they used to tank cod from alaska all the way to china. they'd keep 'em in vats in the ship. by the time the cod fish reached china the flesh was mush, and tasteless. so this guy came up with the idea that if you put these cods in these big vats, put some catfish in with 'em. and the catfish will keep the cod agile.
and there are those people who are catfish in life, and they keep you on your toes. they keep you guessing. they keep you thinking. they keep you fresh. and i thank God for the catfish, because we'd be droll, boring, and dull if we didn't have somebody nipping at our fins.
-catfish (2010)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
lesson plan
today i taught in elders quorum for the first time, and in my opinion it was a pretty miserable attempt at it. i had all these awesome things i wanted to say about the Holy Ghost (lesson 21 in the Gospel Principles handbook... go check it out) and i pretty much said none of them.
so much for a good start, right?
well i was so much hating being up there, and i felt like i was floundering, so i got nervous and tried to end like 7 minutes early... the bishop was not having that at all. haha
he added more to what we were discussing, which prompted more people to talk, and we were able to finish on time. phew.
i finished with bearing my testimony about the power of the Holy Ghost, and then scurried to my seat. i felt like a complete failure.
but then the brethren kept coming up to me and telling me i taught a great lesson, and that they really felt the spirit. maybe i was too anxiety ridden to feel the spirit, but i was thankful for their comforting words.
i had a sneaking suspicion that they were just trying to make me feel better, but even if they were i'm still grateful for their support, and kind words.
finally having a calling is such a neat experience. the bishop and i once had a conversation about how sometimes you get a really horrible teacher, and that its up to the people listening and learning to get something out of it. i get it now- he was talking about me. lol but more importantly, i hope that through my fumbled words, jumbled sentences, and lost trains of thought i helped some wisdom enter someone's brain, and i helped the spirit reside with us for that meeting.
i hope that as i continue in my calling i will get better, but i know that even if i don't, i will be doing what the Lord has asked of me. And i hope to gain something from this whole experience, spiritually, and well... spiritually. i hope to gain a better understanding of what the Lord has in store for us, and the gospel principles which we all should be living by.
random ending:
no matter if my fellow quorum members were just comforting me after i did horribly, or if i really did an okay job, i'm totally okay with it, and here's why: its sort of a random connection in my brain, but it totally applies to me, and that's all that matters- i was talking to Phil the other day about skateboarding, and Bay 198 and the Donut Hill project, and somehow phil ended up saying "as long as you're skateboarding, i don't care how good you are, i don't care if you're a pro, or not, i'm going to be pumped for you if you're landing new tricks." and he went on with this example of this guy at Donut Hill doing a simple grind on part of the bowl section that all the other dudes have been killing, and everyone went nuts for him. it was something he had never done before, and they saw him do it, and they knew it was good for him, and they were proud of him. and i feel like that's the way it is at church today too. we're all at different places spiritually. some are further ahead than other, and some are farther behind. some people have one set of skills, and some people have a different set of skills. and no matter where you are in that range of spiritual progression, people will recognize you're effort towards the right, and towards the light, and i think more than anything that's what it was today. after all, we're all heading toward the same goal, right? and that thought, more than anything gives me warm fuzzies. and i'm so grateful for my ward, and the church, and the strength it gives me, and the truth the gospel brings to my life.
and this is exactly what i needed today.
thanks,
robert james taylor
so much for a good start, right?
well i was so much hating being up there, and i felt like i was floundering, so i got nervous and tried to end like 7 minutes early... the bishop was not having that at all. haha
he added more to what we were discussing, which prompted more people to talk, and we were able to finish on time. phew.
i finished with bearing my testimony about the power of the Holy Ghost, and then scurried to my seat. i felt like a complete failure.
but then the brethren kept coming up to me and telling me i taught a great lesson, and that they really felt the spirit. maybe i was too anxiety ridden to feel the spirit, but i was thankful for their comforting words.
i had a sneaking suspicion that they were just trying to make me feel better, but even if they were i'm still grateful for their support, and kind words.
