its my blog & my opinion

Ideas...

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:49:00 +0000

a list of New Year's resolutions:

- break down goals by month, week, etc.
- focus on fixes (personal traits or habits)
- do a good deed daily (like Cub Scout theme)
- write a letter and send it to someone far away
- less facebook, more face time
- discover new things (shakespeare, landscaping, whatever)
- get your vitals taken/find out your blood type
- exercise a little bit, make it physical AND mental
- dabble in various genres of music...mix it up!
- volunteer time
- recycle things

* feel free to add some

'Tis the Season

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:24:00 +0000

( you can pretend to open them and make up what is underneath )

for sale

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:32:00 +0000

It's a custom New Era Phoenix Suns cap size 7 1/8, in a case, signed by Amare Stoudamire back in '03, when he won NBA Rookie of the Year. He came in to the AZ Mills Hat Club while I was working and signed it.

It cost $30 originally. I am trying to get at least that, maybe more for the case...
Let me know if interested!
: )

3rd x CHARM

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:09:00 +0000

April 1994: trip to Conference w/ Priests

April 2004: trip to Conference w/ the Scout's owner

October 2009: PRETTY MUCH THE BEST CONFERENCE ROAD TRIP EVER! (w/ owner of THE BLACK BURRO)

Stayed at HOTEL WILSON in PROVO (w/ "ROXY" as security)

<--- This is Roxy

AND got to be in the same room as the prophet and the apostles!

...how's that for awesome?

R-a-n-d-o-M

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:13:00 +0000

my name is

i have a confession to make:

i checked a movie out of the library called "Babylon A.D." (for curiosity's sake)

and yes, it was a

on rotten tomatoes.com (out of 100)

I'm looking for a champion, who wants to help me out with this bad boy? (one of you Sudoku freaks...this one is tuff)

AND

i still can't believe Disney and Marvel got "married"

time for school, time for books...

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:19:00 +0000

"In honor of the annual return to academics I present some former moments of mentoring"

Myself, and Jordan, at Periwinkle Elementary in Albany Oregon, 1998 school year, S.M.A.R.T. reading program
(Good kid but bad pic)

10 years later-
Me w/ my lil' friend Albert, at Ward Elementary in Tempe Arizona, ASKT program
(he was a character)
check out the website to volunteer http://www.askt.org/

It's about Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:33:00 +0000

U.S. National Debt 1791 to 2006

2006	8,366,862,634,494
2005	7,932,709,661,723
2004	7,379,052,696,330
2003	6,783,231,062,743
2002	6,228,235,965,597
2001	5,807,463,412,200
2000	5,674,178,209,886
1999	5,656,270,901,615
1998	5,526,193,008,897
1997	5,413,146,011,397
1996	5,224,810,939,135
1995	4,973,982,900,709
1994	4,692,749,910,013
1993	4,411,488,883,139
1992	4,064,620,655,521
1991	3,665,303,351,697
1990	3,233,313,451,777
1989	2,857,430,960,187
1988	2,602,337,712,041
1987	2,350,276,890,953
1986	2,125,302,616,658
1985	1,945,941,616,459
1980	930,210,000,000*
1975	576,649,000,000*
1970	389,158,403,690
1965	320,904,110,042
1960	290,216,815,241
1955	280,768,553,188
1950	257,357,352,351
1945	258,682,187,409
1940	42,967,531,037
1935	28,700,892,624
1930	16,185,309,831
1925	20,516,193,887
1920	25,952,456,406
1915	3,058,136,873
1910	2,652,665,838
1905	2,274,615,063
1900	2,136,961,091
1895	1,676,120,983
1890	1,552,140,204
1885	1,863,964,873
1880	2,120,415,370
1875	2,232,284,531
1870	2,480,672,427
1865	2,680,647,869
1860	64,842,287
1855	35,586,956
1850	63,452,773
1845	15,925,303
1840	3,573,343
1835	33,733
1830	48,565,406
1825	83,788,432
1820	91,015,566
1815	99,833,660
1810	53,173,217
1805	82,312,150
1800	82,976,294
1795	80,747,587
1791	75,463,476

