For the Strength of the Youth!

Tonight I went to a stake dance for the first time ever. I don't quite know why. I thought I would possibly enjoy it to an extent. I didn't plan on staying the whole time but I at least planned on staying long enough to dance and play some games. (I ended up playing air hockey and ping pong most of the time until I left.)

Well, the only way I can describe what it was like is by likening it unto a piece of moldy bread.

Now imagine that this piece of bread is the cultural hall, the crust is the hallway, the individual spots of mold represent the individual groups and/or cliques that seemed to be everywhere you turned with their backs to you, the mold itself is the content of their conversation and dress (or lack thereof), and the flavor of the mold is the flavor of the music chosen.

Now imagine the whole piece of bread sparkling with flashing neon strobe lights that will nearly blind you if you look straight at them.
Also imagine that this slice of bread is electrified. If you bite into it, it will cause your ears and heart and in fact your whole body to throb. Imagine the piece of bread pulsing like a living heart. Put the whole piece of bread in a dark room.

Now understand that this piece of bread was dedicated to God. It therefore belongs to God. We gave God a whole piece of bread and and then turn around and not just permit this mold to grow but actually treated it with chemicals to create the mold. It we do this to show our love to God.

Now, imagine biting into this piece of bread.

Now realize that for the majority of our Utah Teenage Population this is a regular part of their diet. They actually like it.

And why do we plan and promote these things? As the young woman who offered the opening prayer for this activity said in the prayer- "We are grateful that we created this atmosphere where we can feel the spirit, and please bless us all with the strength we need to fight against the adversary and live up to our standards."

So we plan these things to feel the spirit and practice standing up for our standards in places where it is hard too? And which spirit may I ask are we creating an atmosphere for? The Spirit? or the spirit.


And this is the strength of the youth?

-CarsonKG

My Day

A chronological evaluation of the events I participated in today

!2:00am - I watched a few of KSL's Have you seen it's

2:00am - I helped my parents finish the meal for my sister's wedding luncheon

2:45am - I finally went to sleep

8-9:45am - I traveled back and forth from dreamland to reality. Then I finally realized that I was supposed to meet a friend at my church meetinghouse to prepare for my sister's wedding luncheon

12:00pm - After preparing and guarding the room for the luncheon for 2 hours, I decided to go home and eat. I entered my house and my brother told me that I needed to go back and rearrange the tables and chairs

12:20pm - People slowly started seeping in for the luncheon

1:00pm - The bride and groom arrived and I realized I am now the oldest of my parents children carrying the family name. My stress level also took me to the point that I completely walked out and went into another room where I played the piano until the luncheon was practically over.

2:30pm ish - I came back in, sat down with some friends, the bride and groom left for their honeymoon, Alyssa H. told me she was tired, I woke her up her way, she slapped me, I smiled, everyone left, we cleaned up and went home

Then to Now (8:30pm) - I emailed, chatted, played with siblings, watched  the Cosby Show, was told to come upstairs for family prayer, came upstairs, nobody was gathering, my mom is on the phone, my dad is wandering taking care of random things, I am here because I'd rather right a post then be asked to clean up

All in all, the day started out filled with stress. I woke Alyssa up and my stress level has dramatically decreased. It's been a good day.

Oh yeah, did I mention that my sister is married?! 

-CaRsOnKg
 

Those Who Shaped my Life...

To some of the best friends I've ever had:

McKayla
Mark
Leah 
Alyssa
Preston
Sarah

There are many more of you out there but these are the ones who have stuck by me in some of my hardest times and have inspired me more then any others. You are all amazing.
Some of you I have lost contact with.
Some of you I have not seen for years.
Some of you I have only actually been with on rare occasions.
Some of you I see quite frequently.
Some of may not even think about me anymore.
All of you are incredible people who have shaped my life and have helped me to be who I am today.

Thank you all. I owe more to you then you'll ever know. Thank you for being who you are and helping me become who I am.
I hope I have had some influence in your life to make up for all the influence you've had in mine.

-CarsonKG

I lived!

The end of the world came and went...

And I'm still alive!

