extreme partying sports

Okay, I've been getting pretty bad about writing on here. I've been trying to keep this blog updated, one: for the leagues of followers, two: because I'm just that awesome, and three: I'd like to keep a little bit of myself for posterity (think about how [much more] popular this blog will be when I'm [much more] famous)

It's been a pretty crazy week. I made a video. We've been taking the Halflife 2 Game Engine and making movies in my Machinima (WHAT?! 'Machinima' isn't in the dictionary?) class. It's a fun class, and I've really enjoyed it. I spent MANY hours on this assignment, and now I realize that if I started over now, it would only take me about 30 minutes to do what I did, but hey, it's about learning the stuff right?



I know. It's pretty basic. I just had to texture the scene (background, walls, make doors, etc.) and then have each of the "actors" go around and do what I wanted them to do and such forth. It's pretty boring. Some of the ones that came out of the class were pretty good.

That's pretty much been my life this week. Boring, I know.

I did have a chance to go to a party last night for Sabriel. She had a birthday this week, so we had a "surprise" party that she somewhat knew about. Pictures coming soon:

Cheesy "Prom" Photos
Twister
Twister Limbo
Twister Jump Rope (didn't really work or last long)
Moon Boot Dancing
Spraining ankles due to Moon Boot Dancing
Popping balloons between two people using a chest bump

Oh the joys of kiddom.

I believe that the festivities will be continued tonight at the crepe party...

emergency power outage 101

Things to do while the power is out:

Take a nap
Wear warm closes
Make a fire
Watch a fire (from the power lines and transformer)
Play on the computer
Surf the web
Watch TV

Yes, all of those things were available today at the RFC while the power was out. Now, I know the first ones made sense to you, my lovely readers, but you might get lost with the last three (or four?).

I started the day with shoveling snow. It was deep. It was wet. It was heavy. My gift to my father this Christmas was shoveling all season long. He's old and deserves the rest to he honest. Later, I got ready for my presentation that I had in my class today. (The power was still on, so no problem with that) I got ready, scraped my car of ice, and headed off to school. I was planning on working at school after class, but by the time I got there, I realized that ALL my school books were still at home. Guess I'd go home to do homework.

Once home, I realized there was no power. Guess I wouldn't work on school. Ate lunch and took a nap. By the time I was going to work, the power was still out, but the RFC-EGG (RFC Emergency Gas[-powered] Generator) was carried out and set up. Yay! Although the power was out for the entire street (on the south side only... odd) the RFC was lit and warm. Now the fire department DID try to put out the electrical fire with a fire hose (Picture 2)... doesn't sound safe in the slightest...

Now the best part about having power? Modem and wireless router. Oh yeah! I didn't get much work done though because I was at work for the majority of the power-filled evening.

For those readers still following at this point out of bordom or a weird masochistic need to read the ramblings of Mojo, don't you worry. After 10 hours of the "power-outage," the RFC is back up and running at full-strength.

Yay for the Scout Moto: Be Prepared. Also for the Computer Science Moto: Make sure to have backups for wireless internet access because without internet, what good is a computer?

frances cake 14: a cupcake story

A lovely tradition, only surpassed with it's own spoils...

Frances

The spoils

The Glaze

Now, the first batch got the glaze while it was still cool. The second batch was a little too hot to frost, and then when they cooled, the frosting was little hard to put on.

It was pretty fun. I mean, how can you be disappointed with funny stories from foreign countries (and one shocking one from the good ol' US). That Frances is a smarty-pants.

She's also convinced me to start with Battlestar Galactica.

good morning mister president

It's been a while since I have written. Sorry followers (though few you may be; what we lack in numbers, we exceed in awesomeness), I'll get more on the ball about that.

School is going. My first assignment is due on Thursday, but I'm on too worried. This is going to be a time consuming semester. The real trick is going to be managing my time. I'm doing okay so far.

Notable things since last post:
deer running down my street in the middle of the afternoon.
invited to Frances cake. (to be take 14) - the first one of the year!
missed out on snowboarding with Sarah.
started running every day (okay, I only started yesterday, but that's two days in a row)
nd sadly missed out on the inaugural ceremony.

I didn't get a chance to listen/watch the new president of the United States give his inaugural address, but on my way to school, I had NPR on the radio, and I caught the tail end of the ceremony; I heard the poem and benedictory prayer. I've been thinking a lot about what I heard. Here's what I took out of it:

Elizabeth Alexander:

...Some live by "Love thy neighbor as thy self."

Others by first do no harm, or take no more than you need.

What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light...

Rev. Joseph Lowery:

...we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.

And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance...

...With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid.

I noticed a theme within those that spoke today (while I was listening of course). One word: Love... okay, in two words: Love and Tolerance. (does 'and' count as a word, because that would make it three) What a grand message to share with the American people, or even with the world. In my opinion, we as the human race need to love more.

Love family.

Love friends.

Love neighbors.

Love your leaders.

Love those you lead.

Most importantly (and sadly hardest to do), Love yourself.