* Rounded to Millions

(Source: Bureau of the Public Debt - United States Department of the Treasury; www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opd.htm) As we pay homage to our blessed independence, I took it upon myself to include some of the minor details...lest we forget. Congress has increased the debt ceiling to NINE Trillion dollars. All things considered, the burden of debt for every man, woman and child in the country has risen to over $100,000 each. Our nation is overspending at a rate of about $2 billion per day. During the first half of 2005, Americans got poorer at the rate of $80 million per HOUR...China...lends the United States $300 billion per year...Dick Cheney has reminded us that: "Deficits don't matter." In the private sector during 2005, for every $19 Americans earned, they spent $20. AMERICA = empire of debt [Skousen, 2006, p. 299] When we say God Bless America, we really need to mean it viva la liberty!

a QUOTE and a QUESTION

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:44:00 +0000

quote:

"Try not to become a person of success. Rather become a person of value." - Albert Einstein

* the challenge now is to pick the topic that this quote falls under, and then reply with a similar type quote of your own (if you can)

question:

You are given a chance to return to any previous point in your life and change a decision you made, but you will lose everything that has happened to you since then. Is there a time you would return to? If so, would you like to retain the memory of the life you are giving up even though you could never recapture it?

* feel free to offer an opinion, or a response
(it might be a bit of a silly question, but how sensible of an answer can you come up with?)

MAY IS FOR...

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 04 May 2009 02:38:00 +0000

- movies @ midnight

- meaningful messages on monday mornings
* here's one "Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly." (Benjamin Franklin)

- movies in the park

- me subbing @ Perry High (go Pumas)

- movies w/ movie goodies

- multiple birthday parties

- my car does give rides :)

- many kinds of wings

- morning runs on Saturdays

- Mother's Day! (of course)

- must get my tooth checked out by dentist before it kills me

- man, it's already time for renewing car registration again

- mucho school graduations

- Manny Ramirez suspended 50 games

- making snowcones

- marking up the conference Ensign articles

- meeting the author (and i know her brother)

- maximizing salads, minimizing meats

- memories of those who've passed on

- mixin' it up a little

- mental exercises: 5 riddles (for the answers you have to post a reply and ask for them)
1. A murderer is condemned to death. For his execution, he has to choose from three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in three years. Which room is safest for him?
2. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him under water for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together, and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
3. What is black when you buy it, red when you use it, and gray when you throw it away ?
4. Can you name three consecutive days without using the words Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday?
5. This is an unusual paragraph. I'm curious as to just how quickly you can find out what is so unusual about it. It looks so ordinary and plain that you would think nothing was wrong with it. In fact, nothing is wrong with it! It is highly unusual though. Study it and think about it, but you still may not find anything odd. But if you work at it a bit, you might find out. Try to do so without any coaching!

-meeting the world for the first time (welcome to earth, junior)

- my opinion of honoring a special day

You are who you say you are, a superstar...

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Did you know I was famous? Do you still not believe it? Well, being that on April 2 of this year, I celebrate an anniversary of sorts. It is a personal holiday, a.k.a. my birthday. You know you wanna eat some cake and ice cream now as soon as I blow out my candles. Then I can open up all the nice presents you did or did not get me. Well, I will enjoy the day no matter what. Another year of surviving and not thriving. Thank you for sticking it out with me. I'm greatful to know all of you. I look forward to giving you grief this time next year, you rapscallions!