-CarsonKG

Cast Away and Kisses

Last night was interesting.
It started out with two of my friends picking me up and us going to get pictures with Santa.
Then we found ourselves at Acute's house.
We had a quick gift exchange in which I gave away Othello and a box of Skittles and in return was given an 'Easy Button.' ("That was easy")
After opening her present, Acute laughed and gave me a kiss. ("Aww")


Later on, we played a game. A game with rope nonetheless, which usually ended up with one person on top of the other. One I'll definitely save for when I'm home from my mission. ;)
 A couple times it ended up with me catching her in an embrace. (Double "aww") 

After that, we watched Cast Away and critiqued his poor attempt at starting a fire, his survival skills, just about everything he did. We also had a tendency to push the easy button every time he finally got something right. (Oh yeah, I also stole a few kisses throughout the movie.) 

As the night drew to an end we sat in the van for several minutes and talked. Then gave each other a hug and left.

Needless to say, it was a good night.

-CarsonKG

P.S. Those kisses tasted great! 

An almost successful kidnapping... almost

Everything was perfect: The cake was baked and waiting in the truck of the getaway car. Everyone was in position. We were on schedule for the most part. Her supervisor was in on the plan. Security had been informed and were cooperating perfectly. we couldn't have planned it better.

Plan A: Contact "the subject's" supervisor, find out what hours "the subject" would be working, get permission to kidnap "the subject" from "the subject's" job. We would arrive to "the subject's" work before "the subject" did, lie in wait for "the subject", then kidnap "the subject" when "the subject" wouldn't be suspecting it. Then "the subject's" supervisor informed me that "the subject" would be desperately needed the entire time but we could kidnap "the subject" when "the subject" was done working.

Plan B: We would wait at "the subject's" house for "the subject" to get home. Then we would surprise "the subject", blindfold "the subject", tie "the subject" up, throw a bag over "the subject", etc. Then transportation and timing as well as the high price of gas intervened. 

Plan C: Meet at "the subject's" workplace, wait for "the subject" to walk out the doors to leave and throw a bag over "the subject". Then I realized that I had already asked "the subject's" supervisor to keep "the subject" there until we were ready and we now had no way of letting her we were ready without letting "the subject" realize our presence. 

Needless to say, we went through a plethora of plans before discovering one that would work. I Agent Carson who was wearing a sport jacket and scarf along with a black v-neck shirt, brown casual shoes and nice jeans would put on Agent Talon's Black, flat/wide-brimmed cap tilted over one eye (a style few people would ever imagine me in), and then with my head low and with a swagger definitely not truly belonging to me yet practiced and proven for just such an occasion would walk through the only doors by which we could access her yet towards which she was looking. It was a risk, yet I pulled it off successfully. Agent Caiden and Agent Talon were waiting with the giant bag right outside the doors and Agent Chance sat coolly in the drivers seat of the getaway car. We had notified security and they were working with us. All was going perfect.

I shot a glance towards the the young attractive-looking women who was obviously the supervisor and gave her a nod to let her know who I was and that everything was ready. She responded by putting one finger up and giving a look that meant that she needed just a few more minutes. I wandered around expressing to the people around me that something was going on and that it was okay. I had got this message across to everyone but Santa... or so I thought. At the right moment, the supervisor nodded to me and gave me a thumbs-up. Just moments afterward "the subject" walked over to her to ask if she could leave yet. Her back was towards me. I saw my chance and with one swift movement I stepped behind her, whipped off my scarf and threw it in front of her and over her eyes. "The subject"(I'm just going to call her 'Acute.')Acute immediately threw her hands up do draw the scarf from her but I in a move quicker then her own pulled her arms back to her side without letting g of the scarf and began walking her out of the outlet lobby. As I calmly walked her out, her supervisor mouthed a joyful "Merry Christmas" and "Good job!" to me. Security showed up not to rebuke but to congratulate us on our success and get a peek at some of the action. Several of the bystanders were slightly shocked but more entertained then anything and Santa sat there in his giant arm chair and red suit looking shocked as ever at the sight of one of his most good looking elves being kidnapped. 

