Garrett Van Rooy

Quest for Awesome

2011-09-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

I have been on a bit of a nostalgic kick in the last few weeks. In between extreme bouts of homeworkitis (if that's not a real disease, it should be) I have been whiling away my time with some Quest for Glory action. For those of you not familiar with Quest for Glory, I'm so sorry. But you missed out on what I would consider an iconic game of our youth. Perhaps you've heard of King's Quest? No? For real? Did you EVER play video games beyond your Super Nintendo? Shame on you.

Regardless, Quest for Glory is a ton of fun. It's considered a point-and-click adventure game. That's because you... y'know... point your mouse at stuff... and then click stuff and.... stuff happens because of it. Okay, that doesn't sound that intriguing, but I swear it's a complete blast. You usually have to find items, or find ways to retrieve items to get you to the next step of the adventure. In Quest for Glory you also level up certain skills (which I think is different in King's Quest... but I didn't play those). There were five games in the series and you could import a saved character from a completed previous game into the new one and continue with the skills and items you developed previously.

You would select a fighter, mage, or thief (from the third game on you could make a Paladin as well) and you solve puzzles differently based on your class. It's a pretty fun experience. There aren't too many games like that as the genre isn't around much anymore. The best part is that some of these games are being remade for free. There's a company called AGD Interactive that has remade a number of the King's Quest games along with Quest for Glory 2. They did an excellent job as well. They also made an original point-and-click game. Might be worth looking into if you like the games they remade. Give it a shot and let me know what you think!

Mother's Instincts

2011-08-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

You know how your family can have "family friends?" That is to say, YOU might not be friends with them, but your parents are, so you are by default? When I was 13 or so, living in California, I remember we had some family friends with 3 daughters at the time. One was having a birthday party at a park 45 minutes away one Saturday. Now, normally this is no big deal. But the birthday girl was turning 8 or something. At 13, I did not want to go to a party for an 8-year-old. I remember walking into my mother's room to explain my case...

"Mom? Can I stay home? I don't really want to go to this party. It will be a bunch of little kids, a bunch of adults, and me, 13, with nothing to do and no one to talk to."

Apparently my logic was sound, because my mother agreed to let me stay home. I ran to my room, kicked off my shoes, and proceeded to fire up the Nintendo. Not a few minutes later my mother came into the room...

"Garrett, I don't know why, but you have to come to this party with us."

"WHAT?! You just said I didn't have to go! This is so stupid! I hate this!"

Life was now the worst experience ever. The sun was shining outside and the weather was perfect, and when I got home I was going to kill myself. I hated the world and everything in it. Not only did my mother go back on her word, but the party was EXACTLY what I said it would be. A bunch if screaming idiot kids, a bunch of parents pretending they all knew each other since high school gabbing away at who-cares-what, and me. Alone. With nothing to do. I spent 2 hours hitting a tennis ball with a plastic bat. All the while with this creepy red-headed lady staring at me and making me uncomfortable.

Nothing helped. I finally decided I would nap the rest of the day away. I went over to one of those shade-things. You know, those things that are kind of like a gazebo, but they're just 4 pillars and a roof? I leaned against a pillar, put my head on my knees and closed my eyes.

Just then, my mother ran up, "Garrett! Garrett! Don't look, just listen!"

I heard a voice behind me, "Duuuuuude, you ready to go?"

I knew that voice.... that sounded just like Cody from Step by Step on the TGIF program. I turned around and there he was! His daughter was at the party! I didn't factor in that this family friend was a hair dresser to the stars! Her daughter went to school with Sasha Michell's kids! What's more, the creepy red-headed lady? His wife! She walked up and said, "I've been staring at your son all day, he reminds me so much of Sasha when he was young."

BOOYA! Did you hear that? I got "Cody's" autograph and had a great story to tell. This was the best day I had ever had to that date.

It's a good thing my mother listened to whatever told her I had to go to that stupid party, wasn't it?

