40 Things that are Wrong with Nicole Westbrook's "It's Thanksgiving"

Happy late Thanksgiving, everyone.

Here's something to be thankful for.  This gem given to us by media-obsessed corporate America.  One of the notorious creations of producer Patrice Wilson (known especially for birthing Rebecca Black's "Friday" through ARK Music Factory).

I present to you here, for your entertainment, my list of things that are wrong with this video.  There are a lot of them.  I'll try to keep it all in chronological order.

PROLOGUE:
Before I start my actual list, I just would like to say that the fact that this video even exists is wrong in its own right.  The purpose of Mr. Wilson's company is to give young rich kids a chance to perform in a music video. Parents will shell out thousands of dollars to this company in hopes that their child will become the next Justin Bieber, not acknowledging the fact that their precious kiddies have little to no talent, and that they are putting the fate of their child's future into the hands of a "composer" and "producer" who writes nothing more than garbage. And, to make matters worse, these videos are posted on YouTube and the people involved are expecting them to be taken seriously!  Watch twenty seconds of this video and you know exactly what you're going to get: self-obsession and decadence in the form of a cheap music video.  It's a grand waste of time, money, and effort. You'd think we'd learn after the "Friday" debacle that this is in no way a good thing for society.  But no.

Alright... now to this music video in particular...