I walked her (Acute) out the lobby doors and upon stepping out into the cool air, Agents Caiden and Talon thrust the enormous bag over her head. Agent Caiden then picked her up by her feet, I by her back, and Agent Talon opened the back door to the getaway car. We were about to set her in when all of a sudden we heard from the direction of the doors "Put that girl down!" We did and then without talking in order to keep our voices in disuise we tryed to gesture to her that everything was all right. She told us to "Take that bag off her head and explain to me just what's going on or I will go call for security!" We tried to express to her that security already knew about it and then she nearly went into panic mode. She shouted to us "Leave that girl alone NOW!" Agent Caiden broke down and said "Tomorrow's her birthday. We were doing a surprise kidnapping for her. We're not trying to hurt her." Then I explained that "We've already informed security and her supervisor of what going on and they're not only fine with it but they're helping us. Security then came out and estified to the lady that what we said was true and that everything was just fine. We then took the bag off of her head with a realization that in one swift blow, out great plan had been ruined. The lady turned and walked away with a grunt and glare at each of us. (Poor woman.) 

We then proceeded to drive to Cabelas where we spent the rest of the evening sampling fudge, admiring knives and guns, shooting cork guns, drinking mayo and sword fighting with frying pans.

Opperation birthday party: Success!

-Agent CarsonKG

Needles, blood and other things...

 

As I have already said, I am working on my mission papers.

Here's how it's going:



Yesterday morning I had a needle stabbed into my right shoulder and a vaccine which does not naturally


belong in my body injected into me.



A few hours later I had a physical examination in which I first had a large needle stabbed into the bend of my right arm. A tube-full of my own blood which naturally belongs in my body was withdrawn from one of my major blood vessels in that arm.

Just moments after that, I had                                                                                                              
a slightly smaller needle poked barely under the skin of my left forearm and then proceeded to have another vaccine injected into my body. Only because the needle was barely under my skin, it created a bubble under my skin which I was stupid enough to watch as the nurse continued to inject, thus causing the bubble to grow.

And so, I now declare to you that I officially despise the presence of needles underneath my skin. regardless of whether they're injecting into my body, chemicals which naturally do not belong there or taking out that which does belong there.

-CarsonKG

p.s. Did I mention that I was fasting during this whole ordeal?  Trust me, it's not a good idea.

Thrillionaires!

 

The Thrillionairs are an amazing group of actors who specialize in Improv Theatre!

Some of you may have seen them perform before and could attest as to there skill and ability to turn the most random things into a play filled with fun and laughs.

I have been watching them perform on an almost monthly basis throughout this year and have come to love and appreciate their talents.

Just letting you all know, 

These amazing actors have agreed to teach monthly improv classes at my work, Brigham Larson Pianos.

I've attended two of these classes so far and have loved them.

They teach amazing skills that can be used in every person's life.

Also, if we get enough youth and children to join the classes, they have agreed to teach them once per week instead of just once per month.

These classes take place on Fridays from 6:30 - 7:30pm.

It doesn't take long,

requires only as much out-of-class work as you are willing to put in,

and includes free tickets to watch the Thrills perform afterward.

I know I may sound like I'm trying to sell you something but what I'm really trying to do is offer you all an opportunity to increase your acting abilities as well as introduce you to new and useful ideas and skills.

If you want more information on this, then leave a comment.

Y'all are amazing!

-CarsonKG      

Mission, here I come!

Missionary

 It's a dream I've had for a long time,

and now it's only getting closer!

On Sunday I had an interview with my bishop.

Tuesday I talked to my Seminary Principle about the possibility of graduating a term early.

Wednesday I gained access to my papers and started work on them.

Today my Seminary Principle told me he had put together a study packet so I could graduate early.

Next week I go in for several medical and Dental examinations.

I'm so close!

I'm so anxious!

I'm so excited!

"I want to be a missionary now!"

CarsonKG  

P.S. Prayers are always appreciated. Especially ones for monetary means. :)  

KA? KG? What does this mean?

Some of you may wonder why I sign my name 'CarsonKG'
Well, KG is a title. Two posts ago I listed a number of people with the same and with similar initials after their names. As you may have guessed, it has something to do with knots.

At Maple Dell we have a knot organization. A club if you will. The organization is a tradition at camp and in the organization each member holds a certain "rank of knot immortality."

The thing is a joke really and is based off of Greek mythology, so no I am not being sacrilegious and please don't take any of this offensively.

