So I started at SLCC last month as a music major. I am taking Music Theory 1, Sight Singing/Ear Training1, Songwriting 1, and Private Voice. These classes only add up to 7 credit hours and take up SO MUCH time! I love when I get something that I never thought I would though. It is definitely an interesting experience.
I just applied for a job at Convergys in hopes to get on the Hyundai account. They told me training starts next Wednesday and I had a family vacation planned for St. George and Tuahcan (to see TARZAN!) next Fri-Sun. So I had to make a choice, and it looks like I won't be getting to see Tarzan :-( We had planned on this trip for a year. And Tarzan is a show that my mom and I hold dear to our hearts. We saw it together on Broadway twice! So hopefully it will come again someday soon. And hopefully I will get the job!
Life has been good. Blake and I are doing fantastic. And my family is struggling through, but enjoying life. :-)
Until Next Time,
Cameron :-)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Camping, and my new room
So last weekend I went camping with Blake and some of our friends up in Star Valley. It was SO fun! At night, the sky was like a painting. I have never seen anything like it! It was incredible. We swam in the reservoir, talked around camp fires, had dinner with some natives. It was an awesome weekend! Hopefully some pictures to come soon...
Also this past week I have been moving room in the house. Upstairs to downstairs. Let's just say it has been an overwhelming and daunting task, but now it is almost complete! Just a few more boxes to unpack and some finishing touches and it will be done-and just in time for school! :-)
Anyway, I hope everyone is having a fantastic week and doing incredible things.
Until next time,
Cameron
Also this past week I have been moving room in the house. Upstairs to downstairs. Let's just say it has been an overwhelming and daunting task, but now it is almost complete! Just a few more boxes to unpack and some finishing touches and it will be done-and just in time for school! :-)
Anyway, I hope everyone is having a fantastic week and doing incredible things.
Until next time,
Cameron
Monday, August 16, 2010
Full Facebook Conversation with Link to Original Article
This is the entire facebook conversation-beginning to end (at least to my posting which is most current at this current time). I have included the link to the article in case you would like to read what started this whole conversation in the first place. This is probably the longest blog that I have ever posted. I apologize. Again some of the things that Nick has posted have made me feel extremely upset. I don't fully understand how God can differ this much from person to person. It breaks my heart. I seriously cried when I read his responses.
Jennifer Richmond “If government tolerates discrimination against anyone for any reason, it becomes an excuse for the public to do exactly the same thing.”
~Jerry Sanders, Republican Mayor of San Diego
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/09/margaret-hoover-prop-gay-rights-marriage-conservatives-civil-rights/#commenting
As a conservative Republican representing the next generation of attitudes towards gays and lesbians, I encouraged the readers of FoxNews.com last January to take a careful look at the arguments and evidence in the Prop 8 trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The case was presented by a constitutional co...
Nick Richmond Ms. Hoover can call herself a conservative all she wants. She isn't. Conservatives whether Democrat or Republican advocate for the status quo. She clearly is advocating change.
Gay Marriage isn't a social issue and even less so one of equali...ty. It's a moral issue. The strength of any nation is found in its FAMILIES. To undermine the natural family is to increase the social problems that exist in Our Nation not improve them.See More
Lacey H. Gay marriage is a human rights issue. Issues of human rights should not be put to vote, otherwise women still wouldn't be allowed to vote and interracial marriage would still be illegal. The majority can't tell the minority what is right an...d what is wrong, that's why we are better as a country.
Are you saying that gay people can't be members of a family? Or a strong family? Undermining a "natural family" would be having a single mother, being raised by your grandparents, or any number of other ways straight people are currently messing up the "natural" family.
Families don't make nations strong. In fact, the weakest countries in the world have the narrowest ideas of what makes a family. Dad goes to work, mom stays home and makes babies, everyone starves to death. What makes our nation strong is our forefathers, their ideas on equality, and our constitution. "All men are created equal"
You and I are allowed to marry, they are not. That's not equal.
Jennifer Richmond @Nick: Are you saying that "Our Nation" does not belong to gay men and women? That America was founded purely for straight people? The minute the government granted benefits to married couples, gay marriage became a social issue. You can't... exclusively allow rights to one set of people while excluding another. If you can't allow gays the right to be married, you may as well take away rights for women, black people, and all other minorities. Of course, you probably wouldn't be bothered by that considering you are a white male and would still be able to get everything you want.
I know more so called "natural" families that are creating social problems than I do your so called "un-natural" families. If having two parents is the ideal family, whose to say two women or two men can't provide a stable loving home and still raise their children with strong moral values? In fact, I believe their values would be even better than your "natural family". The first one coming to mind being acceptance for all people regardless of conditions. See More
Nick Richmond Jenn I am saying that when the majority becomes disenfranchised by the minority the strength of our nation as a whole is weakened. Now I realize that horrible crimes have been perpetuated by hate groups. I do not advocate such behavior and ...I am saddened that the gay rights community has been given so much power because of the senseless idiots who perpetuate those crimes.
God created men and women equal. I have no issue with the right to vote for women. Heaven knows I've met plenty of women much smarter than I am. God created the races equal. Our forefathers (Richmond's) to the best of my knowledge were abolitionists who were against slavery. My respects to them. When they abolished slavery and got rid of the Jim Crowe laws of the South a great blight on our country's honor was removed. I have no problem with minorities coming to America and working out a fortune for themselves so long as they do it legally.
That same God who created all men equal also said "for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and they two shall be one flesh". The cause is marriage. Between one man and one woman. You ask who is to say that two women or two men can't provide a stable loving home. To the best of my knowledge no one has. That point is irrelevant. The issue is about morality not capacity remember we said God created all men equal. Why is it an issue of morality then and not one of equality? Morality is a system of values that determines what is right and wrong. What two people do in the privacy of their own homes is not an equality issue it is a moral issue.
You say that gay marriage became an equality issue when government started giving benefits to families. So where do we draw the line. Is it ok for someone to kill another cause government gives a few select members of law enforcement that responsibility? I think not. No one will ever say that just because government instituted the death penalty that the common citizen should be allowed the privilege of killing who they will. The notion is rediculous. Of course if you insist we can always just take away those benefits from hard working bread winners and let their children grow up less dependent on the government dime. I would support that. After all it would reduce my tax burden.
As for your natural families that are creating problems. I would argue the lack of a father in the home is what is perpetuating those problems. But that is a topic for another time.
I'm sorry to say this little sister you are the wrong side of this argument. Whether you want to see it or not. See More
Blake Hoopes Nick, I would like to apologize at the onset of this comment for it will be rather lengthy. I would first like to say is that I CANNOT believe that you have the audacity to express to your sister, an incredibly intelligent, caring, kind, lo...ving woman, that you feel that her opinion is inferior to yours. It’s utterly preposterous that you assume that it is she and not you to be on the wrong side of the issue. The next generation of people will look back at strong people like your sister with amazement that she was strong enough to stand up to the rest of the world and look into the face of adversity and cry out to the world that injustice is intolerable! On the other hand, the next generation will look back at bigots like you with embarrassment and shame. It’s just like any other social issue of yesteryear. I look at the elders in my extended family and find it appalling that they still feel a shred of racism or sexism. People of Illinois and Missouri look back at their ancestors with shame for the way they treated the Mormons. One day, your posterity will look back at you and shake their heads.
Your opinion that this is a moral issue is a skewed view of the situation. Who’s to say which moral code is best to govern people by? To quote Judge Walker himself, “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians. The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples.”
Again, I ask, who decides which moral code to govern people by? After all, homosexual relationships and acts have been admired as well as condemned throughout recorded history, depending on the form they took and the culture in which they occurred. Many historical figures, including Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln, and Hadrian, have had terms such as gay or bisexual applied to them. Ancient Greek writings describe individuals exhibiting exclusive homosexuality. In ancient Africa, Women in Lesotho engaged in socially sanctioned "long term, relationships" called motsoalle. Male Azande warriors in the northern Congo routinely took on male lovers, who helped with household tasks and participated in sex with their husbands. The practice had died out by the early 20th century, after Europeans had gained control of African countries. The first recorded homosexual couple in history is commonly regarded as Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, an Egyptian male couple, who lived around the 2400 BCE. The couple is portrayed in a nose-kissing position, the most intimate pose in Egyptian art, surrounded by what appear to be their heirs. Homosexual individuals were also common among ancient civilizations in Latin America, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Quechuas, Moches, Zapotecs, and the Tupinambá of Brazil.
