Today I am going to be a hipster. After seeing a few people spitefully spew hatred for this assignment, I will say this, first and foremost: I don't hate blogging.
Rather I just didn't like the assignment.
But, that is my fault. I have been saying all year that the best way to write better is to keep writing, not to told how, but just to keep writing, with feedback on conventions. It's like riding a bike or shooting baskets, you get told the rules and techniques and then just practice, as much as possible. Yet, I, in my lack of foresight, didn't take this opportunity, for whatever reason(s).
I'm not saying that blogging will improve your writing but writing is, whether we think so or not, usually about stylistic things and opinions, which really become developed by writing them down and pondering them. Even though very few will likely read anything we post, odds are the very act of doing so will make us think, which is one of the most important things of all. Okay, maybe I take that back, maybe blogging will indirectly improve writing. Heck, maybe the best approach is to pretend you have an audience...or maybe not, because blogging is inherently personal, I don't know. I guess just at first glance it would seem as though people like Chris Guillebeau (of The Art of Nonconformity, a blog that gets millions of views daily) blog rather differently than one of my uncles/aunts, whose audience is solely family and friends.
Overall, I think I will keep this blog, whether it gets read or not. It's kind of like in The Princess Bride, "Alright Wesley, I've never had a valet, you can try if you'd like. I'll most likely kill you in the morning," except for me it's like "Alright Blog, I've never had a journal, you can try if you'd like. I'll most likely delete you in the morning." I want to be a good writer as much as (if not considerably more than) anyone else, so here goes nothing.
When I express thoughts, I normally prefer the deliberate act of writing them down on a piece of paper, which also might be because then no one else sees them. So as I keep growing, trying to be a more personable person, maybe I'll post more.
But...(laugh) now I'm rambling again, so I'll leave it at that. Awesome assignment for anyone who puts in the effort; don't get discouraged and definitely don't stay up til three hoping for inspiration, get rest first. And, to all, keep writing.
-Victor Favero
Monday, April 9, 2012
An Interesting Artist
One of my top three music artists is Owl City, whose real name is Adam Young. He was introduced to me about a year ago by an old friend and has been a favorite ever since. There are a lot of genuine reasons that I like his music: it's appeal to introverts (which sometimes I still consider myself), the fact that he never "sells out," but rather keeps experimenting and trying new things, often unsure whether the formula will work (he posted on his blog that his new album coming out in August will be quite unlike his first one, Of June), the different songs rhythms and lyrics, and also Young's incredibly noticeable Christian faith, particularly in such songs as "Meteor Shower," "Angels," and, naturally, his cover of "In Christ Alone." The songs are typically upbeat and, thanks to "Hello Seattle" remind me of the considerably more artistic person that I was once of the verge of becoming and could still yet. Yet unlike songs from the musical "RENT," which also produced this idyllic longing, these aren't...edgy. I don't have to say the disclaimer "Yeah, I like RENT," before proceeding to tell people that I saw it while at BYU, rented it from the HBLL (not that I am against RENT, it's just, while one of the most beautiful musicals ever, not entirely wholesome).
The quote from Colossians that I posted a few blog posts ago, to begin my Conference blogpost, was actually found on his blog and I really liked it. So, with that in mind, let us all remember that, because we are eternal, spiritual beings, to seek for eternal, spiritual things and not let ourselves get distracted by problems of this world. Let us remember, as the prophet has counseled, to Look Up.
The quote from Colossians that I posted a few blog posts ago, to begin my Conference blogpost, was actually found on his blog and I really liked it. So, with that in mind, let us all remember that, because we are eternal, spiritual beings, to seek for eternal, spiritual things and not let ourselves get distracted by problems of this world. Let us remember, as the prophet has counseled, to Look Up.
I Hope they Call Me on a Mission, when I have grown an inch or two!
