April and May 2011 Update

Before I wait too long, here's how my April and May went

 GENERAL STUFF
- Worked for Freedom Academy until their school year ended at the end of May. I intend to return to work there when the school year starts up again. Until then I will work at my favorite summer destination- The Home of the Owlz!!
- Netflix rentals that I enjoyed include True Blood Season 2, Marwencol, The Tilman Story, and Inside Job.
- Still watched shows Celebrity Apprentice, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, SNL, The Soup, Kitchen Nightmares, and of course all my favorite movie reviewers online.
- Many a visit to the post office and gas stations for drinks.

APRIL

- Outings with Katie included late night dining experiences at Village Inn and IHOP, a double date miniature golfing at Mulligans, seeing the movie Paul, and the Living Planet Aquarium,
- Ate more food around town at Marley's (first time), One Man Band in Spanish Fork (tradition), Skipper's (it's been a while), and a Giant Chimichanga from Mountain West Burrito (expensive but worth it!).
- Had a Spring Break again thanks to working for a school. I did my traditional visit to Nickel City playing some games. I also walked to Movies 8 to see a movie which I hadn't done in years.

MAY

- I attended the funeral of my Aunt Linda who was my mom's youngest sister. She was the coolest ever and I hope she's still raising hell wherever she is. This means that I went on brief trip to California where I got to see the beach again and have some good times with family living down there.
- Almost had jury duty but then the case was settled before it could happen. 
- Outings with Katie in May included a double date eating at Shakey's and seeing the movie Fast Five, other movies including the new Pirates of the Carribean and Bridesmaids, a weekend camping/four wheeling adventure at the Little Sahara Sand dunes, and we went to Payson to be there for the birth of her first niece.
- Got a new pair of shoes that I love. They are blue with black laces.
- bought new albums from The Lonely Island, Death Cab for Cutie, and SebastiAn. So much more music to come this year- so exciting!

Thanks for reading

The Blog Challenge Conclusion

27. Pets
I never really had a pet until the fall of 2003 when we were given a pug puppy named TJ.  Sadly, TJ only lived with us for about 4 months before being hit by a car.

A month after that in April 2004 we were given another pug puppy named Clark and he has the been my best bud ever since. Yes I may treat him like the little brother I never had but I'm always happy to see him.

Two years later we decided to bring another pug into our home to be a playmate to Clark and her name is Minnie. They are the best and sweetest dogs on the planet and make my home a lot better.


28. Something that stresses you out
One thing that can stress me out is when I'm at work and I'm thinking too much about it being work. This doesn't happen too often cause I have tons of music and podcasts to keep me distracted enough to make my job more fun.  The podcasts I listen to include Geekshow Podcast, The Big Movie Mouth Off, Nerdist, Doug Loves Movies, The Dork Forest, WTF w/ Mark Maron, and Comedy Film Nerds,

29. 3 Wishes
- A New/Different Car
- Weather gets good and stays that way
- long and happy life, and more contact with my friends could help contribute to that in great ways


30. A (Recent) Picture and Three Good Things

So that concludes the 30 Day Blog Challenge which took a few days longer than it should have and was updated pretty poorly but it has been a blast and some of the topics I came up with so there wasn't too much info overlapping. The three good things that have happened in the last 30 days are
1- Getting some comments and feedback on these blog posts, always appreciated
2- I saw the movie Thor which I loved and it's the first great movie of 2011, can't wait to hear what the Geek Show panelists think.
3- and last, but certainly not least, the good times I have spent with my girlfriend (who took this pic). With every day I feel closer to her and look forward to the future.

Massive, but brief, Blog challenge Update

17. Something you're looking forward to
Orem Owlz 2011 Season (Home games start Monday June 20th) and hopefully working there for all of it

18. Something you regret
Just being myself and being more social/involved in things during my high school years. That would be my advice to anyone that age- just be you and hang around people who appreciate you for it.  


19. Something you miss
I miss hanging out with my friends on an all-the-time basis like I did as a kid, which is saying that I miss being young with my friends before all the responsible adult and life changing things occurred.


20. Favorite Quote
"Don't Be Sad It's Over, Be Happened it Happened" - Unknown


21. A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
One that comes to mind is "A Movie Script Ending" by Death Cab for Cutie, depending on the day/mood it's a guaranteed cry. I'm listening to it as I type this and I think I'm gonna tear up, in joy of course.



22. Favorite city

I'll say Washington DC cause it's the only city I have really explored by myself for hours and hours a couple years back. 



