For the last while, I've been totally swamped with school, homework, social stuff, Elder's Quorum, Area Government... it's been absolutely crazy. It's getting to the point that I feel like I've died a bit inside, and so I need laughs more than ever. Derek showed me this website, failblog.org, and it's got a bunch of epic fails on it that others were kind enough to point out in everyday life (a fail is... a fail. An epic fail is a fail to the extreme).
So, just in case you've got your hands as full as mine, here's some funnies that I stole from the site. Enjoy.
Fail...
I can't breath...
Every winter, Logan gets cold. Very cold. Not the "grab a jacket and you'll be fine" cold, but the "if you have skin showing, you'll lose it" cold. And it's that inhumanly freezing weather that causes this:
It's called an inversion, and it's a thing of unimaginable evil. See, Logan's build like a bowl, with the whole valley (and lands northward) sloping down into it. Not only does water go this way, but the air as well (especially polluted air). What happens is that the cold air "traps" the pollution from cars, cows, etc. into the bowl (Logan), and it sits there until a storm blows it away.
I love Logan, I really do. In fact, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that it's my favorite city. But like when your husband forgets to pick up the milk or the girlfriend crashes your car, you can still be a tad irked at a loved one... or place.
I've always had pretty keen senses, and smell is no exception. But it's times like these that I curse that nose of mine. When I wake up and go to classes, I can smell, even sometimes taste, the dirty air.
I don't just post this to complain, but rather to... you know what, I think I am just complaining. It's a warning too, I suppose: if you're coming to Logan soon, bring a respirator.
"Shift Happens"
In my Technology and Society class, the prof showed us a video/slideshow called "Shift Happens." It show info and stats about the shift that's happening world-wide concerning... well, just about everything. We live in a day and age where everything is changing faster and faster, for ill or good.
Here's the video below. I think the music is supposed to make you a bit nervous, but I find most of the info in the show is quite exciting. I have to be honest, though: many (if not most) of the predictions in the video seem like bunk; they go over the top. Even so, this video is pretty mind-blowing, and it's worth a look.
It just goes to show that the world won't hold still anymore. The world is always changing.
Shift happens.
Fighting for Utah State
I'm not sure of how many of you already know this, but the Utah Legislature is considering a 19% budget cut to public universities. This would be absolutely devastating to Utah State, and I'm trying to get the word out. In fact, as VP of South Campus Area Government, I actually sent this message to 100+ people on our Facebook group, as well as e-mails. I want everyone to know:
"Most of you have heard of the impending budget cuts proposed by the Utah Senate, shaving 19% off of the state's funding for public universities. What most DON'T know is the extent of damage that this proposal will create for Utah State University. 600+ jobs will be lost, programs will be cut (starting with the arts), research funds will be lost, tuition will rise, class numbers and sizes will shrink, and entire departments may get the axe.
If you have ever wondered how the economic situation will affect you, this is it.
This isn't something that will just go away. Our Governor, John Huntsman, has offered to the Legislature an alternative course of action: an 11% cut instead of 19%. While the University will still lose millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs, the impact will be significantly lower than that of the currently proposed plan.
This is the time to be heard, Aggies. Please, PLEASE do your part in writing letters to the state and legislature, telling them that we are not to be forgotten. They are our representatives; have them represent us. Give Gov. Huntsman our support for his plan. There's a rally in Salt Lake later this month as well. If you know anyone in government positions, whether it be local, state, or federal, please tell them about our cause and enlist any help you can get from them. Big names=big results.
This doesn't just affect us in Logan: all public Utah schools will get slammed by this cut as well. We need to put aside our rivalries with others and unite in a single and universal cause. Utah State, Weber, Dixie, SUU, Utah... we're all on the same side this time. Even if it's just telling someone about this situation, PLEASE do your part in defending our school.
You can get more info from news sites, such as: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5244710
I'm proud of Utah State and everything it does, and I'm willing to fight for it's sake. Are you?"
So that was my message, and it's the same to you. If you value higher education, from ANY school in Utah, please let others know, and do what you can to keep USU as prestigious as it is today.