finally having a calling is such a neat experience. the bishop and i once had a conversation about how sometimes you get a really horrible teacher, and that its up to the people listening and learning to get something out of it. i get it now- he was talking about me. lol but more importantly, i hope that through my fumbled words, jumbled sentences, and lost trains of thought i helped some wisdom enter someone's brain, and i helped the spirit reside with us for that meeting.
i hope that as i continue in my calling i will get better, but i know that even if i don't, i will be doing what the Lord has asked of me. And i hope to gain something from this whole experience, spiritually, and well... spiritually. i hope to gain a better understanding of what the Lord has in store for us, and the gospel principles which we all should be living by.
random ending:
no matter if my fellow quorum members were just comforting me after i did horribly, or if i really did an okay job, i'm totally okay with it, and here's why: its sort of a random connection in my brain, but it totally applies to me, and that's all that matters- i was talking to Phil the other day about skateboarding, and Bay 198 and the Donut Hill project, and somehow phil ended up saying "as long as you're skateboarding, i don't care how good you are, i don't care if you're a pro, or not, i'm going to be pumped for you if you're landing new tricks." and he went on with this example of this guy at Donut Hill doing a simple grind on part of the bowl section that all the other dudes have been killing, and everyone went nuts for him. it was something he had never done before, and they saw him do it, and they knew it was good for him, and they were proud of him. and i feel like that's the way it is at church today too. we're all at different places spiritually. some are further ahead than other, and some are farther behind. some people have one set of skills, and some people have a different set of skills. and no matter where you are in that range of spiritual progression, people will recognize you're effort towards the right, and towards the light, and i think more than anything that's what it was today. after all, we're all heading toward the same goal, right? and that thought, more than anything gives me warm fuzzies. and i'm so grateful for my ward, and the church, and the strength it gives me, and the truth the gospel brings to my life.
and this is exactly what i needed today.
thanks,
robert james taylor
Friday, October 15, 2010
cool work stuff
hey blog! guess what! i have a cool thing to tell you! can you guess what it is? no? you can't? well i'll just tell you then. so i work, right? and people at work know i'm mormon and know my standards, and they totally respect that. cool right? well here's one better, and it's just a little thing, but i totally love it. so they know i don't cuss or use the Lord's name in vein, and here's what makes it cool- they don't use that sort of language about me. totally legit right?
i just think its so cool how little things like knowing someone's standards and what they're about can affect someone. its not like i asked them not to use those words around me, they just started doing it on their own. and that's whats cool.
when you make your values known, people are going to respect them generally. and they hold you accountable for them too. and that's a universal thing too. if you tell them one thing, they're gonna expect that from you. but if you tell them one thing, and do another, that's going to reflect poorly on you. and in this instance it would also reflect poorly on my faith.
i really feel like a representative of Christ, and i didn't even know it. haha that sounds dumb, but i've never really felt that way before. that my actions don't just affect me. man that sounds immature, but i am, so what can i expect, right? haha
anyway, that's it. its awesome. and i'm glad to see good things happening, and i'm glad to be progressing towards where i want to be, and where i know the Lord wants me to be.
the end.
i just think its so cool how little things like knowing someone's standards and what they're about can affect someone. its not like i asked them not to use those words around me, they just started doing it on their own. and that's whats cool.
when you make your values known, people are going to respect them generally. and they hold you accountable for them too. and that's a universal thing too. if you tell them one thing, they're gonna expect that from you. but if you tell them one thing, and do another, that's going to reflect poorly on you. and in this instance it would also reflect poorly on my faith.
i really feel like a representative of Christ, and i didn't even know it. haha that sounds dumb, but i've never really felt that way before. that my actions don't just affect me. man that sounds immature, but i am, so what can i expect, right? haha
anyway, that's it. its awesome. and i'm glad to see good things happening, and i'm glad to be progressing towards where i want to be, and where i know the Lord wants me to be.
the end.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
tender mercies
Dear blog,
I woke up late for work today, so i was rushing to get ready and didn't have time to read my scriptures, so i was in a grumpy mood getting into my car and then i thought " i have a wealth of church material here with me on my phone!" So i plugged my droid x into my fm transmitter, and turned on Elder Holland's talk from general conference, and was on my way.