23. Favorite vacation
Picking a favorite vacation is not easy by any means, but the one that comes to mind is a vacation to California in 1999.  My family and I first went to San Francisco which was so awesome. We then drove directly south to the Temecula area which I've mentioned before going to on this blog. In all this time I visited almost all of my family that lives in California and somewhat made a stronger bond with some of them.

24. Something you've learned
Wow um, I know if this is a "great lesson" or anything but I think I have learned to just shut up and do things sometimes cause throwing a fit and thinking too much about it will cause more stress than just doing something. I'm mostly referring to doing a quick favor for someone which in my case is my mother.

25. Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
This is a random selection from my current 100 most played list
1. The Sun's Gone Dim and the Sky's Turned Black by Johann Johannsson
2. Broken by Gorillaz
3. Alice Practice by Crystal Castles
4. '75 aka Stay with You by Lemon Jelly
5. Sold my Soul by The Used
6. Why Even Try by Theophilus London featuring Sara Quin
7. Derezzed by Daft Punk (Tron Legacy Soundtrack)
8. I'm Not Contagious by Chromeo
9. Take It All by Adele
10. Rox in the Box by The Decemberists


26. Favorite Places to Eat
Based on everything from atmosphere to drink products and of course food, these are some of the places that are always a joy to go to.

- Cafe Rio
- Chick-Fil-A
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries
- Jimmie Johns
- P.F. Changs China Bistro
- Smashburger

30 DBC #16- Dream Home

I don't have the biggest vision of what my dream home would look like, but I can think of things I would have inside and outside of my dream home.

- Vending Machine dispensing free cans of soda

- Pool Table

 - Movie Theater (Of course)

- Tons of IKEA Furniture and Art

- Display cases and framed posters galore
- and most likely a Basketball court

30 DBC #15- Concerts

I just wanted to list a time line of concerts I've been to in my life


06/25/1996- "Weird Al" Yankovic
09/30/1999- "Weird Al" Yankovic- at Kingsbury Hall University of Utah
06/02/2000- 311 (w/Incubus)
07/20/2000- "Weird Al" Yankovic
11/20/2000- 311 (w/ Zebrahead)
11/09/2001- Incubus (w/ The Start)
03/04/2002- 311 (w/ Hoobastank) in OREM!!
10/16/2002- Finch (New Found Glory was headliner but didn't stay for them)
08/30/2003- 311
11/14/2003- Korn and Limp Bizkit
03/18/2004- A Perfect Circle (w/ Mars Volta)
03/26/2004- Clay Aiken & Kelly Clarkson (I always forget that I went to this, I was there cause it was free and was with family)
09/18/2004- "Weird Al" Yankovic
09/07/2007- "Weird Al" Yankovic (Yes I've been to every show of his since I became a fan 17 years ago)
05/26/2008- Death Cab For Cutie (W/ Tegan and Sara)
07/19/2008- The Police (w/ Elvis Costello)
08/12/2009- Halestorm and Lacuna Coil (Free Show)
07/13/2010- Paul McCartney

Another Blog Challenge Catch Up

Number 12-What you Believe
I have a lot of crazy opinions and beliefs, here's just a few
-I believe that people do not need to be jerks, life's too short for stupid drama
-I believe that if two people love each other no matter what religion, race, or gender they are then they should have the right to do whatever they chose to do in celebrating their love including marriage.
-I believe that a business should be able to make money/profits, however they should not be able to keep all of it if it's a ridiculous amount (millions, billions, etc) of profit. There should be no individual who makes millions and billions of dollars and get to keep all of it at years end.
- I believe that doctors, lawyers, and other highly trained individuals should do what they do because they actually like it and not because of the money they stand to make.

Number 13-Goals
I actually have a list prepared for this that I made for a Positive Psychology class a year ago, here are my basic goals.

2. Keep some kind of job
3. Always keep things organized (avoid hoarding)
4. Love my hair as long as it stays there
11. Donate time, energy, and some money to great causes
13. Speak up when people walk over me
19. Live life until it’s over
24. Always remember what makes her (my girlfriend) special
31. Never go a day without saying “I Love You”
32. At least one sentence of communication with girlfriend a day
53. Walk at least 2 ½ hours a week
61. Travel to New York City, United Kingdom, Australia, and Paris
80. Keep up with TV shows by getting a DVR
83. Bungee Jump/Sky Dive
89. Read more often, even if only comedic books


Number 14- A picture you love
So many pictures to chose from, but I choose this from my 2008 trip to California

Blog Challenge Catching Up

Number 8-A place you've traveled to
One place out of many that I've been to is Charlottesville, Virginia. I traveled there in the fall of 2007 to see one of my friends I met in high school named Britney. She was my guide for a day and a half showing me local shops, a yummy bagel joint, lovely scenery, and great friendly atmosphere.

