This year has certainly been the most eventful 365 days of my life. My circumstances, my priorities and my goals are much different than on Jan. 1.
In January, I was living in the ASU dorms in downtown Phoenix and breezing through school. Unexpectedly, I found myself in a long-distance relationship that only lasted halfway through March. Overall, I had few real responsibilities and a lot of extra time for late-night IHOP runs, RockBand2 marathons and countless other shenanigans fueled by 20 oz energy drinks.
The first half of 2009 was just ridiculously fun.
Then the summer brought a full-time business reporting position at The Arizona Republic through the Pulliam Fellowship. I moved into an apartment in Tempe with a couple guys from my church. I still found time for fun and recreation, but most of my energy went toward my job.
In August, I transitioned from a full-time Pulliam Fellow to a part-time community intern, working out of the Republic's Mesa office. Just two weeks later, the phone on my desk rang, and I was offered a full-time job. Technically, I slept on it, but I knew I would accept. I love Arizona and am happy to have a job here.
But there was that little matter of graduation that still needed attending to. Most of my classes were demanding and difficult. My once happy-go-lucky lifestyle disappeared, and it became increasingly difficult to balance my job and full slate of classes. I decided to buy a house with my parents' assistance, but this just added another stress variable to the already-crowded equation. In November, an uninsured teenager turned in front of me and smashed the front of my car. Seriously. C'mon dude.
December finally brought the conclusion to many of the trials that were beginning to weigh me down. I graduated. I fixed my car. I can finally relax a little, and I'm starting to find myself again.
But I'm certainly not the same "self" I was in January. And that's good. Each year should bring progression and growth. And that just isn't possible without a struggle of some sort.
Before 2009, I think '04 was the year during which I'd grown the most. In 2004, I became an adult, graduated from high school, started college, and received a mission call to South Korea.
What will 2010 bring? I cannot say, but I really can't wait to find out.
Happy New Year!
Year in Review: Facebook Style
At work we've been putting together several news packages to commemorate the new year. This included a summary of important news events over the last year and a look ahead at 2010.
I've also been thinking a lot about my own personal year-in-review. I thought it might be cool to look over my Facebook status updates over the last year, since that basically captures how I'm feeling and what I'm doing on any particular day. So here are my 2009 Facebook posts, in their entirety:
January
Jan. 7, 12:33 a.m. - Parker Leavitt did have a happy birthday, one of the best.
Jan. 8, 9:02 p.m. - ...loves 2009.
Jan. 15, 12:02 a.m. - ...doesn't know which way is up.
Jan. 15, 11:38 p.m. - ...is weak.
Jan. 16, 11:51 p.m. - ...doesn't care if you think he's crazy.
Jan. 17, 4:04 p.m. - ...is celebrating an overtime victory over UCLA!!!
Jan. 18, 1:12 p.m. - c'mon cards!
Jan. 18, 4:28 p.m. - we're goin to the superbowl!!!! the arizona cardinals are going to the superbowl!!!!!
Jan. 24, 1:02 a.m. - stranded and its michael crow's fault
Jan. 26, 8:52 p.m. - ...is driving. yes, right now.
Jan. 29, 10:02 a.m. - ...is going up to Utah!
Jan. 29, 11:29 p.m. - ...is in utah and really happy!
Jan. 30, 11:42 p.m. - ...had the greatest day.
February
Feb. 3, 12:28 p.m. - ...is restless.
Feb. 7, 8:29 p.m. - ...wants to live in Tucson, Portland or Phoenix, according to findyourspot.com.
Feb. 15, 10:59 p.m. - ...feels so good.
Feb. 19, 12:14 a.m. - ...is pensive.
Feb. 22, 12:38 p.m. - ...go suns!!!
Feb. 28, 5:09 p.m. - ...hates washington schools.
March
March 1, 12:51 p.m. - ...is going to work diligently this week.
March 3, 12:12 p.m. - ...is passive-aggressive. I admit it.
March 7, 6:50 p.m. - ...is at the marquee for jimmy eat world!!!
March 8, 10:11 p.m. - florida tomorrow!!!
March 9, 7:53 a.m. - ...is headed to the airport.
March 9, 11:48 a.m. - ...is in austin.
March 9, 2:58 p.m. - ...is in florida for the week yeah!
March 13, 10:29 p.m. - I'm home.
March 15, 7:07 p.m. - Well, spring break is just about over. What a roller coaster.
March 16, 6:56 p.m. - time wont let me go.
March 17, 10:34 a.m. - Everything in life can be explained in baseball terms.
March 20, 12:00 p.m. - the tournament is about basketball, not who you have in your final four.
March 20, 12:53 p.m. - go devils!
March 22, 9:53 p.m. - ...had a really good day today.
March 23, 9:45 a.m. - ...is going to have another good day today.
March 24, 9:59 a.m. - ...is conqueror.
March 26, 7:00 p.m. - ...is lucky to have a great mom.
March 27, 4:33 p.m. - ...is going to the tempe festival of the arts.
March 27, 7:47 p.m. - The world is a beautiful place.
March 29, 7:41 p.m. - "You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." -Ghandi
April
April 2, 2:28 a.m. - The human condition is absurd.
April 4, 3:51 a.m. - ...is enjoying life so much.
April 4, 9:28 p.m. - sometimes the stars don't align.
April 6, 1:46 p.m. - go dbacks! here's to another winning season!
April 7, 10:57 a.m. - on my way to meet with the dean. why does that sound so terrifying?
April 7, 7:07 p.m. - i'm going to throw caution to the wind. again. i just need to man up.
April 9, 5:36 p.m. - i am, for lack of a better word, a scaredycat. time to change.
April 10, 7:37 p.m. - ...is at the dbacks game.
April 16, 1:00 p.m. - ...forgot to set my alarm and missed class. oops!
April 16, 11:12 p.m. - "try optimism"
April 17, 12:39 p.m. - hakuna matata
April 18, 6:38 a.m. - ...is off to the races: pat's run!
April 18, 10:04 a.m. - ...ran!
April 20, 8:30 p.m. - at the dbacks game, not in class.
April 21, 1:02 p.m. - ...is a fan of blue skies and sunshine.
April 23, 1:37 p.m. - doin' some homework in the computer commons, feelin' happy.
April 24, 1:21 p.m. - I miss Korea. I miss all the great people I met there.
April 29, 12:18 a.m. - i love AZ
May
May 1, 12:02 p.m. - Happy May Day!!!!
May 7, 4:17 a.m. - enjoy every moment, because when it's over, it's over.
May 8, 8:45 p.m. - life is the greatest reality show of all
May 9, 9:14 p.m. - anybody looking for the coolest roommate ever (me)?
May 12, 2:29 a.m. - one essay done ... i'll do the other in the morning. i'm procrastinating my procrastination. but i know it'll all turn out alright.
May 12, 3:39 p.m. - ...is missing something ... or someone ... or several someones
May 13, 3:34 p.m. - off to see the president. and to congratulate lauren on her graduation!
May 15, 2:00 a.m. - ...is in huntington beach ... disneyland tomorrow!
May 17, 9:54 p.m. - ...just felt an earthquake in california! so crazy!
May 18, 10:31 a.m. - ...survived the quake.
May 22, 2:15 p.m. - woohoo my laptop works again!
May 22, 9:38 p.m. - where lebron james happens.
May 27, 5:59 p.m. - ...just said goodbye to some amazing coworkers ... good thing i'll see them again in a week and a half!
June
June 1, 11:05 p.m. - ...is in california again :-)
June 3, 12:24 p.m. - ...is in koreatown, garden grove, CA and loving it! they have a tous les jours bakery here! also bought some ddoek :-)
June 4, 1:40 p.m. - ...is moving to Tempe this week!
June 4, 7:18 p.m. - booo wet 'n' wild phoenix waterpark opening date has been pushed back to "late" june ... :(
June 5, 8:19 p.m. - ...now lives in Tempe.
June 8, 9:18 a.m. - ...is starting the new job today.
June 8, 6:41 p.m. - day one as a business reporter was a success. i am happy.
June 12, 12:09 a.m. - I'm tired.
June 23, 11:28 p.m. - ...is happy-go-lucky.
June 24, 4:16 p.m. - Working on a story about tourism in Mexico ... anyone planning a trip south of the border in the next few weeks?
