are we human, or are we dancer

(for the the music video, go here)

"...don't cry because it's over. smile because it happened..."

Dr Seuss, you are right. Goodbye 2008.

Tonight was spent Latin dancing with some cute latinas (and gringas). Holy cow pants it was fun. I'm not sure how I was convinced to go, but I'm glad that I did.

I didn't get any photos because I didn't take my camera. Sorry ___ (brother's name excluded for his own protection). I did receive your text, although my battery on my phone was so dead, that receiving it caused the phone to shut off. Sad. I know.

It's been a good year.

A trip to Paris (France or Idaho I leave up to you for the protection of my bother's identity)
Picked a direction in school
Saw a sibling married
Home 3 years from Russia
Free local concerts (I'm remembering 4?)
Made new friends
Lost old friends
Human body in exhibit
Celebrated the life of lost ones
Laughter
Tears
Tears from Laughter

I'm thankful for my experiences. I'm thankful for my opportunities. I am blessed. That I do know. As I sit here on the eve of a triumphant beginning (although, it IS already nearly 2 AM), I hope that God blesses me with new experiences that will shape me into what I need to be.

"For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (1Ne 20:10)

Silver is a very curious metal. It is said that when silver is refined, the furnace must be very hot. When the silver is pure, when it is ready, the Maker can see his reflection in it.

May God choose all of you. And when all is said and done, may He see himself in you, but more importantly, may you see yourself in Him.

chicken chow mein

Okay, this has nothing to do with Chinese food, but I'm craving it. I think it was onset by watching Kung-Fu Panda with my friends. Good movie if you haven't seen it. I've seen it twice now. Even better the second time around.

I don't spend a lot of time with those friends anymore. But tonight I thought it appropriate. I used to be there every Sunday night for movie night, but haven't made it in a long time.

I'm glad that I get to choose with whom I socialize. It's nice not to have to worry about being around the wrong kind of people. Are people like Chinese food? I say yes. Sometimes I crave it, sometimes I don't.

clint eastwood part ii

Got the movie on YouTube.

Sweet.

clint eastwood

So Mojo edited his very first video today. Most of it was done until I found two spelling errors in the movie, so I might not post a link for a little while. It was the same video that I posted previously, but this time it had some text explaining what was going on. And I threw in some other fun stuff too. So shoot me.

I've really enjoyed the break from school. It's given me some time to unwind. And that has been sorely needed. And having already seen two movies today, I think I'm off to bed, thankful for relaxation, and time to sit and listen.

merry christmas to all and to all a good night

What more can I say...

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

May the Light of God purify your hearts in brilliant stillness,
His Song feed an innermost hunger;
A gospel of peace, of love being true charity.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

christmas miracle part ii

I've decided that on top of bread being a Christmas miracle, most everything in my life should be. I've been screaming "Christmas Miracle" all day. So here's a list of them from today:

Grant wasn't in bed and answered my text... Christmas Miracle
Eric and Katie were home... Christmas Miracle
John's Parents were home... Christmas Miracle
Person let me merge... Christmas Miracle
Saw man dangerously running across 2100 South... NOT Christmas Miracle
Seeing him still alive and running 20 minutes later... Christmas Miracle
Ben was playing Guitar Hero when I stopped by... Christmas Miracle
Work called, and told me to pick up pizza... Christmas Miracle
A customer, whom I don't know, brought me in the paper with my picture
in it... Christmas Miracle
Tina slammed her leg and made it bleed at work... NOT Christmas Miracle
Tina was still alive 20 minutes later... Christmas Miracle
Ali fell in love with Pandora... Christmas Miracle
The frenchies got mugged... NOT Christmas Miracle.
The frenchies received their package from the US... Christmas Miracle
The frenchies made cookies for Santa, and got carrots for the
reindeer... Christmas Miracle.
Sabe's stray cat ate her bread... Christmas Miracle (I think it would die without it)
Hypothetically, if we had gotten a hold of some questionable fireworks, and set them off to bring in the Christmas spirit, what would that have been considered?... Christmas Miracle....

to be continued...

it's a christmas miracle

It was a longer and busier day at work today, but there was something that made it much easier to get through. It was a Christmas Miracle.

Yes, homemade bread.

Ah, the powers of delicious bread. Well, the snow started

The roads got bad for driving...