Your argument that so called ‘natural families’ are superior is appallingly ridiculous! Clearly children are completely incapable of developing without a mother and a father. We should petition to have the state take custody of all children being reared in single-parent homes. No single mother or single father should have the right to raise a child alone! It’s not about their capability of parenting, it’s about the children and these children have a right to a mother and a father right? The results of scientific studies suggest that lesbian mothers' and gay fathers' parenting skills may be superior to those of matched heterosexual couples. For instance, it's been reported by researchers that homosexual couples' parenting awareness skills were stronger than those of heterosexual couples. This was attributed to greater parenting awareness among homosexual non-biological parents than among heterosexual biological fathers. One study reported more favorable patterns of parent-child interaction among homosexuals as compared to heterosexual parents. A recent study of 256 lesbian and gay parent families found that, very few lesbian and gay parents reported any use of physical punishment (such as spanking) as a disciplinary technique; instead, they were likely to report use of positive techniques such as reasoning. Certainly, research has found no reasons to believe lesbian mothers or gay fathers to be unfit parents. On the contrary, results of research suggest that lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive home environments for children. Other research shows that lesbian and gay parents are more likely to be financially stable prior to making the decision to become parents.
The fact of the matter is that marriage is a religious ceremony. Our country was founded upon a separation of church and state. Why then should a religious based moral opinion be suitable to condemn an entire group of tax-paying citizens. Additionally, there are religious organizations who do provide marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. Why is there freedom to practice their religion as they see fit being overlooked? Marriage does have original roots as a religious institution; however, the minute our Government began providing benefits to people who engage in this ceremonious union, the issue was immediately modified into a civil right. As tax-paying citizens, Gay Americans deserve the same rights and protections to enter into a consensual relationship with another adult of their choosing the same as anyone else.See More
Nick Richmond Blake the real question is why should the religious majority be stripped of their right to worship God by respecting his commandments as he laid them down? After all he is the only one whose opinion on morality is correct.
Your study data has and will continue to be disputed by right thinking members of all branches of social science.
Sorry Blake I hate to break it to you but you too are on the wrong side of this argument. If you would take a few minutes to pray to God our Heavenly Father he will confirm to you the idea that Marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Of course you have to be willing to believe one that he will answer and that you will conform your life to that answer.
Natosha Black Well I can see that bigotry is still alive and well. Nick your version of what you think is "right and moral" is your opinion and I respect that, but who are you to tell the rest if the world what is actually correct? Certainly not you or a...nyone that walks the face of this earth. If you are so religious than why are you judging and condeming people for their freedom of life? Doesn't "god" specifically state: "Thou shalt not judge"...So what makes you think that your exempt from that rule? I think its time for people to stop "assuming" and "creating" these bigoted and outrageous views of who aand what they think "god" was getting at, because no one knows and will never know until our time comes. Oh yeah...And it makes you look like an incompetent moron with no actual idea of your own but what "the normal society" think you should think.See More
Nick Richmond Natosha you are the third person to ask who I am. Aside from being Jennifer's brother and consequently one who is very concerned about her happiness I am a child of God. But of course you don't have to believe me. By all means don't ask me ask God. Its too easy. Yes you too can know for yourself not in some distant future but today. All you have to do is kneel down and ask. If that makes me a bigot so be it. Happy praying !!:o)
Blake Hoopes Nick, you don’t know anything about me. Let me give you a little background, not that you care to read it. I was born and raised within a very actively Mormon family. Sometime around age 9 I began noticing that I was different from most boy...s and by 15 I discovered the word for that difference was ‘gay’. I HATED myself for it. I attempted in vain to end my own life. I knelt down and prayed to God to heal me, but nothing changed. I was seeking help through my bishop as well as LDS Family Services. Finally at age 17 my parents entered me into a treatment facility. Through the intensive therapy I experienced for the five months I was there, I was able to find a small shred of love for myself, but I still wasn’t entirely happy and the feelings of attraction toward men was still strong and there were no feelings of attraction toward women. One day I was on my knees praying for change when a thought occurred to me that I was praying for the wrong thing. I began asking to just feel better. Then an even more strange thought came to mind, my entire life, I’d been allowing other people -be it my parents and family or my bishops and church leaders, all the way up to the First Presidency- to interpret God’s will for my life. At that moment, I knew the real question I should be asking: “Father in heaven, is it wrong for me to seek a marriage with another man?” The answer I received was an overwhelming peace and calm like I had never experienced before. It was almost as if I heard a voice in my head saying, “Blake, of course it’s not wrong for you. I created you just the way you ought to be! You’re not alone. You NEED to seek a loving marriage with a good young man worthy enough to have you. I want nothing more than your happiness. You should seek a committed relationship with another man.”
What I’m trying to say is that you’re right, kneeling down and praying was the right thing to do. Perhaps when you have knelt down, assuming of course that you followed your own advice to do so, you merely asked the wrong questions. In all honesty, you and I can go back and forth debating this without any resolution. Clearly there is nothing anyone can say to change your opinion and I know that there is nothing you can say to change my opinion or take away the experience I had. What I can say is that the twisted version of God you have created in your mind is very different from the God I’ve experienced. After I leave this life, if by some insanely nightmarish horror you are right, and God is a chauvinistic, racist, homophobic, hateful, judgmental white man sitting on a throne, rather than peaceful, loving and accepting, the way I know to be true, I’ll be grateful to be damned to hell, because surely burning for an eternity would be better than being forced to serve a master with such ugly qualities.
Cameron Nichols Nick, I also apologize for my lengthy comment…
I don't know you or what you have been through in your life and I can respect differences. But to come out and blatantly tell people that they are wrong and that their own spiritual experiences ...don't mean anything because they don't match yours is not Christ like. My experiences were very much like Blake’s. I was raised in the LDS church. I am a firm believer in God. I am also a gay man. I have prayed over the “issues” and have received my unmistakable revelation from God that I am making the right choices in my life. That is fine if your own personal revelation is different than mine, but don’t tell me that my revelation is not true, inferior to yours, and doesn’t mean anything. Don’t tell me to pray harder for the “right” answer. I have already received it regarding these topics. But above all, DO NOT insult MY relationship with God. Do not insult these people’s personal beliefs (whether they are similar to or different than yours). These people that you are commenting back to are good people. They live good lives. Do good things. It doesn’t matter that you don’t agree with them on a spiritual level (or any level for that matter). The fact is, whatever they do is between them and God. God knows why people do the things they do. We as imperfect beings do not.
It seems like your objective here is to convert people. The only true way to bring people to Christ is live by example. Not try and force your beliefs on other people. What you are doing is not sharing the gospel. In fact, this is what turns people away-The intolerance, the negativity, the lack of acceptance, love, and support. I know active members of the LDS faith whose morals, views, and beliefs are very different than yours. I know families who accept their children and want to see them happy no matter what they believe in (including gay marriage!). This is all so much bigger than us. I honestly believe that we were put on this earth to be tested. But it’s not the test that you think. It’s a test of acceptance and love. To gain the ability to accept differences. To love unconditionally no matter what the circumstances.
And as for your sister Jen-she is one of the kindest most caring people I have ever met. You are not the only person who cares about Jen’s wellbeing and happiness. All these people commenting care very deeply for her. You being her brother should want for her happiness. Not what you think (or “know”) will make her happy, but what she for herself wants and will make her happy.
Not only will I pray for more revelation, protection, loved ones, government leaders, and express gratitude; but I will also pray for open mindedness, love for all, acceptance for all, and equality for all. Our nation was founded because of inequalities. There was oppression. There was injustice. It was built on separation of church and state. To allow everyone to believe, worship, and work to build a better life.
Jennifer Richmond “If government tolerates discrimination against anyone for any reason, it becomes an excuse for the public to do exactly the same thing.”
~Jerry Sanders, Republican Mayor of San Diego
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/09/margaret-hoover-prop-gay-rights-marriage-conservatives-civil-rights/#commenting
As a conservative Republican representing the next generation of attitudes towards gays and lesbians, I encouraged the readers of FoxNews.com last January to take a careful look at the arguments and evidence in the Prop 8 trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger. The case was presented by a constitutional co...
Nick Richmond Ms. Hoover can call herself a conservative all she wants. She isn't. Conservatives whether Democrat or Republican advocate for the status quo. She clearly is advocating change.
Gay Marriage isn't a social issue and even less so one of equali...ty. It's a moral issue. The strength of any nation is found in its FAMILIES. To undermine the natural family is to increase the social problems that exist in Our Nation not improve them.See More
Lacey H. Gay marriage is a human rights issue. Issues of human rights should not be put to vote, otherwise women still wouldn't be allowed to vote and interracial marriage would still be illegal. The majority can't tell the minority what is right an...d what is wrong, that's why we are better as a country.
Are you saying that gay people can't be members of a family? Or a strong family? Undermining a "natural family" would be having a single mother, being raised by your grandparents, or any number of other ways straight people are currently messing up the "natural" family.
Families don't make nations strong. In fact, the weakest countries in the world have the narrowest ideas of what makes a family. Dad goes to work, mom stays home and makes babies, everyone starves to death. What makes our nation strong is our forefathers, their ideas on equality, and our constitution. "All men are created equal"
You and I are allowed to marry, they are not. That's not equal.
Jennifer Richmond @Nick: Are you saying that "Our Nation" does not belong to gay men and women? That America was founded purely for straight people? The minute the government granted benefits to married couples, gay marriage became a social issue. You can't... exclusively allow rights to one set of people while excluding another. If you can't allow gays the right to be married, you may as well take away rights for women, black people, and all other minorities. Of course, you probably wouldn't be bothered by that considering you are a white male and would still be able to get everything you want.