June 24, 5:44 p.m. - All I want for Christmas is more Twitter followers ... www.twitter.com/PSLeavitt.
June 28, 12:43 a.m. - Things are looking "Up"
June 28, 2:30 p.m. - A little heartbroken but proud of our team.
June 30, 9:21 a.m. - we're off to see the wizard.
July
July 1, 12:56 p.m. - Anyone going to Mexico or thinking of going this summer? If so, please let me know ... I need to talk to you.
July 1, 5:30 p.m. - WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WET 'N' WILD IS NOW OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 3, 1:05 a.m. - ice age three is the worst movie ever created. hands down.
July 3, 5:10 p.m. - global swarming.
July 6, 10:26 p.m. - "If I had a chance for another try, I wouldn’t change a thing. It's made me all of who I am inside."
July 7, 7:10 p.m. - "Everyday I wake, I tell myself a little harmless lie: The whole wide world is mine."
July 8, 11:12 p.m. - ...has never seen "Walk the Line."
July 9, 1:09 p.m. - today is an incredibly sad day (layoffs at work)
July 9, 1:26 p.m. - sometimes bad things happen to good people. what's amazing is that those same good people bare their burdens so gracefully, even though they don't deserve them and have every right to be angry. that's part of what makes them good people.
July 10, 7:19 p.m. - If you are reading this right now, go follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/PSLeavitt
July 11, 9:42 a.m. - when is it just coincidence, and when is it meant to be?
July 13, 8:30 p.m. - 용기 좀 내자.
July 13, 11:56 p.m. - sometimes it's not what you expect and it's not what you want but it's right nonetheless.
July 16, 9:46 a.m. - feels exceptionally energetic today.
July 16, 1:55 p.m - my pen is a pistola.
July 18, 6:32 p.m - it is so unbelievably hot outside.
July 21, 5:54 a.m. - earth-rending thunder and lightning.
July 23, 9:12 a.m. - good morning.
July 25, 10:25 p.m. - ...misses a lot of his friends.
August
Aug. 3, 12:15 a.m. - ...finally walked the line.
Aug. 4, 6:18 p.m. - ...really loves his job
Aug. 7, 8:18 a.m. - fun friday is alive and well.
Aug. 7, 8:46 p.m. - it's all good? nah, it's all great.
Aug. 8, 10:33 a.m. - let me just say this: i heart facebook
Aug. 9, 12:22 a.m. - i don't know what to do about this.
Aug. 11, 12:35 a.m. - there are at least five pulliams online right now.
Aug. 12, 12:08 p.m. - In honor of BAH, I'm eating Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
Aug. 13, 11:49 a.m. - ...just realized the state fair opens in only two months! Hard to explain why I love it so much, but I do!
Aug. 14, 12:57 p.m. - Last day as a biz reporter. Bittersweet. I'll miss it, but I'm also excited about the future.
Aug. 25, 8:28 a.m. - hi ho, hi ho.
Aug. 25, 9:09 a.m. - my attempt to go to work early failed due to being locked out of the building.
Aug. 26, 12:09 a.m. - ...interviewed the mayor of Mesa and five-time UFC champion Tito Ortiz today.
Aug. 27, 11:08 a.m. - R.I.P. sammy, the world's most ostentatious cat.
Aug. 27, 1:51 p.m. - ...thinks it's funny how many august birthdays there are, nine months after christmas and new years.
Aug. 29, 3:13 p.m. - according to weather.com it's 110° but "feels like" 103°. yeah right, tell that to those of us outside waiting for the light rail!
Aug. 31, 1:04 p.m. - dear fellow students, reading the syllabus will greatly reduce the number of stupid questions you ask in class.
September
Sep. 1, 10:37 a.m. - anyone live in tempe and excited about the new Western Canal trail for running and/or biking? contact me please!
Sep. 2, 12:37 a.m. - homework (>, <, =) sleep? Sep. 2, 1:12 a.m. - sleep > homework
Sep. 2, 9:10 p.m. - another late night in the newsroom. good thing i enjoy this.
Sep. 3, 1:13 p.m. - there are too many country songs on my ipod.
Sep. 4, 10:19 a.m. - off to Durango!
Sep. 8, 8:03 a.m. - it was a tossing & turning type of night. not much sleep.
Sep. 8, 2:30 p.m. - too much on my plate, and i'm not talking about lunch (which i haven't eaten yet).
Sep. 9, 9:49 a.m. - If life were a restaurant, it'd be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Dig in!
Sep. 10, 1:30 a.m. - It's amazing how quickly things can change.
Sep. 12, 7:34 p.m. - ...doesn't like the heat so much but loves arizona sunsets.
Sep. 13, 4:59 p.m. - ...went house shopping today. So much better than any other type of shopping.
Sep. 15, 11:23 p.m. - ...feels defeated and needs a hug.
Sep. 16, 10:16 a.m. - ...is on the mend.
Sep. 16, 7:41 p.m. - I get knocked down, but I get up again.
Sep. 17, 9:39 a.m. - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Sep. 18, 2:56 p.m. - i feel good, duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh, i knew that i would.
Sep. 19, 1:31 a.m. - california dreamin'
Sep. 19, 9:58 a.m. to 10:04 p.m. - 17 posts documenting a trip to Disneyland.
Sep. 21, 1:10 a.m. - so sunburned.
Sep. 21, 9:51 p.m. - most definitely the best episode of House ever!
Sep. 22, 6:57 p.m. - does facebook chat EVER work?
Sep. 23 9:49 p.m. - my life would be (better, worse, the same) without facebook?
Sep. 24, 2:40 p.m. - you've gotta spend some time, love, you've gotta spend some time, with me.
Sep. 25, 6:09 p.m. - ...can't wait for college football tomorrow. Fork 'em, Devils!
Sep. 25, 11:47 p.m. - turkmenistan is a lucky country.
Sep. 26, 11:41 a.m. - happiness is only real when shared
Sep. 26, 8:35 p.m. - good game devils. you didn't win, but you made me proud.
Sep. 28, 11:52 a.m. - ...has good intentions.
Sep. 28, 9:53 p.m. - ...is renewed.
Sep. 29, 12:52 p.m. - ...loves attention.
October
Oct. 1, 8:47 p.m. - current temperature is 79°. feels so good
Oct. 3, 3:08 p.m. - college football teams i always love to see lose: michigan, arizona, any sec team, usc, oregon. but mainly michigan and arizona.
Oct. 3, 9:52 p.m. - Do cops really need Segeways?
Oct. 5, 11:36 p.m. - My roommate just laughed maniacally.
Oct. 7, 10:27 p.m. - "For now we are young; let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing we can see."
Oct. 8, 11:53 p.m. - ...loved Zombieland. Loved it.
Oct. 11, 11:17 p.m. - Life should be a little more like Hollywood.
Oct. 14, 12:50 a.m. - ...loves the sound of a freight train passing by his window. Somehow, it just makes me happy. :)
Oct. 14, 2:29 a.m. - ...wants to go mini-golfing. Right now.
Oct. 19, 9:52 p.m. - ...interviewed Rocko from Rocko's Modern Life!
Oct. 28, 5:02 p.m. - brrr.
Oct. 29, 7:08 p.m. - If I lived in Queen Creek, would you come visit me? Please weigh in below.
Oct. 30, 11:52 a.m. - "unprincipled tubers"
Oct. 30, 8:03 p.m. - at the suns home opener!!!
November
Nov. 1, 3:26 a.m. - A wildly successful Halloween night.
Nov. 2, 7:05 p.m. - overwhelmed again. i can do this. i can do this.
Nov. 4, 12:25 a.m. - Sometimes life seems surreal.
Nov. 5, 11:50 a.m. - sprint to the finish.
Nov. 6, 10:44 a.m. - ...feels awkward when he gets a compliment.
Nov. 11, 10:56 a.m. - the winter visitors are here.
Nov. 14, 1:29 p.m. - i had forgotten what rain was like.
Nov. 17, 2:03 p.m. - dude, where's my planner?
Nov. 18, 12:40 a.m. - "방귀가 잦으면 똥 싸기 쉽다."
Nov. 18, 11:12 a.m. - c'est fini
Nov. 19, 5:22 p.m. - "tediocity"
Nov. 20, 2:10 p.m. - If you are reading this, you are the coolest person ever.
