The Inaugural Celebration of Adam's Day!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!!! ....and by holidays, I really mean holi-DAY (sing)! That holiday being......Adam's Day!!!!    A couple weeks ago, the Dojo and friends became the first people to celebrate the holiday that will one day be getting you out of work and your kids out of school!  


 Now I’m sure you have a lot of questions, so I’ve taken the liberty of answering the questions that some of you might have:

Question #1 How did Adam's Day start?

      
Well, I'm glad you hypothetically asked that!

                         In the Winter of 2010, I set out to create a holiday to fulfill a requirement on the so called “bucket list.”  After analyzing the makings of a good holiday, I soon discovered a pattern:

                      -  Columbus Day: celebrated by all due to Christopher Columbus being the first one to discover the new world (discounting the thousands of Native Americans who had been living there for years of course).

                   -  President's Day: up until 1971, celebrated on George Washington's birthday (February 22) due to Washington being the first President (and for being an all-around swell guy!)

George Washington: President, General, and the Swellest of Guys

After realizing this link to being first and getting a holiday for it, I noticed that the Holiday Gods had forgotten one: the first man, ADAM!!!!!!

Like an honors student receiving his/her first "B", I sought out to fix this horrendous injustice.  Enlisting the help of my former roommate, Seth, we created the traditions that would form the Holiday that is: Adam's Day!!!"

Question #2: When does Adam's Day begin?

          Just like Adam came to be on the 6^th day (ever….), Adam’s Day begins on the sixth day of every year (January 6^th for those still hunting to find their calendars).

Question #3: How does one celebrate Adam's Day?

Another Great Hypothetical Question!  Below are a list of Adam’s Day activities complete with pictures from our outing:

 

      I.            First Supper

          
       The dinner portion of Adam’s Day is where all involved embark on a feast of Adam’s Day food. While the Good Book does not mention which fruit Adam and Eve from the tree, the apple seems to be the consensus when it comes to cartoon depictions of the event.  Hence, on Adam’s Day, the food is centered around the apple (apple pie, apple sauce, apple juice, etc.) 


 Furthermore, since Adam’s rib has some significance in the account, prime ribs are considered a traditional Adam’s Day food.  Below, our motley crew can be seen eating at “Apple Bees” devouring ribs before returning home to a quaint apple pie.

    II.            Naming of Things Unknown

          One of the main activities that Adam participated in while in the garden was naming the animals……..and probably most other things there.  Since his death, mankind has done a pretty good job naming everything he left out.  However, there have been a couple of items that have been overlooked.

 Hence, on Adam’s Day, all participants involved brainstorm things that have not been named and appropriately submit a name for them to Webster’s Dictionary.

On this the First Adam’s Day, we submitted the following ideas, so feel free to drop the following words in everyday lingo:

Plumba- the dot above lowercase “I”

Lidskirt- the round plastic circle that protects the seal of the  milk

Dojo- the place of the cool party rockers :)

Life at the Dojo on Adam's Day

III.            Visit to the Zoo

          ….cause there were animals in the Garden and it gives you an excuse to go to the zoo once a year! (Activity not participated in this year, but you can bet your bottom dollar it will be next Adam’s Day!)

He's only sad because we didn't visit him on Adam's Day!

         

IV.            Highlighting the Highlights of Mankind’s Accomplishments

Because Adam’s Day is a celebration of not only the man, but also everything that mankind has accomplished since then, every Adam’s Day should focus on a significant event or person since Adam came to be.  
For example, this Adam’s Day, we were going to celebrate the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team.  However, due to time constraints (….….and the fact that NO ONE in Provo owns a copy of “Cool Runnings”), we did not participate in the “Highlighting the Highlights of Mankinds’ Accomplishments.”

FACT: If it weren't for Adam, Jamaica would have never had a Bobsled team....

   V.            The Fall

Adam’s Day concludes at 11:59 pm (…or as close to midnight as possible), when all those involved climb to a place of high elevation (parking garage, roof, etc.), and drop water balloons to signify “The Fall.”  Just as the Fall ended Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden, the Fall of water balloons ends the Adam’s Day activities. 

Below are pictures from the Fall which ended this year’s Adam’s Day activities:

Question #4: Is there anything else about Adam’s Day that I should know about?

While it is impossible to encompass ALL knowledge that there is to know that about Adam’s Day in one single blog post, there are a couple of more things you should be aware of:

1.     Adam’s Day was not started just to have my dandy name in a holiday. (Although, it is a pretty sweet perk…)

2.     Anything good that happens on Adam’s Day is chalked up to being a “Adam’s Day Miracle.”

3.     Anything that good that happens on any other day that’s not Adam’s Day is chalked up as being a “Post Adam’s Day Miracle*”

*The exemptions being Christmas and Jodi’s Birthday.  Why those two days?  Because a) Christmas rocks and b) Jodi dibs-ed it. Sorry L

With that said, the fact that you're still reading this is a miracle.........A POST ADAM'S DAY MIRACLE!!!!!

