I Wrote My Own Obituary For A Class

Morbid, isn't it?

Very much so, but I choose to look at it from a different perspective. Instead of treating it solely as a memento mori or solely as an assignment towards my journalism degree, I took the opportunity to think about who I am to others and how I want to be remembered by them. 

Now, I'm not going to publish the obituary I wrote in its entirety here. One day an obituary will be published about me in whatever form of media we read when my time comes, but I still, Lord willing, have a lot of life to live.

I turn 20 tomorrow. And what better way to celebrate your birthday than thinking about your obituary! That was sarcasm... kind of. At the same time, this could very well mark a quarter-way point through my life. So, let me take this blog to reflect on my life so far and look forward to my life to come. For it's never too early to start becoming who you want to be remembered as. 

There are many aspects of me that make me who I am. People recognize these things about me. 

Here's a few in no particular order: I am a good writer, I am a good musician, I am short for a dude, and I have a deeply rooted aversion towards using subtitles in news articles.

I could stop there of course, and you'd know a little bit about me, but you wouldn't know "the important stuff." That's the character stuff that's hard to make into a list.

My obituary put it this way: 

He was known for saying, “I love you,” asking “How can I help?” and joking “Hi hungry, I’m Dad.”  They were the three things Mr. Gottry said most in life, and he talked a lot.

That is how I want to be remembered.

I want to be someone who says, "I love you" often. I want to say it to my family who have and will continue to shape me and help me become the man I want to be. I want to say it to my friends, both old friends and new ones, for these are the people that have walked through life with me as we figure it out together. I want to say it to whoever I marry and those I date along the way, for they are a more sacred kind of friend and one day a more sacred kind of family and ones who's burdens and successes I will share in that love. I want to say it to those who don't hear it often, for those are the people that need to hear it the most no matter if they deserve it or not. Finally, I want to say it to my God for he has done more sacrificially for me than any person could ever do for me.

I want to be someone who asks, "How can I help?" whenever I am able. When I sent out an instagram story asking for quotes from friends and family for my obituary, I was encouraged that many people mentioned my kindness. I want to be known as a patient, helpful, and kind individual. This first starts with listening. I want to grow to be a better listener, for I can't help if I don't know the full extent of the problem. I want to be patient in how I respond in every situation, always leading with a servant's heart. Finally, I want the kindness that Jesus showed to those he interacted with to work through me as I interact with friends, family, and strangers. 

Lastly, but not least-ly, I want to be someone who jokes, "Hi hungry, I'm Dad" as much as possible. While this point may seem trite and to many who are around me often, mildly irritating on occasion, I see it as a deeper-rooted character thing. I am an optimist by nature and I hope that never changes. I find joy in the little things and the hard things and the things in between, like dad jokes. Furthermore, I want to be a dad—maybe an uncle and a grandfather, too. No matter what I achieve in my life, I don't think anything could top helping to raise a family... and telling the worst best jokes along the way.

I think I've made a good impact these past 20 years. It hasn't been perfect, but no person is. At the very least, I think some people see these qualities in me and I think I am set up to continue to make my impact in a meaningful way.

I am grateful for all the memories I've made and the people with whom I've made them, regardless of whether these memories and people make it into my obituary one day. For now, I'm just focused on living the next 20 years. In that time, my resumé, my contact list, and my photos will grow. But I am more intent on growing my obituary, for I am more focused on becoming a good man, one who God wants me to be, than anything else.

If I Won the Lotto Tomorrow...

I was walking out of the grocery store today and as I saw the lottery machine, I wondered, what would I do with that money?

In the musical, In The Heights, the lottery sum is $96,000, which is "not enough to retire." In real life (because as we all know, people don't randomly break out in song and dance...), the sum is $1.25 billion.

So, if I won the lotto tomorrow, I'd have a choice: $1.25 billion over 30 years or $625.3 million as a lump sum, according to Forbes Magazine. I'm partial to the first option. While both would offer lifetime financial stability, an annual sum would be like receiving a gift every January and would provide a hefty yearly budget.

Accounting for the 24% federal lottery tax and the 4.8% state lottery tax, I'd have more than "a knapsack full of jack after taxes." I'd receive around $39.5 million every year for 30 years. 

And what would I do with the money? "Esa pregunta es tricky."

Of course I wouldn't complain if someone gave me $39.5 million every year for 30 years. On the other hand, it would totally change my world. Money takes time to manage, especially deciding how much to give away and to whom. 