Nov. 23, 8:11 p.m. - My Christmas wish list: Greater courage, confidence and conviction. Santa, can you hook me up?
Nov. 28, 9:14 p.m. - the glove compartment isn't accurately named, and everybody knows it.
December
Dec. 3, 9:40 p.m. - my future, according to panda express: "you will be fortunate in everything you put your hands on."
Dec. 4, 11:26 a.m. - USA draws Group C for the World Cup. And will play England. Sweet. Give me liberty, or give me death!
Dec. 4, 3:42 p.m. - Sarah Palin is living evidence that brunettes can also be dumb.
Dec. 7, 10:32 a.m. - Last day of classes. Ever. :-\
Dec. 7, 7:07 p.m. - I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
Dec. 10, 9:08 p.m. - 3 (pages) down, 14 (pages) to go.
Dec. 14, 11:47 a.m. - ASU has the nerve to offer me $15 to buy back a textbook that cost me $130. What an insult.
Dec. 14, 8:14 p.m. - Hey 49ers, before you get too excited, remember this: We'll be going to the playoffs, and you won't.
Dec. 24, 4:33 p.m. - Wise men still seek Him.
Wow, that was exhausting. I'll call it a night and edit this later.
I've also been thinking a lot about my own personal year-in-review. I thought it might be cool to look over my Facebook status updates over the last year, since that basically captures how I'm feeling and what I'm doing on any particular day. So here are my 2009 Facebook posts, in their entirety:
January
Jan. 7, 12:33 a.m. - Parker Leavitt did have a happy birthday, one of the best.
Jan. 8, 9:02 p.m. - ...loves 2009.
Jan. 15, 12:02 a.m. - ...doesn't know which way is up.
Jan. 15, 11:38 p.m. - ...is weak.
Jan. 16, 11:51 p.m. - ...doesn't care if you think he's crazy.
Jan. 17, 4:04 p.m. - ...is celebrating an overtime victory over UCLA!!!
Jan. 18, 1:12 p.m. - c'mon cards!
Jan. 18, 4:28 p.m. - we're goin to the superbowl!!!! the arizona cardinals are going to the superbowl!!!!!
Jan. 24, 1:02 a.m. - stranded and its michael crow's fault
Jan. 26, 8:52 p.m. - ...is driving. yes, right now.
Jan. 29, 10:02 a.m. - ...is going up to Utah!
Jan. 29, 11:29 p.m. - ...is in utah and really happy!
Jan. 30, 11:42 p.m. - ...had the greatest day.
February
Feb. 3, 12:28 p.m. - ...is restless.
Feb. 7, 8:29 p.m. - ...wants to live in Tucson, Portland or Phoenix, according to findyourspot.com.
Feb. 15, 10:59 p.m. - ...feels so good.
Feb. 19, 12:14 a.m. - ...is pensive.
Feb. 22, 12:38 p.m. - ...go suns!!!
Feb. 28, 5:09 p.m. - ...hates washington schools.
March
March 1, 12:51 p.m. - ...is going to work diligently this week.
March 3, 12:12 p.m. - ...is passive-aggressive. I admit it.
March 7, 6:50 p.m. - ...is at the marquee for jimmy eat world!!!
March 8, 10:11 p.m. - florida tomorrow!!!
March 9, 7:53 a.m. - ...is headed to the airport.
March 9, 11:48 a.m. - ...is in austin.
March 9, 2:58 p.m. - ...is in florida for the week yeah!
March 13, 10:29 p.m. - I'm home.
March 15, 7:07 p.m. - Well, spring break is just about over. What a roller coaster.
March 16, 6:56 p.m. - time wont let me go.
March 17, 10:34 a.m. - Everything in life can be explained in baseball terms.
March 20, 12:00 p.m. - the tournament is about basketball, not who you have in your final four.
March 20, 12:53 p.m. - go devils!
March 22, 9:53 p.m. - ...had a really good day today.
March 23, 9:45 a.m. - ...is going to have another good day today.
March 24, 9:59 a.m. - ...is conqueror.
March 26, 7:00 p.m. - ...is lucky to have a great mom.
March 27, 4:33 p.m. - ...is going to the tempe festival of the arts.
March 27, 7:47 p.m. - The world is a beautiful place.
March 29, 7:41 p.m. - "You must BE the change you wish to see in the world." -Ghandi
April
April 2, 2:28 a.m. - The human condition is absurd.
April 4, 3:51 a.m. - ...is enjoying life so much.
April 4, 9:28 p.m. - sometimes the stars don't align.
April 6, 1:46 p.m. - go dbacks! here's to another winning season!
April 7, 10:57 a.m. - on my way to meet with the dean. why does that sound so terrifying?
April 7, 7:07 p.m. - i'm going to throw caution to the wind. again. i just need to man up.
April 9, 5:36 p.m. - i am, for lack of a better word, a scaredycat. time to change.
April 10, 7:37 p.m. - ...is at the dbacks game.
April 16, 1:00 p.m. - ...forgot to set my alarm and missed class. oops!
April 16, 11:12 p.m. - "try optimism"
April 17, 12:39 p.m. - hakuna matata
April 18, 6:38 a.m. - ...is off to the races: pat's run!
April 18, 10:04 a.m. - ...ran!
April 20, 8:30 p.m. - at the dbacks game, not in class.
April 21, 1:02 p.m. - ...is a fan of blue skies and sunshine.
April 23, 1:37 p.m. - doin' some homework in the computer commons, feelin' happy.
April 24, 1:21 p.m. - I miss Korea. I miss all the great people I met there.
April 29, 12:18 a.m. - i love AZ
May
May 1, 12:02 p.m. - Happy May Day!!!!
May 7, 4:17 a.m. - enjoy every moment, because when it's over, it's over.
May 8, 8:45 p.m. - life is the greatest reality show of all
May 9, 9:14 p.m. - anybody looking for the coolest roommate ever (me)?
May 12, 2:29 a.m. - one essay done ... i'll do the other in the morning. i'm procrastinating my procrastination. but i know it'll all turn out alright.
May 12, 3:39 p.m. - ...is missing something ... or someone ... or several someones
May 13, 3:34 p.m. - off to see the president. and to congratulate lauren on her graduation!
May 15, 2:00 a.m. - ...is in huntington beach ... disneyland tomorrow!
May 17, 9:54 p.m. - ...just felt an earthquake in california! so crazy!
May 18, 10:31 a.m. - ...survived the quake.
May 22, 2:15 p.m. - woohoo my laptop works again!
May 22, 9:38 p.m. - where lebron james happens.
May 27, 5:59 p.m. - ...just said goodbye to some amazing coworkers ... good thing i'll see them again in a week and a half!
June
June 1, 11:05 p.m. - ...is in california again :-)
June 3, 12:24 p.m. - ...is in koreatown, garden grove, CA and loving it! they have a tous les jours bakery here! also bought some ddoek :-)
June 4, 1:40 p.m. - ...is moving to Tempe this week!
June 4, 7:18 p.m. - booo wet 'n' wild phoenix waterpark opening date has been pushed back to "late" june ... :(
June 5, 8:19 p.m. - ...now lives in Tempe.
June 8, 9:18 a.m. - ...is starting the new job today.
June 8, 6:41 p.m. - day one as a business reporter was a success. i am happy.
June 12, 12:09 a.m. - I'm tired.
June 23, 11:28 p.m. - ...is happy-go-lucky.
June 24, 4:16 p.m. - Working on a story about tourism in Mexico ... anyone planning a trip south of the border in the next few weeks?
June 24, 5:44 p.m. - All I want for Christmas is more Twitter followers ... www.twitter.com/PSLeavitt.
June 28, 12:43 a.m. - Things are looking "Up"
June 28, 2:30 p.m. - A little heartbroken but proud of our team.
June 30, 9:21 a.m. - we're off to see the wizard.
July
July 1, 12:56 p.m. - Anyone going to Mexico or thinking of going this summer? If so, please let me know ... I need to talk to you.
July 1, 5:30 p.m. - WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WET 'N' WILD IS NOW OPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 3, 1:05 a.m. - ice age three is the worst movie ever created. hands down.
July 3, 5:10 p.m. - global swarming.
July 6, 10:26 p.m. - "If I had a chance for another try, I wouldn’t change a thing. It's made me all of who I am inside."
July 7, 7:10 p.m. - "Everyday I wake, I tell myself a little harmless lie: The whole wide world is mine."
