MOVIES

It seems that so far this year, there have been a lot of good movies coming out. Keep in mind the only kind of movies I like are chick flicks...so the commonly believed "good movies" don't apply to me. Ex: Avatar (would rather be beat), Sherlock Holmes (I actually think I might like it...maybe one day), and last year's big ones such as Transformers 2 and Harry Potter (I don't understand the obsession..).

Sooo this year I've been looking forward to:

When In Rome--I'm a new Josh Duhamel fan!

Dear John--Channing Tatum anyone??

Valentine's Day--Everyone and their mom is in this one!

the Last Song--whatever you say, I really do like Miley a lot.

the Blind Side--I know it came out last year and is not exactly a chick flick...but LOVE IT.

Date Night--gotta love Steve Carell!
Backup Plan--looks perrty funny.

Unfortunately I've only seen When In Rome and the Blind Side...both in the dollar theater. Call me a cheapo but I just can't justify spending 9 bucks too see them when they come out in the normal theater. Who does that? ;-)

It's not like I'll die from a lack of seeing a movie in the couple months I have to wait.  They were well worth the wait. When in Rome was different than I expected, but still really good. It's still weird to think Josh Duhamel is married to Fergie. It's a little of a mismatch to me, but what do I know?

The Blindside was seriously one the the best movies/stories EVER. And Sandra Bullock was incredible. The Oscar couldn't have been better deserved. But with Tim McGraw, you just can't go wrong. Can't wait to see it again! 

As for the others on my list, it's only a matter of time. :)

Maybe I'll Be Famous.

Here's one for ya...WHY do some people think they're God's gift to the world??

I mean, it's one thing to share one's talents in the right place and time, but I've noticed recently at BYU that if you don't sing or play an instrument, you basically have no purpose in life. I definitely understand why BYU students get a bad rap for being weirdies...although I know there are weirdies everywhere. Not hating on my school, I just don't understand some people.

I've never heard so many people break out into song being dead serious. Sorry, I don't want to listen to that. It's one thing to do it jokingly with friends or something, but singing in public cause you hope there're some music scouts out there or something is messed up.

There are also some "serenaders" on campus who sit outside with there guitars/ukuleles and sing before I walk in to class and are still there after I'm done. Maybe I'm just jealous I can't do it myself? Well, maybe I could. If they can, it's possible for anyone.

I'll keep you posted as to when my first on-campus random acoustic show will be.

I got your CHANGE...

So in honor of socialism..oh, I mean the healthcare bill..

I thought I would share this little *beauty I came across...

*Pardon the showage of skin...it's just oh so catchy. :)

"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it's free!"

Dancing With the Stars, Week 1

I've only watched a few seasons of this show, and have seen Shawn Johnson and Donny Osmond get the mirror-ball trophy, but this season is awesome because my boy Evan Lysacek is on it! Olympic gold-medalists have done very well on this show...in fact, they've all won. Apolo Anton Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, and of course Shawn Johnson. Hopefully history repeats itself.

Highlights of the premiere:


Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls was suprisingly elegant definitely checked her signature dancing at the door...although I'm sure we'll see some of that when she does something besides the Viennese Waltz.

Anybody else surprised that Gia was there with Vienna to cheer on the Bach Jake Pavelka? Seems like it would be awkward to me...whatevs.

Pamela Anderson, aside from her top-heaviness, has a dang nice body for how old she is...just sayin'.

Niecy Nash is hilarious and should be pretty fun to watch.

Buzz Aldrin is such a cute old man! I think he'll stay around longer than people think...he's go votes.

Kate Gosselin just looked pretty out of place...

Chad Ochocinco is a good-lookin' man.

Erin Andrews is now my role model...hello my dream job!

Aiden Turner and Shannon Doherty...I got nothing. Who are these people? I thought it was dancing with "stars"??

Evan still needs to work on his interviewing skills...awkward much? But love him anyway.

Nicole came in first with 25 points, and Evan was second with 23.

All in all it's looking like a great season ... aside from a couple weirdies.

The Silver Lining...

Is it sad that it's barely 50 degrees at its warmest today, and I just had to wear shorts and sandals to take advantage of the warmth? This comes from the girl that thinks 80 degrees-plus is perfect. I think I'm going crazy--I just want summer! 

Well, BYU basketball is over for the season, but after the Kansas State game on Saturday, I couldn't help but think of only positive thoughts.

1. After losing the rebound battle badly and getting outshot (it's hard to not get outshot when Kansas State made everything...) the Cougies didn't get blown out in the slightest. It was even closer than the final score, 84-72, despite it all. Kansas State is good. And they played that way.

2. Everyone was saying that as long as they finally win a first-round game this year, they'd be satisfied. It's true for me! Of course the Sweet Sixteen would have been lovely, but I can't help but smile when I think of how I felt after the Florida game.

3. 30 wins! School-record, and so many teams would kill for that number. Love it.

