#62 - da sniffles

Today I am sick. Yesterday I was sick. Tomorrow I will be sick. Blah.

It's just one of those things where you feel like strong little men are pushing pushing pushing on your temples; trying to break through. Your nose and ears are like little volcanos, filled with pressure, ready to explode. Your throat feels like it's being punished for talking to much by scratching you all over. I bought some medicine yesterday hoping to relieve some of these ailments... one should never buy medicine when one is sick. Have it already in your house so you can just use it when you are. The former requires going out into public when you are in sweat pants, hair crazy and red nosed only to come to the isle that is filled with medicine, all claiming to do the same things! Too many choices! Don't they know we are sick and just want a big red neon arrow pointing down to the right medicine that I need? Groggily, I accidently purchased allergy medicine (which I downed anyway, because it's so dang expensive. Waste not), and some curious pills. What I really desire above all else is adult Dimetapp. When I was little I used to read off the symptoms it cures and tell my mom I was suffering from just that. She then would prescribe Dimetapp. Joy! It tastes so good and made my body happy. I search for an adult version but am only faced with "children's" labels. Why do they luck out, and I'm left with horse sized pills to down? Defiantly not fair.

I found a box of old medicine I've had for a while in my cupboard, mostly without labels and direction. I figure, I've only really ever been sick with this same kind of thing, so I'm sure I bought this medicine sometime to help with these same symptoms. I took 4 blue jelly ones and they are making me sleepy, so I'm crossing my fingers for nyquil. Everyone has been so nice though! Calls from friends with lovey things to say and offers to bring me medicine, soup, etc. It's all very wonderful! (Except for one friend who said I sounded like Pinocchio and wouldn't stop laughing at me. Rude).

#61 - what I can't have

I've come across a very disturbing phenomenon. When I can't do something - that's when the desire for it consumes me. Example. I can eat a normal amount of food right before church, but in that three hour block, my stomach starts growling and I get so hungry, I think for the sole reason that I can't eat. If food is available to me all day, I don't get really hungry and my stomach doesn't growl because I know if I want it, I can have it. Same with work: it doesn't matter if I eat a big meal before work; once I get there, knowing that I can't get food, I am immediately hungry! What is that about?! Last summer I remember that I never drove my car. I wanted to save gas and didn't really have anywhere to go, but as soon as I couldn't drive my car because it was in the shop - I all of a sudden needed it all the time! When I can't sleep (like while I'm in class or while I'm in church, etc.) is when I'm incredibly exhausted (even if I got a good night's sleep the night before), but when I am sleep deprived and can sleep, I'm not tired and stay up late. It is so bizarre to me. Come on body! Just want what you want when you want it, and don't when you can't!

Also, this really doesn't have anything to do with what I'm talking about, but I can drink lots of water all day long, but with out fail, in the middle of the night I am DYING of thirst! Not just a little thirsty, but if I don't get water right this instant into my mouth, flowing down my throat, I'm going to actually die. My whole body feels like it's been stranded on a deserted island for years, so when I get up and get a drink, I guzzle it down like my life depended on it!!! I feel bad for Sami; I'm sure I wake her up as I realize my water bottle by my bed is empty and then stumble towards the door to get a drink. I grab one of the jugs of water in the fridge and take a swig (which, you would think would be satisfying, but it's SO cold that it hurts when I drink it so fast. Then I have to sit on the ground while I wait for the freezing pain to go away). It's a nightly ritual I could do with out.

#60 - tiptoe through the tulips with me

Happy Spring! It's so exciting - the night and day are exactly the same length (almost romantic)! I found a website on how to celebrate the Spring Equinox, and to me, this was nothing short of magical brilliance:

Step 1: Get in the "mood" by taking a walk in a field of flowers. Pick some fresh flowers and take them home to bring the spring into your house (my residence in Rexburg might require a floristial purchase... we've got slim pickins... unless I want to pick brown/tan grass. SLASH feel free to bring me flowers-that is always welcome).

Step 2: Reflect on the meaning of spring. It is a time to plan what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Decide what new things you want to bring into your life (I would like to add less crazy people and more cookies).

Step 3: Wear colors of a pastel nature that are traditional for the Spring Equinox (I think after the spring break I'll invest in some yellow and orange shirts. There is a yellow/orange void in my life).

Step 4: Paint hard-boiled eggs as a symbol of fertility, rebirth, and spring. Deviled eggs are also appropriate, as well as nuts and seeds - symbolizing the planting of new ideas and life (mmm sounds like nuts and eggs for dinner tonight!).

Step 5: Ask the goddess of spring for guidance in carrying out your wishes in the coming months (this one is my favorite. I like to imagine her with hair made of flowers wearing big leaves in the form of a very stylish party dress).

BYUI is celebrating in their own way: the studiers have emerged from the desks of solitude and homes of silence to study on the hills and lawns on campus; short sleeve shirts and toes that we haven't seen in months. It is positively glorious weather - and listening to the birds loving the weather, almost reminds me of waking up in New York in the summer to beautiful chirping (only to quickly be extinguished by the death-grip from my cat). Ahh spring.....

Taste it

Feel it

Love it

#59 - seredipiosity... serendipatiousness...

During my shifts each week, I have some 'regulars'; people I have met in the gym or see that always exercise while I'm working. I don't know most of their names, and as far as guys are concerned, I have no desire to pursue anything with anyone I, "met at the gym". I've had some less-than-positive experiences in that department... the testosterone filling the weight room makes some of these guys feel on top of the world and the questions of 'what's your number?' or 'can I take you out sometime?' are quick to follow. Keeping in mind that I'm not looking to date these guys, there is one in particular that I always see. I call him "The Chiseled" - for he is thus. One of the best looking, best built guys I see. I talk to him sometimes, but it's mostly just smiles and "hi"s. I was telling my friend a story about him last night at music outlet. After the performances, we left to hang out at her place with a few friends. We all got talking and one of my friends mentioned that she got asked out at the gym by this guy that was "not her type at all" so we decided to look him up on 'facebook' - the easiest way to stalk people invented. I glanced at his profile picture - then ask to see another one, just to be sure... it's The Chiseled! What are the odds? I thought the night's events were very serendipitous.

