among other things

So I haven't blogged on here in a bit. A few updates are in order.
I got a new job. A friend of mine set me up with a company called Independent Student Media. I can't post links when I blog from my phone, so just google it. We have a film-making curriculum we offer to high schools and middle schools across the country. It's all web based, with screenwriting software, storyboarder, tutorials, interviews with industry professionals, message board, screening room, scheduler, and gradebook for the teachers. It's really really cool, everything you need to organize a movie, besides editing software and camera.
They gave me an office. I don't rightly know what possesed them to do that. I'm going to primarily be compiling information for them and conducting website walkthroughs of our site. I'll be at my computer, and superintendent, schoolboard members, and/or teachers at theirs, wherever they are in the country, and I'll have control over what's on their screen. We'll be on conference call, so they can just ask questions, and I'll tailor the tour for their needs. Neat, huh?
It's a small company. They've been developing the curriculum and software for seven years, but just recently got real investors. So these guys are expecting me to stick around for a while, because as the company grows, I'll remain near the top of the heirarchy.
We also make movies. This summer we're shooting a flick with John Heder, and possibly Bruce Willis or Christopher Walken. Believe it. It's an action comedy.
It pays well, my new job. And I think I can expect rapid promotions. I'm gonns' be a rich movie maker in just a few years, you wait and see.

Item 2: If I haven't mentioned it yet, I've moved. I have a big personal room, small walk in closet, and a huge backyard. It's a house my room-mate Dave Peterson's parents bought, and we're pretty well at liberty to make any home improvements we'd like. It's nice. We'll see about the ward.

Update 3: I'm anchoring the Friday edition of the BYU Daily News. I've done it twice now, and I like it. I got the spot when one day I walked into the Newsroom to do my reporting, and they were auditioning for anchors. Everybody was pacing around, rehersing their lines, and one of the girls in there asked if I was going to try out. "I wasn't planning on it."
"But you'll be here over spring and summer?"
"Ya."
"Then you should try out." So I did.
I wasn't wearing a tie, had my spiderman shirt and Buddy Holly glasses on, but they said, ok, go sit down and line up with the camera, and read your lines. I didn't have any time to read over the script, so I just went into it cold. And did great. Man I'm good.

Item 4: I'm on my way to a concert in SLC. The Hot Hot Heat is playing, and they're lots'o'fun. Those guys know how to rock.

There is probably more to tell, always is. But I'll post that next time, maybe when I get around to fixing my computer. I've been too busy lately fixing Dad's. I installed more RAM from my old laptop, streamlined windows, and did a whole bunch of tweaks to make it run lightning fast. What was before an unusable computer is now a portable speed demon. Also, I set up Dad's cellphone as a modem for him to access the internet from anywhere he has cellphone service. Now I need to build a desktop for Mom. And fix Mine. They've unofficially put me as the last defense at work before they call the actual tech suport guys.
Anyway, I'm rambling, and we're at the Venue for the concert, so I'll talk to you later.
Best regards,
Austin

few and far between

If it seems like my posts have been sparce as of late, it is because my computer got tetnis. Not actual tetnis, mind you, but that's what I'm calling the problem, seeing as it was brought on by a seemingly minor issue that ultimately resulted in the death of the victim. I'm going to try to revive the device tomorrow, but this may take some time and research. More to follow soon, wish me luck.

P.S. If you see a post on here that is all text, with no bells or whistles, that means I posted it from my phone. Ya, I can do that.

Redirection.

I would like to show you all a little post my roommmate made recently. Not the most flattering pictures of me ever, but eh, I like the attention.

Some of my favorite commercials:

Most of these are rather old. Oh well, they're still good.

Found this one a couple weeks ago. Why can't all commercials be so good?

Or if you'd rather see the quicktime mov.

This one is now a classic, not new, but still amazing.

And the quicktime link.

Simultaneously poignant and hysterical, a difficult combination.

quicktime.

I love everything in this video. All elements.
The Original.


The Extended

The software used.
The Offical Site with sequel ad and downloads.
The VFX Company that did it.

I ♥ good music videos.

My newest favorite song and video.
¿And you know what?
It is pretty hip.
Guster - "Satellite"



And if you're interested, the making of video:



Actually, all of this directors videos are pretty good. I might have to learn more about this character.

