As an avid apple user, I use iTunes daily. Just about every song I bought has been from iTunes, and so far I have $477 worth of music purchased from iTunes (including music from gift certificates). I have been trying to whittle down my library because half the music I had in there I didn’t even like. I also love putting my music on shuffle so I get a mix of all my music. I have pretty much got my library to the point where I want it, and am now adding more music. I don’t know what I would do without music, its pretty much amazing. I am into just about every kind of music, and lately I have been starting to like country (I was raised to hate it haha). Mainly I like rap, techno, pop punk, etc. I really like songs that have good beats and melodies. I just listen to the music part and rarely pay attention

 Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~Confucius     

One thing I am doing is creating “mood” playlists. My most recent one is “sleepy time music” so that when I am going to bed and feel like some tunes I just play all the songs in that specific playlist. It helps alot because you don’t have to go searching around for that one song.. 

Ron Paul asked people to raise $500,000 before the end of the quarter (Sun. night). Not only did we pass by the $500,000 mark, today the donations exceeded 1 million dollars. To me this shows how many people out there actually support him and how there are some people who know what condition our country is in. I donated 50 bucks (I would have done more, but I’m a starving student) and I know it will be used for good. 

Frankly, I’m floored.  And very, very grateful.  Our $500,000 online fundraising goal for the end of the quarter was reached so fast it took my breath away.  But we can’t stop now.  So I am raising the bar to $1 million by midnight, September 30th.  I am so grateful for all you have done. Would you help me with this? Whenever I face a hit piece on tv, or a smear in a newspaper column, I remember my secret weapon:  you.  In establishment politics, people make campaign contributions because they want something:  a contract, a subsidy, a special-interest deal.  But the thousands of people who contribute to this campaign want no favors from big government — which must come at the expense of their fellow citizens, and sometimes our soldiers’ lives.  They want only what is their God-given, natural, and constitutional right:  their freedom. -Ron Paul   

I am extremely happy because this will show everyone Ron Paul means business and is not just another presidential candidate. Also I’m sure many news stations will be reporting on this which = free publicity!! 

The media might be able to erase post-debate online polls that showed Ron Paul won. They might be able to dismiss Ron Paul’s support as “just the Internet” (whatever that means). But they can’t dismiss the fact that thousands of people from Manchester to Pasadena are supporting Ron Paul’s campaign for president with their hard-earned money – with $5 donations, $2,300 ones, and every amount in between.   

In case you didn’t know, I have a movie of the week page that I will be changing usually every Sunday. This weeks in amazing, just click on the link to the right. Also for those here at BYU with no access to youtube, email me because I know how to fix it haha By the way, ITS SNOWING OUTSIDE!!!! YAHOOOO 

One big topic being discussed in my Intro to International Polotics class is the demonstrations from tens of thousands of monks in Myanmar. They are protesting against a military junta that has the country’s leader under house arrest.

 Since the military crushed a peaceful nationwide uprising in 1988, killing an estimated 3,000 civilians, the country, formerly known as Burma, has sunk further into poverty and repression and become a symbol for the outside world of the harsh military subjugation of a people.Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, has been locked inside her home for 12 of the last 18 years, and the government has arrested thousands of political prisoners.The United States and Europe have led a tightening economic boycott that has been undermined by trade and assistance from Myanmar’s neighbors, mainly China but also India and some Southeast Asian nations. The United States has diplomatic relations with Myanmar but no ambassador. President Bush, his wife, Laura, and a roster of Hollywood celebrities have spoken out recently about Myanmar, and the abuses of human and political rights by the military junta are expected to take a high profile at the United Nations session starting this week. 

As I was riding my bike to class I noticed a small table and a guy stopped me and told me all about what was happening. I told him I already knew and I signed a petition they were going to send to the Chinese diplomat. (China is the reason we can’t do anything about it, they veto everything in the UN) They also has little boxes where you check if you would fast or pray for the monks… I though that was pretty cool. I think its ridiculous that we still have things like this going on in the world… way to go monks!!

I have grown up using Apple computers. I had the occasional terrifying experience of windows, mainly at school. I have lost count of how many times me and my friends have argued which is better, mac or pc? To me, the obvious answer is macs. I will give you my top 5 reasons as to why I think this.