#58A - spondee

I went to a concert tonight to support one of my friends who was performing (SoundCheck). I heard band though that was pretty good (aside from my friend's band). They are out of boise, called Spondee (they are sort of indie/rock/popish). All very young too, seemed about my age, so that alone was pretty impressive for how good they sounded. They also have great stage interactiveness (they are good at getting the crowd going). They are coming out with (their first?) album tomorrow and are on tour right now, headed to Pocatello for the release.

#58 - almost as a.d.d as Weezer's El Scorcho

Tonight I am filled with random thoughts so I apologize for the chaotic expulsion of words.

(my random mood also inspired the random pictures... one is a newly completed blue beanie - accomplished while on a school field trip. The other is a very discouraged me while trapped in a park bathroom.)

I am full of the cravings: craving to go to a sweet, huge concert and dance until my feet hurt and my body flails just enough to be awkwardly close to those around me. I am going to a Vetiver concert in a few weeks, but something tells me this indie band (amazing as it is) won't help me release my dancing bursts. Right now I can't get enough of the concerts (I like them best, currently, when they are free). Also, tacos.

I want to be one of those people. You know the kind that feels okay going to concerts or to dinner alone. Why not? Why feel weird and lonely? OWN IT! "What of it. I'm here for the music, man. Be jealous of my self dubbed power." Currently, I need to call about three friends to get outside approval that I am cool enough to pull it off before I venture out.

Whatever happened to meeting new people? Freshman year I was all about the random knocking on people's apartments and making new friends. I was full of a ridiculous amount of energy and couldn't get enough of people. Now... I'm the person who has my friends, likes my friends, am satisfied with my social life and don't care to expand. It's not that I'm anti-social. The opposite, in fact, by anyone's definition. I'm just content with the bounds of my circle. Sad, but I guess that's what comes with old age; marked by the removal of my parental-mooching medical insurance. Welcome to the adulthood cave of social satisfaction.

If you read below this entry, you will discover that I have recently gone grocery shopping. It was an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience. I have ran across a problem though: I am afraid to actually eat the food. It looks so glorious and delicious, but if I eat it, I won't have it anymore. I want to keep the food in it's perfectly preserved state forever! I bought two artichokes. Maintaining their artichokish properties, they need to be eaten right away. If I eat one, I'll only have one left. Okay, I can deal with that, but then I can't eat the other one because then I will have none and I will be sad. This goes for all the food in my house. I don't want it to be gone... begging the question - what else is food good for, but to eat? Having the food around, knowing that I can eat it and that it is comfortingly by my side is a pleasant feeling. Eat the food = kill the feeling.

I love school. Correction: I love learning. If I could just audit every class and not have to worry about grades, life would be superbly blissful. Alas, the existence of tests, quizzes and dread. Notice I didn't put papers; I like writing papers - therefore, this school attribute will remain in my self proclaimed perfected collegiate program. I'm a little sad that I can't take more classes and that graduation is swiftly approaching, with my enrollment in only two classes in the summer. If I could, I would take Theory, a few culinary arts classes, more humanities classes, and a few philosophy classes. Again, for auditing purposes only - purely to fill the file cabinets in my mind.

I pretend I am more crafty than I am. I either need to tone down the awesomeness of my skills, or expand the limits of those skills. And why is crocheting hobo gloves so dang hard? Do we really need all four fingers AND a thumb. Jeez.

#57 - food glorious food!

If anything was ever "blog-worthy" this, my friends, is it. For the past couple weeks or so my diet has consisted of pancakes, waffles (from my bisquick mix) and oatmeal. Funds are extremely low and the food previously purchased has been slowly disappearing. One night, while preparing my oatmeal dinner, I called my dad to chat and he started describing the meal they had just finished, "Fillet minion, roasted potatoes, peas and corn, three choices of deserts"...

With only four more weeks of school, I figured I could get by with what I had, but times were getting desperate. GLORIOUS! I got a package today from my wonderful parents filled with snacks, salmon, couscous and other little presents. Closely followed was a present in my bank account which I took immediately to the grocery store. I stocked up and now won't have to go shopping again until I get into my new apartment in the summer.

So, to review: Yay for Moms and Dads! Yay for going home soon! Yay for food! My first meal post shopping was a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a big sandwich (toasted wheat bread, mayo/mustard, cheese, turkey, lettuce). Delicious!

#56A - canoe

So Canoe is almost finished with their next album "The Goldminer" - it is expected to be out summer 2009. They will be going on tour to promote their new album and say they might come through Rexburg in June! Needless to say, I will be at that show. I sent them a message, letting them know who to talk to about scheduling venues and I can't wait! You can download a few of their "Places Pre-release Recordings" on their website if you haven't heard them before. These are songs from their first album, and so I have high expectations for their new CD.

#56 - sweet tunes

Give me a minute; I have to gloat. So we all are now keen on the fact that I work a lot and thus, that I am bored a lot. One of my pleasures is the music at the gym: music purchases can be requested but it all goes through a rigorous "BYU-Idaho scanning process", filtering out profanities, hints of innuendoes or suggestive topics. From this narrow (roughly 1300 songs) selection I have gleaned out my own personal playlist (58 songs). I play it every time I work, which isn't a big deal because that comes to about 3 1/2 hours of music; that way one exerciser doesn't hear the same song. In the selection process, I wasn't really thinking "what would be good to work-out to?" or "what would people want to hear?" It was much simpler than that: "do I like it, yes or no." If the gym people don't like it, they have their iPods... I want to just entertain myself here. Now the glorious part: practically every time I work, someone comes up to me and asks me if I picked the music. A little nervous, thinking they are going to complain, I respond, "Yes, it's mine." And every time, the compliments are plentiful: I love these songs! When do you work? Can you always play this playlist? This music is way better then the stuff they play usually! You have great taste in music! All these songs are so great!

