i'm practically a professional photographer by now
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
beginning the transition of my "blog"
After reading over a few blogs that I follow, I thought to myself, "Man, I wish I could write interesting things about my life."
Since I have confidence in my thoughts, rather than my writing, I've decided to turn this into a "photoblog" of sorts. I'll try to post a photo at least once a week. It may or may not be a photo that I've taken, and I may or may not give a sort description or quote explaining the photo. Because, hey, I do want I want.
I'll post within the hour.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
AOTY'09
Every single year, I write an "album of the year" list. I get the impression that no one cares, or even looks at it... But, oh well, here we go again.
This year was much like last, as far as music goes for me. I had a very hard time coming up with a list of ten albums that really made an impression on me this year... And I actually still haven't decided if I'm going to make an entire list of ten in this blog.
This year, my album of the year is The Positives by Person L. Now, I'm a little hesitant about making this my AOTY due to the fact that it was released just under a month ago, but honestly, this is the only album that was released this year that really impressed me.
I heard this album described as Radiohead for idiots... Which, quite frankly, is perfect for me. I feel this is album is much more accessible than anything I've ever hear come from Radiohead. Instrumentally, this album can be compared to bands such as Radiohead and Explosions in the Sky, but it the catchy, rhythmic, almost poppy hooks to the songs put Person L is a league of there own that really impresses me listening over and over again.
In my opinion, what really makes this album stand out is it's sporadic genre shifts from song to song, or even from stanza to stanza in some songs. The album starts off with Hole in the Fence, a almost entirely instrumental, powerful ballad. This ambient mood stays with the songs until you begin to listen to track four, Goodness Gracious, an ode to rock and roll. Throughout the rest of the album you experience hooks that are reminiscent to 50's jukebox rock, recent pop punk, and even some blues.
Another thin that pulled me into this album was the simple, almost minimalistic, lyrics. I've been hearing rumors about a revolution/Have you got the crowd to back it up? Is concerning when read in a blog, yet somehow very powerful and convincing when belted by Kenny Vasoli. And lines like, There's no room here for the darkness to crowd this space/There's been a burden that needs resolution to take it's place is sung with enough intensity and emotion to catch anyone's attention.
Overall, I obviously think this is a great record, and my best guess tells me that it's going to have a decent amount of lasting ability. I highly recommend it to anyone that is dumbfounded when they listen to Radiohead, yet likes the basic structure of there music. I also recommend this album to anyone that likes good old fashioned rock and roll. It's a great album.
*Final verdict = 8/10
2. As Cities Burn - Hell or High Water
I feel like this album was insanely underrated. But, I've got to admit that I didn't expect such a great album to come out of As Cities Burn. It's a shame the band departed shortly after it's release. The lyrics are powerful however, instrumentally, it took me a while to get into this album.
3. Bradley Hathaway - A Mouth Full of Dust
I expected big things from this album, I wasn't disappointed... too much. Now, I am a person that loves raw recording and minimal amounts of producing, but this album took it to an extreme. It was recorded in the basement of an old country house, and some of the songs reflect that negatively. But, of course, Bradley is an amazing song writer, and his lyrics made this album memorable.
This year was much like last, as far as music goes for me. I had a very hard time coming up with a list of ten albums that really made an impression on me this year... And I actually still haven't decided if I'm going to make an entire list of ten in this blog.
This year, my album of the year is The Positives by Person L. Now, I'm a little hesitant about making this my AOTY due to the fact that it was released just under a month ago, but honestly, this is the only album that was released this year that really impressed me.I heard this album described as Radiohead for idiots... Which, quite frankly, is perfect for me. I feel this is album is much more accessible than anything I've ever hear come from Radiohead. Instrumentally, this album can be compared to bands such as Radiohead and Explosions in the Sky, but it the catchy, rhythmic, almost poppy hooks to the songs put Person L is a league of there own that really impresses me listening over and over again.