1.  While the video actually seems somewhat promising at the beginning, one can't help but notice just how many filler "ohs" and "yeahs" are happening as this long introduction plays.  When does this song actually START?  And what exactly is it ABOUT?
2.  She's sitting on a bed, in what could easily be the most awkward sitting position one has ever seen.  Who exactly is she singing to?  We still don't know yet what this song is actually about.
3.  Her shirt reads "Dance Until Dawn."  How old is this girl?  Doesn't she still have a bedtime, or are her parents even bigger idiots than I thought?
4. That "Come on" that happens 27 seconds in?  That did not need to happen.  This girl obviously is a better singer than Rebecca Black, but nevertheless, this is rather unimpressive vocal work.
5.  "I'm wide awake, and I should take a step and say thank you..."   An okay sentiment, I suppose.  It's good to say "thank you."  But "wide awake"?  Why is this significant?  How early is this?  She's still in her bedroom, so... Morning?  How early? She's fully clothed, looks pretty well-groomed...  At least with Rebecca Black, we saw her at "7 AM, waking up in the morning" with some level of disheveled bedhead.  If you're going to literally translate lyrics into images for the benefit of the lowest-common-denominator idiot of a viewer who can't figure it out without your spoonfeeding, you should probably be consistent.  Moving on...
6.  "For the things you've done, and what you did."  Redundancy at its finest.
7.  45 seconds in, we cut to a montage of ridiculous holiday scenes cut straight out of an American Girl catalog.  Contrived "Greeting Card" poses and all.  I feel sorry for all of those other kids.
8. In "Friday," we learned that Sunday comes after Saturday.  Here, we learn that "December was Christmas, January was New Year's..." etc.  How dumb do you think your audience is, Mr. Wilson?
9.  And heck, all you do is end what should have been a final independent clause with "And the Fourth of July."  Idiotic sentence fragment.
9. I'm sure Valentine's Day and Halloween feel left out.
10.  Fourth of July scene, at around 56 seconds.  Does no one see the definite EDGE of those fireworks?   It's a poorly-edited, square-shaped stock-footage firework video added in later.  Obvious low-budget editing going on here.
11.  Alright, this girl is preparing food on a stove, seemingly without adult supervision (unless you count the guy using the camera, but honestly who knows?).
12.  And what the BLEEP is she preparing??  Stuffing?  Something like that?  What kind of Thanksgiving dinner is this actually going to be??
13.  1:22.  She's pulling out a giant turkey, by herself.  WHERE ARE THIS GIRL'S PARENTS??
14.  1:26.  That looks like mac n' cheese.  Nothing says Thanksgiving like Mac n' Cheese.
15.  I have failed to mention the fact that this girl is singing "We, we, we, we gonna have a good time."  I can barely tolerate it when 30-year-old black male rappers use this kind of grammar.  Having a 9-year-old white girl say it?  I shudder every time.
16.  1:36.  I am getting so tired of this camera trick.
17.  1:38.  I guess the only qualm I have here is how incredibly tacky that decoration is, and how much more tacky it becomes when juxtaposed with the tacky lighthouse.  And why is she putting this up ON Thanksgiving day?  Don't you usually put out decorations as a PREPARATION for the holiday?  (Actually, considering what I've seen this year, shouldn't there be CHRISTMAS decorations up at this point?)
18.  "No matter how you do, no matter what you say, this is my favorite."  Okay.  That sentence DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
19.  And just when you thought the stinking holiday montage was as crazy as could get, now we've got the token middle-aged black guy (Patrice himself, who somehow thinks it's cool to cameo in his own videos) showing up in the middle of the tween festivities, smiling and nodding as if he were singing to two-year-olds who didn't have a clue when New Year's was.  He's the only adult ever to be seen in this video.  Any relation to the other kids?  Not that I can see.  It's a little creepy.
20.  2 minutes in, and now we have Thanksgiving guests.  Once again, no parents.  As happy and fun as this all looks, a part of me wonders how these kids are all allowed to just go over to a friend's house on Thanksgiving.  Don't they all have families they want to see?  Aren't they travelling?  Isn't there some familial obligation they must meet?  Where do a bunch of kids have the time (or the stomach?) to bring food over and have Thanksgiving with other kids, while their families may have their own traditions and plans?  Doesn't make any sense.
21.  2:07.  That pose.  "Put your hand on your hip, Nicole!  There!  Now you look NATURAL!"  There's mugging all over in this vid, but that one's almost as bad as the bed shots.
22. 2:14.  She says "turkey."  Those look like RIBS to me.  (Not like Nicole's complaining, look at that fist-pump she does at the sight of them!)
23. 2:17.  She says "mashed potatoes," but it looks like this boy has brought yams.  Or beets.  Or something.  Obviously Nicole doesn't quite approve.
24. And, of course, the token black guy shows up... in a turkey costume.  I'm sure that's a tradition in many American homes...
25.  NO PARENTS at this feast...  Just the turkey-clad chaperone, and I honestly am questioning his intentions at this point.  Perhaps he's a homeless guy just trying to get food.
26. 2:29.  All heads are bowed for the saying of grace... And then Nicole has the audacity to interrupt the group during a time of prayer!  No wonder she gets the death stare from several kids afterwards.
27.  Wait... the death stare isn't because she interrupted grace. It's because she's miserably attempting to rap.
28.  "It's thanksgiving-giving and I'm tryin' to be forgiving..."  Eminem could probably pull off that slant rhyme.  Nicole cannot.
29.  "Nothin' is forbidden."  Nothing?  Food fight? Alcohol?  Drugs?  After all, no parents here to stop us from doing anything.  Mr. Turkey's probably high already.
30. 2:36  "You know we gotta have."  Gotta have WHAT?
31.  "Can't be hateful/Gotta be grateful" is immediately reversed to "Gotta be grateful/can't be hateful."  Ugh.  This guy's lyric skills are pathetic.
32.  "I got ribs, smellin' up my neighbor's cribs."  Not sure what's more ridiculous: the notion of having ribs at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, or the fact that this tiny white girl just said the word "cribs."
33. "We be laughing 'til we cry."  All kinds of awkward right there.
34. 2:58... Aaaaaand now she's using a turkey leg as a microphone.  Holy. Crap.  This has got to be a joke.
35.  3 minutes:  Not a joke.  She's still using that turkey leg as a microphone.
36.  3:06.  Turkey's in the Christmas scene.
37.  3:22.  And he's barbecuing on the Fourth of July.
38.  Those are some half-hearted "eh's" and fist-pumps there, background kids.
39.  3:34.  Cheesiest way to end a music video ever.  That awkward smile as you look at an awkward picture of an awkward thanksgiving dinner where some awkward, creepy guy in a turkey suit shows up to eat your ribs and mac n' cheese.
40. Oh look!  And there's the Christmas card picture, too!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

(Happier) New Year

Okay, 2012.  Time to stare you down and just accept the fact that you happened.

