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I am currently an intern working for a company
called trustaff. We have entered into The Business Journal's Social Madness Challenge. We just recently beat out everyone in our city bracket and have
moved onto the National Competition! This is where you come in. We need your
help, I need your help. If you could take a moment and vote for us, I would
greatly appreciate it! We are listed on the Social Madness bracket under "Medium Companies" and are location on the right side, 3rd bracket down. You can vote for us there, like us on Facebook, follow us on twitter, and connect with us on LinkedIn. Help a sista out please! I will send much love your way if you do!
For as long as I can remember, I have despised tea. I hate
all tea, any kind, any flavor. I have tried it multiple times throughout my
life and my taste buds have refused to shift. It wasn’t until recently that I
have actually wanted to like tea. I want to shop around and buy different flavors;
I want to sip on it during the day; I want to blog about it; I WANT TO LIKE
TEA. I have tried to convince myself to like it, but it doesn’t work. Honestly,
I am jealous of all you tea drinkers out there. I am envious of your perfect
mug filled with assortments of herbal teas. I wish I liked tea because, quite
frankly, tea makes you cool!
A couple weeks ago some friends and I traveled to downtown
(you can read about the visit(s) here) and we stopped by the local fine tea
shop. There were hundreds of tea
options to choose from. I loved being surrounded with the aromas and smelling
all of the herbs.
I ended up falling in love with one of the teas, Caramel
& Almond Black Tea, and besides my great odium for tea, I bought it. It was
so out of my element, but I was determined to try it.
So tonight, I finally built up the courage to make myself a
steaming cup of it…and…I LOVED IT. One of The Bests told me to add milk (which
I substituted for half and half) and sugar. It was perfect. This is the first
baby step on the journey of accepting the greatness of tea.
I give all of my thanks to Churchhill's Fine Teas for turning my taste buds in the tea direction. Check them out, I promise you won't be unsatisfied.
I have been contemplating on changing
my blog theme for awhile now, I just never really wanted to put in the effort
it takes to do a total blog make over. Since I work as a graphic designer, I
need small tasks that I can go to when that step away from what I'm working on moment comes. I need that time to focus and regroup. Well, as I stepped away from an
ongoing project, I didn’t know where to go and my brain was in a slump. I
figured I might try out some new blog designs. And that’s where this mustard
yellow and gray (or grey?) began. I have been smitten with mustard yellow
lately. I even ordered my new bedding for my apartment in a chevron, mustard
yellow pattern. I lurve it and I home you lurve it too!
Also, ah I forgot to mention! I have new pages. Whoo. There is one titled "Favorites," which is home to all of my favorite posts. Read them if you like. There is also "Portfolio." I figured since I was an art student I should probably have a section to showcase all of my work. Since the fall semester is coming up I figured it is a perfect time to include that to my overall layout.
There are some cool other new clickable stuff. Just look around.
Isn't yellow so bright and cheery? It makes me happy.
Growing up, I have always lived outside the city. It was always an
adventure to drive into downtown; I have always loved it. Just this summer I begin
using the city for all it has to offer. I have seen more of downtown this
summer than I ever have before. I have explored new restaurants, shops,
hangouts and more. There is never a dull moment while being in the city. Aside
from some crazies that you get from any city you venture to, it is a great city
to be near. I live far enough to get that small town feel, but close enough to
escape when I can.
Lately, my friends and I have been eating out downtown, A LOT. I don’t
mind it though because I am never disappointed with a restaurant of choice. My
favorite place we have been to lately was a bar & pub, and their specialty...hotdogs,
of all things. I was blown away. Everything was so delicious. If I could, I would
eat there every week. Everyone I went with ordered something different, and not
one of us had a bad thing to eat.
The Lindsay Lohan Hotdog.
The next day we headed over to the market. There is just something about
markets that I love with the fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, little shops,
and homemade soaps. There is this bread stand at the market that always has a
huge line and sells out of bread within the first hour, well all I wanted was
to try some of this bread. Unfortunately, when I went up to buy some, all he
had were English muffins left. However, there was an order that no one had came
to pick up yet and at the end of the day, if it was still there, it was mine.
And guess what, IT WAS MINE! The guy never came and picked it up. Thank you
forgetful sir for not picking up your bread. It is a potato rosemary bread. Oh
so tasty, especially with a little mayo, basil and a tomato.