The Zombie Apocalypse is Here (I'm living-dead proof)

2011-07-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

Two years. Okay, I'm ready to admit that I hate to write. Not that I hate the creative process of writing, I just hate the time commitment. In my defense I work full-time, I go to school full-time, I'm a new father (okay he's over a year old now, but that's kinda new still), and I perform at an improv comedy clu b and teach classes there. For a guy that would pay cash money to stay at home playing video games and watching movies the rest of his life, I qualify this as, "near impossible busyness."

I'm tired. Not the kind of tired that one experiences from a hard day's work or a grueling endurance run through the Alpines (why the Alpines? No idea.), but tired in a way where I look in the mirror and I wonder how it is my body is choosing to function. This is how the zombie apocalypse will come about. I'm sure of it. Masses of people who put too much on their plate and somehow find the will, energy, and presence of thought to see it all through.

I can see it now: The streets are barren, nothing but silence. Not even the wind dares an utterance lest the wind be defiled by the endless hordes of the ~~dead~~ exhausted, shambling to the nearest coffee hut or caffeinated beverage stand. In the distance the first sight of the ~~undead~~ sleepless can be viewed upon with horror.

It would seem that in this case, our best option as a defense would be an Ambien rather than a shotgun.

Laugh Out-Loud Difficult

2009-08-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

The three to four people that glance at this blog from time to time (or month to month as my activity will often force) know very well that I hold aspirations of making a career out of entertaining. I say "entertaining" and not "acting" for one major reason: I'll take whatever I can get. Yes, I want to act in some form or another (the ultimate goal is to one day find myself in a movie with superpowers). Work, school, and life in general has prevented me from even toying around with the idea of doing something with theater. Frankly, I have not had much of a creative outlet. This makes for one annoying husband (ask Lauryn, she'll tell ya).

So, my wife, in her wisdom (and her desperation to get me out of a slump so I wouldn't make her clinically insane) took one of her payments for a recent web design she did to buy me into the advanced classes in the Jester'Z improv comedy troupe. This was a daunting and exciting opportunity for me. I do hope that this someday turns into an opportunity to be in the main cast of the Jester'Z, as they select their cast from the advanced classes. I have been blessed with great instruction thus far...

I'm a pretty funny guy. Granted, I have a quirky sense of humor at times, and I tend to "take a swing and miss" often enough, but I have always felt this was a part of comedy. Being willing to risk looking like an idiot is where comedic genius can be found. Sometimes I draw a line in the humor and walk right over it and that does lead to some awkward moments, but I have been blessed with some understanding friends who allow me the opportunity to work on my humor within a safe environment.

Being that I consider myself a man with a decent sense of humor, I had no idea (and trust me, if you have not taken classes YOU most likely have no idea as well) how very difficult becoming a truly excellent improv actor can be. I never thought I would see the day where I walked out of improvisation classes feeling like I was doomed to a life of always be inadequate. My instructors don't make me feel that way in any sense of the word, but there are rules with improv that separate "advanced" improv actors from "professional" improv actors. I have friends that make it look easy, and that is a fine art to be sure.

That being said, I am learning astounding amounts of knowledge and skill in the way of improv comedy. I highly recommend the beginning or advanced classes (as your experience would dictate). Part of the classes feature performances, which are usually free, in order to give the actors a chance to learn how to perform. It may not be main-cast caliber, but it is fun nonetheless. Take a look at their site and look at their calendar for days to come take a look! I will be up performing this Thursday, August 13th and three weeks following.

Just don't bring tomatoes... especially if they're still in the can...

The Last Days? Maybe...

2009-04-05T21:29:00.000-07:00

A religious post? I suppose it could be seen that way. In most Christian based religions, it is believed that there will be certain "signs of the times" that denote when the second coming of Christ is imminent. I will start by saying yes, I am a religious person. I have a firm belief in God. I know that Christ lives and that he made an atoning sacrifice for my sins. But I will also say that I do not believe that my faith means I need to tell anyone else how to live, feel, or worship. Sure, I have issues that I feel strongly one way or another on, but I will often reserve this opinion for people that I know are comfortable hearing it, or when directly asked my opinion.