This was, by far, the hardest year I've ever had to endure in my 22 years of living.  Just for context, I believe a close second would be the year 2009.  It's not like life gets harder with each progressing year.  A lot of hard things happened this year:

1. I discover I have anxiety and depression.  I still need to be healed.  I've seen psychologists, but then when I start feeling better, I stop and then things get bad again.
2.  I get dumped three times in one year -- and they were hard rejections.  That was probably the hardest part of this year.  Trying to pick up pieces after a two-year-long relationship that had a ton of issues in the first place is something I would never wish on anyone.  I remember crying every night for two weeks straight and feeling so sick I vomited.  Then there were two one-month spells that began great, but crashed and burned for no explainable reasons.  I'm still not over any of it.  I still wonder what the heck is wrong with me.  Heck, I'm still here mourning over ones that got away years ago.  Two of my exes are now happily married.  I very well could have been the bride at one of them.  Don't know what you got 'til it's gone, I guess.  Ugh. Regret.  What a bitter feeling...
3. I lost my three best friends in a matter of days.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't still be standing today if it weren't for them.  But the minute I get back from Cali, they're gone.  Moving.  Leaving me alone.  Suddenly I found myself living on my own at a vulnerable time and that was really tough. Sleeping in a silent apartment with depression for two months was hell.
4. Sometime during that period, I develop an eating disorder.  That's never fun to go through, much less to simply admit.
5.  I have been in school for over a year straight.  That's a little crazy.  Sure, I had some small vacation moments, but really, this whole year has been about buckling down and getting back on track with graduation.  I'm technically "caught up" now, but having a 5-year undergrad still isn't great.  How I managed to get through five semesters straight without stopping is beyond me.  Perhaps it was my refuge.  Just one sight-singing assignment, one lesson plan, one practice hour at a time.  That will get me through the pain...

BUT... 

... with all this grief and hardship and strenuous work, I MUST analyze my successes.  And there are quite a few of them.  I forget sometimes when times are tough how blessed I am -- and how capable I am!  Check out this list:

1.  4.0, baby!  Not joking, it always feels good looking at your report card after a hard semester and seeing A after beautiful A looking back at me.  My shrink says it's a crutch, but at least it's one that will give me good standing for grad school.  Really, I'm just happy that I have mastery over something in my life.
2.  I got to go to California to see my wonderful old roommate get married to the man of her dreams.  To be a part of a wedding party -- to be picked! -- is such an awesome feeling.  I got to help make someone else really happy, and I got to get out of Provo on top of that.  San Diego was beautiful.  I got to wear some of my favorite dresses and there are some awesome pictures of me up on Facebook now.
3.  I also got to make a visit to my dear home in Minnesota at the end of the summer.  That was a much-needed break.  It got me away from my boy troubles and I got to spend a lot of quality time with my family.  Then there was the awesome road trip back to Utah with my mom and sister.
4.  Heck, I got a car this year.  That's awesome right there.
5.  I also moved this year.  Just at the very tail end, a few days ago.  I'm living with my grandparents now.  No rent.  New ward.  Own room.  Awesome company.  I needed to get out of that old apartment so bad.  There were just too many memories attached to that old place.  And having to pay such an exorbitant price every month was burning a hole in my wallet.  Now, I feel free and safe.  This is good.
6.  BYU Singers.  As much as I am not enjoying going these days, I really do think this has been a blessing for me.  Again -- getting picked.  I was selected to be in this amazing choir because I earned it.  That's always a wonderful feeling.  And I have made friends!  My alto friends, some boys, and of course Dr. Staheli.  I don't know what I would do without him.
7.  When it comes to my relationships... In a way, I'm pretty excited about them.  Yeah, they didn't last, but heck, I got them in the first place! It was a great month of May.  And an even great month of November. It's funny:  Every man I've ever really wanted, I've gotten... At least, for a short while.  And I pick'em better every time.  As much as I wish things worked out, it's still nice looking at this guy or that and be able to say to myself, yeah I DID kiss that face.  And it kissed me back.  Makes me feel dang sexy.  If I can get my idea of superman not once but twice in one year, I can do it again!  And next time, I won't be as stupid.  Next time, it will be for keeps.  For good.  Eternity, maybe.
8.  I have not worn the same outfit once all year.  I almost have had enough clothes to wear something different each day.  I also acquired two suits, two wigs, Fame, and Juicy Couture this year for nearly nothing.  My clothing and my matrix have really seen an upgrade this year.
9.  I was in an opera.  That's pretty important.  It led to a pretty worthwhile relationship and a ton of other friendships that I hope last.
10.  I'm actually performing songs now.  I went to an open mic and that led to me performing at small restaurant venues this semester.  I've written a lot, too.  And finished a lot.  I've also helped out some friends of mine in their musical endeavors, which is a good thing.  Music has been such an important release.  I couldn't have survived a lot of my trials without it.
11.  Friends.  That's been the biggest blessing of my life.  The friends I've had.  Especially the friends I didn't know I had.  God puts people in your life for a reason.  I'll never forget the love and support I have felt this year from the people around me.

