...There is something very romantic and satisfying about wandering through a record store
Last saturday I joined the "in the know" members of our nation in celebrating Record Store Day. This is the third annual Record Store Day, celebrated the third saturday in April. Hundreds of record stores around the country participate: live concerts, music discounts, festivals, food, body and clothing painting, and dances (recognizing the music and the individuality of the record stores). I went to a few in Seattle (about 15 were participating) and got The Old Ceremony, Mason Proper, and Cut Off Your Hands for about a buck each. In Sonic Boom I saw Say Hi perform but left before Vetiver went on.
I made up for that by going to a Vetiver concert at the Crocodile. One of the opening bands was Black Whales and they were amazing. The drummer was very "Ringo-esque" and one of the guitarists had insane fingering skills. It was phenomenal - fun to sing (if I knew the words) and move to. They were fun to watch (especially the drummer) and gave a great show. Now.... the second band... there are.... no.... words. No wait, there's two: Richard Swift. This guy's voice was almost painful to hear and the "songs" seemed to never end - - it almost made me want to leave before Vetiver. I'll just let you listen for yourself, but that's one band I recommend sticking on the no thank you list. Vetiver was great; as expected, but after Richard Swift the mood was a bit dampened.
I'm not entirely sure as to why I didn't know this, but apparently pirates still roam the seven seas, inflicting chaos on chosen victims. I was reading Time magazine today and saw an article about how we are loosing the battle on the Indian Ocean. Last week there were six piracy attacks and they ended up capturing an American cargo ship of a crew of 20 and the pirates are holding the captain hostage. Flash images of Waterworld cross my mind as I read something like this. Someday I would love to own a boat and be seaworthy myself. Although, no matter how attractive Johnny Depp is, I still think that running into a pirate would be terrifying (and slightly thrilling).
I think part of the reason why I didn't think there were still pirates, falls into the category of why I didn't think there were still Buddhist temples being constructed. I just think of them as something ancient and historical that just aren't apart of life anymore...
I did it. It is done. One more semester under my belt and only one more to go. It's a good feeling to know that I did all I could and I can't do anything about anything now. In about a week I'll know my grades and can take the thrashing then. But until that time though, I am carefree! Just packing and moving stresses now (secretly, I love it - - cleaning, getting organized, throwing away things I don't need). In a few months I'll be living in an apartment in some sweet downtown that comes, unfortunately, unfurnished. I took inventory yesterday to see what kind of "furniture" I actually own. That would be a bookshelf. I can use the inside to put things in, the top to eat off of, and the back to lean against. There you go: a desk, cabinet, dining room table and chair all in one. Who could ask for more? I define actual adulthood to be when you own a bed frame. Not just the mattress mind you. Anyone can own a mattress, but it is not until you are frame-equipped that you have actually crossed the line and became an adult. A bed frame and a couch (not just one of those inflatable ones, or ones that belong on a deck; but a real life couch.)
If you know me at all, you will laugh at how ridiculously ironic this album is that was randomly assembled. Every piece is perfectly sardonic.. I couldn't resist posting it.
I've felt a little stuck lately: stuck on the same music, stuck on the same movies, same pictures, same websites, same same same. It's been driving me crazy! Despite my search for new bands, I've come across a lot of the same. Thankfully, I was thrown a life preserver by my friend who supplied me with five new bands: four of which, I love. That, in itself, spun me away from the wall I had hit. Now I can branch off of those bands and be set for another forever-while. I also found a few more blogs I can subscribe to to keep me entertained and plenty of other mixer-uppers. So never fear! I have my sanity back!
I also created my own album; it's pretty cool actually. The CD cover meme:
1. Click Here - The first random article you get is the name of your band
2. Click Here - The last four or five words of the last quote is the title of your first album
3. Click Here - Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover
4. Then use photoshop (or equivalent) to put it all together!
Have fun and email it to me, so I can see!! (vapark@gmail.com)
1. Half way through my Junior year; basically with my three best guy friends all the time (they were my life). Working at the Library with my mama boss.
2. Changing loyalties from Dryden High (my school) to our enemy school, Lansing because that's where most of my friends went.