- John "the family history consultant" Long

Missed-her (Mr.) March

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 02:11:00 +0000

Picture: to the left
Story: pay attention

The timeframe for this is the beginning of August 1997. I am standing out in the front yard of my friend's house and going home for the night. His name is Kevin Weeks. He was a Tempe motor cop. He died 9-28-06 after a bad accident. I hung out with him that night and we just were being goofy guys. In the snapshot my nose is kinda red. This is from blowing it too much (the friction from all the tissues I used making a rash). The previous Sunday
was my farewell talk (leaving on the mission). Kevin was there with my other friend Jeff (who is also a cop-in PHX). When I got home from my mission two years later, I went to his police academy graduation shortly thereafter (since he went to my farewell, ya see). We wrote some letters back and forth while I was away. He and the other fellas had some crazy times while I was gone. The photo looks kinda funny because I put it in Paint first and then took it to Word. The Abercrombie & Fitch shirt waited in the closet for me to finish my mission. It was my only green shirt for a long time. I miss Kevin, even though we weren't that close when he passed. His letters still induce a few chuckles and grins. The irony is the amount of tissues I used when I gave my farewell talk was quite a few; the scenario was the same for when I went to his "policeman's" funeral. And that concludes my tale for now...

*John*

or as I like to call it, the 'familiarly-4-fridays' month

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:01:00 +0000

a quick peek at the calendar for feb.

mon. the 2nd: groundhog day (go Phil!)

fri. the 13th

sat. the 14th: st. valentine's day...of course

mon. the 16th: president's day, aka '2-presidents-birthdays-in-1' day

whole month: black history month - not african american history month

future honeymoon?

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:26:00 +0000

I caught myself staring at this part of the world on a globe recently and had an idea for a trip I'd like to take that might be hard to do but tons 'o' fun all the way. I think it would include 12 cities and last at least 24 days (rushed?). I put the start and finish spots on the little map. I'm not sure why it costs so much less to fly from PHX to Dublin, Ireland than from Paris, France back to PHX - about 4.5 times less actually! Anyway, here is the mini "agenda":

1.Come into Dublin, take pics

2.Jet over to London, hit up Buckingham

3.Shoot across to Amsterdam, film an "illicit" act

4.Drop down to Brussels, eat normal food?

5.Bust it over to Berlin, find the old wall

6.Slip into Prague, just be sneaky...like a spy

7.Pop up in Vienna, get a souvenir

8.Cruise over to Bern, meet someone famous

9.Roll down to Rome, avoid mafia

10. (quality) S L E E P

11.Cross Mediterranean (boat?)

12.Go out with a Madrid hottie

13.See if Lisbon has hotter hotties

14.Last stop:Paris

15.Eiffel tower at night?

It's a generic plan but "on paper" it rocks my socks. If any one has any advice they can offer a fool like me on this crazy jaunt, feel free. Yeah, I just opened it up to you for mocking my only fun idea ever. Oh and if you feel so inclined, I am taking donations to make this whole thing possible. Every litte bit helps. It's a new year, why not be more giving in '09? : )

Welcome Winter

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 19:24:00 +0000

So this snaggle-toothed menace is Pugsey. Been here 2 months and already leaving a legacy of mischief. He is not the leafiest tree in the forest by any stretch of the imagination. He already tried to bite me. I didn't put him here for his looks. He just wants to say hi and he hopes you have a good holidays!

Well, he didn't really say any of that...I did.

Summer of Bores

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:32:00 +0000

All in all the last few months have been a bit on the lame side. Things have been so lame that I can actually laugh at this modeling pose by our friend Strongbad. Yes, I had nothing else to do but play his PC game and I had to get a snapshot of it.

Don't take me for being overly depressed. I just wish I could catch a break once in a while. Well, it's out of my hands. Bring on the fall/winter/spring. See ya round the block kids...

a letter to me from my Subconscious

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:40:00 +0000

Dear Sir,

Lately it has come to my attention that your present condition is something of a dispirited one. These are simply my observations of current circumstances and their overall effects on your well-being. I should like to assert my authority and expertise in evaluating your state of mind.