The most important lesson I think I learned this year is this:  I am worth it.  I'm worth the $80 Fame fragrance that I've always wanted.  I'm worth the awesome home teachers I've had.  I'm worth the 20 minutes of stage time I get to perform my originals at a sports bar.  I'm worth the late hours with Nyquil and chicken soup if I'm sick.  I'm worth the spot in BYU's top choir.  I'm worth more than a douchebag who doesn't respect me.  I'm worth more than an apartment that won't fix my swamp cooler.  I'm worth more than 200 calories a day.  I am of infinite worth, and for the longest time I have been selling myself short.  I've been settling for less than I deserve.  This is such an important revelation.  At first, this new discovery led me to believe that I deserved to treat other people badly and to not trust anyone.  It led me to be angry and bitter towards everyone who's treated me with disrespect.  But now, at the end of the year, with a few months of therapy, experience, and just plain time behind me, I think I'm moving back into balance with my life.  I can have high expectations of myself and others without being cold and vindictive towards myself or towards others.  I can take myself seriously... but not too seriously.  I think my New Years Resolution this year will be something along the lines of this:

I resolve to seek true happiness in my life.  And if I don't get it right away, I resolve to be happy anyway.  

And with that, I end my post on a joyful note.

Listening to:  My man Pitbull.  "Don't Stop the Party"
Blessings:  No school.  No work.  Trips to Minnesota.
Learned:  Alexander McQueen's 2004 and 2005 lines aren't nearly as dramatic and awesome as his earlier stuff.  However, his Fall 2005 season was based on the 1960's, particularly the iconic Marilyn Monroe.  That's become one of my favorite seasons.
Things Going On Today:  I go to a performance at Muse tonight.  Move all my stuff over.  Maybe stop at work for a short time.

Happy Happy Easter!!

First of all:  Happy Easter, everyone!  

One of my favorite Easter traditions of all time involves watching Easter Parade (starring the dashing Fred Astaire and Judy Garland) with my mother and sister after dinner on Easter Sunday. (Dad hates movies, so he'd never join in.)  Being the fashionista that I am, I always loved looking at all of the hats and dresses that were worn throughout the movie.  And of course, the music is so much fun.  

This was arguably my favorite scene from the movie growing up.  What a great dancer, that Fred!

Anyway, I thought I'd do a little bit of research about the Easter Parade that happens every year on 5th Avenue in New York.  Apparently it began sometime in the 1800s when all the aristocrats of Manhattan would parade the latest fashions after they went to church.  Apparently flamboyant bonnets were in style back then, and the fad never really died each Easter season.  

Nowadays it's a lot like Halloween, where people have yet another excuse to make all-out spectacles out of themselves and get away with it.  It would be a dream come true to celebrate Easter in one of those amazing hats someday.  To the drawing board!  I'm off to design the best Easter Bonnet ever!!

Listening to:  "Shaking the Blues Away" performed by Ann Miller on Easter Parade.

Things Going On Today:  A light Easter Dinner with my aunt and grandparents.  Also, I sang a solo today in sacrament meeting. 