Number 9-A picture of your friends
I love every chance I get to take pictures with my friends. Some of my friends love to take pics like I do and some can take the torture of taking a quick snapshot. Here are pics of some friends that I have taken.

Number 10-Some things you're afraid of
- I'm afraid I'm going to pass a kidney stone and other medical problems passed down in my family
- I hate being around bees, wasps, etc
- Loss of the things and people I hold dear
- Never finding a well paid and benefited job

Number 11-Favorite TV shows (just to name a few and in no special order)


Animated- Family Guy, Ren and Stimpy, The Simpsons, Beavis and Butthead, The Cleveland Show, Daria,


Drama- 24, Heroes (the first couple seasons), Dexter, True Blood



British- Blackadder Goes Forth, Peep Show, Spaced, Mr. Bean


Comedy- Seinfeld, The Soup, Californication, Saturday Night Live, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Wonder Showzen



Sports/ Talk/Reality- Conan, Pardon the Interruption, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares

DBC #7- (Some of my) Favorite Movies

I could go on and on about movies, but here are some random categories that show what some of my favorite movies are.

Favorite Movie Franchise- Indiana Jones

Favorite Comedy- Ferris Buehler's Day Off

Favorite Drama- Forrest Gump

Favorite Science Fiction- A Clockwork Orange

Favorite Sports Movie- Rocky III

Favorite Historical Movie- JFK, the most un-boring 3 1/2 hour movie I've ever seen.

Favorite Thriller/Horror- Silence of the Lambs

Favorite Disney Movie- The Jungle Book


Favorite Courtroom Drama- A Time To Kill


Favorite Foreign Film- City of God

Favorite Comic Book/Superhero Movie- The Dark Knight 

Favorite Crime/Police Drama- The Departed

Favorite Romantic Comedy- She's Out of My League (I am a guy after all hahaha)


Favorite Mystery- Brick

Favorite Buddy Cop Movie(s)- Rush Hour

DBC #6- Happy Pics

 Traveling/Going To Certain Places That Aren't In Utah Makes Me Happy. Donuts=Happiness haha

Day #6- Picture(s) of Something That Makes Me Happy
Well the obvious point to make is that my pictures make me happy. I've loved to take pictures ever since I was a boy and I've always tried to capture as many things as possible. I'm trying not to sound like a broken record in this whole blog challenge so I'll try to post pictures that aren't just my favorite things or interests like I've mentioned already.

The Beach Obviously Makes Me Happy

Nice and Sunny Canyon Walks Make Me Happy

A View of Utah Valley From High Up Makes Me Happy

Amusement Parks Definitely Make Me Happy

Other Pics I would include are going to be featured in future posts.

Thanks for Stopping By

DBC #4 & 5- Family

I'm gonna cheat a little and take up the fourth and fifth blog challenge in one post to talk about my family since both have to do with the topic. First of all I have really great parents. They've been really patient and calm when I stay out late with my girlfriend, they encourage me to follow what's in my heart, and they have always lead and guide me without being pushy or demanding. I owe them a ton for raising me well and for paying for most of the things that I currently use and I try to do what I can to help what they need to get done.

I have great siblings as well. I have spent my whole life idolizing my brothers for their talents, skills, their love and commitment to their own significant others/families, and their hard work and dedication to put food on their tables each and every day. I have a really awesome older sister too who is very supportive and interested in my endeavors. She has stayed strong (Army strong of course) through some hard times and I admire her determination in everything she does. I am happy being an uncle to my nieces and nephews who are amazing in all that they do.  I strive to be a good influence on them and I plan on smiling as I watch them grow.

30 DBC #3- Love

Day #3- Love
ummmm, not quite sure what to say here. The challenge today is supposed to be about my first love but I don't want to give the title "First Love" to anybody in particular so I'll just briefly summarize my life experiences on liking members of the opposite sex. I guess I could say that there's always been girls I've been smitten with ever since i was a little boy so it really has been a lifelong search.

Being really small there was a girl who used to live across the street, one who lived a block away, and a couple others that I'd see several times. Going to elementary school there were one or two girls I had my eye on, a couple I actually got up the nerve to ask out in 5th grade. Nothing really happened with either of those occurrences, mostly cause I was extremely shy and didn't know how to interact with girls in that more than friendly way. This pretty much scared me away from really trying anything in Junior High and High School even though there were a couple girls I really had the hots for.