Bak tuh skool
I enjoyed Christmas break, but after being home for three weeks, all I could think about was when I could go back to Utah State. Well, I'm finally back, and it's COLD. 17 degrees, not including the wind, snowing, and most of the sidewalks are solid ice. Despite all this, I'm actually really glad to be back. My social life isn't exactly 'happenin' back in Kaysville, as awesome as it is.
Right now, I'm taking Economics, Management Information Systems, Masterpieces of Music, Beginning Piano, Institute, English, and possibly a Technology/History class. At the moment, I'm a business major, though I may not stay that way. The reason I'm keeping the major is because, quite honestly, I'm not sure what I want to go into. I have at least 2 years to figure that out... No matter what I graduate with, I want at least a minor in business, as it's useful in any field. My major credits transfer to a minor quite nicely, so if I ever change my mind, I won't feel like I've wasted a whole semester. Mark's no dummy...
Christmas Party in Preston
I just got back from the annual Beckstead Family Christmas Party. To be honest, it's close to a miracle that the family and I got back in one piece at all. About half of the roads were nearly completely covered by snow and, more often, ice. Every once in a while, you'd see a car that had spun out and was now stuck in a snowbank. I fell asleep on the way back, but my dad tallied it at six cars.
Isn't a known law of the Universe that, if there's ice on the road, you slow down? I guess some people had missed the memo. Drive slow and safe, peeps. Your car and your insurance premium will thank you.
On a happier note, I'm going back up to Utah State on the 5th. I love it up in Logan, so I'm looking forward to getting another semester in. This should be a good one.
I Love History Class.
My favorite school subject is easily History, and it has been for a long time. That explains why I enjoy my American History class so much. It was about two weeks ago when we were covering the Civil War (the class only covers the first half of the Nation's history), and Prof. Kimball played a song for us. It's a tune sometimes sung by the Irish volunteers in the Union Army.
See, back when the war first started, there was speculation that Britain would favor, or even send troops to help, the Confederate States of America (South). Because of the famines in Ireland years before, many Irishmen left the isle and went to America, and often saw it as a saving grace, as there was work and food here.
So when Britain, whom the Irish had never really been big fans of, threatened to interfere with the war, the immigrants were... unhappy. I've posted a link of the song that I mentioned earlier, "Opinions of Paddy Magee." It's the Irish soldiers in the Union army singing a warning of sorts to England to leave "Columbia" (USA) alone, or they'll get what's coming to them (which is interesting, considering that England had whipped America's trash in the War of 1812).
I like the song because it shows how much the Irish immigrants loved their new home. Listen to the words, and you'll get a kick out of it; if you can understand it, anyway.
And remember, "The American Nation can wail all creation."
(Copy and paste the link into your browser)
http://www.imeem.com/trump1tx/music/G4YPEAca/david_kincaid_opinions_of_paddy_magee/
Lists... Everybody loves lists...
Hey, I've been mooching off lists, so here's one that you guys can all steal from me. Edit it for yourself and slap it on your blog. You'll actually find out a few things when you do...
10 things you wish you could say to ten different people right now:
1. Dude, calm down.
2. I've had a crush on you for a while...
3. How can you still stand to talk to me? Thanks.
4. You're always there. [high five]
5. Get your priorities straight, now.
6. I lied...
7. Please just leave me alone...
8. You're the reason I'm here. Thanks, guys.
9. Prozac can do wonders.
10. Hygiene. Heard of it much?
9 Things people might not know about you:
1. I'm a business major.
2. I'm 100%, completely addicted to Chocolate Oranges (Terry's only. Florida Tropic brand=narsty.)
3. History is my favorite school subject.
4. I have mild Arnold-Chiari Brain Malformation (I'll live)
5. I worked at the Centerville Deseret Industries last summer.
6. I've gotten mono twice (you usually get it once, like chicken pox), and I didn't kiss anyone to get it either times.
7. I'm a True Dart, and Morgan's not! HAH!
8. My business/trench coat is my favorite piece of clothing ever.
9. Alfredo Sauce is like Crack to me.
8 ways to win your heart:
1. Have a good sense of humor.
2. Have a mature outlook on life.
3. Be able to have an intelligent conversation.
4. Despise Edward Cullen (major points there, ladies).
5. Be kind
6. Let me be a gentleman.
7. Be okay with my weirdness.
8. Love yourself.
7 awesome movies:
1. Lord of the Rings
2. Dark Knight
3. Court Jester.
4. Support Your Local Sheriff.
5. Titan A.E.
6. Star Wars.
7. A Christmas Story
6 things you do before you fall asleep:
1. Check Facebook
2. Probably eat something I shouldn't...
3. Brush Teeth.
4. Scriptures
5. Pray
6. Read a little something else if I want to.
5 people who mean a lot, no order:
1. Mom and Dad.
2. Grandma and Grandpa.
3. Derek.
4. Friends (won't fit on list.)
5. The wonderful women in my life.
4 things you don't like:
1. Seafood.
2. When technology doesn't work.
3. When guys disrespect women.
4. Snobby people.
3 things you like:
1. Rain. Lots of rain.
2. Kind words.
3. Music.
2 things you want to do before you die:
1. Teach (church, professor, whatever).
2. Find her.
1 confession:
1. I've lived my whole life in Utah, and I've never been skiing or snowboarding. Not once.
My (not Christmas) List
I visited Dave and Dawn's blog, and they have this list of things, and if you've done them, you bold 'em. "That looks might interesting," says I, and so I reverted to my pirate-y ways and stole it (well, they said to try it, so I guess it's not technically stealing... but a pirate won't tell ye that).
So here's my list. Yes, I'm being honest here, so don't start calling me out.
Unless you're looking for a fight, matey.
Argh...
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (freaked me out. Me no likey bugs-folk)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (cartoons)
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning (4th grade on Lagoon Day...)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (McDonald's is a restaurant, right?)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (knock on wood)
47. Had your portrait painted (drawn, actually)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (kinda…)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold (eating counts for guys)Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (uh… I think this a permanent failure for me)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
'Tis the Time for Christmas
It's finally here! Man, I love it. I've been waiting all year for December to come rolling around. Like I said before, Christmas before Thanksgiving was a no-no, but now... you'll get to know just how Yule-crazy I really am. Make sure to wear a nog-resistant shirt.
First, horror story. On Black Friday, my family went to the mall sometime close to noon, as we didn't care for the insane rush of sale-mad people. But just because it was past 9 in the morning doesn't mean that all the crazies had left yet. It was like watching a barn full of cow catch fire: people scattering in all directions, looking to buy stuff they don't need with money they probably didn't have.
Anywho, sounds crowded, right? That's nothin'. You have to remember that I'm about 6'6" and not lacking in "broadness." Add size 15 feet to that, and you've got yourself a recipe for disaster. I can handle it when people step on my toes (their sheer size distributes the pressure, I guess), but I must have stepped on about two-dozen people's feet. I haven't said "excuse me" so often since either back in crowded London or the Great Allergen Summer of '05.
Apparently, I'm Mark the Foot Smasher.
Fear my iron feet.
Way back when...
I guess I was hit by some kind of nostalgia today, and I looked up a video a bunch of us made last year at USU. A few of us in Greaves Hall got REALLY bored, and so we did some crazy stunts in the basement of the building, then put the videos in REVERSE. Wow, original, huh? The next generation of insanity, we were.
Anywho, this a video from last year, basement of Greaves Hall. You won't see me until the end of the video. While Austin and I were the main "directors," I was also the cameraman. Listen to how we tried to say our names backward at the end so when they were reversed... it didn't work out too well.
Oh, and just click "pause" on the music player so you can get sound for the video.
A Time and a Place for Everything
I love Christmas. It's easily my favorite time of the year. It's the snow, the music, the overall feeling of it that makes it the best. Christmas is awesome.
AFTER THANKSGIVING.
How could he say such a thing? It only comes once a year, so shouldn't we celebrate it early? Nay, says I. If you celebrate it too early, it can ruin the holiday. Let me explain:
The new Dragonforce album is coming out. Holy cow, Mark's freaking out! New album, baby! And to make it better, they've released a promo song from the CD a month early. We find Mark listening to it nonstop, and after two weeks, the song is getting old. By the time the new album comes out, Mark can't stand to hear the sound of Dragonforce without wanting to punch someone.
