One Jazzy evening

I had several options for a rockin night, including a music party with prizes, and perhaps several pretty ladies milling about.  However, I am supposed to have a date tomorrow and was thus planning on not being able to go see the temple lights tomorrow night, so figured that I should go with another group going tonight.  Having just finished an exam review, I hustled over to the via point and met up with my group, who were antsy to make like a cow pie and hit the trail.  A few of us hopped in my car and got in with another guy to head up to Sandy to catch the trax line to SLC  Little did I know that I was not destined to see Christmas lights...

It turned out that traffic was horrific and by the time we reached the station, three of six of us were left behind, wondering what would happen next.  Luckily, however, another train followed only 10 minutes behind, ready to carry us to the big city.  During the interim is when the magic happened.

A man on the other side of the billboard that separated our two benches mentioned that his sister had found two jazz tickets left behind by a hurried passenger on the ground and he was considering scalping them after relieving her of them. 

I told him I thought it presumptuous of him to believe he could take tickets that were not his in the first place to make money for himself, and his face fell.  His heart was softened and he asked if I might like to redeem them at the game.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, as I reached for the tickets.  The next 30 minutes on the trax line consisted of me reveling in my victory and frantic phone calls to find the lucky one that would accompany me.  Finally I struck gold: my cousin Andrea was willing to come enjoy the game!  \

Upon arrival (right at the front steps of Energy solutions arena a.k.a. Radium Stadium, I might add) I met up with her and we walked in triumphantly.  Upon finding our seats, we found they were not satisfactorily close enough (they were in the nose-bleed section), so we walked down the stairs, picked two seats about 20 rows from the court, and planted ourselves with a firm determination that we would not be moved.  We were not bothered at all, but enjoyed the walloping of the Toronto Raptors that ensued in the final half of the game.  Upon completion, we were able to beat the small sizable crowd that had gathered so that I might reunite with the group I had forsaken, ready to tell my triumphant tale to all within ear shot.  And that is how I came to find myself at a Utah Jazz game that only cost me a ticket to Salt Lake City.

                                                               THE END

I HAD THE MOST AMAZING SUMMER OF MY LIFE!  It was spent rockin Provo, and it was definitely rockin.  I worked during the day, partied like a rockstar at night, and on the weekend took backpacking/hiking trips.  i got to live the college life without having to worry about homework...the best! It seemed like every night there was something happening.  Probably because there was! movies...dates...parties...I thoroughly enjoyed myself.One of the highlights was definitely hiking timp.  It took 13 1/2 hours and we started at 3:30 am, but it was amazing! I was super sore by the end, but I can now cross that off my bucket list.   And I'm in awesome shape now! I hiked Y mount last weekend and almost ran up it..it was a piece of cake!  I decided to stay because I wanted to improve physically by working with my personal trainer, and I have made much improvement.  For instance, I am now able to open my hand and grab things! I am also able to walk much better.  My mom was VERY against me staying, but like I said: it was super worth it.  If my kids and wife () and current family) are reading this, I want you to know that I did it for you.  I did have an awesome time, but I did it to improve myself for you.  Here is a rap I wrote last week that explains how my summer has been.  It's to the tune of "Party like a rock star":

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Totally dude!
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
we've all been on  missions But we party like a rock star Ron is doin 23 finly an American
You know JD is at the  park withLong board looks like Tony Stark He's tryin' to push and  stride But these girls  like his bark
We do it like we do it 'Cuz you know them girls be lovin' that Oh don't you know I date wit fine flowers  look like gentlemen
They fine and they hot brah When I'm in the spot brah… I party like a rock star
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
….Party like a rock star Do it wit da blue and da white Like a cougar star, cougar star, yeah
Whoop, whoop Me and my band, man On the boat with bishop Davis Gettin' a tan man
Cool! You know me Wit parted hair and modest clothes mormon Boyz, rock stars Yeah, we 'bout to change the game
Change the game? Uh oh They know I'm a star, I'm a star I make it rain from center court it's supa far when we
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock,  Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
As soon as I came out the womb My momma knew a star was born Now playin harmonica Trippin' wit angelica
I seen da show with Thomas Monson star mentality I put myself out there Just to see if they would marry me
TheyDO! wanna marry me They see me, they just might panic My smile make 'em go down quick Like the Titanic
Yeah, I'm wit da Mormon Boyz You know what we do I be  home teachin', servin' 'cowabunga' Totally dude!
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party like a rock Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement
Party like a rock Party like a rock star Party in the basement Totally dude!
Totally dude!

Happy 4th of July in Blanding!

I spent an awesome few days in B-town for the 4th of July holiday!H ere are some highlights:

• Driving down with one of my best buds, Josh Sillitoe.
• Watching some Midnight Madness Softball
• Commentating the parade with my dad!
• Playing in the Horseshoe tournament
• Going for a swim in recapture dam
• Eating crab, steak, and salmon at my Uncle Craig's house, along with other assorted salads and Desserts
• Watching the fireworks from my best friend Dane Hurst's house, while his mom, Shauna, kept us laughing
• SPENDING TIME WITH THE FAM!