Studying

I have three very large papers due on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. I've only started one of them. And it's not the one due Monday, unfortunately. And as you can tell, I'm wasting my time writing a blog post. Hopefully though after Wednesday my week will be getting alot better!
This is how my week will be...

Studying for more than a few hours...

Then after Wednesday when all my papers are turned in... 

Gertrude's Gears

My parents are incredibly nice.

They gave me a car.

It's a minivan, but it runs and gets me from A to B.

I named her Gertrude Stein.

I think because people assume she's a lesbian.

...and writes poetry.

Recently Gertrude and I have been having some issues. She has decided to make her power steering stop working. Which means whenever I need to get in and out of parking spots that I look like an idiot who doesn't know how to park. In case you didn't know a minivan is a fairly heavy car, so no power steering also means that I am getting an incredible lower arm workout which nobody actually needs... unless you're a juggler. It also means I look like a fool when I have to two-arm-manhandle any turn I make when I'm driving around as well. I imagine people often think very little of me when I'm dealing with Gertrude's steering problems.

In conclusion Gertrude and I  have something in common... we are falling apart with age.

Best Profile Ever

So I know I posted this before, but I came across it again! I can't help but share with people who are new to this blog or never read it the first time around! I recently rejoined the world of online dating, and so far I have found some real winners. This one however takes the cake. Please read the whole thing, you will not regret it. It's his online profile. PS- I looked up Brony, you will benefit from doing so as well.

My self-summary:

If you've never used Dial-up, you're probably too young.

I am a Polyamorous , married man currently looking to expand my family. No, I'm not looking for a relationship on the side or in secret, any woman I would be involved with would meet my wife. Any Woman I become serious with should expect equal standing with my wife, and will not be brushed off for some petty "oh, she's just the girlfriend" or "she's not my FIRST wife..." I believe that if you're worth being with, then you're worth treating as an equal.

I am also obsessive about cooking , I love spending time in the kitchen. I will never be the cook my mother is, however this has yet to interfere with my attempts, and has simply resulted in my knowing a wider range of recipes. Seriously, I have a half dozen different ways to make a pizza, and I don't mean toppings.

Outside of the Kitchen, I am the modern jack of all trades. I have pursued majors in Drafting and Design, Automotive Technology, Computer and Electrical Engineering, Software Development, and almost went into Radiology. I had a very brief stint in the Navy before being separated for Anxiety and ADHD, and recently attained my CDL. I am out of town a lot, so if you have a compulsive desire to see me every single day, you may want to look elsewhere. My Wife and girlfriend don't see me every day, it's just not possible unless you come out on the road with me all the time. Which, no, not happening.

I have been diagnosed with social phobia, just as a warning. When meeting new people I seem a bit withdrawn or disinterested, that's really not the case, you probably just scare the shit out of me >.< Give me time, let me get to know you, and I'll open up easily enough.

What I’m doing with my life:

I am a Commercial Motor Vehicle(18 wheeler) operator for now until I can save up enough to pursue my real dream, an Architectural license.

I’m really good at:

Just about everything, really. I am a computer geek(I have built every computer I've used since I was 13), I enjoy working with wood(I built some of my furniture myself), I have restored several classic vehicles, and can do most repairs on modern vehicles, as well. I am a modern jack of all trades.

I also love cooking, especially when it comes to making up massive meals for people. We love having people over, and we always put out a massive spread for our guests. Last time we had guests, it was just one person, but we made up a four course meal plus dessert, anyway. You like good food? Drop by. We will spoil you.

Something I'm looking at getting in to is metal work, like armor crafting and such. I already know how to do auto body repair, welding and painting, so it really isn't that big of a leap in what I know, just application. My goal is to have sufficient ability that by the time my Wife and I renew our vows, we can do it in full plate armor.

The first things people usually notice about me:

My freakish Height. I'm 6'6", which kind of makes me stick out in a crowd. I also have long hair, which I take great care of(I was recently informed that, over dinner, the person I was speaking to was fighting the urge to play with it). I have a very deep voice(deep sexy voice, my wife insists), so that is usually very noticeable, as well. I also apparently have a tendency to look pissed off when I'm lost in thought, which, when coupled with the fact that I swear like a sailor, gives some the impression that I am a violent person. I'm not, really, I'm a big cuddly teddy bear. That just happens to swear like a drunken sailor. *ahem* moving on...

Favorite books, movies, shows, music, and food:

Favorite books would be pretty much anything and everything written by Jim Butcher, specifically the Dresden series. I'm also a fan of Anne Bishop and Brandon Sanderson, though I'm always interested in picking up new series.

