Too Awesome

What are you doing?! You broke the pattern for your blog post titles!

Yea, I'm going to go off the Google spree, and mention a lot of the things I feel I've been neglecting on here.

For example, every time I post something it feels like I get over excited to talk about Google, or CSSI, or the people I met there, and I don't say enough about the people who have made me me. No offense to everyone from Google, but I need to back up a bit for this post.

Chelsea Fell
I could devote an entire blog to you, and still not have enough room to say how much you mean to me. I say it a lot, I'm sure, but thanks for always being there. It's quite nice knowing you'll be there. You're always there to balance me out, and maybe throw me a curve ball when I need it most. I look forward to another year of videos, and tv shows, and songs, and whatever you'll show me. I'm also looking forward to watching as you grow into the amazingly confident awesome person I know you are.

Brian Anthoné
I don't believe I've met anyone who could even come close to comparing to you. You're in a league of your own, and somehow I managed to worm my way in. You are a born leader, and if it weren't for you I don't think I would have made the decision to go to UT. Even though you didn't go, I'm glad you put the idea in my head. It is thanks to you that a world of possibilities have opened up at my feet, and I can't wait to see them through, as well as see you win a record number of awards for your movies. I'll be first in line for as many as I can, I promise you that.

Kelcey Williams
My music library would be quite lacking without you. Not to say that I only like you for your music, but it's true that you have great taste. You're super creative too. I've always been jealous of how creative you are, in a good way of course. You're definitely one of my oldest friends, and I'm glad we've kept in contact as much as we have. I look forward to another year of knowing you, and all the .

Christopher Ratliff
I don't know where to start. I'm pretty sure you've always been there, and I am so thankful! I couldn't ask for a more faithful friend than you, someone who pushes me to be better every step of the way. I'm pretty sure you've been someone I could turn to for an encouraging word whenever I needed one. You're gonna do great things. I know you are.


Four friends, almost four hours. Sounds about right. Haha.

I'm probably gonna go partake in this get together that is happening right now. I hope that Chris's party goes well, and that everyone there has/had a ton of fun. I mean, I know you guys will so just have even more. Haha.

Adios, and unless I find time later, I'll see this thing next year. =D

http://1000awesomethings.com/2010/12/30/341-saying-see-you-next-year-to-everyone-on-new-years-eve-and-then-laughing-hysterically/

Print "NS Google Merlin"

Sitting at Camron's house, watching Merlin.

No big deal.

Chelsea literally just sent this to me, and Camron told me to post it. =D
(camron says hi)
Today is shaping up to be really uber awesome. I woke up, played some of my DS, hung with the sister and her friends for a bit while I ate, headed over to Camron's with Chelsea to watch Merlin, and tonight at 7 I get to skype Emily Stumme!!!

It's uber awesome!

By the way, when Camron said that I was posting 8 times a week it wasn't because I said that. I'll post as often as I can, but probably not 8. Haha.

I'm off to watch some more Merlin!

We ended up watching 2 episodes of Merlin at Camron's house.

I should really stop trying to do everything at once.

Examples:

Hanging with Camron and Chelsea/Watch Merlin/Blog
And
Hang with Cody and Cong/Skype Emily Stumme/Understand Madden

So, my Skype with Emily was interesting. She may have quite the story to tell, but she got to meet my sister Linz, mi madre, Cody, Cong, and Jacob. She also got to listen to my uber competitive sister play football.

She can tell the story much better than I can I bet. Also, I could hear only parts of what she said for some reason, although I made out most of it.

I really miss being there, and not having to talk through a computer.

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the Sun.
Arise fair Sun, and kill the envious Moon
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou her maid art far more fair than she.

Love ya Emily, and hope that brought back memories. Haha. =D

It's almost the year of FUSE, when I will once again see the coolest nerds ever!

I'll definitely post something tomorrow, before midnight, and maybe something on the dot. We'll see how crazy my party gets. Haha! Yea right!

=P

Love you guys, and can't wait to spend another awesome year on this planet!

Go out there, and finish 2010 on a great note, and start 2011 with an even better one. =D

Print "NS Google Curfew"

So, the past couple days happened.

Yay, you're caught up.

Just kidding.

Umm... I saw The Fighter. It was good. The acting was great, very well done, and the story was good too. =D


This post will go back to include the night I saw The Fighter, but for now I'm going to jump to a few hours go.

So, my Tuesday ended with me going over to Emily's house to hang out with her, and Stickley, and Chelsea, and Preslie, and Brison. Good times!

I got to listen to talk about shows I don't/won't/can't watch, and then we played Bananagrams, and Phase 10, and Scattergories. We watched Preslie fit 27 Olives in her mouth. That was entertaining.

My reason for blogging stems from my departure, however. It was 11:45, and we had just finished up round 2 of Scattergories. I judged that if I left by 11:45 I would be home by 12, which is when I was told to be home by.

So, I tell them, "Hey, I gotta go."

To which I get, "Don't your parents know you're eighteen?"

Notice the correct use of your/you're. =D

No offense to said person. None what so ever.

As I was driving home I thought about it more and more, and realized that that kinda bothers. I did it again, and watched Dr Who before posting this, and lost my exact train of thought... Haha.

I don't think anywhere there is this license you are given when you turn eighteen that says, "You can completely disregard what your parents say, because you're eighteen."

I know this isn't what is intended, but it's been tossed around several times, and that is sort of the vibe I get from it. This sense that as an 18 year old "adult" you can make any choice you want to. Which, you don't have to be 18 to make your own mind up, but... You know.

I think my parents may be on to something though. I dunno, I turned out pretty alright. They care, and trust me, and I value that trust. I'm not gonna throw it out so I can play scattergories a bit longer.

And it's not like I can't ever stay out. I stayed out, after watching The Fighter, at Chris' house, and played games till 3:30 ish in the morning. I just got the ok for it from the parents before doing it.

I dunno, that seemed a lot more revalationy when I was driving home, pre-Dr Who. Haha.

I got to talk to Riekenberg a lot today. We met up at 1:30, and stayed and talked till like... 4 ish. It was nice to talk to him, about college and life and such. It seems like my civilian life doesn't vary from his too much. With a few exceptions, of course. I think it was nice for both of us to see that we weren't strange outcasts or something like that. Haha.

Ummm... So that's it for this post.

Hope you guys have a great day, and week, and life in general.

Also, it's almost 2011. Woot.

Print "NS Google Wrap-Up"

Dernit! I could use that title later, and make it all clever and what not.

Oh vells. I can live with it. Haha.

So, Christmas is over. It was awesome. Aside from what was in the last post, I also got 2 beanies, and an Express gift card.

Well, after the family open presents time, which happened at 4:30 AM, I played some of my new game. Linz ended up falling asleep, so I too took a short nap, before waking up, and getting all nicely dressed then heading to my Aunt's house for the big celebration.

Just like Thanksgiving, we had Enchiladas. =D

It was a ton of fun, we played some Call of Duty, and opened the Family Gifts from our gift exchange. I got my grandma this:

I think I won. Haha. My uncle got me a gift card to Express, which I am mucho excited to spend.

They forced me to play the piano, which is always interesting, seeing as how I just fumble through it, but it comes out sounding decent. So, like Robo-Cop, a little bit at a time, I played through a few songs, until I got tired of the unknown Christmas songs and decided to play A Thousand Miles, or what I had memorized.

My cousin, Shaun and I then played some more Black Ops Zombies, and then we had dinner. His family opened their gifts, and then Linz and I stayed behind to play Phase 10 while my parents came home.