To which I respond, "ah yea, that's right"

#55B - vetiver live!

April 18th is the day! I'm going to be home for the spring break and Vetiver is playing at a venue that just opened up in Seattle, The Crocodile. I absolutely love Vetiver. These mountain looking men have a very harmonic soothing sound. It's very meditative and penetrating (Been So Long, especially). But with each album, they throw in a few up-tempo happy songs that you can't help but bounce along to. Great guitar picking with some slide guitar, and their lyrics speak right to me. I have yet to hear a song by them that I don't like.. I can't wait to see them in concert!

Vetiver News - They also just came out with a new Album: Tight Knit, Feb 17th! So far, I can't get enough of "Everyday" "On the Other Side" "More of This" and the bonus track, "Pay No Mind". 

#55A - big surrender

Big Surrender - A new one for me as of last night. In between shifts as the "door girl" at the We Shot the Moon concert, I got to hear Big Surrender perform for the first time. They released their first album last month. It's just two guys: Ryan Lallier (from Waking Ashland) and Adam Murphy, and they sound phenomenal together. Their songs are fun to dance to and easy to listen to with the infectious melodies and killer lyrics. If you like Waking Ashland, Big Surrender won't disappoint.

#55 - beard power

I saw this music video a while ago that I fell in love with and it got me thinking... beards. BYU-Idaho has very particular rules about facial hair (on guys... that shouldn't be debatable): "Hairstyles should be clean and neat, avoiding extreme styles or colors, and trimmed above the collar leaving the ear uncovered. Sideburns should not be extended below the earlobe or onto the cheek. If worn, mustaches should be neatly trimmed and may not extend beyond or below the corners of the mouth. Men are expected to be clean shaven; beards are not acceptable." This makes me sadish. I love the clean look on a guy, don't get me wrong. Especially when out doing something fancy or a special occasion. But I do love facial hair on a man. First, for that reason, it's very "manly". Depending on where it is on the scruff-beard scale, it could be ruggedly handsome or a mysterious mountain man (I'm more of a fan of just a little scruff). I'm a little beard jealous sometimes - they can do so many fun, different things! And I bet it keeps their faces toasty warm. I like the fun different beard things, but for a limited time only. And when I say "limited time" I mean, just doing it to be funny (maybe for one day) and then shave it off. I thought of what kind of facial hair I like after watching this music video because I thought that he really pulled it off! The only downside is this attraction to facial hair is a bit self destructive: attractive and manly from a distance - ouchy, scratchy, and hurts my face. Look at me, sacrificing for the greater good.

(I gotta say, not a fan of any of those man-beard blog pictures... but thought they were fun for a limited time only)

#54 - pretty pretty

I think I've mentioned this before, but I'm a sucker for cuteness (for the purposes of this blog, the focus will solely be on things that want my money). I've been trying really hard lately to scrimp and save my money: sticking to the "western family" brands, looking for sales, fixing broken things instead of buying new ones, little things here and there. The caveat is the aforementioned statement... if it comes in a new bright color, a funky cool shape, or has a cool/funny name, unfortunately, I'm sold. Like I said, I'm a work in progress, and hopefully someday my self control will be something to be admired.

All of this is building the foundation for my most recent find: it's called a "kachingle". Cute right? It's a website with the slogan of "sprinkle change on the blogs you love". I'm overwhelmingly confused by this statement, but continue reading, purely because I want to play the kachingle game!!! (whatever the heck that is...).

First, I didn't know it cost money to have a blog, so why would I give people money. It's weird to me to get money for something like that... Second, how do they get the money? What do they do with the money? Why is this happening? If someone could learn about the fancy "kachingle" for me and let me know, that would be very helpful.

#53 - a winner is you

So normally I don't blog this often (that might be a lie), but I have had a lot on my mind as of late. After coming across this video (shout out to the mama), I had to share it with the world (and by "world" I mean the three people who actually read my ramblings).

This guy is the embodiment of what life should be: happiness, seeing the world, sharing the love, and having fun. Evidently in 2003, Matt took a trip to Asia, just wanting to travel and see more of the world. His friend suggested that he do his dance, "He was referring to a particular dance Matt does. It's actually the only dance Matt does. He does it badly." Evidently this idea took off and Matt has continued to travel the world, filming himself dancing in numerous countries on all seven continents. He has gone from being quasi-famous, to semi-famous, to being a full on "meme" (a new one for me... evidently it's anything that gets passed along in the internet that takes off, like the hamster dance. I guess I'm not that internet-trendy). Anyway, I love this guy! He is changing the world, in his own little awkward "Charlie Brown dance" kind of way.

#52 - odds fish my dear

Throughout my travels thus far in life, meeting new people and living in differnt areas, I have discovered a few phrases and words that I am growing attached to. They are not used nearly enough and I think I need to aid in the movement to change that fact. Hither and yon for instance. How can you go wrong with a sentance like, "The ellusive tattered man looked hither and yon to discover the origins of the sweet candy scent wafting through the air."

A few others... pure gold:
Grandiose
Splendor
Methinks
Disquieting
Largesse
Alturistic
Grand



Those are just the ones currenly at the top of my head. Maybe it's phrasings like these that draw me to movies like 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' and those period movies by Jane Austen like 'Pride and Prejudice'. When I can slip a 'thence' or 'tiresome' into normal conversation, I even feel fancier - and what girl doesn't want to feel fancy whenever she can?