I know more so called "natural" families that are creating social problems than I do your so called "un-natural" families. If having two parents is the ideal family, whose to say two women or two men can't provide a stable loving home and still raise their children with strong moral values? In fact, I believe their values would be even better than your "natural family". The first one coming to mind being acceptance for all people regardless of conditions. See More
Nick Richmond Jenn I am saying that when the majority becomes disenfranchised by the minority the strength of our nation as a whole is weakened. Now I realize that horrible crimes have been perpetuated by hate groups. I do not advocate such behavior and ...I am saddened that the gay rights community has been given so much power because of the senseless idiots who perpetuate those crimes.
God created men and women equal. I have no issue with the right to vote for women. Heaven knows I've met plenty of women much smarter than I am. God created the races equal. Our forefathers (Richmond's) to the best of my knowledge were abolitionists who were against slavery. My respects to them. When they abolished slavery and got rid of the Jim Crowe laws of the South a great blight on our country's honor was removed. I have no problem with minorities coming to America and working out a fortune for themselves so long as they do it legally.
That same God who created all men equal also said "for this cause shall a man leave his mother and father and they two shall be one flesh". The cause is marriage. Between one man and one woman. You ask who is to say that two women or two men can't provide a stable loving home. To the best of my knowledge no one has. That point is irrelevant. The issue is about morality not capacity remember we said God created all men equal. Why is it an issue of morality then and not one of equality? Morality is a system of values that determines what is right and wrong. What two people do in the privacy of their own homes is not an equality issue it is a moral issue.
You say that gay marriage became an equality issue when government started giving benefits to families. So where do we draw the line. Is it ok for someone to kill another cause government gives a few select members of law enforcement that responsibility? I think not. No one will ever say that just because government instituted the death penalty that the common citizen should be allowed the privilege of killing who they will. The notion is rediculous. Of course if you insist we can always just take away those benefits from hard working bread winners and let their children grow up less dependent on the government dime. I would support that. After all it would reduce my tax burden.
As for your natural families that are creating problems. I would argue the lack of a father in the home is what is perpetuating those problems. But that is a topic for another time.
I'm sorry to say this little sister you are the wrong side of this argument. Whether you want to see it or not. See More
Blake Hoopes Nick, I would like to apologize at the onset of this comment for it will be rather lengthy. I would first like to say is that I CANNOT believe that you have the audacity to express to your sister, an incredibly intelligent, caring, kind, lo...ving woman, that you feel that her opinion is inferior to yours. It’s utterly preposterous that you assume that it is she and not you to be on the wrong side of the issue. The next generation of people will look back at strong people like your sister with amazement that she was strong enough to stand up to the rest of the world and look into the face of adversity and cry out to the world that injustice is intolerable! On the other hand, the next generation will look back at bigots like you with embarrassment and shame. It’s just like any other social issue of yesteryear. I look at the elders in my extended family and find it appalling that they still feel a shred of racism or sexism. People of Illinois and Missouri look back at their ancestors with shame for the way they treated the Mormons. One day, your posterity will look back at you and shake their heads.
Your opinion that this is a moral issue is a skewed view of the situation. Who’s to say which moral code is best to govern people by? To quote Judge Walker himself, “Moral disapproval alone is an improper basis on which to deny rights to gay men and lesbians. The evidence shows conclusively that Proposition 8 enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples.”
Again, I ask, who decides which moral code to govern people by? After all, homosexual relationships and acts have been admired as well as condemned throughout recorded history, depending on the form they took and the culture in which they occurred. Many historical figures, including Socrates, Lord Byron, Edward II, Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, Abraham Lincoln, and Hadrian, have had terms such as gay or bisexual applied to them. Ancient Greek writings describe individuals exhibiting exclusive homosexuality. In ancient Africa, Women in Lesotho engaged in socially sanctioned "long term, relationships" called motsoalle. Male Azande warriors in the northern Congo routinely took on male lovers, who helped with household tasks and participated in sex with their husbands. The practice had died out by the early 20th century, after Europeans had gained control of African countries. The first recorded homosexual couple in history is commonly regarded as Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, an Egyptian male couple, who lived around the 2400 BCE. The couple is portrayed in a nose-kissing position, the most intimate pose in Egyptian art, surrounded by what appear to be their heirs. Homosexual individuals were also common among ancient civilizations in Latin America, such as the Aztecs, Mayans, Quechuas, Moches, Zapotecs, and the Tupinambá of Brazil.
Your argument that so called ‘natural families’ are superior is appallingly ridiculous! Clearly children are completely incapable of developing without a mother and a father. We should petition to have the state take custody of all children being reared in single-parent homes. No single mother or single father should have the right to raise a child alone! It’s not about their capability of parenting, it’s about the children and these children have a right to a mother and a father right? The results of scientific studies suggest that lesbian mothers' and gay fathers' parenting skills may be superior to those of matched heterosexual couples. For instance, it's been reported by researchers that homosexual couples' parenting awareness skills were stronger than those of heterosexual couples. This was attributed to greater parenting awareness among homosexual non-biological parents than among heterosexual biological fathers. One study reported more favorable patterns of parent-child interaction among homosexuals as compared to heterosexual parents. A recent study of 256 lesbian and gay parent families found that, very few lesbian and gay parents reported any use of physical punishment (such as spanking) as a disciplinary technique; instead, they were likely to report use of positive techniques such as reasoning. Certainly, research has found no reasons to believe lesbian mothers or gay fathers to be unfit parents. On the contrary, results of research suggest that lesbian and gay parents are as likely as heterosexual parents to provide supportive home environments for children. Other research shows that lesbian and gay parents are more likely to be financially stable prior to making the decision to become parents.
The fact of the matter is that marriage is a religious ceremony. Our country was founded upon a separation of church and state. Why then should a religious based moral opinion be suitable to condemn an entire group of tax-paying citizens. Additionally, there are religious organizations who do provide marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. Why is there freedom to practice their religion as they see fit being overlooked? Marriage does have original roots as a religious institution; however, the minute our Government began providing benefits to people who engage in this ceremonious union, the issue was immediately modified into a civil right. As tax-paying citizens, Gay Americans deserve the same rights and protections to enter into a consensual relationship with another adult of their choosing the same as anyone else.See More
Nick Richmond Blake the real question is why should the religious majority be stripped of their right to worship God by respecting his commandments as he laid them down? After all he is the only one whose opinion on morality is correct.
Your study data has and will continue to be disputed by right thinking members of all branches of social science.
Sorry Blake I hate to break it to you but you too are on the wrong side of this argument. If you would take a few minutes to pray to God our Heavenly Father he will confirm to you the idea that Marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Of course you have to be willing to believe one that he will answer and that you will conform your life to that answer.
Natosha Black Well I can see that bigotry is still alive and well. Nick your version of what you think is "right and moral" is your opinion and I respect that, but who are you to tell the rest if the world what is actually correct? Certainly not you or a...nyone that walks the face of this earth. If you are so religious than why are you judging and condeming people for their freedom of life? Doesn't "god" specifically state: "Thou shalt not judge"...So what makes you think that your exempt from that rule? I think its time for people to stop "assuming" and "creating" these bigoted and outrageous views of who aand what they think "god" was getting at, because no one knows and will never know until our time comes. Oh yeah...And it makes you look like an incompetent moron with no actual idea of your own but what "the normal society" think you should think.See More
Nick Richmond Natosha you are the third person to ask who I am. Aside from being Jennifer's brother and consequently one who is very concerned about her happiness I am a child of God. But of course you don't have to believe me. By all means don't ask me ask God. Its too easy. Yes you too can know for yourself not in some distant future but today. All you have to do is kneel down and ask. If that makes me a bigot so be it. Happy praying !!:o)
Blake Hoopes Nick, you don’t know anything about me. Let me give you a little background, not that you care to read it. I was born and raised within a very actively Mormon family. Sometime around age 9 I began noticing that I was different from most boy...s and by 15 I discovered the word for that difference was ‘gay’. I HATED myself for it. I attempted in vain to end my own life. I knelt down and prayed to God to heal me, but nothing changed. I was seeking help through my bishop as well as LDS Family Services. Finally at age 17 my parents entered me into a treatment facility. Through the intensive therapy I experienced for the five months I was there, I was able to find a small shred of love for myself, but I still wasn’t entirely happy and the feelings of attraction toward men was still strong and there were no feelings of attraction toward women. One day I was on my knees praying for change when a thought occurred to me that I was praying for the wrong thing. I began asking to just feel better. Then an even more strange thought came to mind, my entire life, I’d been allowing other people -be it my parents and family or my bishops and church leaders, all the way up to the First Presidency- to interpret God’s will for my life. At that moment, I knew the real question I should be asking: “Father in heaven, is it wrong for me to seek a marriage with another man?” The answer I received was an overwhelming peace and calm like I had never experienced before. It was almost as if I heard a voice in my head saying, “Blake, of course it’s not wrong for you. I created you just the way you ought to be! You’re not alone. You NEED to seek a loving marriage with a good young man worthy enough to have you. I want nothing more than your happiness. You should seek a committed relationship with another man.”
