Death of DT

Stopped by my old dorm today. I made the visit because when I was in the neighborhood, I noticed that they were putting the wrecking ball into my bedroom. Literally. No, seriously, I think if you look close, that's about where the wrecking ball is. Fifth floor, R Hall, facing the basketball court. I was there Summer, 2001.

Goodbye, Deseret Towers. I know it's your time to go, but you were young once. I started my college career with you. Those were good times. Sorry to see you go.

WORLD'S GREATEST!

Big news everybody! We're here at the Provo Towne Center mall, and I
just saw him. The World's Greatest Dad just walked by! I mean, right
here in Provo of all places! See, I know it was him from his shirt, it
was bright orange, and had really big bold lettering, and was tucked in.
Other than that, he looked like any normal guy, I wouldn't have even
suspected anything. Glasses, about 5'5", and two little kids with him.
Lucky kids, being the progeny of the WORLD'S GREATEST! Congratulations,
man, you did it! We're all really proud.

Free Finals Shirt

How are finals treating you? Here is an idea. Convince me you have THE
WORST finals schedule, and I'll give you a shirt. Any shirt, any size.
Post your finals horrors in the comments section. If you don't want your
email to be publicly viewable, you can email me instead. Qualifying
finals nightmares will make their way into a future post. When finals
are all over, I'll announce a winner.
Hope that helps things become a little more tolerable.

GOOD LUCK!

Design Contest (Again)

Okay, here is the gig. Between now and Christmas, which really isn't that much time, you send in your designs for a new T. The design MUST be:

1) Original
2) BYU centric
3) In-offensive (mostly) to faculty and students. These will be screened.
4) Really, absurdly funny

On Christmas day, I'll publish to the world the best designs, as chosen by me, my roommates, and...ummm...my family.

THEN, between Christmas and New Years Day, YOU VOTE for what we should print. I imagine this will be a limited run, so make'em good!

In exchange for your design, YOU GET:

1)Three Prints of the T (in any size you want, for you and 2 of your homeboys)
2)$30.⁰⁰ Cash Money

Send in as many submissions as you want.

Technical Specs: Design submissions should be no more than 3 colors, and in an SVG vector file format.

So DO IT TO IT! Send Submissions to austin@cecilismyhomeboy.com

Might be Just up your Alley

Looks so familiar, in so many ways.
It's almost funnier that it's in Spanish.

Viral

This is an oldish video, but I don't think it ever made it's way onto the blog. Enjoy.

That's a great...ugly...face I'm making right there.

It's Official, We're Alive Again.

Well everything is up and running, I think. If you see anything that looks awry, email austin@cecilismyhomeboy.com and let me know.

We've got the old classics, of course, but we've got some new stuff too. We recently acquired a handful of nice American Apparel T's with various prints on them. Great Christmas gifts, if you ask me.

For future reference, the link to the shop is over on the right, but you can just click here to get there this time.

So enjoy, and stay tuned kids. We're going to have another design contest and more events and designs to come.

lymabean, Home of the Free Bean T

So, if you're a Provo resident of recent years, you may remember a little website/business/startup called "lymabean". Do you remember what they did? 'Cause I don't. Really, I remember seeing them around, but it was always just...this...BEAN. So no, I didn't know what they DID. But I now know what they DO.

Lymabean has forged into the social networking world, a-la facebook or myspace. There are differences, of course. Lymabean aims to be the end all of online networking. It is a social hub, but also a marketplace with classifieds for sales, job listings, or housing contracts, a chatspace with filesharing and media capability, a local business directory with discounts and reviews, local events calenders, and regular feeds to...well, whatever you want. That seems to be the hallmark of lymabean. From what I can tell...everything, is fully customizable. Their full site isn't available to the general public yet, but I...uhh...I know a guy. Anyway...

Last summer I had started to put together a website that I hoped would be a great place for people to go to plan their weekend. It would have a calender, discounts, a place for people to talk. It would have looked something like this.

Sound familiar? Yup, it's exactly what I was describing Lymabean as. I eventually gave up on the idea of my site. Among other things, I didn't have any investment capital to make it happen. Lucky for you and me, it looks like something like lymabean may fill that void.

Lymabean is more of an intense web 2.0 experience than a website. The interface is more interactive, with more options. The Flex platform feels more like your own desktop than most browser-based applications.

From what I can tell, lymabean will be relaunching this winter at the University of Arizona. If you want it here, well, I think you'll just have to petition those bean-heads to get on it! Until then, let me offer this gift of consolation: You can get a free, BYU bean T. Right now. Right here.