#51 - your vote counts

Alright, I'm taking a vote (and yes, the co-creator of this video gets a heavier weighted vote):

A. I'm dying to see the rest of this video! Please post it!

B. For goodness sake, spare me the ridiculousness!

Time to listen to the voice of the people...

#50A - free is not necessarily good

I got a few free downloads of EPs from some bands I was exploring. They were alright; nothing note worthy. I am looking forward to hear more from a few other bands: namely Mew, Rocky Votolato, The Honorary Title (they came out with a Christmas EP last year, but that is defiantly not enough to keep me satisfied), Bright Eyes, Pela, Cassino... I'm realizing now that this list could go on and become quite long.

On heavy rotation on the ipod today so far:  David Saw and Brand New. 

#50 - will you still need me, will you still feed me

In honor of my 50th post, I will now give you all the pleasure of knowing my top 50 favorite things (in no particular order).

1. Waterfalls

2. Rain storms. The kind that rain so hard the windshield wipers can't keep up and when you go outside to play in it, you can't see very far.

3. Stairs

4. Fresh picked berries, that I pick myself

5. White daisies (yellows are lovely as well)

6. Snowflakes, big chunky ones you can follow to the ground

7. Bridges, any and all

8. White twinkle Christmas lights

9. Finding new music

10. Food (Artichokes, Sushi, Soybeans, pistachios)

11. Superheroes

12. Staying in/exploring hotels

13. Steinbeck, Jane Austen

14. Zebra pens

15. Wes Anderson and Tim Burton Films

16. Laughing (especially when it hurts my tummy), smiling

17. The scriptures/gospel/castle temples

18. Old school Nintendo (mario brothers)

19. My shows (24, Ed, X-files, The Office)

20. The Founding Fathers

21. Going on walks in the summer

22. Downtown (Olympia, Boise, New York)

23. Making up songs, singing, dancing, writing poems

24. Cookbooks

25. Beach (it's a tie between sunny warm basking beaches, and overcast cool gray washington beaches)

26. Laundry, fresh out of the warmth

27. Painting

28. Yellow, Red

29. Google

30. Pandora

31. Apple (not the fruit).. and Fruit (really fruit)

32. Hot chocolate and bagels combo

33. Crunchy sound of eating corn

34. Indian pudding

35. The perfectly constructed sentence.

36. Bicycles

37. Guitar nights

38. Slipper shoes

39. Giant bowls

40. Puffy soft new socks

41. The massagie feel of the hairstylist's hair washing hose

42. My bands. My favorite bands. That I love.

43. Concerts (not the kind where a million other people's DNA is pressed into my body, but the kind where I can sink into the music in my own world)

44. Chucks

45. Flatwin

46. Kisses and hugs and holding hands and loving on and love notes and love letters

47. Willow Tree

48. Frog and Toad

49. Water rides

50. My family and friends and Jesus

Happy 50th!

#49 - the feat of deceit

At the fitness center, we ask that everyone check-in on the computers at the front desk. It's located right as you walk in and next to all the work-out equipment. All that is involved in checking in is typing your 8 digit i-number or your user name (vpark). It takes about 3 seconds, still people walk by and don't check in. Really, I don't care too much. If they see all the signs and they disregard it, they obviously have some deep rooted animosity towards checking-in or computers in general. I'm not going to push it. BUT there's this guy... he comes up to the front desk, types a few things in on the keyboard (presumably his user name) and leaves to go work out. I remember him because his user name was unusually short. He types it in so fast! While I was working I was sitting on the desk folding towels and from up there I have a view of the computer screen. He came up, typed in his "user name" and left. The screen stays up for a few seconds after someone checks in so I took a peek. He just hits any key on the keyboard and hits enter! It says "you have not successfully checked in" error. It's all just for show! Really?? You're trying to trick me? I know what's up.... my question is, why come all the way over, type something in on the keyboard, take the time and the energy just to go through the motions. It would take the exact same amount of time to actually check in! I think this man is very curious. Next time I see him fake-check-in, I'm going to confront him and make him really check-in; hopefully it will be awkward. Like I said, normally I don't care, but if he's going over the top to be tricky, I'm going to go over the top to show I'm not tricked. It is so on fake checker inner guy. It is so on.

#48 - the duality of the cookie

Servings at Chinese restaurants are extraordinarily large, but when you haven't eaten anything all day and it's dinner time, it's a manageable amount. I had Chinese take-out for dinner today and they gave me two fortune cookies. When I order food, I don't want someone to tell me, "Wow! Is all that food for you?! That's enough for two whole people to eat!" But that is the very thing those two cookies were saying. I'd like to think they were innocent enough to be the whispering kind of cookies; the ones that say, "you are special, so here! There are two of us just for you". However, these cookies were not. Because of the derogatorily judgemental attitude possessed by my cookies, I left a few bites in the take-out boxes to save for another meal another day.

(watch from 5:30 to 6:30... I couldn't figure out how to clip the clip)

#47 - a need for a blog and the meaning of men

Research has shown that putting feelings into words helps ease the mind. It seems to me that we all already knew that. Poetry, lyrics, books, diaries; "when you put feelings into words, you are turning on the same regions in the brain that are involved in emotional self-control." So this almost gives rationalization for my middle-school behavior. Doodling a crushes' name over and over, writing poems about my feelings and blogging (vlogging) about my emotions and thoughts regulates distress. Putting feelings into words has been observed to affect the portion of the brain that dampens negative emotions. At the same time, there is a decrease is the part of the brain that processes feelings about relationships and emotions like fear, rage and aggression. So when I feel upset, it explains why I feel it necessary to make lists and write journals of my thoughts. Hence, a new outlet for me, blogging. I also love notebooks; I collect them (especially those moleskins. They are the perfect size). Sometimes I like them being so clean and perfect that I don't like to write in them... but that's just silly. I have a journal for my random thoughts, a spiritual journal for insights, a magazine I make monthly summarizing that month's activities, my regular blog, a music blog, and then there's the occasional random essay I write to get a lot of ideas and emotions out.

