Recent Supreme Court BS.

Have you seen this?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/21/supreme-court-rolls-back_n_431227.html

Yikes.  Read the article.  It's worth it.  Absolutely unbelievable.

Omaha is cold.

Monday, I flew out to Omaha for my first eDealer show and Dealer Visits since I got my new job.  It's been a blast.  Omaha sure is cold, and apparently, they got 24 inches of snow in December.  The piles of snow everywhere are nuts.  Lots of 2 lane roads are closed down to one lane just because there is so much plowed snow in the road.

It's been a good time, and I've really really enjoyed meeting and working with the dealerships here.  I'm really excited to keep up the job.  I even did homework one night while I was here.  I've read a bunch in my book too.  So far, this month / year / decade has started off productively.  My lip has taken a beating, and I need to start on getting fit, but, I'm at least on my way with some good things :D

The Promotion!

If you know me at all, you've known that I've had my sights set on a promotion at eBay Motors for over a year now.  You also know that I've applied and not been promoted a few times now too.  I think in total, I applied and was turned down 4 or 5 times, which was something completely new to me.

I've never really struggled in a job before.  Everything I've ever had to do (if I want to do it) I've been able to do, and I typically do it well.  I consider myself a dedicated and hard worker.  Every time I was turned down for a promotion, I really got down on myself.  I just wasn't used to failing in that way.  It's definitely been a good thing, as I have been able to work on some specific things over the last year or year and a half, and I feel like I've come a long way.

Anyway, just before Christmas vacation, I was told I got the promotion I applied for.  Starting Monday, I'll be an eDealer Dealer Consultant here at eBay Motors.  eDealer is program we run at eBay Motors to train dealerships to use the site.  Here's the description on the site:

The partnership between your dealership and eBay Motors begins here. In this intimate, invite-only session, your upper management team will learn how to succeed on eBay Motors and get real training from automotive retail experts.

We'll walk you through the set-up process, so you'll be ready to hit the ground running. You'll also learn how other dealerships have found eBay Motors to be a unique platform allowing them to broaden their marketplace and sell more cars - even in tough times.

Finally, you'll learn best practices that will help your dealership take full advantage of all eBay Motors has to offer.

I'm excited.  I'll be visiting Dealerships all around the country teaching how to get the ball rolling with eBay Motors.  Traveling will be exciting for me.  I've got nothing keeping me here in Utah besides school, and since it won't be an OVERWHELMING amount of travel, I'll be able to keep going to school.

Anyway... I figured I'd post this blog, because I'm darn excited, and I know a few of you who read this haven't had the pleasure of hearing me gush about the position and my genuine excitement.

2010. I actually got around to it.

Funny, I've been thinking about a good New Years Eve post for a few days, but, as I finally find the time to write it, I've forgotten what it was I wanted to say.  I've been thinking a lot about the health care debate going on in my country, and that's all I want to post about.  Maybe it'll come back to me with what John posted about the other day.  PS.  I love John.  Heterosexual guy love. 

I'm going to quote him.

As the new year approaches it is time for all of us to make unrealistic and half-full promises to ourselves of what the new year will bring. As you make these "resolutions" you are well aware that you will not come close to accomplishing most of these easily attainable goals you set for yourself.

He goes on to explain why he thinks we make these resolutions. It makes us feel good to promise ourselves things, we are a dishonest species, and we're more concerned with self image than anything else. All good points. He also says:

I propose the new New Year tradition... "The New Year If I Get Around To It." I'm going to lose weight..If I Get Around To It. I'm going to get in shape... If I Get Around To It.

Makes sense.  I definitely understand what he is saying, and I agree.  I just don't know if that approach works for me.  Sure, I'll avoid the failure, but, I'm not going to get anywhere either.  John's approach works for him because he is so busy.  I'm busy, but, maybe busy with the wrong things.  Before I read John's post, I had been thinking about resolutions.  There are a few things I want to focus on, but, I don't want to make a cliche New Years Resolution.  Let's face it, I'm concerned with my image, and I'm not one to be cliche.  How cliche is that?

It gets worse.  One of things I want to focus on this year is caring less of what people thing of me, and doing things I want to do.  But I'm posting a blog about it.  I care so much about what people think of me, that I'm actually making it a public goal to care less.  How many eyeshadow-ed 16 year-olds have said the same thing?  Bang.  Another cliche.

Another thing I was to focus on?  Losing weight.  I want to be more active, do more thing, and not worry about my weight getting in the way. Cliche number.. 3 or 4 or something.  I'm not even keeping track.   But really, I want to, regardless of whether it's New Years or not.  A silly resolution isn't going to do it for me.  I need to put some skin in the game. I need a challenge, or a reward.  Someone challenge me.  Or reward me.  Whatever.