My friend Frances, with whom I'll be making Frances cake, has a sort of tradition each year to dedicate the year to something to become, "The Year of ____." Most of the time, the blank is filled with "Frances," but if I remember correctly, her father convinced her to fill that with something more. So 2008 was "The Year of Jesus." What I neat idea though. To dedicate a year of loving yourself, and in turn loving others through loving yourself.

May the new presidency be a presidency of love, of patience, of understanding, of tolerance. And may we be the nation and people of love, of patience, of understanding, of tolerance.

dk

Billy Mitchell can suck a lemon. Go Steve Wiebe!

don juan

Don't you readers worry. I successfully averted the tragedy of completing my homework tonight. You can all breathe a little easier. It's just a little reading that I need to do before class, so I'll just do it before class tomorrow. I know. Children's Lit is going to be some HEAVY reading.

I spent the night with my main honey. It was fun. Pizza, TV, video games, reading, playing with her new doll house. Yeah. Totally hot.

I spent the evening with my, what can best be described as, niece/godsister Piper (age 6). An adorable redhead with enough energy to power a small country for 3 days. We played with the dollhouse she made at school, and read books. She read me one about Santa. I think my favorite line that was "read" was, "Mom said to the girl, 'You are getting ready for Santa.' Feel his beard. Is it soft or squishy? I'd say soft."

All-in-all, a good day.

PS - I might want to be careful. If Madison found out I was hanging around other girls, I don't know what she would do. I mean, she has, on occasion, mistakenly called me dad... and she is the younger woman at age 2.

rip van winkle

Class, day 3: I found that the reading that I did for class today wasn't as vital as I had thought it was prior. I'll still continue to do it of course, but it does make it hard to really want to read when you go over the entire thing in class. I didn't get the books for my other classes until later this afternoon in the mail, so I came home and putzed around until work.

My life is pretty boring right now. I feel like I should at least write something, but as Francis posted today,

...the world of blogging is sort of a mixed bag. there is pressure to be funny, interesting and to take at least some photos without a double chin. there is worry about whether anyone is reading anyway, and if they even care that i lost the office belching contest...

Well, today was NOT the office belching contest, be we did compete. I emptied the quarters from the soda machine in the basement so I can go out and buy some more soda. Before counting it, we placed it in a cup and everyone guessed the amount. Most guessed in the 30s, but ranged up to $100. My guess, which didn't count sadly because of a conflict of interest and experience counting the coin, was $60. Actual, $66.75

Truth be told, it wasn't that boring of a day. I got in and took down the nondenominational holiday plant (Christmas tree) and in the process, seemed to create an air conditioning breezeway for my pants (a hole in the crotch about 5 inches wide). I proceeded to work today without realizing it. Yep. 2-6:15 with a HUGE hole in my pants.

Awesome.

i beat the smart kids

I've decided, I am little Ralphie. I'm the character that most people enjoy and love to hear from, but yet am lost in obscurity. I'm remembered, but not sought after.

I've felt out of place recently, as though I belong, but not right at this moment. Or at least not for an extended amount of time.

School is fine this week. My classes haven't yet "started," but I think that I'll be busy this whole semester. Work is the same. I'll be working every day this week, right after school. I've had to map out how I'll be spending my time to the point that I have even scheduled time that I can spend on each specific class at a specific time. It's looking good.

The thing about my major is that I'm not one of the smart kids. I often feel like I know the least about anything that we are studying. I constantly have to look up what things are or what people are talking about, but I know that I love the material. Where does that leave me?

musak

Another night another room another phone call
One more day
Another road another sign by my window
Counting miles away

I'd come back I would
I would come right back to your arms
If I only could

So long hard roads
Wake me up when we're home
Wake me up when we're home

Yesterday is today is tomorrow the next day Is the same
As I wander these miles I wonder
Should I have stayed

I would turn around
I would come right back your way
Just not today

So long hard roads
I'm coming back home
So long hard roads
Wake me up when we're home

I might turn around
I'll come back some day
I might turn around
I'll be home some day

So long hard roads
I'm coming back home
I'm coming back home

I have a friend Sabe who is quite poetic. She often will quote songs or write poetry on her blog. En lieu of that, I thought I might do the same. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog anymore, so I think I'm safe copying her. This song has been in my car for a while, but I haven't put the CD in my player for a while. But it was in there tonight on my drive home from work, and I thought that it really did describe my feelings.

The first day of school went well. I've only been to one of my classes, but I like it. I have it with a friend of mine (whom I know because I know her older brother, who got married, so I started hanging out with his younger brother, and thus I met her). My teacher took roll, and I heard a few people I know, but there was one that stuck out...

I heard the name, and I could only think to myself, "I know her somehow." I took a look at her face when she turned around, but I still didn't know her. Well, when I was at work, it hit me. She comes to my work at least once a week. We all know who she is, in fact, the first thing that my coworkers said when I said her name was, "Oh yeah. Red Jeep." Funny.

I'm feeling better than I did yesterday. I'm still working on myself, and I DO need a lot of work, but things are better. "So long hard roads." I done with the pain of them, and now I rest, so, "Wake me up when we're home."

school-mas eve

School starts tomorrow. I know... exciting.

