived.
- It was the worst winter of my life.
- I have friends now who are practically bawling over the fact that it is -10 where they live.
- I told them to suck it up, wait until it's -30 and then call me.
- It was 2 degrees when I woke up this morning where I live.
- I wanted to cry.
- I've been inside for over an hour and I still can't feel my feet.
- I'm a whimp.
- I need to wait until it's -30 and then call myself.
- I hate being cold.
- I'd rather be cold than hot.
- But not frozen.
- I need hot chocolate. Then I'll be warm.
- I love being warm.
December 8, 2009
Peeing in the Arctic...
I am still trying to work with Google about getting my full name off their search results. I've been trying a few different things and it might take another day or two before I know for sure if they worked. If they don't, then I will invite you all to read my private blog. I know there are a couple of you out there who read my blog and don't think that I know. Well, guess what? I know. So just fess up already. Otherwise, you'll be banned from reading my blog forever. And trust me, you'll be missing out.
In the meantime...
I came to work today dressed appropriately for the frigid cold weather...thermals, boots, hat, gloves, etc. I wasn't leaving anything to chance. After all, I ride the train and sometimes trains are late. Of course, I was able to shed most of these layers once I got to work because my office is kept fairly warm.
The bathroom, on the other hand...
I'm not sure why, but for some reason the bathrooms in this building are at least 40 degrees colder than the rest of the building. I walked in there and the cold slapped me in the face so hard I thought I was going to suffocate. It was so cold that for a second I thought about walking right back out and putting on my winter gear...just to use the bathroom. Thankfully that thought quickly passed when, in a moment of clarity, I realized that would only create additional problems with the whole bathroom procedure.
As I walked into my stall and stood there staring at the toilet, I actually wished I had been born a man just so I wouldn't have to bare my bum and stick it to the ice covered toilet seat. But then when I did sit down and had the breath knocked out of me, I wished to be a polar bear. If I were a polar bear I wouldn't need to bare my bum, be a man or even use a toilet. And most importantly...I'd still be warm.
I wonder if I could get workers comp for getting hypothermia while using the bathroom.
In the meantime...
I came to work today dressed appropriately for the frigid cold weather...thermals, boots, hat, gloves, etc. I wasn't leaving anything to chance. After all, I ride the train and sometimes trains are late. Of course, I was able to shed most of these layers once I got to work because my office is kept fairly warm.
The bathroom, on the other hand...
I'm not sure why, but for some reason the bathrooms in this building are at least 40 degrees colder than the rest of the building. I walked in there and the cold slapped me in the face so hard I thought I was going to suffocate. It was so cold that for a second I thought about walking right back out and putting on my winter gear...just to use the bathroom. Thankfully that thought quickly passed when, in a moment of clarity, I realized that would only create additional problems with the whole bathroom procedure.
As I walked into my stall and stood there staring at the toilet, I actually wished I had been born a man just so I wouldn't have to bare my bum and stick it to the ice covered toilet seat. But then when I did sit down and had the breath knocked out of me, I wished to be a polar bear. If I were a polar bear I wouldn't need to bare my bum, be a man or even use a toilet. And most importantly...I'd still be warm.
I wonder if I could get workers comp for getting hypothermia while using the bathroom.
December 3, 2009
Going Private...
Dear Readers:
It has recently come to my attention that by typing my full name into a Google search, my blog appears for the whole world to see. I have no idea how this has happened, as my account is only set up with my first name, and not my last. I guess Google has somehow managed to extract my information from somewhere, and seeing as they are SO customer friendly they don't give me anyway to contact them and find out how this has happened.
Because my blog is now available for all to see (though I am aware not very many people will probably type my name into a Google search at random), and because I have pictures and other information about my nieces and nephews on my blog, I feel I must make my blog private for now.
I know I have a lot of faithful readers out there and I hope this won't dissuade any of you from continuing to read my blog. Please just send me your email address and I will send you an invite. I also know there are many of you who blog stalk me (you know, read my blog even though you may or may not personally know me and never leave a comment so I won't know you are reading it). If you'd like to continue reading my blog, especially if you're a hot single guy, drop me a line letting me know and after I conduct a full background check and deem you safe, I'll send you an invite as well. :)
I'll probably go private in the next week or so. Thanks for your understanding!