Never has my mood turned around quicker blog. I am forever amazed at how wonderful the gospel is, and how much the Lord will give you, as long as you give to him in return. Even small things like helping you to be in a better mood. That sort of stuff is just fantastic.
Thanks blog,
-robert
I woke up late for work today, so i was rushing to get ready and didn't have time to read my scriptures, so i was in a grumpy mood getting into my car and then i thought " i have a wealth of church material here with me on my phone!" So i plugged my droid x into my fm transmitter, and turned on Elder Holland's talk from general conference, and was on my way.
Never has my mood turned around quicker blog. I am forever amazed at how wonderful the gospel is, and how much the Lord will give you, as long as you give to him in return. Even small things like helping you to be in a better mood. That sort of stuff is just fantastic.
Thanks blog,
-robert
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3
Monday, October 4, 2010
rest
Sometimes i am just tired. Of everything there ever was. And missing out on what i want most.
And dish water is ruining my hands.
Conference blog soon, i swear.
And dish water is ruining my hands.
Conference blog soon, i swear.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
burritos
Dear blog,
There is nothing more humbling than being the worst at a work assignment. Today left me feeling inadequate, frustrated, and completely useless.
Fortunately i will be returning there, 40 hours a week, every week, till who knows when, and i'll have time to master all sorts of skills.
Sincerely,
Robert
There is nothing more humbling than being the worst at a work assignment. Today left me feeling inadequate, frustrated, and completely useless.
Fortunately i will be returning there, 40 hours a week, every week, till who knows when, and i'll have time to master all sorts of skills.
Sincerely,
Robert
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.0
Monday, September 20, 2010
a new direction
oh hi blog. so its kinda late right now and if i were calling someone this late to talk i would apologize for waking them, but i'm not, so i won't.
anyway the title is sorta a twofold meaning thing. meaning one is my life and meaning two is this blog.
as i strive to become a better person, and as i walk this path to where i want to go this blog will follow me. its gonna get all touchy feely and i'm gonna talk about spiritual matters. so if that sort if thing bothers you, feel free to leave. you can't say you haven't been warned. i like to speak my mind. i'm sure there will be good days and bad days, and hopefully this will be reflecting both. i want whoever reads this (if anybody does at all) to learn and grow from my experiences as much as i do.
got it? good.
im starting a journal too, but today i'll just write in here. while reading in 1st Nephi chapter 14, i came across some stuff that really moved me. in verse 14 it says: "and it came to pass that i nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."
and i distinctly knew as i was reading this that it was talking about our generation, and our people. and that through obedience to the commands of the Lord, and as was discussed in church today, with a willingness to obey and to be humbled before Him, He will pour out blessings upon us. so much so that we won't know what to do with it all, and he will help protect us from the storm that is the world.
we have been given a calling to stand on higher ground, and to live a worthy life. and as i take this journey i hope you will take it with me, or maybe just support me in mine. i have been waiting far too long to do what i should have already done, but i think maybe i'm better prepared for it, and ready to accept it.
so thanks for reading, i hope you stop by again.
-robert
anyway the title is sorta a twofold meaning thing. meaning one is my life and meaning two is this blog.
as i strive to become a better person, and as i walk this path to where i want to go this blog will follow me. its gonna get all touchy feely and i'm gonna talk about spiritual matters. so if that sort if thing bothers you, feel free to leave. you can't say you haven't been warned. i like to speak my mind. i'm sure there will be good days and bad days, and hopefully this will be reflecting both. i want whoever reads this (if anybody does at all) to learn and grow from my experiences as much as i do.
got it? good.
im starting a journal too, but today i'll just write in here. while reading in 1st Nephi chapter 14, i came across some stuff that really moved me. in verse 14 it says: "and it came to pass that i nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory."
and i distinctly knew as i was reading this that it was talking about our generation, and our people. and that through obedience to the commands of the Lord, and as was discussed in church today, with a willingness to obey and to be humbled before Him, He will pour out blessings upon us. so much so that we won't know what to do with it all, and he will help protect us from the storm that is the world.
we have been given a calling to stand on higher ground, and to live a worthy life. and as i take this journey i hope you will take it with me, or maybe just support me in mine. i have been waiting far too long to do what i should have already done, but i think maybe i'm better prepared for it, and ready to accept it.
so thanks for reading, i hope you stop by again.