I bought tea while being at the market. For those of you that don’t
know, I hate tea. I try so hard to like the flavor, but my taste buds won’t
allow it. Well the tea I bought smelled so good that it made me want to drink
it, so I figured I would give it a shot. I have still yet to try it, but I will
let you know when I do.
We got our hands dotted on every part where our lines intersected on our hands for a project a group was doing. They are working on creating an entire night sky made up of constellation made up entirely of hand palms.
My bread.
"1953
- 2012
I was Born in Salt Lake City, March 27th 1953. I
died of Throat Cancer on July 10th 2012. I went to six different grade schools,
then to Churchill, Skyline and the U of U. I loved school, Salt Lake City, the
mountains, Utah. I was a true Scientist. Electronics, chemistry, physics, auto
mechanic, wood worker, artist, inventor, business man, ribald comedian,
husband, brother, son, cat lover, cynic. I had a lot of fun. It was an honor
for me to be friends with some truly great people. I thank you. I've had great
joy living and playing with my dog, my cats and my parrot. But, the one special
thing that made my spirit whole, is my long love and friendship with my
remarkable wife, my beloved Mary Jane. I loved her more than I have words to
express. Every moment spent with my Mary Jane was time spent wisely. Over time,
I became one with her, inseparable, happy, fulfilled. I enjoyed one good life.
Traveled to every place on earth that I ever wanted to go. Had every job that I
wanted to have. Learned all that I wanted to learn. Fixed everything I wanted
to fix. Eaten everything I wanted to eat. My life motto was: "Anything for
a Laugh". Other mottos were "If you can break it, I can fix it",
"Don't apply for a job, create one". I had three requirements for
seeking a great job; 1 - All glory, 2 - Top pay, 3 - No work.
Now that I
have gone to my reward, I have confessions and things I should now say. As it
turns out, I AM the guy who stole the safe from the Motor View Drive Inn back
in June, 1971. I could have left that unsaid, but I wanted to get it off my
chest. Also, I really am NOT a PhD. What happened was that the day I went to
pay off my college student loan at the U of U, the girl working there put my
receipt into the wrong stack, and two weeks later, a PhD diploma came in the
mail. I didn't even graduate, I only had about 3 years of college credit. In
fact, I never did even learn what the letters "PhD" even stood for.
For all of the Electronic Engineers I have worked with, I'm sorry, but you have
to admit my designs always worked very well, and were well engineered, and I
always made you laugh at work. Now to that really mean Park Ranger; after all,
it was me that rolled those rocks into your geyser and ruined it. I did notice
a few years later that you did get Old Faithful working again. To Disneyland -
you can now throw away that "Banned for Life" file you have on me,
I'm not a problem anymore - and SeaWorld San Diego, too, if you read this.
To the
gang: We grew up in the very best time to grow up in the history of America.
The best music, muscle cars, cheap gas, fun kegs, buying a car for "a buck
a year" - before Salt Lake got ruined by over population and Lake Powell
was brand new. TV was boring back then, so we went outside and actually had
lives. We always tried to have as much fun as possible without doing harm to
anybody - we did a good job at that.
If you are
trying to decide if you knew me, this might help… My father was RD
"Dale" Patterson, older brother "Stan" Patterson, and
sister "Bunny" who died in a terrible car wreck when she was a Junior
at Skyline. My mom "Ona" and brother "Don" are still alive
and well. In college I worked at Vaughns Conoco on 45th South and 29th East.
Mary and I are the ones who worked in Saudi Arabia for 8 years when we were
young. Mary Jane is now a Fitness Instructor at Golds on Van Winkle - you might
be one of her students - see what a lucky guy I am? Yeah, no kidding.
My regret
is that I felt invincible when young and smoked cigarettes when I knew they
were bad for me. Now, to make it worse, I have robbed my beloved Mary Jane of a
decade or more of the two of us growing old together and laughing at all the
thousands of simple things that we have come to enjoy and fill our lives with
such happy words and moments. My pain is enormous, but it pales in comparison
to watching my wife feel my pain as she lovingly cares for and comforts me. I
feel such the "thief" now - for stealing so much from her - there is
no pill I can take to erase that pain
If you
knew me or not, dear reader, I am happy you got this far into my letter. I
speak as a person who had a great life to look back on. My family is following
my wishes that I not have a funeral or burial. If you knew me, remember me in
your own way. If you want to live forever, then don't stop breathing, like I
did."