We stayed till 12 when we finally finished, with Shaun winning. Geeze. Haha.

It was fun, and now, my sister is leaving for the next 3 days to be in a basketball tournament. Silly sister.

Tell you guys more about what's goin on in my life later. Love you guys! =D

Print "NS Google Christmas"

Late at night/Early in the morning.

Listening to random music.

Talking to friends.

I feel like I did when I was at Google, blogging at all hours of the night.

It's a good feeling.

So, I just got off my trip down memory lane. It was... Alright.

I need to get myself off of these addictions to reminding myself how sad parts of my past were. Certain conversations where I was told I was hurting people. At the same time, however, I feel as though when I do remind myself of these things it helps me to shape a better me.

This is just a preliminary post, that I will update later in the day. I just wanted to start it, because it made me think of Google. =D

So, check back later in the day, after something has actually happened. =P

That's right, Bananagrams Calender. =D

TomTom! For my cross-country adventures.

Rockin the Headphones.

New Black Velvet Vest, and awesome Navy Blue Shirt. =D

Why yes, I am Aladdin.

Oh no! She's squishing me!

My new game, for my new...

New DSi! =D

That's just the presents, and the family time.

Bout to head out to go be Mexican, eat some Enchiladas, you know how it is. =D

Hope everyone is having an equally awesome Christmas!

Print "NS Google Eve Numero Uno"

December twenty-fourth. Christmas Eve.

Wow.

I don't know what it is, but I find that every time this day comes it feels like it's been way more than a year since the last Christmas Eve. Time baffles me, because I would swear to you this semester flew by quicker than any semester I've ever had before it. How did so many things happen in such a short span of time?

Then I think back to the Summer. How it's been a billion years since I left California, a billion and one years since I struggled through my final "interview" as everyone was leaving, a billion and two years since I made Matchzilla with Brittany and Linda, a billion and three years since I roamed San Francisco, a billion and four years since I first played Bananagrams, a billion and five years since I watched Where The Wild Things Are with Beth on the plane to California, and a billion and six years since I left Amarillo to start the journey to California.

Then I think back further, to the Summer before Google, to Graduation, to the entire school year. It feels like it's been... I won't even try to put a time on this, but it's been ridiculous how long ago I walked across that stage at Graduation, and even longer to when I sang in choir, or played in band, or marched!

Time is strange, but it always goes forward. It speeds up, and slows down, and expands, and shrinks, but always keeps you on this path, where you can't relive the past, you can't change it, but you can add to it. That's where we come in. We're constantly adding to the past. Appending, if you will.

All these events add up and define who we are, how we got here, and why we got here.

It always happens. I always get distracted. I look for a poem, that I keep telling myself I'm going to show to the one person I wrote it for, and instead find myself remembering things I wish never happened.

If there is anything I truly want to accomplish with this blog, it is a sense of trust, that you can read exactly what I'm feeling, and it's not just a mask of emotions I'm putting here for you, for me.

Just understand that sometimes I might need to do some ranting on here, or venting. It's healthy for me, and doesn't have to bog anyone else down that way. I'll usually warn you too, before I go to far into a vent, like I'm about to. So, look for the row of ~~ if you don't want to mess with that. Haha.

I'm not exactly happy with my faltering friendship. There's one in particular, and a day doesn't go by that I don't think of how long it's been since we've talked. It might be good, for other friendships, but I'm not really happy with it. Umm... yea, so there's my one bit of unhappiness for the post.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, I'm excited for tomorrow. I can't wait for my mom, and dad to open the gifts Linz and I picked for them. I also want to see how my grandma reacts to hers. It's going to be pretty awesome.

Also, since I am human, I'm kinda excited to get my gifts too. =P

Print "NS Google Matschek"

I have taken over William's blog.

First order of business.
We have got to fix the delay in the posting. I looked on here and he hasn't posted (I have a text message) within the same week in any of his posts. Trust me, you don't really need to go check...I already told you it's true.
Anyway's, he has agreed to publicly announce (and this is his announcement) to post on his blog 8 times a week. (another text message). Which means that you can expect a new blog post every day and on Sundays twice a day. William tells me that it takes him over an hour to write a blog because he get's distracted. That means he is going to figure something out because I don't think he can find that much free time during college. But don't worry. He will be posting 8 times a week, he promised me.

Second.
He plans on changing the theme once a month. That's not often, but at least I won't have to stare at the same image every time I get on to find that he hasn't updated his blog. (I don't have a text) It's a double pathetic.

Third.
I have writer's block so there isn't going to be a third.

Fourth.
He says I can steal a file or two off of his computer, but I don't have any way of copying it right now...so I am just stealing his computer, so he might have trouble updating his blog 8 times a week until after Christmas break (he will be pardoned during this period)

Fifth (and final).
If William fails to post 8 times in one week, he has agreed to do a green-freindly punishment that is selected for him by the first one to comment on his failed attempt. (Punishment examples recycling, picking up trash at the park, and baking cookies for me)

Print "NS Google Thought"

"She's removing herself from the equation." - Flynn

So, I just got back from watching Tron: Legacy.

...

I did it again. I can't seem to stop myself from thinking, unless I want to make note of what it is I'm thinking about. For example:

Tron. Good movie, definitely should see it. Maybe not 3D, but that's a different story for a different day.

I judge things based on how much they make me think. If I can watch a movie, and find myself constantly growing, constantly adapting to the ideas, then it is good. Movies that do that tend to make me think for a while afterwards. Usually the ride home.

I know what some of the general things I thought about whilst driving home. I thought about me, and my friends, and my family. Vague? I know, but for the most part that's all I can remember.

For some reason, when I let my mind roam unbounded I find I get distracted easier. It's almost like my mind is so spread out in unbridled thought that as soon as I find something solid, something tangible, I go into this sort of haze where that is my world for a moment.

This makes no sense, right? I'm trying, so bear with me.

The only time I can ever let my brain relax is during that time. The time when the only thing I'm thinking about is whatever solid thing has caught my mind for that short distraction. I never stay distracted for long, it's usually a few minutes, but it's enough to make me forget everything I wanted to say.

I think it was something about being selfless. Which is definitely something I would want to talk about, and something that makes sense based on my quote from Tron. The problem, however, is that I don't remember what it was exactly, and I'd rather not make an entire post that said, "Be selfless."

Instead, I'm waiting until I can do a legit post, and talk about being selfless more. This post, is more of a... Get to know me post. =D

Love you guys, and Christmas is just around the corner!

Print "NS Google Hope"

Ok, so I blogged yesterday, but the substance of this blog is a billion times more important.

I hope that by the end of this you will share it with as many people as you can. My hope is that after reading this you too will feel the emotions that I am currently feeling.

If you know me, you know I've had a great life. Don't misread any of this. I don't think I would change anything about me, or my experiences, because everything I've done has helped to build me as the person I am today. To be a little vain, I like who I am.

What I want though is for you to understand the intense emotions I am currently feeling. There is something about today, and I don't know what it is, or why today, but I know this is right.

I finally listened to Katy Perry's song Firework, and to truly understand this I have to give some back story.

I don't like Lady Gaga. I don't like Ke$ha (I hate spelling it with the $). I usually dislike Katy Perry, but not as much as the rest of them.

Reasons?
First, I despise what they choose to sing about. I'm a man of morals, and have a bad habit of disliking someone who is immoral. Don't take that the wrong way. If you want to, shoot me a message. William.Combs@hotmail.com . That's the one I check all the time, and I would love to get into that with you, but that's not the point of this blog.

Second, I don't think they're very respectable role models. This really ties in with my other point. Haha.