With that being said, I'm going to throw it out there: I think the second coming of Christ is soon. Yeah yeah, I know what all my religious friends are inclined to say... "No one knows the coming of Christ, not even the angels in Heaven." I get that. And I agree, I have NO idea when Armageddon is going to hit. I just think it's soon. I used to feel that it would occur in the lifetime of my children (when I friggin' have some!) and MAYBE in my lifetime. But, now I'm feeling like it will occur during my lifetime (or during my naturally expected lifespan. Assuming I don't kick the bucket prematurely in a video game related disaster). Heck, it was said in the "Last Days" the moon would turn red as blood or something, right? Hasn't that happened?

There's just this feeling of "everything is going okay... but something isn't right" going on with me. Perhaps I am looking into things too deeply, but I feel better being able to write it down. If you feel the same way, be physically prepared for any collapse. I'd recommend getting started on some stored food, so if anything goes haywire, even for a brief period of time, you won't be going hungry, or broke trying to buy a loaf of bread (see Germany's history where wheelbarrows of money were used to buy a single beer).

Peter Piper Pizza Commercial

2008-08-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

It can now be viewed in the MEDIA gallery! Take a look and let me know what you think!

Hint: I'm the taller hockey player.

Can I Get Fries With That?

2008-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

I love fast food. I love it a lot. My personal trainer says... "no fast food!" So I abstain from such things (most of the time). I get one day a week where I can eat anywhere I want. And it's days like that where I'm sure there's a great force of evil in my life. I have merely three meals (four if I push my luck) where I can partake in the foods that I daydream about all week. Today was one of those days where all I could think about was a greasy hamburger. Not just one hamburger either. And not just any hamburger mind you.

There are three hamburgers that I completely love. And I'd like to tell you about them. They are amazing. And for a fast food burger, it's like a party in your mouth and everyone is invited. I'd like to share them with you. I hope that you will try all of these burgers. And please... tell me you loved them as much as I do.

Burger #1: The Western Bacon Cheeseburger (Carl's Jr.)
This is a great burger. Especially if you like barbecue sauce on a hamburger. Which I do. Onion rings on a burger! Carl, you genius!

Burger #2: BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger (Jack-in-the-Box)
Okay... imagine the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, then make the meat taste better and the bun taste better... and.... WHAMMO! The BBQ Bacon Sirloin Burger. This thing is awesome. It's a heart attack in a bun, but you'll die smiling.

Burger #3: The Loaded Steakhouse Burger (Burger King)
Holy crap holy crap holy crap. This hamburger makes me cry it's so good. CRY I TELL YOU!!! Do NOT confuse this burger with the regular Steakhouse Burger on the menu. It is not the same! This burger has A1 sauce on it and a friggin' BAKED POTATO WITH CHIVES on the top!!! Okay so it's more like a mashed potato product with chives... but holy crap it's like the crack of the burger world. This is a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming kind of thing. Please try it. Please eat it slow and savor it. And when you're fat and happy, come on back here and thank me.

Gainfully Employed

2008-04-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! Thought I'd give some form of an update as to what's been going on (aside from the brief little snippets of "check this or that out!"). As I've mentioned before I started working at University of Phoenix on March 3rd. After 3 weeks of training, I've just about finished my first month on "the floor."

First things first... when I began, it wasn't at all what I expected it was. That's not to say it was a bad thing though. Training was a little rough for me. There's a lot of pressure to pass a test at the end of things and I worked myself up about it a little bit. As it turns out, it wasn't too terribly hard. I ended up getting 100% on the darn thing. I was grateful to get out of that situation and into the job proper. The job is challenging. There are, as is the case with many jobs, things I like, and things that I don't.

I don't like so much the low pay out early on. By payout, I don't mean my paycheck (but hey, if they want to throw me a few extra bucks.... by all means, be my guest) but more the fact that reaping the rewards of one's work can take some time. In some cases, so I'm told, months. I went in with the mindset that I'd work hard and see the work pay off right away. This was sadly not the case.