What I’m trying to say is that you’re right, kneeling down and praying was the right thing to do. Perhaps when you have knelt down, assuming of course that you followed your own advice to do so, you merely asked the wrong questions. In all honesty, you and I can go back and forth debating this without any resolution. Clearly there is nothing anyone can say to change your opinion and I know that there is nothing you can say to change my opinion or take away the experience I had. What I can say is that the twisted version of God you have created in your mind is very different from the God I’ve experienced. After I leave this life, if by some insanely nightmarish horror you are right, and God is a chauvinistic, racist, homophobic, hateful, judgmental white man sitting on a throne, rather than peaceful, loving and accepting, the way I know to be true, I’ll be grateful to be damned to hell, because surely burning for an eternity would be better than being forced to serve a master with such ugly qualities.
Cameron Nichols Nick, I also apologize for my lengthy comment…
I don't know you or what you have been through in your life and I can respect differences. But to come out and blatantly tell people that they are wrong and that their own spiritual experiences ...don't mean anything because they don't match yours is not Christ like. My experiences were very much like Blake’s. I was raised in the LDS church. I am a firm believer in God. I am also a gay man. I have prayed over the “issues” and have received my unmistakable revelation from God that I am making the right choices in my life. That is fine if your own personal revelation is different than mine, but don’t tell me that my revelation is not true, inferior to yours, and doesn’t mean anything. Don’t tell me to pray harder for the “right” answer. I have already received it regarding these topics. But above all, DO NOT insult MY relationship with God. Do not insult these people’s personal beliefs (whether they are similar to or different than yours). These people that you are commenting back to are good people. They live good lives. Do good things. It doesn’t matter that you don’t agree with them on a spiritual level (or any level for that matter). The fact is, whatever they do is between them and God. God knows why people do the things they do. We as imperfect beings do not.
It seems like your objective here is to convert people. The only true way to bring people to Christ is live by example. Not try and force your beliefs on other people. What you are doing is not sharing the gospel. In fact, this is what turns people away-The intolerance, the negativity, the lack of acceptance, love, and support. I know active members of the LDS faith whose morals, views, and beliefs are very different than yours. I know families who accept their children and want to see them happy no matter what they believe in (including gay marriage!). This is all so much bigger than us. I honestly believe that we were put on this earth to be tested. But it’s not the test that you think. It’s a test of acceptance and love. To gain the ability to accept differences. To love unconditionally no matter what the circumstances.
And as for your sister Jen-she is one of the kindest most caring people I have ever met. You are not the only person who cares about Jen’s wellbeing and happiness. All these people commenting care very deeply for her. You being her brother should want for her happiness. Not what you think (or “know”) will make her happy, but what she for herself wants and will make her happy.
Not only will I pray for more revelation, protection, loved ones, government leaders, and express gratitude; but I will also pray for open mindedness, love for all, acceptance for all, and equality for all. Our nation was founded because of inequalities. There was oppression. There was injustice. It was built on separation of church and state. To allow everyone to believe, worship, and work to build a better life.
My Facebook Response
This is a comment I posted on Facebook. It is in response to my friends brother who disagrees with gay marriage and has views that I strongly disagree with. His post that I am responding to offended me and hurt me deeply. I will post the entire Facebook conversation in my next blog posting in case anyone wants to know more of what is going on and what my facebook response is talking about.
Nick, I also apologize for my lengthy comment…
I don't know you or what you have been through in your life and I can respect differences. But to come out and blatantly tell people that they are wrong and that their own spiritual experiences don't mean anything because they don't match yours is not Christ like. My experiences were very much like Blake’s. I was raised in the LDS church. I am a firm believer in God. I am also a gay man. I have prayed over the “issues” and have received my unmistakable revelation from God that I am making the right choices in my life. That is fine if your own personal revelation is different than mine, but don’t tell me that my revelation is not true, inferior to yours, and doesn’t mean anything. Don’t tell me to pray harder for the “right” answer. I have already received it regarding these topics. But above all, DO NOT insult MY relationship with God. Do not insult these people’s personal beliefs (whether they are similar to or different than yours). These people that you are commenting back to are good people. They live good lives. Do good things. It doesn’t matter that you don’t agree with them on a spiritual level (or any level for that matter). The fact is, whatever they do is between them and God. God knows why people do the things they do. We as imperfect beings do not.
It seems like your objective here is to convert people. The only true way to bring people to Christ is live by example. Not try and force your beliefs on other people. What you are doing is not sharing the gospel. In fact, this is what turns people away-The intolerance, the negativity, the lack of acceptance, love, and support. I know active members of the LDS faith whose morals, views, and beliefs are very different than yours. I know families who accept their children and want to see them happy no matter what they believe in (including gay marriage!). This is all so much bigger than us. I honestly believe that we were put on this earth to be tested. But it’s not the test that you think. It’s a test of acceptance and love. To gain the ability to accept differences. To love unconditionally no matter what the circumstances.
And as for your sister Jen-she is one of the kindest most caring people I have ever met. You are not the only person who cares about Jen’s well being and happiness. All these people commenting care very deeply for her. You being her brother should want for her happiness. Not what you think (or “know”) will make her happy, but what she for herself wants and will make her happy.
Not only will I pray for more revelation, protection, loved ones, government leaders, and express gratitude; but I will also pray for open mindedness, love for all, acceptance for all, and equality for all. Our nation was founded because of inequalities. There was oppression. There was injustice. It was built on separation of church and state. To allow everyone to believe, worship, and work to build a better life.
Nick, I also apologize for my lengthy comment…
I don't know you or what you have been through in your life and I can respect differences. But to come out and blatantly tell people that they are wrong and that their own spiritual experiences don't mean anything because they don't match yours is not Christ like. My experiences were very much like Blake’s. I was raised in the LDS church. I am a firm believer in God. I am also a gay man. I have prayed over the “issues” and have received my unmistakable revelation from God that I am making the right choices in my life. That is fine if your own personal revelation is different than mine, but don’t tell me that my revelation is not true, inferior to yours, and doesn’t mean anything. Don’t tell me to pray harder for the “right” answer. I have already received it regarding these topics. But above all, DO NOT insult MY relationship with God. Do not insult these people’s personal beliefs (whether they are similar to or different than yours). These people that you are commenting back to are good people. They live good lives. Do good things. It doesn’t matter that you don’t agree with them on a spiritual level (or any level for that matter). The fact is, whatever they do is between them and God. God knows why people do the things they do. We as imperfect beings do not.
It seems like your objective here is to convert people. The only true way to bring people to Christ is live by example. Not try and force your beliefs on other people. What you are doing is not sharing the gospel. In fact, this is what turns people away-The intolerance, the negativity, the lack of acceptance, love, and support. I know active members of the LDS faith whose morals, views, and beliefs are very different than yours. I know families who accept their children and want to see them happy no matter what they believe in (including gay marriage!). This is all so much bigger than us. I honestly believe that we were put on this earth to be tested. But it’s not the test that you think. It’s a test of acceptance and love. To gain the ability to accept differences. To love unconditionally no matter what the circumstances.
And as for your sister Jen-she is one of the kindest most caring people I have ever met. You are not the only person who cares about Jen’s well being and happiness. All these people commenting care very deeply for her. You being her brother should want for her happiness. Not what you think (or “know”) will make her happy, but what she for herself wants and will make her happy.
Not only will I pray for more revelation, protection, loved ones, government leaders, and express gratitude; but I will also pray for open mindedness, love for all, acceptance for all, and equality for all. Our nation was founded because of inequalities. There was oppression. There was injustice. It was built on separation of church and state. To allow everyone to believe, worship, and work to build a better life.
Monday, July 26, 2010
WEEKEND EVENTS
So seriously, this weekend has been exactly what I needed! SO AMAZING! Yesterday, SimplySocial had a 300ft slip n slide and it was totally epic!!! After the slip n slide I had dinner at Blake's parents house. BBQ Chicken (on the grill) and corn on the cob. LOL We also watched the movie DERAILED-incredible! I hope to add it to my collection one day. I love movies :-)
Hope everyone is well,
Cameron
Hope everyone is well,
Cameron
Sunday, July 25, 2010
A night of joy
Tonight was absolutely incredible! I had so much fun! Blake, Jen, Cerrick, Jason, Justin, and a couple other friends went out to a club and danced the night away! Then we went back to Blake's apartment and just talked. A night out on the town with some friends and my love-SO needed and ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! <3
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Lots to catch up on!
It has been over a month since I have written anything! So much to catch up on.
First off, my relationship with Blake is FANTASTIC! I am completely astounded at how lucky I am to have him in my life.