But I made it into work and we had a great feast of fresh bread and jam. (and there was much rejoicing.) But the fun part was after work, when I got home. Ali-G (Most people call her Ali) came over and we made honey butter (and one honey "butter" made of margarine) for the delight-filled treat. We made them into Christmas gifts for people.

What a good day. It really was fun to take a day, bake bread, make honey butter, talk, laugh, eat, breath, digest, you know, the good stuff.

I'm so thankful for family, friends and the chance to take the time out of my day to do something for someone else.

poetry

Someone recently said that I write sad poetry. I've had a long, crappy day, but I found a poetry journal from a long time ago. One of the entries was pretty dark, but with some editing, it's only moderately so:

A lone walk on a semi-deserted street
No one seems to notice the quiet disturbance,
but I am there.
I fill a glass half empty with my instincts.
The only person I commune to is the pavement beneath my feet.
I see a small boy with a clouded mind crying and realize
that the glass between us is yet another mirror.
The smaller hand passes two, the larger, twelve.
Each step being more painful physically
while piercing my troubled heart.
Jumbled letter on the kitchen fridge create words
that no one else can see.

A more cheerful poem about a friend: (dated 3/30/01)

Bright yellow flames kiss the cool night air.
Blanketed in showers of brilliant stars
and a cool red sky
As if a guide, a half full moon
(conquers the night sky)
Watching upon all that are around it
Friends enjoy each others company, and they seem to laugh along
And you,
staring into the life of the flames.
Your accomplishments were recognized tonight.
The happiness succeeded the fright
And it makes me smile thinking of how happy you are.

And lastly, a poem that Matt and I worked on. Well, we each took one image and created a poem out of it. I'll have to look for Matt's. I've got it somewhere. The image is the crescent moon, as a black cat with one eye winking:

A black cat with only one eye
looks down upon God's creation
Odd, how life can begin in one place.
One moment.
Waves surge across blades of grass
Echoing out the insanities of nature's fury
But these are mild cries,
for she is only reminding us that she is there
so no one will forget who is in charge
and who we must praise for this glorious sight.
One life ends, another begins
This eternal circle, never ending
Flows into this abyss of time.
Until the last war is fought
the last song is sung
When the earth takes it's last breath
after the cat closes her eye
Then true beauty and silence...

I feel that poetry is the gateway to someone's true self. It's been fun to read these, to see who I was, who I've become, and how some things don't change.

I'm thankful for the experiences in my life that have shaped me. (and that it's okay to have a crappy day where you don't feel appreciated).

famous

That's right readers. Mojo is famous. I was in a deseret new article about Guitar Hero. Lucy had written an article about how popular it was, but it never got published because it was the same time President Hinkley died. I thought that it was okay that they focused on him and his amazing life rather than Guitar Hero. Well, the article doesn't really talk about me because someone wrote a new article, but my photo was on it. AH YEAH!



That was an interesting thing to wake up to this morning. Ben (in the middle) text me to tell me. Well, now that THAT is out of the way, off to the good stuff.

I've been thinking a lot about the song Little Drummer Boy. I heard it sung by Patty Loveless, and it really gets to me:

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum
A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

So to honor Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
When we come.

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

I think that the reason I like this song so much is that I feel that I am a little drummer boy. I have nothing good enough to give to a King, none the less the King of Kings, the Great I Am. So all I can give Him is myself. Christmas rocks. I'm so blessed to have a knowledge of who I am and where I come from. And most importantly, what my potential is.

a relaxed day

Well, I'm done with finals, and now everything is out of my hands. It's great to be able to just relax and enjoy the break.

As you've seen from an earlier post, I did get a change to hit the slopes. I've been so excited to do it and finally got a chance to go. Jessica and I had a great time. I think that was the perfect way to start the break from school.

Now, moving onto today... It was filled with relaxation again. I made sure to go to the post office to send Marcey her CD that I promised to send her such a long time ago. Marcey, sorry I'm a putz.

Then I went and watched the Green Mile on Grant's new TV (gorgeous) and it makes me want a flat-screen. I guess when (not if) I become a millionaire, I can start splurging on gifts for myself.

I went with Grant to a wedding reception that evening where he ditched me and went on his date (she picked him up at the reception...) and I stayed and just chatted with old friends from high school. The funny thing about the reception is that it was for a girl whom I've known since I can remember. Her family lives a street or two over from us. My mother told her at the wedding shower that she was somewhat sad about the wedding because she wasn't marrying me. We both laughed about that.