I also don't like the traffic. This has little to do with my job really. But still, something I don't like. Most people deal with traffic commuting to and from work, but it's actually pretty new to me. I used to work from my car for the most part... and traffic was rarely an issue. So it's something I have to adjust to.

On the flip-side to that coin, I do enjoy the essence of what I'm doing. I "sell" school. I put "sell" in quotations because to me, and to many of my coworkers, it's not selling so much as it's keeping people accountable for their goals. This is an important idea to me. It's something that, when being honest, everyone benefits from. Trying to hold potential students accountable to their own goals is rather tricky to be honest. There are some who are really self-motivated and eager to get things done (and in some cases over with). These people are generally inspiring to speak with. They motivate me to be more proactive in my own daily routine. The challenge lies in those individuals who need school, who admit they need it, and then never take that leap.

Sometimes that's frustrating. Only because I want to help people succeed. That's sort of a win/win situation for me. Because, of course I'd like to do a good job as an enrollment counselor. I have a strong desire to feel a sense of accomplishment in what I do.

I've made quite a few friends, both students and coworkers alike. The team I work on/with is really cool. We have a lot of different dynamics and lifestyles on our team, and I think it really adds something that I haven't had a chance to experience in the workplace too often. The one thing I'll say that the team has in common is the disposition to laugh. This really helped me my first couple of weeks, which were tougher for me than I had anticipated. I even have an old high school friend on my team. That's pretty awesome. My manager is a fun person with a more laid back attitude about the job. This is not to say he doesn't demand a level of success. He just doesn't add any extra stress to my job, which I appreciate. I've been able to gather little bits of wisdom from everyone on my team and they've made me feel very welcome (I also enjoy the periodic trips for "delicious ice cream" from McDonald's).

The entire situation I've had with my last job and the transition to my current job has given me an interesting insight on a spiritual subject that I've always been taught about. Hardships in our life are not made as punishment, but rather, they are placed in our lives in order for us to truly grow and learn. I'm reminded of a story that was told in church a couple weeks ago. The story is as follows:

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my image in it."

I think it's the end is the best part of that story. The author (who is unknown) mentions that the silversmith knows his job is done when he sees his image in the silver. In the same vein, Christ works us in His forge until we truly have His image in our countenance (Alma 5:14).

I'm hoping that 2008 holds a great deal of blessings for myself, my family and my friends. I would consider the challenges in life such a blessing, as it serves to refine us all. May we all rise up to our challenges and support one another in them.

Stay tuned: I'm sure hilarity is around the corner.

Skip Loader Commercial

2008-04-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I was able to wrangle up the TV spot that will be showing on the east coast. You can find it over at www.compactpowercenter.com

It's in the TV spot section and it's the first video. Check it out!

Pacmania!

2008-03-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd let people know that I've actually started a deviantart account. I did it purely so that I could put up these little pacman ghost figures I drew recently. Go ahead and take a look!

Of Blogs, Commercials, and Jobs

2008-02-24T12:35:00.000-08:00

First off, I can't believe I'm blogging again. To be honest, I'm much too lazy to blog all the time. It's like homework! "I expect a ten page blog on your current doings and happenings on my desk by morning!"

But here I am, blogging. Perhaps there is a mild addiction in telling one's story to the faceless masses. Maybe it's therapeutic to write your own thoughts down, allowing yourself to be heard by even one person out there. Blogging can be done so often, and so easily, that even the most minute, or mundane event can have a bearing on a bloggers life. I could stay up late and get a little "punch drunk" and laugh at a really lame joke, and I'd have something worth writing on a blog if I chose to put fingers to keyboard. Heck, did you see my last blog? I talked about my wifes aversion to Spaghetti-O's (much to her dismay).

So, my update? The reason I'm blogging? Well let us get to that shall we? Last week was a nice week all in all. The crowing event was the commercial shooting for something called a Compact Skip Loader. Basically, it's a landscaping tool that helps with anything from putting up a fence, to digging a ditch in the yard (cuz let's be honest... everyone needs a good, sturdy ditch).