Ok, so you get why I don't like them.

Katy Perry, may have enforced my belief in mankind, in humanity. I'm not even a little lying here, or exaggerating.

If you know me, you also know that I have this intense belief that people are inherently good. I don't know when that came about, because for as long as I can remember I remember thinking that. I blame video games, but I think it's more of me thanking video games. I honestly love who I am.

Sometimes, however, I find myself feeling defeated I guess you could say. I'll be confronted by someone who hasn't had what I have, and I feel incapable of consoling them, because I don't know what it feels like to be in their shoes. I find myself faced with situations where everything around me screams to stop believing in people. To understand that people will be evil.

But I can't. I won't. I refuse. Till the day I die, I will harbor this love for people. It's what keeps me going in the mornings. Also, I'm not perfect. Shocker! I have days, just like any human, where everything is completely against me. Where I have to cry myself to sleep. It sucks, I know. I have days where my parents and I don't click. Where I will forcibly make them mad so they'll let Lindsey off the hook they're so mad at me. I have days where I'm tired of listening, and finally voice what I've been feeling, and things go south quick. I have seen days where all I can do is hold Lindsey, and pray that she gets a good night of sleep. I've had to hold things in, and pray that they stay that way.

So, you know me now. A good picture of me anyway. Me, being completely honest with you.

How does this tie in with Katy Perry?

Firework.

I have listened to that song a billion times since I heard it. It's not her usual song. It's good. I mean, really good. There is one scene in the video that gets me. It's of the boy, crouching next to his sister, while their parents argue out in the hall. That one hits home. (My parents are awesome, and love each other. They're great people.)

However, it still hits home, and I have sat here and cried while watching it.

The reason I keep watching, is because I honestly believe this will do some good. This song, will reach a ton of people, and a lot of people will be affected by it. I really like that. She is using her fame, her influence, and spreading hope to a load of people who don't know what that is.

That's what I want to be. I want to be a beacon of hope, a light in the darkness. I want to be able to be influential, just so I can spread a message of hope. I want to have money, just so I can give it away. I want a big house, just so I can offer people a place to stay for the night, free of charge. I want to walk down the streets in Austin, and be able to hand out money/food to the people who don't have anything. I want to be able to listen to the broken, and have the power to mend them.

Please, understand, that I am in a solid place right now. I'm not crying out for attention. I just want you to see me, so that you can better see my message, my plea.

Please, have hope in tomorrow. Have hope in mankind. Have hope in yourself.

That is all I have ever wanted, and all I will continue to want.

Believe in yourself, and don't ever let your light be extinguished.

Print "NS Google School"

High school that is.

Yes, I am that cool kid who comes home from college and spends a full day hanging out at his old high school. Sadly, it was Semester test week, so everyone is all busy, but I think I can find some time this week to just hang out with some of them.

I got to see a lot of teachers though, and it was awesome.

I was actually telling Chels about my day, and I realized that I didn't really document everything that happened, just sort of screenshots of the events. It kind of saddens me, but there was a lot to take in.

Here's how I portrayed it to Chelsea:

Well, first it felt kind of weird walking the halls, since they're all testing and what not I felt like I was just sorta in the way, but!!! It was really good, I got to see pretty much all the teachers I wanted to, and got to sit in on Dunn's band for a bit. They're playing Hey Ya! by OutKast. I think they got it today It didn't get to the mallet part or I woulda joined in since Dunn asked if I wanted to. umm... He was giving on of his famed "You don't believe in yourself, but I do" speeches. it still made me feel bad and I wanted to punch some fools. Tyler made fun of me for being back, after staring at me, ummm... sorry... I'm blanking. ummm... so I also saw my web design teacher, and before this I saw Talley and Harvel in the morning before freedom singers left for their gig. I saw Prough for a bit, but she was giving a test. I hung with Cline, and King for a period, they were talking about diets, it was interesting. I talked to Herr for a bit, and then went back to... no! found Steevie when she showed up and went to McDonalds with her. Loretta came in while we were there. kelc was in the car still hyped up on morphine, so, I said hey, and that I wouldn't make her talk. we went back to school. I went to... Choir room? yea, hung with Stef and Kristen during lunch. then Cody came, and we went to Herr's. we talked for a bit, but left before they started their test, then went to King's. Cline had a test. went to Dunstan's, but she wasn't there, then saw Dunn on the way back to the choir room and he asked if I wanted to hear what they were thinking would be the show next year. it sounds legit, by the way. I didn't really get to just talk to Dunn a lot, then Cong showed up and we hung in the choir room, then cong and I went to Herr's, then... left.


Really poor, I know. It was so awesome though! I miss all of my teachers, and all of my friends who still go there.

Today was awesome. You may not be reading that, but it was. So much, and my mind is still blown by it. Can I not go back to college?

I kid, sorta. I'm going back, without a doubt, but I love the atmosphere here. =D

Print "NS Google Finals"

So, I've been meaning to blog since I made that last one.

Sorry it wasn't really anything but me ranting. I do that quite often, and then halfway through it I decide I don't want to bug you so I stop. Then when you read it it's a half rant. So, you probably had a bit of trouble following my lack of structured ranting. Haha.

Since then though, I've been better. Went through finals and feel good about them. I got 109/115 (94ish) on my programming final. Woot woot! Shout out to Google who really helped with everything I learned this semester.

I think my logic one went well. Fun story, on my Logic final and my programming final there was exactly one question which I was confused about. So, I'm shooting for about a 93 on Logic (That's also what I calculated during the test.)

My Calculus final was a beast. I was under leveled I think, which may have been due to the entire game being easy up until the boss before the final boss, and the final boss himself. Which is only sort of true, because the three questions which threw me off were:

Show that prove for (arctan(x))'.

A Maximization problem.

The derivative of X^(2X).


Boo!

Haha.


Anyway, I'm halfway home, which is awesome. =D

I love me some Christmas time! Bring on the family, and friends! =D

I promise I'll have a vlog up soon guys.

Also, Have a Merry Marvel Monday!

Print "NS Google Frustrations"

Hey there my loyal readers!

Don't ask, I just wanted a new way to say hey. Haha.

So earlier in this week I was talking to a good friend. She's still in high school, and I was asking her how our Science Bowl* team was doing. She informed me that she hadn't been able to make the meetings because of work, and some other things. She then informed me that she had made a few, and that they weren't as good as when I was there.

They got a new coach this year, who isn't doing as good a job with it as our coach last year, and the student involvement was less than it was last year. This saddens me, because my Science Bowl team was really into it. We started in 8th grade, and continued up until 12th grade. We were really involved in it, and tried to make it better every year by doing something to make it better. Last year, I even got all three teams shirts, and it was a lot of fun.

I guess, it's just sad seeing things that you were a part of dwindle. Sad face.

On that same note, I am angered by Tascosa (My high school if you didn't know.) Genuinely upset, and flustered, and I don't even know how to word it I'm so mad.

Facebook has recently become home to two pages, Smashorpass Rebels and another with I won't name because it contains a cuss word. Usually, I just ignore pages that pop up, but this one really irks me. I don't want to get into it right now, I just spent 30 minutes trying to make my vlog about it, and I think I'd rather let that be it.

I will say, however, that when people do things with the intention of hurting someone it really angers me.

On a brighter note, I'm done with classes for this semester. I just have 3 finals, one on Wednesday, and one next Saturday, and then I'll be done. I'm going home on the 13th, and I'm really excited about it. I'll be home for a little over a month, I get to spend a week-ish at Tascosa talking to teachers, and then some of the students that I know there.

