More Pearls Before Swine.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
signs that you might be a competitive jerk
Last night at FHE we were playing a game at the bishop's house where we were divided into three teams. Each team was trying to come up with as many temples as they could, but you only got points for temples that the other teams didn't come up with. When we were reading our temples, our team kept getting shot down. ("We've got that one!", "Nope, doesn't count - we have it.") Finally we got one that no one else had (Detroit) and before thinking I said, "Ha! Suck it!" The bishop laughed and said that perhaps that phrase shouldn't be used in a temple game. Well, we ended up coming in second anyway. But the evening wasn't a total wash because later I was able to join the golf ball on tee club. The bishop has a snow globe with a golf ball and a tee in it and the object is to get the golf ball on the tee. I think the only members of this club are me, the bishop and Moses. So yeah - suck that!
Monday, August 17, 2009
old friends and bookends
I went to Washington DC this weekend for my cousin's wedding. It was nice. I haven't been to our nation's capital since I drove out with out there with Melissa about five or six years ago. I really don't know why I haven't been since moving to Ohio since it's only about a six and a half hour drive. Very easy day trip. Lady MacBeth and Legolas came with me so we could spend some time seeing the sites together when not at the wedding. Here are the highlights of the trip:
- Lady MacBeth and Legolas really are delightful people to travel with. They don't get crabby (like I do) and they are flexible with the itinerary. And it was nice seeing my family. We all went to dinner for my little sister Lydia's birthday after the temple.
- We met up with my old friend Andrew from BYU. The day before we left I remembered that he lives in DC now, so I sent him an email asking if he was free to meet up and he was. He hung out with us all day on Saturday and it was just delightful to see him and remember all the fun times we used to have.
- The wedding, of course, was lovely. I almost missed it due to traffic, but I got to the temple with about three minutes to spare. They took most of the pictures before the wedding (which no one told me... hmmmmm.....) so I got out of that part. But they took one picture after the ceremony with everyone. I convinced Lady MacBeth and Legolas to be in the picture. Everyone was kind of standing by families with the bride's side to the right and the groom's to the left. Except one little niece of the groom came over to our side and decided to hold Lydia's hand. And Legolas put his hand on Lydia's shoulder, so it will probably look like they are a couple with a cute little daughter in the wedding picture.
- We went to the Library of Congress. We weren't able to go into the part with all the books, just the part with the history and displays and stuff. I got a library card even though you're only supposed to get them if you're going to do research. But the next time I come back I will go and spend some time there.
- The Metro - I just love public transportation. I don't know why.
- I found the monuments to be quite beautiful. I wish that I could be that artistic. I guess that's why I don't design monuments. We saw the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam war memorials. Plus the Lincoln Monument. But not the Jefferson since I have a general dislike of him in deference to John Adams.
- I had one of the best hamburgers of my whole life at Ray's Hell Burgers. (It may have been called Ray's the Steaks, I'm not sure.) We also had some good chili at a place frequented by Barack (and by "frequented" I mean he's been there once). And we hiked about a hundred miles to a really good cupcake place. (I don't actually like cake very much, but I didn't want to spoil the party since Lady MacBeth and Legolas had been such good sports in going to all the places I'd wanted to go. But they were very good cupcakes for being made of cake.)
- This was my first time in the Air and Space Museum and I liked it. There was so much to see. It just went on and on and on. I could have spent all day there. (Note: I could have also spent all day at the Library of Congress, had they let me.)
- And finally, the magnet that Legolas bought me: (this might not be it exactly, but it's close)
- Lady MacBeth and Legolas really are delightful people to travel with. They don't get crabby (like I do) and they are flexible with the itinerary. And it was nice seeing my family. We all went to dinner for my little sister Lydia's birthday after the temple.
- We met up with my old friend Andrew from BYU. The day before we left I remembered that he lives in DC now, so I sent him an email asking if he was free to meet up and he was. He hung out with us all day on Saturday and it was just delightful to see him and remember all the fun times we used to have.