This commercial shoot had to be the most fun I've ever had behind a camera. It took about three hours to complete my part. The setup was clever (I won't go into too much here, as I'm not sure what kind of creative licensing might be behind everything), but I was basically a friend of the main "hero" (meaning a speaking role or main character of sorts) out golfing. I was considered "hero 2" as I had lines that would be heard in the commercial itself. The best part to me was the director, Tom Camarda, let me go and ad-lib a bit. This was a ton of fun. I was successful in cracking the group up, which I must admit, was my goal the second I was given the go ahead to say whatever I wanted. Honestly, this was a project that I will compare other projects to. Anything I do in the future has a lot to live up to. The crew of Filmyard were amazing people and easy to work with.

Not too much has happened this week to be honest. Technically I'm still unemployed, as I don't start my job until March, but I'm looking forward to actually earning a wage and being able to again pay the bills. Things have gotten a little financially desperate at this point, and it's been hard asking for help. Fortunately, we have a lot of people we can rely on if it ever became a matter of being homeless. Besides, I wouldn't make much on a freeway offramp begging for money. I'm too pretty to get the pity dollar from someone. Haha

The Spaghetti-O Scandal

2008-02-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

Things have been busy as of late. I was cast in that Peter Piper Pizza commercial. We filmed it last week. They set us up in full hockey gear and had me face off against a 13-year old at the air hockey table. If you're from AZ, please keep an eye out for it. I imagine it will be hard to miss. I am also filming a commercial for something called a Compact Skip Loader. It looks like it will be a fun shoot all in all.

I was offered a job with University of Phoenix, that I begin on March 3rd. That's still a ways of when you're not earning any income, but I'm grateful that I will soon be employed. The benefits are very nice, and I will use the opportunity to go to school.

Now, the fun part. The title of this blog! I had some spaghetti-Os yesterday. They weren't a culinary masterpiece. But it did serve a much more fun result. That evening, my wife saw the bowl of spaghetti-O's I had placed in the sink. Apparently, they look like barnacles to her. And the freak her out to the point she feels she needs to guard herself. She made me clean out the bowl so she didn't see any little "circles of doom!" Quite funny all in all.

A Crazy Winter

2008-01-22T23:57:00.000-08:00

Well the holidays have come and gone, and I've been through the gauntlet it seems. A week before Christmas I (along with every co-worker I had) was given a note saying (basically) "As of the first, you're all fired." So here I am, 3 weeks unemployed, and a little down about it.

On the other hand, I'm not terribly worried. Granted it's a stressful situation, and I tend to be a little down on myself in general (this being no exception), but on a spiritual level, I feel strongly that "God is on it." I'm pretty sure He's got my back. So I'm doing my best to have faith on the matter. I don't fault my boss for the lay off. All things considered, it was a good business move based on the situation he was in (which I will not go into).

I'd ask those that do pray, to keep me in them.

On a happier and more childish note, I have a great deal of video game time. I play a little Guitar Hero III, and a TON of World of Warcraft. I have a lot of characters I play on that game. But two that I favor. Xenrath, my mage, is considered my "main" and a recent character to hit the higher levels is a paladin I made named Targe. I play along side my wife who also has a mage named Tasmyn a bit and we have a blast.

I'm also hoping for some acting opportunities. I'm called back for a Peter Piper Pizza Commercial, which would be a lot of fun. Especially based on the premise of the commercial (which I'm unsure that I can share... so I won't at the moment).

Well that's all for now folks. Stay tuned... I might actually blog from time to time.

Grown Up or Not?

2006-08-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a long month. I'm in the busy season at work. For those who don't know, when I'm not attempting to push forward my acting career, I work at Milano's Music. It's a music store that rents instruments to band and orchestra programs all around Arizona. We're huge. Largest in AZ. We celebrate 60 years in Arizona this year. The big deal is that it's all family run.

Now, in this busy season, we work 60-70 hour weeks. It's awful. I'd really go on about it and whine and complain... but I'm not the only one that has to participate in it, so it's not an exclusive burden. We spend the days in the store or delivering to schools then we spend our nights on rental nights. REEEEEEENTAAAAL NIIIIIGHTS!!!!! That was for dramatic effect.