Blessings:  Not as much homework as you think you have. 

Learned:  Easter Parades have religious significance; they were used a long time ago to represent the processional triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem the week before his crucifixion.  Apparently it is also a tradition to wear new clothing on Easter.  

My New Years Resolutions for 2012

1.  Keep my grades up.
2.  Fulfill my callings.
3.  Be artistic.
4.  Sleep in my bed.
5.  Don't get carried away in love.
6.  Have more money at the end of the year than I do now.
7.  Think before I speak


Listening to:  "A little chum for chum, eh?"
Learned:  The song "Human Again" is featured on the special edition DVD of Beauty and the Beast!
Things Going On:  Family says goodbye, Sammie and Rowdy
Blessings:  My family.  My roommates.  Winter break.

May Your Days be Merry and Bright

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

With Love,

Hannah

Listening to:  "It's Christmas (And I Like You) by Elephant Finger

Things Going on Today: Sitting around, doing laundry with my mom.

Blessings:  Sunshine, brown Christmases

Learned:  That center slot in the washer?  For fabric softener!  NOT SOAP.  :D  I love my mom.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

So I have this REALLY AWESOME FAMILY that does some REALLY AWESOME THINGS.

For example, my cousin Trevor is on the University of Utah football team and is kicking some major butt.

I don't know much about football, but I know enough to recognize that this is a pretty awesome picture.  

Trevor plays the position of linebacker for the Utes, and he's becoming a hot topic in the world of college football.  (Here's his bio, if you wanna know more.)  He became the first University of Utah player to become a PAC-12 Player of the Week, after the BYU-vs-UofU game last September.  (That was a hard game for me to watch... who to root for??)  

Trevor comes from a huge sports family.  His brothers AJ and Drew also play for major college teams.    I never knew my "California cousins" incredibly well.  They were too far away to visit for most of my childhood, and since I was a lot younger than most of them, a lot of what they talked about went completely over my head.  But I am beginning to appreciate the value of these family members more and more as I learn more about what it is they do.  

My cousin, taking down Jake Heaps from BYU.  I wouldn't have it any other way...

My aunt, Kris, is Trevor's mother.  Yesterday, over Thanksgiving dinner, she let me in on what life was like being a sports mother.   As a supportive mother, she travels from southern California to watch her sons games in Colorado, Utah, and wherever the away-games take her.  She's filled with stories about her sons' adventures in college.  She's always praising them, supporting them any way she can.  But even though her sons are incredibly talented, she still has those moments during a game where she can't watch.  There are some games where the pressure is so high and everyone is watching what her sons are doing, judging their performance. I can't imagine what it would be like to watch my son get a concussion by ramming into a guy  twice as big as he is...  What a strong woman, indeed.  

And the coolest part of it all:  There's so much more to it than just what happens on the field.  My aunt and uncle have done a really good job raising these boys to have strong moral compasses and charity towards their fellow men.  AJ, Trevor, and Drew have all served LDS missions, which may have been a greater sacrifice than we non-sports-players can imagine.  Their younger brother, Beau, is just two weeks away from starting his own mission in Brazil (so excited!).  Trevor and AJ are happily married to two beautiful and strong women.  Trevor's got a daughter, Nelli (who is so cute!), and AJ's expecting a son, Rio, in just a few short weeks.  They are prepared to provide for their loved ones by using the many talents they have besides sports.  They really don't fit that stereotype you always hear about major sports stars.  They don't party every night, they aren't full of themselves, they don't do things they regret later.  They would never do anything to shame the family.   They love the gospel and they love their families.  I am so proud of them.  

Listening to:  Still "Helena Beat."

Blessings:  Pie.

Learned today:  Trevor also set a world record in 2004 for eating an onion in one minute and 35 seconds.  The kid's got talent, that's for sure.... 

Things Going On:  Well, I SHOULD be homeworking.  

Let Freedom Ring!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

With Love,

Hannah

Another Valentine's Day Treat...

Check this out:

Dolce and Gabbana Sain Lace Overlay Mary Janes:
I want.