But still, it makes me thankful that my life has been working out the way it has. God knows what's supposed to happen to me, and even though my thoughts on the subject are on the other extreme, it's worked out the way it should. As I sat next to my friends (the only single one) at the reception, I just couldn't see myself as a father (one to the left), or living in another state (also one to the left), stuggling with money (well, pretty much everyone). I live a comfortable life, which I'm thankful for.

hittin' the slopes

Thank you Warren Miller! I spent the day up at The Canyons resort
today on pristine powder, and the only thing between it and I was a
snowboard. The slopes were phenomenal. Jessica and I headed up to the
resort at about 8 this morning, and arrived around 8:50. It was
snowing the entire time we were up there, and honestly, it was the
best snow I have ever seen.

As we rode the chairlifts up the mountain, Jess and I took the chance
to talk to the people that were on the lift with us. One man came
from Chicago, two others came from Illinois, and the last two, who
looked about 19, were from around Salt Lake, the exact city escapes
me. It was so interesting to see people coming from everywhere to
come enjoy the snow here in Park City.

How lucky am I to have such a close proximity to theses mountains.
I'm grateful to also have the opportunity to enjoy nature and it's
beauty. We live in such an amazing place. I think that I forget that
sometimes. You know that whole inversion thing from the valley, and
even the cold. But still, it truly is an amazing place.

Jessica's goggles broke just after we got up the mountain. We hadn't even gotten into our bindings before they popped off her head. She tried one run, but there was too much snow falling. She bought some new ones.

work christmas party

Tonight was spent at the work Christmas party...








I think that my favorite part is the girl in black was the server. I didn't even know that she jumped into the picture until I uploaded the pictures to the computer. How cool is that.

Shelby from Iggy's, if you see this, I've decided that you rock, and if I ever see you again, we should be friends. Plus, I think your name is really cool. I know two other Shelby's. You should make a facebook group.

I'm so glad to have such awesome people in my life. Although I don't really socialize with most of them out of work (...I don't even socialize...), it's great to be able to get together, eat so much you want to ralph, and laugh. How amazing is that? I'm very blessed to have good people around me.

uneventful day

Yeah, well, I know. A shocker. I have such awesome, amazing life that it may come to shock you that I do have uneventful days. I mean, no cars on fire, no red-nosed-reindeer quotes, nothing.

Q:What's the best part about an uneventful and a slow day at work?




A: The view from inside work is breathe-taking.

A gorgeous blizzard comes into town and last until afternoon. Oh white pillowy beauty. I love the snow. I think that's why I like Utah. Although the snow only lasts a short while, I truly it beautiful.

fire!

-although I wrote this on the 16th, I'm posting it for the 15th because everything happened that day-

Hello. What a wonderful 15th of December. Today, the 15th, I had an interesting day. Now that I have established the date... I went into work at 8, to find out that I didn't work until 1. I know. Great job Mojo. Wow.

Well, I couldn't park in my normal parking space today, because as I drove past it, I noticed that it was occupied. I would have continued on to find another spot, but decided that I needed to make a phone call about this intrusive car. I mean, how dare they!?!

So I got my cell phone out and dialed 9-1-1. The conversation went as follows:

Calm man: "9-1-1 Emergency. What's the emergency?"
Mojo: "um... Hi. I'm at the corner of ___ and ___. There is a car erupting in flames."
Calm man, oddly calmer than before: "Oh, the fire department knows about it."
Mojo: "Oh... okay... thank you..."
Calm man:

Yes. Mojo had a first. He called 911. The car that had taken his spot was on fire from the driver door all the way to the front license plate. It was quite the sight to see. No one was out there, not even a fire truck (I thought the fire deptartment knew about it...).

Thank goodness for 9-1-1. I know I wasn't the first to call, but still, it's great that we can have help so redily. It's just awesome.

days off

watching Top Gun in bed this morning... need I say more. I'm thankful for lazy Sundays. Church was good too. No talks, just Christmas musical program.

Oh, and I'm thankful for ibuprofen. I've had a headache.

no thanks, i don't drink

I had a *delightful day at work today. *There was a sarcastic emphasis on the word delightful...

There are only three of us on the line on Saturdays because normally they tend to be a little slow. Today was no exception. It's Saturday, and it was snowing like crazy (and customers don't come in when it snows... my guess, abominable snow-monster. See below:

I wouldn't come in either.)