Anybody who knows me knows how much I like a T's, and I gotta tell ya, it's a good fit, this shirt. They have custom designs for various schools, BYU among them, so you have to think that BYU is on their list of soon-to-be-launched venues.

Let's hope.

So...why are you still here? Go Get your FREE SHIRT!

Almost ready to launch the new store!

I haven't been this excited since I test drove a Segway!

If you're reading this...if there is anybody out there...

You may notice some changes to the blog if you're reading this. Not anything big or special in and of itself, just some aesthetic changes.
We are changing some things...as we've been saying we would...for a year.
Okay so we're a little behind schedule.
Things got busy. One of us got engaged. Another got married already. Another got well...busy. A Job, school, a girlfriend. That one was me. But, lucky for you, I don't have ANY of those anymore. Ya, pretty sad, huh? But it gives me time to do stuff like the blog, and revamp the site.

You'll see some change. So get ready for the new site. Honest, it's coming.

How Does Anybody Still Come Here?

Honest, I'm not complaining, but I haven't even posted in months. But according to our stat counter, people still come. Every day. Amazing.

But never fear, the cecilismyhomeboy site isn't dead...more like...hibernating. Through the summer. Hmmmm...

We're planning a relaunch in the fall, so BRACE yourselves, kiddies. New designs will be coming, and a completely overhauled site.

Also, we'd be happy to accept any designs you think would work for the Provo niche. Payment is negotiable.

Stay tuned...

I hate finals.

There has got to be a better way.

Thats all.

Gotta go study.

Things you should NEVER pay for in Provo: Part the Third

More Freeness.
A little clarification, or should I say correction?
The title is a misnomer. I suppose you could pay for some of these things, and probably should under certain circumstances. But you don't always have to.
So, here goes.

The Consumption Edition:

• Water - It is free. 'Nuf said.
• Get a Starving Student Card - Okay, I know this isn't free, but think of it as an investment. Get one, have a friend get one, and then on some lazy Saturday, go down the list of FREE things on the card. Straight up free, no purchase necessary. Go for a free sandwich at Hickory Kist on Center Street (Soo good), and a few free pizzas, Plus the haircuts, and a free smothie at Bamboo Hut. And a couple free items at the previously mentioned Las Tarascas. In a couple hours you can get enough food to have made it well worth the 15 bucks the card costs.
  
• Cosco - Always a good time, good deal, and a few tasty morsels of sample food.
  

Things you should NEVER pay for in Provo: Part the Second

Continuing our foray into the world of the cheap and free, I present to you Part Duex of Things you should Never pay for in Provo: the Media Edition!

• Classical Music - If you're a music aficionado or just aspiring, check out BYU's link to a vast classical music selection. Go to the HBLL website and click on the "more" bar on the left, scroll down to "Databases A-Z" (or just click my link right there). Scroll down to the "Classical Music Library", enter your NetID and Password, and BAM! You're in. Enjoy.
• Multimedia Services - Make use of the Multimedia Lab in the Library, just past the "No-Shhh!" zone, or the Nosh, as I call it. They have a lab filled with all the hardware and software you'd ever need for duplication, creation, transfer, editing, and anything else you would want to do with audio/video. I'm serious, if you don't think they can do it, just ask. My $ says they can.
  

• Videos - This is the item that prompted me to write this little series, and the crux of the whole thing. I recently canceled my Netflicks account. They have a phenomenal selection (60,000 titles) but it was just too slow, discs would show up broken on occasion, and I can get movies for free. How, you might say? Well, I own a small collection, and while not free, I've already payed for these. My roommates have movies as well, some good ones, ones I've never seen. Outside of my roommates, theres other friends, they have movies and are willing to lend. You might say,"But what about new releases? WHAT about THAT!?" Valid point, and one easily remedied. Redbox, my friend, can be your best friend, if you check for promotion codes first. Go to www.insideredbox.com and check for a promo code for a free night. If you learn nothing else from me, learn this one thing: NEVER PAY FOR A REDBOX MOVIE. There you have it.
  

Things you should NEVER pay for in Provo: Part the First

I've been here in Provo for a while. Probably too long. But I've learned a few things, thankfully, and not all in class. Here are a few $ saving tips, things that are readily available fo' yo' ready pleasure. So, without further ado, in no particular order, I present...

Things you should NEVER pay for in Provo!