Inadequate

I was looking at my friend Meredith's blog, and I realized something. I'm not very good at this blogging thing. I looked at a bunch of her friends' blogs, and they are just better looking, with more and more interesting content, and better looking. I'm going to have to work on that. I am compelled to improve.
On a related note, I have a confession to make. My sister-in-law called me "very in-the-know", but I am sad to report that is just not true. I've thought at times it was, but I am constantly reminded about how much I don't know, and how hip I'm not. Not that I'm sure I want to expend the effort to be so hip, but sometimes the thought crosses my mind, and a passing sigh my exits my mouth.

P.S. That wasn't a plea for encouragement and "Hey, buck up lil' camper, your just as hip as Danny Zuko, you're the BEE's KNEES!" So don't. But thanks, though. Honest.

Commencement III

Part tré.
Alternative commencement was interesting. I don't know what I expected, maybe I was a bit bright eyed, idealistic. Eric Bybee spoke first, one of the so called "BYU 25" as I'm sure they would like to be known. Nader suggested that title, but more on him later. Then Ash Sanders spoke, the ringleader of the local counterculter. She was obviously passionate about her topic, and had a well crafted speech, but I can't say I am with her on everything she said. Pete Ashdown spoke next. I felt like his speech was a little loaded, quoting scripture and patriotic lines. Say what you think, then tie it to the Sermon on the Mount. A technique I think is a little...I don't know...cheap? Thats an ugly thing to say, it wasn't a bad speech, but it wasn't my favorite either. The Executive Director Emeritus of Amnesty International, Jack Healy spoke. Maybe I'm just cold blooded, but I didn't feel inspired by his remarks either. I don't want to go out and change the world out of guilt, I want to be moved to action by some nobler emotion. His words on the sad state of human rights throughout the world only left me sad and upset.
Then the big attraction, Ralph Nader.
Well, LET ME TELL YOU.
The man was...welll... boring. Again, uninspiring. He made a slow start, but when he got into his swing, he was just all over the place. He shotgunned a plethora of issues: socialized medicine, the electoral college, gluttonous CEOs, campaign finance, corporate sway in the legislature. He mentioned some legitimate problems, I have to confess.
But his "solutions" were far from. He neglected that, while the existing structure has its pitfalls, so will the replacement he offers. I felt like every remedy he proposed was just as fraught with logistical and ethical problems, and just as prone to abuse if not more. For the most part, he was proposing a much more socialized system, mandating utopia, a blessed land where Big Brother will take care of you. I'll pass.
So in the end, while I agreed with the fundamental idea behind the alternative commencement, I felt like the realization of it was a disappointment. What can I say...I'm a pretty traditional conservative.

Commencement Part II

Well, whoever wrote Dick Cheney's speech deserves their pay. He did an excelent job. My roommate's dad pointed out that he hit all the right points for the audience. He mentioned specific places on campus, by their nickname. He talked about his wife's Mormon Pioneer heritage. He praised the University for their sports triumphs, the "stone cold sober" status, and called BYU one of the best universities in the country.
Not a speck of controvery to speak of. Good.
Now on to part deux, the BYU Alternative Commencement, featuring Ralph Nader.
There certainly aren't as many people here as there were at the Official commencement. As it stands right now, there are hundreds of people here in the McKay Events Center at UVSC, as opposed to the probably 10,000 people at the Marriott Center earlier today. The dress is not as formal, the hair is generally longer, and there appear to be more glasses in the audience.
I'm biding my time till the event starts. From what I was told, it should have started 15 minutes ago. But it looks like it will begin soon. More later.

