To avoid small talk...

So maybe I should let people know that in the near past I enjoyed a birthday - October 10th to be exact. Oh, you know, I didn't do anything too amazing for the epic 10/10/10, 21st birthday of mine - just Vegas. My dearest roommate Kathy Le, friend Ale and I drove down to Sin City and met Barret, who is amazing and flew out from Atlanta. Chris joined us later the next night for some clubbing. I didn't get much picture time since I was too preoccupied enjoying myself, but here are a few.

Chris and I drove home together and had a memorable meal at the last Popeyes in Mesquite before we hit the barren no-Popeyes land in which we live. We also explored the beautiful Kolob Canyon.

What else is going on in my life... Oh yeah. I also go to school. Sometimes. I've been pretty engrossed with a particular research paper for my History of Photography class regarding Duane Michals. It was actually a pleasure researching his work and becoming familiar with him as a photographer/artist/expressionist. It reaffirms my belief that it is not the medium that defines the artist, but the artist that defines the medium. Unfortunately, I haven't had any similar experiences in any of my other classes.

Congrats to my cousin Rowena on her 6th kid Tifaimoana. She's a perfect addition to a beautiful family. I did happen to meet some new cousins of mine while at the baby shower, so I have much to be grateful for! My Gifford and Dallin are still in Logan, and I still rarely see them. Barret is a precious first year law student in Atlanta and I think it's about time I visit him. Probably the best news, though, is that of Tiare! She's el preggo so now I finally have a baby I don't feel weird about stealing! I plan on hitting up Hawai'i next summer and being there for the new kid. It will be mine.


Haven't done one of these in a while... Song of the day: Ten Cent Pistol - The Black Keys

A day in the life...

A Post!

The past 6 months has been extremely trying for me. I've been dealing with many a thing such as not having Barret here, lifestyle choices, and fighting my biggest problem - which happens to be myself and this terrible lack of motivation. I recently went through a [long] misanthropic period where I tolerated 3, maybe 4 people. Usually I'm a very social person, but during this time I couldn't so much as look at a person without bitter, disgusted feelings somehow taint whatever happiness or joy I had at the time. Things are much better now and I wouldn't glare at you if we crossed paths, but I'm sure we've all been to that point and can appreciate my seclusive tendencies.

Enjoy these pictures - they were an anchor for my sanity during a time in my life when the small things were the only distraction from a very real reality.

Awesome hallway from my room.

View from work. I spend my lunch breaks observing the weather and enjoying doing nothing.

My blue kitchen at dusk.

A neighboring tree at sunset.

Fuck people, their money, and this self righteous country. I loathe your capitalist, leeching practices.

The Uncomplicated Life

I don't have much to show for the past four months.
It's been rough and, strangely, refreshing.

a sunrise

a brief trip home with friends

beauty in York, Nebraska

backseat with friends

Rock Canyon

A House Party

I'll take my picture posting slow - nothing's more frustrating than being rushed through too many good photos of too many good times. So I'll start here:

Over this past weekend we had a house party for Al Dean of the band Burning Olympus since he was relocating himself to Oregon (can't understand why, Provo is kick-ass). His band, with friends Devin Powell, Mike Perry, and Chris Cooper, played a great set with a few guest appearances from friends Indecision and Hailey (sp?), that awesome 17yr old girl with a guitar.

This is Haili/Hailey/Haileigh

Burning Olympus

Haili/Hailey/Haileigh

Indecision

Burning Olympus

And Al Dean

If you'd like a full viewing of (most of) the pictures from that night they're available on my facebook. More great postings to come in the somewhat near future. I need to get started on a couple papers that were due a couple weeks ago. Booooo.

Suspended Like A Spirit Over Speeding Cars

It has been quite the longest dry spell since I have last posted and I've decided it needs to stop - hence this post. I can't think of much else to post about except what else has currently been going on in my life (probably not the most exciting topic, but when you're me, it is understandable).

School started up again in January - I've probably been to a total of 7-8 classes thus far. I find the motivation hard to come by. Ironically enough, I registered for 2 volleyball classes this semester; one is at 8AM and the other at 9AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The irony in this, if you don't know my very well, is that I'm actually going to these classes. I've been known to sleep through 1PM classes and not register for classes before noon, and yet I've been managing these classes with ease. Secret to my success? I actually like volleyball. Also, the fact that Darren and I have a wager for a fish burger at Stan's, pending upon whether or not I make 80% attendance to these classes, may or may not have a slight effect upon this (I do plan on winning, btw).

I have no idea what's going on in my Samoan 202 class because I come an hour late every time and am there for maybe 15 minutes of lecture. It's slightly frustrating, but I'm glad my teacher is accommodating of my work schedule. I'm writing my philosophy paper on the irrationality of theistic belief - this is mostly to piss off all the Mormons I attend school with. We need a little sass around here and I find it my personal mission to provide such antics - if not only for my sole amusement. I have this Graphic Design class that I've been to once? Yeah, I should go more often. It does happen to be my major. I don't think I have any other classes... It's a pretty tame schedule and I need to get on top of things. No, wait, I forgot about my Family History class! Yeah, lame. That's all I have on that.

Life sucks with Barret in a completely different state and not even in the western part of the country. My days now mostly consist of school (whatever part I attend or time spent ditching), work (thank God for work, it keeps me sane), and roommate antics (we're pretty weird together, but in a good way). I must say that it's hard to function without him since we mostly complemented each other in almost every facet of our lives, but I'm sure we will be one happy married couple soon enough! Unfortunately, I won't be making it out to Mardi Gras this year. I think I missed the boat on that one considering my horrible timing and lack of precious, precious money. I did, however, spend a nice little weekend (day, mostly) in San Diego the other week with Christopher, Blake, and Julia. It was a great little getaway and I don't know when I will next see the ocean...

My congratulations to Dan and Michael on their engagement! It's a long time in coming and I'm so happy for the two. They're getting married out in Cape Cod this summer and I will be trying my best to make it for the ceremony.

Okay, stop. Somehow I just went this whole post without saying a single thing about the effing Brand New concert I went to!! Ugh. It was bloody amazing. I went with my roommate Kathy Le, some of her friends, and my best friend from home Carless Walker Texas Ranger (or Carly, whatever). The first band sucked ass. We don't care about the preachy lyrics, the Baptist reverend voice, nor do we especially care for the lead singer's sick fro, pervy mustache, and ridiculous purple and blue jogging suit - the Asian guitarist's voice was a pleasant surprise though, I'll give them that. Manchester Orchestra followed with a decent set - I must admit that I've seen better. Dear Andy Hull, please clean up your face. Carly was right when she said it looked like you were deliberately trying to repel women. Thank you, at least, for playing Where Have You Been. Brand New, though, was definitely something else. The show started immediately with Jesse Lacey solo with his guitar playing Soco Amaretto Lime. It was epic. They played their best songs from Daisy, The Devil and God, and Deja. It was just beautiful. Their hour and a half set seriously made up for all the complete retards ("complete retards" include 2 drunk girls who ran into me multiple times, the dumbasses who insist on moshing in the middle of the crowd, and the blazed girl who swayed her whole body and almost got punched out by Carly) who generally flock to any kind of rock show. What made it better was that we had eaten at The Pie in Salt Lake and had delicious, leftover pizza in the car and ice cream cake at home. It was a great night and I'm sorry Barret missed it :(

Let me leave you with the song Soco Amaretto Lime because I feel prompted to do so (probably divine intervention, not going to lie).



Keep your eyes peeled for more updates. Or don't. Whatever.