I'm not saying that I hate Christmas music by the time December 25th rolls around, but that if you jump the gun on Christmas, it can make the actual season seem less... special.
I'm not telling you how to celebrate the season (that's what Martha Stewart's for). But you might as well give it a try? Since when have I given you a reason to... you know what, I'd best not finish that.
So no
Until after
Please. It's for the kids.
College: don't ask
I don't have much to report, but I still want to post something. So, I thought I'd give you an idea of what I'm up to at college through photos. And by "what I'm up to," I mean all the things that's I'm doing that aren't the most... productive.
Enjoy, and remember, "don't ask."
Me, with a stool on my head. 'Nuff said.
My sneaky eyes.
Us, after the paint dance.
We had to get the paint off...
Austin jumped into the Logan River. I didn't. Who looks like the winner here?
The crazies who DID jump into the river.
Okay, it was REALLY late, and it wasn't the pose I asked them to do. (I'm not in this one. Thank goodness...)
Me in front of Angie's. One day, kitchen sink, one day...
HOCKEY! WHOO! KILL THE REF! SMASH 'IM!
I Hate/Love Technology
Anyone who know me KNOWS that I love technology. Computers, gadgets, useless tech, I want it all. However, at the same time, I absolutely HATE technology. It all kinda depends on what the tech is up to.
If something's working just fine, it's amazing. I like to tweak the stuff and play with it like a kitten with a ball of yarn. But, when it stops doing what it's supposed to do, it makes me nuts. True fact: EVERY piece of technology that I've owned that costs more than $70 has, at some point, either broken (not my fault) or just plain freaked out. Zune, phones, Xbox, palm, lappy... they all turned evil for a time.
I say this not complain, but to... actually, I think I am just complaining. In fact, if you have a tech-related waking nightmare, put it in the comments. It'll make the rest of us feel a bit better knowing that we're not the only ones with digital cross hairs on our foreheads.
The Howl
If you've never heard of the Howl, I either you didn't pay attention in awesome class or you've been dead for 30 years. For those of you who DON'T know, the Howl is the Halloween Party hosted by Utah State University, and it's off the hook. It's famous for being one of the biggest college parties in the nation; people come from out-of-state to come this thing, and rightly so. Thousands of crazy students show up. When you go in, there's a labyrinth that the engineers put together, along with a dance company dressed as puppets that randomly start dancing together. It's something out of a Michael Jackson music video (back when he was cool).
So here's my costume. Leave a guess in the comments area as to what I was:
Let There Be Paint
For the past seven years, during Utah State's Homecoming Week, the school puts on something called the "Paint Dance." While this may sound like some lame exhibit of an up-and-coming modern 'artist,' it's actually exactly what it appears to be: dance + paint. A bunch of rabid college students plunge into a huge plastic tent (as not to get the stuff on the DJ's equipment), grab cupfulls of paint, and chuck it at each other with no mercy. To make it even cooler, they installed a bunch of blacklights to make the paint glow, along with the white shirts that everyone wore.
I didn't get hit too hard. My pants were splashed on the side, but not too bad. My face was pretty covered, and my shirt got most of its battle scars from Austin using it as a handkerchief. Why? Because the guy was COVERED from head to toe in paint. I swear to you, it was in LAYERS. It soaked through his clothes, covered his hair, got in his ears, nose, and he even had a bit hanging out on his contacts at one point (hence the frequent use of a handkerchief, aka me). Under the blacklights, he glowed like a shirtless Swede.
Just how bad was it? If you wanna see, I'll have the pics up on Facebook ASAP. If you don't have Facebook:
-First of all; just get one. Seriously, the whole "I'm not conforming to a social network thing" isn't cool anymore. Even non-conformists are using it, and so that makes you a non-non-conformist. And what happens when you add two negatives? You get a positive... conformist...
-If you still don't wanna, find someone with an account. The pics are worth it, trust me. And who doesn't trust ME?
Making Myself Sore
Almost every day, I have about 2 hours-ish after classes before I actually start to do stuff. Yeah, stuff. Most of the time, I just chill and be lazy. No more, says I. I've decided to pull a stupid: I'm gonna start working out again.