It's surprising how influential this movie was on me. "He's just not that into you" is brutally honest and I think they are right on. To make ourselves feel better, women come up with every excuse possible. "He probably hasn't called because he's at the gym" or "maybe he's taking a nap" or "maybe his phone died and he doesn't remember my number" or "maybe he wants to but is just nervous" are just the one's I've used. Face the facts... he's just not that into you. My favorite is the break up excuses: "You're perfect for me, I'm just not good enough for you." or "You didn't do anything wrong, I just am not ready to be committed to anyone right now, but I really really like you." If a guy really likes you, he'll make the effort and you'll know. Every other excuse is a cop-out. My cousin wrote an article for the church that I really liked that explains this a lot better than I can, but this is me agreeing. Sadly, I don't think that knowing all of this will change my behavior instantly. I am aware of what's going on now at least, but that won't stop me from being a girlie girl. Maybe eventually it will seep into me, consume me, become me.

Also, today I seem to be a cat with my whiskers cut off. I ran my hand into the kitchen counter twice and into a desk once. I cut the corner too close once today leaving my room and then again walking into class. I tripped over myself walking through Walmart and tripped over someone's bag going to sit at my desk in class. Where is my body and what is it doing? So, today I'm a little off, but hopefully that box of clearance Valentine's chocolates I just bought myself will help me get my sync back.

#46C - simple times

Another I could listen to over and over again is Joshua Radin. I'm not a big fan of female vocalists; I only have a handful among my hundreds of artists, and even then, I don't listen to them much. On Joshua's albums though, I always love how it sounds when he harmonizes with with his accompanying female vocalists. I'm always impressed with how their voices just complete the song. His album "We Were Here" is the epitome of Joshua Radin, just him and his guitar, with a few backups and additions that make it a perfect choice if you are looking for something calming and reassuring to listen to (like Closer, Winter, and Only You). His newest CD, Simple Times includes Joshua with a band accompanying him instead of just a solo act. It sounds good, but almost makes the power of his voice and guitar solos less impressing. I do like Sky, and I'd Rather Be With You though, they're peppier and more upbeat than a lot of his other songs. Ooh, and I like the guitar in Friend Like You. Vegetable Car just sounds awkward and out of place for him... maybe just by including the word "vegetable" in his lyrics puts me off. But of course, I'll stick the simple EP, Unclear Sky. The Fear You Won't Fall has woven itself into my blood, along with Lovely Tonight. If you are giving him a first listen, I would suggest putting off his newest album until later on, after you have gotten to know him a little bit better (and it'd be safe to skip the vegetable/diesel track).

#46B - from the ashes

What little Cassino I have has been on heavy rotation on my ipod this month. Birthed from the band that no longer is as of '05 (Northstar), Nick Torres and Tyler Odom started on their own. They released "Sounds of Salvation" in March '07, but I didn't first hear them until around July (Ice Factory). Anyway, right now they are recording a new CD that is said to come out this year! Nick is the lead singer and I am simply addicted to his voice. I promise I'll review some less mellow music soon, but this is just the mood I've been in as of late; a lot of Cassino, Annuals, and Days Away. Boomerang and Ice Factory from their first album are my favorite.

So look for the release of their new album... I can't wait. 

#46A - RuRu

What I find most amazing is that he recorded his first album at fifteen! So young, but his voice is so mature sounding. He came out with his first album "Elizabeth" last June.

I listed to it a little bit then, but it wasn't until I heard that he was coming back to Rexburg this week that I started to refresh and decide what I thought. Isaac Russell has an old/indie/folk sound and it's very relaxing; something I would listen to while I'm on a walk on a sunny day while thinking happy thoughts and looking up at birds. 

Northplatte Records picked him up (which also is the label for Joshua James).

#46 - do I attract you?

After that previous bitter display, I thought I would send some real heart-felt valentines greetings. I went to the grocery store today and found love had exploded all over it! Mostly guys filling the isles, buying sweets and loves for their chickies. There is something very endearing about a man, awkwardly standing in an isle, bombarded with too many pink and red lacy things; trying to decide what will make his lady swoon. It makes you just want to look at them with your eyebrows squinched saying, "awww... that's so cute!".

And to all those of whom I love, "I love you!!" Happy Valentine's Day

#45A - Goodnight Human

I first heard Cary Judd play at the Rexburg Fairgrounds, Fall semester 2007. A bunch of small local bands played and he stood out the most to me. I loved his sound and the lyrics really resonated with me. I told a friend of mine in Washington about him and told him how much I loved him. Through connections with the band, Ammon (keyboardist in the band) hand delivered a copy of Cary's CD to my house the next day. It was his second CD (released in 2006) "Looking Back From Space". It was a major emotional release and I felt like he was singing just for me. With previews of two new songs on "Goodnight Human", I know it won't disappoint. He reminds me a little bit of The Honorary Title - but he puts his own style on it with different effect pedals and sound loop machines. If you haven't listened to him yet... I think you should.

Feb 13, 2008

Rexburg, ID - CD Release!

Locus Live

125 Valley River Drive

7pm - $7

#45 - birth of the vlog - and crazy with the hyperlinks

With Valentines' Day approaching, oh so pleasantly, it seemed like a good time to recap on the forlorness of my past ramshackle relationships (mostly I just wanted to use "ramshackle"). I decided to expel my story in a video. I've never done a video of myself before. It was a difficult start filled with technical difficulties.

