Wow, really? Over a month with no post? What have I been up to?!

My life is great. Because my name is NATE!

I guess I have been really lazy/busy in my life lately, and haven't had the time to blog. What the hayyk?

Considering that I just finished my first week of full-time college, I think a blog is well deserved/required.

I went onto my blogger page today, after have been neglecting it, as mentioned above, and I see that I have had 262 new people visit my page! Wow, I didn't even know that many people even liked talking to me in person, let alone reading about my boring life. Better news, at least 90 of them have returned (or one person, potentially a stalker, has returned 90 times) So, nevertheless me being absent from the blogger world, I have felt missed. :)

So, my first week of school has been as follows:

Monday:

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

I'm not sure what I was so excited about...

I arrive at MCC a half hour early - after finding a parking spot.

My goal this year is to never be late to a class. Can I do it?

9:00 AM: Macroeconomic Principals with Greg Pratt. Easy class, psychotic teacher. I believe I am going to love him.
10:00 AM: Calculus II with Adam Avilez. Insanely difficult class. Nice teacher though; someone willing to help you out. I left this class with the conclusion that I am in the wrong math class, that I am insane, and I should maybe switch my major?
11:00 AM: University Physics I. This is the tougher Physics class, the one that requires Calc I as a pre-requisite. I meet two guys in this class who were both in my math class. Yay for nerd buddies!
1:00 PM: I get out of school, and head to work. :/


Tuesday: 
10:00 AM: Calc II again. I am seriously scared that I will fail this class. (I end up doing 4 hours of hw that night, and 6 on Wed night) I was CONVINCED that Calculus was created by the Devil himself, and that it couldn't actually be done, it's just a way to make smart people feel dumb. :( (yes, that is my first ever real sad face ever posted in my blogs)
11:00 AM: Institute. So, I have never officially taken institute before. I've gone to a few classes, to try and impress the ladies, which didn't work... But I am enrolled in New Testament with Brother Richardson. And he's awesome! Really, you should sign up if you haven't yet. :)
12:00 PM: Free lunch at Institute! Yay! Who loves Chili?

Nothing better than chili on a 110* Arizona August Day! (and yes, it was FREE!)

1:00PM Intro to Computer Science (CSC100AB) It's basically a C++ programming class. Seemed simple enough.

Wednesday:

Only Econ and Physics. I was LUCKY enough to sit by a cute girl in BOTH of those classes! How do we Tucker's do it? I'm still trying to figure it out. ;)

Thursday:

Same as Tuesday, but no free lunch provided by the Institute (but my packed sandwich was eaten at the institute building. Does that count?)

I actually understood what was going on in my calc class! I left feeling on top of the world! Hoorah! Calc must not be a spawn of the devil! (Or I must be turning into the devil.)

Friday: (Today! hehe =D )

Same as Monday! With even MORE cute girls, and LESS stress about Calculus!

I survived my

FIRST WEEK OF *SCHOOL!

*My first week ever as a full-time college student. :)

I love school!

YAY!

On a side note, I love Lauren Pulsipher Whiting (as a friend, you sicko!)

On another side note, I have some funny friends.

You should watch their video.

Jet Arnett

My Wife is the best woman alive!

Yes, I know that I capitalized the "W" in Wife, as if it were a title... She is just that amazing.

For those of you wondering... Yes, I am indeed married. Don't believe me? Look at my relationship status on Facebook.

Here is a wonderful picture of my lovely wifey.

I didn't take this wonderful pic of her; this would be the amazing work of Kate Mower, Jet's sister.

Seriously go check out her work. She's amazing. I'll have her shoot my engagement pics. (err.. I mean, yeah, I'm already married... we totally used her stuff...)

Alright, so maybe I'm not married (yet).

But Jet and I went on a wonderful date tonight. It started by spending time with her family, trying to make her father feel better. (I hope it worked. He mentioned kissing me... hmmm....)

We then went to go see the fabulous Lauren do some crazy synchronized swimming stuff. It was awesome. 

after that, we went to my house and watched this fantastic movie.

This movie is indeed Fantastic!

If you have not yet seen it. GO WATCH IT NOW!

We Skyped with Heather, and then made macaroni necklaces frames. (not really... this is just code for something else)

All in all . . . This was a FANTASTIC evening spent with a FANTASTIC woman!

YouTube

I don't think I have ever done a YouTube tribute post.

Don't worry, you don't have to watch stupid YouTube videos that I think are funny. (You are allowed to close out of this window)

Just two of my favorite YouTube videos that I've watched in the past two days. (And yes, they are the ONLY two videos I've watched)

This first one, is one of some of my friends, just being goofy. You might not even think it's funny. I think they have some great potential to be successful someday soon.



Hahaha, I laughed just now, did you?

Here is another one, I found just a few days ago (yesterday).
I want to show you the commercial it is based upon first, which you may have seen before. (first video = also funny)



Yes, he is indeed on a horse.