It will be awesome. I apologize for this really short post. With the whole Smash or Pass thing I'm really out of it. I apologize, and I promise that my next post will be a better one.

I love you guys, and hope everything is going well!

* Science Bowl is a competition involving two teams. Each team has 5 members, 4 contestants and an alternate who can switch in at the half. In said competition they ask Math and Science related questions, and then the teams answer questions, and get point. The team with the most points wins. It's really a lot of fun I promise.

Print "NS Google I Got Nothing Clever"

Hey there! It's been a while, and I apologize to you, the reader, who for some reason in my head checks this thing as obsessive compulsively as I do.

Life is great. Which may seem kind of vague, but it's true. I'm nearing the end of semester numero uno, and I think aside from a few things here and there I'm proud of what I've done here.

I struggled with the distance, and found that even though I wanted so desperately to quit it wasn't even something that I considered as a possibility.

I missed my friends, and found that I really don't have to lose contact with them, and that I can, in fact, form new friends here at college who can be awesome like my friends from Amarillo.

I failed NaNoWriMo, but got myself started on another novel, which I do believe one day will be finished and will actually be a good one.

I questioned why I think a lot of the ways I do, and found that I'm just a crazy kid who has a ridiculous sense of ideals and morals but knows that in the end God's got the whole story planned out, waiting for me to get out there and make him proud.

I lost my brother for certain holidays, but gained an awesome sister, and families here in Austin, who are awesome enough to put up with me from time to time.

I spent 15 hours driving, but had one of the best days I've had in a while.

I got asked if I wanted a "traveling job" and I'm pretty sure it was trafficking some sorts of drugs, but... well that was just kind of funny/awkward... funnward? =P

I realized that there wasn't enough time to do everything that I wanted to, but decided that was the reason I should live to the fullest.

I have cried myself to sleep a few times, but in a healthy way and it has actually helped me to mature and grow.

I have pulled several all nighters, but decided after the first one that they were all worth it, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I slept through my class, when a big paper was due, but got it turned in because my teacher said he'd take it.

I like to think, that this semester has made me a much better me. A stronger person, with a stronger will, and a stronger soul, that is prepared to take on the next few years along with life itself shouting, "BRING IT" every time it tries to knock me down. I'm kind of cocky when it comes to me having a happy life... Is that a bad thing? Nah!

I hope you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving! Love you all!

P.S. I have managed to text a list of 50 or so people every other day (usually), wishing them great days, and as far as I know I haven't repeated myself too bad yet. It makes me happy just sending the text, and getting responses completely seals the deal. =P

Print "NS Google Vlog?"

I apologize I haven't posted recently, but I assure you that I am not gone.

Actually, I have very good reasons for being gone, College being one of said reasons.

This post will actually be really short, and I encourage you to check this bad boy out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPAT5JTkckI

It will catch you up on some of the things I've done recently. I am actually really far behind in my novel, which pains me terribly, but I do plan on catching up, I promise. I will finish my novel this year, and get it edited, and then let people read it.I promise you guys it's not bad, and different than anything I've ever attempted, which doesn't say a lot, but it's good. =D

So, I bid you all a very great rest of the week, hope you all follow me in my video blogging ventures, and wish me luck as I try to wrap up this first semester of college. First semester already? Oh geeze!

Well, it'ss 11:41, and I still want to write tonight. So, here goes 30 to 40 minutes of intense noveling, then sleep for my classes tomorrow. =D

I love you all so very much, and wish you the best of wishes. Haha.

Print "NS Google Firsts"

I'll start with the original idea I had for this post, and then go to talk about where the title came from.

So, I was walking back from my Programming discussion and, as I usually do when I'm anywhere without someone to keep my mind from thinking, I was thinking about a ton of things. For some reason the biggest thing on my mind was being let down by people.

I wanted to let everyone know that I'm not going to be let down by people anymore. Harsh? No. To be let down by someone implies that I let them have that sort of power over me. I allowed them to be the one who was carrying me through life, instead of relying on God to be the one who carried me. So, I hate to break it to you, but if you thought you could ever let me down you're wrong. =D

However, the day that I let myself become numb, the day I let myself stop feeling the pain when people make bad choices is the day that I let myself lose my humanity. Extreme, but true. I pray, harder than I pray about most things, that I don't numb as I grow older. I'm not letting it cripple me, or hold me back, don't get me wrong. Thanks to God, I have enough trust and love to give until the day I die, and I gladly will. Succeeding in life means way less to me than knowing I have shown love to every person I've met, that I've overlooked all the "faults" and found the person that God and I both love.

While that's out there, I would like to add a scenario. Probably one of the hardest things I've gone through in a while. I went to the first Orientation at UT with Summer the first week of June. It was cool, I liked it, but it still wasn't something I was excited for. Well, on the way back, I got a text from Brian, or Chels (I can't remember), and they told me that my new counselor, the one who had come to Tascosa my senior year to replace my old counselor, had been killed. I didn't cry in the car, because I didn't want to make a show, and I kept thinking that as soon as I got home I would run to my mom and just cry.

I couldn't bring myself to when I got home, however because I didn't want to ruin the happiness. After a while had passed, however, I couldn't hold back. My mom was there, and I remember her trying to calm me, as I attempted to explain it. I was destroyed, because I hadn't ever legitimately respected my counselor. She was new, and I didn't like how she didn't know who I was. I was angry that she thought I was just another high school student, who needed to be threatened to do well in school. To this day, looking back, all I can remember is her saying "All my children" as we went up onto the stage to get out diploma.

She cared about us, and I can't say that I ever said something about her that wasn't a sarcastic remark, and all I can think is that I let God down.

I apologize, for where that went just now. And I hope I can lift the spirit before I finish off this blog. That scenario was necessary in my head just now, and I hope that it might have given some insight as to the workings of me.

Ok, so the title. Firsts.

When I sat down at my computer, with the intention of writing for my novel, I was distracted by the other blogs that I hadn't caught myself up on yet. If I know you, and you blog, and I know that you blog, I follow your blog pretty religiously, haha.

So, I'm reading through these blogs, and thinking about how much what they're saying applies to me, how much of it is stuff that I've either thought through, or tried before getting distracted somewhere else.

Let's Blog Drop here:

In Ca$h Kolechta's blog: http://classyandlit.blogspot.com/

She talks about what would happen if we gave people a chance, and how we don't ever look at people expecting them to be best friends. This one is ridiculously me. I've been trying to figure that out, and I came to college not looking for friends, and here's where I need to apologize to people. I've met awesome people, Ca$h Kolechta being one of them, but I don't imagine there being anything there but an acquaintance, which I'm not a fan of that thinking of mine, and I've been trying to fix that.

In Summer's blog: http://collegeastoldbysummer.blogspot.com/

She talks about how at home she feels here. If there's anyone who counters how I feel about UT, it is Summer. She's awesome, and I love how excited she is about college, but I have a bad habit of setting my sights beyond where I currently am. For me, college is awesome, sure. I'm learning the things I need to for my career, and meeting some great people, but beyond that it's not that awesome. It's kinda like if I had to live in Tascosa. It would be great, and I'd love being so close to all the knowledge, but it would suck not getting to go home to a nice home cooked meal, or play games with Cody at my house most likely. I find myself becoming the college recluse.

And to Note Drop:

Now this is mainly Emily's notes, which I promise I don't stalk her. I just always find myself learning something about me, or her, or life, from her notes. I don't have things to comment on from her notes, because I don't want to make this post longer than I have time for.