4. Next year. Virtually everyone is returning! My assumption is that Jimmer will be back, and I sure hope so. I think it's the best thing for him to get another year at the collegiate level. Chris Miles, Jonathan Tavernari, and Lamont Morgan, Jr. are graduating, and Tyler Haws is going on a mission to the Philippines. They'll all be missed for their individual strengths, but I really don't think the team will take a hit. Chris Collinsworth comes home from his mission soon, and his brother Kyle will be a freshman. Expecting great things from those boys.

Did you see the Kansas-Northern Iowa game? Hot dang. While I did pick Kansas to win it all in one of my brackets, I couldn't help but be so happy for UNI. How cool is it for a 9-seed to come in and knock off the expected champs from even making the Sweet Sixteen? Dang. It was pretty awesome.

And Kansas, I know you must be extremely disappointed/sad...but get off the dang floor and be a good sport.

Just some pics I found in the Facebook group "Remember when Kansas choked in the 2010 NCAA tournament? That was AWESOME" that I thought were pretty funny.

One things for sure, March Madness is really living up to all the hype!

AMAZING

I don't think I have even been so excited as I was yesterday after the buzzer to a certain second overtime sounded. And you can't blame me, I was not even two years old the last time BYU won an NCAA tournament game in 1993. Many people thought Florida would be an "easy" game, but isn't it only right that after waiting so long, the victory came on a few miracles and an unlikely hero amidst the huge shadow of Jimmer Fredette.

I'm talking Michael Loyd, Jr. As a red-shirt sophomore, Loyd has recently stepped up in the biggest ways. His breakout game came against New Mexico when he essentially carried his team with 19 points, and greased lightning speed and athleticism. That game didn't end the way they hoped, but his new-found confidence carried on to an 18-point first half at Utah. So, why not choose the NCAA tournament to make your career high even higher? When Jimmer wasn't shooting his best against Florida, and when the Cougars desperately needed a spark, none other than Loyd came off the bench and scored 10 straight points. He continued throughout the whole game to light BYU's fire, and was virtually the only offensive threat in the first overtime (thanks to the amazing three by Jackson Emery that made it possible). For a less-than-excellent free-throw shooter, he made all of his freebies when they counted the most. I consider him the reason the Cougars were in this game, shooting his way to a new career-high at 26 points. He also shot 70% from the field, 9/10 on free-throws, and went 3/5 from beyond the arc.

On to Jimmer. No one outside of the Mountain West considered him a premiere player, or much less even knew his name. They know it now. With no threes in regulation, he got his points grinding to the basket. Come second overtime, it was finally his turn to make his mark. Two break your ankles crossovers lead to two three-pointers at the bottom of the net before the defenders even know where the ball went. Icing the lead with blocks, steals, and free-throws, a 99-93 victory never tasted so sweet. 37 points ain't too bad, either. He couldn't have done it without the rest of the team, but Jimmer Fredette lead the Cougars to victory. He even landed the front pages of ESPN.com, CBSsports.com, and analyst after analyst can't stop talking about the boy from Glens Falls, NY. They all want him to be the next Stephen Curry and "March Darling". With a win tonight, he'll do it. His performance was so unforgettable, that when a player in another tourney game did really well, they said he "went Jimmer" on them. Finally the recognition he deserves. 

Kansas State is a really good team, but the Cougars have all the confidence in the world. They finally broke the curse and can play with that huge worry out the window. They also have the motivation that a win means not only the Sweet Sixteen, but the chance to play in Salt Lake City! That would be incredible...it's hard not to get ahead of myself! 2 seeds aren't indestructible, with Villanova already going down today to a number 10 St. Mary's. There's hardly been a game that hasn't been a close one. Whatever happens, this has been the best season in terms of wins (30), and most fans would say has been the funnest to watch. I'd have to agree. I LOVE this team! 

Some great articles on Jimmer and the game... 

 Florida Gators vs. BYU Cougars

Fredette More Dangerous than Wall

Fredette Not Conventional, Just 'Amazing'

And last but not least, a great picture slideshow courtesy of Jaren Wilkey.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...

In Vegas, I experienced many things I either loved, hated, laughed at, or never thought I would experience. Here are some of the best...

1. The Buffet at the Bellagio. Mmmm baby. Crab legs, prime rib, steak, shrimp, sushi, etc. etc. for 20 bucks! Just let that sink in for a minute...it's OK to let your mmouth water a little. I would venture to say they lost money on me. We did manipulate it a little, going right before lunch ended. Paying the lunch price for dinner food is a little stroke of genius if I do say so myself. (Dinner price was $40!)

2. Dear TCU cheerleaders,

You are not, nor will you ever be the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. So please stop your deserate, pathetic attempt to dress like them. You're just making a fool of yourselves. I don't care if you live in the next city over, no one can come close to the DCC.

The REAL thing...Melissa Rycroft!

3. While waiting for the shuttle to the strip, a guy started talking to us about BYU. Here's roughly how the convo went:
"Oh yeah, you guys have that one guy who's really good...Herdeckie. Heard he dropped 45 last night."

"...Fredette?"

"Oh that's right, Herdette."

I will admit, that was pretty dang funny. I didn't know whether I should punch him in the face or die laughing. So, I took the high road and had a good laugh later on.