First things first - we never give up! No matter what, we keep going, keep moving, never letting go, not quitting, or even losing faith. Ever. The one thing you can always do is hope. Do not stop believing in the cause. You have a role to play in this cosmic theater. You have to continue trying your best.

Sure things can get a little crazy, a bit complicated, and downright not cool. But that’s what we have to deal with on a regular basis. You can do it. You will do it. Despite what you have to cope with at any given time, you know that there is always a person or group of people who are worse off than you are. Things can always get better. That is the truth.

I hope that you take this to heart. Do everything you can that’s good, and avoid all that seems to be negative and unprofitable. You are not alone. Remember that. I’m not talking about me, either. Family, friends, and others are on your side; they root and pull for you constantly. One day it will all pay off, and we can look back and learn from this chaotic fiasco.

That’s about the extent of what I meant to convey to you…make it count. Good luck!

Yours (obviously),inner self

30 seconds of me

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:57:00 +0000

* generic version
* rough draft

I am fairly reserved. I believe in the 3 P's - punctuality, practicality, and patience. I prefer moderation. My favorite thing to do is figure things out. I use my wits wisely. I like to help people out when they need it. I believe that God is our Father and we are His children. I also believe He has a plan for all of us. I think that Washington was our greatest President. Why? Because his Congress was the smallest. I don't favor war, but it is necessary at times to keep peace. I wish I had more money. Who doesn't? I'd rather have my own family, but still love the one I'm part of. When I was young, I wanted to be a Herpetologist (reptile expert). Now I think it would be cool to be a U.S. Marshall.

*possibly more than 30 seconds
*sorry, not perfect ya know

sweetJ speaketh

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Seeing as how this is my blog, and I can put any old thing into it I so wish, what should it be?

Pictures? Done.
Poetry? Did it.
Video? Check.
Quotes? Uhuh.
Trivia? Yessir.
Games? You bet.
Opinions? Of course.
Secrets of the universe? Hmmm...
Shout-outs? Holla!
Tributes? Gotcha.
Personal info? Let's not get too crazy now-

I guess I am so boring that nothing cool enough can cut it on the blog board for me.
And no comments have been made yet either.
B u m m e r

8 l

Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:24:00 +0000

Ok haters, stop right now!

This post honors our man Michael Fred Phelps.

You got to give it up for a guy to do what he did. Yes, he is a freak in the water. An unbeatable freak at that.

Make no mistake-Spitz was awesome. WAS. It is time for the world to check themselves (swimmers at least). This was an unbelievable feat. Any and all witnesses will agree.

No, he probably couldn't have done it without a little help and a bit of luck. But he did it. No one else has even tried. My hats off to him. The training alone would have killed me. He managed to pull it off with the whole world watching. No pressure there. Would I race him on land? Maybe. In water? Not a chance.

You go Mike! See you in London, 2012...

WHOA! nellie!!

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:06:00 +0000

O.K., so what in the name of all things could prompt 2 posts in 1 day from yours truly?

This: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080814/ap_on_en_mo/film_harry_potter

I was surprised at the move the studio thought was the right thing to do. Move a HIGHLY anticipated film back 9 months - just so it can make more money in an opening weekend! So what that tells me is that #'s are more important than entertaining a loyal world-wide fan base.

(Shame)

I know, it's just business. But the movie is already done. It will probably leak out somehow before the new release date anyway. That's like a Dr. not giving out the perfect prescription for you until you get worse, so he can be more thanked and appreciated for saving your life instead of just making you feel better. I think a global petition is in order.

I don't buy into the whole "well, pushing it back will make it so the wait for the following films won't be as long"... I'm sorry...but is that black crap on a white page or what?! Maybe the filming should have been going on for the last movie before these "kids" hit retirement age. I sort of remember the last book having a minute (my-noot) portion where the whole gang is a lot older, but both parts of the 7th movie are gonna have stand-ins for the main stars for age purposes. I don't know if even the hollywood make-up greats can pull that off.