Finally, to Name Drop:

Merlin

Sora

Ike

Eirika/Ephraim

Fayt

Peter Petrelli

And many more characters from video games, as well as books, movies, and TV shows.

I'm sure if you looked at any of them enough, their character that is, you would find a part of me. I think I took parts from them, whereas some of them were created after I established me, and are just even more of what I want to be like. We'll see how that goes!

Love you guys, and I'm praying for yall! =D

Print "NS Google NaNoWriMo/Black Elephant"

Ok, so I should be writing for my novel to make up for my 500 word deficit from yesterday, and then start on the 1667 for today, but for some reason I find myself wanting to do a quick recap for everything since Dallas.

It feels like it's been a long time, but I think it's only been 2 weeks since I was in Dallas, so it's not that big of a gap. That first week back was really hard, and I was missing my family, whom I had just seen 2 weeks prior, as well as my friends I had just left. It wasn't like I was just missing them because I had recently seen them though, because it's been a constant feeling, and it was just real bad for a few days.

However, I've decided that even if I would prefer a place closer to home, or friends, to help make me a lot happier for the now, I wouldn't want to go somewhere where I wouldn't be challenged. I may be somewhat arrogant in that aspect, but I don't think anywhere closer to home could give me the education I need like UT. Which says a lot, because I'm not that big a fan of UT. Haha. Hopefully Jessica's family doesn't read that. I do know enough to know that it's prolly better to not talk about the last few games though.

Well, I played a Skype Bananagrams. It was ridiculous, and I was building on my tiny desk, which made it even harder. Emily won... somehow, haha. Nah, she was on a roll, and completely tore Lynn and I up. Haha. Sadly, however, her video wasn't working, until after I left the conversation.

Also, since then, November rolled around, and with it the start of National Novel Writing Month. My novel, which is currently untitled, is about this girl named Lynn who finds out she has magic. It's gonna be great, and I'm 6100-ish words in, and I love it so far. =D

Oh, and Brian opened up his site finally. It's:
http://www.blackelephantfilms.com/
It's still under construction, but you should all go to it, and "like" it, or whatever. It'll be big one day, I promise you guys that. =D

Umm... That's a really quick run through, but I hope you guys don't toss me aside because I left out details for the last weeks. =D

Love you guys, and hope you have a great rest of November!


P.S. (Edit)

I was going to mention how much more awesome life is when you basically live it to the Soundtrack for Merlin. It makes everything at least 10 times more exciting. Walking to class is anything from the start of a momentous adventure, to a dangerous journey through an evil land. It's awesome! =D

Print "NS Google Dallas"

Ok, so this post is going to be a bit of both extremes. The first part is going to be a bunch of awesome stuff, and me being blue, and loving life. Part two is going to be mainly for myself to vent, because apparently I still need to. I apologize in advance for using this to do that, but I've tried writing it somewhere where I know only I'll see it, and that doesn't really help to relieve anything.


So, I'm basically saying that I encourage you to read the first half of this bad boy. I'll even put a poem at the end of the first half. That's a bit ambitious of me too, because I don't have any poems that I really like that aren't up here, so I'm actually hoping to write an original one when I get there.


So... Here goes!

PART (A) (The Only Part)

Ok, so the post-wedding high has finally worn off I think, so I won't be trying to fill in any gaps in my memory from the last couple of posts, but if I get anything I'll definitely put it in here. =D

I'm trying to think of what to start with, because it's been about a week since I blogged. I guess that's not too bad though, and I can easily just start with Friday. =D

I've partially given up trying to blog about school, because I quite frankly don't find anything that I'm doing exciting, but if it is believe me I'll talk about it.

So, last Friday! I had my three classes, Calc, Java, and Logic. Well, after Java, I headed out to move my car closer, and fill it with gas, and all that jazz. So, I get halfway out to my car, almost to the highway, when I realized I forgot my keys. So I then had the privilege of walking all the way back to my room, getting my keys, and then re-trekking out to my car. I made it, and got it filled up, and moved to a closer parking lot before either Sara or Summer got out of their 12:00 class.

We then moved Summer's stuff to my room, then got us some lunch. I was sorta spaced during logic, and as soon as she said we were done I raced out of the class room and started getting ready to move stuff to my car. For some reason I must have taken a lot of time, because before I knew it Summer said she'd be out of her class in 10 minutes. So, I got a load of stuff finally and started heading to my car. Summer got out of her class before I got to my car, so we agreed to meet back at Jester and get the rest of the stuff to take out to the car.

We got out there, and left by a little after 4, which was about the time I was expecting. So, I expected to arrive in Denton around 9, assuming we hit traffic. Well, we had some traffic out of Austin, but once we got out of Austin and the surrounding ares we had smooth sailing. Summer took her Dramamine and passed out, which I was expecting. =P

We got inside Forth Worth around 7:30, which was really good time, and I found out my car gets about 30 miles to the gallon on the highway. Even while driving I think about things. Haha. Anyway, we had no traffic from the time we hit Fort Worth, so we got to Denton a little after 8. We're good like that.

We had the greeting party of Chelsea, Brian, Kelcey, and Bethany. Brian got his hug in before Chelsea could, then I went and hugged Kelc and Bethany. Finally, I hugged Chelsea. It was one of those really awesome epic moments where we were both ridiculously happy to see each other again. In the midst of our hug she said, "William your body's hot and it's making it hard to breath."

My response, "I'm sorry. I had the air-conditioner on."

Chelsea, "No, you just have a hot body."

=D

We then went inside, and went over to Madison's room. Bethany knocked on Madison's door, and told her to come open the door because she had diarrhea. Madison came to open the door, and when she saw Summer she flipped out and gave her a really big hug. We then entered Maddie's room for a bit, before we made our way over to Chelsea's room. We sat around, just relaxing, and trying to figure up our dinner plans.

Madison suggested we go to The Italian Inn, so we made reservations for 8 at 10. We were waiting on Brison, and when he finally came down we said hey to him, and then headed out. Brison, Brian, and Kelcey when in Chelsea's car, while Summer, Bethany and I went in Madison's car.

We got to the restaurant, and got seated in the following order:

Brian    Kelcey    Summer    Madison
***This being the table***
                                                         
Brison  Chelsea   Me           Bethany

It was really good, and before we got out food Bethany asked for bread, so I went and got her a bowl of croutons. Still before getting our food, Bethany finished her croutons so I went to get her a refill, and Brison accompanied me. This time, I was smart and got her another bowl of croutons along with her refilled bowl. She laughed when I brought it back.

Someone started signing a piece of paper and passed around and we all signed our names. I don't remember what all we put on it, but I remember putting a really drawn out thing about being a nerd and awesome, and a bunch of other things. =D

After Little Italy we had planned to go see Paranormal Activity 2, because they were convinced I would be scared. We never got to find out, however, because we decided the line was too long, and so we went to Walmart and then back to the dorms. We ended up watching How to Train Your Dragon, and afterwards Brian decided it wasn't really worth it to go back to his apartment, so we crashed there. Gotta love me some hardwood floor! =P

Saturday was a day of shopping... Window-shopping more so. We went to the Galleria, and had a good time there for a couple of hours. I died a little on the inside, because I found an awesome shirt, which I really do love, and this great velvet vest. OH GEEZE! Haha. I didn't get any of it, because it was expensive, but it wrecked havoc on my mind. Haha. After we spent a lot of time there, and Chelsea found her wallet, we went to a different mall in Fresno?