Camille
PS - If you wish not to leave your email address here, please email me at chameleon5@hotmail.com
It has recently come to my attention that by typing my full name into a Google search, my blog appears for the whole world to see. I have no idea how this has happened, as my account is only set up with my first name, and not my last. I guess Google has somehow managed to extract my information from somewhere, and seeing as they are SO customer friendly they don't give me anyway to contact them and find out how this has happened.
Because my blog is now available for all to see (though I am aware not very many people will probably type my name into a Google search at random), and because I have pictures and other information about my nieces and nephews on my blog, I feel I must make my blog private for now.
I know I have a lot of faithful readers out there and I hope this won't dissuade any of you from continuing to read my blog. Please just send me your email address and I will send you an invite. I also know there are many of you who blog stalk me (you know, read my blog even though you may or may not personally know me and never leave a comment so I won't know you are reading it). If you'd like to continue reading my blog, especially if you're a hot single guy, drop me a line letting me know and after I conduct a full background check and deem you safe, I'll send you an invite as well. :)
I'll probably go private in the next week or so. Thanks for your understanding!
Camille
PS - If you wish not to leave your email address here, please email me at chameleon5@hotmail.com
Love and Hate...
I hate driving. I've always known this, but yesterday a lightbulb came on in this dim brain of mine and I think I may have figured out why. Sometimes Most of the time, I have what I term "people claustrophobia". I don't usually feel anxious in tight enclosed spaces, but stick me in the middle of a group of people without a way out, and I all of a sudden feel like my chest is closing up on me. If I feel like I'm stuck around people, especially slow moving ones, I freak out. Because of this, I always have a tendency to walk super fast around a crowd of people until I am in the open. At a crosswalk, I'll try to manuever myself to the front of the crowd so I can be the first to cross the street. This is also true when driving. If I get stuck in traffic, I get ornery. If people are going 10mph below the speed limit and I'm stuck behind them, I get ornery. I drive the way I walk: manuvering my way around the slow people until I'm in the open. I can't be caught in the middle of a bunch of slow movers without a way out or I freak out. My friends tell me all the time I drive crazy. This would be why. I hate driving.
I love kids. I went to my parents last night to have them help me with a christmas project I'm working on, and as I was standing in the kitchen I happened to look down and see a piece of paper that had christmas ideas jotted down on it for my sister's family who lives in Arkansas. I was glancing over this paper when I noticed my 10 year old nephews list. The first thing written down said "A jar of pickles". I laughed out loud and said to my mom, "[He] wants a jar of pickles?" She said that my sister told her kids their individual christmas would be smaller this year because they were getting one big family gift. So each of the kids had to think of some little items they would want instead of big items. A jar of pickles. If only I could be as content with such a gift. Sometimes kids really are the best teachers. I love kids.
I love kids. I went to my parents last night to have them help me with a christmas project I'm working on, and as I was standing in the kitchen I happened to look down and see a piece of paper that had christmas ideas jotted down on it for my sister's family who lives in Arkansas. I was glancing over this paper when I noticed my 10 year old nephews list. The first thing written down said "A jar of pickles". I laughed out loud and said to my mom, "[He] wants a jar of pickles?" She said that my sister told her kids their individual christmas would be smaller this year because they were getting one big family gift. So each of the kids had to think of some little items they would want instead of big items. A jar of pickles. If only I could be as content with such a gift. Sometimes kids really are the best teachers. I love kids.
December 2, 2009
Working for Free...
YouTube is such an amazing invention. Whoever came up with a free way to post videos online for the sheer enjoyment of letting others watch them, was brilliant! I can guarantee that everyone reading this post has viewed a video on YouTube at one time or another. It is simply awesome.
Except for one thing: copyright owners.