Let me bring it up right now. I'm not a die-hard Harry Potter fan, but I know ridiculous-ness when I see it. If you agree then let me hear you say it. Don't let me be the only one flappin my yappers for no reason...

respect to opinions!

(...)

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:49:00 +0000

No title today, but a post I can do.

Some out there have it in them to prefer that blogs be decorated with various images.

So I shall display...

To the side of this text is a pose by Heidi. She is a German Shepherd, obviously. She is the best dog in the world. Yes, that would be biased. In the pic she is probably getting ready to play ball. You can see it in her eyes. I did not ask permission to show her on my site. Why do I put this shot of canus familiaris up here just now? Think-

Summer is winding down. Another reference to the months of June, July, and August are "the dog days of summer". This mug of man's best friend is a reminder. The reminder is to enjoy it, baby!

2 VENTure

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:47:00 +0000

Is it that time again?! Yes, that's right. Medals, here we come. World, get ready.

Now for the latest:

The summer is winding down. Football is starting up. Kids are back in school. I'm moving again. Russia is in another nasty conflict. The "Dark Knight" is available online already. Brett Favre might actually take a few more snaps in a real game. John Edwards cheated on his wife. Those D-backs are hangin' in there at 1st place. Jesus loves you. The Little League World Series is in full swing. That earthquake which recently hit the L.A. area ... just a taste. Gas has gone down a bit. Rain is good for washing cars. Last, but not least, I ran 3 miles today!

* just try to get more random than that

"Favorites"

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:32:00 +0000

School's getting ready to start back up and I remembered this thing I did once.
While I was student teaching I created this "Favorites" list for my students (icebreaker).
I have filled in the blanks according to my mood. You know how we always change our minds.

1. song/singer- Marvin Gaye singing the Star Spangled Banner
2. color/flavor- chocolate marshmallows are the best!
3. movie/actor(actress)- Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta, Will Smith in I am Legend
4. athlete/sport- those AND1 mix tape tour street ballers are fun to watch
5. cereal- either corn pops, frosted flakes, or frosted mini wheats
6. TV show- used to be CSI, it was a great show for awhile
7. candy bar- charleston chew (hands down)
8. game- scrabble and boggle I guess
9. book/author- Rowling is the new Tolkien? Dr. Seuss rules
10. soft drink- just Hawaiian Punch
11. ice cream- DQ blizzards of course
12. video game- all time? maybe Final Fantasy X
13. gum/candy- mike and ikes rock my mouth
14. activity/hobby- shootin' hoops/shootin' pool
15. cartoon character/comic- I'm into Marvel mostly
16. school subject- social studies for everybody
17. store/brand- hate to say this, but Nike takes it (outlet)
18. restaurant- for grease-Rally's…for spice-Popeye's
19. smell- has to be fresh cotton candy
20. excuse- "there's always tomorrow"

*feel free to submit yours at your leisure

Ju$ diddlee poo

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:40:00 +0000

Yesssss...the Harry Potter teaser is now online (http://www.themoviebox.net/trailers/)
so check it out if you havent yet.

It's for kids though right? Really?
Im gonna throw out a number right now - how about 4,453,611,881
What number is that? Try the approximate amount, in dollars, that the first five HP films have grossed worldwide. But it's for kids though. I guess that's why almost 400 million copies of the books have sold worldwide so far. By the way, the average length for those books - 599 pages. Kids stuff huh?
What's really crazy is that J.K. Rowling is now the wealthiest female author on the planet (or so I'm told). Pretty good for a lady with only a couple kids, and young ones at that.

But the latest movie version promises to be quite a spectacle...and that's my point for the day!

m e m o r i e s

noreply@blogger.com (my name is john) — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0000

so I found my old rants/my first attempt at the blog game,
and it is here:

http://frodosadodo.blogspot.com/

not very good, but could be worse
cant believe it was that long ago...