A POEM: "Occupate"

Lucky is the man that loves hard work
And thrives on the tasks and the noise
Of a life spinning out of control,
Neglecting all that it destroys.
How should his life lack any meaning;
His gaze is on what he enjoys?
Whether or not, his mind has forgot
What all of his neighbors and loved ones have sought,
What “ought” to his mind he employs

Foolish the man that revels in art,
Who’s fantasies flow out of calm.
Life still may spin, or maybe it twirls
With worlds and a sprite in each palm.
How is he to get anything done
If faith replaces each qualm?
And lo, what ho, to his dreamland he’ll go
Where Mahler and Checkov, Picasso, Thoreau,
And Poe will be singing him Psalms.

My Friend Street Lamp

Sometimes I spend hours wandering the streets at night. I'll observe the night owls, think about things, or just listen to the city breath. This town has a shallow breath at night and if you're not listening, you'll miss it. I'm not usually out looking for anything on these late excursions; in fact, my motivation for walking around is often just to avoid doing nothing. What I end up finding, however, is character. I find charm in the streets and alleys of this small city. I find mediocre bands making their debuts in struggling cafes. I find late night magic and D&D tournaments in forgotten comic book stores with names like: The Dragon Keep. I find alleys with old fire escapes that are probably much too dangerous to use. I find temperamental street lamps--I wait underneath so that when the lamp turns back on, it will reveal me and not just an empty street. I find weekend dance parties in cramped living rooms with anxious circles of potential dancers. I find that sprinklings of rain don't just fall, they twirl and dance before a gentle collision with my face (something brought to light by my friend, the street lamp). I think I enjoy rain much more than I used to; I can tell by my walking speed. what once excellerated my pace is now inversely affecting it. It feels so nice against my face that I have an urge to experience it more fully; I start to untie my laces. Shoeless, shirtless, and shameless I walk through the back streets. The sidewalks are polluted with umbrella trees so I position my path in the middle of the road. No cars on these streets; I imagine most people have the prescribed amount of sense...

The Trouble With Love Is..... (men's edition)

My friend Cailtlin Bronson posted a blog about the boys in Provo: caitlinbronson.blogspot.com which I found to be not only hilarious, but somewhat accurate. So, with her permission, I've decided to complete this "provo daters" list by adding the woman to it. Though completely stereotyped and for fun, there is still much truth in this.

Similarly to my friend, I too am often asked why (out of all the cute girls at BYU) I remain single and haven't commited to a lifelong relationship in the holiest of matromonies. To help shed some light on this, let us attempt to classify some of the women we run into here in the land of loners and lovers:

-The 'Need A Man' : This product of upbringing has no plans for the future except to find that perfect Elder's quorum president. If this fails, then finishing school and graduating with bachelors degree becomes their "back-up plan." Between reading bridal magazine's and fishing for dates amongst her FHE brothers with 'mom's secret recipe brownies', she often fills her days with watching Gilmore Girls (as most girls do), planning dessert/game nights at her apartment, and occasionally writing that 2 page paper she's been procrastinating for her "Marraige Prep" class. Ironically, these girls are often torn between dating and girl nights, feeling guilty that they didn't spend 2 nights out of the 7 which they normally spend with their clingy roommates.

-The Indie Girl : This breed of unique, yet oh so similar girls (deserving the title since most have not yet matured to womanhood) are not always as independent as their name implies. Many of these girls are looking for 3 things in/on a man: Skinny-jeans, skinny-jeans, skinny-jeans. Though their distaste for trends and popular styles tends to steer them in the direction of thrift stores, they often spend more time shopping for their indie clothes than the trendy kids. This girl will spend her days photographing with her poloroid camera, going to see bands that can't play their instruments, and trying to philosophies so that other people conclude that she can really think outside the box. Careful, being a social descendant from the emo girl, she will pack a lot of drama into that free-thinking spirit of hers.

-The Former Class President : These tend to be the most sought-after women on campus while simultaneously being the most infuriating for men. She has her entire life planned out, but struggles to manage her weekend schedule. Confident, career-centered, and needing only a general social life. A typical day will include an early morning bagel, a dash for the door, school, work, school, work, more school, and top it off with the nightly visitors from the weeker sex (which, contrary to popular opinion, are men). Though most suitors will eventually discover her non-commital nature, she will one day surprise everyone and announce her engagement to a business finance major who treats her like garbage...ah, young love.

-The Foreigner : Though too few, this group deserves an honorary mention. This strong-willed female usually has more than a couple crazy stories (she'd have to to wind up at BYU). Often times, these girls go on a lot of first dates because, although no one will admit it, most boys at BYU can't get over the cultural or (dare I say it) racial differences. For shame! A couple other honorary mentions that won't be addressed due to lack of numbers would be the feminist and the normal girl.