Anyway, a rental night is where we go out as teams to different schools and we do a "parent night" of sorts at the school where parents can come by and get an instrument for the budding musical student at the school. Most times, it's an exclusive rental; we're the only vendor present. Then there are competitive ones, where our "enemy" is usually around. They're a big corporate store out of New York.

I won't bother mentioning the store, that wouldn't be right, but it's amazing how childish they can be. And I'm not being one-sided; I used to work for em. In fact it was my first job. Our rental program and prices outmatch them in all facets, so they seem to be resorting to insulting us and telling people we're basically the devil. Granted, they're a corporate company, and I remember when I worked there I was trained that Milano's was this evil conglomerate of nazi instrument hoarders who thrived on ripping people off.

This is so off base. And furthermore, very hurtful. The owner of Milano's is one of the nicest men I know. And insults coming from the other guy are as amazing as it is hypocritical. The regional manager (my first boss) would go home to "feed the dog" and return stoned. That's honest isn't it? The same man had a garage sale and then reported all the items he sold as stolen. And he has the nerve to say we're a bunch of liars.

This is all just a really long preface to the one observation that I've made as of late. Adults are just as childish as children. We're just as petty, greedy, and back-biting. Granted I believe that a few ruin it for the many, but be that as it may, it's remarkable at how immature people can be. I don't mean to say that being like a child is bad. But NOT being like an adult is. There are some very charmed people out there that have that perfect mix of both (I'm not one of them). So... that's my food for thought. It's late, I'm tired, I'm dramatic, and that's my two cents.

An Ironic Twist

2006-04-06T23:25:00.000-07:00

Well everyone (if anyone actually reads this) I'm a bit heartbroken. Allow me to preface my drama with a bit of info: I'm going to Australia with my wife on April 12th thru the 28th to see Lauryn's family. That, in my opinion, is going to be really fun.......

Now the bad news...

A week or so ago I had the chance to audition for a video game.

Allow me to emphasize.... a VIDEO GAME!!!!

So awesome. So I auditioned for this game in which (if I get the part) they would put markers on my face and I would be the facial actor for the game... meaning my face would be in the game. TOTALLY cool! So I did the audition and it went really really well... until I found out the shoot dates. They were shooting the last week of April... I'd be out of town.

Well... I just found out today... I got the part. I was gonna get paid to be in a video game. So that sucks. It's a boost that I got the part... but a bugger that I had to turn it down.

I've Been Sucked In!

2006-01-13T23:24:00.000-08:00

I'm tired... so this will be short. But I figured I haven't written aything in awhile and I thought I'd keep all 3 people who read my blogs informed. I've been duped into another musical. Not really duped... but I'm in one regardless. It's called Canvas Falcons and it's playing at the Orpheum Theatre, which is a 14 million dollar stage, something I'm very excited to do. I'll let you know (those of you who read this) how the show pans out and what I think of it. As of now... I'm a lead... the show pays... and it's at the Orpheum... so I don't care how good it is. haha.

My One Sided Opinions

2005-11-19T23:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the world is a funny place. There are so many good people in this world and yet, so many bad. And the problem is, I feel that it's really hard to figure out which is which. It bothers me even more so that in most cases, one person is both. Granted, I think having a dark side is pretty normal. A dark side doesn't mean "evil" so much. I mean... I'm of the opinion that most people are good, or desire to do good things. I figure everyone has a downfall (I have many... but I'm not gonna discuss them for now... just go on thinking I'm perfect).

