Analects of Blue

Hauntings of a Past Life

2006-11-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

I used to be a real boy;I used to think real thoughts and dream real dreams.Then one by one I handed up my strings.Now all that's left is a silly puppet, tossed to and fro,by the whim of him who has no soul.Why did I do it? Why did I ever let him grab ahold?Well, it all seemed like such fun, you know.At first we laughed, we played, we giggled.Then we kissed, and thouched and snuggled.At last we

Frustration

2006-10-10T23:34:00.000-07:00

There are only two things in life that bring out my competetive spirit enough to frustrate to the point of profanity:Love, and board games.

Lessons Learned

2006-09-25T23:52:00.000-07:00

Things I learned tonight:1. Don't eat grilled cheese sandwiches2. Don't eat tater tots.3. Don't eat turtle pie.4. If you do eat any of the above, don't eat them all at the same meal.5. If you do eat them all in the same meal, don't run immediately afterwards.6. If you're going to run immediately after eating such a meal, don't try following someone that is twice as fast as you.7. Speed bumps are

Blank Slate

2006-09-24T22:01:00.000-07:00

My eyes open slowly as the dusty sunlight creeps through my bedroom curtains.The warmth of the rising sun snuggles with me as I come into conciousness.My life is clear and fresh and new.What shall I make of it?Shall I get out of bed?Shall I roll over and call in sick, and go to the movies?Shall I find a new job?Shall I find a wife?Shall I write a song, and become a rock star?Shall I write a

A Perks Moment

2006-06-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I had to get a haircut. I was in Ogden, and stopped at the first cheap place I saw. It just happened to be a beauty parlor (what was I thinking?). The group of women there were extremely friendly, and got right to cutting my hair.The beautician and I had the regular conversation, "Where are you from?" "How long have you worked here?" "Any plans for this weekend?" "Oh, the Army!

One of My Favorites

2006-05-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

One bright day in the middle of the night two dead boys got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other. A deaf policeman heard the noise and went and shot those two dead boys. Now if you don't believe this lie is true ask the blind man, he saw it too. (I think I memorized that in second grade.)

Smurf's Bathroom

2006-05-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

So I was standing in the same bathroom that I complained about several times already when a thought hit me (well, more like snuck up behind me and tapped me gently on the shoulder), "This bathroom is just like Smurfs old bathroom, only cleaner."

Lethal Injection, Firing Squad, Staphylococcus Aureus?

2006-05-19T14:59:00.000-07:00

Choosing which showering stall to use is rather akin to choosing which form of capital punishment I prefer. Does it really make any difference? The result is the same - death. Or in the case of the shower stall - a nasty disease. I swear, all of those shots that the military so famously administers are NOT to prntect us from local nationals of the exotic locales we visit, but to keep us from a

Due to some technical issues (which have hopefully now been resolved) I missed another episode of 24 (I hope one of you recorded it). What happened?

2006-05-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Coolest Game Ever

2006-05-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Imagine playing laser tag or paintball with several hundred people on your team, your opponents are intermingled with 2500 actors living in villages throughout a play area that covers thousands of acres of forests and swamps, you use real rifles (with laser adaptors), there are tanks, apache helicopters, simulated bombs, and hospitals and warehouses that you put up yourselves (even "rehab" hot

Life is Beautiful... Or at Least I Am

2006-05-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

With the sweltering heat of the day and the freezingcold of the night, and the hail storm and the tornado,and the mosquito infested swamps and the blood suckingofficers, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself theother night. I started wishing that I were somewhere,or even someone else. Then I saw myself in the mirror.Wow! Im gorgeous! Why on earth would I want to besomeone else?The good Lord sure

A Typical Day

2006-05-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

Today I checked weapons out to soldiers, dug trenches, and prepared our tent for a tornado that never quite made it this far east. The rain was a nice respite from the heat. The outhouses are like little sweat boxes, I swear I lose a liter of water before I even sit down.

Gross!

2006-05-09T21:36:00.000-07:00

Seriously, nothing keeps me straighter in life than having to share a dirty, nasty, disease infested toilet and shower point with hundreds of filthy, sweaty, jock itching men. It's so gross!

Stupid Phone

2006-05-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

I just typed a big long message, but my stupid phone deleted it. So, to summarize: it's hot and humid as hell down here, I filled sandbags today. I issued rifles to people and now I'm going to bed so that I can be up at 0530. What happened on 24? How do you spell sup(p)ress?

Being a Soldier is Cool!

2006-05-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

I missed my flight this morning. Now the whole group is sitting in Dallas waiting for me. It's a good thing people like me. Otherwise I'd be in big trouble. Speaking of people liking me, I forgot how much people love soldiers. Random people stop to tell me how much they appreciate my service. It makes me feel good to remember what I'm doing this for. It.s fantastic!

