Dating in Utah: How to be 24, Bald and OK with yourself...

Before I get started I need to confess I'm starting to get that look, if you have ever lived in Utah, you know the  one, the all-encompassing stare down that screams "Why aren't you married yet?" Don't you realize you're 24, you've been back from your mission like three years now so there must be something wrong. Don't you realize that you've already lost your hair? If you wait any longer you're going to cost yourself eternal salvation silly! It's true in approximately eight months I officially become a "menace to society" and yet I'm totally OK with that. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to get married or even be in a relationship, it's the opposite actually, but what's with the pressure? Who you marry is the most important decision in your life, and that's why I take it seriously, but I feel who I date and when I meet the person that I'm supposed to spend eternity with isn't something that should be put on a time table. This is not an anti-dating blog, actually I've chosen to write this to help myself and others find their eternal companions, my goal is to help people become comfortable with who they are so they can become comfortable with someone else. The first key to successful dating is to love yourself. If you don't love yourself it is nearly impossible to be successful in relationships.Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of people who aren't necessarily comfortable in their own skin that end up in relationships or even married with families but often times these relationships are plagued with difficulties and abuse. If want to find true happiness in relationships, we need to love ourselves to make sure we avoid people who bring us down to build themselves up. So if there is anything you get out of this first  blog post I hope that you take some time to get to know who you really are and where you stand in life. If you do this you'll be happier and more confident and confidence leads to success in relationships(shoutout to Jenessa for that). In the upcoming weeks I'll be directing more concrete issues in Utah dating culture like the importance of the first date and how to turn it into third and fourth dates, online dating vs. the "meat market" and other issues that come with our unique culture. Feel free to suggest ideas and post comments so I can improve the content and the context of my blog to help people out. Thanks a bunch!

Why Jerry Sloan will be Missed

Today the NBA lost one of the great coaches in the history of the league in Jerry Sloan, his 26 year career as a head coach established him as one of the most well respected and productive coaches in the league. His 23 year tenure with the Utah Jazz established him as the longest tenured coach with one team in NBA history. He was a model of consistency and toughness around the league. In his 23 years in Utah, he had all of one losing season, which is miraculous considering that he almost lead a team spearheaded by Carlos Arroyo, Matt Harpring, Raja Bell, and Andrei Kirilenko to the playoffs when most of those players, with the exception of Kirilenko, would be considered average role players on decent teams. The argument could be made that this year's version of the Cleveland Cavaliers have more talent than that Jazz team, however the results were completely different. Yet while I sit here pondering the day's event, something sour sits in my mouth, this shouldn't be the way that an NBA icon leaves the game.
It feels all too similar to Bobby Bowden being forced out of Florida State, Stan Van Gundy resigning as coach as the Miami Heat. In a season filled with conversation about "the decision" and Carmelo Anthony trade rumors, the last thing we needed were rumors of a power struggle between Sloan and All-Star point guard Deron Williams. Whether or not the rumors are true isn't really what's important, it's the fact that players are putting themselves before the team. What happened to the days of Cal Ripken Jr. and Dan Marino, where you make the best of the situation given to you? It's a sad day when Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera have to fight to stay with the team that they've been loyal to for over 15 years. Now Sloan, the epitome of stability and loyalty, is seemingly forced out of Salt Lake. As a Jazz fan, I've always loved Deron's desire and tenacity to drive his team to victory, and at times, I've wanted Sloan to retire to bring in fresh blood and energy to the team, however this situation doesn't seem like the way for one of the most respected figures in all of professional athletics to leave. It reminds me a lot of a song by Ben Folds called Fred Jones Pt. 2
"Fred sits alone at his desk in the dark
There's an awkward young shadow that waits in the hall,
He's cleared all his things and he's put them in boxes
Things that remind him: 'Life has been good'
Twenty-five years
He's worked at the paper
A man's here to take him downstairs
And I'm sorry, Mr. Jones
It's time"
The situation between Jerry and Deron is too unfortunate, as I hear details come forth, I can't help but feel a little like when I was watching Mark Zuckerburg screw over his best friend in The Social Network. Deron wouldn't be where he is now without Jerry and honestly the past five years probably wouldn't have been as productive as they have been for Jerry without Deron, but as they say, all is fair in love and war, but just like the movies, you never hear about the boy left with the broken heart or the soldier left dead on the battlefield.