-robert
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
we now return to the broadcast already in progress...
hello 6 blog followers. i don't know if i have any RSS subscribers, and i wouldn't even know how to check if i did. so from now on i will only be speaking to you 6, and any others that join you in reading my words of wisdom(nonsense).
that was a good blog entry intro, right? well too bad i thought of it last night, and then i can't think of anything good to follow it up with. i wish this whole entry was that amazing, but i don't think it will be able to happen. sorry.
well what else... hmm... here's a thing: i've been working hard on having a bunch of clothes made and ready for the fall time, but i'm a little nervous to show anyone. i'm fine with my skills on a sewing machine, but my skills and ideas when it comes to graphic design, and junk is what worries me. i hate feeling like i'm being judged, and i have a bunch of ideas that i love, and would be excited to see people wearing, but i don't know how they would be received. does that make sense? it does to me. suckers.
so what else... i have diabetes. no i don't. i probably shouldn't joke about that sort of thing... but they made jokes about Turk having diabetes on Scrubs, so its okay, right? right.
my computer can only stay on for like twenty minutes, so this is being written twenty minutes at a time... i'm easily distracted though, so its really like 7 minutes of typing and then a little fooling around, and then i go watch jimmy fallon. that's whats actually happening right now, because i'm the coolest.
speaking of which- i'm so cool.
i re-arranged my room. and took some posters off.
okay bye.
that was a good blog entry intro, right? well too bad i thought of it last night, and then i can't think of anything good to follow it up with. i wish this whole entry was that amazing, but i don't think it will be able to happen. sorry.
well what else... hmm... here's a thing: i've been working hard on having a bunch of clothes made and ready for the fall time, but i'm a little nervous to show anyone. i'm fine with my skills on a sewing machine, but my skills and ideas when it comes to graphic design, and junk is what worries me. i hate feeling like i'm being judged, and i have a bunch of ideas that i love, and would be excited to see people wearing, but i don't know how they would be received. does that make sense? it does to me. suckers.
so what else... i have diabetes. no i don't. i probably shouldn't joke about that sort of thing... but they made jokes about Turk having diabetes on Scrubs, so its okay, right? right.
my computer can only stay on for like twenty minutes, so this is being written twenty minutes at a time... i'm easily distracted though, so its really like 7 minutes of typing and then a little fooling around, and then i go watch jimmy fallon. that's whats actually happening right now, because i'm the coolest.
speaking of which- i'm so cool.
i re-arranged my room. and took some posters off.
okay bye.
Monday, June 14, 2010
today
i was the 7th follow of chris roberts' new blog.
also i bond-oed a spot for skating later, and ate some food.
also i hate when people's second toe is longer than their big toe. it just freaks me out. not a good look.
i'm making hats, but i'm taking a break to blog and maybe take a shower.
it sounds like a good idea.
good day!
also i bond-oed a spot for skating later, and ate some food.
also i hate when people's second toe is longer than their big toe. it just freaks me out. not a good look.
i'm making hats, but i'm taking a break to blog and maybe take a shower.
it sounds like a good idea.
good day!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
this guy
i hate to be one to be all bandwagon-ie, but this kids voice doesn't make sense to me.
he's so talented, and it blows my mind.
plus he seems way humble about it all.
he's so talented, and it blows my mind.
plus he seems way humble about it all.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
"Sit down, Mark
We'll continue the affirmation."
once again i say this to you all: i will act. i know its getting redundant, but i see wonderful films like An Education, and i am reminded why i want to do what i want to do.
there is a space for me, and i will find it.