One of the coolest things, as I mentioned earlier, about being here a year early is seeing all my friends get their mission calls. I have had friends going to South Africa (Durban), Germany (Frankfurt), Hong Kong, and Disneyland (Anaheim). I've even seen a guy in my ward get called to good 'ole Las Vegas West (my mission). It's been interesting seeing the ways they prepare too, such as practicing mission hours, taking on extra assignments to teach, volunteering to be investigators at the MTC, and doing role-plays with RMs. Once they even all dressed up in missionary attire on a Friday, went to each other's classes (which conveniently were at different times), invited people to watch General Conference the upcoming weekend, and went to a dinner appointment (technically it was just at the FHE sisters apartment but close enough), where I was invited as well to act as a member missionary (since missionaries can't go into an all female building without another non-missionary male present). (laugh) The joke between us was that I could hug all the sister as we were leaving, while my roommate Ben (who is the most huggy and loving person I have ever met) politely shook hands and called them "Sister (last name)."
I can't wait. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO ON A MISSION! I can't wait to start filling out my papers in December, I can't wait for the call (likely in February-ish of next year), and I sure as heck can't wait to serve the Lord, wherever he calls me to go.
Maybe it's a bit odd but every time I read my scriptures, I, consciously or unconsciously, look for the scripture that will go up on that plaque. If I find one I really like, I put it in the margins at the top of the page, so that when next year comes, I can find my favorites easily.
I just can't wait to fully dedicate myself to serving others, to putting all my thoughts and energies into helping people receive the gospel. (laugh) I can't wait to have girls mostly out of mind for two years.
People tell me that you change on your mission and for a while that frightened me. Yet, during the past months, I learned significant things. Odds are that my desire to travel won't change because it kind of is an important part of who I am; if anything I will learn how to make that travel more meaningful. And with anything else of importance, I know that God will only shape me in the right way, for it is a refiner's fire that we each go through, not a destructive, forest-engulfing one.
A foot or two might be a bit much, but an inch or two is reasonable...which means the time is coming ever closer. I am going to miss my roommates that I've gotten to know so well these past eight months, for three years is a long time, yet all of us will be venturing forth into the best work possible, and, when we all return, I idealistically imagine it will be like the that great reunion between Alma the Younger and the son of Mosiah, whom after fourteen years of work, were still best friends, only now they were friends that had changed the Lamanite peoples for better. This gospel is the most amazing thing out there, and, to sum it up, I CAN'T WAIT to share it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I can't wait. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO ON A MISSION! I can't wait to start filling out my papers in December, I can't wait for the call (likely in February-ish of next year), and I sure as heck can't wait to serve the Lord, wherever he calls me to go.
Maybe it's a bit odd but every time I read my scriptures, I, consciously or unconsciously, look for the scripture that will go up on that plaque. If I find one I really like, I put it in the margins at the top of the page, so that when next year comes, I can find my favorites easily.
I just can't wait to fully dedicate myself to serving others, to putting all my thoughts and energies into helping people receive the gospel. (laugh) I can't wait to have girls mostly out of mind for two years.
People tell me that you change on your mission and for a while that frightened me. Yet, during the past months, I learned significant things. Odds are that my desire to travel won't change because it kind of is an important part of who I am; if anything I will learn how to make that travel more meaningful. And with anything else of importance, I know that God will only shape me in the right way, for it is a refiner's fire that we each go through, not a destructive, forest-engulfing one.
A foot or two might be a bit much, but an inch or two is reasonable...which means the time is coming ever closer. I am going to miss my roommates that I've gotten to know so well these past eight months, for three years is a long time, yet all of us will be venturing forth into the best work possible, and, when we all return, I idealistically imagine it will be like the that great reunion between Alma the Younger and the son of Mosiah, whom after fourteen years of work, were still best friends, only now they were friends that had changed the Lamanite peoples for better. This gospel is the most amazing thing out there, and, to sum it up, I CAN'T WAIT to share it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Hypoglycemia
Last night, I stayed up til three, hoping to get inspired yet primarily just sitting in front of my laptop trying to stay awake. As I scoured the over 1,300 photos on my phone, I've found one that might make for an interesting story. My good friend Skyler has hypoglycemia, which for all of us, as his friends, typically means that he has to eat a piece of wheat bread after consuming large amount of sugar (otherwise, he quickly falls asleep, which at times can be quite comical).