• Firewood - So you love going out to the canyon and having bonfires. The smell of smoke, the huddling close to the opposite gender...for warmth...the tin-foil dinners. Its all great fun. And cheap, if you do it right. Firewood is easily to come by at a few locations. Pallets area available at grocery stores. Any carpentry shop will have a LARGE pile of irregular wood crap cast-offs. BYU has such a shop ( I won't ruin the fun for you and tell you where it is, though). Theres also one South of Provo off the freeway. Think about it, look around, firewood is an easy one.
• Hangers - You know, for your closet? If you're okay with wire hangers (not everybody is) just go the the dry cleaners and ask them for some. Again, BYU has this on campus. I used to work there (they're always hiring, and if you have a pulse, you're qualified), and part of my daily responsibilities were to throw away the hangers. Really, they're more than happy to help you out here.
• Haircuts - How many hair schools are around here? Theres Dallas Roberts, Paul Mitchel, Bon Losee, and I think there are some smaller ones in Orem. And with all those schools, there are a many, many students. I don't know that its part of their policy to give away free haircuts, but its worked for me in the past.
  

Oh, and we've just begun, folks. Send in your own suggestions. And stay tuned for more freeness.

Local Signs: Part 5

Liquid. Whole. Eggs.

Gross.

What good is food storage if you'll NEVER eat it?

I'll starve first.

This item will never find its way into my year supply.

Local Signs: Part 4

Have any of you ever been to Las Tarascas? A few observations:

1-It is DELICIOUS. Honest, I loved it, enjoyed Mexican dishes that I thought I wouldn't. Turns out I'd just been having the cheap American knock-off for years. The Real stuff, what you might call...

2-AUTHENTIC, is great. And this is very authentic, as their sign indicates. Thats RIGHT, folks, they are more authentic then %100, MORE real than Mexico City, they have defied the laws of nature and find themselves MORE GENUINE THAN PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE!
If I could harness that potential, that IMPOSSIBLE ability, think of it! %110 Productivity, %110 on Finals, %10 MORE than I EVER could otherwise. Way to Go, Las Tarascas, YOU DID IT!

Local Signs: Part 3

Not a conventional sign, but an unmistakable one, none-the-less. It reads, "SPRING IS COMING!"

Local Signs: Part 2

I was at Smith's last night. I like movies, and was excited to see some for only five bucks, and big name movies, too. But After looking for a while, there just weren't any that I wanted to get. Then I saw the sign, and read a little closer. Thats right, only the movies that were rated R were five bucks. They must really be hurtin' to pawn those off on somebody here in Provo. All the other ones were a dollar more. Except new releases, like "The Land Before Time 12"! Ya, you read that right, Capitol T-w-e-l-v-e. That just blows my mind, these movies are still being made. Have you heard about the first Land Before Time being a parallel to the Mormon trek West? Don't believe me? The director, Don Bluth, grew up in Payson UT, and is very much a member of the LDS Church. The story is about a band of orphans who travel West after a voice from the heavens tells them there is a promised land there. Think about it.

Local Signs: Part 1

Have you ever notices the Taylor Maid Beauty Supply on Center Street? You know, they have some pretty sweet costumes at Halloween. And outside they have those portraits. They have one of Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. And theres one of James Dean. And another portrait of...what appears to be...Geraldo Rivera? I know its not really Geraldo, and even if it is, I'm a broadcast journalism major, thats fine, I'm sure hes a great guy. But doesn't the Clarke Gable illustration look just a little like Geraldo? I think yes.

This Blog is Written on Borrowed Time

I have extremely taxed on my time lately. I apologize if your orders have been behind, that is entirely my fault. But bear with me, I'm thinking through something.

I've frequently felt that there is more to do than there is time to do it. And thats not just because my mother used to always say things to that effect, I've made the observation independent of her. So I decided to crunch some numbers.

I listed the things I am called upon, obliged, expected, or otherwise required to do in a week. Don't get me wrong, I like some of these things, but that doesn't' change the fact that they are a need in one way or another, they are requisite.

With 168 hours in a week, here is how I broke it down.

Is it just me, or is this absurd? Just under 7 1/2 hours to use your life as you'd like. I am sure I've left out very important things as well. Family time (FHE). Ward activities. Service. Tests. Laundry. Cleaning my room. My car. I'm sure you can think of more. Maybe blogging.

And you know what? I'd like to enjoy myself on occasion, and it seems like thats almost impossible without nixing something important. I'd like to listen to music. I'd like to even make some. Same with movies. And T-Shirts. Heck, I'd like to spend some time in the week doing nothing, just thinking. But that doesn't seem like an option. Please people, tell me I'm wrong, tell me theres a better way.

Wow this is much more fun than I thought it would be

I am officially a geek, dork, nerd...pick your epithet.