This is the teaser trailer (slash, the first 30 seconds):

So, I heard that people do online video first dates. I am already worried how my generation is losing their social skills and ability to communicate in person... with meeting potentials through Facebook and Myspace, asking on dates through texts and emails, millions of dating sites and hook-em-up TV reality shows, and now actual dates through video chats online. Some important dating criteria comes through being in person; like eye contact (you'll both be looking at the video of the other person), gentlemanness (no doors online), and touchy flirty responses. The future is doomed...

Here are some chipper stats for you:

The median age for a woman to get married is 25.1 years

Less than 50% of men and more than 50% of women all over the world are on dating sites

There are 99 men for every 100 women between the ages of 24-29

Current enrollment for Winter 09 at BYU-I is 5725 males and 6942 females

There are 92 million unmarried americans 18 and older (that's 42% of all U.S. adults)

54% of unmarried adult Americans are women

There are 15 million unmarried Americans 65 and older

There are 18 unmarried men for every 100 unmarried women in the U.S.

30.5 million people live alone (27% of all households)

It is estimated that there are 82 million single and unmarried adults in the U.S.

A quote from the News Tribune, "The news that 51% of all women live without a spouse might be enough to make you invest in a cat future"

Happy Valentines' Day! <3

#44 - In the immortal words of The Doors, 'The time to hesitate is through.'

Discoveries take time... if everyone discovered everything all at once, life would be very mundane and very unimaginative. This discovery is probably one that most have already incorporated into the daily regime - The itunes shopping cart. I knew such a thing should exist, but my settings were set in such a way as to not make it an option for me. Now it is being used to its full advantage. I have combined my current wish-lists, which had been allocated in several word documents. After consolidating them (with price tags attached), I have realized that I will never have my dream realized: first, because of the daunting total price. Second, my list is constantly growing as my musical palate feasts on different record label websites, myspaces, and hearing new bands at concerts. This continual growth makes it impossible to ever finish off my list! I don't know if that is a bad thing or an awesome thing...

I love music. Sometimes it consumes me, but mostly it just moves my life along. Music is, to me, what feelings sound like... which probably contributes to my pickiness. Feel free to love on me with music.

(In the picture, if it has an > it means that it's an album which contains anywhere from 10 - 15 songs. Delicious.)

"Music is the medicine of the mind" - John Logan

"Every day has a song. Some get sung while others go unheard" -Rocky Votolato

#43 - sour lemons

I've consciously decided to look at the bright side - yes, I do have terrible weekend hours (Fridays and Saturdays 6-midnight), but I am going to squeeze every thing I can out of those terrible lemons. Around 11:15 everyone usually trickles away. Well, there's always that lonely runner that trucks on until I give them the subtle "get out" by turning off the TV's in the gym. If it's just me, the good tunes get cranked up and I sing and dance through the closing procedures. Also, I steal a wheeley chair from the office down the hall so I can scoot around during work and then glide at super speeds down the ramp when it's time to go home. Anticipation of that exhilarating trip alone makes the long hours whiz by. Now the rush: laundry. I carry the many, wash the many, dry the many, fold the many, then distribute the many many towels. The scary part comes in the middle of this routine after they are dry: I have this thing where I love clothes right when they come out of the dryer - all warm and cozy, so as soon as the buzzer buzzes, I'm in that thing, grabbing the still moving clothes. Now, imagine this dryer: it's huge... industrial strength; a giant spinning orb of terror. When I reach my hands in, my head comes too. So now I'm inside this spinning orb, trying to grab warm towels as fast as I can so as not to die. It's a little terrifying, but hugging those clean warm towels makes the adventure satisfying. Every time I am inside, I feel like I'm in one of those rides, like on Grease; trying to keep my cool and my balance, while holding in vomitous feelings, and the terror of being sucked in.

#42 - P.S.

Sorry if you went on to check my "me" the other day and found you weren't allowed to. I was having an internet frustrated and anti trust day and thus, decided to close down all internet information about me in protest. So, it was nothing personal; well, it was personal for the internet, that was a direct burn.

#41 - there's something in the cheese

There is a special nerve in my body. It takes control every time I watch a pathetically sappy movie, every time I get that look from that guy, and yes... every time I hear one of those ridiculously cheesy 80's love songs. I am pretty particular about my music: I love what I like and know what I don't. I am especially categorical with my love songs. I have my general "in the mood for love" playlist, "happy love" "cheesy love" "broken love" and the ultimate, "romance" playlist. Two songs really get the cheesy-love nerve twitching: The Glory of Love and The Inspiration. It doesn't get more sappy than those, and I love it! They are the kind of songs that make you want to spin around your house, belting out those grandiose lyrics to a man in a heart-shaped picture frame. I am undeniably one of those girls who goes weak in the knees when she gets handpicked flowers that are mostly dead - but with all the loving intentions.

(Just so my freaky playlist obsession can be placed in context: you should know I have a playlist for every circumstance or situation... comes to about 60 playlists. Thank you.)

#40 - circling each other like Venezuelan flamingos engrossed in a complex mating dance

Being enrolled in a class that involves an online discussion board or blog puts me in quite a sticky situation. Right now I'm dealing with two: Social Problems and Ethics. I don't know what it is, but in the discussion board arena, I feel like I'm drowning in theological bafoonery. There are millions and millions of people smarter than I - that is not in dispute. I just feel like 90% of the time, I am placed in discussion groups with people who are missing the boat. Please feel free to step into my world with brief view of my pain:

"I can say nothing about the existence of objective standards, because any statement about them would be taken from my subjective point of view. Trying to find an objective measure by which to measure my judgements would itself be subjective, either by the other trying to measure my judgements, or my myself trying to realize the potential of my thoughts as being objective. If I were to say that a standard were objective, I would most definitely hope that the process by which I discover this standard did not contain subjective standards or rules, because then what could I truly say about the objectivity of the process of finding objective standards? As subjectivity is possessed by the potential to be incorrect, only an objective being could find and be objectively sure of objective standards relating to what form of life, if any, is better. A rational human may incorrectly determine a standard to be objective."