-The "Me Monster" (aka Social Grace) : She often comes complete with features like "let's define who I am," and talking too much. You could also classify this self-absorbed woman in the "foot-in-mouth" category except she never seems to get wise to the fact that she's said too much. Often times the "Me Monster" will be very well-intentioned and will work SO very hard to improve herself in every area of her life (realizing that something is amiss)until... unfortunately... many of them morph into the "Why Not You Monster." This advanced "Me Monster" spends a considerable amount of time pointing out the things that she has done that you should do also. The "Me Monster" will spend much of her day daydreaming through class, conciously collecting things about her day that she can talk about later, and finding groups of people that she can invite herself in to.

-Painstakingly Plastic: I didn't want to go too stereotypical, but no matter how many times we make fun of them, plastics are still overpopulating every place. Always at the pool, never in the in pool, these barbecued barbies will some day have to meet the melanoma monster in person. Aside from outward appearance, these girls will hide away there most interesting features to fit the "perfect" mold. I have not yet been able to determine whether they are always putting on a front, or if they truly have absolutely nothing unique or inticing to their personalities. Despite constant maintanance and a well-practiced flirty voice, the Painstakingly Plastic will attract but never win over a "sweet bro."

These are just a few of the many interesting and intriguing girls that are found in Singleville, Provo. If you are thinking to yourself "awwww, that was harsh, he's so mean to women," just remind yourself that this is all in good fun and I'm only retaliating ;)

Beatnik Blogging

As you are probably aware (made obvious by my web address), I have a small fascination with the Beat Generation. I love the writing styles of Jack Kerouac and Alan Ginsberg. I crave bebop and cool jazz daily. I love my black turtle neck and, admittedly, own more than a couple of beret's. I've often wondered what led me to be so enthralled in this strange era of American History. Is it the stereotyped clothing style of the seudo French-Goth persuasion? Is it the attitude of reckless ambandon that is so delicious to my adolescent pallet--or perhaps the patriotic idea of hitch-hiking across the United States? It could definately be that this generation adored the style of music that I love and study full time. These all may be valid and accurate, but I think the most appealling aspect of these rag-tag, irresponsible youths is this: they valued and lived for creativity. Not only this, it didn't even have to be "good" creativity, it just had to be creative. I look at poetry/writings/art from this genre and half the time it's just ridiculous, stream-of-thought ramblings. Sometimes it's more fun to laugh at than analyze. THIS is the appeal: I can write! I can draw. I can paint/sing/play/create. I don't have to be a scholar or professional. I may not be able to do all of it well, but that's not the point. The point is that I'm trying to create something unique and new. ANYONE can be an artist and EVERYONE deserves to be. We shouldn't have to worry about how "good" our art is and we definately shouldn't have to worry about if other people think it's good. Your art is just that...it's YOURS; it's for you, by you, given to you. The more we create, the better we get at it and if we worry about how it's going to be received, we'll most likely give up early. Nobody starts off exceptional.

The Beat Generation seemed to understand this (at least the way I view it). When thoughts of these beret wearing hipsters enter into our imagination we tend to think of a smoky coffee shop where everyone, dressed in black, are sitting around listening to poetry and jazz. They are listening to creation...and supporting it.

To Be or Not to Be...Blunt.

"You have tacky taste," "you talk a lot... and sometimes too much," "It's interesting that we're dating because you're not really my type." These and many many more dangerously blunt sentences have escaped my lips when talking to friends and women I'm dating. Luckily, most of the people I frequently hang out with don't seem to mind and usually dish it back. Just know this: once I become even somewhat comfortable with you, I automatically will assume a thickness to your skin. When it comes to my opinion and my observations, I often suspend what tact I have and will speak as my brain has initially ordered my thoughts. Except to edit any vocabulary/profanity issues, my mouth will be stripped of all filters.

Let's say a woman asks "does this make me look fat," or even more simple "how do I look?" Now, an intelligent heterosexual male would reply "you look great," or (for the long-termers) "you look fine dear." Me? Weeeell, being the thick-headed, blunt person that I am would (as kindly and politely as possible) tell you the truth. I know... dangerous, VERY dangerous. If I'm lucky, she'll look great; if I'm unlucky, well, it would probably go something like this "That's not my favorite dress in the world, your hair looks good, but that dress and those shoes are not very flattering." followed by a confident--but still awkward-- "no offense."

There you have it, I'm as dumb as I look. So don't ask me questions unless you want some honesty. I'm not cruel, pessimistic, or mean, but I will be completely honest and blunt.

Now, let's discuss some pros and cons

Pros:

1.) I won't lie to you (best policy and all that)

2.) In relationships, there is good communication and no decite (girls usually know exactly what is going on.

3.) It definately makes for some interesting conversations.

Cons:

1.) Foot-in-mouth disease (it's embarrassing for me sometimes)

2.) Occassionally people get the wrong idea or get offended (I'm sorry, I really am, none was implied)

3.) I don't get the luxury of being friends with everyone (some people just don't like it).

All in all, I still think the pros outweigh the cons, but it's still up for debate.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!!

P.S. I just saw "Sabrina" (the newer one) again. She is extremely blunt and I think it makes her even classier and more attractive :)