Valentines Day is Upon us....

.... So I will share some cool things that are Valentine-y in nature.  

Today?  Alexander McQueen Heart Peep-toe pumps.  Subtle, sophisticated, lovely.

Listening to:  Aubrey.

Things going on today:  Freezing weather, I lose hearts.

Blessings:  Being in class with Emily, free pasta, and warm shoes

A Day to Remember

I can't figure out which day is the day I should mark as the anniversary of my relationship with Mark. Is it Sunday, the 9th, when we held hands for the first time? Or is it Monday the 10th, when we showed the world that we were dating? Or is it Tuesday the 11th, when we talked about it?

I'll just say it's the 11th. My cousin's birthday is also that day, so it's already an easy day to remember.

That means February 11th will be our month-a-versary (if we ever bother to celebrate it) and then three days later it's Valentine's Day. Oh, how fun! I like having a boyfriend!

Listening to: Stars "The Comeback"

Blessings: Free food and root beer.

Things going on today: Some Visiting Teaching Workshop which is taking place at my house. No homework.

1/11/11

I know it's only 1/11/11, but I'm already excited for Valentine's Day.

Today I was walking home with my roommate Emily, talking about boys. Then, out of nowhere, I hear a man's voice call my name behind me. I FREAKED OUT. I let out a blood-curdling scream and jumped ten feet into the air. Turns out it was only Nate telling me how cute it was seeing me with Mark yesterday. Thanks Nate.

Blessings: Sock monkey bedsheets, free food because it's someone's birthday, and not having to work because it's too cold to move.

Listening to: Nothing at the moment, but my recent masterpiece, "I'm Not a Number," is running through my head at the moment.

Things That Went On Today: Work, class, Caitlyn's birthday dinner (lasagna and garlic bread... and I got to take home the leftovers! I love family.)

Happy Pi Day!

Okay, so it's a day early, but my favorite teacher in the world talked about pi today because tomorrow's saturday and we won't be in school. Did you know that according to the bible, the number for pi is 3, not 3.14 etc? little-known fact. Another fact, in 1947 the computer was able to compute a couple thousand digits of pi and it took 70 hours. Now we have over 3 trillion digits for pi. That's a ton.

Here's just a portion of pi...

3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419719399375105820974945923078164062862089986280348253421170679821480865132823066479384460955058223172359408128481117450284102701938521105559644622948949303819644288109756659334461284756482337867831652712019091

Now for 3 more amazing songs I've discovered today:

"Poker Face" by Lady Gaga. I love her style, her independence, and her techno-mod music.

"Curse of Curves" by Cute is What We Aim For. This song is catchy and the guy who sings it sounds nothing like the way he looks, which is kind of cool.

"The Saltwater Room" by Owl City. It's a song I found on thesixtyone.com. It's a cute song and the lyrics are very down to earth. There's a guy and a girl and it's just very sweet music.

I got a new Ipod for Christmas, and it is excellent. It's orange, but when I put a black sheath over it it looks really cool... sort of halloweeny. It's so thin. I'm surprised that something that tiny can hold two thousand songs... twice as much as my older, thicker ipod could hold. And the picture is so big, i can see the whole cd cover in it. It's very nice. My music just sounds that much cooler when it plays on this thing. And then I got a dock for it as well... subwoofer speakers with a remote that has a MUTE BUTTON!! yaya. that means no swear words. The dock's also got a cd player and plays the radio as well. the only thing it doesn't have is a tape deck, but that's fine. So yeah, those are my new toys for this christmas.

Thaddeus leaves on tuesday. he texted me at six thirty today to ask if I was back in town and if I wanted to go to ruby tuesdays. I couldn't because I have to work on this ridiculous government paper that I hate. ugh. But after I get some thoughts down, I'll close for the night and work on it tomorrow. yes. and then I'll double-check it monday before I turn it in. Noice.

I feel much more ready for school, for some reason, even though I still don't have orinoco done and i haven't written in my journal in a month and I have variety show, secret garden auditions, and work comin' up. yikes. but i'll muddle through, I guess.