once again i say this to you all: i will act. i know its getting redundant, but i see wonderful films like An Education, and i am reminded why i want to do what i want to do.
there is a space for me, and i will find it.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Diane Birch
i'm just now seeing this. i love it.
i love it more because of this:
i say good day to you all!
i love it more because of this:
i say good day to you all!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
last night
i spoke to one of the most ignorant people i've ever met in my entire life.
it blows my mind that people still think the way he did-
money is the answer to happiness, and people of color are not equal.
wow.
am i a fool to think that the world we live in has evolved beyond those thoughts, and ideals?
let us continue to move forward.
it blows my mind that people still think the way he did-
money is the answer to happiness, and people of color are not equal.
wow.
am i a fool to think that the world we live in has evolved beyond those thoughts, and ideals?
let us continue to move forward.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
recalculating...
Drive .1 miles, then turn left.
Haha this garmin Nuvi in the car is legit.
I haven't blogged in a month. I feel like I need to post something, but I have nothing to say. So I'll just ramble. Deal? Deal.
So I've been watching Cougar Town, and Parenthood a lot lately, those shows are amazing. Oh Community too. Oh and Glee. Oh and Bones. Oh also Modern Family. But not LOST, that show sucks.
So basically my life is just watching television, apparently. Well except for when I'm sewing... Then I'm watching tv AND sewing.
I need a better chair to sit on tho. Cuz I've been sewing a lot, and then my butt gets all tender. Haha how awesome sounding. I'm so much cooler than you, aren't I?
What else? Hey remember when Nebraska Crossing used to be awesome? Ya me too. Now it sucks. What a sad occurrence.
I'm changing the name of my "clothing company," but I don't have a new name yet... Except it will end with "Apparel." That way it sounds more legitimate. My sister suggested "Jim Bob Rocks Apparel," but I have a feeling it wouldn't go over well with most people. So that one is out.
What else... Hmmm... I'm gonna buy one of those amphibious vehicles and drive all the way around the equator. Just cuz it sounds like a horrible idea. I think about stupid things like that all the time, but I usually keep them to myself. Maybe I'll just start blogging about those, and give everyone a good laugh.
I'm borrowing an HD camera from my dear friend Matt Clark to film a trailer for a photo shoot based on 1960s spy films. It will be great. Stay tuned for details and a release date.
I'm in omaha now, so this blog is done. Have a great day.
Haha this garmin Nuvi in the car is legit.
I haven't blogged in a month. I feel like I need to post something, but I have nothing to say. So I'll just ramble. Deal? Deal.
So I've been watching Cougar Town, and Parenthood a lot lately, those shows are amazing. Oh Community too. Oh and Glee. Oh and Bones. Oh also Modern Family. But not LOST, that show sucks.
So basically my life is just watching television, apparently. Well except for when I'm sewing... Then I'm watching tv AND sewing.
I need a better chair to sit on tho. Cuz I've been sewing a lot, and then my butt gets all tender. Haha how awesome sounding. I'm so much cooler than you, aren't I?
What else? Hey remember when Nebraska Crossing used to be awesome? Ya me too. Now it sucks. What a sad occurrence.
I'm changing the name of my "clothing company," but I don't have a new name yet... Except it will end with "Apparel." That way it sounds more legitimate. My sister suggested "Jim Bob Rocks Apparel," but I have a feeling it wouldn't go over well with most people. So that one is out.
What else... Hmmm... I'm gonna buy one of those amphibious vehicles and drive all the way around the equator. Just cuz it sounds like a horrible idea. I think about stupid things like that all the time, but I usually keep them to myself. Maybe I'll just start blogging about those, and give everyone a good laugh.
I'm borrowing an HD camera from my dear friend Matt Clark to film a trailer for a photo shoot based on 1960s spy films. It will be great. Stay tuned for details and a release date.
