Answers...

What is the ultimate "Goal," in life for you (no, not soccer)?
For myself, my family, friends and loved ones to be truly happy.

How did you know Natalie was the one for you?
She compliments me, her strengths help compensate where I fall short and vise-versa. When I'm around her, I want to be a better person.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure band/artist?
This depends on who I'm with. At work, it's Billy Joel. At home DRI or the like. With certain friends (I won't name names), Boston.

What was the favorite time period in your life and why? Can't say mission, marriage or baby...those are all givens for bests.
It's hard to just say one, so using your guidelines and in chronological order:
1. Sophomore year of high school: This is when James and I became really close. He really was way cool to let his little brother hang out with him and all his friends. I made a lot of life long friends in the process. Sometimes hanging out with them felt like I was living in a Seinfeld episode, there was constant and hilarious witty banter.
2. Junior year of high school: camping, Old School Crew, girls volleyball matches, basketball games, football games, BBQ VIP's. Another great group of life long friends.
3. First semester of college: I got good grades, but 80-90% of my time and focus was dedicated to fun. Living on my own for the first time was amazing. Coed intramural soccer (go Slayer!), kickball, ramen, totino's pizza, foursquare, Dr. Mario, and just hanging out. Another hilarious group of friends. Sadly, I haven't kept in contact with a lot of that group, but it still remains one of my greatest times in life.
4. The Crap House: what can I say. It was such an interesting time in life for all of us. Once again, a majority of time and focus was on having fun. Halloween party was amazing, Halo, nephews visit, trying to date girls, Dr. Mario tournament, $2 tuesdays roller skating, 30 Life Code, BBQ's, awesome messages on the whiteboard, working at Wendy's, and hitting an all time low.

Briefly describe the best failed pick up attempt for a girl you ever had.
When I worked at Wendy's there was a really cute manager who I had a little crush on. She broke her leg shortly after I started, so I didn't ever really see her much at all before I realized that I would be more successful at making money by trying to grow it on trees (or working at Convergys). Anyway, a few months after quitting, I went to Wendy's to get some food with my friend Tyson. I saw that she was working, and when we left I told Tyson how I regretted never asking her to hang out. I along with Tyson convinced myself it would be a good idea to leave a note on her car explaining why she should hang out with me. It was pretty awesome. If any of you have ever receive a long, entertaining phone message from me it was probably along those lines. Needless to say, she never called, and it was pretty akward when my friend and roommate Heath brought her over to hang out. He made sure to remind her who I was.

Does anyone ever call you Bad Dawg anymore?
You (Brad) and Jeremy Reitz, and sometimes Brady.


Was it during your mission that people stopped calling you Bad Dawg?
I think so. I remember getting quite a few letters addressed to Elder Bad Dawg Crowley, so I think it gradually wore off during and after.

Deep down did you like or dislike being called Bad Dawg?
Deep down I appriciated the irony. I'm so not a Bad Dawg. I also that it was great to have a bunch of friends with great (and ridiculous) nicknames: Dr. J, Dog Bone, Loc Dogg, B-Rad, Fatty-J, Jimbo, Bad Dawg, etc.

How far into your realationship with Natalie did she find out about you being called Bad Dawg?
It was months. We might have even been engaged at that point.

Did she believe you?
I think someone called me it, and it was one of those moments... "Bad Dawg?"


What was the best/worst part of being the baby of the family?
Best: I think Mom and Dad were pretty mellow by the time I came through.
Worst: Not getting to live with my older siblings for very long.

Your favorite college class (and why)?
Advanced Graphic Interface Design. It was a Flash class. I had a great professor, good friends, did well on my projects, learned a lot every time, and knew that what I was learning was making me a much more valuable employee. Honorable mentions: any Alan Hashimoto, Chris Terry, or Professor Henemann class.

How do you feel about your diaper changing skills?
A little shaky, but it's like riding a bike, right?

When you write songs, do you write the music first, or the lyrics, or do they come together?
Usually, the basic musical idea comes first. Then, I try to write lyrics and put the song structure together at the same time.

If you had to name your greatest musical inspiration, who would it be?
Johnny Cash.

How long does it generally take people to find out how funny you are?
Apparently for you Tiff, 26 years. Just kidding. I remember last summer at dinner with Natalie's family, her brother set himself for a joke about 3 times and nobody was taking it. I took a swing and hit a home run. When the laughter died down he chuckled and said, "Welcome to the family, Jesse."

You have to choose between signing a major record deal or a MLS contract. Which do you choose?
A really tough one. I think I'd take the record deal just because there's something tangible at the end to take away from it. Some guys get an MLS contract and get hurt or never really play.