This isn't even as bad as some of the superfluous jargon that I have encountered. This "response" had absolutely nothing to do with the posed question... needless to say, I "regrettably" gave him a 20/50. It's also interesting how many, barely high school level, papers I have edited while in college... it is frustrating beyond comprehension sometimes. This is partially why I don't like group projects or group discussion boards. It hurts my head to try and weave through these intense webs of incognizance (might have made up that word...for dramatic effect, of course)

#39 - glorious achievement

Five months after buying the goods, I did the deed. A sushi SUCCESS! We had avocado-crab-carrot sushi and salmon-cucumber-avocado sushi. Both delicious and both well crafted. With the pot-stickers to accompany them and with cokes on the side, it was the perfect meal. That's not to say Sushi Ya is no longer appetizing, but our dozen or so sushi came to about 5 bucks worth of ingredients (if that)... maybe 3. The "making of" and "shopping for" being so fun probably added to the goodness of the dinner, but I think the sushi can stand alone and speak for itself. And if it could, it would say "Love on me; I'm delicious".

#38 - "or would you rather be a fish..."

I believe that we are evolved from animals. Not directly from apes or anything like that. I think that each person morphed into who they are from an animal previously. If you look at someone close enough, you can see the animal within them. I remember one day at work at the Attorney General's Office, my friend/co-worker and I had fun with this game. There was a large poster with the faces of all the Washington State Representatives and Senators. We proceeded to look down the list and identify which animals each of the member's looked like. I've done this with roommates and friends before too - identifying which animals we look most like.

Sami and I identified our inner animals:

#37 - Maaaaammm! We need carpet for the clubhouse!

I'm officially never too old for forts. It's so exciting being in a secret place, inside a place. When I was in elementary school, I would clear out a corner of my closet; add a lamp, some blankets and pillows and just be happy being sneaky. I always thought, no one could see me or find me if I was in my fort. My forts were very portable as well. Where ever I was, I could find one: inside the circular clothing racks in stores while my mother shopped, laying on the chairs under the dining room table, and inside empty cabinets (I was much more compactable then). My dad and I even built a treehouse fort in my back yard - split level!

Every semester, thus far, I have had a fort in my apartment. Freshman year, it usually consisted of stacking the couches in the living room with one sheet draped over it. Sometimes we mixed it up, went all out, and brought our matresses into the living room, but that was only on special occasions. Each semester, I think they have gotten more and more sophisticated. This semester, however, the title was taken. Sami and I made a breakfast of champions for the men (Taron and Brent) while they build "the cave". Big enough to sit in, eat in, lay in, and watch a movie - it was perfect. I don't think we could have done better, even after our many years of practice. I believe we easily could have hung out in there all day, but alas, duty calls (boo work). Time to plan the next stronghold of sneak...

(no pics of today's fort... couldn't find the camera...)

#36 - older and older

Yesterday was Taron's surprise birthday! The big 2-4. Batman themed with a monkey pinyata - it was awesome. Sami and I were talking the other day how I won't have another birthday while I'm in school. Graduation is the 23rd and my birthday is the 31st. All of a sudden, I felt very old. To make me feel better, we decided to have an "in between" birthday in June to celebrate both of our birthdays together (in addition to celebrating Sami's in May and mine (sami-less) in July). This makes me happy, yes it does!

#35 - can I have your number? can I have it?

Pet peeve: so it's just about closing time - 11:30 and a girl has been working out for about half an hour already, running on the treadmill. This young guy comes in and starts walking on a treadmill near her and begins small talk. Where are you from? Name? Major? etc... She politely answers and continues to run. First of all, it's hard to talk and run at the same time, so props to her for being so nice. He starts jogging and flirting up a storm. After about five minutes of that, he gets off, says it was nice to meet her and leaves. In no way do I approve of guys pretending to work out just to pick up girls. We know what you are doing and are not impressed. That, plus the fact that he was all small-talkie. I don't like when guys ask the generic questions on a date... I say, just be normal and have fun and all those little details will come out naturally in conversation. Don't be too overwhelmingly interested... if that makes sense. So this is what I do from 11:00 pm on - during the days I'm pretty busy with work stuff, but this late, I just listen in and judge the feeble pick-up attempts.

#34 - a year of change

I am so excited for this new year. It started off perfectly; spent with my best friend - and continues to be more and more exciting. I started my new job today as Fitness Director and Faculty Advisor to the Wellness Center. It was so much fun - I'm right in the midst of the workout, healthy, sweaty action! All the people I work with are friendly and outgoing and it looks like I will be staying pretty busy. Classes also started this week: Sports Medicine, Spirituality in the Arts, Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, Ethics, Social Problems. All my teachers are friendly and pretty funny. The work load isn't going to be cake, but defiantly manageable. I am also starting to put the Relief Society President gears into motion. I am teaching this sunday and will meet all the new people in my ward. I am stoked! It's nice being able to start over - clean slate - for a new year and a new semester. This will be my last full load semester (my senior semester will only have two classes!). A few caveats amidst the perfection: two of my professors seem to be embracing the youth embodied in their students by offering "sharing time" "show and tell" and requiring that the students use markers and paper to make name plates to put at our desks... oh so cute... SLASH makes me feel like I'm not a senior in college.

#33 - one more sleep 'till christmas

After two long days of driving, we finally arrived! Christmas with my sister and her family in Colorado instantly made the strenuous trip worth every minute. Merry Christmas everyone!!