This has been a ridiculously stupid post. But it was worth getting some thoughts down. Maybe I should be actually writing in my other journal.

I'm In Provo!

Okay... Here I am in Provo, Utah. Home of Brigham Young University, the school I wish to attend.

It's Christmas eve. My parents, siblings, and I drove all day through Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming to get here. I had to drive through wyoming and it was scary because there were these killer winds! We passed two (2) semis that had toppled over because the gusts were so strong. And there was snow blowing over the road, so I couldn't see anything. Scary...

But anyway, since it's christmas...

And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon them, and the Glory of the Lord shone 'round about them.
And they were sore afraid.
But the Angel said unto them, "Fear not."
"For behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
And then there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hosts, praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the Highest! And on Earth, peace, good will toward men!"

100th POST!!

TADA!!!!

It's my 100th post!!!

Let's Celebrate!!!!

A Nightmare...

Last night I had a nightmare. a Bona fide nightmare.

I was with my church group... we were all in our trek shirts, so I'm assuming that I was back on the trek I had last month. We were on trains, driving to several various church sites. But on our way to one, this giant robotic THING came out of nowhere and with him came all this fire and destruction. All the kids fell into a pit. The robot reached out his hand, stuck it into the pit, scooped up six or seven kids, and ATE THEM. I can still hear the crunching of their bones. He looked evil. He had big eyes... kind of like "The Iron Giant" except bigger and oranger and with fire coming from somewhere on his body. There was fire everywhere. Somehow I managed to not fall in the pit. So I tried to run and hide behind one of the burning train cares. But he saw me and reached out his hand and said "more." I was more scared than I had ever been in a dream. I bolted.

For some reason, the robot decided he was content to eat the kids in the pit. So I saw a whole bunch of my fellow churchgoing priests and laurels get chomped up and swallowed. Somehow I got the courage to come close to him and ask him, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"

He spoke in this deep, mechanical voice that ran through my body and eventually woke me up. "I was built to take care of this place... well, I was... hahaha!" Then he chomped up a whole bunch of kids again. I felt like I was going to be sick. Then he said, "You should have seen how my creator begged to not be destroyed. He said 'I own and maintain you! You can't eat me!' OWN AND MAINTAIN! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Then he laughed this maniacal laugh that made his eyes get all flamy and red and psycho and then he dove into the pit and ate everyone. I woke up to the sound of this laugh. I was shaking all over. It was still early in the morning, but I was afraid to go back to sleep.

Eventually I did, though. Then I dreamed that I was driving over this bridge and I ended up crashing my car through a concrete barrier and jumping from the bride I was on to another bridge. My friends were in the car with me, and they told me I just did something not only dangerous, but illegal. So we left the car on the bridge next to the broken concrete and ran. We went under the bridge into the river that was under us, and there we waited and watched as other drivers on the bridge stopped and looked at my white camry that was just sitting on the bridge with no owner. We feared the police would come, so Elizabeth Rhinevault, who happened to be with us, decided to to something about it. She swam until she was directly beneath the parked car on the bridge, and she spoke in a chipmunky voice. She said that she was carrying a bunch of druggies in the car, and they fell out of the car, crashed the barrier, and fell into the river. She then asked those who were up by the vehicle -- namely Mrs. Graff, who happened to be passing by -- to stay until we got out of the river and back to the car. There was no damage on the car, so they assumed Elizabeth was telling the truth and so they stayed. We swam out of the river and back up to the car. Then I woke up again.

I've had some weird dreams. That robot dream still freaks me out.

Oh, it's the fourth of July. Happy fourth all!!

Happy Dad Day!

Okay, my blog wasn't working earlier today, so I'm just checking to make sure we're still alive here.
Happy Fathers Day to you all. I'm about to go to a lake by my house and ride bikes around it with my family. It's a beautiful day and we're going to have a picnic and I'll bring Gone with the Wind and it's gonna be great! I'm excited!
Okay, maybe I'm not THAT excited, but hey, it's fathers day. And trust me, My dad deserves treatment like this, if not better. He's quite the amazing guy and he does a lot for our family. That's him as a child to the right. Ain't he cute?
Happy Dad day!