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.

Catching Up, But Not Really

Brand New's show in SL,UT was cancelled due to illness.

I happened to be in WalMart with a favorite boy of mine, Blake Allen, when I got a disturbing call from Chris that BN's show in Salt Lake and Denver were cancelled. The bag of candy I was so excited to buy was immediately laid aside at the checkout line and I began to hang my head like a 13 yr. old depressed teenager (which, technically, I was still a teenager at 19 and quite depressed, though a little more mature in the head-hanging than the average 13 yr. old). I pretty much sulked all the way home and all that night and all the next morning. It was the single event in my October life that I was looking forward to most. It's okay though, because they're rescheduling... I just have to bide my time.

We had a day at Disneyland lined up, but unfortunately the plans took a turn for the worst, but in the end it worked out well! I spent my birthday having a great time with awesome people - literally, the whole 24 hours of that day - doing some fun and unexpected things. MWUAH to everyone who made it what it was!

Daisy

Man.

I've been meaning to save a post for my review of Daisy, Brand New's latest and greatest. I've spent hours reading reviews by fans, critics, haters, radio hosts... I've seen it. I've been preparing and brooding over what I'd say, but after all that thought and deep introspection, here it is: I like it. No, in fact, I love it. From the weirdly haunting gospel hymn recordings to Jesse Lacey's screaming vocals, it's a brisk walk down that dark alley we loitered in with The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me. This celebration of the edgier, darker side of life makes me thirst for more and keeps this album on repeat. Kudos to Brand New for always putting out and props to Vinnie for the significant contribution in these lyrics. I admire the hard-headed determination Brand New has in pursuing their unique sound and the wise choice to ignore the hopes and dreams of fans, musicians, and fads alike.

Well, I'll stop. I could probably go on forever about them and I don't doubt that the majority of my posts are about these kids. Tomorrow is my birthday. I plan on enjoying myself.

I don't like the thought that someone thinks he/she knows me. I like to think that I'm such an individual that since you are not me, you will never know me. Any thoughts?


It's been a while, but here's my song of the day:

Hanasakajijii (Four: A Great Wind, More Ash) by Anathallo

[Sadly, for first listening I could only find a live version in recording so it's not best of quality]

"Yesterday, the land went dry.
I sprinkled ash of my neighbor's urn
Over the yard.

Sprinkled in the hope
That should I cut out
A pie wedge,
I would find gold.
Buried in the ground
Between the grass and growth.

Instead, the earth skin cracking
And a great wind, more ash,
Slivers of the ground burning in the eyes
Of ones, who, standing there...

Long ago, when it all began
The dog would dig the ground
And whisper, "Master, come to the garden.
By your hand to the spade, cut away behind your house.

Cut away for coins. Cut away to the buried..."