Reading.  I buy books all the time.  I want to read more. I suck at it. (Self depreciation.  Derek Cliche.)  I'm hoping with my promotion, I'm going to be able to read a bit while I travel.  Maybe that will get me so excited for what I'm reading, I'll want to do it more in my leisure time.  Seriously, I just need to know that it's really worth it, and I'll keep doing it.  Maybe not.  I think I know it's worth it.  Maybe I just need to create the habit.

Speaking of habits, How about I stop picking my lip?  Seriously.  I've done it for 12 years?   Half of my life up to this point.  That's about enough.  This thought is a Derek Cliche.  I've been saying this for year.  I honestly think it's affecting my health now.  I had a weird mouth condition on my trip to Wisconsin last week.  Doctors say it was a "Weakened Immune System"  I can't imagine a disgusting hand digging into my skin repeatedly does wonders for the immune system.  I'm no scientist, but, really, come on.  It can't be good.

Anyway, that's good for now.  I'm glad I got this written.  Putting it off would have been another Derek Cliche.  I don't think I can afford another one.  Ok.  One more.  Talk to you next year!!!  (Yep.  That just happened.)

Christmas is officially over

...and so is my trip to Wisconsin.

I made this distinction with the change of the banner at the top of Derekiscool.com to a better 2010 themed banner.  Hope you (the 3 of you that read this) like the new look.

Lots of fun stuff to report. I'll do it later, considering it is almost 530 in the morning, and I'll be up around 12 tomorrow for Johnny to take me to the bus, so I can fly to Utah.

Be prepared Utah.  I'm recharged, refreshed, and ready to kick some A. I had a great time here in Wisconsin.  I definitely missed Utah, but, luckily, with the promotion I got last week, I've got a few things to look forward to.  Honestly, without that promotion, I think this trip back to Wisconsin would have been more of a... work out the details of moving back trip, rather than a relaxing, time to get back to Utah and kick some A trip.

But, whatever happened for a reason.  I'll miss you Wisconsin.  Wisconsin on man.  Wisconsinon.

Saturday was pretty fun

I really got to do a lot. 

Maria & I basically hung out all day.  First, we played some racquetball in the morning.  It was pretty good.  Maria has been doing a lot better than she used to, so it’s a lot more fun playing with her for me.  We also got some guys to play some doubles with us.  That really stepped the level of play up a couple of notches. Got nice a sweaty.

Then it was time to take a shower.  How awkward is walking into a public shower naked, then realizing the other 4 guys showers all are wearing swim trucks?  Awkward for them.  They realized how cool I was, and then got envious, I am sure.

Then, we went up to Salt Lake to sell my Wii ($280! Hurray!), get the most chocolaty hot chocolate I have ever had in my live, and get Sushi.  All of that went well.

We went and saw the Princess and the Frog with her cousin Sydney after that.  It’s a really cute movie.  Much like the old Disney movies like Aladdin, Lion King, etc.  A great villain, great side kicks, and surprisingly, the music was awesome.  When was the last time you could say that about a Disney animated movie?  This wasn’t just background music, the characters actually sang.

After that, we came back to my house, watched Greg play some football on the Xbox, then got some pizza.  Pizza and TV / Movies really is the best.

Now it’s Sunday, and I need to finish a couple of assignments for my Humanities class.  Should only take me a few hours, and I’ll be all done with that class after this last push.  It wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t let it all pile up on me like I did.  I guess I’m not complaining.  Just… Saying. Ha.

Alright.  Time to get off my butt, take a shower, and head down to Orem.  The drive should be a blast.  We got dumped on here in Eagle Mountain last night.  Looks like maybe 5 inches last I checked, and it still seems to be coming down.  Wish me luck on the drive, you know, if you read this in the next 20 minutes, before I go out there.

Have you actually ever asked the internet?

Seriously, have you?

I've been working on something for about a week now.  Basically, I've been dealing with a situation that I've dealt with before, but have never really had come out the way I wanted it to.  I've thought and thought and thought, and haven't been able to figure out what I really want or what I can do to fix it.  I desperately want to fix it.

I turned to the internet.  Yikes.  People are so different from one to another.  Everyone has their own opinions.  People should really start almost every post of advice on the internet with "I am not an expert, this is probably not going to work for you," because I think if I actually follow all of the advice I read, I'd end up confused, balled up in bed, and 3 steps behind where I started.

If only telling myself it'll be ok was enough.  There are more fish in the sea.  I want her to be happy.  I want to be happy.  Jealousy is a weakness I can overcome.  I don't want things to change, but hings kind of have to change.  I need to change.  She can't change.  She's the way I want her to be.  What do I do next?

Apparently I didn't take my own advice.  I'm asking the internet again.  What a mistake.

Have I let her down or hurt her?  That's not who I am.  I'm willing to prove that at my own expense for her.  Is that a mistake?  If she needs me, one way or another, I'm here.

Hmm.  I guess this was really just for her. Yeah.  I'm still here.