Commencement

I'm not graduating, but I have several friends who are. So here I am in the Marriott Center, awaiting the proceedings. The headline this year, as you've probably already heard, is one Richard Bruce Cheney, or Dick as most folks call him. Our country's Vice President. I honestly don't feel like I know enough about the man, so it will be good to hear him speak, whatever the remarks are.
Another note you've probably already heard is the backlash. The small but vocal BYU counterculture has not taken V.P. Cheney's presence here lightly. They object to what they would say is a warmongering and unreasonable man being welcomed to the Lord's university. For those in the LDS community who do not support the current presidency, it must seem an upsetting sight, the man you feel responsible for the death of thousands of Americans, not to mention the tens of thousands of Iraqis, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with a man they sustain as a prophet, seer, and revelator. But so it goes, those with power discusing their often overlapping stewardships.
In addition to getting plain ol' MAD, however, the counterculture has done something significant. I don' know who's idea it was first, but somehow the idea was circulated to get Ralph Nader to come speak as an alternative to the conventional commencement. They needed to raise thousands of dollars to get him here, though, and it seemed a long shot.
Never underestimate grassroots could be the lesson from this, though, because just a couple days ago, a local documentarian covering the movement posted some remarks on a very popular blog. He included a link to the site for donations, hoping a few would notice and contribute.
Within hours, thousands of dollars were pouring in. They far exceede their needed funds.
Anyway, I'l post more later. My ol' Homeboy, President Cecil Samuelson is speaking, followed by Vice President Dick Cheney.
P.S. Church President Gordon B Hinkley is also here, as well as Richard G. Scott and David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the 12.

Done Bowling.

Well, after me raving about our bowling league for so long, I have an
update. First, we won, #1 in the league. I'm not celebrating though,
because it feels like a false victory. I'm not that good, and I honestly
don't know how we won. It just wasn't that competitive, appearantly. And
update the second: I have a bowling injury. Ya, believe it. I noticed
toward the end of our tournament that my hand was hurting, but thought
it was just sore. But I went bowling again a couple nights ago, and it
hurt. Bad. Like I'd hit it with a hammer. That's what I get from bad
bowling form, a stress injury on the base segment of the ring finger.

The Local Rap Scene

I'm not a connoisseur of rap. I don't really listen to the stuff. But I am told it’s a rare thing when rap is really great. On the other side, it’s my personal opinion that it’s often nothing to scream about, and frequently just plain bad. And I don't just mean moral content, though NWA isn't really known for their uplifting melodies. No, I mean quality, people, QUALITY! Severely lacking in especially the local scene.

A Disclaimer: This might get a little personal.

Case in point. How does this happen?
Watch the second video down, a personal favorite.
I can't tell, is he kidding? Seriously, is he? Explore the site, I don't think it’s a joke, and if it is, it’s expansive.

Also, another local I've encountered. In his defense, I believe he is actually handicapped, no joke. 'Nuf said.

This next one, though, is a treat. Better quality, and done mostly (about %87) as a joke. D-licious is a friend of mine, one I've mentioned before on here. He's the second guy rapping.

But maybe there is a market for this kind of stuff. VH1 had a whole show dedicated to it. Then again, VH1 isn't winning many Emmys.

And now I'm rambling. Sorry. I'm done.

Apple Beer Spots

Rogeber and I just did a few ads for a local beverage company. WANNA HEAR?

The Same Song

An Observation:

I know its old news, but I heard a report that the Red Hot Chili Peppers' newest single,"Danny California", is actually plagiarism (or what Francois Truffaut would call "homage").

Also, every Nickelback song is the same song.

It was pointed out to me today by my roommate Dave Smith that two songs that I like very much are actually the same song. I checked. He was right.

Download the file after you click on the link. Its a recording of me giving an intro to a CSS/Spoon Mashup. You will hear how EXACTLY the same they are. I had to speed up the Spoon song some, but still. The bass line, man, the bass line is the same same same thing in both.

Bowling

Oh, by the way, we're not good at bowling. I'm not anyway. Turns out when we actually have competitors, we lose. Ya, who knew. Oh, and contrary to what I thought, I am not improving. I actually bowled what my have been the worst three games of my life last week. HA!

Just took a nap, just had a dream.

I dreamt that I was at some sort of medical clinic, and I mentioned that I was hungry, and they said they were about to open up the cafeteria. I went to some counter to pay for a dinner there, and started talking to the girl behind said counter. I gave her my ID for some reason, and she said I was two years late, that she had lived at the Enclave two years ago and I live there now (I don't live there in reality, just weird dreams).

But then I woke up.

So lets recap, in my dream I was talking to a girl and about to have dinner, then I woke up hungry by myself in my cold living room.

I'm going back to sleep.

Hard Lessons

You're going to think less of me after reading this post. You should.

I'll be honest. This semester has pretty much...well...I'll understate it and just say it hasn't been much fun. I usually get feeling behind about halfway through the semester. This time I started feeling that way the second week. And school is really only part of it, though I am fairly confident I'm just going to do very badly in some of my classes, no getting around it at this point.

And I never have time to go to work.