Anyways, months ago, he and I were sitting next to each other at computers in the Hub. It was busy, as usual, talkative, and full of people either diligently checking their homework or diligently checking their Facebook. After a few minutes of talking, Skyler, who has taken off his sandals to work and left them under the desk, decides to curl up underneath the desk and take a catnap. I was then given the task of explaining to the girl sitting next to him his....interesting behavior. Trying, and failing, to not laugh too hard, I try to explain that this was likely the result of his hypoglycemia, as well as Skyler's inherent quirkiness. As we talked, I discovered that she was actually best friends with the sister of one of my friend's roommate and that she, like them, had lived in Fairfield, where coincidentally I had been to many times to go to the Jelly Belly Factory when I was a young child living outside Sacramento.
At some point shortly afterwards, Skyler laughingly told me that he had been listening the whole time, and joked that I had done a fine job explaining the "situation."
The funny, and slightly scary, thing is that I'll be rooming with Skyler for spring term. (sigh and laugh) I just...sorta hope that this won't be a recurring theme. But, oh, well, if so, it makes for an interesting story...
Anyways, months ago, he and I were sitting next to each other at computers in the Hub. It was busy, as usual, talkative, and full of people either diligently checking their homework or diligently checking their Facebook. After a few minutes of talking, Skyler, who has taken off his sandals to work and left them under the desk, decides to curl up underneath the desk and take a catnap. I was then given the task of explaining to the girl sitting next to him his....interesting behavior. Trying, and failing, to not laugh too hard, I try to explain that this was likely the result of his hypoglycemia, as well as Skyler's inherent quirkiness. As we talked, I discovered that she was actually best friends with the sister of one of my friend's roommate and that she, like them, had lived in Fairfield, where coincidentally I had been to many times to go to the Jelly Belly Factory when I was a young child living outside Sacramento.
At some point shortly afterwards, Skyler laughingly told me that he had been listening the whole time, and joked that I had done a fine job explaining the "situation."
The funny, and slightly scary, thing is that I'll be rooming with Skyler for spring term. (sigh and laugh) I just...sorta hope that this won't be a recurring theme. But, oh, well, if so, it makes for an interesting story...
Facebook vs. Blogging
If based on words alone, I have probably posted more on this blog over one weekend then I have on Facebook in my entire time there (nearly 2.5 years). However, they say a picture is worth a thousand words and, based on both my photos as well as those I am "tagged" in, these photos can show a significant story.
It's somewhat odd though. I feel that on here I have almost complete liberty to post anything I want, as much as I want because, in reality, very few people will actually read it. However, at the same time, this makes my posts extremely mundane, especially given the fact that I have about two hours to do five (four more after this) and that this counts for a grade. Essentially, I have been given the license, and, one could say, requirement, to ramble on and on, which unfortunately I do very well.
Maybe it is because Facebook is a shared scrapbook, whereas a blog is a journal of stories and opinions. However, I also know many bloggers who use this medium in an interesting way, who make it funny and a pleasure to read, whereas here I am, talking about my random thoughts, just typing words yet not really saying anything.
It's somewhat odd though. I feel that on here I have almost complete liberty to post anything I want, as much as I want because, in reality, very few people will actually read it. However, at the same time, this makes my posts extremely mundane, especially given the fact that I have about two hours to do five (four more after this) and that this counts for a grade. Essentially, I have been given the license, and, one could say, requirement, to ramble on and on, which unfortunately I do very well.
Maybe it is because Facebook is a shared scrapbook, whereas a blog is a journal of stories and opinions. However, I also know many bloggers who use this medium in an interesting way, who make it funny and a pleasure to read, whereas here I am, talking about my random thoughts, just typing words yet not really saying anything.
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