My Beatles Song

So the other day I was checking my facebook page and noticed that one of my friends had taken this quiz to find out what Beatles song best described their life. Due to my current obsession with the Beatles I decided to take the quiz and find out what song was a representation of my life and what that meant. The song that won was "Hey Jude." At first I thought it was ironic that it was in my top three favorite Beatles songs. Then I read the definition of what it meant. Here is what it said:
"Hey Jude: You are a little hesitant and insecure when it comes to taking action, but the truth is you are extremely capable and full of life and hope, and are a natural leader. You are an idealist and you often wish that there was something you could do to make society a little better. Although you can be over-dramatic when faced with obstacles, you have a strong support group of people who love you who will be there to set you back on your feet. Sometimes you have difficulty opening your heart and expressing your feelings because you are worried that people won't accept you, so you act nonchalant and cool. However, you are slowly learning to let people into your heart and let go of your fears."
In a moment of honest introspection I have looked at what it said and what I really think and have formed my own opinion. But I would like to know what you think. How does this really describe me? I am trying to make this blog more retroactive and more participatory. There are a bunch of different people that read it that have known me in for various amounts of time, and in a myriad of different circumstances, all of which I think can and will have something valuable to contribute to this one. So let me know what you think. And in a week from today, with a two day leniency period, I will post my opinion of it. So go ahead comment on this one, don't be chicken.

Tuesday's Top Ten.......a day late. Sorry

My top 10 Favorite Books:

1. The Outsiders: This is a book that I first read when I was in the 6th grade and have probably read it once a year since then. I am a lot like Poneyboy, the main character in the book, in the way I think and the way I act. If you wanted to know what a 14 year old Brad was like then read the Outsiders. It is a book completely meant for teenagers and is full of teenage angst but it is very compelling and a solid read. Also what is amazing is the author, S.E. Hinton, was 15 when she started writing it.

2. To Kill A Mockingbird: This is a toss up for the number one spot. I can read it a billion times and never get sick of it. Harper Lee was amazing. It involves one of my favorite topics: civil rights and racial equality. I want to be Atticus Finch one day. Also I got the nickname Boo-Radley from my 12th grade AP Lit class. Not because I resemble Boo in anyway but it just fit my name well. Also not because they were booing me.

3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Mark Twain is a great author and social satirist. This is my favorite book that he has written.

4. The Count of Monte Cristo: Classic. It is such an awesome book about revenge. Soooo good.

5. Peter Pan: This is my favorite kids story and it is a really good book. I highly reccomend it.

6. There Are No Children Here: This is a great book. It is about a sociologist who followed two kids growing up in the projects on the southwest side of Chicago and the struggles that they faced on a daily basis. After living in the Southside for two years it is a perfect description of how life is really like in the ghettos of Chi-town.

7. Oh The Places You'll Go: You can't have a top ten book list and not have a Dr. Seuss book. One of my high school coaches gave this book to me as a graduation present and it has a lot of inspirational tips in it.

8. The Audacity of Hope: This is by Barrack Obama and it describes perfectly how politics should be ran. It is a great read.

9. Of Mice and Men: This is a really great book. It has been a while since I read it but I really enjoyed reading it.

10. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl/ The Scarlet Letter: These are both books that I read in high school and they are great. Anne Frank gives a first hand perspective of what it was like to be Jewish in Nazi controlled Europe. It is an amazing book. The Scarlet Letter deserves props because it really makes you think about how judgmental human nature is, especially under the guise of religion. I couldn't leave either out.

Now the first five are solid in my top ten favorite books. The others are subject to change as I read new books and like them more.

Big Accomplishment

So if you have ever watched me check my email, you will have seen that I had over 400 emails that I have never opened because they were not important or from anyone I know. On top of that I had about 200 emails that I had read and were just there taking up space. I don't know why I ever let it get like that but for some reason I did. So during my time being a receptionist today while the real receptionist was at lunch, I cleaned up my email account. I organized the ones I wanted to keep and deleted like 22 pages worth of emails. What a relief. Now we will see how long I can keep it organized. Kinda random I know, but I just thought I would share that with you all.