I spent a week in Las Vegas! with Blake and our friend Tosha and Sara :-)
and a weekend at Cherry Hill - with Blake and his family. (Pictures coming soon)
Something I have learned AGAIN: Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we just have to wait it out to see what happens. I lost my job today, and have mixed feelings about it. I am faced with, "What do I do now? The job hunt again? I have to start over, AGAIN!" Those coupled with insecurities about not being good enough can be dangerous. But also at the same time, I have a feeling that everything will be okay. This is the way it is supposed to happen. I'm not sure why yet, but I have to wait it out and see what happens.
I was in the studio last week recording an awesome song when I mentioned that I don't believe in coincidences. My response from the technician (Merrilee Webb): Coincidences are situations where God is not given credit. HOW TRUE IS THAT?! I loved that response!
On the Music front: Like I said I was in the studio last week recording an awesome song! I need to go in one more time (knock on wood) and the recording process should be done. I have one more song I want to record, and editing and we are in business! My designer and I have started working on the cover and CD design. We are not finished, but I'm excited to work some more on it. I hope it all goes well and have a great product at the end :-)
That's all for now.
Cameron :-)
Anyway,
First off, my relationship with Blake is FANTASTIC! I am completely astounded at how lucky I am to have him in my life.
I spent a week in Las Vegas! with Blake and our friend Tosha and Sara :-)
and a weekend at Cherry Hill - with Blake and his family. (Pictures coming soon)
Something I have learned AGAIN: Everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we just have to wait it out to see what happens. I lost my job today, and have mixed feelings about it. I am faced with, "What do I do now? The job hunt again? I have to start over, AGAIN!" Those coupled with insecurities about not being good enough can be dangerous. But also at the same time, I have a feeling that everything will be okay. This is the way it is supposed to happen. I'm not sure why yet, but I have to wait it out and see what happens.
I was in the studio last week recording an awesome song when I mentioned that I don't believe in coincidences. My response from the technician (Merrilee Webb): Coincidences are situations where God is not given credit. HOW TRUE IS THAT?! I loved that response!
On the Music front: Like I said I was in the studio last week recording an awesome song! I need to go in one more time (knock on wood) and the recording process should be done. I have one more song I want to record, and editing and we are in business! My designer and I have started working on the cover and CD design. We are not finished, but I'm excited to work some more on it. I hope it all goes well and have a great product at the end :-)
That's all for now.
Cameron :-)
Anyway,
Thursday, June 3, 2010
So many things!
So there have been SO many things that I have wanted to blog about lately! However, now that I have a chance to blog about them all I can't remember exactly what they are. So, I will now blog about what I am thinking this very moment:
That I must have done something right to have the incredible people in my life! Seriously, this past week I have felt so incredible and uplifted because of so many things. Things that have been said, a text from a friend that is far away, a smile, a hug. The simplest things can brighten a day, a weekend, a lifetime.
That I must have done something right to have the incredible people in my life! Seriously, this past week I have felt so incredible and uplifted because of so many things. Things that have been said, a text from a friend that is far away, a smile, a hug. The simplest things can brighten a day, a weekend, a lifetime.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Is Love really out there?
So, up until the last couple days I have been a hopeless romantic. Love is out there for everyone! You two will find each other! Once you are together and experience that 'togetherness' you will be together forever! .....As of this moment that is not the case anymore. I don't know if it is the people I have been meeting, my own thoughts and actions, I don't know. But I really am starting to wonder if Love is out there for everyone. Love is such a fantastic thing-I know it's cliche, but when you have love, it is like a drug. Like air. Love is such a powerful thing that can never fully be replaced by anything-without it you have a void that can grow bigger and bigger as the time goes by. And unfortunately, most people become jaded because of it.
Everyone deserves to find that special someone. The one person to come home to each night. That one person who doesn't mind your flaws and can see how great you are. The one person that will never want to leave you, but does everyone morning to make a living so that you can be comfortable. That one person who wants to spend time together-who writes random loving notes on the mirror. That one person that you are meant to be with. But what if they don't exist? What if you two never find each other? I know it sounds like a lack of faith, but in all reality, these are fair questions. Is Love really out there?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Awesomeness!
So the past couple of days have been incredible! Good friends, good conversation, good food. What else could a guy as for? :-)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Can I get a free potato?
So this past weekend I went to Idaho with half of my Toscano family: Katie, Alyssa, and Kathy. Why Idaho you ask? Because Grandma was there of course! Anyway, we had a grand ol' time on the drive up there-spotted a rainbow or two.
We had a an awesome weekend-very relaxing and full of laughs.
We made dinner: Stuffed shells, italian chicken, salad, and better than "anything" cake. LOL.
Overall, a very successful and very happy weekend. Good friends. Good food. Good time. I hope to do it again :-)
And by the way, I didn't get a free potato...
Friday, April 23, 2010
Courage
So yesterday, I finally got the courage to ask someone on a date. A miracle right?! I might be good in a relationship, but when it comes the dating aspect-let's just say I need lessons or something. Anyway, I'm very excited! And if you have not guess yet, they said "Sure!"
Sometimes we need a little push to do something that is scary. Sometimes the push is a talk with a friend, Advice from a parent, Or someone literally pushes you into a situation. The next step in these situations is finding the courage within yourself. That God given courage and light. The courage that only YOU can find within yourself. Find your courage and take on the world!
Stand up tall. Don't be Ashamed.
Cameron
Sometimes we need a little push to do something that is scary. Sometimes the push is a talk with a friend, Advice from a parent, Or someone literally pushes you into a situation. The next step in these situations is finding the courage within yourself. That God given courage and light. The courage that only YOU can find within yourself. Find your courage and take on the world!
Stand up tall. Don't be Ashamed.
Cameron
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Epic Failure Recant
So tonight (saturday night, technically I'm writing this sunday morning...) I tried the whole social thing again. Same group, different activity. First there was a little backyard social-which was really fun. And yes, I actually talked to people! I know, surprised me too. Second, we went to a gymnastics gym. It was REALLY fun! Foam pits, trampolines, bars, beams, bouncy floors! It made me miss gymnastics and realize that I'm a chicken and afraid to get hurt. LOL. And finally, third: went to DEEs and talked some more! For some stupid reason, I actually ate food. That I could have lived without. But also, I think I'm starting to crush...so we will see how things go. But overall tonight was a definite success! I let my light so shine, and had a blast. Hopefully in the future, it will glow brighter and brighter!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Total and EPIC FAILURE
Do you ever look back at your life and wonder where that person went? Over time we all change, sometimes only a little, sometimes alot. I went to a social thing last night (all by myself-bad idea!). I honestly tried my best to be out going and personable. But I just ended up sitting there only talking occasionally...When it was all done and time to go home, I seriously could have rolled up in ball in a blanket and cried-well, if I would have let myself. I could feel myself shrinking. Everyone has a light inside them, right? And sometimes you can control how much you exute. As the night went on, I could feel my light dim until is was only a glowing ember. I tried to fuel it and shine brighter, with no success. Who is this shy person that gets extreme anxiety when it's time to socialize with new people? Where did Cameron go? The guy that was very out going, personable, friendly, talkative? I'm not sure. Have the past two and half years crushed me that much? I wish I knew what to do. I am trying to put myself out there, and I end up getting crushed even more. Last night was a total and epic failure.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Lessons Learned....again.
So yesterday I was talking to people who brought some perspective in my life. They reminded me of life lessons that I have learned before, but should constantly be reminded of:
Live and go by the SPIRIT of the law, rather than the LETTER of the law.
Judgement is a huge negative in any relationship-whether it is established or forming. This should be applied to EVERYDAY LIFE, to EVERYONE you encounter.
Another lesson I learned was "Let your light so shine before this people" 3 Nephi12:16
EVERYONE has light inside them. They have their own talents, compassion, and abilities. No matter who you are, you have something to offer the world. Let your light shine. Whether you believe it's from God to You to Others. Or from You to Others. Just let it shine.This goes along with another lesson:
BE YOURSELF, whoever it is. No one can be a better YOU than YOU!
Be yourself around everyone you meet. Some won't like you, some will. But at least you were honest to yourself and God. Don't hide. Don't change who you are according to which group you are with today. Just be YOU. ALL THE TIME.
Anyway, these are the lessons that I was reminded of yesterday. These are the lessons I constantly need to be reminded of. They are the Lessons Learned....again.
Much Love,
Cameron
Live and go by the SPIRIT of the law, rather than the LETTER of the law.
Judgement is a huge negative in any relationship-whether it is established or forming. This should be applied to EVERYDAY LIFE, to EVERYONE you encounter.
Another lesson I learned was "Let your light so shine before this people" 3 Nephi12:16
EVERYONE has light inside them. They have their own talents, compassion, and abilities. No matter who you are, you have something to offer the world. Let your light shine. Whether you believe it's from God to You to Others. Or from You to Others. Just let it shine.This goes along with another lesson:
BE YOURSELF, whoever it is. No one can be a better YOU than YOU!
