Tweet Incredible

So with my recent graduation, it became time for me to take the necessary steps in becoming an independent.

First on that list was getting kicked off the family plan.

I'd been rocking this phone for the past three years:

This phone and I had some great times together. Lots of text c

onversation. Lots of crappy quality pics. I'll miss it. But if I'm going to pay for my own plan, this phone was not coming with me. So I upgraded.

To this:

It's a whole new ballgame, kids. Once you go smartphone, you'll never go dumbphone again. Internet, apps, sports, angry birds, and Twitter. Glorious Twitter. I never knew how badly I needed to know random facts about the daily lives of celebrities. But, oh did I ever need it. I laugh. I cringe. But I love love love Twitter. I'm still a novice tweeter, but once I get the hang of hashtags and the like there may be no stopping me. (There may be no (one) following either, but that's fine.)

So I think the main point of this post was to brag. So, yeah, thanks for listening.

Make Sure You're Sitting Down For This One

I, (The) Paper Badge(r), joined a gym. Yeah. It happened. For those of you who know me, the real me, this is an unusual first for me. Prior to now, I had lifted weights a grand total of one time in my life. I hated running unless it was after a frisbee or a soccer ball. (I was not a dog) But now I am running. I am lifting. And I am sweating. And hurting. Not sure what I am doing to myself.

Never Text and Mall Walk

Weekend

It's the weekend. So here's a song called "Weekend."

Leaving Logan

Almost seven years ago, I left Logan for the first time. It was my first time living away from home and what began as a very difficult experience grew into a life-changing memory. I made many friends. I went out shopping and did laundry on my own for the first time. I fell in love with ultimate frisbee. I had my first real part time job. I grew to love the quiet college town with its beautiful scenery and friendly residents. It had become my home. But I had to leave to accomplish serving a mission. When I drove down Main Street leaving the town behind, I cried. I was only going to be gone for two years, but I cried.

Two weeks ago, I left Logan for the second time. A winter storm was approaching so we had to move quick. My dad and I threw all my belongings into boxes and garbage bags and piled them into our family's Suburban. Everyone was still gone for Christmas break, so there were no goodbyes and definitely no crying. The whole process was like ripping off a Band-Aid. Only it was a Band-Aid that had been attached to my heart and soul for nearly a decade.

Last Thursday, I went back to Logan to say goodbye. I visited USU campus and the Best Western. I drove down Main Street again and up the roads where I'd like to walk and think. I said goodbye to my friends. I slept in my old apartment. (with permission, of course.) Most importantly, I was able to close that chapter of my life. I love everything about Logan and Cache Valley, but it had run its course. I'm excited for Salt Lake City and whatever new challenges and experience await. And I'll look forward to returning to Logan again. As a visitor.

The Return

New Year's Resolution #1: Write/blog more often

What? Did you think I had died? I thought I forgot about you? You thought I didn't love you anymore? On the contrary, my friends. The past *cough* four months *cough* have been busy and weird. I packed up and left Logan. I dyed my hair black. I brought back the Annie dress for a triumphant Halloween reprise. I went to South Bend. Christmas happened and so did Thanksgiving. The Utes were great, then sucked, were good again, and then really sucked. The Niners were a disaster. The Jazz are fun and confusing. I brought the beard back. I graduated college. I am unemployed.

For some reason I never blogged about any of this.

I can't spend much time apologizing for that. I can't even count how many times I have began a blog post or journal entry with "I'm sorry it's been such a long time..." and I can't even promise that this is the last hiatus for Paper Badge. But, I'm posting today and that is all that matters right now.