Tuesday's Top Ten

This weeks top ten is going to be centered around my top ten guilty pleasures. You know those things that you indulge yourself on that you really shouldn't.
1. American Idol. I know I am so lame for liking this show but it is so addicting. There are a lot of really good performers on the show every year and they do deserve credit for being good. My favorites this year are Brooke White and Syesha Mercado. I don't think either will win but I hope they do.
2. The Hills. I know this one is rather embarrassing but I can't help but watch it if it is on or go to MTV.com to watch it if I missed it. I hate drama in my own life more than about anything but for some reason if you put it on television between four hot girls it becomes very interesting.
3. The Urban Cowboy sandwich at Gandolfo's. This is the best sandwich in the world. I don't think that I can ever get sick of it. I occasionally go there after my Monday night class on my way home. It is so good.
4. The Office. Now this is nothing to be ashamed of but I think that I take liking the Office to the extreme. I have seen every episode of every season at least four times, most likely more. Sad I know, but I promise I do have a life.
5. Political Debates. I love politics and really like watching the presidential debates. I have seen almost everyone of those as well or at least read the transcripts. They are so interesting. I know....... Nerd alert.
6. Being at home. I don't live with the parentals and have to admit that I enjoy going home for the weekend. It seems that ever since I have moved out I am a bit more spoiled when I come home. And when I don't come home for a weekend or two then that is when life is real good.
7. Anything to do with Chicago. I love that place, probably a little too much. Anytime I hear or see anything Chicago I get excited. My family and some of my friends are beginning to not allow me to watch movies with them that were filmed in Chi-town because every time I see somewhere I have been I pause the movie and point it out. I am not as bad as I used to be, at least I think.
8. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. There is a possibility that I may marry Kate Hudson one day. A girl that I used to have a thing for and I would watch it a lot together and quote it quite a bit, so it reminds me of her a lot. It is probably the best chick flick of all time....and I hate chick flicks. There are very few that are good, and this is the best.
9. Mean Girls. I know what you are thinking but it is a really funny movie. There are so many hilarious parts to it.
10. The Breakfast Club and other 80's angst movies. The 80's are such a funny time but it put out a lot of really good movies like the Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Summer School. I know they are really corny and cliche but they are great. Especially the Breakfast Club. This is has a good chance of being in my top ten favorite of all time.

So now you all know a little bit more about me. Maybe a little bit more than you wanted, but that is your fault, you kept reading. Guilty pleasures are always funny to hear about, so I hope you enjoyed my list.

Random thoughts on my Birthday Eve.

So as many of you know it is my birthday tomorrow and I will be turning the big 23. Birthdays are so weird on so many different levels. I will admit it is nice having people make a big fuss over you and being the center of attention for a few days. Normally I don't get that unless I am acting in all sorts of foolishness-which for those of you who actually know me outside of a work or school setting, and actually really know me, know that I do all the time. Isn't weird how you have a lot of different sides to you. I have noticed it a lot lately, at least in my life, how differently I act when I am around different people.
At school I am pretty laid back and quiet, it seems to be the easiest way to not get on a teachers bad side-this I had to learn the hard way. I am a sarcastic guy, and yes I know sarcasm is supposed to be the lowest form of comedy, but it is some funny shiz sometimes. So this one time in one of my classes I was chosen to be the moderator of a class debate. The professor called us all up to the front stuck me in the middle between the two groups and said, "Okay Brad, you are in charge for the rest of the class time." So I replied, "Thats perfect. A's for all of us and class dismissed." Then I started putting my books and notebook back in my backpack and got up like I was going to leave....No one really got it was a joke-especially the professor. And for that comment I got a C on that project. A friggin C because I told a joke. He wrote on my grading sheet that I set the wrong tone for such a serious topic as the war in Iraq. Luckily I am basically brilliant and aced my midterm and final and pulled an A- out of the class. Ever since then I have learned that maybe being silly in college is not going to be as successful as it was in high school.
Then you have the work Brad. There is a place where I am not quite sure how I am supposed to act. I sometimes feel like I am trying to do this balancing act of somewhere between my funny self and someone who is supposed to be fairly professional. Somedays it works and somedays it doesn't. I don't think their ready for this jelly. One thing I am there is a hard worker, that is for sure. Sometimes I work my butt off and at the end of the day wonder why? I have been there for almost two years and am in the same spot I was when I started with slightly higher pay. Oh well, I could complain about that all friggin day long and it will do me no real good except put me in a bad mood. I hate being in a bad mood. I have made a lot of really good work friends there, which is always nice to have. It would suck to have a job without having good work friends. So thank you ladies in IP- you rock.

Then there is the Salt Lake Brad. This is a toned down version of the real me. I think that is because I really don't know very many people here, and am not quite sure how those around me will react to who I am. Its weird I have never had this problem until now. My friends from up north will call me a lot of things but one of them is not shy or quiet. There are a few people down here that I am not like that with, like Amber and Ben, and sometimes the roomies, but for the most part I am more reserved. Most of my friends either live an hour north or an hour south of here. But I am so grateful for Amber and Jesse and Wes, they are awesome and am so glad to have them as friends that I do stuff with on the regular. They are great.
Then there is me back home with my fam and with my long time friends. It is always interesting to watch people in their element because that is where you get to see the real them. The uninhibited them. And I am no different. I have some pretty rad friends that I have had for years-and we have some pretty rad times. It is the funnest time, now only if they would move to Salt Lake. Oh well they can't be down here for the same reasons I can't be up north anymore- it is better for future plans that we are where we are.
So I know that I am rambling on and it is late and I am tired so this probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but oh well. Blogs rarely make sense right?

Tuesday's Top Ten

This is going to be a sentimental top ten. I turn 23 on Friday and have been thinking a lot lately about the different people who have, for better or worse, helped me become the person that I am today. This is going to exclude the obvious spiritual answers like God and Jesus and some of the spiritual leaders that definately have influenced my life like Joseph Smith and Gordon B. Hinckley, and is going to focus on a more temporal nature.