Be yourself around everyone you meet. Some won't like you, some will. But at least you were honest to yourself and God. Don't hide. Don't change who you are according to which group you are with today. Just be YOU. ALL THE TIME.
Anyway, these are the lessons that I was reminded of yesterday. These are the lessons I constantly need to be reminded of. They are the Lessons Learned....again.
Much Love,
Cameron
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Colors and Cake!
Today was CRAZY busy! First it was the color festival-it was my first time doing and it was AWESOME! You throw colored chalk at each other and then up in the air and it creates this HUGE colored cloud. It's an Eastern Indian Holiday celebrating diversity. I believe it's called Holle Krishna (SP? don't quote me on that...). I'm pretty sure I will be blowing purple snot out my nose for weeks! lol
Next, I rushed home to wish my sister farewell to her Jr. Prom. She looked absolutely stunning! She is growing up so fast I can't even believe it! Her Junior year of high school is almost over! WOW.
After that, I had a good friend's Birthday Party. I went over to her house to give her her present-which wasn't much, but it was pretty awesome. When everone arrived we went and had SUSHI. Absolutely delicious, but I had WAY too much to eat! Not to mention we went to our friends house and had cake afterward (which I helped bake and frost :-) ).
Overall it was a great Saturday. Busy, but filled with Colors and Cake. What else can a guy ask for? :-)
-Cameron
P.S. Pictures of tonights events hopefully coming soon....if my friends post them on facebook for me to copy. haha
Next, I rushed home to wish my sister farewell to her Jr. Prom. She looked absolutely stunning! She is growing up so fast I can't even believe it! Her Junior year of high school is almost over! WOW.
After that, I had a good friend's Birthday Party. I went over to her house to give her her present-which wasn't much, but it was pretty awesome. When everone arrived we went and had SUSHI. Absolutely delicious, but I had WAY too much to eat! Not to mention we went to our friends house and had cake afterward (which I helped bake and frost :-) ).
Overall it was a great Saturday. Busy, but filled with Colors and Cake. What else can a guy ask for? :-)
-Cameron
P.S. Pictures of tonights events hopefully coming soon....if my friends post them on facebook for me to copy. haha
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Bobcats, Panthers, Bears, and Wolves-oh my! Someone ate the pizza....
Last but not least. The scene is on a deck area at night. My family is surrounding me (still lounging in deck chairs). Lantern glowing from their posts on the deck. I was so excited to tell my family about all the wild animals I encountered today that I touched them! How often does that happen?! Anyway, I was talking with my family and we hear wolves howl.....they seemed pretty close. The next few min we just lisen as the howls grow louder and louder, closer and closer. The next thing we know the wolves are running past the deck. They seem crazed and on the hunt. Obviously my family is scared. And so was I! Suddenly a wolf run up the stairs of the deck and was facing me. I was the only one standing and I somehow had a white metal basket in my hand. The wolf stated walking towards me and I started hitting the basket on the deck floor. This made the wolf hesitant, but it continued forward. It would smell the fear, and that made it even more tempting for him. The wolf lunged, and I took the basket and put all my force behind it! Wham! Hit the wolf right in the head! This happened a couple more times. I finally started to just hit the deck near it and it eventually gave up and ran off.
The next thing I knew my alarm clock was going off.....What a CRAZY dream! WARNING: Eating pepperoni pizza might cause you to have crazy dreams!
Bobcats, Panthers, Bear, and Wolves-oh my! Someone ate the pizza....yeah I will admit, it was me :-) -Cameron
Friday, March 19, 2010
Songs from the wedding
Don't forget to check out the videos from the wedding (mentioned previously): EVERYTHING by Michael Buble, and BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD by Rascal Flatts (Marci and I came up with the harmonies!)
Cameron Nichols Music 'Fan Page'
Camron Nichols Music 'Fan Page' Group!
PS. Please don't forget to add yourself as a fan on the fan page and then also join the group! Thanks!
Cameron Nichols Music 'Fan Page'
Camron Nichols Music 'Fan Page' Group!
PS. Please don't forget to add yourself as a fan on the fan page and then also join the group! Thanks!
A Wedding Celebration!
So today a good friend of mine got married! Congrats Becky and Jerry! It was a BEAUTIFUL ceremony and dinner. Everything was great! Here are some of my 'ametuer' pictures and some videos of myself and Marci singing-we had a blast! 
Monday, March 15, 2010
What a Adventurous week! :-D
This week has been SO fantastic! It has flown by so quickly I can't even believe it. An adventure! Here is the scoop:
Sunday: Church, Dinner with the family and grandparents, ad then my Great Grandmothers viewing. It was time to see you go. No more suffering. We love you and will miss you greatly.
Monday: Work, then a music practice for a wedding that is coming up
Tuesday: Work, and then a good friend of mine (Shelly the amazing) came over to help fix my hair, eat dinner, and talk. :-)
Wednesday: I took off of work to help a friend out and ended up doing an errand/house work day with some friend time that night.
Thursdy: Picked up my parents and grandparents from the airport (took my great grandma to St. Louis to be buried). When we arrived at my grandparents house they surprised me and told me that they were going to pay for voice lessons! I have not bee able to take voice in months because of timing and money. And I am so excited to start back up! I love my grandparents! Later in the day, I went with my friend (Katie) and her grandmother (Joyce) to a doctors appointment, went to Red Lobster for the first time, and did my first mini house concert! Afterwards I went to Dees to have icecream and talk with Katie. Amazing day!
Friday: Got up at 7am to be ready to go at 8am. Drove with Katie to pick up her grandmother (Joyce) at her uncles house. Went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe-yum! And then we all drove up to Idaho Falls together! Such a great ride! Joyce told stories from her life, I sang, we all talked and laughed the entire way. We arrived in Idaho around 2:30pm and Katie and I were supposed to come back on a shuttle that night. However we missed the shuttle and ended up spending the night. So we cleaned up the house a little bit, went to get dinner from Applebees, picked up the dog from the pet hotel. Then back home to eat and make plans for our return home-taxi will pick us up at 3am, shuttle leaves at 4:10am, arrive at the salt lake city airport at 8am, work at 10am. After plans were made, Katie and I went to the store to pick up some essentials (tooth brush/paste, deodorant, etc.). We got back and I went downstairs to play the baby grand built in the early 1900s! Absolutely fantastic! Joyce and Katie soon joined me for some music time. Katie and I were afraid that if we went to sleep we woud miss the taxi, so we decided to not go to bed....
Saturday: Katie and I decided to watch Little Women-great movie! Then decided to shower, and get things ready for our departure.Joyce woke up to send us off. We hugged, tried not to cry, and said our goodbyes with our next visit planned. I'm so grateful for that trip and will treasure it always. Joyce is now another grandmother to me and I absolutely adore and love her. I become closer and fell more deeply in love with Katie. Katie and I (mostly Katie) entertained the taxi and shuttle drivers! After we got home I had to go to work-on ZERO sleep! Let's just say it makes for an interesting work day. Katie and I had made plans for that evening with some friends. I got home from work and fell asleep. I was pretty muh dead. They called and text, and even came to my house! But I was gone....
What a week. What an adventure! I hope this week brings much more...including gym time because I definitely need it! I am also going to try to write more frequently because this weekly updates are so incredibly long!
Love,
Cameron :-)
Sunday: Church, Dinner with the family and grandparents, ad then my Great Grandmothers viewing. It was time to see you go. No more suffering. We love you and will miss you greatly.
Monday: Work, then a music practice for a wedding that is coming up
Tuesday: Work, and then a good friend of mine (Shelly the amazing) came over to help fix my hair, eat dinner, and talk. :-)
Wednesday: I took off of work to help a friend out and ended up doing an errand/house work day with some friend time that night.
Thursdy: Picked up my parents and grandparents from the airport (took my great grandma to St. Louis to be buried). When we arrived at my grandparents house they surprised me and told me that they were going to pay for voice lessons! I have not bee able to take voice in months because of timing and money. And I am so excited to start back up! I love my grandparents! Later in the day, I went with my friend (Katie) and her grandmother (Joyce) to a doctors appointment, went to Red Lobster for the first time, and did my first mini house concert! Afterwards I went to Dees to have icecream and talk with Katie. Amazing day!
Friday: Got up at 7am to be ready to go at 8am. Drove with Katie to pick up her grandmother (Joyce) at her uncles house. Went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe-yum! And then we all drove up to Idaho Falls together! Such a great ride! Joyce told stories from her life, I sang, we all talked and laughed the entire way. We arrived in Idaho around 2:30pm and Katie and I were supposed to come back on a shuttle that night. However we missed the shuttle and ended up spending the night. So we cleaned up the house a little bit, went to get dinner from Applebees, picked up the dog from the pet hotel. Then back home to eat and make plans for our return home-taxi will pick us up at 3am, shuttle leaves at 4:10am, arrive at the salt lake city airport at 8am, work at 10am. After plans were made, Katie and I went to the store to pick up some essentials (tooth brush/paste, deodorant, etc.). We got back and I went downstairs to play the baby grand built in the early 1900s! Absolutely fantastic! Joyce and Katie soon joined me for some music time. Katie and I were afraid that if we went to sleep we woud miss the taxi, so we decided to not go to bed....