What bothers me is that word "non-conformist." That was a word SO over-used when I was in high school. It seemed EVERYONE was a non-conformist. That's pretty funny to me in retrospect... everyone wanted to be different. And I think that still holds true today. Everyone wants to stand out... to be noticed... to be different. That doesn't mean that I think everyone wants to be a glory hog (I'm guilty of that), but I think people want to feel like someone finds them special above all others on earth. I don't mean the "true love" thing (although that still holds true), but I think most people want people to like them. Am I right in assuming that? The problem I'm seeing is that so many people, especially those that are close to me (since I pay particular attention to those individuals) want to be special or look cool, or whatever you want to call it, to the wrong people. Bad people? No, of course not. I don't think it can ever be that general. But to people that somehow give off the vibe that to be "really something" requires doing something against your normal nature. Now please, forgive me for being a bit biased... but it just doesn't make sense to me that in order to impress I should get wasted with my friends. Personally, I don't drink. I don't believe in it. I certainly don't see any problem in my friends drinking... nor do I really have a problem with those friends of mine that drink for the sole purpose of getting completely drunk. I may not like that, but who am I to tell someone what they can, or cannot do? But these same friends don't expect me to drink with them to be accepted. I love them for it. I feel befriended regardless. But so many will do something they don't like to do in order to fit in. I hope to never do that. I do stupid things all the time... but, heheh... they're all things that are already in my nature. But I'll never understand why people, in an attempt to be different, become a rebel of sorts. That's not different. That's the same thing SO MANY others do. So why does that have to be the way to be different?

It bugs me when people "learn" how to smoke with their "friends" egging them on. Or someone who "acquires a taste" for alcohol, when they can't stand the taste. I've always been of the opinion that, in that regard, if I don't know what I'm missing... then what do I care? After all... I'm saving money (my motivation for so many things.. hahaha). Forgive me if this seems insulting. If you happen to drink or smoke... please know this isn't me taking a jab at you for it. I'm really just venting. Besides... MOST of my extended family either drink and/or smoke... and I love those buggers. I'm sure that as I continue to type... I will be jumping from thought to thought and probably not make a great deal of sense... but I'm okay with that. That's pretty normal for me. I tend to jump subject a lot.

It's just funny how, in being a non-conformist, everyone is the same. We're too lenient. It's funny... people want to be a tough-guy, or some kind of "against-the-grain" person. That's so overdone... what ever happened to standing out by being the person who, no matter what, stood up for what was right? What happened to manners? Remember those? My mother taught me a lot about manners. That doesn't mean I always observe them... but gosh I try. I don't think manners are taught as much anymore. Why is someone in their 80's not worth our respect? Okay okay... on the freeway... maybe not quite as much respect... they COULD attempt the speed limit... but I digress. Why do people get mad when you look at them? How is that an insult? I look at people all the time... I like to see what people are like, how they stand, what their expression is like when they're simply listening to someone else speak. Whatever happened to letting someone merge in front of you on the road when they signal, instead of trying to pass them really quick. Cuz heaven forbid they get to their destination before I do... right? And speaking of which, what ever happened to just USING your signal in the first place? Why do we not open doors for the women of this world? Why are we not giving them flowers (or cute purses in my wife's case.. hahaha) or even just smiling and waving at strangers? Why do we not compliment people?

What makes someone a cool person? What makes them an outcast? And when do we decide a person is in some category? I find it amusing that most of the "popular" MySpace profiles are the ones that are in the best shape and show the most skin. Why are we so willing to go out of our way to compliment the "hot stranger" and withhold good from those we actually have in our lives? It's interesting that we put the least amount of effort in the most important relationships. Perhaps because we already feel safe and comfortable in those relationships.

I think most people are good. I think most people are rooting (for those in Australia... barracking) for the good guy in movies. We're always happy to see the weasel in the story get his just desserts. Why? I think it's cuz inside we want to be the good guy. I know I do. I hope I can live up to that. I hope I can be the person inside that I pretend to be on the outside. Cuz I do act like a better person than I am when I'm around others. I want this image of me to be so good. At least in general. I want people to like me. I want others to be happy. I want to be able to make other people happy. I hope more people stand out by doing good, not by being the rebel. I know not everyone believes in God... but even so... I hope He blesses us all. I hope we're all up to the challenges that lie ahead.

I have some amazing friends, and I feel very blessed by that. I look at my friends list and I'm amazed. I have a lot more friends than I ever realized. And they're all wonderful people, with amazing talents. And on a personal note, people who have shown me so much love. I am grateful for that.

There... I've vented... I'm sure my following blogs will be both amusing and pointless, as originally planned. :)