July 8, 11:12 p.m. - ...has never seen "Walk the Line."
July 9, 1:09 p.m. - today is an incredibly sad day (layoffs at work)
July 9, 1:26 p.m. - sometimes bad things happen to good people. what's amazing is that those same good people bare their burdens so gracefully, even though they don't deserve them and have every right to be angry. that's part of what makes them good people.
July 10, 7:19 p.m. - If you are reading this right now, go follow me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/PSLeavitt
July 11, 9:42 a.m. - when is it just coincidence, and when is it meant to be?
July 13, 8:30 p.m. - 용기 좀 내자.
July 13, 11:56 p.m. - sometimes it's not what you expect and it's not what you want but it's right nonetheless.
July 16, 9:46 a.m. - feels exceptionally energetic today.
July 16, 1:55 p.m - my pen is a pistola.
July 18, 6:32 p.m - it is so unbelievably hot outside.
July 21, 5:54 a.m. - earth-rending thunder and lightning.
July 23, 9:12 a.m. - good morning.
July 25, 10:25 p.m. - ...misses a lot of his friends.
August
Aug. 3, 12:15 a.m. - ...finally walked the line.
Aug. 4, 6:18 p.m. - ...really loves his job
Aug. 7, 8:18 a.m. - fun friday is alive and well.
Aug. 7, 8:46 p.m. - it's all good? nah, it's all great.
Aug. 8, 10:33 a.m. - let me just say this: i heart facebook
Aug. 9, 12:22 a.m. - i don't know what to do about this.
Aug. 11, 12:35 a.m. - there are at least five pulliams online right now.
Aug. 12, 12:08 p.m. - In honor of BAH, I'm eating Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
Aug. 13, 11:49 a.m. - ...just realized the state fair opens in only two months! Hard to explain why I love it so much, but I do!
Aug. 14, 12:57 p.m. - Last day as a biz reporter. Bittersweet. I'll miss it, but I'm also excited about the future.
Aug. 25, 8:28 a.m. - hi ho, hi ho.
Aug. 25, 9:09 a.m. - my attempt to go to work early failed due to being locked out of the building.
Aug. 26, 12:09 a.m. - ...interviewed the mayor of Mesa and five-time UFC champion Tito Ortiz today.
Aug. 27, 11:08 a.m. - R.I.P. sammy, the world's most ostentatious cat.
Aug. 27, 1:51 p.m. - ...thinks it's funny how many august birthdays there are, nine months after christmas and new years.
Aug. 29, 3:13 p.m. - according to weather.com it's 110° but "feels like" 103°. yeah right, tell that to those of us outside waiting for the light rail!
Aug. 31, 1:04 p.m. - dear fellow students, reading the syllabus will greatly reduce the number of stupid questions you ask in class.
September
Sep. 1, 10:37 a.m. - anyone live in tempe and excited about the new Western Canal trail for running and/or biking? contact me please!
Sep. 2, 12:37 a.m. - homework (>, <, =) sleep? Sep. 2, 1:12 a.m. - sleep > homework
Sep. 2, 9:10 p.m. - another late night in the newsroom. good thing i enjoy this.
Sep. 3, 1:13 p.m. - there are too many country songs on my ipod.
Sep. 4, 10:19 a.m. - off to Durango!
Sep. 8, 8:03 a.m. - it was a tossing & turning type of night. not much sleep.
Sep. 8, 2:30 p.m. - too much on my plate, and i'm not talking about lunch (which i haven't eaten yet).
Sep. 9, 9:49 a.m. - If life were a restaurant, it'd be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Dig in!
Sep. 10, 1:30 a.m. - It's amazing how quickly things can change.
Sep. 12, 7:34 p.m. - ...doesn't like the heat so much but loves arizona sunsets.
Sep. 13, 4:59 p.m. - ...went house shopping today. So much better than any other type of shopping.
Sep. 15, 11:23 p.m. - ...feels defeated and needs a hug.
Sep. 16, 10:16 a.m. - ...is on the mend.
Sep. 16, 7:41 p.m. - I get knocked down, but I get up again.
Sep. 17, 9:39 a.m. - if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Sep. 18, 2:56 p.m. - i feel good, duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh, i knew that i would.
Sep. 19, 1:31 a.m. - california dreamin'
Sep. 19, 9:58 a.m. to 10:04 p.m. - 17 posts documenting a trip to Disneyland.
Sep. 21, 1:10 a.m. - so sunburned.
Sep. 21, 9:51 p.m. - most definitely the best episode of House ever!
Sep. 22, 6:57 p.m. - does facebook chat EVER work?
Sep. 23 9:49 p.m. - my life would be (better, worse, the same) without facebook?
Sep. 24, 2:40 p.m. - you've gotta spend some time, love, you've gotta spend some time, with me.
Sep. 25, 6:09 p.m. - ...can't wait for college football tomorrow. Fork 'em, Devils!
Sep. 25, 11:47 p.m. - turkmenistan is a lucky country.
Sep. 26, 11:41 a.m. - happiness is only real when shared
Sep. 26, 8:35 p.m. - good game devils. you didn't win, but you made me proud.
Sep. 28, 11:52 a.m. - ...has good intentions.
Sep. 28, 9:53 p.m. - ...is renewed.
Sep. 29, 12:52 p.m. - ...loves attention.
October
Oct. 1, 8:47 p.m. - current temperature is 79°. feels so good
Oct. 3, 3:08 p.m. - college football teams i always love to see lose: michigan, arizona, any sec team, usc, oregon. but mainly michigan and arizona.
Oct. 3, 9:52 p.m. - Do cops really need Segeways?
Oct. 5, 11:36 p.m. - My roommate just laughed maniacally.
Oct. 7, 10:27 p.m. - "For now we are young; let us lay in the sun and count every beautiful thing we can see."
Oct. 8, 11:53 p.m. - ...loved Zombieland. Loved it.
Oct. 11, 11:17 p.m. - Life should be a little more like Hollywood.
Oct. 14, 12:50 a.m. - ...loves the sound of a freight train passing by his window. Somehow, it just makes me happy. :)
Oct. 14, 2:29 a.m. - ...wants to go mini-golfing. Right now.
Oct. 19, 9:52 p.m. - ...interviewed Rocko from Rocko's Modern Life!
Oct. 28, 5:02 p.m. - brrr.
Oct. 29, 7:08 p.m. - If I lived in Queen Creek, would you come visit me? Please weigh in below.
Oct. 30, 11:52 a.m. - "unprincipled tubers"
Oct. 30, 8:03 p.m. - at the suns home opener!!!
November
Nov. 1, 3:26 a.m. - A wildly successful Halloween night.
Nov. 2, 7:05 p.m. - overwhelmed again. i can do this. i can do this.
Nov. 4, 12:25 a.m. - Sometimes life seems surreal.
Nov. 5, 11:50 a.m. - sprint to the finish.
Nov. 6, 10:44 a.m. - ...feels awkward when he gets a compliment.
Nov. 11, 10:56 a.m. - the winter visitors are here.
Nov. 14, 1:29 p.m. - i had forgotten what rain was like.
Nov. 17, 2:03 p.m. - dude, where's my planner?
Nov. 18, 12:40 a.m. - "방귀가 잦으면 똥 싸기 쉽다."
Nov. 18, 11:12 a.m. - c'est fini
Nov. 19, 5:22 p.m. - "tediocity"
Nov. 20, 2:10 p.m. - If you are reading this, you are the coolest person ever.
Nov. 23, 8:11 p.m. - My Christmas wish list: Greater courage, confidence and conviction. Santa, can you hook me up?
Nov. 28, 9:14 p.m. - the glove compartment isn't accurately named, and everybody knows it.
December
Dec. 3, 9:40 p.m. - my future, according to panda express: "you will be fortunate in everything you put your hands on."
Dec. 4, 11:26 a.m. - USA draws Group C for the World Cup. And will play England. Sweet. Give me liberty, or give me death!
Dec. 4, 3:42 p.m. - Sarah Palin is living evidence that brunettes can also be dumb.
Dec. 7, 10:32 a.m. - Last day of classes. Ever. :-\
Dec. 7, 7:07 p.m. - I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.
Dec. 10, 9:08 p.m. - 3 (pages) down, 14 (pages) to go.