We looked through the Barnes and Noble, and I found The Innocent Mage, which I bought using gift cards, and then ended up buying Brian this book he'd been looking at, also using gift cards. We were then gonna ice skate, but they were using the ice for hockey, so we didn't do that, instead shopping some more. When we left there, we headed to Magic Time Machine, where we were going to meet up with Summer and Madison. We didn't, and didn't even eat there though, because we decided the wait was too long.

Instead, we ate at Duke's. ...

After that we went to go watch Easy A. It's actually a really good movie, and I kinda liked it. It may be because I had a somewhat similar storyline cross my mind some time last year for my NaNo novel, but changed it. Haha.

After Easy A, we returned to the dorms, and while Brian, Kelcey, Chelsea, and Bethany watched Memento, I played Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, with Brison. We still own, even after so many months of not playing it, but would you expect any different? Nope!

I got to watch Merlin with Chelsea, after their movie, and then went back to crash in Brison's room. Gotta love me some bed. =P

On Sunday, we went to eat lunch at Magic Time Machine, since we hadn't yet. It was awesome, and Jack Sparrow was awesome. Captain, sorry. We took Theo, who is one of Brison and Chelsea's friends to eat with us as well. After that we went back to the dorms, and watched Percy Jackson and the Olympians, while Brian and I played with Adobe Premiere Pro CS5. We said goodbye to Kelcey and Brian, who had to drive her to the airport, which destroyed me, but in a good way.

After they left, I started Harry Potter with Chels and her suitemates/Bethany. We left soon thereafter, and we finally made it back to Austin, safely.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was yet another reason why my October was amazing! =D

Print "NS Google Home"

"Some people live in a house on the hill
And wish they were some place else
There's nobody there
When the evening is still
Secrets with no one to tell

Some I have known have a ship where they sleep with sounds of rocks on the coast
They sail over oceans five fathoms deep
But can't find what they want the most

Even now when I'm alone
I've always known with you
I am home

Some live in towns
Cardboard shack on concrete
All bluster and bustling life
They search for the color you can never quite see
Cause it's all white on white

Even now when I'm alone
I've always known with you
I am home
[repeat]

For me it's a glance and the smile on your face the touch of your hands,
And an honest embrace
For where I lay it's you I keep,
This changing world I fall asleep
With you all I know is I'm coming home,
Coming home"


Thanks to Vanessa Carlton for making this song. It's uber awesome, and maybe I just love it cause Charlie and Jessica danced to it, but it's really a good song anyway. =D


I want to fill in a few things that I meant to put int the last post as well as a few poems, and some new things. I'll start with the poems to give you a break from the wedding. Sorta. =P

The Bow and Arrow

The arc of the smooth wood

Shaped by the taut string,

Gives it purpose.

The ornate feathered end

Versus the sharp tipped point,

Gives it character.

The precise accuracy

Mixed with it's deadly speed,

Gives it spirit.

The Bowyer and Fletcher

Perfectly crafts his masterpiece,

Giving it a soul.

I think I'm bad for my poetry class. Not that I think I'm bad at poetry, but that I'm bad for the class. I know some people said to change some things, and I did write "Bowyer and Fletcher" instead of "Bowyer/Fletcher", to maybe make it less confusing. I'm not sure. I do know, however, that I don't want to change the rest of it, and I won't. I like it and that's what matters most, right?

Well, I hope you like it too, but as I was telling Sara yesterday, if you aren't pleased with what you've done it doesn't really matter if other people are pleased by it. Which, probably sounds crazy unlike me, I know, but hear me out, because it is me. For example, the Nexus One Google gave us. My dad wanted me to sell it, and he maybe had a point that I could use the money for college, but I wouldn't be happy with that. Instead, giving the phone to Camron made me ridiculously happy, and in turn made him happy.

You can apply that to any job. If you aren't happy with whatever service, or good it is that you're selling then it doesn't really matter if everyone else is. It's not selfish either, it's just... I don't even know how to explain this. Just trust me. =D

That poem, by the way, is really about my mom, just through the metaphor of a bow and arrow. Didja catch that? =P

My next poem is something I wrote during class. We had 10 minutes to write a Fibonacci Sequence Poem. Which, is sorta a lie, because you skip the 0 and the first 1. However, what you do is write 1 syllable on line 1, then 2, then 3, then 5, etc...

Here's what I got in probably 5 because it took me 5 to get a topic.

Home

Floating

Through the air

Engulfs Jess and Charles

In a world of pure perfection.

Tears start to form as I watch my brother dance with her,

His other half he went to Italy to find in the pirate bar in Ireland.

I may have skewed the pirate bar in Ireland, thing, but I needed to make it work. I don't really remember the whole thing. Haha. =P

First up on things I wanted to expand on from last post:

Single Ladies:

When single ladies came on all the single girls got in a group and started dancing. Funny. Well, I noticed Charlie, and he was talking to Jess, and he was basically saying, "Go ahead." Jess started to go, and he was like, "No, you're not single." Haha.

Well, my mom, her mom, and her step mom all formed a line and started dancing. Funny right? The single girls in a group and the married women in a line. Haha. It got better when Jessica went and joined in with the married women after a bit.

Well, the group of guys was off to the side, and Charlie decided, "Hey, let's go invade them." So all the guys, started walking towards the girls snapping and hunched over kinda like a West Side Story type thing. (The photographer should have pictures of this.) =D

It was fun. =D

Ok, so I decided that's the only thing I want to cover right now from the wedding. Haha.

New Stuff:

Ok, so last night was one of those stay up late doing homework nights. =D

Well, a lot of funny stuff has been coming out of those. For Example:
"Gaston, chugging unborn chicken babies since before you were born."

"I hate drink sweat!"

"Profound."

"Zombies."

And so much more that I can't think of right now. =P

Hope ya enjoyed! 

Print "NS Google WEDDING (rehearsal too)"

Ok, fast forwarding through last week, because Monday through Wednesday were quite ordinary, except going to dinner with my mom and brother on Tuesday, which was awesome! I really miss my madre.

(Also, if this seems a little foggy, it's because a of stuff happened!)

Thursday was the rehearsal for the wedding. I still had class and what not, so I was just a wee-bit rushed. =D

I went to my 9:30 Research class, then had lunch with Jacob, Norman, and Enrique. After that, I waited around till about 1:30, to head over to ENS to turn in my calculus homework early so I wouldn't have to go to my 5:00 discussion. I found my TA at 1:55, and hurried across campus to my Logic discussion. We turned in homework, went over a few things, and had a quiz, so it's a good thing I went to that.

As soon as I left the discussion I ran to my room, dropped my stuff off, and went out to my car. Here's what I was thinking I was gonna do, I was gonna go to the rehearsal, then the dinner, then hang for a while, then head back to UT and make my 8:00 Calculus class. Needless to say, that was sorta wishful thinking in a way. I never made it back to my dorm, and I would have been much better off had I brought my things with me.

Anyway, I got to my car, and called my mom telling her I was heading out to the hotel. She told me to call my sister when I was near. So when I got close to the hotel I called Linz, and had a typical conversation that was something like the following:
"Yo sista!"
"What?"
"What chu doin?"
"Nuthin..."
"You ready for this?"
"Are you here?"
"About to park."
"I don't see you."
"I'm near dad sorta."
"I don't... I see you! I'm going back inside."
"I'll see ya in a bit! =D" (Yes, I do smile when I'm talking to someone on the phone just like I do when I would be talking to you in person, also I do the same when texting. =D )

I walked in the hotel and got ambushed by my sister and then saw Erik over in one of the chairs and said hey to him. Lindsey then decided to sit on me, so my dad wouldn't know I was there... He thought she was sitting on Mrs. Evans. =P

After my father came in, I followed Erik and got to say hi to his father. I haven't seen their family in a long time, and it was nice getting to see the two of them again. I made it back to the front, and my brother, and mom, and cousin Shaun were all in the lobby, so I got to say hi to all of them. Jessica's grandma's husband was also in the lobby so I got to say hi to him as well, before heading upstairs. As we were walking down the hall Erik might have popped out, and then Ben was there, and it was this crazy reunion sort of deal.