HAPPY (BELATED) ADAM'S DAY FROM MAP!!!!

Thankfulness

I finally started thinking about what I am truly grateful for today as I was walking through a couple different airports. I thought a little bit about it during Thanksgiving but more in an obligatory way than in a true gratitude way.

And so there's the obvious:

1. Adam, obviously I am secretly in love with him, which is why I am hopelessly devoted to this joint blog and why I always pick up on the first ring whenever he calls, and never EVER ignore them because I know that picking up will make me feel guilty for being a ditcher. And it's also the reason I consistently stalk him in the Tanner building.

2. This blog, and all of its followers.

3. GENTRY. GENTRY. GENTRY. In a purely platonic gratitude way that can only be felt for someone so unique (if you didn't get it, that was my non-subtle way of dropping Gentry's name to boost the ratings)..he is awesome, and always right.

4. Food. All those participating in this amazingly glutinous and purely American holiday that we call  Thanksgiving can appreciate this one for sure.

5. Family. My crazy, hyper super awesome family are the best people ever. We had some good memories this week: watching Baby Mama(3x), getting a puppy, putting up the Christmas tree, baking, cuddling, shopping, and always: laughing.

5. Men. The big black guy carrying a teddy bear through the airport that made me feel validated about having a teddy bear in college. Random hot man in the airport who looked like a lumberjack. The sampler dude at Costco who complimented my new hoody.
But most of all, all the great men who have been examples to me over the course of my life: my father, my brothers, and yes, the Dojo.

6. The Gospel. The title of our blog is Mormon and Proud but we don't often reference what it means to be a Mormon. Having the light and truth of the Church in my life has blessed me in so many countless ways, and truly I know that I would be lost without it.

A Proper Birthday Shout-Out for Such a Proper Girl: AMANDA!!!!

"Fear less, hope more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Hate less, love more; And all good things are yours" - Swedish Proverb


"......but if you're not sure how to do that best, just hang out with Amanda!"- My proverb


Ninja Tag.  The past-time of our summer.  On a typical blissful summer night, it would bring much laughter, bonding, and all-around sheer athletic ninja-ness  for the low, low  price of couple bruises and a little humiliation.  On one such night it brought the Dojo so much more: a friendship with our dear friend Amanda!

How valuable is Amanda to the Dojo? Consider this:

• We went to the ends of the Earth just to be in the same ward as her this year.  Literally.  We are living in the ghetto known as Miller with Amanda's smiling presence as the PRO to Miller's CON of infrequent running hot water.  The good news is, that the PRO definitely outweighs multiple of the CONS here :) (... even if I think my brother in Chile is about to start asking if there's anything HE  can send me for Christmas to help out.)

(A past example that I found online of the "cultural" experience that is Miller)

• Amanda is undeniably the best wand finder ever. If that Garrick Ollivander guy ever closes up shop, Amanda is my odds-on favorite for replacing him.  When looking for wands for the end of our childhood the Harry Potter 7 pt II showing, we did not stop until we found the wands that made us feel like the inner wizards and witches that we are. 

(Face it: Without my wand, I'm just a nerdy Party-Rocker)

• Amanda is one of the most loyal people you will ever meet.  When we had our road trip to California, Amanda claimed she "couldn't make it." But, lo and behold, look who made an appearance with us at the beach in Cali:

• Cinnamon-roll baking skizzilz. While I was unaware of this delicious talent of hers until recently, it was a scrumptious surprise.  They warmed my tummy and fed my soul. Mmmmmm.....

(Even though I found this online, I'm convinced the photographer somehow found his way into Amanda's apt to take this picture)

• Here's a challenge: try and think of something unlikeable about Amanda?  I'll give you a minute.................okay now I'll give you a couple more..........Still can't think of something?  I'll save you the time: you can't!  Trying to find something not to love about Amanda is harder than finding GENTRY! at a Black Eyes Peas concert (subtle Gentry reference to fill my quota: check!)  She is pure goodness personified and we are lucky to know her!

Happy Birthday Amanda from MAP!!!!

Kirt Enters the Golden Years!

(Kirt, Welcome to the Golden Years!)

It is estimated that the average worker spends 33% of his life working.  After 6 months of the daily grind, our friend Kirt had had enough, so he made like Jimmy with the One-ders and quit.

Let's be clear: jobs are generally a good thing. They let you put food over your table, provide evidence that when it comes to society you're "contributing," and  if you're lucky, they have a cool beeping sound when you clock-in! (I might be a little too grateful for the Thanksgiving season right now...)