It wasn't until 2007 when I started to not worry so much about little things and just be myself around everybody especially women. I actually had the ambition to make more female friends. With that I started to meet girls left and right all of the sudden whether it be mutual friends, co-workers, or people on the internet. In that time I got the experience of fulling falling in love for a couple girls, however they were girls that I couldn't have for one reason or another. Dealing with the frustration was a great lesson to not be so gaga about someone when there's no sign of real romance.

Then in the fall of 2008 I started going out with my first official girlfriend which was exciting but strange cause the world of serious relationships was so new to me. The first serious relationship didn't last very long and shortly after I started going out with my second serious girlfriend (which you could read about on the blog from August 2009-May 2010). This relationship lasted 16 months which I expected but always had a hunch it would never move beyond that.

So for the remainder of 2010 I was really thrown out into the dating world like never before. There were good times and some other times I wish not to remember but overall it was good to gain more experience and realize that not every girl is for me. So that brings me to the current day and my third serious relationship which has felt the most real and right out of all of my silly crushes and other interactions with women. There's not much more I can think to say except that I am excited for my current love to grow.

30 DBC #2 & March 2011 Recap

Day #2- Meaning of Blog Name
There's not a whole lot behind my nickname J-Ray, it's currently my stage name of sorts for my comedy recordings.
J stands for Justin of course but simply "J" has been my nickname with some of my closest friends and family over the years. It spread like a virus at one time, one person would call me that and then before I knew it almost everybody was calling me it probably because it was simple and it helped when hanging with one of my close friends whose name is also Justin.
Ray is my middle name and it's also my dad's middle name. I was born on his birthday 25 years ago so it seems really appropriate. I'm pretty sure he would call me J-Ray some times as a kid so I've kept it that way for almost 8 years now.

Since that didn't take too long here's how my March went.

- The biggest thing to mention is that my relationship with my girlfriend Katie became official. I've had an absolutely great time with her in our first month as a couple. We've seen a couple new movies together.
Rango- Which I thought was good but dragged on a tiny bit. I don't normally see animated movies outside of Pixar but it was a fun, off the wall film.
Paul- a film made for movie nerds especially geeky movies, so it got to me in the right way. I admire the unpredictable turns just when I thought it was going to end in a certain way.
We've also had delicious food, movie/tv marathons, double date at the auto expo, a night of some dancing, a couple small walks here and there, and tons of laughs including a certain family dinner with her family
-I also saw The Green Hornet recently but was pretty disappointed with a lot of it. I didn't think much of The Tourist either.
- Netflix rentals that were interesting include Catfish, Season 1 of United States of Tara, and Season 1 of Big Love,
- Tried the place in Orem called Hot Dog King which I loved and definitely will order a foot long hot dog next time cause it looked absolutely delicious.
- TV show watching included Celebrity Apprentice, The Cleveland Show, and Family Guy as usual.
- I bought the new Panic At The Disco album and I love it a lot with a current rating of 9.1/10 making it the best album of the first quarter of 2011. There's so many more releases to come and I'm excited. 
- Oh yeah, I got a dollar an hour raise from my work, yay!

30 Day Blog Challenge Begins

I have always felt so silly that I don't write in here that often. The excuse could always be that I don't know what to talk about besides what's been going on in my life. I noticed that a lot of people have been doing a 30 day blog/photo challenge where there's a specific topic or idea for each day of a months worth of blog posts. So I shall take on this challenge.
Day 1- 15 Interesting Facts 
(There's also supposed to be an introduction but I'll just fit random stuff in in with these facts)
1. I'm known for a good memory and handwriting. The main thing people know me for is my major interest in music and movies. I own a ton of CDs/DVDs and collect movie/music posters.

You may also know me for my dorkiness for The Simpsons and Family Guy
2. I enjoy Diet sodas more than the regular ones. I have loved soda ever since I was a little one when I would go with my dad on mug runs to gas stations.
3. I like to try every restaurant in the area that makes a Cheeseburger. My other favorite foods include Chicken, Pizza, and Burritos.

4. Favorite color is blue. Although I do like to wear red and black a lot.
5. For school I went to Cascade Elementary, Canyon View Jr. High, Orem High (3.895 Cumulative GPA Yay!), and Utah Valley University (Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioral Science- Sociology Emphasis
and Associate’s of Science in Communications Double Yay!)
6. I walk almost every day for at least an hour. I have wandered around Orem, UT my whole life. I used to walk around looking for friends but as an older person it has been for exploration, enjoyment, and exercise.
7. Collect everything from t-shirts to State Quarters to drink cups to every drawing/painting/photo/artsy thing I've ever done
8. Things with me at all times- a watch (I don't feel like me without one), phone, wallet, keys, and a camera when I'm with others.
9. Youngest child with 3 older siblings. Always wanted a younger sibling but never got one.
10. Besides all over Utah, I've Been to California, Nevada, Texas, Virgina, and Washington DC.