Saturday: Katie and I decided to watch Little Women-great movie! Then decided to shower, and get things ready for our departure.Joyce woke up to send us off. We hugged, tried not to cry, and said our goodbyes with our next visit planned. I'm so grateful for that trip and will treasure it always. Joyce is now another grandmother to me and I absolutely adore and love her. I become closer and fell more deeply in love with Katie. Katie and I (mostly Katie) entertained the taxi and shuttle drivers! After we got home I had to go to work-on ZERO sleep! Let's just say it makes for an interesting work day. Katie and I had made plans for that evening with some friends. I got home from work and fell asleep. I was pretty muh dead. They called and text, and even came to my house! But I was gone....Sunday: Homecoming of a high school friend, my own sacrament meeting, music practice for the upcoming wedding, and then fun with Katie and Shelly. I finally saw THE NOTEBOOK! Absolutely fantastic movie!!! Love radiated from the movie and I felt it. Not only the romantic kind of love, but love for friends, family, and a complete sense of gratitude for what they all have done for me. Love you guys!
What a week. What an adventure! I hope this week brings much more...including gym time because I definitely need it! I am also going to try to write more frequently because this weekly updates are so incredibly long!
Love,
Cameron :-)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Week Upddate! and I need a miracle...
So this week has been crazy!
Monday: Work, gym, friends.
Tuesday: Doctors appointment, work, gym, FRIENDS! People were saying and doing such funny things that I was laughing so hard I was bright red and crying! LOL "Three Pills Please" :-)
Wednesday: Work, then had a music practice for a wedding that I am singing for in in a couple weeks. I was weary of trying to sing it, but Marci and I have come up with something that is amazing! I hope they like it :-)
Also, I got an amazing offer to record a cd wth Marvin Goldstien who would arrange, produce, and play, pitch to record companies, and help me land some gigs. But making a cd costs so much money! Usually they range from 30-50,000 dollars! But this would have only cost $20,000. But I don't know even know where I would find that much money! So, sadly I had to turn it down. :'-(
Thursday: MY DAY OFF! Some of my coworkers took m out to Sushi! It was incredible! I think I'm addicted....ran errands, did laundry, hung out with two seperate friends! It worked out perfectly time wise. Alyssa and I went and got dinner from an okay Chinese place we have never tried. And then wathced a very disturbing movie. It was nuts! I can't believe people would act that way. Yes it was a horror movie based off a true story.
Friday: Work, and then to Provo to a farewell party or a friend that is going on a mission! I'm excited to see people I have not seen in months!
Saturday: Work, and then I am going to see ALICE IN WONDERLAND with two awesome friends! Can't wait!!!
Also, another thing that has been on my mind lately is school. I am seriously thinking about music. But the only program that I want in Utah is at BYU. I have have visited many times and it is the only campus that has felt 'right.' But Media music program only accepts 10 people a year! I would have to wait until January to audition (which gives me time to learn the music things I need to know to get in, plus get my GPA up). But I'm very conflicted about going to BYU. I feel like I'm meant to be there, but not sure how I could survive. I'm going to need a miracle.
Monday: Work, gym, friends.
Tuesday: Doctors appointment, work, gym, FRIENDS! People were saying and doing such funny things that I was laughing so hard I was bright red and crying! LOL "Three Pills Please" :-)
Wednesday: Work, then had a music practice for a wedding that I am singing for in in a couple weeks. I was weary of trying to sing it, but Marci and I have come up with something that is amazing! I hope they like it :-)
Also, I got an amazing offer to record a cd wth Marvin Goldstien who would arrange, produce, and play, pitch to record companies, and help me land some gigs. But making a cd costs so much money! Usually they range from 30-50,000 dollars! But this would have only cost $20,000. But I don't know even know where I would find that much money! So, sadly I had to turn it down. :'-(
Thursday: MY DAY OFF! Some of my coworkers took m out to Sushi! It was incredible! I think I'm addicted....ran errands, did laundry, hung out with two seperate friends! It worked out perfectly time wise. Alyssa and I went and got dinner from an okay Chinese place we have never tried. And then wathced a very disturbing movie. It was nuts! I can't believe people would act that way. Yes it was a horror movie based off a true story.
Friday: Work, and then to Provo to a farewell party or a friend that is going on a mission! I'm excited to see people I have not seen in months!
Saturday: Work, and then I am going to see ALICE IN WONDERLAND with two awesome friends! Can't wait!!!
Also, another thing that has been on my mind lately is school. I am seriously thinking about music. But the only program that I want in Utah is at BYU. I have have visited many times and it is the only campus that has felt 'right.' But Media music program only accepts 10 people a year! I would have to wait until January to audition (which gives me time to learn the music things I need to know to get in, plus get my GPA up). But I'm very conflicted about going to BYU. I feel like I'm meant to be there, but not sure how I could survive. I'm going to need a miracle.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
"Classic" Night, and Emotional Sunday
Alright, so Saturday night was INCREDIBLE! Some awesome high school friends and I watched MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, ate Dominos, and then went to the Classic Fun Center (Formerly known as Classic Skating). We did the arcade, the nerf ball war zone thing, and lazer tag! It was an AWESOME night! It was SO good to hang out with them again!
Sunday has been crazy! I went to my parents ward (9am!) to listen to my sister sing. She did amazing! Then came home and slept some more (late night saturday). Went over to a friends house to talk, and then to another friends house to hang out for a little bit. Then home, where I watched Princess Diaries Two: Royal Engagement and ate cookie dough ice cream-YUM! But something I am embarassed to admit on here is thatI was so emotional through the movie. I was like a freakin' pregnant woman! It was quite funny. But I love that movie and got all caught up in the 'warm and fuzzies.'
Anyway, this weekend pretty much rocked my world! Great people, great laughs, great cries, GREAT FUN!
-Cameron
Sunday has been crazy! I went to my parents ward (9am!) to listen to my sister sing. She did amazing! Then came home and slept some more (late night saturday). Went over to a friends house to talk, and then to another friends house to hang out for a little bit. Then home, where I watched Princess Diaries Two: Royal Engagement and ate cookie dough ice cream-YUM! But something I am embarassed to admit on here is thatI was so emotional through the movie. I was like a freakin' pregnant woman! It was quite funny. But I love that movie and got all caught up in the 'warm and fuzzies.'
Anyway, this weekend pretty much rocked my world! Great people, great laughs, great cries, GREAT FUN!
-Cameron
Saturday, February 27, 2010
A night to add to Memories!
So tonight pretty much rocked my socks! Went over to Katie's house to hang out with the gang (Katie, Shelly, Alyssa, Alyssa, Rob, Emily) and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! We sang together, laughed together, got advice, and just had a good time! We then went to Dee's which is always fun. The ride back was absolutely hilarious! Four people, tiny truck. We had to fit in like a puzzle-yay for bucket seats! Anyway, let's just say it was very interesting and entertaining.
It's always awesome to have a group of friends that you don't need to worry about how you are acting.You can be youself. Free. I definitely needed a night like tonight. A night to add to memories :-)
It's always awesome to have a group of friends that you don't need to worry about how you are acting.You can be youself. Free. I definitely needed a night like tonight. A night to add to memories :-)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Full days work
Yesterday I actually worked a full day! I was called in early and then had to stay late to finish a project. Hopefully my next paycheck will reflect nicely of my work :-)
After work I drove to provo to see my friends senior recital. She is an amazing artist! Nicole Sheahan. Everyone should check out her music.
So here is a question....If I were to do a concert, what songs would YOU like to hear?
Thanks,
Cameron
After work I drove to provo to see my friends senior recital. She is an amazing artist! Nicole Sheahan. Everyone should check out her music.
So here is a question....If I were to do a concert, what songs would YOU like to hear?
Thanks,
Cameron
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
"You have a baby....in a bar!"
So after work I got invited by my friend Rob to go to a Karaoke bar in down town SLC. P.S. There really was not a baby in the bar...however there was a prenant lady...wha?! Anyway, it was my first time in a place like that and it was so freakin' scary! But I did get up there and sing a song in a half (the computer didn't like the second half of one of them...). Anyway, I had tons of fun! Met some new people and listend to lots of loud music.
During the events of the night, I was slapped in the face with another life lesson that keeps coming back to me-never quite learned-STOP CARING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK! Let loose, have fun! Most of the time, people don't care. Be the person God intended you to be, AWESOME! Insecurities and self doubt do not come from God. So don't listen to them.
That is my rant of the day. Talk to you soon,
Cameron
During the events of the night, I was slapped in the face with another life lesson that keeps coming back to me-never quite learned-STOP CARING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK! Let loose, have fun! Most of the time, people don't care. Be the person God intended you to be, AWESOME! Insecurities and self doubt do not come from God. So don't listen to them.