Orange, Blue, and Pink

2006-04-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

photo and poem by blueshortsThe sky is orange blue and pinkThe air is crisp and coldI run and thinkA silvery moon begins to sinkThe morning sun is not yet boldThe sky is orange blue and pinkMy eyes still blurry, begin to blinkMy mind awaking to a day still untoldI run and thinkBig brown oaks begin to creakAs I move swiftly up and down the dark green noldThe sky is orange blue and pinkAlthough as

A Practice Villanelle

2006-04-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

by blueshortsThis is only a practice poem that someone asked me to write.With this I'm hoping to show himthat I can create and flow them. With this, my first villanelle is now in flight.This is only a practice poem.It probably lacks the frills and trim of the more practiced poet in all his might.With this I'm hoping to show him.My skill with words seems pretty slim; There's no rhyming

New Healthier Pigs

2006-04-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's just me, but I can't stop laughing.Monday, April 17, 2006 New Healthier Pigs Scientists have cloned pigs that are engineered to contain omega-3 fatty acids, which produce healthier pork. What do you think? Mary Keller, Librarian "Can't they put some of that omega stuff in cigarettes?" Chet Bannister, Pig Wrestler "I

Beaver Overthinking Dam

2006-04-21T02:01:00.000-07:00

The beaver and his dam .I found it rather amusing, at 3 a.m. It reminds me a lot of me. I'm working on more doing, and less thinking.

A Display of Public Expression at BYU

2006-04-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

So, Soulforce made their way to BYU this week. It was probably the most controversial thing to happen on campus since women were aloud to wear pants. There were more security and admin people than I have ever seen for an event on Brigham Square.The first day they came on campus and just talked to students one-on-one. As per BYU policy, they were not allowed to make speeches or hand out literature

It's about time...

2006-04-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

So it only took me three months, but I finally got our roadtrip photos online.To browse the photos individually go to my website, justinabbott.us, and go to "Family and Friends" and scroll down.Or go here to watch a 9 minute slide show summary of the entire trip.

The Frost Begins to Thaw

2006-04-03T22:18:00.000-07:00

The golden sun warms the earthThe babbling brook harmonizes with the busy chirping of the birdsThe children laugh with glee as they swing and slide and singSpring comes and thaws the earthAnd brings animation to once motionless thingsMy nephew runs up and down the river, trying to catch a fishHe catches noneBut the joy is not lessenedI am happy and I smileAnd life, with all of its dear memories,

I'm starting to scare myself

2006-03-30T16:02:00.001-07:00

It was raining, the cars were too busy going to and fro to realize that I (on my bicycle) needed to get into traffic. I stopped by the side of the road. I just stood there. Crying. I'm sure no one saw me, they were all too busy driving by. Behind me was a park. A big, open, green space. I wondered to myself how long it would take my body to freeze to death if I just laid in the grass. I wonder if

Thank You

2006-03-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

(I couldn't find any glow-in-the-dark white stck figures)"And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away. You're better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell."-Jesus (Matthew 18, The Message)Thank you for saying what had to be said dear friend. Now we can both do what has to be done.

Why does anybody do anything?

2006-03-23T01:48:00.000-07:00

Chaos, © Elsa Dax - Les Chemins de l'Image - 1999, "Why does anybody do anything? It's just something to do."-Jonathan, Everything is Illuminated (my newest favorite movie - you should all rent it)I've been thinking a lot about that the last few days. After hearing lots of things from the book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, from Pinetree and El Veneno I decided to read it. Pinetree was kind

ISO SWM, preferably not getting married anytime soon

2006-02-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I was awakened this morning by the pronouncement from my roommate, Wingman, that he is getting married. They've set the date to about six weeks from now, March 21. There are several reasons why this really bugs me.First, I'll have to find a new roommate (and I hate finding roommates).Second, they've only actually been seeing each other for four months, which I realize in Provo Standard

Brussel Sprouts and Birthday Cake

2006-02-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

So, my sister's children are odd. The other day we were having a little birthday party (for me, because today is my birthday, and you are all invited to my party at my house from 8 to midnight tonight). First we ate dinner; we had roast, potatoes and gravy, green salad, and brussel sprouts. Things were going well, until the end, when a fight broke out.Apparenty Zak had eaten too many of the

Not So Innocent Escapes

2006-02-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

So, I don't know how I ended up there, but this website totally cracks me up. Talk about a hunk. Check this out, http://www.brawnyman.com/innocentescapes/ .

Prone to wander, to leave the God I love

2006-01-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;Streams of mercy, never ceasing,Call for songs of loudest praise.Teach me some melodious sonnet,Sung by flaming tongues above.Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,Mount of Thy redeeming love. Here I raise my Ebenezer;Here by Thy great help I’ve come;And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,Safely to arrive at home.Jesus sought me

What the hell?

2006-01-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

What the hell am I doing here? Who asked the driver to stop? I don’t want to be here. Why don’t we go on? I don’t want to feel the sting of former love that feels betrayed, like the oozing of a heroine addicts’ wound that never heals. Sure, I can pretend not to feel it, pretend I don’t see, pretend I feel nothing for him. Pretend that I did nothing wrong, and that

King Kong Rules!