4. After our game against TCU on Thursday, it was UNLV vs. Utah. Though I would never do it aloud, I was secretly hoping Utah would...win. There, I said it! It would have been really nice not having to play UNLV, but unfortunately, Utah stunk up the whole court. It wasn't too bad at first, even UNLV wasn't playing that great. They just let it go at the end. Now on to this story:

We sat in the upper level on the side of a basket for this game, and there was hardly anyone around us. In front of us there was a UNLV couple with a son who was about 10, as well as another guy who was just by himself. A little before halftime some BYU guys came and sat in the row by us, and were hilarious! It was the typical flaunt your team without being a jerk, but no one really minded.

We left for a minute and when we came back up, security came right up to those guys and the power-hungry "leader" repeated "Let's go" to them over and over for "throwing things over the balcony". They didn't throw ANYTHING, and even the UNLV people by us stood up for them. There was absolutely no reasoning with them, and finally, they got kicked out. All the other Utah/UNLV fans (besides the ones right next to us) were chanting, "kick them out, kick them out!"

No sooner did they leave the arena, 4 college-age UNLV guys came and sat where they were and started bragging that they got them kicked out. They even asked the guy by himself if they saw what they did and how cool it was. I guess THEY threw something, then texted the security saying 4 guys in the BYU shirts just threw stuff off the balcony.

Using some profanities of his own, the guy went on to tell them how messed up that was, and that they wouldn't like that happening to them. I thought that was really nice.

Then the lady turned around and said. "It was you guys, wasn't it?! You threw a beer cup, and they don't even drink beer!"

I COULD NOT BELIEVE what they did, and didn't know people could be so dirtbag. Now I know for a fact that UNLV fans are dirty, rotten losers.

5. At the championship game between UNLV/SDSU, I could have easily been confused for an Aztec faithful. We sat in the row right behind some SDSU students who after staring at us and our shirts for a while finally said something.

Some of what they said to us:

"So...are you guys like, allowed to be here?" (At first I thought he meant at the game, since BYU wasn't playing in it.)

"Do you know what I mean? Cause you guys are always in the Vegas bowl and stuff, but it kinda contradicts everything if you know what I mean."

"So are you guys big-time gamblers? Since you're not in to the whole alcohol and prostitution thing."

"Really?! Cause in that show Big Love they opened a whole Mormon casino and all. Isn't that show pretty accurate?"

"So you don't do polygamy?"

*To his friend* "Dude I told you!"

So at first I thought they were just kidding about the whole thing...but then I realized they actually seemed pretty serious. We tried to answer the questions the best way we could, and hope we set them straight! Such as...we don't gamble either, and Big Love is a loser show that has nothing to do with us.

I would say I had quite the experiences. I came away with a greater hate towards UNLV and New Mexico, and a greater love for SDSU (at least until we play them next!).

Sorry so long, but hopefully you enjoyed! The Gators are now Cougar bait...

Happy March Madness everybody, where all good roads lead to Indy!!

Let the Madness Begin...

Just got back from Vegas and the Mountain West Conference Tournament yesterday and had a blast! It had definite highs and lows...
LOW: BYU losing to UNLV on their HOME COURT for crying out loud.
HIGH: New Mexico losing to San Diego State. SDSU then beat UNLV for the championship. I never thought I'd be such an Aztec fan!

I learned a few things that I really shouldn't be suprised about.

1. It doesn't matter what team you cheer for: If it's not BYU, that means you HATE BYU. It doesn't matter who your team is currently playing, you will do anti-BYU/Mormon cheers.
2. People will drop about $50 on beer alone for a game. At $6 a cup, it adds up pretty fast when you chug them like that. Geez.
3. Some people have absolutely NO conscience...*cough* UNLV. More on that later...
4. It is possible for New Mexico fans(Ok, one) to have class and admit their "player of the year" Darrington Hobson is a dirty, elbow-throwing player with a bad attitude. Snake, you are my hero.

He actually had a Jimmer jersey!!
5. More people than I thought know absolutely NOTHING about Mormons, even to the point of asking if we're even allowed to be in Vegas. Also a story for another post..

All in all, it sucked BYU had to play UNLV in the second round. Unfortunate luck of the draw. However, that will all be put to rest if they use their number 7 seed(Whoo! Not an 8!) and take it to the Florida Gators on Thursday in Oklahoma City at 10:20 AM our time.



I LOVE MARCH MADNESS, and it's hard to ignore the fact that if a Sweet 16 were to happen, BYU would play in SLC! Now that would be sweet. Just one game at a time...

A little venting: I CAN'T BELIEVE that New Mexico got a 3 seed! You've GOT to be kidding me. Yes, they beat us twice. But the difference of both games put together was 6 points. Yes, they're ranked ahead of us by a few spots. But I still don't see how that translates to four seeds higher. I DO NOT APPROVE. (Just incase they wanted my opinion.)

Colby Bryant

One of my roommates showed me this video the other day and I can't stop watching it! A great mix of awkwardness and humor makes me laugh throughout the whole thing. Hopefully I'll be a little better than this...



"Couldn't have said it better--without the--myself."