But the rest of the lousyness is people. I like most of my roommates, most of the time. Some of them I'll be friends with for life. But not all of them. One of them is just a fat slob, no other words for it. And another roommate is certifiably the most creepy person I've ever met. Honestly. And I feel like usually the better you get to know somebody, the more human they become. Not the case here. The more I get to know him, the less I like him, the less I understand him. He doesn't like light (like physical light in a room). He sneaks up on you. He is constantly rude, but only subtly so. He has a morbid sense of humor, all of his jokes involve death or mutilation, and they are poorly delivered. He is 27 and about as ambitionless and pathetic a person as I can imagine. One of our other roommates described him most succinctly when he called him "Smeagol-y". Truer words were never spoken. And theres this pretty girl who comes over here, and likes him. Ya, like in a romantic sense. I know, theres no accounting for taste. And he doesn't just up and marry her (somebody should really clue him in that he is never...NEVER going to do better). I can...not...wait to NOT live under the same roof as him. People don't like to come over here because of him. He is always insulting. The only time I've ever Not Disliked him (note the double negative) is when he isn't talking, and thats not often. No matter what the subject is, he's an expert. And if he overhears you in the next room (ya, you better believe he's listening to you through the walls) he'll sneak in and mumble "Did I hear....something about...Nietzsche...in here?"

LISTEN, CHRIS, YOU ARE THE CREEPIEST, MOST SELFISH, REPULSIVE FREAK I'VE EVER MET! EITHER COME INTO THE ROOM AND JOIN THE CONVERSATION, OR GO BACK TO YOUR DANK INFESTED HOVEL!

And my other roommate. I don't get him either. He will freak out every couple weeks about clutter in the front room, really bad. Like he just gets stressed/mad/sad all of the sudden, while the rest of the time he is just as much a contributor to the mild clutter. However, he is a Prime contributor to the Extreme mess that perpetually grows in the kitchen. And I can honestly, with no qualms, whatsoever, say that none of that is mine. First of all, it makes me a little sick to the stomach to eat anything that came out of that kitchen. And Second, if I ever use anything out of that kitchen, I clean it before AND after I use it. Thats because some people don't seem to believe in basic sanitation habits, i.e. soap, light, cleaning up after spilling sauce, cheese, crumbs, noodles, etc., rinsing dishes after use, instead of piling them up in the kitchen for literally weeks, collecting actual mold. I, at this moment, can't think of anybody in the house who really cleans up after themselves in the kitchen, in a timely manner, a majority of the time (besides me).

But I digress. This roommate, he gets mad, or more exactly, he gets whiney. He whines all the time, but it just gets incessant when he get upset.

But I don't say anything about it. It doesn't affect me, just let it slide.

Oh, and he won't buy a computer, but will sink money into his car or a guitar or whatever else. He'll just use his roommates computers. Well, thats fine, I've got one, I don't use it all the time, he can use my computer.
-Note: I've since realized that he will ask me to use my computer while I am clearly on it doing something. Sarcastic thought>"No dude, thats cool, I'm sure whatever you needed to do on my computer is more important than what I had."

I let him use my guitar for half the semester for a guitar class he signed up for (having a guitar is required for the class). Thats fine, I don't play mine really, and thats a great class, everybody should take Larry Greens guitar class. So I let him borrow it.

But this roommate, he recently got sick, and I very quickly noticed that he wouldn't...EVER...cover his mouth when he coughed. Don't they teach that to kids from like kindergarten to sophomore year of college? And then they stop bringing it up 'cause they expect you to have it ingrained in you whole being? That if both your arms were amputated clean off, you would raise the nubs up just a little when you went to cough, out of sheer habit? EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, IT PREVENTS THE SPREADING OF DISEASE, WELCOME TO THE ENLIGHTENED FIRST WORLD!

But this kid didn't. Doesn't for that matter, because I brought it up to him, and he just shrugged it off. I brought it up again, and he said he had some chronic pneumonia, that there was fluid in his lungs and there was no way for him to spread this to anybody else. I guess I should trust him, hes going to med-school in three months.

But hey, guess what? Pneumonia is an infection, and I've had a cough for the past week that sounds A WHOLE LOT LIKE HIS! One day when it was really bad and I couldn't stop hacking (burying my mouth in the crook of my elbow every time) I said "This is your fault you know. I caught this from you." He denied all allegations and wouldn't even lend any legitimacy to my claims. The whole thing was comical to him.