I don't watch much TV(I don't even own one), but I do watch a few series here and there when they are available on either Netflix or Hulu. I'm currently going through the last season of Bones(with the odd trait of only ever watching it while eating), and I try and get The Big Bang Theory when it runs. I also just got hold of the soundtrack for the Book of Mormon musical, and hot damn. Very amusing, and as I understand it is planned to go on a national tour in 2012. I am certain it will play in Utah(It has to!), and I cannot wait to see it.

My music tastes include Techno and Metal, Though I have an odd taste for the occasional show tune(Rent, Book of Mormon, Spamalot, Once more with feeling and most importantly, Dr Horrible's Sing along Blog). I have learned a great deal of respect for the Whedons and the music they have put out in their musicals, and if you haven't been introduced to Dr. Horrible's Sing-along-blog yet, I highly advise it. At least expect to be pushed into watching it constantly if we ever become friends.

My food preferences are all over the place. I like meat, and I like spicy. I'm constantly tweaking my recipe's, and doing new things with them(I have tweaked my mothers enchiladas recipe to the point that they can no longer really be considered enchiladas - my old roomate thought it was some weird mexican quiche, but he loved it).

The six things I could never do without:

Pointless lists about necessities that actually aren't.

Also, sarcastic cynicism.

I spend a lot of time thinking about:

How the hell I got onto my latest train of thought. Seriously, my mind bothers me sometimes. I'll start thinking of the most esoteric crap, and have to stop all of a sudden and try and figure out WHY I'm thinking about it in the first place.

I have an extremely creative mindset, and unfortunately, I lack all of the necessary skills required to put them to use. I like to make mental drawings of a desk or other piece of furniture I'm wanting to make, the cuts I need, what color and finish, everything. I am highly skilled at whatever I put my mind to, I do woodworking whenever possible(though unfortunately, my drill decided to die on me, and I cannot afford to replace it right now).

I love too cook and bake, and I rarely go by recipes. This has the effect of making every dish a make new, and still taste delicious. I try and make everything I can completely from scratch, whenever possible. This makes some projects take a significant amount of time. I'm not kidding, it takes several days for me to make a cheesecake. But when I make it, I suddenly have massive amounts of people that find me very interesting all of a sudden.

On a typical Friday night I am:

Wondering why it is that everyone I know works on the nights I have off. 'Tis truly irritating. So I'm likely cleaning or baking.

The most private thing I’m willing to admit:

I'm a cuddle slut. I'm a 6'6" Trucker ex military mechanic, who can't get enough snuggles. Really, pulling someone important to you close and holding them all night...there is no better feeling in the world ^_^

Also, I'm a Brony. If you know what that is, awesome. If not, that's still okay.

One of Those Days

I saw a girl the other day and I could just tell she was having the worst day ever. I was leaving campus and hopping into my car at 12:05. She was just pulling in directly across from me, and given the time she was probably running late. As she pulled in, she hit the car next to her! It was pretty bad too, she cracked her bumper and definitely dented the other car. I just knew that her day was going like this...

Once she got out of her car I was pretty sure she was just going to walk away at first, thinking the damage wasn't extreme, but she noticed I was watching so she proceeded to turn around. She noticed it was pretty bad and I just knew life was giving her one of these... 

Days like that are the worst: when you hit every red light on your way to work which you're running late for, and there's an accident and you are wearing the wrong clothes to boot! (Not that I have experience with that). Or a day when you sleep in through your alarm, but you still have to run to class, then you have to take a test, then you come home and you have absolutely nothing to eat in your cupboard. 

This is the life of a college student. At least you have roommates... to wake up to. 

Not So Smallville

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a TV junkie. I've watched alot of television in my lifetime, and recently I've been re-watching a show I used to watch when I was younger called Smallville. It's based on the origins of Superman and just an easy-go-lucky show. However, I've noticed somethings that have been bugging me during this past month and my "re-watch".  The setting for the show comes from it's title. We used to watch Smallville as a family and with at least 1+ member of the town being killed or sent to prison every episode we used to joke that the sign to enter town should say "Smallville: and getting smaller everyday!" 

This is rather a humorous statement because Smallville doesn't actually function like a small farming community town. By looking at the population on the town welcome billboard I noticed they have roughly the same population as the farming community that I am from. Let's compare some of the assets and landmarks that are in Smallville compared to where I'm from, Lincoln, CA.

1. First thing that comes to mind is that Smallville has a fully functioning Hospital.... Lincoln has a 24 hour vet clinic...

2. Smallville has a large labyrinth of caves. Lincoln has a used car lot?

3. Smallville has a large quarry where they mine granite, surprisingly this might be the one we have most in common as Lincoln has the world largest Clay Factory.

4. Smallville has a large Corporate CEO's mansion/castle. The town rumors were once heard that John Travolta maybe built a house on the outskirts of Lincoln.