Here is the one that I discovered. How many of you have actually been there? I have... (Or have I?)

These were pretty funny, aye?

Also, today, July 23rd, is my best friend's birthday. He is currently serving a mission for the Lord in Fort Worth, Texas.

(Technically, it's July 24th)

Guess What! July 24th (Technically today, and not tomorrow) is my other best friend's(') birthday!

Candace Stevenson! and her amazing twin brother Craig! (last name also Stevenson)

If they had blogs, I would give you their links. (If they have blogs, but I don't know about them, they're probably not worth reading. jk, luvs!)

All of you guys are amazing. Especially anyone who actually reads these blogs. Thank you to anyone who actually has. If you have laughed at all, ever, or even smiled, please, let me know.

This is why I write.

12 days!

Yeah, I have committed an UBER Fail!

It has been 12 long days since my last post. Have I been too busy, or just too lazy?

My wonderful cousin, Hillary was in town for a week, maybe it's her fault.

I worked 5 days last week, maybe it's work's fault?

I have had a boring life, with nothing to blog about, that might be it.

So, enough with the excuses, I'm back, and I'm black. Not really, I just wanted to rhyme, and that was the easiest that came to mind.

You're* wondering, what has happened in Nate's life since his last post?

*If anyone actually reads my blog

I went to a fun Diamondbacks' game with Dala, Greg, and Hillary. I finally pulled through on a date auction that happened back in March.

I worked at a Juvenile Arthritis Conference in Phoenix. 

I saw the best movie of all time... well, not sure if it is the best, I need to go see it again, hopefully in IMAX.

(Words on the picture are not actually in the movie)

This movie defines EPIC. (And I may, or may not have just entered Inception as a definition of Epic on UrbanDictionary)

I've also spent hours mixing music for Lovely Lauren and her wonderful little Synchronized Swimmers. She won because of me. Basically. Honestly. Probably not. She could have done it with any music, mine was just cooler. :)

This past week, Lauren taught me how to add links to my posts, hence my two links above. I will add a third link, just to show you the number one site where I spend my time online.

I don't think I've done anything else exciting. If I remember anything, I'll be sure to update, kk?

Until then, you should leave a comment telling me if you've done anything more exciting than me in the past 12 days. The person with the best response wins a night out with me. (we'll probably go see another Epic movie)

Also, ftw, can anybody teach me how to reformat my blog page to make sure that pictures, such as the one above, don't look lame when they overlap the sides? thnx!


Okay, so I just found a better picture to describe how amazing Inception was is.

Thanks to Amber Olds for the pic. :)

Oh, Duh... I almost forgot!
One of my best friends, Calleen Brown, got married this last weekend! Hooray for weddings!
(I liked the part where there was the free ice cream)
the moment I arrived at the wedding, I was swarmed by loving fans. jk, just friends that I hadn't seen in too long.
Savannah Thomas, my first wife (now my ex-wife, still love her though) greeted me by taking a bite out of a candy bracelet I was wearing on my wrist.

Just like the one on the left.

I'm not sure what was better about the situation, that she didn't say anything other than my name, her feelings about me, and then eating the bracelet (with conversation taking place after these more important things), or that she struggled to get a piece of the bracelet into her mouth, so it looked as though she was gnawing at my wrist.

SURPRISE!!!

Don't you just love a good surprise party?
The thing I like most about it is when I get to say "SURPRISE!"

It was Jason Brooke's Surprise Party tonight, hosted by Camaron Stevenson (Jason's cousin) at their apartment. Also hosted by the wonderful Cassandra Kagiyama (Jason's gal), who basically did all the work.

I really should have taken photos, not because Jason was indeed shocked by the surprise, but because the theme of the birthday party was Pokemon.

He turned 22.

I'm pretty positive everyone that was there was over 20.

Pokemon is just that amazing.

• Food was delicious. Thank you Sanford Kagiyama.
• Games were brilliant. Thank you to John Patterson for providing the Wii and games (I sincerely apologize if you were not the one who brought it, and I gave credit to you for something you didn't earn. If so, next time earn it!)
• SURPRISE! I love that word.
• Girls - there were plenty. (Not really... two were taken. the third one might have been. she came alone.)
• Balloons! Who knew 5+ adults could have so much fun having a conversation while amidst flying balloons, smacked around the room, without allowing them to touch the ground.
• SURPRISE!! I had a fun time with my favorite word tonight. #1 reason for loving surprise parties.
• Jason Brooke! I LOVE that you laugh at almost all my jokes. When I mean laugh, I mean laugh hysterically. When I mean hysterically, I mean you'd think it's the funniest thing you've heard all day. Jason, I love your laugh. It always makes me smile and laugh too.
• FREE ZONE! - This means ANYTHING goes.