Dec. 14, 11:47 a.m. - ASU has the nerve to offer me $15 to buy back a textbook that cost me $130. What an insult.
Dec. 14, 8:14 p.m. - Hey 49ers, before you get too excited, remember this: We'll be going to the playoffs, and you won't.
Dec. 24, 4:33 p.m. - Wise men still seek Him.
Wow, that was exhausting. I'll call it a night and edit this later.
This is my November
A few nights ago, I realized that for each of the last six Novembers, I've lived in a different city. Six cities in six Novembers. And it is a near certainty that next November, that number will rise to seven. Here's the breakdown:
November 2004: Mesa, AZ
November 2005: Cheongju, South Korea
November 2006: Gwangju, South Korea
November 2007: Scottsdale, AZ
November 2008: Phoenix, AZ
November 2009: Tempe, AZ
November 2010: ???
Maybe someday (soon) I'll find some stability.
November 2004: Mesa, AZ
November 2005: Cheongju, South Korea
November 2006: Gwangju, South Korea
November 2007: Scottsdale, AZ
November 2008: Phoenix, AZ
November 2009: Tempe, AZ
November 2010: ???
Maybe someday (soon) I'll find some stability.
View from the sideline
I had the opportunity on Saturday to take photos of the ASU - Cal football game from the sideline, for my photojournalism class. It was amazing how different the experience, especially the atmosphere, is when you're on the field. The crowd is loud, yet you can still hear the hecklers ("You're ****ing terrible, ref!" Or, "Hey, Sullivan, you suck!"). And by the end of the game, I was exhausted from running up and down the sideline competing with other photographers for prime real estate.
I took about 300 photos, about 50 of which are acceptable, and about 20, in my opinion, are pretty good. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure:
The ASU band during pre-game festivities.
Coach Dennis Erickson and the Sun Devils jog onto the field before the game.
.
California quarterback Kevin Riley takes a snap during the first quarter.
ASU quarterback Danny Sullivan throws a pass during the first quarter. He missed the receiver.
California running back Javid Best is tackled by the Sun Devil defense after picking up a first down.
I don't remember who this is, and I'm too tired to look it up right now.
ASU quarterback Samson Szakacsy throws his first career pass - for a touchdown.
Movie review: 'Paranormal Activity'
Friends had told me, "It's the scariest movie I've ever seen."
My sister Haley had said it's "INSANELY scary. You won't sleep the night you see it, guaranteed."
My sister Katie and her husband Clark refused to go see it with me, because, based on what they had heard, it would be too scary for them to handle.
Well, let me play the part of "mythbuster."
'Paranormal Activity' is creepy, intense, and unnerving. But it's definitely not the scariest movie I've seen, and I don't see that many scary movies.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It did spook me somewhat, and I was into it the entire time. And there were a few scenes that made me put my hand over my mouth in fright.
Not to mention, I didn't eat any of my candy.
But the movie was a bit of a letdown, perhaps because my expectations were too high. The plot is too formulaic and predictable.
The main characters, a couple who are "engaged to be engaged," the boyfriend quips, have been hearing strange noises and want to find the cause. The boyfriend buys a nice video camera, and they set it up every night to document what happens.
It starts slowly, with a few creaks here and there. Each night, it gets progressively worse. This is the predictable part.
Now, I don't want to spoil it, so that's all I'll say about the story.
The movie's best feature is definitely the ending. It felt like a punch in the gut and made me feel a bit sick.
Still, I think I'll sleep just fine tonight.
My sister Haley had said it's "INSANELY scary. You won't sleep the night you see it, guaranteed."
My sister Katie and her husband Clark refused to go see it with me, because, based on what they had heard, it would be too scary for them to handle.
Well, let me play the part of "mythbuster."
'Paranormal Activity' is creepy, intense, and unnerving. But it's definitely not the scariest movie I've seen, and I don't see that many scary movies.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It did spook me somewhat, and I was into it the entire time. And there were a few scenes that made me put my hand over my mouth in fright.
Not to mention, I didn't eat any of my candy.
But the movie was a bit of a letdown, perhaps because my expectations were too high. The plot is too formulaic and predictable.
The main characters, a couple who are "engaged to be engaged," the boyfriend quips, have been hearing strange noises and want to find the cause. The boyfriend buys a nice video camera, and they set it up every night to document what happens.
It starts slowly, with a few creaks here and there. Each night, it gets progressively worse. This is the predictable part.
Now, I don't want to spoil it, so that's all I'll say about the story.
The movie's best feature is definitely the ending. It felt like a punch in the gut and made me feel a bit sick.
Still, I think I'll sleep just fine tonight.
A living formula
If I were to express myself in an equation, I think it would look something like this:
Parker Leavitt = (3x² + 5y³) + (z+t)/e + E^db
Where ...
x = inherited paternal genes,
y = inherited maternal genes,
z = influences from friends and peers,
e = personal experience,
t = education and instruction from teachers and other authority figures,
d = past decisions and their consequences,
E = environment, AND
b = my belief system
Now, that is not, of course, an entirely accurate or comprehensive representation of everything that has made me who I am today. But it's a start.
Do I have a point to all this? I think so.
I was thinking recently: Is it possible that all of one's behavior, choices, opinions and perspective are a direct result of an equation like the one I listed above?
An input is made when something, anything happens. The event is processed through the equation, and the output is the person's reaction.
What do you think? Could a person, theoretically speaking, be reduced to a formula, albeit one much more complex than mine listed above?
Parker Leavitt = (3x² + 5y³) + (z+t)/e + E^db
Where ...
x = inherited paternal genes,
y = inherited maternal genes,
z = influences from friends and peers,
e = personal experience,
t = education and instruction from teachers and other authority figures,
d = past decisions and their consequences,
E = environment, AND
b = my belief system
Now, that is not, of course, an entirely accurate or comprehensive representation of everything that has made me who I am today. But it's a start.
Do I have a point to all this? I think so.
I was thinking recently: Is it possible that all of one's behavior, choices, opinions and perspective are a direct result of an equation like the one I listed above?
An input is made when something, anything happens. The event is processed through the equation, and the output is the person's reaction.
What do you think? Could a person, theoretically speaking, be reduced to a formula, albeit one much more complex than mine listed above?
I am what I am
My roommate, Travis, suggested I take this personality test.
Here are the results:
Your Existing Situation
"Is not making any progress, but unwilling to put any further effort into the situation. Seeking more comfortable conditions where very little is required of him."
Your Stress Sources
Feeling empty and isolated from others and trying to bridge the gap between himself and others.
Wants to live life to the fullest and experience as much as possible. He cannot stand any restrictions or obstacles put in his way and only longs to be free.
Your Restrained Characteristics
Emotionally distant even from those closest to him.
Current situations force him into compromise and placing his own hopes and desires on hold for the time being.
"Insists his hopes and ideas are realistic and achievable, but needs encouragement and support. His self-centeredness can cause him to take things too personally."
Your Desired Objective
Willing to put aside his own ambitions and goals in order to gain the comfort and security he craves and live a low-key life.
Your Actual Problem
"Fights resistance or limitations, and insists he is free to develop in his own way. Rewarded by accomplishing things on his own, with little to no help from others."
Your Actual Problem #2
Is afraid he will be held back from obtaining the things he wants leading him to act out with a hectic intensity.
Not sure how I feel about all of this...
11 reasons I love Arizona
- Blue skies, all the time - In Arizona, it never rains on anyone's parade!
- Gorgeous sunsets - Nature's light show, every evening.
- Winter weather - In January, the average high temperature in Minneapolis is 22 degrees.
- Monsoon storms - Fierce displays of lightning and giant dust clouds. Fear it.
- Mexican food - We outdo even Mexico in this category.
- 22 In-N-Out locations - The best fast food, and Arizona is one of only four states privileged enough to enjoy it.
- Professional sports - Sure, we only have one championship between all four teams, but at least we get to watch good teams when they come here to play us.
- Squaw Peak - Good hike.
- Camelback Mountain - Another good hike.
- First Fridays - Bizarre, eclectic mix of people and art. It works. Really well.
- Light rail - Twenty miles of track, unlimited destinations. Actually, the "unlimited" part isn't really true, but we do have: Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, Mill Avenue, Tempe Towne Lake, Chase Field and other nice places to visit, just a train ride away.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
I've started reading 5 Minds for the Future, by Howard Gardner, a Harvard professor and world-renowned intellectual. In the book, he describes five essential "minds," or mental attributes, that will become increasingly valuable as society moves forward. One of these "minds" is respect.