5. Smallville also has multiple activities you can choose to engage in on any given night like: an Ice Skating Ring, Fair Grounds, a Bowling Alley, a movie theatre, museum, and a bar/club... Lincoln has a park

6. Another Smallville amenity is a damn ... in their town. We had a well at my house in Lincoln, that counts right?

7. One thing Lincoln had that Smallville didn't... a golf course! Bam!

8. Smallville also has not one, but two full sized gorges, that people have jumped off of at some point. Lincoln has a McDonalds...

9. You don't want to get in trouble in Smallville because they have a full Sheriff's department with SWAT team and Judge with courtroom in their tiny town. Lincoln has a police car parked at the busiest intersection in town (one of four street lights).
10. Smallville has an Mental Health Hospital (although on the show they just refer to it as an Asylum). I think Lincoln has a designated homeless person who we refer to as the "crazy lady".

11. Surprisingly (possibly not) Smallville also has a street racing conglomeration/gang. Lincoln has a park.

12. Last but not least, Smallville has Superman and a ton of supernatural/alien related events happen inside it. Lincoln has a park.

Lincoln, CA - Park

Mundane Bucket List

(a list of seemingly achievable activities that I would like to accomplish at some point in my life)

1. Learn the complete lyrics to every song on an entire album.
2. Learn just enough french to visit New Orleans or Canada and be okay.
3. Buy something from Skymall that I pick out while on a Plane.
4. Read every book on my bookshelves (I have three, shelves not books)
5. Finally complete my half written short story. 
6. Be the first person to buy something at In-N-Out and/or the last person. 
7. Own two pairs of Vans at once
8. Kick in a door (oh wait, I've done that)
9. Go an entire Sunday without hearing the phrase "Strengthen and nourish"
10. Write something very specific on Microsoft Word and have 'Clippy' pop up and recommend help on what I'm doing. IE- "Hi, it appears as if you are composing a dog ransom note, let me help you with some ominous font choices"
11. Sit through an entire episode of Mad Men.
12. Have a computer that doesn't break for an entire year. (This applies to vehicles as well)
13. Get straight out of bed and do regular activities with absolutely no shame. (As in everything I was wearing and my hair looked acceptable for the day)
14. Go to the waterpark at Lagoon
15. Try a Shamrock Shake
16. Bring AIM back
17. Say hello to everyone I pass with a smile
18. Go to the airport and have the security check be completely empty
19. Make it an entire year without loosing one half of a pair of socks
20. Spend 6 straight hours at a library and look like Matilda with my wagon full of books. 

These are things I want to achieve in my life, hopefully I can. Add yours to the list if you want to. 

A Comparison in Three Years

We recently moved into a new ward, and therefor that means a new Ward Information Sheet. I found this old one from 2009 I had filled out before, and thought I should compare it to the new one I just filled out in 2012. 

BYU 210th Ward Information Sheet

Name: Amanda Lloyd

Birthday: 5/6/89

Home Ward and Stake: Lincoln 5th, Rocklin

Home Ward Bishop: Bishop Cline

Last Ward and Stake: BYU 47th, BYU 12 Stake

Major: Math Education

Previous Church Callings: RS Compassionate Service Leader, FHE Leader, Sunbeams teacher, Ward storyteller, Date Box Coordinator, Co-chair of Hug Committee

Hobbies, Skills, and Talents: nun chuck skills, computer hacking skills, bow hunting skills, causing mischief, sweet 80’s dancing, pirate speak, pillaging, crocheting

Lead Music: Yes

Play Instrument: Yes. If Yes which One: Piano

Non-English Language Skills: body language, Ebonics, pirate

Ideas or Suggestions for the Ward: more eligible black men.

And now the new one... 

Provo YSA 205th Ward Information Sheet

Name: Amanda Lloyd

Birthday: 5/6/89 (these are still the same thankfully)

Home Ward and Stake: Provo YSA 207th Ward

Home Ward Bishop: Trev Harmon


Last Ward and Stake: Provo YSA 207, Provo 12th Stake


How long do you intend to stay in the ward? Until I get married... or move.

Current School: BYU

School Year (Check one): r Freshman r Sophmore r Junior r Senior , I added an extra space and wrote... Other - Super Senior

Major: History/English Education 

Previous Church Callings: Relief Society Presidency, Activities and Music Committees, FHE Leader

Desired Church Callings: Relief Society, Sunday School, Ward Greeter/Smiler

Do you play any musical instrument? If so, what? No

Do you lead music? No (I learned my lesson after being the ward pianist and chorister for a year)

Special Skills: CPR and First Aid Instructor

So I lost most of my jokes, but I learned my lesson when it comes to mentioning special skills. I could not tell you how many times I got asked to translate in my earlier ward... it was twice. I still received a comment from the ward clerk that my answer of "super senior" and "until I get married" caused them to laugh when they were reading it. Unfortunately I believe that means I will be getting a calling where I will be obligated to be fun or funny, those are always so much work.