Before I get too far into other hypotheticals, let me share one of the things I would do first. I'd help fulfill my grandpa's hypothetical. If he won the lotto tomorrow, he has said he'd build/buy a cul-de-sac with a big community center in the middle. He would invite all his family to live there, having holiday and birthday gatherings in the community center, and I think that's super cool. 

With the rest of the money, who knows? There's spending, saving/investing, donating, and gifting. I don't have an accountant brain (which is why I'd definitely want to spend some of this money to hire someone to help me manage the rest of it), but here are just some of my thoughts.

SPENDING:

In my head, I wouldn't want my way of life to change much. While I wouldn't need to have a career, I would definitely still want to pursue my interests in writing and music making. I didn't grow up in a big house and while I could get a nice house, I wouldn't necessarily want a mansion.

I would travel to see people (friends and family) more. I would spend money on my hobbies (anything from a music studio space to a racquetball court). I would eat more expensive food, though still falling back on some simple homemade tacos now and again.

Finally, I'd buy my dream car--a truck. I don't know which one, but this one looks pretty sweet (Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Truck).

SAVING/INVESTING:

I'm (hopefully) going to live for more than 30 years after tomorrow, so... yup, gotta do this.

DONATING:

This is also a priority. I'd want to support organizations that I've been a part of (schools and churches) and I'd want to seek out and support organizations whose mission I believe in. The amount of money I'd receive if I won the lotto tomorrow would definitely change my life--I'd want to change other people's lives too, especially those people who need the money more than I do.

GIFTING:

In a similar vein, I'd want to gift money to my friends and family. Not only will my birthday and Christmas game be stepped up, I could help my favorite people in the world accomplish their goals and fulfill their dreams. That's cool.

But how do I decide how much money and to whom it goes? Well, tell me what you need and I'll consider it! It's kind of like a scholarship application, except I'm not a college, I don't require essays and I know who all of the people applying are... so, not much like a scholarship application.

Suffice it to say, if I won the lotto tomorrow, a lot would change. But, in the great state of Arizona, I'm not old enough to buy a ticket, so I didn't. Maybe one year I'll give it a shot. I'll revisit this blog if I win.

Do I Secretly Want To Be a Tenor?

For those of you who have never heard me sing, let me tell you that I am a bass--a low bass. Let me also tell you to go listen to any cover on my YouTube channel so you can hear me sing (shameless plug). When I first started singing I was a soprano, but those days are long over. Since 8th grade, my voice has been low and getting lower. 

I do love being a bass. There's nothing quite like the low rumble of the bass voices in a harmony-filled choral work or the soft intensity of a walking bass line sung in a vocal jazz ensemble. The bass voice can ground an a cappella ensemble, have a country twang like no other, and give an air of wisdom and importance to a character in an opera.

But, if you're not also a bass singer, you might miss or fail to fully appreciate many of these things. I would also wager a bet that your favorite artist is not a bass (unless, of course, you are a bass).

The reason for this is that most famous male singers are tenors, or even baritones, but not usually basses. I Googled "famous bass singers" and clicked on an article entitled "11 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Bass Singers Of All Time." Singers listed include the legendary Johnny Cash, the opera star Boris Christoff, and former Pentatonix member Avi Kaplan. 

This is all well and good, but the same site also wrote a piece on famous tenors. Instead of just 11, they list "28 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Tenors Of All Time." A few singers not included in this list are Billy Joel, Bono (U2), and Adam Levine (Maroon 5).

There are likely many reasons why popular culture has chosen tenors. Tenors are even infiltrating country music more, a genre that used to be more dominated by basses and baritones. One interesting reason why we as a culture prefer tenors is that it is easier for the untrained human ear to determine the difference from pitch to pitch in the tenor range than between pitches in the bass range due to the slower frequency of the lower notes.

So, do I wish I were a tenor? Sometimes. I love the sound of an impressive tenor run and I would love to sing right along with some of my favorite artists. One more practical reason I sometimes wish I were a tenor is because of the doors it can open for roles in musical theatre. Many of the bass roles in musical theatre are the fathers or the bad guys, and while my voice fits the bill for some of these roles, my height and age do not. 

But, to become a tenor is to lose notes I would hate to lose. That's the thing--a tenor can sing as high as an alto, but so can a bass (albeit in falsetto, but we can). There are very few real tenors who can sing as low as a bass. It is a physical impossibility. The bass range is often unmatched.