Here's an excerpt:
"Turning to respect, whether I am (or you are) writing, researching, or managing, it is important to avoid stereotyping or caricaturing. I must try to understand other persons on their own terms, make an imaginative leap when necessary, seek to convey my trust in them, and try so far as possible to make common cause with them and to be worthy of their trust.
"This stance does not mean that I ignore my own beliefs, nor that I necessarily accept or pardon all that I encounter. (Respect does not entail a "pass" for terrorists.)
"But I am obliged to make the effort, and not merely to assume that what I had once believed on the basis of scattered impressions is necessarily true. Such humility may in turn engender positive responses in others."
I love this. I believe it. It's something that so many struggle with, but I feel it's one thing that comes naturally to me.
And I loved this part: "I must try to understand other persons on their own terms."
To respect someone does not necessarily mean you honor or revere them. It just means you see them as an equal, as a person, and not as a stereotype or caricature. And it really can make a huge difference in how you see/interact with the world around you.
Here's an excerpt:
"Turning to respect, whether I am (or you are) writing, researching, or managing, it is important to avoid stereotyping or caricaturing. I must try to understand other persons on their own terms, make an imaginative leap when necessary, seek to convey my trust in them, and try so far as possible to make common cause with them and to be worthy of their trust.
"This stance does not mean that I ignore my own beliefs, nor that I necessarily accept or pardon all that I encounter. (Respect does not entail a "pass" for terrorists.)
"But I am obliged to make the effort, and not merely to assume that what I had once believed on the basis of scattered impressions is necessarily true. Such humility may in turn engender positive responses in others."
-Howard Gardner, 5 Minds for the Future
I love this. I believe it. It's something that so many struggle with, but I feel it's one thing that comes naturally to me.
And I loved this part: "I must try to understand other persons on their own terms."
To respect someone does not necessarily mean you honor or revere them. It just means you see them as an equal, as a person, and not as a stereotype or caricature. And it really can make a huge difference in how you see/interact with the world around you.
It's a (really big) small world
Technology has certainly transformed our globe into a smaller world. The Internet has made communication instantaneous, regardless of distance. Airplanes shuttle passengers over mountains and across oceans in mere hours. Social media have created an enormous collective consciousness, where we can remain connected with distant friends and relatives. Mileage, once an enormous barrier to human relationships, is now just a number. Right?Wrong.
I'm grateful for the ability to maintain contact with great friends in Tucson, Utah, California and even Korea. But I'm frustrated by the gigantic gap, the obstacle that distance can be to a friendship/relationship.
When I think of all the people I care about, and how far across the globe they are scattered, I suddenly feel very small. Arizona, a place I love, begins to feel very isolated. I want to see these people, spend quality time with them. But I don't know how to apparate, and I can't find any floo powder.
Anyway, I don't think I've really presented much of a point in this post. I guess I'm just saying that the world, though made much smaller by advances in technology, remains an overwhelmingly enormous place.
And I think I've left pieces of myself all over it.
Riding off into the Sunset
A few days ago, I was driving on the Loop 202 SanTan freeway in Gilbert, and I was treated to this spectacular sunset.Some would say I shouldn't have taken a photo while driving. That's probably true.
But then I wouldn't have a picture of the sun setting behind South Mountain to share with you tonight.
I would have been forced to write yet another heavy, philosophical blog post. Stay the thought.
A Code of Honour
I am sometimes embarrassed by how we, as human beings, treat one another. Of course, this includes myself; I'm not trying to preach or declare myself as any kind of measuring stick for politeness. However, I am a steadfast believer in such things as chivalry, courtesy, kindness and manners.
So, tonight, I will delineate a few items I feel everyone should make a habit.
So, tonight, I will delineate a few items I feel everyone should make a habit.
- Men should not sit down while a lady has to stand. Give up your seat, be it on a bus, at school, at work, at home, anywhere. This is not old-fashioned or sexist. It is polite.
- Rule #1 also applies to the elderly. If I see another teenager keep his seat on the light rail while an elderly rider stands, clutching desperately to the rail as the train screeches to a halt, I will be inclined to forcibly remove him from his seat.
- Limit gum-chewing in public. I say "limit," because if you have really bad breath, then I think people will tolerate the gum-chewing to avoid the garlic stench from the pasta you just ate for lunch. ***As a side-note, do you public gum-chewers know that you look like cattle as you chomp away?
- Say "please," say "thank you," and mean it.
- Don't be cheap. Don't be stupid with your money -as I often am - but don't be cheap either. Tip well, give gifts (modest ones). The point here: Don't value $$$ more than people.
- Men: Respect women. Treat them well. Better than well.
- Women: Don't settle for someone who doesn't follow Rule #6.
- Give compliments. Real ones.
- Don't treat anyone as an inferior. A waiter, a cashier, a child. Recognize everyone's value. Everyone is an equal, because everyone is equally human.
- Have compassion. Be sensitive, and don't be mean-spirited.
I've recorded 10 "rules." There are certainly more, but I like even numbers. Some of these are tougher than others, but they are all doable, and they are all important.
I really believe that a little more Honour in this world would help resolve a lot of problems. At any rate, it would make us (Humanity) all feel a lot better.
My name is Who
"Know Thyself"
Self-definition, I think, is a lifelong process, rather than a destination. For me, this is a frustrating concept. It's difficult for me to know myself, and therefore know what's best for myself, when that "self" is constantly changing.
Over the course of the last month or so, I've had to make a lot of important decisions. When you're 23, it seems like every decision is colossal. I've had to make choices regarding my career, buying a home, dating, and finances. I guess when it rains, it pours.
In each of these decisions, I'd like to make the best possible choice for myself. Pick a job I can be passionate about and find a home that's nice, but within my budget. Date someone who's a good match for me.
But should I make these choices based on who I am right now, today? Because that's destined to change soon. Should I look to my past, at who I've been before? Or should I try and predict the future, and make decisions on what I'm likely to become?
It's just two words, but to "know thyself" isn't as easy as it sounds.
Self-definition, I think, is a lifelong process, rather than a destination. For me, this is a frustrating concept. It's difficult for me to know myself, and therefore know what's best for myself, when that "self" is constantly changing.
Over the course of the last month or so, I've had to make a lot of important decisions. When you're 23, it seems like every decision is colossal. I've had to make choices regarding my career, buying a home, dating, and finances. I guess when it rains, it pours.
In each of these decisions, I'd like to make the best possible choice for myself. Pick a job I can be passionate about and find a home that's nice, but within my budget. Date someone who's a good match for me.
But should I make these choices based on who I am right now, today? Because that's destined to change soon. Should I look to my past, at who I've been before? Or should I try and predict the future, and make decisions on what I'm likely to become?
It's just two words, but to "know thyself" isn't as easy as it sounds.
24
Today I ...
... began working on four of eight Gilbert business stories I currently have on the table.
... interviewed four sources and left messages for four other sources.
... met Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, most of the town council and other key town officials.
... signed a thick stack of intimidating documents for a home purchase agreement.
... tried to track down financial records to give to a loan officer in order to get a mortgage.
... took a quiz for JMC 473, The Business and Future of Journalism.
... battled a head cold.
... drank over a gallon of warm water to try and flush out the head cold.
... didn't finish my homework.
... didn't finish my work work.
... didn't write a very good blog post.
... began working on four of eight Gilbert business stories I currently have on the table.
... interviewed four sources and left messages for four other sources.
... met Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, most of the town council and other key town officials.
... signed a thick stack of intimidating documents for a home purchase agreement.
... tried to track down financial records to give to a loan officer in order to get a mortgage.
... took a quiz for JMC 473, The Business and Future of Journalism.
... battled a head cold.
... drank over a gallon of warm water to try and flush out the head cold.
... didn't finish my homework.
... didn't finish my work work.
... didn't write a very good blog post.
Quoth the Raven
"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." - Henry David Thoreau
In typical transcendentalist form, Thoreau here presents a valuable concept but leaves its interpretation to the reader.
I think Thoreau was pointing out the divinity of nature, extolling the beauty of a world that was sometimes thought of (especially by the Puritans) as crude and vulgar.