For some reason, copyright owners seem to enjoy taking the fun out of everything! I understand that people like to get paid for their work, but if someone is just trying to express their feelings in pictures while using a moving song, what is the harm in that? None, if you ask me. Especially if they aren't making a profit on it. But time after time I come across a video where the music has been completely dubbed out and there's a message saying it was a violation of the copyright. Why not just remove the video? It seems pointless to let everyone view a silent movie. Well, unless we lived in 1922.
Anyway, as you all know, I posted a video on YouTube a couple years ago. I never got permission to use the song for this video and I was a little worried that one day I'd go to view it and it would have become one of those dreadful silent movies. I really didn't want to get in trouble for using this song without permission, but at the same time, I wanted to be able to share my love for the military with others. So I decided to post the video and see what would happen.
For two years and three months, nothing did happen.
Today I opened YouTube and not only did I notice that my video now has over one million views (yay!), I also noticed a couple other things. The first thing I noticed was that when the video starts to play, there is now an advertisement that pops up informing the viewer as to what the song is, who sings it and where they are able to purchase it. The second thing I noticed, upon clicking on the "statistics" tab (I like to do that every now and again) was that there was a message informing ME that because someone has claimed the copyright on the video the statistics can no longer be made public.
This may surprise you, but I have a couple thoughts about this:
First, YAY for the fact that my video wasn't made into a silent movie.
Second, I'm glad to know that my video is now an advertisement to purchase the song via iTunes or Amazon. I feel so good knowing that my FREE video is helping them make more money.
Third, can someone really make a claim on the copyright of the whole video, or are they really just claiming the copyright to the song? This part confuses me. But aside from that, why does that mean Joe Blow can't look to see what demographic is viewing the video? It doesn't make sense that they would block the statistics from being shown publicly simply because the song was copyrighted. Can anyone explain this to me?
Well, whoever has claimed the copyright has yet to make any contact with me. I think we should come to some kind of arrangement, like paying me thousands of dollars to use my video as their advertisement.
In the meantime, I'll just be grateful that they are at least letting me keep my video on YouTube.
Except for one thing: copyright owners.
For some reason, copyright owners seem to enjoy taking the fun out of everything! I understand that people like to get paid for their work, but if someone is just trying to express their feelings in pictures while using a moving song, what is the harm in that? None, if you ask me. Especially if they aren't making a profit on it. But time after time I come across a video where the music has been completely dubbed out and there's a message saying it was a violation of the copyright. Why not just remove the video? It seems pointless to let everyone view a silent movie. Well, unless we lived in 1922.
Anyway, as you all know, I posted a video on YouTube a couple years ago. I never got permission to use the song for this video and I was a little worried that one day I'd go to view it and it would have become one of those dreadful silent movies. I really didn't want to get in trouble for using this song without permission, but at the same time, I wanted to be able to share my love for the military with others. So I decided to post the video and see what would happen.
For two years and three months, nothing did happen.
Today I opened YouTube and not only did I notice that my video now has over one million views (yay!), I also noticed a couple other things. The first thing I noticed was that when the video starts to play, there is now an advertisement that pops up informing the viewer as to what the song is, who sings it and where they are able to purchase it. The second thing I noticed, upon clicking on the "statistics" tab (I like to do that every now and again) was that there was a message informing ME that because someone has claimed the copyright on the video the statistics can no longer be made public.
This may surprise you, but I have a couple thoughts about this:
First, YAY for the fact that my video wasn't made into a silent movie.
Second, I'm glad to know that my video is now an advertisement to purchase the song via iTunes or Amazon. I feel so good knowing that my FREE video is helping them make more money.
Third, can someone really make a claim on the copyright of the whole video, or are they really just claiming the copyright to the song? This part confuses me. But aside from that, why does that mean Joe Blow can't look to see what demographic is viewing the video? It doesn't make sense that they would block the statistics from being shown publicly simply because the song was copyrighted. Can anyone explain this to me?
Well, whoever has claimed the copyright has yet to make any contact with me. I think we should come to some kind of arrangement, like paying me thousands of dollars to use my video as their advertisement.
In the meantime, I'll just be grateful that they are at least letting me keep my video on YouTube.
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