So I asked him to please cover his mouth when he coughed. And I asked him to make sure to please clean his dishes when hes done with his meals. I find these things to be common sense. Or at least they should be.

Today he was at my computer eating a brownie. I'll let it slide, even though he'll probably get brownie in the keyboard. Its not a big deal.

However, when he licked his fingers, and then proceeded with his business on my computer THAT was a big deal.

I usually have hand sanitizer at my computer. Not that anybody else uses it, but it makes me feel better regardless. But it wasn't there. Somebody had used it, turns out, and it was on the other side of the room. I quickly grabbed and and put it down next to the keyboard.

"Could you please use some hand sanitizer if you're going to lick you fingers while using my computer?"

Then he did that thing he does. He got all pouty, like a 7 year old girl who doesn't get her way. He got up and whimpered off to his room, like I had been some playground bully. Maybe I should feel bad. Maybe I should go apologize.

BUT I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT PATIENT. AND FORGIVING. AND THAT HE WOULD GET OFFENDED, NAY, HURT, THAT I WOULD ASK HIM TO NOT SLOP HIS BROWNIE-SALIVA FINGERS ON MY COMPUTER, THAT HE WOULD ACT HARMED AT THAT INFURIATES ME.

THAT MAKES ME THAT BAD GUY. THAT MEANS I'M THE JERK. I'VE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO BE NICE, AND WHEN NONE OF THAT WORKS, I KINDA LOSE MY WILL TO TRY. IT WOULD BE A HECK OF A LOT EASIER TO GO WITH THE MEAN-SON-OF-A-GUN BIT AND JUST BE THAT JERK.

I DON'T FEEL BAD FOR HIM. I WANT TO KICK HIM IN THE GUT TILL HE STOPS CRYING. CRYING. I WANT TO SCREAM IN HIS FACE AND TELL HIM TO BE A FREAKIN' ADULT MAN. I ASKED HIM TO DO A COUPLE SIMPLE THINGS, I ASKED HIM TO SHOW SOME COURTESY, AND HE IS HURT, AND I'M AN ASS.

The hard lesson here is that he is hurt, and I am an ass. I need to go apologize, not because I'm wrong, but because thats what would help the situation the most. Thats what would make things right. Not everything, mind you. I'm sure he'll continue to spread disease like a terrorist with a micro-bio degree. I'm sure he'll continue to foster his mold farm in our kitchen sink. But at least we'll be able to sit in the same dirty room together.

P.S. It doesn't make it any easier to apologize when the person your apologizing to starts lecturing you on what you've been doing wrong before you're done apologizing.

Literally

I'm not one of those people who are really nit-picky about language, I'm not, really. If you've read any of this blog, you must realize I'm not a stickler for grammar, punctuation, or even spelling. But there is one thing that really bugs me when people us it wrong. When people say "literally" to add emphasis, that just doesn't make sense. Example.

"I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally."

or maybe...

"Food for thought…literally "

Really, doing that with a smiley face just makes you sound like an idiot. Both of these are examples pulled from things I have read recently online. It just doesn't do what they want it to (unless they are hoping to sound stupid). English is versatile, malleable even, but not this. Don't mutilate the language like that, please.
HONESTLY, IF THEY WOULD JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE SAYING FOR JUST ONE SECOND, THEY MIGHT REALIZE IT IS NONSENSE!

With that out of the way, you may all now feel free to mock me for my own minor imperfections just as I've condemned a group of people for theirs.

DEFEAT!

We lost our game on Thursday. Dave S. got there late, he had to take a test that took longer than expected. Ben was half an hour late, he had to tend to some emotional issues a close friend was having. We were playing the number one team, Kumbaya. It was a dark day for Steve's Intermountain (thats our team name, we got matching shirts at DI). But still fun.

VICTORY 2!

We Won Again!


Because our opponents didn't show up.


Sweet.

VICTORY!

I just thought I would let you all know that our bowling league just WON our first bout. I am excited.

But we´ll just ignore the fact that our competitors were, 1: a mentally and physically handicapped man named Joe W., and 2: a middle aged gentleman named Richard. Who had a hairlip.

And there were four of us on our team. And we´re all in our prime.

AWESOME! We are SO GOOD!