After a bit mom had me drive Lindsey over to this non-existent Walmart so Shaun and I could find her a nice shirt to wear at the rehearsal. We found a Bealls (?) and a nice polo shirt that she liked. We got back to the hotel, and still had a bit of time to kill, so Erik came over to Shaun's room with me, and we played some Smash Bros before we had to head out to the rehearsal.

I went out with my parents, and we got to do some introductions for Linz and my mom who hadn't gotten to meet as much of the family as dad or I had met. For example, Sarah and Lindsey finally met. They really are the same person!

Sarah: We're nothing alike.
Lindsey: Yea, nothing alike.
Sarah: *tells some joke*
Lindsey: THAT'S HILARIOUS! I mean, no, it isn't. we're nothing alike.
Sarah: I hate you.
Lindsey: I hate you too!

Same people, I promise. Jessica's dad swears they weren't separated a birth, but I think he's just saying that. Haha. =P

At the rehearsal they lined us all up, and told us approximately how we'd walk down. As part of the Groomsmen, when it was our turn we'd walk out on to the steps, and then turn back around and face the Satellite dish, while we waited for the bridesmaid to walk out. When they did we would greet them, and then escort them down the aisle, before separating in front of Charlie who was already down there.

The first time she set us up I was on the top step, but they realized that since I was the best man I needed to be on the bottom step, so we flipped ourselves around. I was then stuck staring at Ben's shoulder which completely blocked my view of the satellite dish. =P

It worked though, haha. When we did this I got to meet Michelle, and I say met loosely, because we had met before at Jessica's graduation, where she told me, "Everyone at UT is stuck up" when it became known that I was going to attend UT in the fall. She's actually really awesome though! We joked about how we were walking, and I don't know which one of us helped the other with our nerves, because I don't know who was more nervous, but together I think we got rid of them.

After we ran through the timed part of the wedding we all packed up and headed out to Salt Grass Steakhouse. We got there first, so I didn't want to sit somewhere unsure of where everyone else was going to be sitting, so I opted to be the doorman. =D

I got to welcome everyone as they showed up, and point them in the right direction, which I liked, because I got to smile at everyone. The only downside, was that by the time I got around to getting seats I couldn't find any near Charlie, and at first thought Erik and I would have to sit at the grown ups table. Luckily, we found seats at the "kid" table, and sat by Eddie, Julia, Ben, Michelle, and Sarah (who was actually the one who told me I had to sit where I sat.)

It was cool, I got to talk to Eddie/Julia/Ben/Sarah about Computer Science, because the first three had taken a class from the guy who wrote C++ (I think that's right) and Sarah was in a class at her high school. She's a sophomore and if she sticks with it she'll be way ahead of where I am when she reaches this point!

Aside from nerd speak, I got to get to know Michelle a bit better. She was really nice, and uber easy to get along with. We started winding down with dinner, and they started asking Michelle if she was going to give her speech. She was a bit confused, and told them she didn't have her speech ready, and we told them we thought our speeches were the next night.

One of Jessica's Aunts (?) stood up, and she was the first one to talk. She told us how she had fed Jessica, Charles, and their friends when they were in Italy. Then each of the parents, her dad, mom, and my mom all stood up to tell a story about when they were sending their child off to Italy. It was basically the same story, and all the parents were praying for them.

It was fairly obvious to just about everyone as soon as they met their child's significant other that they were meant to be, and it was only a matter of time before they got married. The speeches started to die down, so they told me to give two speeches. I decided I would, and with the help of Lindsey, I stood up and said something along the lines of:

"Ok, so tomorrow I get to give my Best Man Speech, and talk about my brother, so tonight I'd like to talk about Jessica. I know my brother's been there for Lindsey and I our whole lives, and we've watched him in all of his possible love interests. So, when Jessica came to the house for the first time, I remember being really excited because I trusted all of my brother's decisions, and I think Linz was a little bit on edge -"

Linz: "Don't get me wrong here Jessica, I love you, but when you first came I wasn't too excited, because it felt like I was losing my brother."

Me: "I know though that after we met you we immediately loved you. You came into our house, and put up with our craziness, and it was obvious."

Ok, that's not quite it, and it was actually a bit more nervous sounding, and choppy I think. Haha.

Well, after I went Michelle decided to give a quick one as well. A bit like this:

Michelle: "I've known Jessica for 16 years, and she's my sister. I love her to death, and when she went off to Italy she promised me she wouldn't leave me in the single boat (?), which she didn't keep to, but I remember that while she was in Italy she sent me letters. She forgot about them, so I got the first three all in one. I can't find them right now, they're lost in my garage, but I remember parts of them. In the very first one she told me about this guy that she met that she liked, and then made a list of things she liked about him. He's funny, and nice, and (there were some other things, but I don't remember), and I think (I want to say that she said "he might be the one" somewhere in there, but again, a ton happened.)" (She mentioned something about Charlie and Jessica being creepily similar, but I don't remember exactly how that fit in there. =P

Charlie, then gave a speech at the end, and thanked her parents for letting him live in their house for such a long time. He wrapped it all up, and we started to all leave. Oh yea, sometime during the speeches Taylor Swift's Love Story came on, and me and Linz were singing to it since it was basically perfect.

After we all left, the guys got changed to head out to Main Event, Linz included. By the time we got there we had an hour and a half to play games since the laser tag was closed. So, we got two cards and put 60 dollars on each card, with a 20 dollar bonus on each, amounting to a total of 160 dollars. =D

We ran around and played shooters, and all sorts of other games, using up 120 dollars before they completely shut the house down. Jake and I were totally going to own that game too!

Anyway, we headed back home, and tried to stop at McDonalds, which was closed. We then continued home, and Charlie dropped Jake off while the rest of us went to the hotel and played some Melee. Talk about some epicness. =D

Well, Charlie wouldn't let me drive home, so I was forced into staying at the hotel since it was 2 in the morning by this point. Oh, I had decided that I wasn't going to any of my Friday classes way before this. Haha.

In the morning I went and got breakfast before my father drove me back to UT so I could shower and change. I grabbed my laptop, and bathroom essentials, but still didn't have any change of clothes. Silly me. =P

I got back to the hotel, and was there for a bit before my brother got his Groomsmen together to go hang. We ate some Arby's. Food of champs. =P

We joked around about this Juggling league being his surprise he had been telling us about, and we were even squished into a 4 person booth. Thankfully, Charlie and I can fit into tiny spaces. =D

After we ate, Charlie drove us to this park like area. We then got out of his car, and he revealed that he had gotten each of us a nerf gun. AWESOME! So, we all went about assembling our guns, and then battled. Our clips were tiny so we had to reload a lot, but we definitely had a blast.

It started off as a free for all, and then we were all against Shaun, before Shaun and I teamed up against Ben Eddie and Charlie. It was pretty sweet. After we played near the track for a bit we decided to go closer to these trees because they people were giving us funny looks. We played a round of capture the flag with Ben, Charlie, and Eddie versus Shaun and I. Shaun pulled the win out! =D

We then decided to shorten the playing field to this clump of trees with an ammo dump in the middle. We all sorta ran around the trees shooting at each other, with the rule of once you were shot you dropped your clip. It was hard since the playing field was so small, and our last round came down to Shaun and me.

