so...

I got to know things! I got to know! I watch the news and today on CNN they ran a story on AIG and the 700trillion dollar stimulus package that went through the senate and the house last november ish time. I was very disappointed when that happened and I wrote a blog about the government trying to make us look one way while they take care of something they want to take care of. Creating excuses and making problems to clean up the way they please.

Anyways, I got to know: ARE WE IN A RECESSION or ARE WE NOT?

The story that CNN ran illustrated how AIG is now giving out bonuses to their employees to be an incentive to stay. One analyst said "Where are these people going to go? I just dont buy it." I dont either....wait....it gets even better: when evened out to a per person ratio, the 'please stay' bonus' would average out to 1 MILLION DOLLARS PER PERSON!!!!

That is our BAILOUT MONEY. OUR TAX DOLLARS-GOING TO BONUSES FOR EMPLOYEES THAT HELPED SCREW UP THE COMPANY, CREATE A MORTGAGE CRISIS, AND THRUST THE ECONOMY IN TO A 10 YEAR HOLE!

You've got to be kidding me.

So I got to know...Recession? you are? you arent? you're a crisis? you're not? you think were all gullible? you dont? wtf? no wtf?

I will end the rant with a question; does a recession exist if we ignore that it is there? If we just cary on with our every day lives, keep spending, keep buying and working... will it really exist?

The stimulus package that was passed by the house today equates to 800 billion of our tax payer dollars. in that package is a stimulus check for the NEA (national endowment for the arts) Should we take it? Should we tough it out and try and be 'creative' and get OURSELVES out of any holes we may suddenly be in? 

Wake up America!!

the sign that couldn't

A letter I recently wrote to the signpost. Dear Editor, Walking in the extreme snowfall on campus the other day, I was impressed by a sign next to the A-9 parking lot that read "Do not make a path" To my left and right were three feet high snow banks and I thought to myself "Well, great, now that I've been asked not to trail blaze, what should I do? Go around and conform?" So what did I do? I chose to blaze my own trail through the white shoveled drift, and to make a point, I tread my size 10 1/2's right next to the sign. Looking back on the experience, I am disappointed in whomever chose to print and post such a sign on a campus of higher learning. I hope that all wanting to make a difference in the world at this university would share in my disgust and mentally spit on the sign. While I am sure that the individual making the sign was not privy to such a response being subtly hurled at the dubious posting, I would strongly suggest to Weber State University to make a decision: Keep the sign up, or tear the sign down. I say keep the sign up because it did encourage me to pioneer my own way.

14 minutes left

Reading up on some of the people I know, I realized tonight that I am thankful for those things which I am NOT given.  

The headline in my mind read: If you find yourself in the middle of success, you have about 14 minutes left...

I discourage easy, and it has always been by the sweat of my brow from which I have gained success or seen any fruit from my labors or talent.  So when I read up on someone who has been given a few professional acting gigs straight out of high school, I think to myself "What would I be like if given the same thing?" 

One thing is evident; It would've prolonged my missionary experience.  It probably would've gone to my head and my collegiate experience would've been cut short. I would not have the breadth of knowledge that I do now.  That loaf would've been given to someone else. I don't think I like that idea.  So I will continue to stick with what I've got, being periodically discouraged by luck, and firm firm roots upon which I built my own treehouse.  That person has unknowingly forfeited their firm foundation.  And great will be the fall thereof.

I feel sorry for this person.  I feel bad for when it crashes down on them, or more likely, they hit that ceiling of training and then slam into the floor again because they were whisked away by the success bug.  It is a bad thing to have too much success too early in life.  If you're given everything, then you learn nothing.  It is from your losses that you learn your lessons.

One instance that really bugged me until I had a moment of clarity was on my mission...(warning, mission story) I was ticked that I was never promoted to more than a District Leader.  I felt like I could and, surely would, be a Zone Leader, even an Assistant to the President, for I was a hard worker, a little more mature, and a quick study.  It wasn't until my last zone conference that I understood that I was not to be either of these because along the way I had gained as much, maybe even more, knowledge as any of these people in these positions, and could offer advice to them instead of them to me.  So, I know there is a reason for things working out the way they do, you just have to remember that it is all under control.  And be thankful that you are not given success right away, for you may not need it to succeed.  (sounds stupid, but it makes sense.  I promise)

So, finally, my record feels like 3-11, but I've learned more than I could've if I was 14 and 0. The underdog gets the worm!

ps. the password to the treehouse is "panty"

Heads Up!

Today I met Glenn Beck.  I was in the Deseret Book in the Layton Hills Mall and bought his book and was the last person in line to shake his hand as he scribbled a few initials in my book.  I walked away with a smile on my face cause I really enjoy listening to him and I've never really met any celebrities.  He would be on top of my list.  Being the last person in line presents a predicament: Do you try and start conversation about something you want to talk about with him and risk being shoved away by security or do you just do your thing, smile and say thank you?

I chose the latter.  It really wasn't about the autograph, or about the book, it was about the person.  You want to say "Hey Glenn! Its me! Luke!  Dont you remember me?" Because you feel like you know the person from watching them on tv, but to them you are just another smiling face. Another bloke that has a book in his hand.  Meh.  Live and learn.

I think I was mostly frustrated with the entire experience because of the response I got after my 3 seconds with him.  I got "thumr borumr" in very very soft tones.  Now I understand that he talks for a living and that he was probably saving his voice, but it gave me a bitter sweet thought about the experience.  I just wanted some diction.  Its not too much to ask for!  

I bought your book!  Give me one audible word at least!