In my opinion, what really makes this album stand out is it's sporadic genre shifts from song to song, or even from stanza to stanza in some songs. The album starts off with Hole in the Fence, a almost entirely instrumental, powerful ballad. This ambient mood stays with the songs until you begin to listen to track four, Goodness Gracious, an ode to rock and roll. Throughout the rest of the album you experience hooks that are reminiscent to 50's jukebox rock, recent pop punk, and even some blues.
Another thin that pulled me into this album was the simple, almost minimalistic, lyrics. I've been hearing rumors about a revolution/Have you got the crowd to back it up? Is concerning when read in a blog, yet somehow very powerful and convincing when belted by Kenny Vasoli. And lines like, There's no room here for the darkness to crowd this space/There's been a burden that needs resolution to take it's place is sung with enough intensity and emotion to catch anyone's attention.
Overall, I obviously think this is a great record, and my best guess tells me that it's going to have a decent amount of lasting ability. I highly recommend it to anyone that is dumbfounded when they listen to Radiohead, yet likes the basic structure of there music. I also recommend this album to anyone that likes good old fashioned rock and roll. It's a great album.
*Final verdict = 8/10
(Continued) Top Ten Albums of the Year:
2. As Cities Burn - Hell or High WaterI feel like this album was insanely underrated. But, I've got to admit that I didn't expect such a great album to come out of As Cities Burn. It's a shame the band departed shortly after it's release. The lyrics are powerful however, instrumentally, it took me a while to get into this album.
3. Bradley Hathaway - A Mouth Full of DustI expected big things from this album, I wasn't disappointed... too much. Now, I am a person that loves raw recording and minimal amounts of producing, but this album took it to an extreme. It was recorded in the basement of an old country house, and some of the songs reflect that negatively. But, of course, Bradley is an amazing song writer, and his lyrics made this album memorable.
I never expect anything less than great from Trophy Scars. I think this was a great follow-up to there 2007 release. It's progressive and the concept is captivating and intriguing. I honestly haven't been able to listen to this album as much as I'd like, but after only a few listens, you'll know it's greatness.
This was just a fun album (pun intended). There really isn't a whole lot of depth album, but it really is a lot of fun to listen to! The songs are very catchy, and some songs feature a full orchestra. When members of the Format, Steel Train, and Anathallo come together to start a project, you really can't expect anything less than greatness.
6. P.O.S. - Never Better
I didn't really get into rap music before this year. The reason for that is because of the cliche, unoriginal lyrical content of most rap music. But, late last year I discovered P.O.S., I completely changed my view on rap. "Rap with meaning" is what I like to call it. This album has a few gems on it, but there are also a lot of tracks tacks that I skip when listening to this album.
I didn't really get into rap music before this year. The reason for that is because of the cliche, unoriginal lyrical content of most rap music. But, late last year I discovered P.O.S., I completely changed my view on rap. "Rap with meaning" is what I like to call it. This album has a few gems on it, but there are also a lot of tracks tacks that I skip when listening to this album.
Yeah, this isn't technically an album... And that's why I didn't make it #2. I've been waiting for Nic Newsham (Gatsbys American Dream) to release something that caught my attention. The Electricity Demo was my #2 top played tack of the year, right under Something by the Beatles. I think that deserves some recognition.
8. Ace Enders & a Million Different People - When I Hit the Ground
This album was kind of a let down for me. But, as an Early November fan boy, I had extremely high hopes for this album. This release did supply a few great songs, but the songs that I did like from this album were all previously released, either in demo for or in the release of the Secret Wars EP last year.
9. Therefore I Am - The Sound of Human Lives
I really did like this release, but it was most for four or five songs off of the album. These guys are some of the most genuine people I've ever seen perform, and that gave me more respect for this album. I do recommend this album, just don;t expect to listen to it from front to back without skipping some tracks.