Actually, it's going to be great. I'm taking some fun classes that I think that I'm really going to enjoy. But, I do have a first: An online class. I've never done one before so I really don't know what to expect.

The break has not been what I expected, and today's been a hard day. I'm learning a lot of about myself. I'm learning how to find happiness in myself, and in God. I hope that this semester goes well.

warren miller

Eat your heart out.





Dillon pretending to me miserable.


Picking up a lucky penny, as to avoid any problems on the slopes


A gorgeous day. Here's the story: Dillon (green coat, on board) said that his friend invited him to go snowboarding with him, but when they found out it might be snowing, they uninvited him along. Math tutor to the rescue!

I told Dillon that I would take him. Alex (holding the penny, on skis) came with us. It's a good thing too. I'm a good snowboarder, but I'm not a good teacher of snowboarding.

We did make some awesome videos...

Warren Miller's got nothing on us.

We all had a good time. How lucky am I to be so close to resorts.

couch potato

Okay, this time I have pictures of our shenanigans... although sadly, I forgot my camera, so it's all cell phone pictures:






Yes, after the snow storm, we got a snow blower, many shovels and got to work building a snow-ten-person-holding couch. We then proceeded to watch Cool Runnings all huddled together under (and over) blankets (and tarps).

We were closer up the canyons, so the temperatures were maybe a little different, but it's showing 23 degrees F (-5 C) right now where I live. Yeah. I was cold.

But what can I say, [suave voice] snuggled up with some cute lady friends, [speaking deeper and sexier] keeping each other warm. [eyebrows raised] All right.

Seriously though. What an awesome idea (Dennis, you take credit now). The snow couch was HUGE. We could all sit with only our feet dangling off. There were arm rests, and even a tall back so that most of us could still rest our heads. It's just nice to be in a warm bed now.

you want in?

After 24 hours of my blog being locked for everyone except myself, I've come to a decision:

Okay, if you want to continue reading my blog, I'm going to have to get your account info (debit card number, pin, social security card, birthday and photo)

No really. I need your email address. I'm going to have to lock my account for only my friends to read.

Feel free email me (morganreyn [at] gmail [dot] com) or even leave a comment if that suits you.

planning spontaneity

Okay, tonight was a blast. On Sunday, I was talking with Sarah and she decided that we were going to be spontaneous, but that we would have to plan a night and a time for it. Well, that night was tonight!

Let me just say:

Unwrapping Hershey's Kisses and rewrapping them as Hershey's Hugs (check)
Unsuspecting victim getting white chocolate (check)
Rock Band (check)
All instruments playing (check)
Anyone not playing being groupies (check)
Groupies on their knees screaming in front of the TV screen (check)
Tom, as a groupie, flashing the players (check, and double check)
Fake tattoo on Tom's chest saying "I heart Jaimie" (check)

I have some cool friends.

So to continue our spontaneity, after seeing some snow, we made a Rock Band Spontaneous Memorial Tribute Snowman (RBSMTS).

8 or 9 feet tall (check)
Holding a shovel as a guitar (check)
Arms playing the guitar (check)
Another shovel in front for a mic (check)
Ten people making a human pyramid next to giant snowman (check)

I asked for the photos, and I hope to get them soon. I'll post them when I get them... and I might go over again tonight to get the photos myself...

festivus for the rest of us

My new favorite conversation overheard of today... almost of all time....

M(whom I work with): Hi T. How are you?
T(customer): Good thanks.
M: How was your Christmas?
T: I don't celebrate Christmas. I celebrate the birth of Jesus. He was there.
M (as if she expected that answer): That's great. Did you celebrate with anyone?
T. Yes. Jesus Christ.

Okay... That was so awesome.

I really like my work. I work with good people and I enjoy getting to know them. They've become my friends. Even the customers.

what's in a name

I've gone by a lot of names in my life.

Herbie - A nickname that I had even before I was born. It came from the lovebug. Sallee cried for days when they decided to give me a different name. Seriously, cried for days.

Solomon Joseph - Well, they didn't go with this one, but it was a close call. Had they chosen this one, my nickname would have been Sojo... totally awesome. It was a great great grandfather's name?

Morg - Yeah. I know. Sounds just like morgue.

Mo - My brother didn't like Morg, so he would call me Mo.

Joe - Only my other brother calls me that. I don't respond if other people do. Weird.

Mojo - Well, this one started in highschool. To be honest, it came from the totally cool and awesome show Powerpuff Girls. Cassi was Bubbles, Jenny was Blossom, Megan was Buttercup. I was the evil talking monkey Mojojojo. The nickname got shortened... the extra jojo was a little long. It's even be shortened again to Moj ("Mojo" without the "oh" at the end).

cold

Okay, I wasn't too happy that I had to work all day Friday (with only a 15-minute break for lunch) and Saturday, but I guess it was okay. I mean, with a view like this behind me all day, how can anyone complain.

It's been a good break. Although I'm not looking forward to getting back to real life... Oh well. I'm just thankful for the time I've had to relax... without relaxing of course, but that's a whole other topic...


I have a very comfortable life.