However, in Kirt's circumstances, a job meant weekend homework, late night weekday homework, and all around exhaustiveness and soul-suckery. Hence, the quitting of Kirt's job.

In celebration of this momentous event, we held a Surprise "Retirment" party for him.  Since A) Retiring is really just a quitting with a more positive spin B) Why wait til our 60s to party Retirement style?

So, we all waited for when Kirt FINALLY got off work, and, dressed in our business best (c'mon? it's a retirement party!) and the ladies dawning business ties, we "surprised" kirt when he came home with cake, ice cream, and of course....OREOS!

Below are pics from the party courtesy of Stephanie Roades!  Thanks to all the MAP followers (and non-MAP followers I guess) who came and sent Kirt out in style!

Oh, and before you ask....there was no cool quitting story......we already checked... (click link below due to youtube unavailability)///

http://www.hulu.com/watch/64578/the-office-two-weeks

Adam, you've got it going on....

So as I sat here alone in my apt on the couch with my good friend, El Laptop, Gentry (aka "GENTRY!"  aka "The Ratings Spike" aka. "Yes, We are "Gentry and Proud" but I guess so are you Jodi.....) returned home from a long evening of kicking trash in hockey Canadian style (...well half-Canadian style, but I'm pretty sure it's only the Canadian half that gives him his Hockey prowess....)

Like a "Google+" -ed Thor to a more acoustic Hammer, Gentry reached for his guitar and proceeded to serenade me in a manner a la "Bret, you've got it going on..." from "Flight of the Conchords"

......or at least I think that was the intention.

Since you, the MAP followers of the world ( I say world mainly because of you Jodi, but apparently there is some Ukrainian out there (Вітаю!!!)), were not there, I've taken the liberty of publishing the lyrics of that special song "GENTRY!!!" endearingly wrote for me just a few moments ago:

(Catchy and Melodic Guitar Intro)

Adam you’re a real swell guy…..

(Guitar Serenading.....)

I’d be sad if you died……

(More Guitar Serenading....)

Adam, I think you’re rad,,,,.

(Climax of Guitar serenading....)

(Long Pause....)

(Guitar stops playing....)

Spoken: Hey, I just got a text message!  See you later!

"Adam, You've Got it Going On!"-  Coming Soon to a record store near you!

Kids, don't try this at Church.....

Let's be clear.  I'm deeply religious, and Mormon (...as if the name "Mormon and Proud" doesn't give it away..)  However, I am also human, and sometimes, despite my best intentions, I doodle, scribble, or altogether write sheets of nothingness on my paper at church on occasion. Yesterday was one of those occasions.

Below is my "Church Journal" blogified. Please forgive my irreverence and for changing from first to third person in the narrative.  I meant no harm...

Church Log

10/23/2011

9:34- Kirt officially dozes off

9:35- Joe makes a lame attempt to join him in "Dreamland," before choosing to remain conscious.... probably out of fear of being "Incepted"

9:37- Speaker's "Poke-you" joke kills!

9:39- Joe relates to me how he assumed I was super spiritual today since I brought a notebook and pen to take notes at church

9:40- For the first time in his life, Joe feels the sensation of  being "wrong."

9:41- Speaker says, "I'm not saying you can't take naps on Sunday..."

9:42- Kirt noddingly agrees...

9:43- Like an infectious virus, Jarom catches the "Sleep Monster Bug" due most likely from not washing his hands after sitting next to Kirt.

9:49- Blonde-haired guy with purple shirt (Hey!  we just moved into the ward so go easy on the judgement, ok?) becomes latest victim.  Probably his own fault seeing how everyone knows purple shirts are the weakest against viruses....

9:50- Joe corrects me and informs me the shirt is actually pink.  Suddenly,  I begin regretting not paying attention more to Kirt's sister, Sydney, and her discussion about "Color Blindness" yesterday...

9:53- Perhaps inspired by the music, Adam feels sudden urge to sign Tim's cast/bandage

9:54- Adam begins to weigh repercussions of hurting his hand to get out of playing goalie this Saturday....

9:56- The realization that the speaker's major is bigger than her settles in on the congregation (Anita is approximately 5'2 and her major had approximately 6 dashes or slashes when describing her major.  I'm not good with conversions so you do the math...)

9: 57 through 10:07- I actually listen attentively and enjoy Anita's introductory story and reflect on how it applies to my life and other aspects of the gospel....

10:08- Disappointed that I haven't written in my "Church Journal" in a while, Joe judges me for trying to learn spiritual things in Sacrament.  It's at this moment that I understand what "unrighteous judgement" means on a whole new level.

10:09- Kirt wakes up from round 2 of "Dreamsville." Claims, "the virus was WAY more ferocious the second time."

10:12- The closing prayer is said and sacrament meeting concludes.  