- The wedding, of course, was lovely. I almost missed it due to traffic, but I got to the temple with about three minutes to spare. They took most of the pictures before the wedding (which no one told me... hmmmmm.....) so I got out of that part. But they took one picture after the ceremony with everyone. I convinced Lady MacBeth and Legolas to be in the picture. Everyone was kind of standing by families with the bride's side to the right and the groom's to the left. Except one little niece of the groom came over to our side and decided to hold Lydia's hand. And Legolas put his hand on Lydia's shoulder, so it will probably look like they are a couple with a cute little daughter in the wedding picture.
- We went to the Library of Congress. We weren't able to go into the part with all the books, just the part with the history and displays and stuff. I got a library card even though you're only supposed to get them if you're going to do research. But the next time I come back I will go and spend some time there.
- The Metro - I just love public transportation. I don't know why.
- I found the monuments to be quite beautiful. I wish that I could be that artistic. I guess that's why I don't design monuments. We saw the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam war memorials. Plus the Lincoln Monument. But not the Jefferson since I have a general dislike of him in deference to John Adams.
- I had one of the best hamburgers of my whole life at Ray's Hell Burgers. (It may have been called Ray's the Steaks, I'm not sure.) We also had some good chili at a place frequented by Barack (and by "frequented" I mean he's been there once). And we hiked about a hundred miles to a really good cupcake place. (I don't actually like cake very much, but I didn't want to spoil the party since Lady MacBeth and Legolas had been such good sports in going to all the places I'd wanted to go. But they were very good cupcakes for being made of cake.)
- This was my first time in the Air and Space Museum and I liked it. There was so much to see. It just went on and on and on. I could have spent all day there. (Note: I could have also spent all day at the Library of Congress, had they let me.)
- And finally, the magnet that Legolas bought me: (this might not be it exactly, but it's close)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
clubbing
I think it's fun to be in a lot of clubs. Plus it looks good on your college application. So pretty much everything I do is a club. The main clubs I'm involved in now are Piano Club, Japan Club and Running Club. But I've also recently participated in State Fair Club, Ward Temple Night Club, Watching Bridget Jones 2 (edited) with Legolas and Lady MacBeth Club, Reading Club, Beach Club, Biking Club, Sushi Club, Playing Games with Old People Club (and winning $1.75 playing poker with them!) and Line Dancing Club.
(aside: I don't really think I'm a "cool" person, but nothing makes you feel like you're doing okay than not being good at line dancing. I mean, how do people get that good? I feel like I've made much better use of the last five years of my life.)
I suppose I'm also a member of Job Club, but that's mostly out of necessity. And I usually try to get out of Sunday School Club, though I really am honestly doing better. (I stayed the whole time this last Sunday and even paid attention! And answered a question!)
This weekend I'm having Going to Washington DC club, which I'm very excited about. While I'm there I'm going to JoAnna's Wedding Club and then spending the rest of the time at Seeing the Sites Club. It should be a grand old time.
I recently learned that blogs are more interesting with pictures. So in an effort to make my blog more interesting, here you go:
(aside: I don't really think I'm a "cool" person, but nothing makes you feel like you're doing okay than not being good at line dancing. I mean, how do people get that good? I feel like I've made much better use of the last five years of my life.)
I suppose I'm also a member of Job Club, but that's mostly out of necessity. And I usually try to get out of Sunday School Club, though I really am honestly doing better. (I stayed the whole time this last Sunday and even paid attention! And answered a question!)
This weekend I'm having Going to Washington DC club, which I'm very excited about. While I'm there I'm going to JoAnna's Wedding Club and then spending the rest of the time at Seeing the Sites Club. It should be a grand old time.
I recently learned that blogs are more interesting with pictures. So in an effort to make my blog more interesting, here you go:
Monday, August 10, 2009
i'm coming home, ireland
Two weekends ago, I went to the Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio. My favorite part was the music. The Irish just have wonderful music. Everywhere you go in the festival there is music playing - traditional bands, pipe bands, Irish rock bands, even just folks sitting down and playing sets (which, really, is what Irish music is all about).This post isn't really about the Irish Fest, though, as I don't really have much more to say about it other than it was lovely. But, being around so many things Irish reminded me of my last name, which is Irish. Or at least, the first Neeley that I'm related to who came from Europe came from Ireland. And thinking about Neeleys reminded me about a story that I heard once about Neeleys. And here it is....