To me, this quote is a reminder to enjoy life and its simple pleasures. Sure, the sky may hold something greater and grander, but there is amazing beauty throughout the world around us.
Take nothing for granted.
Smile, and have a little fun!
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucius.
In typical transcendentalist form, Thoreau here presents a valuable concept but leaves its interpretation to the reader.I think Thoreau was pointing out the divinity of nature, extolling the beauty of a world that was sometimes thought of (especially by the Puritans) as crude and vulgar.
To me, this quote is a reminder to enjoy life and its simple pleasures. Sure, the sky may hold something greater and grander, but there is amazing beauty throughout the world around us.
Take nothing for granted.
Smile, and have a little fun!
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." - Confucius.
Labor Day in Colorado
A few photos from Labor Day weekend in Durango, Colorado:
My grandparents own some beautiful property 30 minutes east of Durango near Vallecito Lake.
The Durango & Silverton Railroad takes you through the rugged canyons of the Animas River. 
Who's driving?
There's a mystical element to life that is often difficult to grasp and nearly impossible to comprehend.
I'm not talking about ghosts or Voodoo. I'm referring to the potential "butterfly effect" of seemingly innocuous events, which can later reveal themselves as turning points and stepping stones. These "happenings" appear to some as random cosmic coincidence, and to others as predetermined fate, depending on interpretation.
If you know me well enough, you've probably heard me talk about this before. The coincidence/fate discussion is one of my favorites.
I think the choices you make end up defining you. But I'm not sure we're the ones writing the definitions.
If you examine the decisions that have brought you to your current state (from Point A to Point B), there is a good chance you had no idea what you were getting into when you were back at Point A.
In other words, most decisions are made blindly. Often, there is no way to assess the future ramifications of even trivial choices.
That's a somewhat unsettling thought. It means that ultimately, you are not in the driver's seat of your own car.
Or if you are driving, it's foggy and you can't see beyond 50 yards.
Do I have any concrete evidence to back this up? I do.
Exhibit A: choosing a university.
Do you go in state or out? Ivy League or Pac-10? Private or public?
When you decide where to go to school and what to study, it's impossible to tell where each path will lead. I picked Arizona State, but I would have loved to go to a school like UC-Berkeley. But who knows where that would have taken me? Maybe to my dream job at the Washington Post, or maybe just into debt with cumbersome student loans to pay for the $40,000/yr tuition.
Exhibit B: choosing a wife (or husband).
Ok, so I'm not married, and therefore not fully qualified to use this example. But in theory, picking a spouse is one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. And even if you find someone you think is perfect, or perfect for you, there is no telling where you'll end up. I'm not being pessimistic or negative. I'm just repeating a well known truism: Love is blind.
Exhibit C: deciding what to do tomorrow.
This is the scariest and most important example. It's something that comes at us everyday. Planning a schedule, being somewhere at a certain point in time. Go to the movies, or go to the bookstore? A seemingly harmless, insignificant choice, but, what if at the bookstore you meet your future spouse? What if at the movie theater you perform the heimlich on someone choking on popcorn? Anyone can identify these turning points, both big and small.
So what exactly is my point here?
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
You'll never be able to completely control your life. Just make the best of what you've got.
Full speed ahead.
I'm not talking about ghosts or Voodoo. I'm referring to the potential "butterfly effect" of seemingly innocuous events, which can later reveal themselves as turning points and stepping stones. These "happenings" appear to some as random cosmic coincidence, and to others as predetermined fate, depending on interpretation.
If you know me well enough, you've probably heard me talk about this before. The coincidence/fate discussion is one of my favorites.
I think the choices you make end up defining you. But I'm not sure we're the ones writing the definitions.
If you examine the decisions that have brought you to your current state (from Point A to Point B), there is a good chance you had no idea what you were getting into when you were back at Point A.
In other words, most decisions are made blindly. Often, there is no way to assess the future ramifications of even trivial choices.
That's a somewhat unsettling thought. It means that ultimately, you are not in the driver's seat of your own car.
Or if you are driving, it's foggy and you can't see beyond 50 yards.
Do I have any concrete evidence to back this up? I do.
Exhibit A: choosing a university.
Do you go in state or out? Ivy League or Pac-10? Private or public?
When you decide where to go to school and what to study, it's impossible to tell where each path will lead. I picked Arizona State, but I would have loved to go to a school like UC-Berkeley. But who knows where that would have taken me? Maybe to my dream job at the Washington Post, or maybe just into debt with cumbersome student loans to pay for the $40,000/yr tuition.
Exhibit B: choosing a wife (or husband).
Ok, so I'm not married, and therefore not fully qualified to use this example. But in theory, picking a spouse is one of the most difficult decisions a person can make. And even if you find someone you think is perfect, or perfect for you, there is no telling where you'll end up. I'm not being pessimistic or negative. I'm just repeating a well known truism: Love is blind.
Exhibit C: deciding what to do tomorrow.
This is the scariest and most important example. It's something that comes at us everyday. Planning a schedule, being somewhere at a certain point in time. Go to the movies, or go to the bookstore? A seemingly harmless, insignificant choice, but, what if at the bookstore you meet your future spouse? What if at the movie theater you perform the heimlich on someone choking on popcorn? Anyone can identify these turning points, both big and small.
So what exactly is my point here?
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
You'll never be able to completely control your life. Just make the best of what you've got.
Full speed ahead.
One chapter ends, another begins
If my life was a novel, I don't think anyone would read past the introduction.
Fortunately, this blog contains only an abridged version.
Anyway, in keeping with this "novel of life" metaphor, tomorrow will mark the end of what has been an exciting chapter in my life: a summer-long business reporting internship at The Arizona Republic.
The last ten weeks have been exhausting and stressful at times. But the experience was overwhelmingly positive and incredibly valuable. I learned a lot about reporting, about business, and about myself.
I made new friends among the other Pulliam Fellows and co-workers in the business department. Those relationships will always be very important to me.
And as this internship comes to a close, I'm struck by one thought: Nothing lasts.
But here's an equally true, more encouraging thought: When you finish one chapter, there's always another one ready to begin.
And so in less than two weeks I'll be back at the Republic, albeit on a different beat and in a different bureau. I'll be reporting news in the city of Mesa, where I grew up. And my first journalism teacher, the man who set me on my current career path, will be my editor.
The future is as good as you make it.
Fortunately, this blog contains only an abridged version.
Anyway, in keeping with this "novel of life" metaphor, tomorrow will mark the end of what has been an exciting chapter in my life: a summer-long business reporting internship at The Arizona Republic.
The last ten weeks have been exhausting and stressful at times. But the experience was overwhelmingly positive and incredibly valuable. I learned a lot about reporting, about business, and about myself.
I made new friends among the other Pulliam Fellows and co-workers in the business department. Those relationships will always be very important to me.
And as this internship comes to a close, I'm struck by one thought: Nothing lasts.
But here's an equally true, more encouraging thought: When you finish one chapter, there's always another one ready to begin.
And so in less than two weeks I'll be back at the Republic, albeit on a different beat and in a different bureau. I'll be reporting news in the city of Mesa, where I grew up. And my first journalism teacher, the man who set me on my current career path, will be my editor.
The future is as good as you make it.
Amy Wang and I shared a cubicle over the summer.
It was a cramped space, but we had a lot of fun.
A good book is worth a thousand pictures
Sorry photographers, but it's true.
So here are four books I think everyone should read:
So here are four books I think everyone should read:
- Into the Wild - by Jon Krakauer. The author recreates the true story of a disenchanted college grad who abandons everything and everyone to disappear into the wilderness and life off the land. Since you are told upfront that the protagonist dies in Alaska, there is a strong sense of melancholy and foreboding throughout the book, which makes the story even more powerful. Reading this book changed me a little bit.
- Leadership and Self-Deception - written by the Arbinger Institute. This is the most important secular book I've ever read. Every human being should read it. It's a book about interpersonal relationships in a business setting, but it can and should be applied to every aspect of one's life. The main thesis: Treat others as people, not as objects. It's a simple idea, but not so easy to practice. If I could keep just one book to read again, it would be this one.
- Ender's Game - by Orson Scott Card. A novel about a boy genius who saves the planet from aliens. It sounds childish, and it probably is. But this book isn't really for kids. There's a lot of psychology and sociology mixed in with the laser guns and star ships. I promise.