How did you manage to keep the mission rule and not sneak into Old Trafford for at least one match? You did keep the mission rule didn't you?
It was hard when you would come home and hear the crowd singing and chanting. I think the fact of constantly having a companion makes things like that easier. I did take a tour of the stadium on p-day and somehow bumped into their legendary coach, Sir Alex Ferguson. I got his autograph. I guess you could say I was blessed for keeping the rule of not attending any matches.

Favorite food that's green?
Guacamole. Or if this counts, Mom's spinach lasagna.

Why is it that so many of the great creative artists of our time lead such tragic lives?
That's a good question, and it has made me think about it for the last couple of days. Ultimately, art is about communication, about making a connection with the viewer or hearer. I think some of the most talented artists are so ahead of their time, that people have a hard time connecting with their work. I think that would wear on an artist, being totally driven to communicate to people who don't want to listen.


Favorite mixed taped you've made?
Top 3:
1. February 14th. Probably my best mix tape work ever. The songs flow really well from one to the other without being repetitive. A great road trip mix.
2. Love, The Ups and the Downs. Self explainitory.
3. Can't Remember the Name. A mix I made for my first girlfriend in college, Katie Olsen.

Dream automible?
Cadillac CTS - such amazing lines. Classy and sporty. In black please.

When did the "Frozen Buritto" health fix start or come about?
It just sounded good after all those Fat Boys, it was inspired I suppose.

How do you make such incredible face expressions at extended-family-nights?
I guess you could say I was being a Jim to Dad's Michael Scott.

What was your favorite part about growing up in the Crowley Family?
Being a part of a family that played hard, worked hard, and was committed to living the gospel.

How do you feel about Christiano Ronaldo upon his "closet exiting"?
You'll have to fill me in on that.

Favorite soccer player of all time and eternity?
This is really hard. Can't say just one:
Diego Maradona. He put a team on his back and carried them to a World Cup.
Pele'. Burst on to the scene at 17 by scoring 3 goals in semis and 2 in the final of the World Cup.
Jurgen Klinsmann. Won 1990 World Cup. One of the deadliest, most clinical strikers to ever play.
Christiano Ronaldo. Needs to win a Champions League or World Cup, but has potential to be a top 5 all time player.

Pirates vs. Vikings. Even numbers even weapons. Who wins in battle?
A very good question. It would be a good battle, the Pirates would get some cheap shots in, but the Vikings would win. They are simply more battle tested and organized.

Rodent fur on arms or creepy seal laugh?
Another great question. I would take the seal laugh. It would catch on, and I would be the funny seal laugh guy.

Ask Me, Ask Me, Ask Me

I've really enjoyed reading my family and friends' versions of this post, so go ahead ask me any question you wish. I will answer to the best of my ability. I guess I'm unoriginal, but you'll just have to deal with it. Bonus points for questions that make me laugh out loud.

IT'S A GIRL!

The wait is over, and we now know the gender of our little humanoid offspring. I was thinking it would be a boy, but I couldn't be happier. She is so cute, and I think she has my chin. Look how sharp and pointy that sucker is. The doctor and ultrasound tech said everything looks perfect. She's got a strong little heart and weighs one pound. She looks really uncomfortable in there, but she probably doesn't know the difference. Well, that's it that's the big news for the next litte while. This is a profile shot, and to me it looks like she's smiling.

Random Thoughts

It has been too long since my last entry. This assistant scoutmaster calling is taking up quite a bit of free time, but I am enjoying it so far.

Apparently, nobody but James really cares what I have to say about RSL. Well, that won't keep me from blogging about the team anyway.

I've written quite a bit on this blog about music, but I still haven't written about Billy Joel. I grew up listening to his music, and he continues to be an inspiration. It kills me that most of my generation are only really familiar with the singles "We Didn't Start The Fire" and "River of Dreams" - two of the weakest songs from his catalog. Some of my favorites include: Vienna, It's Still Rock and Roll to Me, I've Loved These Days, You May Be Right, Innocent Man, and Scenes From an Italian Restaraunt. That's just from the top of my head, and there's plenty more.

Manchester United are back where they belong, at the top of the Premier League. Go Red Devils!

For Real - These Guys Can Play

We just got our season tickets and accompanying 08 tee shirts, and I can't wait for this season to start. Jason Kreis has had the entire off season to put this team together and get them on the same page. He has made the team more solid from front to back. I will post more about my thoughts on the upcoming season in the near future, but I had to post something.