The early Neeleys were a seafaring people and very adventurous. They were out exploring new waters and a new island was discovered. Well, there was quite an uproar - everyone around wanted to settle this new island. So it was decided that they'd have a contest - there would be a race to the new island and whoever touched it first got to claim it. The race starts, and Neeley fell behind, but was still pretty close to the leader. When it becomes apparent that he isn't going to reach the island before the other guy, he cuts off his hand and throws it to the island, thereby touching the island first and winning claim to settling it.
I was told this story by an old coworker who also had Neeley ancestors. I asked my grandma if she'd ever heard the story before and she said no. But what does she know? She's not really a Neeley anyway, she's a Hollrock (pure Prussian if ever there was one).
I, for one, believe the story is true because it showcases a lot of classic Neeley traits: competitive, bold, stubborn, high tolerance to pain, not thinking ahead (like - maybe I'll need a hand for the rest of my life?), cheating if it makes you win (or, looking for the loopholes), etc. I definitely believe I could have descended from someone like that.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
that's the second most exciting video game related news i've ever heard
Last night I decided to download Dr. Mario onto my Wii. Legolas has an old nintendo with that game and sometimes we play - Legolas, Lady MacBeth, Lord Goring and me. I tend to get beaten by everyone and being the competitive person I am, I don't like it. So, I got the game so I can practice. It probably won't work because I usually don't think to play video games when I'm bored, but at the very least, now we have the game at my house so Legolas doesn't have to haul it over if we want to play.
Anyway, while I was poking around WiiWare, I noticed that a game called "The Tales of Monkey Island" was also for sale. If you're like me (and who isn't?) you probably played a Monkey Island game or two growing up. We played a lot of computer games as kids, which is how I learned to be so good at solving puzzles and also looking up hints online.
At first I thought it was just the original Monkey Island released to play on the Wii because it was recently released for play on the iPod touch. But then I put my amazing internet skills to use and I discovered it is actually a new Monkey Island game. How did I not know this? It came out last month, for crying out loud! It seems like a pretty neat thing, actually (for nerds like me) - the game is separated into five chapters and one chapter comes out each month from July to November. So, I downloaded the first chapter, despite my claim in the first paragraph of this entry that I don't play video games much. In the half hour that I played last night it seemed pretty true to the originals. I don't really care about that as much as other people might, but the original ones were pretty funny, so I hope this one will be the same.
In case you haven't ever played these games (and if so, where have you been?) the main character is a pirate. So the game appeals to both my nerd side and my pirate side. What could be better?
Ps. It's available for PC too. Monkey Island
Anyway, while I was poking around WiiWare, I noticed that a game called "The Tales of Monkey Island" was also for sale. If you're like me (and who isn't?) you probably played a Monkey Island game or two growing up. We played a lot of computer games as kids, which is how I learned to be so good at solving puzzles and also looking up hints online.
At first I thought it was just the original Monkey Island released to play on the Wii because it was recently released for play on the iPod touch. But then I put my amazing internet skills to use and I discovered it is actually a new Monkey Island game. How did I not know this? It came out last month, for crying out loud! It seems like a pretty neat thing, actually (for nerds like me) - the game is separated into five chapters and one chapter comes out each month from July to November. So, I downloaded the first chapter, despite my claim in the first paragraph of this entry that I don't play video games much. In the half hour that I played last night it seemed pretty true to the originals. I don't really care about that as much as other people might, but the original ones were pretty funny, so I hope this one will be the same.
In case you haven't ever played these games (and if so, where have you been?) the main character is a pirate. So the game appeals to both my nerd side and my pirate side. What could be better?
Ps. It's available for PC too. Monkey Island
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