The Ranking of Knot Immortality is as follows:

Knot Angel (KA) This is the first and lowest degree of Knot Immortality that one can attain.
Knot High Angel (KHA) This is the second degree of Knot Immortality that one can attain.
Knot Demigod (KDG) This is the third degree of Knot Immortality that one can attain.
Knot God (KG) This is the fourth and highest degree of knot Immortality that one can attain and requires one to learn over 150 knots, hitches, bends, and loops, in addition to several anchors, splices, tricks, bindings, mats, plaits, braids, sennits, whippings, lashings, tackles, coils, and stories of or concerning various specifics knots or styles of knots. In addition to all of this, one must learn or earn the pioneering merit badge, make a rope that's at least 6' in length, create a knot of his or her own, own a detailed knot book, be able to speak in "Ropenese" (aka use various knotting terms.), and gain an incomprehensible love for knotting. Oh yeah, and know how to fuse the ends of a rope. All in all, you must memorize and complete a few hundred specific things. (If you want a list of the requirements, leave a comment and I'll send them to you.)

Special Ranks include:
Knot High-Angel (KAA)
Knot Cardinal (KC)
Knot Oracle (KO)

As you can see the whole thing is really a big joke and quite punny. I am Carson KG. In other words, I am Knot God.

So yeah, if you ever wonder how much I know about knots, how many knots I know, and how much I love knots, the answer is a LOT!

-CarsonKG

Women and they're curious ways

My good friend Alyssa wrote a beautiful post today on her blog lyssarosie.blogspot.com entitled

"Who can find a virtuous woman?" 

At the end of her post she added a "Note to the Men" in which she told us that it means the world to a girl to have a man tell her she's beautiful. But does it?

If it truly means the world to her, why does she (I use "she" to represent the majority of young women I associate with.) so often respond with *insert awkward smile* "Umm, thanks?" *Insert slight raise off the eyebrow and a look as if I'm an alien freak* as she turns away?

If it really means the world, then show it.

Why is it that you can get so excited if a guy were to offer you a chocolate bar or something small like that. (Okay, I guess for most girls, chocolate is a big deal.)

But when you're given a sincere compliment you either brush it off like nothing.

Now I'll admit, there are times when a young women does respond graciously and gratefully when told that she is beautiful, but I also must admit that that response usually only comes when the compliment comes in the form of a handwritten letter, at an event where it's obviously expected of every young man, a dance, a date, or when two people are "singled out."

However, it does remain true that when just given as a sincere compliment at a time that's unexpected (which is when young women say that they need it most) they cast it off like nothing.

I'm not complaining and I'm not disrespecting or mocking women at all. 

I guess I'm just the one with the curious mind.

-CarsonKG

Those Who Shaped my Life...

Dedicated to

The Knottiest people in my life.

My Knotty Mentors:

Tim KG

Bobbo KG

David KG 

Amanda KA

Liz KDG

The Knotty Pyros:

Sarah KG
Jeff KA
Caiden KDG
Aaron KHA
Chance KA
Zack KAA
Talon KA
Kaitlyn KA
JP KA

I love you all and cherish your friendship! You are all amazing!

Caiden and Sarah have been my two best friends in and out of camp and I believe and hope will ever remain so. You two are incredible. You yell at me, I yell at you. You tie me up, I tie you up. You smile at me, I smile at you. We walk around with our arms around each others shoulders and don't think anything of it.

Sarah, we've almost hated each other at times. We've convinced others for most of a summer that we hated each other without even trying to.  And yet, no matter what may come between us at times, we always make up and forgive each other. We're like little girls who go from practically scratching out each others eyes one moment and then in a blink we're sitting side by side sharing our deepest secrets, smiling, laughing, and grateful to be friends. You know me more then most other people. Maybe that's why we've had moments of fighting. But one things will forever be true: that I will forever be grateful to have you as a friend. I know this is early, but happy birthday. You deserve one.

Caiden, you're like a brother to me. You always have been. I've never had a brother who I can role around in the dirt with, punch in the shoulder at random times, have punch me back, stay up until 3:00am having conversations with knots in replacement of words, go on a hike, sit on a giant arrow before a spectacular view of the whole of Utah Valley with our arms around "her.". Oh, good times. You and I have been on so many wilderness survival overnighters, rendezvous, and so many other things. We've sniffed hats together. We've kissed "the Eagle" together. We've beat-boxed and sung together. We've done a lot together. I glad to have a friend so much like a brother. You're among the best of the best.

The rest of you are amazing as well.

You've all taught me so much and I'm grateful for you all.

Thank you.

Carson KG