Tenors have a lot going for them. It seems as if basses only have those notes to relish as their own, but they are our own and they serve to make our voices, like every voice, wonderfully unique.

If I were a tenor, my life might look different. I might be a musical theatre major. I might have recorded more music in the original key. But, in the end, I love my wonderfully unique voice and I wouldn't trade the low life for anything.

Tell Me I Ain't Turnin' Texan

I have lived my whole life in Gilbert, AZ, but now that I go to college at Texas Christian University, I'm (clap, clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas. And, with how enormous the state of Texas is, that is deep into Texas. But, does being in Texas for a whole semester of school make me Texan? Do I really have to like Whataburger? Over In-N-Out?! Let's look at a sampling of the quintessential Texan traits to see...

Boots - Now, I do know that not every Texan owns a pair of cowboy boots, but I've seen a couple Texas-natives on the receiving ends of judgmental looks from other Texans when they reveal they do not own boots. I did buy a pair of boots since going out to TCU, and I've walked out on the rodeo dirt with 'em on. 

Texan Pride - I certainly don't have enough Texas pride yet! I have a mug that says "Don't Mess With Texas," but I still don't know if I've gotten used to how many Texas flags are flying around me. Interesting fact: the Lone Star Flag is the only American state flag to have been also recognized as the flag of an independent country. 

Y'all - Yes, I do say "y'all." Then again, my sister goes to college in California and she says "y'all," too. 

Football - I love that football is such a big event in Texas. Being able to go to Big12 football games was a treat all season, and my love for college football will never die (see my blog post entitled "#GoFrogs #GoBucks"). When it comes to the Cowboys, however, I am much less committed than most. If I'm anything, I'm a Cardinals fan, so keeping up with the Cowboys is certainly not my first priority. 

Barbecue - The best barbecue I've ever had is from Joe's Real BBQ in Gilbert, AZ. For anyone from Fort Worth reading this and doubting that I've had good Texas barbecue, yes, I have had Heim Barbecue and Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. 

Well, I don't think I'm a full Texan, yet, but maybe I'm fixin' to turn a bit Texan in my four years at TCU. Why not, right? My heart, however, is still firmly in the Grand Canyon State. And one more thing--I don't care how many people call it a gas station, but Buc-ee's is not just a normal gas station!

Check out my mashup of Blue Ain't Your Color and Tennessee Whiskey over on my YouTube Channel!

7 Ways You Could Be Using Your Sticky Notes

I don't know what I'd do without sticky notes. Sticky notes come in several varieties; you can get smaller sticky note tabs, larger sticky note lined pads, or even get virtual sticky notes for your computer. But, the standard sticky note pad surpasses them all. It is a versatile wonder that has a real impact on my life. Am I overselling it? Maybe a bit, but sticky notes are pretty cool regardless. Here are seven ways that YOU can use sticky notes in your day-to-day activities. 

1. Unsurprisingly, sticky notes can be used as NOTES. The low-tack, pressure-sensitive adhesive means the note can be easily applied and easily removed from any surface. If I don't want to bother my roommate by texting him, but need to let him know something whenever he gets back to the dorm, I will write a sticky note and put it on his desk. 
2. Similarly, sticky notes can be used as REMINDERS. For example, if you know you have to grab the muffins out of your pantry for the office breakfast in the morning, you can put a sticky note that says "Grab the muffins!" on your front door the night before. You can also write "notes to self" if you're on the go and don't have a proper notebook.
3. Sticky notes can also be used as TO-DO LISTS. This has been my main use for sticky notes at college. I have 1-4 sticky notes on my desk at all times with different to-do lists. It is helpful for me to have a list of things I need to get done by the end of the day as well as a list of things I want to get done in the near future. The sticky notes take up less space and are more secured to the desk than a piece of paper, and I can still have the satisfaction of crossing off a job well done.
4. Next, sticky notes can be used for SCRATCH WORK. There's no sense wasting a whole sheet of paper to test if a pen is working! Or to test out your burgeoning calligraphy skills! Just, peel off a sticky note, use it, and then throw it away!
5. Sticky notes can be used as BOOKMARKS. The sticky adhesive means that you can simply fold a sticky note in half and use the small rectangle to mark the page you're on in your favorite novel.
6. With minimal effort, sticky notes can be used as LABELS. When I was packing to go home for break, I went around my room and put a sticky note on everything I planned to take home. It was very helpful! You can also make labels for drawers, cubbies, binders, etc. simply by cutting the strip of the sticky note that has the adhesive on the back and using that strip as a label.
   