1.  They are simply gorgeous. Any mac you look at you can’t help but think how good it looks. And people here at BYU look cool with a pure white glossy notebook, compared to a dull mainstream black one.
2. They are user friendly. My mac mini has all I need: itunes, iphoto, and so on. Nothing more. Why would I need to fill up space with useless applications I will never use? Plus the applications it DOES come with get the job done, fast and easy.
3. Many people argue about games and how most are made for PC. Who says I play computer games? I want my computer to be like me. I love music, movies, pictures, and my blog. And my mac does all of these things way better than any pc could.
4. Think about it… if it weren’t for Apple, we wouldn’t have iPods or iTunes, two of the worlds wonders. What has Microsoft done? Don’t even get me started on the iPhone…
5. “117,000 Viruses? Not on a Mac. Mac OS X was designed for high security, so it isn’t plagued by constant attacks from viruses and malware like PCs. Likewise, it isn’t plagued by never-ending security dialog boxes like those in Vista. So you can safely go about your work or fun without interruption.  

I couldn’t think of anything to write about today.. so I figured I would tell you all about my dream car. It frequently changes, as there are many of these magnificent machines, but there is one in particular that I will always want to get behind the wheel of. Known as the Ford GT, it is the fastest production car in the U.S. In other words its factory made, not hand-made. 

The car is one of the most agressive yet smoothest looking muscle cars I have ever seen. Most people define this car as a sports car, but I like to define it as an American Muscle Car. This car really brings out the true colors of America and what the country is about, hard work and muscle. I will always treasure this car as one of my most favorite american cars ever built. -Erik     

I have seen a couple at the drag races held back home, but only parked. I saw one while driving, when I was on my Dad’s motorcycle. I almost peed my pants when he pulled up behind me.

My vote goes to this guy. I recently went to one of his rallies with my roommate, brother and his wife. Everything he said just made sense. I also could really tell that he is so humble yet at the same time people respect him. Many people say that he has a “snowballs chance in hell” of winning. Even if he doesn’t win, I think he is doing an amazing job at bringing up things that no one else would even have the courage to do!

 Congressman Ron Paul is the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. He is known among his congressional colleagues and his constituents for his consistent voting record. Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.In the words of former Treasury Secretary William Simon, Dr. Paul is the “one exception to the Gang of 535” on Capitol Hill.        

There are so many things that need fixing in our country… and he knows what needs to be done. I invite you to check out his website, especially the issues section. http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

 Well last night it snowed for the first time this season.. there was a small storm that mainly hit the mountians. Sorry the post is so late, I have been up all night playing Halo 3!! Coolest game ever. But yeah today actually felt like Utah! Cold, crisp air with big clouds barreling over you. It made me happy to feel like I was in Utah and not Arizona or the Sahara Desert…

As an avid Halo 2 player, I have been drooling at the new Halo 3 game. It has many new weapons and SWEET vehicles.. a bunch of kids in my dorm have 360’s and most have pre-ordered Halo 3.

The epic saga continues with Halo 3, the hugely anticipated third chapter in the highly successful and critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Master Chief returns to finish the fight, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, Halo 3 expands on everything that has made the Halo franchise great, adding a wealth of graphical, technical and gameplay advancements, as well as offering a whole new level of online gameplay.    

I suggest you go to ign.com and watch their Halo 3 Review. Definitely worth your time. As for me, I will be going to class and work daydreaming about midnight tomorrow…

Me, Ryan, Jordan, AJ, and Jergy (they were in my home stake, and all came up to BYU) all bought season passes to the Canyons (Park City) We are all VERY excited to get out there. I went once last year and it was the best day of snowboarding ever! The resort is so big that even if its crowded, you can’t even tell! And we went the day after a storm so there was fresh powder everywhere!! I have been snowboarding about 5 times… and its awesome! I get alot better each time so I am hoping with the season pass I will become an “intermediate” rider haha. I will also be making some videos with me and my friends so look for those. 

I know a lot of people that used to ski, but I don’t know anyone who used to snowboard.