Exact Spelling

Evan sees the world in black and white. Even spelling.

Walking around town we saw a sign that said “Evans Court”.

Me: "Look it is your name!"
Evan: "No it’s not. My name does not have an 'S'. That Ryan Evans from High School Musical!"

Driving in Arlington, MA we passed Brigham's Ice Cream restaurant. [There are so many places/things named Brigham in Boston. More than in UT. I feel special. And I don't need to spell my name as often.]

I point out the window and say, "Hey look! It is my name on that ice cream restaurant!"
Evan: "No it's not. Your name not have 'S'"
Me: <<sigh>> "You're right."

The Honor

I am no longer the only person at MIT Sloan without a smartphone. Ok. I was the only person at the Pentagon, at church, in Qatar, or any other place.

My iPhone was scheduled to be delivered sometime on Saturday. I had a date 12-2, but someone needed to be home to sign for the package. Evan wanted to go to the library in the morning, but was willing to be back by 12noon. When he is home, he cannot hear the doorbell because he has earphones in and is singing along. So, I asked him for a favor. Probably his favoritest favor ever:

"Could you please lay down on the couch in the family room and watch a movie from 12-2?"

He agreed.

In the end, I got back from the date and the package hadn't been delivered yet. 30 minutes later the doorbell rang. As I came down the stairs, Evan answered the door and the postwoman handed him a pen and the form to sign. When I got to the entryway, Evan held out the paper and pen to me and said, "Would you like the honor?"

Where you from?

Evan loves this question. It is his classic opener in any conversation. Even if he has met you 2-3 times, unless he remembers you, expect this question.

Evan is really good at listening to your response and finding connections. He is pretty well traveled both within and outside of the US and he remembers everywhere his friends have served missions. Mention a city, state, or country and he will ask if you know this one random person that at some point lived there. Rarely is there a small world connection, but the conversational principle is sound.

Answering this question is more complicated. When Evan moved to Utah to study at BYU, he was "from St. Paul, Minnesota" because he was born there. Just to clarify, we NEVER lived in St. Paul. But he's still from there.

A few months later our parents moved to Chicago. Then he was from Chicago. This began the season of Evan believing that you are from wherever your parent currently live.

Me: "Hello, my name is Brigham and I am from Minnesota. This is my brother."
Evan: "Hi. My name Evan. I from Chicago."
Other person: "huh? You're brothers from different places?"

When we moved to Washington DC, suddenly Evan was from Chicago and BYU. Both of them.

When our parents moved to Florida, then he was from Florida. Chicago. Provo. And St. Paul.

Then we moved to Boston.

Unsuspecting friendly stranger: "Hi. Where are you from?"
Evan: "Washington DC Chicago Provo Florida St. Paul"

Mr. Rochester's Wife

Evan loves to sing. Evan loves to sing like a 14th-century monk. Evan loves to sing like a 14th-century monk who is trying to drown out all other sound in the world. He sings with passion, conviction, slightly recognizable words, and 2-3 different notes that can carry over 300 yards.

When we lived on a street that led to the Metro, commuters would walk in front of our house every day. Since Evan's room was on the second floor and he would open the window to let in air, people could hear his singing. Evan would broadcast his sing-a-longs to Newsies or Journey with Joseph with full-throated joy.

One day, an ambulance, police car, and fire truck each pulled up in front of our house. A doctor, cop, and firefighter each came to our door. "We received a report than an old person is in pain upstairs and screaming for help."

We explained that it was our roommate and assuaged their fears that we had locked a Cinderella or Jane Eyre crazy person upstairs. Evan came down and asked why they stopped by. We explained that they wanted to check on him and make sure he was okay. He seemed touched by such concern and service.

Input = Output

At BYU, Evan was able to get skiing lessons in Park City for a steal of a deal. On the ride up I would listen to the XX or Mumford & Sons while he fell asleep; on the way back we would listen to Selena Gomez or Justin Bieber and Evan would not fall asleep.

One time we were driving back and we were 5 minutes south of Heber. Evan told me he needed to go to the bathroom. There were no stores, rest stops, or any sort of human-construction around. Just snow, road, reservoir, and mountains. He normally doesn't give much advanced warning so I asked about urgency, number and if he could wait. Evan said he could wait.

Then he took out a bottle of water. And started chugging.

Me: Aaaah! Stop! What are you doing?
Evan: I thirsty!
Me: (trying to keep eyes on road and car on road while taking bottle) Don't drink water!
Evan: I thirsty!
Me: No. Drinking water makes you need to pee.
Evan: No. I it doesn't.

GPS

Evan is as good with navigating and directions as a normal person. This is very impressive. He can follow maps, recognize landmarks, and learn a route after just 2-3 walk-throughs. However, Evan can be quite literal at describing his surroundings and be impatient with my skills at not knowing exactly where he is.

Once we were shopping at Target and we got separated. I called him and he answered. 

Me: Where are you? 
Evan: I am here!
Me: Where? 
Evan: Between the aisles! 
Me: Are you by food? 
Evan: Yes! (now, annoyed) 
Me: What food? 
Evan: Target food stuff