I stumbled upon this word game, that only Will Shortz and his buddies could play properly without the assistance of a computer. But for the rest of us, I recommend inputting your name. My first and last name also work as an anagram for...are you ready for the list? Here it is:
AIR GAS TUNIC
A SATIRIC GUN
A RACING SUIT
CITRUS AGAIN
I STUN A CIGAR
I TRAGIC ANUS
I CAST AIRGUN

Really that second to last one is tragic. Those are only a few of the possible permutations, but man-oh-man, I enjoyed my time there. Let us know what you come up with.

Blood Money.

I did it. I've tried before, with something (fate, maybe) standing in my way. I sold my plasma.

I went once and didn't have proper ID. I went another time and they were too busy. I went another time and didn't have the proper paperwork. I went again, and finally, they let me in.
I say that like it's some kind of privilege. It isn't.

I brought "The Screwtape Letters" to read. The girl prepping me was really nice, but she splattered, yes splattered, my blood on my book. For those of you who aren't aware, I abhor the sight of blood, especially the flowing variety. It was then that another donor came around the corner with a napkin on her arm and blood freely dripping down her arm. She had just finished donating, or so she thought. I guess her circulatory system had other plans.

All this for $30 a pop, about $20 an hour in the end. Is it worth it?

Textbook Idiocy

We all know the bookstore rips you off in a thousand ways. Thats not really what this post is about, although if you'd like to vent and rant on that, by all means, I'm %100 behind you. This is about the accompanying idiocy of the whole industry.

Exhibit A. The Software License Agreement

I'd like you to read the notices on the bottom. On the left, the warning that in essence reads, "IF YOU USE THIS DISC, WE WON'T BUY IT BACK!" Wonderful, Thank you so much. But more particularly, take notice of the warning on the right. "DO NOT REMOVE CD-ROM until you have read the enclosed Software License Agreement." Would all you kids out there in cyberspace like to know where the said Software License Agreement is? It's INSIDE THE ENVELOPE. BEHIND THE DISC.

Lets review. I'm supposed to read the document inside the envelope before I open the envelope. If I open the envelope before I read the document inside it, I am legally bound by that document and can no longer sell back the book for anywhere near its real value.

Exhibit B. The Textbook Sell-back


I decided to get on the Interweb and sell back my book to the world. One of the sights wouldn't accept ANY of my textbooks, but made sure to remind me to check back often. Right. So I tried another site, and was left with nothing but infinite madness. See Picture for explanation.

Exhibit C. We should see a lot more of this

Exhibit D. Who is Write?

I'm almost positive my freshman Chemistry teacher chose our textbook based on the mention of his name in the "thank-you" portion in the back of the book. Not based on it's usability, not based on it's price. Along the same lines, "New Editions" of things like Math, Science, and even History Books. Have these subjects really changed so much in the last year that we need a whole new text? Another one, Textbooks with worksheet tear-outs in them. This is a scam to make the book un-usable after one semester. Do teachers and faculty, at even this university, think it's okay to try and squeeze more money out of the students? Because thats the only thing I can see here.

Okay, so maybe I'm a little pessimistic. I'm sorry, I just don't like losing money.

Addendum 1: Thought this was pertinent to our conversation here. Just saw it in Popular Science.

Mr. T

Found this, thought it would have been greedy of me to not share it with all ya'll. Also, if you haven't seen Dr. T's advise on How you should Treat your Mother, then this is sage wisdom from the ancient one you won't want to miss.

Interesting to note about the video that clip comes from. An educational bit meant to keep America's kids on the right track, it had an inspiring all star cast that practiced what they preached. Featured in "Be Somebody" were Ice-T (music arranger: vocal arrangements for Mr. T), Bobby Brown (early on in his career with New Edition), and one Stacy Ferguson as part of the ensemble.

Wow. Theres some model examples of what a kid can grow up to be.

(sarcasm, its hard to get across in writing).

If you watch the video in its entirety, here is a challenge. Can you find Fergie and Bobby Brown?

And You? Whats your super power?

I just found a great little quiz. Super hero movies have had a little resurgence over the past few years, and I couldn't be happier. Who doesn't love super powers? I for one have made it part of my New Years resolutions to develop some variety of super powers, though I have to admit that it's lower on my list (for practical reasons). I also couldn't be happier with my results, I was really worried it was going to give me some wussy girl super hero. Not that girl super heroes are wussy, just that I'm not a girl. And thats not an invitation to refute.

So back to the question at hand. What are your super powers?

Also check out the dark side of the quiz. I was Doctor Doom, followed by Lex Luthor.