#32 - clothes make the man

I was finishing up my Christmas shopping yesterday, and in doing so, walked around Best Buy. While I was there, I saw a sales rep talking to a woman about external hard drives. I'm guessing he was either just starting his shift or just finishing because he was holding his bright blue "I know things" Best Buy shirt and had on a, normal people, Hurley shirt. I was listening to their conversation and then I realized: I was subconsciously questioning every word out of his mouth; he didn't really know that much about external hard drives... It was because of the shirt. Those blue shirts give them power: "He knows, he's wearing blue." "He must be right, can't you see his shirt?" Even though he was still clearly an employee, the absence of his official uniform made me see him as just some punk guy. Shopping is all a big mind game - and if they look official, I'm a sucker all the way.

#31 - i'll be home for christmas

This year I get to spend Christmas with my whole family (in parts). I'm so excited! Especially that I get to spend so much bonding time with our newest, Chase Matthew. I think that family is what makes Christmas, Christmas. I love you all! Merry Christmas!!

#30 - shout out

Thanks to my friend, Kristal - I have embraced the addition of hyperlinks into my blog. Being all "technological" still makes me feel funny, but I'll just go with it for now. Anyway - love the special blue words with me... click them and enjoy the ease of the hyperlink.

#29 - chance of precipitation: 100%

What an ordeal! I started on my trek home yesterday afternoon and finally made it 27 hours later. I stayed overnight in Ontario, OR (which, by the way, getting a hotel room by my self made me feel very adult) and then left this morning around 8:30 am. Evidently, overnight, the mountain pass received a down pour of snow, because my life flashed before my eyes about 10 times driving through it. First off, before it even started snowing, my windshield wiper broke. Just the one.... the one on the driver's side, of course... just randomly. So, now I'm making my way up the mountain and notice about 100 semi's pulled over on the side of the road putting their chains on. Should I be doing that? Do they know something I don't? Confidence in my driving skills and in my car (and the fact that the roads seemed very do-able still) allowed me to brush the internal question off. Soon, I realized my mistake and was in about a foot of snow. My poor little car was sliding every which way and add to that, the fact that I could not see a thing because of my windshield wiper (unless I leaned over and peered out the passenger side of the windshield).

So now I'm blindly sliding through snow in a blizzard, going about 30 mph. I saw two other cars pulled over to the side and asked the assistance of one very capable looking man and one very old man, to help attach my chains. With no success, I then turned to AAA. [Now I have to add a footnote: Up until this moment, I have idolized AAA as this unknown supreme entity, an all-knowing car superhero company that will come to your rescue whenever you shine the "bat signal". I have previously never needed their services, but strangely looked forward to an opportunity to see their skills in action.... the skills I pay a monthly fee to have at my disposal]. The call was placed. I explained my situation: how I couldn't get the chains on, my wiper was broken so I am driving blind through the pass and now, because I pulled off the road, I think I am stuck in the snow. After explaining where I was located on the highway, the AAA man expounded their actual services to me. "We can't help you put on the chains and we also can't fix your windshield wipers... but we can tow you to safety... well, within a 3 mile radius" "Well, is there a car place within 3 miles? Because my GPS doesn't show that there is anything for at least 20." "Right, so there will be a fee for each additional mile that we need to tow you". BOGUS. That plan was seriously not working for me, and the situation accompanying my now shattered glorified view of AAA forced me to release some anger on this poor customer service representative. "Well, you're a man - can't you just come out here and help me put on my chains?? Or do something!?" "I'm sorry ma'am, that's not one of the services we offer. We can only really tow you out of a ditch if you get stuck." "I see, so I'll just attempt to drive again and in 2 seconds, when I crash into a ditch, I'll be sure to give you a call right away. Thanks a lot!" I have removed AAA from my contacts list and also immediately removed their endorsement sticker off my dashboard. I also pulled over when I saw a cop, hoping he could help me with the same problems, until he also informed me that he could only push me out of the snow, which I was now stuck in since I pulled over for his help. Ironic. With the aid of my brother, texts of support from friends, and payers being sent a million miles a minute, I made it through the pass (about 3 hours later) and onto clearer roads. Thoughts of "this is the end" crept up again while driving through the Portland area through a down pour of rain, again with wipers not working and it starting to get dark. When a car passed me, there was at least 3o seconds where I could see absolutely nothing and just tried to keep my car in line with the break lights in front of me. "Don't they know I can't see anything?!" I guess not. Relieved and alive, I took a hot bath when I got home and am now going to bed. Good luck to all those still on the road. Safe driving!

(PS. the first picture is what the road looked like when my wipers broke, yes it was stuck in that position and the 2nd is my view for about 4 hours... death! But, despite all that, I remained optimistic - I was not going to die in a bad mood.)

#28 - harvey

It is finished. I have officially completed my last final for this semester and I think I skimmed by okay. I finished around 2:00 pm, so for the rest of the day I have been forced to entertain myself. I can usually hold my own pretty good and today, I have become especially creative. I played "house" with myself, home alone; acting out all the parts while I made "everyone" lunch and cleaned the house. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing, but I don't think I ever really grew out of playing "imaginary". I often role play scenes in my head and even get so caught up, that my outward expressions change to reflect the pretend situations. So, if I look, sound, or even behave crazy sometimes, just know that there is a whole other exciting world and life going on inside my head.

#27 - sweet dreams

I'm not saying I have the greatest or the most comfortable bed, but there is something to be said for coming home after a long trip to your own bed. I've got an almost "princess and the pea" set up, with my box-spring, 2 mattresses, down comforter, memory foam mattress pad, and fitted sheet under me and my down comforter on top of me. I slept so well that first night back. I was reading an article recently about sleep positions, and what yours can say about you. For instance, if you sleep on your stomach (or "Freefaller), you are often gregarious and brash, but can be nervy and thin-skinned underneath, and you don't like criticism or extreme situations. I am usually a "Foetus" which means I might be seen as tough on the outside but am sensitive at heart. Aw......

Anyway, tell me what kind of sleep personality you are: www.flatseats.com/general/positions.htm