I was out of ammo, and trying to pick up one as I ran around, since I couldn't reach the middle. I even blocked a shot with my gun while running. When he realized that I didn't have any ammo he called for a duel. Five paces, then we turned and shot. We turned and he got the hit in.

We then packed up all our stuff in Charlie's trunk, and headed back to the hotel so we could be at Kindred Oaks at 3. We got all freshened up, and I headed over with Ben and Shaun. We got there, and Shaun brought up a good point about which step he met the two bridesmaids he was escorting. It would be a tight fit, so they decided he would meet them on the next step.

We then went and set up shop in the Men's room, where they have a TV. Some of the girls, Michelle included, were using our bathroom, because they needed it, which was cool, because we didn't. So, we set up the Wii, and put Melee in. We got a bunch of good matches in, and the photographers were making fun of us. We started getting dressed around a bit before 5. We got dressed rather quickly. =D

The vests and ties were an epic green. =D =D I love my brother. He also told me he had a hat that he picked out for me as the Best Man Hat (Black Fedora). I wasn't gonna wear it for the wedding, but I got to wear it for pictures and the reception. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love hats. They're epic, and this one is like uber epic and meaningful.

Next, they got the guys out to go take our pictures, and we got some really cool ones, but we couldn't take them in the usual spot because there was a wasp nest. Someone joked about knocking it down, and Ben leaned in to look at it, and we all jumped back because we thought he was actually going to. Haha.

Before we went away, we got the Ushers, Jake, and Ryan, as well as the Ring Man, Ian, to come take a few pictures with us. We then were exiled to the room so the girls could take their pictures, and Shaun, Eddie, and I went to tag my brother's car. It was pretty fun. I was designated writer, since they all didn't think they had good writing. So, I did the typical "Just Married" as well as "Congraturations" and "Crowd Favorite". Oh, good times! =D

We then went back inside, and talked to Charlie, as well as the preacher, Joey. He was a really cool guy, and we got a little bit before they called us out to line us up. It was starting!

We went out and lined up, and they opened the door, silencing us in the process. The parents went out, then Charlie and Joey, then I lead the guys out on to the steps. Then the girls started coming out, and I got to escort Michelle down. We talked to each other a bit to keep our nerves down. When we got to our respective spots we turned to look back at Lindsey, Ian, and GBaby. Sadly, GBaby started crying, so Ian and Linz walked down without her. =(

Then came the pause, the building intensity while we all waited for Jessica to come out. I half watched for her, and half watched Charlie. As soon as I caught sight of Jess I snapped back to Charlie. He immediately started tearing up, and I started to lose it as well. If I ever had any doubt in my mind about their marriage, which I didn't, it would have been washed away with those tears of his. In fact, thinking back to this moment, and how much he truly feels for her I'm starting to tear up myself.

She was beautiful, and perfect for him, and I don't think anyone would ever be a better match for him. I know that when God made the two of them he knew in the grand scheme of things that they would be together one day. Exactly as he wanted.

I reached up to rub his back. She came down, and her dad handed her off to my brother. The actual wedding went perfectly. I'm not sure what all to say about it, it was... wedding-y, except... Better. =D

After it was over, and we started to leave Michelle and I got together, and we smiled at each other and made our way out. The pictures followed, all of them... Oh gosh, all of them. =P Haha.

The reception was pretty sweet too. We sat around and talked while we waited for Charlie and Jessica. I ended up at the table with Eddie, Julia, Michelle, Shaun, Ben and Linz. It was pretty cool. When they finally opened the food I ran over to get me some. It was Italian themed and I got me some Spaghetti, and Lasagna. All of it tasted great.

It neared time for my speech, and Michelle and I went to the front. I didn't have a glass, and so we had to wait for a second for me to get a glass of water, because I didn't want to drink anything alcoholic, even a watered down margarita. =P

When it came time for my speech it went something like this:

"Hi, for those who don't know me, I'm William Combs, and I have the honor of being ("Speak into the microphone") the Best Man, as well as Charlie's brother. I had planned out what I was going to say up here, but I blanked on it with everything's that's happened, so bear with me. This might get a little bit nerdy for a second though, because the earliest memories I have of my brother are watching him play games and thinking 'He is the coolest person ever! How is he doing all of this?' One of those games was Sonic the Hedgehog. I remember you could play two player, and so I always played as Tails. Tails had to follow Sonic, but sometimes Tails could help Sonic get places easier. Well, I was out in Austin this last weekend, and I stumbled upon this."

I pulled out a Tails plush.

"I want to give this to Charlie in hopes that his hard to reach places will be that much easier to reach now."
("AWWW")
"But seriously, Charlie has been there for me always, and I was watching him when Jessica walked out. I knew, for real, that this was perfect when I saw the tears immediately forming in his eyes. They're perfect for each other, and I love them both. Also, no one told me my brother was marrying a beautiful porcelain doll! And uh... Yea, that's all."

Pass the mic to Michelle.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to do this toast thing"
Charlie: "Here, I got you."

Click glasses together, and take a drink of water.

I can't remember exactly what Michelle said, but remember her mentioning how scary alike they were again. Haha. Shortly after our speeches they called for the first dance. As soon as the music started I started crying. It was Home by Vanessa Carlton, and it was perfect. I was standing next to Lindsey and laid my head on her shoulder, and just cried, because it was perfect, and I know Charlie has been deserving of this for so long. I want to thank Michelle for reaching over and rubbing my back, because it helped a lot.

I'm a nerd, and had to listen to it while writing it, and I can't without crying. That scene will forever come to mind when I hear it. There's is no better song for them than that one. It is them.

The next song was the Father daughter song, and Charlie came over and stood between Linz and me. We were all in tears I'm pretty sure, and when they called for all father/daughters to come to the dance floor we searched for our dad, and couldn't find him. He eventually popped up and danced with Linz. The next dance was the Mother son dance.

Charlie got out there with my mom, and I can't name you the song right now, but it was my mom, and he started crying almost instantly and buried his head in her shoulder. My mom tells me that he said "Mom, she's so beautiful."

=D

They then opened the dance floor, with the first song being the Cupid Shuffle. We all got out there and danced to it. I remember Don't Stop Believing with singing and interpretive dance; Single Ladies with the group of single girls, the line of married women, and the invading force of men; Teach Me How To Dougie (spelling?) where Linz taught Charlie, and eventually a group of us how to Dougie; Love Story; Cha Cha Slide; and many more!

For example, the electric slide. Where I got out in the front and taught everyone how to do the Electric Slide. This version said to close your eyes, and I did, and after a bit I opened them when I heard "Woots!" and other exclamations. I was completely alone on the dance floor. Or, I thought I was, until I turned and saw that Ryan was still out there with me. We finished out the song, and completely owned that floor. =D

There was the cutting of the cake, and it tasted amazing! There was the gelato, which was great! Mexican Vanilla, the best of both worlds! =P

There was the send off, where we lit sparklers and Charlie and Jess ran out to the car under them, and drove off. After they left we all went back and got unchanged, and said some good byes to the other family members that we might not see.

Rangers lost, but that doesn't matter really, because the next day Texas won 20-13 due to illegal substitution on the other teams part. =D

I care about sports... especially since I go to UT and am now part of a UT loving family... =| ... I mean... =)

If you read all of this can you please comment so I can thank you for reading all of this, or if you were at the wedding/rehearsal and I forgot something feel free to comment with it, and I'll gladly put that story in the next post. =D

Thank you!

4014 words! That's crazy!!