Well, I DID start working out again. Yesterday was the first day, and it was pretty cool. I'd forgotten what the adrenaline rush of pumping iron felt like. But this morning... not so good. My muscles are destroyed, and that makes the body think to itself "why did I do that? That was really stupid, why would I do that again? I need time to rest."
However, in the red corner we have the mind. "It's called working out, remember? We did it waaaay back when? It'll hurt for the first while, but you'll look better." "Are you nuts? I just ripped myself apart for this and that blah, blah...."
That's kind of how the argument goes, but the mind finally wins. So now, the body's angry at it, and I'm mad at it.
Not very good odds for my mind.
Of Boards, Tie-Dye, and Meetings
This week I had to take up my "Vice Presidential Duties" and update the display for the RHA bulletin board in Merrill Hall. Daunting task, I know. I eventually decided to go with an old favorite of mine: the list of useless facts. After over an hour and a half, I finished the thing, realizing that I took WAY too much time to do it. Next time you're in Logan, stop by and check it out. It's a sight to behold.
Yesterday, South Campus had a tie-dye party on the front lawn (I think the RA's put in on), and it was epic. They had t-shirts for people to color and design, and I, in reference to past experiences, decided to take some socks to make instead. Why? When you're my size, you can NEVER expect them to have something in your size. Adjust accordingly; hence the socks. They'll be Aggie Blue when they're finished, and they'll be my lucky hockey-game socks.
Lastly, after the hippie-inspired shenanigans, I had an Area Government meeting for about an hour, and immediately after that I had an Elders Quorum Pres. meeting. Okay, so do you know why the ward leaders keep bugging you about home teaching? Because it's HARD to set up! Take this from one with experience. We were in the meeting for TWO HOURS before we were finished. But hey, someone's gotta do it, right?
So you can see it's pretty nuts up here. Add to that homework, church, and keeping the girls from 312 away (don't ask). I don't tell you these to brag, but to say that I'm actually doing things up here that don't always rely on either sleep-drunkeness or a video game console. Shocking...
Virtual High-Five
I needed a ride down to Kaysville so I could be home for conference weekend (as my parents asked of me), but I couldn't find one. Luckily, I have the coolest grandparents in the world. I called and asked if they'd give me lift on their way down, and they said I could, but grandpa needed to drop by the bank for a bit and grandma wanted to pick some groceries out at Sam's Club, and she invited me to come with.
While we were there, I got a reminder of just how incredibly awesome our grandma is. She was telling me stories, listening to mine, and was constantly offering to spoil me by buying me food (she got me some awesome pot pies, but I wouldn't let her buy me anything else. It was tough). On the way to pick up grandpa from the bank, we continued talking and I learned a few things, as I often do when I'm around grandma and grandpa.
Basically, I'm just saying that we should all be grateful for our Grandma, as she's about the best they come. If you're one of the few that isn't in the Beckstead Bunch that actually reads this, make sure to thank your grandparents as well... even though ours are better.
So grandma, here's a virtual high-five to ya. You rock, hence the totally inappropriate tribute pic below.
Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!
Of News and Rock
A few things to report. Firstly, we have a new roommate. His name's Gene (at least his English name), and he's from Hong Kong. Yeah, he got here a little late, but what they actually do here is there's this Chinese professor that finds the best students around the world in his field and pays them to come out here and work/research with him. I don't know much about Gene, as I've only seen him three times, as he's never home. But hey, we've got a while, right?
I think my cold's finally gone, knock on wood. I also got to put my excellent paper BSing skills to use: I had to write a paper on a book that I only got 1/4 the way through, and I had to write an essay for a test on a subject that I wasn't at class for, and I got a B+. I know that this sounds like a flash of genius among my many other... mental flaws. But don't thank me, kids. This amazing talent is a direct genetic hand-me-down from Dad. His superior genetic material is what's to blame for this amazing happenstance.
Also, I've discovered one of my greatest talents: air guitar. I mean, sure, everyone can jam out to an invisible instrument of awesomeness now and again, but I've had people tell me that I can rock out (or at least I could, if it didn't look so dorky). Give me a song that I'm familiar with, and I'll make the rock gods jealous with my bodacious miming.
THIS IS NOT ME