1. My Dad. For those who have had the opportunity to meet my Dad and have a conversation with him know what kind of man he is. He is the best Dad anyone could ever ask for and one of the best examples of what it means to be a good man. He is kind, genorous, a natural leader, and a gentleman. My dad is the kind of man who will go without, or sacrifice whatever it takes to make sure that those he loves will never go without anything. He was an elders quorum president at 25, a high councilman by 27 and a bishop at 30. A spiritual giant that is always a source of strength when I need some serious counciling. He has been married to my mom for 27 years and still opens the car door for her everytime she gets in the car. If I could only be half the man my dad is I will be a lucky man.

2. My Momma. My mom and dad are interchangable at 1 and 2. My mom has been present at basically every important moment of my life, she makes sure of it. She is supportive, loving, and a constant example of goodness. I really couln't ask for better parents. This also includes my bro and two younger sisters who have obviously shaped my life tremendously.

3. My Gramps. My Grandpa Cummings is the funniest person that I know. If I ever need a cheering up I know all that I have to do is give gramps a call and he will have me laughing within seconds of him picking up the phone. I think I get my sense of humor from him. This also includes my Grandma Love, who is the most defensive grandma in the world. Don't ever mess with me because if you do, you will have to deal with her. She is great, if you don't mess with one of her grandkids you will know her as one of the nicest people you know.

4. My Grandpa Don. He is very quiet and reserved but will get you with these amazingly funny one liners that catch you off guard. I think I get my liberalness from him, he is the only democrat in the family. A quick story about why I love my grandpa so much is in high school I decided to take up tennis. I got really into it. I played it all the time and couldn't stop talking about it. My grandpa is from Laramie Wyoming, not a place known for its tennis knowledge, but ever since I started to play he has started watching it so he could call me and talk about what was happening. He calls me everytime a political debate is going to be on, or whenever one of my favorite tennis players are going to be playing so I don't miss it. This of course includes my Grandma Myrtle, she is the epitome of a loving grandma and one of the best cooks I know.

5. Big Poppa and the Shaner and Mark and Andrew. Big Poppa is Ben and the Shaner is Shane and they were all companions or basically companions of mine while I was in Chicago. Although I don't get to see them as much as I want I know that they will always be good friends of mine. Especially Shane and Ben they will always be two of my best buddies. Also I think the A-team deserves some recognition here. Dionne and Amber are two of my best friends as well.

Left Pic: Shane, me, and Ben.

Bottom Right: Mark and Me

Bottom Left: Andrew and Me

6. My varsity debate class. I know this is going to sound really weird but this entire class has had one of the biggest effects on my life. I gained some of my best friends from this class and am so greatful for having been a part of it. It brought together 20 kids from all over the social spectrum and somehow we all became really good friends. There are some in the class who had a bigger effect than others namely Shulz, Chelsi, Cole, Leigh, Cristel and Klay. They were a big part of why my senior year rocked.

7. My other group of friends. This is Kristy, Chelsie, Missy, Scottie, Shari, and Eric. This was a constant gang of friends from high school that for the most part I am still in good contact with.
My Roy friends go here as well. I was split between my friends that went to Fremont and those that went to Roy. They were a ton of fun and unfortunately I only talk to one of them. Sad how things change. Anyways they are Lisa, Megan, Bateman, Logan, Crystal and Jake. From Dam Tuesdays, to trampoline movie nights, to me and logan having Lisa bleach our hair, we had some sweet times.

8. President and Sister Haines: This was my mission president and his wife. I have not looked up to a man, excluding my father, more than President Haines. He taught me and forced me to become a leader and I am so grateful for that knowledge. Both President and Sister Haines have helped me change in so many undescribable ways, and all for the better. I love and miss them a lot.

9. My friends from the 'Ko. I originally went to work there to work with one of my friends who ended up quitting a few months after I started but gained some friends that I know I will have for a very long time. The business of life makes it so we can only all get together like four or five times a year but everytime we do it rocks. Heather, Bob, Jamie, Chris, and Shantel. Good times, everytime I have a sucky day at my job now I think about quitting and going back.....unfortunately Heather is the only one still there so it wouldn't do me too much good to do that.

10. My Grandma Rosie. She was one of the first people that I had a really personal relationship with when I was in Chicago. We clicked from the first day I met her. It was like we had known eachother for a very long time. Just thinking about her I get teary eyed. For those of you who have had the chance to meet her know exactly what I am talking about. I miss her a lot and can't wait until I get to see her in heaven.

In the Valley of Elah

This was a really interesting show. I had heard a lot of good things about it from the Radio from Hell show I listen to every morning. I am pretty sure I reccomend it. It does have some language in it but it is a really good murder mystery. Tommy Lee Jones is a really good actor and he does a good job in this movie. He is more understated then he usually is. Charlize Theron does a good job as well. I don't know why they list Susan Sarandon on the cover of the movie, she is only it it for less than ten minutes. I think it is an indie film despite having big names in it. It was made by an indie company at least. Anyways I will give it a solid 3 and half. It made me think for a while after it was over and that is always a good thing for movies to do.