Think Ahead

A week ago last Friday, I attended with many of my family members the funeral of my cousin Vicki. She was in Hawaii when she died tragically in a motorcycle accident. It was so interesting to hear more about her life, and to learn about the kind of daughter, mother, and co-worker she was. She was so full of life, and such a positive and friendly person. Her father, my uncle Vern, spoke. Before he began speaking about Vicki, he spoke plainly and directly to all in attendance relating the importance of completing a will and making it clear to your family where you would like to be buried. He went on to relate some very tender stories of experiences he had shared with Vicki. It was a touching, poignant message.

It did get me thinking, and I have had some desire to make a will. Natalie and I recently invested in life insurance policies which would keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies should tragedy strike one of us. As if we needed to learn this lesson any more, we learned this week that Natalie's uncle Dave was hospitalized with a severe case of pneumonia caused from a nasty bacterial infection. He was put into an induced coma to help ease the strain on his lungs. Unfortunately, after his condition had stabilized for a couple of days, it became apparent that none of the treatments were improving anything. The doctors were at a loss, and on Thursday of this week he passed away leaving behind a wife and four children. It's hard for me to imagine that there is something so pressing on the other side of the veil that require the head of a household to leave his family in such a situation. I know things get said either way. I do know that there is a time appointed for men to die, and I know that tragedies are allowed to happen. The truth is, we'll never know anything for sure until sometime in the next life.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that nothing is certain for us, and that it is important for responsible adults to take the steps necessary to ensure the safety, security, and peace of mind of those who we might unexpectedly leave behind. Sorry if this post is a downer.

Ipod Shuffle

The last fact on my "100 things" list stated that I do not currently own an ipod. Less than two hours from the time I typed the period on that last sentence, I had an 80 gig video ipod. We hadn't even planned on it. The purchase, as many people told me it would, has changed my life. In celebration of my new musical journey, I wish to do the ipod shuffle post. I've loved reading others, and now it is my turn, so without further interruption:

1. Rivers Cuomo - Blast Off! I remember learning a long time ago that Rivers Cuomo is a very prolific song writer. It was bound to happen someday that some of his songs that never made it onto Weezer albums would be released. The time has come, and he has once again displayed his knack for writing catchy, riff driven rock and roll. I love the raw quality of his home recordings on this album, and wonder why some (any) of these songs didn't replace the horrible and worthless "Beverley Hills" on Weezer's most recent album, Make Believe.

2. Tiger Army - Last Night From their first album, this song stands out with a great bass line, solos, and melody. I recently read that this is Geoff Kresge's (their bassist's) favorite song to play live. It's not surprising.

3. Johnny Cash - The Ways of a Woman In Love I love Johnny Cash. This is an early track, and one that shows how influential country music was on the development of early rock and roll. There's a great piano solo and great chorus in this one.

4. The Bouncing Souls - So Jersey Great bands are never satisfied with what they may have accomplished. I've heard die hard Bouncing Souls fans rip on their latest two albums "Anchors Aweigh" and "The Gold Record." I find it much easier to appreciate the latter when I know the context: The Souls moved to Ashbury Park, NJ (Bruce Springstien's town) to write and record this album. The Boss' influence is heard throughout the album, but especially for me on this track. I'm writing way too much about these.

5. Band of Horses - I Go To The Barn Because I Like The I had heard of this band and heard their music separately. When I finally put the two together, I agreed with all the praises I had heard of their songs. This is a mid-tempo ballad featuring a little pedal steel guitar. I'm kind of obsessed with these types of songs right now so this is a big winner in my book.

6. The Cure - Let's Go To Bed The Cure are one of the greatest bands of our generation. Period. You've got to love bands who have the guts to be trailblazers rather than copycats. Due to it's tight bass line and silky drumming, this song has a great "Clash-like" groove to it.

7. Mason Jennings - Jesus Are You Real? Mason: Yes. Okay, it's not my question to answer. This is Mason Jennings at his best: a composed, contemplative acoustic ballad.

8. The Format - Tune Out A band that I tried to hate, but ended up loving. A friend burned this album for me. I put in on once when I was in a bad mood. About half of one song played before it was removed and replaced. Months went by, and I gave it one more try. If you are ever in the mood for creative and intelligent indie pop, it doesn't get much better than this.

9. The Weakerthans - Left And Leaving Grown-up, sophisticated punk rock. Seems like that would be a contradiction in terms, but these guys pull it off. Over the top is replaced by understated. It's really good.

10. Against Me! - Don't Lose Touch The blogging gods must be smiling down on me because I couldn't ask for a better song to end my Ipod shuffle. This is my favorite song by my favorite band. In Fact, this was the first song that graced the earbuds of my brand new ipod.

It's been fun, but my lunch break is over.