3. Finished my Junior year in high school and moved to Idaho for my senior year
4. Started dating my first 'official' boyfriend
5. Discovering what music I really liked and what music I really didn't
Five things on my to-do list for today:
1. Attend 3 classes that are relatively pointless at this point, but give me participation credit.
2. Study for and take 3 finals in the testing center... try to survive
3. Suffer through my last friday night working 9-midnight at the gym
4. Watch a movie and play with my friend Cameron (complete with stuffed oreos)
5. Sleep and get ready for a full day of studying tomorrow....
Five things I would do with a million dollars:
1. Go to Italy this year
2. Get an apartment in a sweet downtown
3. Save/invest for the future
4. Send my parents on a trip
5. Save some more...
(I'm boring now so I can have fun with my husband man later)
Five places I have lived
1. California
2. Germany
3. Texas
4. New York
5. Washington
Five jobs I've held
1. Library Page
2. Melaleuca Inc. Customer Service Representative
3. Legislative Assistant to the Attorney General of Washington
4. BYUI Wellness Center Director
5. BYUI Fitness Center Director
Five years from now
1. Make my home
2. Family of my own
3. Happy job (for me or for hubby)
4. Living on the west coast, but have traveled the world first
Also, you should know (and that is an ambiguous "you" so, basically anyone who reads this and cares) that I have been studying and testing and projecting and presenting and debating and writing a lot a lot lately. It has presented a need for breaks, example 1: blogging.
Remember, way back, when I told you it was spring. I was just pulling your leg. Ha. Ha. Ha. It has been terrible weather in Rexburg the last few days: blizzards, cold, ridiculously windy. I'm very confused and sad inside. Today though, the snow was in a good mood. It decided to come down in cute little squishy balls. I was walking home from the library when it started to come down; my initial reaction was something along the lines of, "you've got to be joking! I was just in sunny, warm, happy, Spanish Fork - please let me go back." accompanied by lots of boo's and urg's. BUT THEN, when I was in it, I realized that the snow was making lemonade when it was given lemons and was positively as happy as it could be. I took lots of pictures on my walk home and even brought some happy squishies into my roommates to show them the excitement outside. I just hope two things: one - that the weather in Washington will be better than here when I arrive and two - that Rexburg will come to its senses sooner rather than later.
Yesterday, my two best friends and I made our way south to warmer weather for the Hindu Festival of Colors! The festival represents the coming of spring from winter and the triumph of good over evil. We first attended a performance by the BYU Indonesian Percussion Orchestra, which mostly just consisted of loud, boring bell tingy songs. We were sitting in the very front row so it was pretty loud (somehow Brent managed to still sleep through it). Oh but wait... all of a sudden, they circled up and started making odd train noises; chanting and behaving very strangely. I was a little frightened - thinking they might attack me when immediately my suspicions were fulfilled. They started jumping around like monkeys, making screeching noises and one guy came right up to my face. I burst out laughing (which, I'm not sure how "culturally appropriate" that is or if it was even supposed to be funny), but I positively could not control myself. Tears started streaming down my face while I tried to hold in my laughter. Brent finally had to hold me into his chest to try and control me but as soon as I controlled my breathing, I could hear (and feel) Brent and Sami both laughing which just got me going again. It was out of control - it was ridiculously funny. Then! in the middle of the animal/train chanting and swaying, two of the girls started singing "If you could hie to Kolob". Oh.. man... that put me over the edge. Too funny for words - we were all speechless and tried not to be too much of a distraction. To sum up: it was awesome and totally worth the five bucks.
This one (above) is from this year. If you look closely you can see us in the middle of the middle for the concert. Just kidding, it's impossible. BUT WE ARE THERE!!
This one (below) is from last year, but I just liked how beautiful the color throwing was.
After that we headed down to the field for the "throwing of the colors". Some punk kid evidently light off the effigy before it was time (signaling the commencement of the color throwing) so there was preemptive throwing. We made our way toward the middle (per my request) and after a speech, explaining the purpose of the festival, the actual throwing began. For about a minute you couldn't see or breath (awesome!) and were bombarded with colored chalk from every direction. The Hindu rock concert started and thankfully, we all knew the words (Hara Krishna, Hara Krishna, Krishna Krishna, HaraHara, Hara Rama, Hara Rama, Rama Rama, HaraHara... repeat). They put those words to just about every tune, from reggae to nursery rhymes, "Jack and Jill when up the hill to fetch a pail of Hara Krishna, Hara Krishna...." and "A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-R-I-S-H-N-A Hara Krishna, Krishna Krishna..."
After the concert, we headed back home to Rexburg while we were serenaded by Brent, putting those lyrics to the playlists on my iPod. Surprisingly they fit well to just about every tune. It was incredibly fun and well worth the drive.
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).
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.
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.....
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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".
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.
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)
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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)
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.
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).
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.
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).
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
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.
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"
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
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.
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.
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.)
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)
...There is something very romantic and satisfying about wandering through a record store
