GOING TO D.C.!

So the time has finally arrived for me to do something really "big boy" - an internship. On somewhat of a whim, I decided to apply for an internship in Washington, D.C. for the spring of 2010. What I thought would be a simple "yes/no" response was really a triple-interview extravaganza that left me absolutely certain that I had no future.

Interview #1: Senator Hatch's Office
First interview I've had since applying for the job I currently have. I felt rather confident, however, because I had some connection with the interviewer. My sister-in-law's brother had been an intern for the interviewer, so I could at least mention a name. Overall, this interview went ok...probably a 7 out of 10.

Interview #2: Congressman Chaffetz's Office
Two interviewers. Unexpected questions to which my answers were probably more unexpected. I hadn't done much homework before this interview, which left me yearning to turn back time to get ready. Of the three interviews, I felt like this was my least impressive. "Well," I thought, "at least I have one more today."

Interview #3: Senator Bennett's Office
I walked into the building feeling prepared. I had used the previous two interviews as templates for the third. I asked myself questions, I read up on issues, I practiced my answers...no sweat. There was nothing impeding me from having a stellar interview.
THREE interviewers. They asked me some of the classic questions to which I gave probably classic answers. The bulk of the interview was spent listening to one man give a description of what the interns in that office do. When I began to feel like I really had made a good impression, the handed me a paper that became, I believe, the reason for my rejection. They expected me to respond to a fake letter concerning the public option in health care. After 15 minutes of stumbling my way through poor writing, I gave up. I handed in my letter and walked shamefully across campus.

After the third interview was over, I felt defeated. I couldn't believe I had blown all chances of interning in D.C. After reading my rejection letter from Senator Bennett's office, I gave up hope.

In the end, everything turned out wonderfully. Apparently the stars aligned that day and Jason Chaffetz's office accepted me for the spring. I'm going to Washington!

The Dating Chronicles: Post 2

The Blind Date: The idea of a blind date makes sense:  Person A tells Person B of their dating struggles.  Person B tries to match qualities of Person A to friends and acquaintances.  Finally, Person B finds Person C to match up with Person A.  Person A and Person C go on a "blind date," realize they are meant for each other, and continue toward marriage.

That's the idea, anyway.

Most single people cringe when they hear "blind date."  When describing a blind date experience, most singles would refer to them as "boring," "terrible," "really bad," and the like.  

I think blind dates are ideal for the most part.

PROS:

• There's no need to find someone.  Another person plans the date, and you simply show up.
• There's no obligation.  If all goes well you've added another person to the dating pool.  A second date implies that both parties are interested.  If all ends after the first date, then you've eliminated yet another person from the "potential" list and you move on.  There's no guilt in never seeing that person again.  It's not as if you're distancing yourself from a long-time lover.  You're simply avoiding ever having to spend time with the same person you suffered with for 6 hours on a date because your friend thought you'd be the perfect couple.  No awkward break-ups.  No heartache.  No doubt.
• You can learn a lot about what your friends think of you by the quality of the blind date they set you up with.  If upon meeting your date you think, "Are you kidding me?" then you'll realize how little your friend knows you.  If, however, you think "Wow, this is going great!" then you and your friend can enjoy an even stronger bond than before because you are both on the same page.

CONS:

• Spending valuable time and money on someone you don't care about.
• Hating the friend who set you up.
• Receiving stalkerish texts from a blind date who just doesn't understand that you aren't interested, even if you don't call back.

All in all, blind dates are just fine.  You just may meet your future spouse.  If not, at least you have a new funny story to share with friends.

The Dating Chronicles: Post 1

The Single's Ward:

The Utah State Fair, like most other state fairs (I assume) has the livestock competition. Cattle, sheep, swine, rabbits, goats, and other animals are put on display so spectators can admire their size and appearance. After a period of a few days, new animals are brought in for the same purpose. Eventually winners are chosen and ribbons are awarded to those who have the most impressive "performance."

So it is with a singles ward. Hundreds of young people flood the chapel, each claiming their desire to be spiritually lifted, yet other motives are afoot. The first few minutes of sacrament meeting and Sunday School are spent scanning the room for the fresh "livestock." Men and women alike are drawn to church each Sunday with the hope that they'll find their blue-ribbon partner. There's no secret - single's wards perpetuate an atmosphere of competition. Your best friends are your toughest opponents.