2005-12-14T11:38:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOSH! The new King Kong movie totally rocks!Let's see...Dinosaurs so fantastic, believable, and mobile that they make Jurassic Park look like an outdated 1930's production? CheckA Kong so ferocious at times that you think your going to pea your pants if he looks at you again? CheckIndigenous people doing satanic things that will give you nightmares for months to come? CheckDashing, manly,

Christmas Wish List

2005-12-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

As per request here is a link to my Amazon wish list.http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/ref=cs_top_nav_wl/104-0217906-4833520?type=wishlistI figure that this is much easier than typing it all in again.

Anorexia, Boredom, and Fun in the Biological Sciences

2005-12-06T22:53:00.000-07:00

As part of the BYU Biology 100 class every student is required to create a poster concerning a science related issue. At the end of the semester the students present their posters in a convention setting in the Wilk. The students must prepare a two minute spiel concerning their poster, which they then recite to the grader.This semester it was was my turn. Within the first ten minutes of my

Political Correctness eXtreme!

2005-11-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

Niggardly: a word most-likely of Scandinavian origin, meaning miserly, having nothing to do with that other n-word.As many of you may well recall, a few years back one of the Washington, D.C. Mayor's advisors was forced to resign after one of his less educated colleagues was offended by his use of the term niggardly to describe the way that he handled an expense account. That's right, he was

Hooray for IKEA!

2005-11-29T18:59:00.000-07:00

In a very exciting press conference today the Swedish home and lifestyle store IKEA announced that they will be building a new store in Draper, Utah, at the corner of Bangerter Highway and I-15. Sadly, it does take time to build stores, it will open in Spring 2007. I guess that in the mean time I'll have to be content to shop on-line.

Fake it 'til you make it

2005-11-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

This morning Pinetree (whom I love beyond measure), in a round about way that nearly brought me to tears, pointed out how depressing I can come across at times. So, in an attempt to be more optomistic (which at one time was my natural tendency) I'm going to post a few of my favorite quotes:"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."-Helen Keller(so yeah, this is obvious and

Black Hole

2005-11-28T01:28:00.000-07:00

I really don't know what to say. I've just been walking around in a state of melancholy for the past four or five days. Life really sucks some times... hearts break, beloved grandmas die, and life feels as though the seams have already disintegrated. But there are a few bright spots, such as Wiggle, my neighbor/home teaching companion Willard (who is as odd and amusing as his name implies), and

Deep Thoughts

2005-10-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

At the suggestion of my dear friend Pinetree I attempted to be serious. Here (in photographic form) was the outcome:Oh well, perhaps someday I'll learn the fine art of serious thought.

Sobs in the Night - a Sonnet (hopefully)

2005-10-11T01:41:00.000-07:00

My first attempt at a sonnet. If I got it right it should be in the form of an English (not Italian) sonnet. If I got it wrong, blame Milton, I copied his form. I see you in the light.You turn your head.I turn the other way instead.I can not fight.Why can’t I do what feels so right?Oh, how I wish to kiss your head.My body burns with embers red.I wish for you to never leave my sight.Your lips sear

How Many Times?

2005-10-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

Written by Clarke / Bell Love leave me alone, I've got troubles of my own I do believe that I have paid the price For all the things I've said and done Every little thing that seemed to go wrongHow many times will I regret the chances taken?

Blue and the Odd Sensation

2005-09-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Another poem by me.Any relationship to actual events or persons is most likely intended. Sue me.Blue and the Odd SensationThere was a boy named Blue.Who once thought he'd fallen in love so true.- he'd rather have died of the avian flu -He hadn't the faintest clue as to what he ought to do.So he asked his mother...Then he asked his brother...And then he asked yet another...But none of them could

Aye, aye matey!

2005-09-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

For those of you unfortunate souls that missed the best National Talk Like a Pirate Day party in the south of Provo, here are a few photos of the fun and excitement you weren't able to participate in. Be thar' next yar' matey, or it'll be the plank for ya! ARGH! I'll chew yur ear off!

T-Shirt Revolution

2005-09-18T01:16:00.000-07:00

T-shirts have been the bane of my laundry folding life for as long as I can remember. But now, thanks to Martha Stewart, I am saved. No more trying to figure out how to correctly fold my t-shirts. No more mismatched folds in the shirts. No, Martha has cleansed the inner vessel of my bureau. I have just spent an hour refolding every t-shirt in my bedroom. They are beautiful. A work of art. From

Dirty Laundry

2005-09-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here, as suggested by bamabeau, are a few of my favorite things.Drama Queens 1. Britney Spears 2. Elizabeth Taylor3. Keri Ann MargaretWorks of Art1. The Thinker by Rodin2. Bellagio Ceiling by Chihuly3. David by MichelangeloDepartment Stores1. Neiman Marcus, Union Square, San Francisco2. Boyds Philadelphia3. ZCMI, Downtown, Salt Lake CityCountry Names1. Bahrain2. Confoederatio Helvetica3.

A poem

2005-09-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

This poem was written while eating lunch in a park. The feelings expressed in the poem are really what I was feeling. Luckily, my lunch ended much more pleasantly than the poem.I don't often write poetry. Thus, I don't really know what makes good poetry. But the few people that I have read this poem to have found it slightly amusing.So, here it goes:Desecration by SeagullSweet brown rice, with

A Test

2005-08-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

This is only a test. I'm not likely to actually post anything here.