The End

Catching Up

Marissa,

It's come to my attention that I haven't seen you in forever. The latest indicators have been: 

1.  I can’t recall the last time I saw you in person. (author’s note: it’s probably only been 2 weeks since I saw Marissa when we shared an  awkward wave at a dance party before my group left prematurely)
2. "Betos" or "Hiking the Y" have never been offered as possible suggestions of what we should do when it's late at night in quite some time.
3.  Our Love Sack pillow smells like “dude” and not your Vanilla Perfume goodness....

Instead of waiting for the opportunity to catch up in person,  I thought I’d blogify the experience of how it'd happen......

(Marissa leaves the HBLL.  Adam enters the HBLL to mix up the studying routine.  You know how it is....)

M: Adam!

A: Marissa? Hey, I haven’t seen you in like forever!

M: Wow Adam! Did you quit you job and become a baker? because you’ve got some hot buns!  How’ve you been?

A: Great!  (At this point I would probably say something about 1 of 3 subjects that dominate the "on-campus catching up" conversation: 1. School 2. Work 3. Dealings with the Opposite Sex)

1.    School

Okay, let's be honest: this is the least interesting of the three.  When choosing this option it usually goes something like this at BYU, “Blah blah blah I’m super busy. Blah blah hard…..blah blah Mid-terms… blah blah…papers…blah blah unicorns** ” 

**author's note: okay that last one doesn't usually come up.  But it makes you wonder: where are those animal’s remains?  I would be way more interested in going to a “Unicorn Museum” instead of a “Dinosaur Museum”  I’m looking at you Indiana Jones……no, seriously.  Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Unicorns (oooooh….maybe not Hollywood enough…)  ….That Happen to be Cursed and Protected by Mummies That Explode and Stuff . I think honestly it writes itself....

Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Unicorns That Happen to Be Cursed and Protected by Mummies that Explode and Stuff!

(I seriously wrote this and then found the picture. Apparently, however, some 9 year old girl was way ahead of me)

I know this because this has always been my response.    Turns out, everyone is busy and everyone has hard classes. However, for the first time in my life, I feel excluded from my this demographic of conversationalists!  I’m  loving life/classes. This could also have to do with the fact that  last year's Junior core  drained my time and soul ( It was like my soul had been split and divided into horcruxes without the benefit of potentially being resurrected.  But seriously, I think my life expectancy is like 7 years shorter now.) It's like how laid back the crew seemed to be in Ocean's 12 than in 11.  In 11, they were robbing stuff and being important to make bank.  In 12, I think they were like "No one's really watching this anyway....so let's just chill."

Talking to you at the beginning of the semester, it sounded like this was not the case for you; in which case, you have my condolenses and you can text me for crepes whenever you need them.. (Another perk of the Adam Friendship package!)

Some of this might also have to do with the fact that I’m graduating, and recruiters aren’t really going to be looking at my grades after this semester.  

Which leads me to……

2.      Work

Apparently this (unofficial/official?) Lost Boy has to get a job and try to “contribute” to society (whatever that means right?).  The career adviser always relates how interviewing for a job is like the dating process:

Resume= Application for a Date

Interviews=  Dates

Job Offer= Engagement

Usuing this analogy, I’ve been dating two fine ladies : Ernst and Young and Deloitte.  Honestly, it's sort of been a role reversal from my normal dating experiences. They initiate all phone calls, they pick up the tab at dinner and the cab fare.  I admit, it's been kind of tough since it's been a long-distance relationship (they're both in Washington D.C), but they've been  cool about it and even paid for my flights to go down and see them (Dating rich girls is nice!)

What's been the interest in me? I honestly think they were impressed by the fact that it will have taken me 8 years to become get my bachelor’s. But who knows......

I, honestly, still can't believe they're even considering me.  Mostly because...

A. I've had to restrain myself  from responding to the question, ” “What’s your greatest weakness?” with “Kryptonite”  

B. Every airplane ride when I sit next to the "business guy" and he sees me dressed as his equal, I feel a sudden need to try and validate myself by saying something business-y like, "Did you see the Dow this morning? Oooh, glad I got out when I did." or  "How's your portfolio?" All of which would be immediately discredited when I watch reruns of "Pinky and the Brain" the rest of the trip.......Oh, Pinky and your shananigans!

C.  Everytime I enter my hotel room, I start jumping on my the bed a la "Dumb and Dumber"....

3. Dealings with the Opposite Sex

In my case this means girls. And yeaaaaaah, I still don’t get them.  Girls are like all Jackson Pollock Paintings: I think they're wonderful and admire the heck out of them....... but I honestly don't understand them at all...

(seriously, what is the guy going for here?)

So, in closing,  this has been fun, but I'd rather actually do this in person sometime.  Take care!

- Adam