So here is the story of my day (Mojo, that's me, and two girls on the teller line)...

"F!" ~Roy Corsi (former math teacher at my high school who would say that when you asked a question):
Girl one finds out she might fail a class because she didn't do well on the final. Let's just say that tears were flowing and sobs could be heard, even after she went into a private area. Girl two, having been best friends with girl one for many-a-year consoles her for about 10 minutes. A gesture of love and consideration that I'm not angry about, but it does leave one person to take care of everyone.

"Do you have any idea what the street value of this mountain is?" ~Better of Dead:
Since the snow started to blizzard AFTER we opened, the plowing people didn't come that morning. After we had been open about 3 hours, customers who travailed the gruesome trail and evaded the bumble (see above -- oh come on! I have to quote Rudolf. It's Christmas) told us that our walks were ridiculously slippery. Well, it's not really my job, but I went out and shoveled anyway. It was fun. I didn't have a coat, but it felt nice. I like the cold.

I wasn't really mad about that, but it was a pain. We didn't have any salt (we have a company that comes and does this for us regularly) so I got the little I had in my car for emergencies and spread it out. Though still, not my job.

{
Rex Banner: (Grabbing Ned Flanders) Are you the Beer Baron?
Ned Flanders: Well, if you're talking about root beer, then I'm guilt-diddily-ilty as char-diddily-arged.
Rex Banner: (to other cops) He's not the Beer Baron, but he sounds drunk; take him in
}:
The night prior, girl two did some drinking... and by some, I mean a lot. She said that she nearly blacked out... yeah... *awesome. (again, sarcasm) Well today at work, as we were all standing next to each other, she stops, starts to look pale, and proceeds to "hork her beans." (Number 131 on a list of 339 synonyms for throwing up) After taking a small break to clean herself up, work went on as usual. Although when she fainted in the vault, we thought that maybe this hang over was little too much for her.

I carried her down into the basement and put her on the couch, got her some water and gave her my cell and told her to call upstairs if she needed anything. Girl one consoles... Mojo left alone on the line again.

So all in all, a great day. I was the only one there today who was not a drinker or at one point in their lives was a drinker. The only perspective on alcohol that I have is from my time in Russia (you'll have to ask me about it. Guys passed out in their own vomit, urine and blood from falling down cement stairs. *So cool -- are you getting a better grasp on my sarcasm?)

It just makes me so glad that I have a structure in my life that gives me standards that keep me from having such problems. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't go on killing rampages (except zombies)... I'm just glad that because I made that choice a long time ago, I don't have to worry about it. It feels good.

where's my wallet?

My project group got together to make a video of our MOD. It turned out pretty well, although I think we're going to add some other stuff in the video to show off all the cool stuff we added...



Well, I got home and met Grant and Eric for dinner. After eating and talking for a while, I realized I didn't have my wallet. Here's the dilemma:

1. Um, hello. It's my wallet. Credit cards, debit cards, (I don't keep cash) and Drivers license.
2. The only place I could have left it would be in the computer lab
3. I need to scan my University ID to get in
3.1. My ID is in my wallet.
4. The semester ended today, so noone is in the lab.

I know. Good times.

Well, I rushed over there and ran to the computer lab from the parking lot. I frantically knocked on the door, and... SOMEONE OPENED IT FOR ME!

There it was. Sitting at the monitor I had been killing zombies on (yes, Left4Dead again. I'm an addict.) next to my work keys. Something that would have caused problems tomorrow when I have to go into work.

You know, I'm thankful that there is a goodness in people. Even just answering the door to a computer lab where someone is exploding with anxiety on the other side. And I also am glad that God is looking out for me by prompting me to look for my wallet. I must be doing SOMETHING right.

little swiss miss

I woke up this morning and sat down with my mother. It seems that the settlement from her accident in 2005 is pretty much done. Now what is weighing on her mind is how to take the money.

She suggested that I call my brother Tad and see what he thinks. They live in France (his wife is Swiss/French, although I'm not sure she would admit to the French part...) and we don't get to see them often. Luckily they have a local Salt Lake number (Thanks Vonage!) so I gave him a call.

My niece Teeny (Valentine) answered the phone, and we had a great time talking on the phone. I heard all about recess (after she had remembered the word for recess in English) today, and how they were playing tag with boys (how scandalous). It was so fun to talk to her and hear how she sees life. She is my Little Swiss Miss.