11. Friends have always meant the world to me. Even if I don't see a lot of them anymore, the times with them are the best!
12. Cars that I've driven as my own- 1984 Mercury Marquis and 2002 Mazda 626
13. Lived in the same house my whole life up to this point and almost 15 years being in the same bedroom
14. Dessert wise I'm a cookie and rice crispy treat man
15. Best Job I've Ever Had- Ice Cream Stand for the Orem Owlz, which I hope to do for the 5th time this summer.

Wow that was actually tough
Thanks for reading

January and February 2011 in Review

MUSIC/MOVIES
-  2011 is looking to be one of the best years in music releases, at least with the music that I like and listen to. The first release that has my attention is The King is Dead by The Decemberists which I give right now a 8/10 rating. The big release in February is the second album by Adele titled 21 and for the moment I give it a 8.9/10.
- I actually did not see any January or February releases in theaters, instead I have been catching up with 2010 movies (and many others) thanks to my recent Subscription to Netflix and going to the dollar theater.
- So thanks to Netflix I have now seen the first season of True Blood, the FX show Louie, and the first season of the Skins (The British Version).
- I finally finished my 17th J-Ray comedy album titled Royal Flush after 6 months of work on it.
- I have become a fan and loyal listener of many different podcasts to guide me along my nights at work. I currently listen to Geek Show Podcast, Big Movie Mouth-Off, The Dork Forest, Doug Loves Movies, and the Harland Highway.

PERSONAL LIFE
- On my 25th birthday I went to see the movie True Grit and then got some food at Wing Nutz keeping up my b-day tradition of trying some place new.
- My favorite thing to note is that I hung out with my girlfriend named Katie (from Riverton, UT) and members of her family a couple times in January. I had really good times going to Laughing Stock (Improv Comedy show) in Salt Lake City, a couple The Big Bang Theory marathons at her house, and finally seeing Tron Legacy on New Years Day. In February we went out to celebrate my birthday at Mimi's Cafe and a couple weeks later we went on a double date over to Boondocks and then ate at Joy Luck restaurant in Sandy.

FOOD
- New places I've tried are T's Diner and Mountain West Burrito. Out of the two I definitely suggest the latter.

Besides that, just doing my normal mug runs, walks, sports chats, online videos, and all the other fun stuff that has helped get me through the winter.

2010 Highlights

This is a post to let the reader of this blog know the good parts of 2010 for me cause this has been honestly one of my least favorite years. So this post is also here to help myself remember the good and memorable moments in what I refer to as "The Year of the Black Rainbow" named after Coheed and Cambria's 2010 release.

01/01/10- New Years is always a blast for me. My individual dance party was cool as usual.
01/14/10- One Year Anniversary of going out with my now ex-girlfriend Anna, I made a surprise visit to her house with flowers.
02/01/10- 24th Birthday with tradition of trying a new restaurant (Smash Burger) and a movie (Edge of Darkness)
02/23- 03/25/10- Service Hours for the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program
03/17/10- Last Spring Break Tradition Visit to Nickel City
04/02/10- Black Hats House Party in Provo, the first of a couple house parties I went to
04/16, 21, 22, 28, and 05/05- Hanging out with one of my best friends Steve
04/28- Finals Day for my last semester of school
04/30/10- Graduation Day!!
05/04- Reaching the much anticipated $100 amount in my change jar
05/27- Helping Orem High School move stuff from the old (now demolished) building to the new one giving me a chance to walk through and remember high school one more time
06/02- Job Interview with the Orem Owlz starting another great summer job experience scooping ice cream
06/05- Started going on dates again after breaking up with Anna
07/13- Paul McCartney Concert at Rio Tinto Stadium
08/13-19- California Vacation
08/29- Lunch and Drives with my cousin David and my friend Courtney
09/06- 1st Date with a girl from Saratoga Springs starting off the happiest two and a half weeks of the year
10/23 & 30- Hang outs with a friend from Riverton with non stop laughs and fun times
10/25- Hired by Freedom Academy

OTHER STUFF to Mention
-Great albums by Chromeo, Coheed and Cambria, Uffie, Kate Nash, and several others.
- Awesome movies including Kick-Ass, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Iron Man 2, Toy Story 3, and numerous others
- Last Season of my Favorite Drama of the last decade 24
- Watched Conan leave and then come back to Late Night TV
- Hulu shows I got into were Kitchen Nightmares, Reaper, and Peep Show
- Food, Mug Runs, Walks,  and all the other usual stuff I did