- Blink - by Malcolm Gladwell. A psychological book about cognitive processes, specifically quick thinking and gut instinct. It can be a laborious read at times, but it's an opportunity to learn and understand more about the way your mind works. Or, in some cases, the way it doesn't work.
There are so many great books out there, it's difficult to single out a few to recommend. But these four books are entertaining and enriching. You learn more about yourself and the world around you.
And it's exhilarating.
(500) Days of _______
I saw the movie (500) Days of Summer tonight. For the second time.
Probably one of my 10 favorite movies of all time.
The movie captures the dynamics of a relationship incredibly well.
The roller coaster of emotions and feelings.
The inevitable gap between Expectations and Reality.
The pressure.
The obsession.
The joy and disappointment.
And finally, the nervous uncertainty.
The movie makes you laugh throughout, but I think you're mainly laughing at yourself. At least I was. Because "love," or what you may think is love at the time, can make you act silly.
And when the roller coaster ride is over, you feel sick, like you could never ride again. But how quickly do we get back in line?
(500) Days of ______.
Probably one of my 10 favorite movies of all time.
The movie captures the dynamics of a relationship incredibly well.
The roller coaster of emotions and feelings.
The inevitable gap between Expectations and Reality.
The pressure.
The obsession.
The joy and disappointment.
And finally, the nervous uncertainty.
The movie makes you laugh throughout, but I think you're mainly laughing at yourself. At least I was. Because "love," or what you may think is love at the time, can make you act silly.
And when the roller coaster ride is over, you feel sick, like you could never ride again. But how quickly do we get back in line?
(500) Days of ______.
Who you're with
Tonight's wise words come from an unexpected but surprisingly consistent source of inspiration: Dave Matthews.
"Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters."
More great lyrics from the same song:
"And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing, you may find you're missing all the rest."
Source: "Best of What's Around" by Dave Matthews Band.
"Turns out not where but who you're with that really matters."
More great lyrics from the same song:
"And if you hold on tight to what you think is your thing, you may find you're missing all the rest."
Source: "Best of What's Around" by Dave Matthews Band.
Quoth the raven
It's almost noon on a beautiful Sunday morning. It's already been a great day.
I just want to share one of my favorite quotes for today's entry:
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
Let's all strive to be excellent.
I just want to share one of my favorite quotes for today's entry:
"Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible."
Let's all strive to be excellent.
I'm floating on thin air
Someone recently asked me, "Parker, why are you so happy all the time?"
Before I dive into some sort of abbreviated answer, let me preface this with a disclaimer:
That said, I am a generally very happy person. There isn't much that can keep my spirits down for very long.
So, I'd like to share a few thoughts on what makes - and keeps - me happy.
Before I dive into some sort of abbreviated answer, let me preface this with a disclaimer:
I, of course, am not perfectly happy 100 percent of the time.
AND
I don't have solutions for all the world's problems; I'm still trying to find solutions for my own problems.
That said, I am a generally very happy person. There isn't much that can keep my spirits down for very long.
So, I'd like to share a few thoughts on what makes - and keeps - me happy.
- Positive thinking - This is a choice. It's a decision to cultivate a good attitude and maintain a healthy dose of optimism. And if you're thinking, "Well, I'm just a naturally pessimistic person," then that's where you're losing the battle. There is both good and bad in this world. You shouldn't block out either one, but you can make a choice to focus on the good.
- Passion - Laugh hard. Love everyone. Try new things, and savor the experience. Enjoy life for what it is, and enjoy it passionately.
- See people, not objects - A human being is not an island. He/she is Switzerland: landlocked and surrounded by diverse cultures and tongues. When you go to a restaurant, treat the server like a person, not just a waiter. Apply this concept to everyone you meet. Suddenly the world will feel more like a vibrant ocean teeming with diverse aquatic life, rather than a 2-gallon fishbowl.
I believe there are more keys to happiness, but these three are some of the most important.
And the best news is this: Each of these concepts can be readily applied by anyone. They are elements of life solely under your control. You cannot always choose how much money to make, how many friends to have, or what kind of house to live in. But you can control your attitude.
2nd write-thru
Let it come to you.
That's what a friend said when I told him I had no idea what to blog about tonight.
Hey Alex, guess what? It didn't come to me.
Perhaps exhaustion is to blame. I went into the newsroom just before 8 this morning so I could finish writing this story by lunchtime.
Then, after downing a meaty crab cake at Sam's Cafe, I started working on yet another "Cash for Clunkers" follow-up. I think the story will actually be pretty interesting, but I don't want to tip my hand by giving any details here.
About 20 phone calls later, I logged off and called it a day.
I believe the correct procedure now is to rinse and repeat.
That's what a friend said when I told him I had no idea what to blog about tonight.
Hey Alex, guess what? It didn't come to me.
Perhaps exhaustion is to blame. I went into the newsroom just before 8 this morning so I could finish writing this story by lunchtime.
Then, after downing a meaty crab cake at Sam's Cafe, I started working on yet another "Cash for Clunkers" follow-up. I think the story will actually be pretty interesting, but I don't want to tip my hand by giving any details here.
About 20 phone calls later, I logged off and called it a day.
I believe the correct procedure now is to rinse and repeat.
It's a reporter's life
I love my job.
When I tell that to co-workers, they roll their eyes.
When I say it to friends, they smile, nod, and then change the subject.
When I tell my parents, they ask if I really think I can support myself on a reporter's salary.
It seems counter-intuitive, I know. Newspapers are dying, people say. Thousands of reporters and editors are losing their jobs. Journalists are fleeing the "outdated" print media to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
And I actually enjoy this?
Yes. In fact, I love it.
I don't subscribe to the same negative thinking that plagues many in my industry. To quote one of my favorite bands, Chevelle, "This type of thinking could do us in."
In the newsroom, I've been told to "go to law school," "find a nice, cushy job in PR," or "stay in school as long as you can."
There is a galaxy-size void of optimism. Cynicism is much more chic.
But I won't buy into it.
The print medium allows a journalist to delve deeper into a story and provide better, more thorough information to the reader. Granted, A 20-inch story can't say everything, but it certainly beats a 30-second sound byte.
A newspaper provides a lasting, concrete product. It's a tangible record. It can be pasted into a scrapbook, posted to a refrigerator and yes, it will even line your birdcage.
But I digress. This isn't a post about the state of the newspaper industry. It's about me, me, me, and how much fun it is to be a part of all this.
Who else gets paid to call CEOs, mayors, legislators and other bombastic puffballs and ask blunt, sometimes awkward-silence-inducing questions?
Who else gets to go to work each day and do something entirely different than the day before?
Finally - and this is the particularly narcissistic part - who else can google their name and be the subject of approximately 4,000 search results?
Being a reporter is fun. I wish more reporters would remember that.
When I tell that to co-workers, they roll their eyes.
When I say it to friends, they smile, nod, and then change the subject.
When I tell my parents, they ask if I really think I can support myself on a reporter's salary.
It seems counter-intuitive, I know. Newspapers are dying, people say. Thousands of reporters and editors are losing their jobs. Journalists are fleeing the "outdated" print media to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
And I actually enjoy this?
Yes. In fact, I love it.
I don't subscribe to the same negative thinking that plagues many in my industry. To quote one of my favorite bands, Chevelle, "This type of thinking could do us in."
In the newsroom, I've been told to "go to law school," "find a nice, cushy job in PR," or "stay in school as long as you can."
There is a galaxy-size void of optimism. Cynicism is much more chic.
But I won't buy into it.
The print medium allows a journalist to delve deeper into a story and provide better, more thorough information to the reader. Granted, A 20-inch story can't say everything, but it certainly beats a 30-second sound byte.
A newspaper provides a lasting, concrete product. It's a tangible record. It can be pasted into a scrapbook, posted to a refrigerator and yes, it will even line your birdcage.
But I digress. This isn't a post about the state of the newspaper industry. It's about me, me, me, and how much fun it is to be a part of all this.
Who else gets paid to call CEOs, mayors, legislators and other bombastic puffballs and ask blunt, sometimes awkward-silence-inducing questions?
Who else gets to go to work each day and do something entirely different than the day before?
Finally - and this is the particularly narcissistic part - who else can google their name and be the subject of approximately 4,000 search results?
Being a reporter is fun. I wish more reporters would remember that.
Posts