It made me thankful for having such a wonderful family, and for having the means to communicate with them when they are so far away.

zombies

I spent the day today in the computer lab, but don't you worry, I didn't get anything done.

Most of my group for my final project was there and we decided since we were done, we would play a little Left4Dead as to help with team member commodore. Or kill an hour or so by killing zombies or, while playing the multiplayer (2-8 players) taking turns being humans and zombies, trying to kill the others. I know. Totally awesome.

Left4Dead comes with such great tag lines as:



It got me to thinking though. I'm friends with my teammates, and even the TAs. We had the one of the TA's brothers there today and we had a great time trying to kill each other.

It made me grateful for the fact that I can easily make friends with people. I may be very quiet, but I have a true gift to be able to make friends. I should embrace it more.

Oh, and I forgot to say, I think my favorite zombie to be is the boomer. It throws up on the humans which in turn blinds them with vomit and attracts a zombie horde. You can see him below:

frozen bliss

Yay for snow.
It is great.
It has been snowing
as of late.

It's cold and white.
Shoveling the walks.
I think I'll need
some warmer socks.

But don't you fear,
it just won't stay
but then again,
perhaps it may.

December comes
and isn't the same
this poem sucks,
...totally lame...


I'm just excited to see some snow. I really love to see it fall. I know that sounds so cliche, but winter and Chirstmas just aren't the same without a little snow. So today, I've decided to be thankful for snow and celebrating the different seasons.

i want to be dentist

My mother and I spent the day last week putting up Christmas lights around the house. They look pretty awesome. And the more time that I spend in the kitchen (I eat a lot) at night with the lights on around the house, the more I find myself grateful for the Christmas spirit.

And as I sit here watching Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer with Joan, Jim, Sallee and Nathan, I realize that Christmas brings out good things in me.

I've been told I look like the elf who wants to be a dentist...


I'm surprised to see how sexist this movie really is. Oh, the 1960s...

happy home-owners

Today was spent helping my sister and her husband of 4ish months move into their new house. It was a very interesting day because of what the new house means to both her family and to my parents. You see, this was the house that my mother grew up in.

One of the coolest things that happened was directly related to a conversation that my sister and I were having. She continually told me that she didn't know how long it would take until it was "her house," and not "Grandma's house."

As we continued carrying, unboxing, sorting, cleaning (I did a fair job of cleaning with Frances. Let's just say there may have been canned food that had eaten through the cans then started its work going through the shelves) and other such activities, we started to relax and put up Christmas decorations. As we sat, we realized that we now were sitting in "Sallee's house," not "Grandma's house."

It made me thankful for memories: old memories of grandma and grandpa, their spoiled food, questionable BB gun holes in the windows, etc. but I think more importantly, new memories. Sallee and Nathan are so lucky and so scared to own such a great home.




They shouldn't fear though. There is a mother-in-law apartment in the basement that Frances has already claimed as her own.

cafe rio

What's that you say? Yes, it is I. Mojo. I know, I know, I've joined the Blogging community. I've been reading other people's blogs for long enough, that I thought it was time.

I don't know what I want to write about. I might as well write about me. I mean, I am totally awesome. It just seems like the most sane thing to do.

One of the ideas that I had for a blog was just writing things that make me happy and/or what I've been grateful for that day, thus begins the story of Cafe Rio.

I spent the entire day today in the computer lab (yes quad-core, 4Ghz, 4GB of RAM computers DO make me happy, but alas, the story evades the topic nearly completely). I've been working on my final project with my team of 5. We're making a Mod (modification) to the Halflife 2 multiplayer game. It's dodgeball. Yes, including a map (playing area) that looks like an elentary school gym, with pullout bleachers on the side. Awesome.

It's been pretty fun so far. We went to Cafe Rio for a break today and I got to talking with one of the guys I'm working with. He told us that he was going to go the BYU, but his bishop (I was surprised he was even LDS) wouldn't sign his ecclesiastical endorsement. Jarred back into shock. We asked him why, and he responded, "Oh, because I didn't have a testimony." Quite actually, a funny response.

I'm glad that I've got God in my life. I'm not a perfect guy, but you know, I'm gratful for what I have. I'm glad that the people around me are (almost) as freakishly awesome as I am. And as much as I know I live in "The Bubble," (Those who have been to Utah know what I'm talking about) I'm glad that I've got people around me holding me up.