#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)