7. Finally, you can use sticky notes for PHOTOCOPYING. If you are making a black and white photo copy of a document and want part of the document to be covered up, put a sticky note over that part and run the document through the photocopier.

There you have it. I hope this blog has encouraged you to buy some sticky notes or, if you have some already, inspired new and helpful uses for them. I consider it very on-brand that I used a sticky note to plan out this blog post. Merry (late) Christmas and a happy Boxing Day!

#GoFrogs #GoBucks

Week 12 of college football this year is over and week 13 is soon upon us. As I look at the season so far, I am elated by how my favorite teams are doing! The Ohio State Buckeyes are 11-0 and ranked second, and the Texas Christian Horned Frogs are 11-0 and ranked fourth. 

Now, despite what it looks like on the surface level, I am not a bandwagon fan of college football (or else I'd be a Georgia fan). I have been an Ohio State fan for my entire life due to generational loyalties to the Buckeyes. And now, I attend Texas Christian University and cheer for the Horned Frogs from five or six rows up from the field in the student section (or at dorm watch-parties). Barring extreme extenuating circumstances, I will still be cheering for the Bucks and the Frogs decades down the road, while more casual fans might stray from their loyalties if their team stops doing well.

After the first half in the TCU home game against Kansas State, the score was 28-17 in favor of the Wildcats. Someone standing nearby me said that if we didn't score soon into the third quarter, he was going to go back to his dorm. This baffled me. The Horned Frogs ended up pulling out the win, scoring 14 points in the third quarter and seven points in the fourth quarter, and the student ended up staying to see it. But, what if Kansas State had won that game or if TCU would've been shut out in the third quarter? That guy would've left. I would've stayed.

To put my point succinctly, "If you can't cheer for a team when they're losing, you don't deserve to cheer for them when they are good." If you truly support a team, you should be a proud fan despite any win/loss ratio. I think it is awesome that, despite some ups and downs, The Ohio State Buckeyes have never really had a bad football season while I've been alive to see it. But, even if it's not always that way, I will always wear scarlet and gray. There is no guarantee that the Horned Frogs will continue to thrive at this high level, but I will always bleed purple.

This doesn't just apply to college football, either. Take the MLB. I was born and raised in Arizona, and so "root, root, root for the home team" meant to root for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are my only MLB alliance and just like for college football, I will always cheer them on. Unlike my college football alliances however, the Diamondbacks aren't good. In my life, the D-Backs have clinched their division only twice and they have finished the season with a losing record 11 times. If the Diamondbacks ever do pick themselves off the ground, though, I'll already be there cheering and it will make the good season(s) that much more fun to watch for me.

Obviously the issue of sports alliances isn't the most serious of issues, but I do believe it to be an important thing to consider. Do you deserve to cheer for your team when they're good?

I've been active over on my YouTube Channel! Check out my latest video, a public service announcement on the importance of saying "you're welcome!" in the miscellaneous playlist.

Small Jumbo Popcorn Chicken

I've explored one inconsistency of the English language before (see "What?") and there are many others (you can object to an object, a farmer can produce produce, a dump can refuse refuse, etc). But, if we were to ignore the fact that words mean many different things, there are still accepted ironies that make the English language so confusing. 

Just the other day, I was watching a YouTube ad for Sonic Drive-In, and they were advertising a deal that included "small jumbo popcorn chicken." Say what?? 

So, I scoured the internet and racked my brain to come up with a small but interesting collection of English ironies and oxymorons that we totally take for granted. Good grief! Take your time to read.

We've all most likely heard the example of jumbo shrimp, but why is it that eggplant has no egg, hamburger has no ham, and pineapple is not pine, nor apple?

But, it's not just in the culinary world where nothing makes sense. Math majors talk of a constant variable, even odds, and random order, education majors become student teachers, and music majors make live recordings in front of a small crowd. 

Have you ever been to the museum to see the permanent loans, the authentic models, and the lost discoveries? 

You are a walking oxymoron if you're wearing baggy tights and plastic glasses. But, if that's your only choice, just act natural. Don't be passive aggressive. 

What's an original copy? Is bad luck good? And where am I if I'm in a virtual reality? 

Quicksand is slow and boxing rings are squares. Our noses run and our feet smell. 

Maybe you've heard all these before and this blog is old news, but (this is just my unbiased opinion) I think this was seriously funny and an awfully good post.