365 Project-#7

I love March Madness. I love March Madness a lot. I love spending days, nay weeks watching excellent basketball being played. I have the teams I root for every year, like Xavier and Gonzaga, and the teams that I root against every year, like Duke and Kentucky (who I hate...).

This year the tournament means a lot to me though. The BYU Cougars (who also happen to be THE team for me) made it past the first round. This hasn't happened in the last 17 years. There are a lot of excited fans around campus as of late, and to tell you the truth I am proud. I am proud of the fact that the Cougar's pulled out of a double over-time, nail biting game to win 99-92.

I am also proud of some lower ranking seeds for pulling through. Teams like Ohio(14) who beat out Georgetown(3) and Murray State(13) who beat out Vanderbilt(4). Granted this did no help for the brackets that I filled out, but I am still proud to see some lesser known teams making names for themselves in this years tournament.

That is what this tournament is all about. Having the chance to come from nothing (a lesser valued school) and make a place for yourself among the elite. I have heard and read many reviews this year, (and while the tournament is still not over and none of us are sure of the outcome yet) some of the teams that are not known well, or who have yet to make a name for themselves were ripped on pretty bad. And I think it is awesome that they aren't standing down. No matter what the reviews say, they are still playing well, and still winning games.

This is why I love the game of basketball.

365 Project-#6

Converse. All Stars. Chuck Taylor's. Chuck's. And my favorite nick name for these shoes, Convy's. As you can see from this picture I could probably be a Converse spokesperson if I really wanted to be. I was introduced to Chuck Taylor's when I was in grade school. A few of the kids wore them then. I didn't really think much of it at the time. Then again, in Jr. High a few kids had a pair here and there. Then came High School. In High School the world of Chuck Taylor's opened for me, and has been open ever since.

My first pair was the black pair you can see here. I wore them nearly everyday when I first got them as a freshman. Then as the years went by I grew less and less fond of them. Finally, I boxed them up and came to BYU in July of 2004. My Convy's came with me, but were left under my bed for the majority of that year...and the next....and the next. Then once again, I boxed them up so that I could go on a mission in 2007. In December of 2008 after I had returned home my Grandpa had given me some money for Christmas. The green pair you see here were my next purchase. I wore them everyday when I first got them. That is until I went to Colorado and spilt battery acid on them...making them almost impossible to wear (until I found some duct tape that is).

After nearly ruining my green pair of Chuck's, and wearing them with duct tape on them for months, I decided to acquire a new pair of shoes. This time though I didn't want just any shoe. I wanted to make the shoe myself. I went to www.converse.com and did just that. The green white and blue pair here were the result.

As was mentioned before, my birthday was last Friday. And so, for a birthday present to myself I decided to buy the red pair you see in the middle. I have always owned All Stars that were either green, blue, or black in color. Never red. But, this red pair of Converse shoes has already brought me a lot of happiness. I think I am going to enjoy them as I have all the others.

365 Project-#5

Chuck Palahniuk is one of my favorite authors. He is real. He doesn't sugar coat stuff, and doesn't caudal you with lameness about butterflies and rainbows. He is gritty, usually writing about things most people are too scared to talk about.

My favorite book (and movie) by him is found right in the middle of this picture. If you haven't read Fight Club, I suggest you do. It might just change your life.

"It's only after you've lost everything, that you are free to do anything." -Tyler Durden

365 Project-#4

So as part of the psychology department at BYU we as students have the opportunity to not only become part of the Psych Association, but also receive way awesome T-Shirts. I love T-Shirts! I was very excited to buy this particular shirt because of the saying on the back as you can see.

As a psychology major some people think I can read their mind. Some people think I am analyzing them on the spot. And frankly, I won't lie. I do my fair share reading minds, analyzing, and pseudo diagnosing of my friends, relatives, and (most of all) acquaintances I meet everyday. I honestly can't help it. It is in my blood...and my brain.

I love the work that I get to participate in as a psychology major. I look forward to graduate school, for not only the purpose of furthering my education, but because graduate school means I will get to do the work I feel I am suited best for. I want to help people, bottom line. Living through what I have, and the experiences that make up my life have a lot to do with why I chose this field. In the end though, I really just love it and look forward to serving people for the rest of my life.

365 Project-#3

This photo was taken right outside of my apartment complex in Provo, Utah. As I said on my first post, I think reflections are awesome, and I always look for them in random places. This one was found in the scooter that I recently acquired. This scooter means a great deal to me actually. It was first owned by my cousin Quinn. He passed away January 11, 2009. After Quinn bought it, and didn't ride it he passed it on to my Grandpa Bill. Grandpa Bill only took it out once or twice, but the scooter had made a cross country trip from Utah to Illinois. With the recent divorce of my parents, the scooter has once again made it back across the country to be in my possession in Utah. It needs a little work, but as soon as I can get it running you can bet you will be able to see me cruising around Provo on it.

My shirt is also significant. St. Patrick's Day is on Wednesday as we all know. I decided to see if I had enough green shirts to fill an entire week (because St. Patrick's Day is my favorite holiday) and today of course is the first (and for those of you who know my wardrobe, or course I have that many green shirts.) The shirt says "Lucky to be Irish, Proud to be Awesome." And I love it. I'd like to formally thank my ancestors for being from Ireland.

Serious. Thank you.

365 Project-#2

365 Project-#2

This photo was taken outside of my Grandparents house in Duchesne, Utah. I love spending time in Duchesne, and wish I lived there. I swear, I must be half horse or something close to it. I have loved them since I was old enough to remember. They are honestly the most peaceful animals that I know of. Quiet, serene, and thoughtful, they can read my body language better than I can a lot of the time. If I am having a day (like I sometimes do) all I have to do is walk out in the field. I don't have to say anything, because honestly sometimes there isn't anything to say. All I have to do is reach out my hand to one of these horses and they know the whole story. It is amazing.

This horse's name is Buddy. He is a great ride and I love him. I also love that it was snowing when I took this. It was a good day.

365 Project-#1

This photo was taken in the parking lot of Beer's Harley Davidson in Roosevelt, Utah. I spent the day with my Aunt Monica, shopping and doing various other things. This is a random truck I found in the parking lot. I think reflections are awesome...and there will probably be a lot of them throughout.

Thank you Zack for your inspiration. And Roxie for your ideas. I love you, cousins of mine.

So, I have decided to start this 365 project. I feel that it will be good, not only for me but for those around me as well. Taking photos has become a real past time of mine the last year or so, and I figure if I am going to take them, I might as well share them. I didn't start this back in January because my life was in upheaval. Things have settled a little now, yesterday was my birthday, and I figured it was a good enough day to start. You will find a lot of different photos here, dealing with my life. Happy hunting.

Progression....new camera