Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What an Incredible Day!

Gosh, so many things have happened in the past 24 hours... I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll tackle 'em in chronological order.

We've got Ralph Nader for alternative commencement! Talk about awesome, eh? The only problem is, we need to raise a little money. Like 15,000 dollars... but yeah... my usual appeal of, "if anybody wants to help, let me know" goes out.

I talked to my mother today. As in to say, my mother and I had the conversation that I've been putting off for the past years. She took it pretty well, I think, and she agreed that it were best to keep it from my father indefinitely. She didn't disown me, or cut off my tuition money, or anything. She seemed a little confused by the fact that I wanted to stay in the church, at least for now, rather than abandon everything I've spent my life building and go live a new free lifestyle. We also talked about whether or not I should return to BYU, and I'm starting to think that I should. You see, the MoHo community here is good and strong, and it's a support network that isn't going to be encouraging me to go out and have sex with everybody. Instead, you guys gently influence me to be the best that I can be, to be both Mormon and Homosexual. Even if I pursue relationships with guys here, it still will not be the same as it would be at University of Oregon. I think that, I'm starting to see that this place isn't as bad as I thought it was, and at least deserves another try. I have all of you to thank for that, and for (unknowingly) giving me the strength to talk to my mother.

And then, when I went to the library to chill with Calvin, Hidden, and Drex, I learned the most amazing news ever. The Honor Code has been changed, and made into a form that is much less like the Gestapo, and much more like a real rule/law that can be worked with. The regulations are now much clearer, and the honor code can no longer be used to just rain down random judgement and hellfire. I'm just so excited. Happy like you don't even know. It's been a fantastic day. Really, truly. I wish all days went as well as today. I'd be the happiest, luckiest guy in the world. And even now, I'm still feeling pretty good. Thanks everyone.

-Stephen

P.S.

I've had a few random thoughts running through my head, and I've taken a little time to process. That said, this is still going to come across as something of a brain dump...

Unless otherwise stated, I think I will be returning to BYU in either Fall 2007 or Winter 2008. I can hardly wait to see all of you again at that time.
I won't be leaving on the 23rd as planned. Instead, we're looking more at the 26th, or maybe even the 27th, because my mommy wants to see Ralph Nader as much as I do. That means that I will be there for Heroes on the 23rd!
We'll have to do something fun after finals, like a closing social of sorts or something.
The Mattis FHE might only be monthly, but what do you think about having our own local Mattis-esque FHE? Obviously, the Mattises wouldn't be there, but I don't see any reason that we, who are in some cases almost like family anyway, can't have our own FHE. What do you think?

-Stephen

4 comments:

Hidden said...

Yeah so we'll just nix the FHE idea before it gets out of control. The Matis' FHE actually started BECAUSE of an FHE group that we had going. It was a gay-friendly group where we had speakers and everyone was chill, but it got way too chill way too fast and people hooked up left and right. That's when it got uncomfortable for people and someone went to the Matis' to ask if they would start one so it would be safe. So yeah people won't be too keen on the whole FHE thing. We are still down for chill-time and get-togethers, but a formal FHE is not something we want to encourage just now.

~Hidden

Stephen said...

Alright. That's cool. I can see how that could be a problem...

drex said...

Hey, you told your mom?! That's incredible! You're definitely going to have to give us the low-down sometime. Like, what made you decide that you should tell her, and why you decided now was the right time, and how she reacted or if she was surprised, and all those nitty-gritty details.

Also, with regards to the FHE - I wasn't ever part of the FHE that Hidden mentioned, but that would be a fear I'd have, and that it would get too big, too fast - not that a lot of people is bad, but more that a lot of people is unwieldly and difficult to plan for every week. I've talked with Salad about putting something together once a month, with more of a get-together have fun type thing, but whatever we do will have pretty strict rules about conduct. Basically keeping everything in line with the new Honor Code stuff.

We're already planning a few activities for the summer, but alas, you won't be around. If they go well we'll probably perpetuate it through to the fall.

Stephen said...

I was a little quick to abandon my own idea last night, kind of a not wanting to be a bum, but I dreamed that I was at tournament last night, and right after I showered, I picked up a legal pad and started making the following a case that I'll post in a new blog.

But yeah, I can give you all the details if we're on the steps tomorrow. It's supposed to be 44 and sunny! If not, then we'll have to go finish some of your leftovers some time and we can discuss it over dinner.