That is my rant of the day. Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Monday, February 22, 2010
I am a kitty cat, and I dance dance dance, and I dance dance dance
So tonight was totally awesome! I went to dinner with Katie, Emalee, and Yolanda. We went to this awesome sushi restaurant. Yes, I said sushi! AMAZING! Afterward Katie and I went back to her place and her and her sister Alyssa showed me a hilarious video! Check it out. Hope it brings a smile to your face :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuf61OjvoPQ&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuf61OjvoPQ&feature=channel
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday Thoughts
Today has been quite eventful:
Farewell in Highland, my church meetings, dinner with the fam, and lastly went to my cousins house to celebrate their birthdays....after writing this down, it doesn't seem like so much. Haha
Anway, as I was sitting on the bench listening, these are the thoughts that came into my head:
Walk to the edge of the light and into the darkness, and a new light will appear.
Faith is blind, yet can see into the eternities.
Trust in God, trust in yourself.
Walk in faith-blind, yet seeing. Scary, but right.
Take the jump and let the lord teach you to fly.
He knows your name.
He knows your heart.
Your deepest desires.
Your greatest fears.
He knows you.
"You can shape who you become, you can be more than you are today, but you will always be you."
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."
Anyway, thought I would share that with you :-)
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Farewell in Highland, my church meetings, dinner with the fam, and lastly went to my cousins house to celebrate their birthdays....after writing this down, it doesn't seem like so much. Haha
Anway, as I was sitting on the bench listening, these are the thoughts that came into my head:
Walk to the edge of the light and into the darkness, and a new light will appear.
Faith is blind, yet can see into the eternities.
Trust in God, trust in yourself.
Walk in faith-blind, yet seeing. Scary, but right.
Take the jump and let the lord teach you to fly.
He knows your name.
He knows your heart.
Your deepest desires.
Your greatest fears.
He knows you.
"You can shape who you become, you can be more than you are today, but you will always be you."
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."
Anyway, thought I would share that with you :-)
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
What do Tornados, 80's dancing, James Bond, Rancheritos, and wet dogs have in common....ME!
Alright, so my Saturday night was very interesting....it is going to sound crazy and completely unreal but here it is:
It started off with me controling a tornado destroying an entire town. Then seeing some old friends and going to an 80s dance. Then went to a James Bond party. Then to Rancheritos. Then to Rob's house with a very crazy wet dog. Tonight was the most random night I think I have ever had....all I can say is wow. And I'm completely exhausted from a sleepless week.
"Goodnight Neverland"
-Cameron
PS. Visit my 'fan page' to listen to my DEMO MEDLEY. Tell me what you think and if you like it, please spead the word :-)
www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-Nichols-Music/166068198463
You can also just do a search for Cameron Nichols Music.
It started off with me controling a tornado destroying an entire town. Then seeing some old friends and going to an 80s dance. Then went to a James Bond party. Then to Rancheritos. Then to Rob's house with a very crazy wet dog. Tonight was the most random night I think I have ever had....all I can say is wow. And I'm completely exhausted from a sleepless week.
"Goodnight Neverland"
-Cameron
PS. Visit my 'fan page' to listen to my DEMO MEDLEY. Tell me what you think and if you like it, please spead the word :-)
www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-Nichols-Music/166068198463
You can also just do a search for Cameron Nichols Music.
Friday, February 19, 2010
The day of no rest
I have not slept very well the past couple days...and last night I was up late thinking and decided to go for a drive. So I didn't get to bed til really late. However, Today started off awesome! Woke up to a brand new morning.
Went to work and found out that Pattie (Co-worker) was told to go home when I got there :-( So I didn't get to work with her. But the rest of work was pretty good. Once we got the main table cleared off we would get a rush of customers and it would fill right back up. So that part was not so fun, but at least I will have LOTS of things to do at work tomorrow when I go in. I just hope that it's not busy with walk-in customers...we will see.
After work my friend Rob came over to continue planning our concert-that we hope to have in July! Hopefully things will work out. We are trying to pick songs and get an order and put everything together. People don't realize how much preparation goes into planning and presenting a concert! It's nuts!
So today has definitely been a day of no rest.
Anyway, that's my 'journal' entry for the day. Hope all is well!
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Went to work and found out that Pattie (Co-worker) was told to go home when I got there :-( So I didn't get to work with her. But the rest of work was pretty good. Once we got the main table cleared off we would get a rush of customers and it would fill right back up. So that part was not so fun, but at least I will have LOTS of things to do at work tomorrow when I go in. I just hope that it's not busy with walk-in customers...we will see.
After work my friend Rob came over to continue planning our concert-that we hope to have in July! Hopefully things will work out. We are trying to pick songs and get an order and put everything together. People don't realize how much preparation goes into planning and presenting a concert! It's nuts!
So today has definitely been a day of no rest.
Anyway, that's my 'journal' entry for the day. Hope all is well!
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday-The day off!
Like the title said, today was my day off! Woot! In fact it was a very good day off. I got alot done: Library, Car registered, Gym, SHAVE (yes, the beard is gone), and three loads of laundry! No to mention I had an oportunity to record some back up vocals in a small choir (7 people) with some awesome people!
Had a blast in the studio! All I can say is that I love music and singing! I really want to work on improving my skills and do alot more music stuff! When I am singing and learning I am happy and I love it! I'm not sure if tonight was a sign that singing and music is what I should go into, or if it's something that I continue to work on on the side. Either way I think it will always be a part of my life. And that is toally okay with me! Sometimes I just wish God would literally slap me in the face and tell me what to do-face to face.
Anyway, today has not been too bad. Now to finish off the day with some TV on DVD and ice cream....well, the ice cream part is already gone. Which probably means I should head back to the gym. Haha
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Had a blast in the studio! All I can say is that I love music and singing! I really want to work on improving my skills and do alot more music stuff! When I am singing and learning I am happy and I love it! I'm not sure if tonight was a sign that singing and music is what I should go into, or if it's something that I continue to work on on the side. Either way I think it will always be a part of my life. And that is toally okay with me! Sometimes I just wish God would literally slap me in the face and tell me what to do-face to face.
Anyway, today has not been too bad. Now to finish off the day with some TV on DVD and ice cream....well, the ice cream part is already gone. Which probably means I should head back to the gym. Haha
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Another New Start?
Once again, it's been a VERY long time since I have written anything in here. Mainly to myself (because let's be honest, no one really reads this). But in case someone else does, I apologize to you also.
Anyway, I am have realized for a while now that I need to help my life move forward. And hopefully now it has come to my attention again, I will do something about it.
First I have realized: Everyone is very in tune with their own lives. I hope to be more in tune with others lives and not care so much about 'me, me, me.'
Second: If you allow your life to stop, it will. The train will continue forward whether you are on board or not.
and Third: To quote Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, " 'Family' doesn't necessarily mean related by blood. 'Family' are the people who have your back."
Music fills my soul....now only if I had a way to record it and put it down into something useful. My 'first' demo is done. I call it my first because if I had the money I would totally redo it-new songs, more energy, more life. However, I do not have the money and so I will work with what I have. My next step is to get new headshots and design something to send it out in. I will be sending it to local studios, producers, song writers, etc. Hopefully they will like what they hear, get me some vocal work and continue to improve my skills and become a better singer and performer.
Also, I have been going to the gym and LOVE it! .....when I decide to go. I usually try to go a couple times a week, but sometimes I talk myself out of it. But hopefully I will be getting on a better and committed schedule!
Well, that is my update as of late. I'm hoping to update this whole page and 'pimp it out.' Haha or at least make something out of it.
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
P.S. If you read this you should join my 'fan page' on facebook and help me get the word out about my singing. Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-Nichols-Music/166068198463
or just search for Cameron Nichols Music.
Anyway, I am have realized for a while now that I need to help my life move forward. And hopefully now it has come to my attention again, I will do something about it.
First I have realized: Everyone is very in tune with their own lives. I hope to be more in tune with others lives and not care so much about 'me, me, me.'
Second: If you allow your life to stop, it will. The train will continue forward whether you are on board or not.
and Third: To quote Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, " 'Family' doesn't necessarily mean related by blood. 'Family' are the people who have your back."
Music fills my soul....now only if I had a way to record it and put it down into something useful. My 'first' demo is done. I call it my first because if I had the money I would totally redo it-new songs, more energy, more life. However, I do not have the money and so I will work with what I have. My next step is to get new headshots and design something to send it out in. I will be sending it to local studios, producers, song writers, etc. Hopefully they will like what they hear, get me some vocal work and continue to improve my skills and become a better singer and performer.
Also, I have been going to the gym and LOVE it! .....when I decide to go. I usually try to go a couple times a week, but sometimes I talk myself out of it. But hopefully I will be getting on a better and committed schedule!
Well, that is my update as of late. I'm hoping to update this whole page and 'pimp it out.' Haha or at least make something out of it.
Talk to you soon,
Cameron
P.S. If you read this you should join my 'fan page' on facebook and help me get the word out about my singing. Here is the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cameron-Nichols-Music/166068198463
or just search for Cameron Nichols Music.
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