Oh buddy, this summer has flown by. Wahhh! Make it
stop. I love this summer. It has been perfect in every aspect. I will share
with you very soon once I am done editing (which I am doing now). Bright and
early tomorrow I am leaving to head back down to school to sign my lease for my
apartment. I am overly excited. I loaded my car down with as much apartment
needs it could hold. I shall be on the road by morning. Good night.
P.S. I may or may not be working on a blog make over. I suppose you will
just have to wait and find out.
Sometimes, a series of events happen that opens our eyes to
emotion, whether it be happiness, loneliness, greatness, wretchedness, or any
other word you may use to describe your current disposition. I like to believe
that I am generally a happy person, but just like any typical human being, I
have my forlorn moments. There is no stopping the moments of complete discontent,
it hits at full force, like a runaway train. The worst part about it, it takes
me ages to crawl myself out of the rut I am in. Lately, the dark hole seems to
be deepening farther every time and I must let time play on before I can find contentment
again. There is no control over it. I've tried analyzing why now everything
seems to be caving in? The soul answer I find myself coming back to is this...
The current chapter of my life is coming to a close. For the
first time, I have come to the realization that my life is completely out of my
hands. Have I accepted that idea? I don't think I have, which is the cause of
my current predicament. Maybe years ago I should have known that yes, I have no
control over anything in my life but the present. It hasn't been until recently
that I have truly understand what that means.
When I was younger, I always knew where I would wind up in
the upcoming years. Little did I know where actually, but I knew I was going to
do it. I knew I was going to graduate high school and attend a college. The
little details never bothered me then like they do today. Thinking back to my
past makes me jealous of how easy life actually was then.
Now I am a junior in college, with so many obstacles in my
present and future. I find myself questioning my every move, and I hate it. I
have no clue what I want to do with my degree once I graduate, where I want to
live, I know nothing about my future. Nothing is laid out before me like once
before. Life is hard, and I am finally accepting that. I am scared for my
future, because I want nothing more than to be successful, but I see nothing
but "what if." What if, it's
like word vomit and it constantly finds its place on the tip of my tongue. I'm
afraid of inching too close to people, places or things – nouns I suppose –because
I may get too attached to them. I want no distractions or anything to hold me
back to what I want to achieve, my dreams. So, I keep those at arm's reach who
may have the opportunity to become an obstacle. I have a permanent wall up that
I keep building higher so no living thing can pass over it. It's a tactic that
I have perfected over the years. It gives a sense of security and helps me
avoid any situation what might end with me hurt. It's how I have always been. Because
of my insecurities and uncertainty, I have built this barricade that I often
hide behind.
My barrier built from my personal insecurities and
uncertainty is often disguised with bad moods and unnecessary lash outs. I push
people away to make sure that they don't get too close to my heart – I am a pro
at that, it's my specialty. As soon as anything get too serious or too perfect I
find myself fleeing from the situation. I have convinced myself that it's
method is idea for the long run, I avoid hurting.
Maybe this is why I want nothing but a career for my future.
I have zero desire for marriage, children, anything at all. I hate when discussions
lead to topics such as those, it makes me nauseous, and I try to avoid them at
all costs. Is this selfish of me? Very much so. But, then everything leads back
to what if. I am afraid of commitment;
I am afraid of failure. What if I
cannot live up to what is expected of me or reach what I have always wanted to obtain
out of life. Without interruptions I cannot fail..right? I am terrified of
change and right now life and personal changes are being thrown my way at rapid
velocity. I can't handle it.
Will I ever be satisfied? I have no idea. I wish to put an
end to my troubles and to slowly take down my wall. I want to let those
deserved in, instead of pushing them away. I want to be smitten and completely
swept off my feet. I want to love in return, wholeheartedly. But where do I
begin? Currently, every little piece of my life has been building up, basically
until I self-destruct. I am exhausted. Where can I find happiness? I haven't a
clue, but I do know that I must search for it myself. It's inside of me, the
strength to accept what I can't control and the contentment I have been hiding
from. I just wish there was a map and key to help me out. No one can assist me,
I must do it on my own. I must open up again; live my life as a slightly open
book and wear my heart on my sleeve. That is such a huge task to ask myself to
do, but I know there is no alternative if I want to achieve everything,
including absolute bliss.
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