I'm in omaha now, so this blog is done. Have a great day.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
How Chekhovian of me.
it is a curious thing; life, i mean. there are so many directions that my life could go, and i feel like, at this moment, i'm stuck in the middle of all of those directions. i know it sounds like cheesy college angst, but i don't know which direction i want life to take me.
maybe its because i really never know what i want. or maybe its because i want too many thing. it could be that i'm just really indecisive and i want it all. i'm not sure. but i do know that i'm at this pivotal point in my life where i need to make that decision. decide which road my life is going to travel down (for now). i feel like there are things i need to do, and things i want to do, and things i shouldn't do, but i still have no way to tell which is which. i know that probably everyone goes through this mess, but i feel like i keep going through it and going through it, and every time i take one road it just loops around back to the place i started.
i need more drive maybe. more focus maybe. more something.
i'm lost in a crowd of 100,000 and life is beginning to swallow me whole.
How Chekhovian of me.... and by that, i really just mean i quoted Chekhov... sort of.
maybe its because i really never know what i want. or maybe its because i want too many thing. it could be that i'm just really indecisive and i want it all. i'm not sure. but i do know that i'm at this pivotal point in my life where i need to make that decision. decide which road my life is going to travel down (for now). i feel like there are things i need to do, and things i want to do, and things i shouldn't do, but i still have no way to tell which is which. i know that probably everyone goes through this mess, but i feel like i keep going through it and going through it, and every time i take one road it just loops around back to the place i started.
i need more drive maybe. more focus maybe. more something.
i'm lost in a crowd of 100,000 and life is beginning to swallow me whole.
How Chekhovian of me.... and by that, i really just mean i quoted Chekhov... sort of.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
the president
here's why i would never go see the president speak: i hate standing and clapping. and there's an awful lot of that going on at presidential addresses.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
new blog
dead blogspot. i have not blogged in a while so here i am. blogging my little heart out.
life is typical. its spring break, so i saw a bunch of movies, and wasted my time. i had a birthday recently. that was neat. so i'm 23 in case you wondered. its gotta be a good year, michael jordan was number 23, and he was always good at what he did on the court, so maybe that will work for life at the age of 23... right? haha
i don't have much to say, other than i love sleep.
gotta go do homework.
life is typical. its spring break, so i saw a bunch of movies, and wasted my time. i had a birthday recently. that was neat. so i'm 23 in case you wondered. its gotta be a good year, michael jordan was number 23, and he was always good at what he did on the court, so maybe that will work for life at the age of 23... right? haha
i don't have much to say, other than i love sleep.
gotta go do homework.
Friday, January 29, 2010
hello
so i'm back in school, and it is proving to be more difficult than expected... well actually its as difficult as expected. i'm having a hard time with the 'focusing' issue, and i'm always tired too, so that's not helping at all... but ya. focus. not so good. for example i should be reading about economics right now... or about management... or a play... or history... but i blog instead.
anyway i wanted to tell you all that this is hard, and i don't want to give up. i need to find a way to make this work, so i can be good at it, and focus, and finish so i can get out of here. (i hate this place, and the lack of things here)
i love you all, and these books are wretched, why is everything so drab?
sincerely,
robert
anyway i wanted to tell you all that this is hard, and i don't want to give up. i need to find a way to make this work, so i can be good at it, and focus, and finish so i can get out of here. (i hate this place, and the lack of things here)
i love you all, and these books are wretched, why is everything so drab?
sincerely,
robert
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
things that get me psyched to make skateboarding videos.
from my heart to your eyes. enjoy this mess
DVS Skate & Create 2009 Feature from DVS Shoe Company on Vimeo.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
in theory
hello. my name is Robert Taylor. this world is filled with complete and utter imbeciles. the little amount of brain power this country has is squandered on discussing American Idol and Dancing With the Stars. our president is a joke, and the government is running itself into the ground. there is so much bickering over who's version of wrong is closer to right that nothing will ever be accomplished. we're fat, lazy, judgmental (yes this includes myself) assholes that we can't see far enough to see that we're our own problem.
in theory this would have never happened. but the what would i have to blog about?
i hate people. get over over it, and leave me alone.
in theory this would have never happened. but the what would i have to blog about?
i hate people. get over over it, and leave me alone.
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