The elephant (or in this case, the large pig) in the room is MARRIAGE. Jokes are made in every talk, lesson, and testimony, and although we all laugh, it's everyone's worry. A ward full of singles, you would think, should be a petri dish of love. Marriages should happen so much more frequently than they do. It so often seems that we enjoy walking between the pig pens trying to decide which one we like best. We're afraid to give away our blue ribbon, because we only have one. We're all awaiting the day that we finally award the ribbon and take home our prize pig.

Until then, we're confined to walk the stinky pens of dating looking for our favorite pig*.

*The word "pig" in no way represents the way I feel about women. It is simply congruent with my analogy. No ill feelings intended.

Barrett Movie Classics

Growing up with a very cultured mother has been a huge blessing in my life. Much of what I do, like, and desire comes from the way Ginger raised me. One thing, for which I am so giddy, that Gigi has given me is the love for old movies - movies I never would have seen without her encouragement.

These are some of the best movies of all time. Doris Day, John Wayne, Robert Redford, Don Knotts, James Garner, Rock Hudson, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby (what kind of a name is Bing?), Howard Keel...the list goes on and on. I love these movies. I'm painfully aware that no one reads this blog, but if you happen to be reading this and you want a Brady Barrett review of any of these films, or others of the same genre, let's talk about it over lunch. Or dinner. We'll have our own "dinner and a movie" experience.

Coming together

Life is coming together. A few thoughts:
Bing.com is my new internet lover. I never thought I could stray from Google, but Bing just may have stolen my heart. Bing is like Google, but a step above. It's simple - simpler than Google. It's attractive - the background changes every day. Today there's an cute sea turtle looking right at me as I do my online searches. The never-ending scroll bar as I go through pictures is genius, as is the 7-second preview of videos just by placing my pointer over the image. Just when you thought the best couldn't be beaten, Microsoft releases Bing.
The end is in sight! Feeling somewhat overwhelmed for the last couple of months, I finally visited a school advisor to see where I was academically. Turns out, I have a mere 4 semesters left. As if that wasn't good news enough, he planned everything out for me. I cannot be more pleased.
We rented waverunners a couple weeks back at Deer Creek. What a blast. My last jetskiing experience was about 2 years ago in Hawaii, where we were constrained to a big clockwise loop. There were no limits at deer creek. I managed to throw myself off 7 times in total, the best of which was when Brandon and I were riding together. We were so heavy that every little turn almost capsized us, so when we finally fell, we fell hard. The the waverunner shot about 40 yards in front of us. It was hilarious.
I failed to mention that Daniel Summit Lodge, minutes away from Strawberry Reservoir, is awesome. They had arcade games that cost only 25 cents, including Ms. Pacman and Pinball. Tawni and I about wet our pants playing this submarine game. We probably spent at least $10 on that machine alone, but it all paid off when we were able to put our initials in as the Number 1 top score. I can't wait to go back to see our victory.
Our ward is heading to Jackson Hole in a couple weeks, which should be awesome.
Dating? Blah.
Brittany comes home from Kansas after 4 weeks; my mother after 2. And it's good to see Brandon starting life with his wife and almost baby. They're taking off to Iowa next week. Sad, but good for him!

Water Balloon Toss

Bonneville Radio held their annual 4th of July BBQ at the Triad Center last week. The Carriage Cafe provided their grills for our hamburgers and hot dogs, and we all enjoyed a favorable lunch around the rushing waters of the Triad Center fountain. Tickets were dispersed and prizes were given to celebrate the birth of this nation.

The best prizes were yet to be given: satisfaction, victory, and $25 to use at the Gateway.

Yes. We had a water balloon toss.

The principles of the water balloon toss are simple. There must be one or two referees. Participants are divided into teams of two (the number of teams is limitless). Team members face each other, standing a few feet apart. Each team has one water balloon. All balloons must start in the same side. At the referees signal, the team member with the balloon must toss it to his teammate. If the catch is successful, mild cheering is allowed. Both members must take a step backward. Then repeat, each time taking a step back. The team who doesn't drop their balloon wins.

And so it was with Brandon and I. Being brothers at the same workplace, it was natural for us to be a team. As the toss progressed, I knew we'd be tough to beat. Our lobs were perfect - soft releases yet with enough force to reach each others hands. Our catches were delicate - extended arms and wide hands initially cup the balloon, then a quick step back and a swinging motion help to cradle the water-filled latex. Throw after throw I was astonished at our success, until we finally defeated the competition. With sweat running down my back, I gratefully accepted the well-deserved Gateway gift card.

Pointless.

I'm beginning to wonder why I even have a blog. I have about 85 views, and I'm certain at least 82 of those are from me.