I had such a great time tonight. I met new friends. Great people, who enjoy my presence (or are good at faking, or don't care, lol)

• First thing asked to me by a return missionary since he's been home: "Are you married?"
• Number of times "SURPRISE" was yelled: 48 give or take
• Amount of people who had fun tonight: 14-15 ... I think?
• Number of people who got lost, made me wait outside until they arrived so they could find the place, realized they were in the wrong apartment complex while I was waiting outside in the humid heat, and then gave up and informed me with text reading "Frozen yogurt craving": 2 ... that I know of.
• Number of times "FREE ZONE!" was yelled: 35 give or take
• Number of hours I spent having an AMAZING time tonight: 6.75

SURPRISE!

Adrenaline Pumping. Heart Throbbing. Engines Roaring.

24 Heures de Mans

Today I watched a classic, Le Mans, Starring Steve McQueen - the man behind the wheel. It is almost a documentary of the 1970 Le Mans race. I would recommend anyone who hasn't seen it to go to their local library and borrow it. (If your library is the one near me, they have it - I just returned it today)

Although it was filmed 40 years ago, it needs to be watched in Hi-Def and Surround Sound in order to appreciate the beauty, the thrill, the energy that surges through your veins.

Anyone who has ever raced before knows this feeling. Anyone who has ever pulled 3 G's back into your seat, and 2 G's rounding corners. Anyone who has ever been worn out by the raw energy that racing drains from your body, used to fuel the speed, which urges you to keep going, not wanting to stop, even when you are out of the energy, you can still go on. One more meter. One more turn. One more lap.

I was debating whether I should embed a video from Youtube, guessing that most people would not watch it in Hi-Def with surround before watching the clip, but I finally found the original trailer from 1971.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Here is a fun fact for you. Some of you may have known this. (I knew half of it)

Previous to 1969, before the race started, the cars would all be lined up on one side of the track (in the pits, essentially) and when the flag would wave, signalling the start of the race, the drivers would then run across the track, jump in their cars, start their cars (unassisted) and speed off, trying to get out of the pits before anyone else, so they can win!

(The above, is what I already knew...)

Then, in 1969, Le Mans rookie Jacky Ickx was against the method by walking across the track while his competitors ran. He almost got hit by another car while walking, but once he got to his car, Ickx took the time to fasten his safety belts before pulling away.
During the very first lap, there was a fatal accident, which neither of the two drivers involved had taken the time to strap in securely.
Guess what. Jacky Ickx ended up winning the race.


So yeah, that's an awesome part of history. Don't worry, it gets better.


Because of the time that Ickx spent to walk across the track, and safely buckled himself in, the next year, in 1970 (the year that this movie was filmed) Le Mans officials allowed drivers to start the race already properly secured inside their vehicles, with the engines off, before the flag was waved.


So yeah, flag is waved, people aren't ran over, or killed from lack of seat belts (now, it's just the fire after the car explodes). So what? What's the point?


In 1971, Le Mans introduced the Rolling Start, sometimes known as the Indianapolis Start (btw, the initial way of racing is known as the Le Mans start) which is what they have used ever since. Yeah, they still start that way today.


So... My point is....
Isn't it awesome that...

1. Jacky Ickx stood up to all the un-safe stupidity of rituals, and then won! BooYah!
2. The officials changed the way, and decided to have a non-running start, and then a rolling start?
3. The year that this wonderful movie was filmed, the fabulous year of 1970, was the ONLY year that Le Mans ever started a race that way? Also, It was the first year for Porsche to have a double finish, also captured by this fantastic film.

Isn't this an amazing film? I'm sure you are agreeing with me as you are reading this, and you probably haven't even seen the film. Go watch it. Turn up your surround. Strap in your seat belts, and get ready for the *time of your life.

Trust me. It's a wonderful movie. Amazing Cinematography. Excellent Race Cars. Nothing like you would find in Hollywood today.

Do it.

*For most people. If you actually raced, participated, or attended the 1970 24 Heures de Mans, that was probably better than this film.

I'm Just Sitting, Waiting, Wishing...

...that I knew what I am doing.

Why am I still awake?

What am I listening to?

Why do I hear colors?

Does anyone else feel this way?

How do I fix it?

Can I stop it?

The world is spinning. She tells me her secrets. I tell her mine. We exchange stories. I love her. She loves me. We can make this last forever. This is a different LOVE than what people talk about in stories. It is the love a father must have for a daughter. What an older brother must feel for his younger sister. She IS my younger sister. I don't want her to be sad. She won't be happy. I want her to be happy. She lights up my world when she sings. When she smiles, I smile. When she dances, I almost want to dance. I do dance. I want to make her happy.

Why can't I be a better brother? What can I do to change this?

I hope I make you happy.

I hope I protect you from getting hurt.

I hope I will never let you down.

I hope I will always be there for you.

Because

You have always been there for me.

You have never, ever let me down.

You have never hurt me.

You make me happy.

Je t'aime