8. Ace Enders & a Million Different People - When I Hit the GroundThis album was kind of a let down for me. But, as an Early November fan boy, I had extremely high hopes for this album. This release did supply a few great songs, but the songs that I did like from this album were all previously released, either in demo for or in the release of the Secret Wars EP last year.
9. Therefore I Am - The Sound of Human LivesI really did like this release, but it was most for four or five songs off of the album. These guys are some of the most genuine people I've ever seen perform, and that gave me more respect for this album. I do recommend this album, just don;t expect to listen to it from front to back without skipping some tracks.
This album just released today actually. It's a b-sides albums, so it wasn't anything I havent already heard before. You've got some acoustic tracks, some compilation tracks, and a few new tracks. All the songs are great, but I've had access to most of them in the past, so I wanted to give everyone else a fair chance at the list before I included Punchline.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Two years of changes
So, if you are even slightly involved in my life, there is a very good chance that you know that one of my very best friends, Michael, is coming home from serving his LDS mission in about two weeks. It's great! It's exciting! And of course, Geremy and I cannot stop talking about it!
Michael's a great friend, and it would be easy for me to write an entire post about him, but that's not the meaning of this post. This post is about me, to be honest. Michael's return has really got me thinking about how things have changed in the past two years. It's kind of crazy to think about, and I will kindly outline some changes for you right about.... NOW:
Initially, I don't feel like I've changed too much as far as appearance goes. I mean, I do have some tanner skin, but I mean, still own the shirt that I am wearing in 2007. There are a few differences. During the past two years, I've bone through quite a few hair cuts. There were points when my hair touched my shoulders, and then there were recent times when my hair was no longer than 1/4" long... Not to mention that my hair line has receded since 2007. Also, to years ago, I wouldn't have even considered putting holes through my ears; since then, I've had holes in my ears as big as 1/2" in diameter!
My favorite appearance difference: mustache! Although I still can't grow a decent mustache, before I could barely sustain peach fuzz. This recent picture definitely does not do any justice to my facial hair, but everyone knows that my mustache is awesome, and I started rocking it hard shortly after Michael left.
Friends and relationships have changed quite a bit as well:
... I can't find a picture that clearly represents all of the people I hang out with now.
Michael's a great friend, and it would be easy for me to write an entire post about him, but that's not the meaning of this post. This post is about me, to be honest. Michael's return has really got me thinking about how things have changed in the past two years. It's kind of crazy to think about, and I will kindly outline some changes for you right about.... NOW:
----------------------------->
Age 18 all the way to age 20!
Age 18 all the way to age 20!
Initially, I don't feel like I've changed too much as far as appearance goes. I mean, I do have some tanner skin, but I mean, still own the shirt that I am wearing in 2007. There are a few differences. During the past two years, I've bone through quite a few hair cuts. There were points when my hair touched my shoulders, and then there were recent times when my hair was no longer than 1/4" long... Not to mention that my hair line has receded since 2007. Also, to years ago, I wouldn't have even considered putting holes through my ears; since then, I've had holes in my ears as big as 1/2" in diameter!
My favorite appearance difference: mustache! Although I still can't grow a decent mustache, before I could barely sustain peach fuzz. This recent picture definitely does not do any justice to my facial hair, but everyone knows that my mustache is awesome, and I started rocking it hard shortly after Michael left.
Friends and relationships have changed quite a bit as well:
---------->
GO!... I can't find a picture that clearly represents all of the people I hang out with now.
First of all, what seems to me, Kenzie wasn't dating James. In fact, I had no idea who James was at this time two years ago. Another thing that seems crazy to me is the fact that I entered and exited my first "real term" (This is my blog, I can make up terms) relationship... Then I entered and exited again.
I lived in Logan, Utah, but when I was in Idaho Falls, I would almost always hang out with Ryan, Geremy, and Ash. Of course that hasn't changed... Except for the living in Logan, Utah part, that has changed. But something that is significant is that all of my best friends (with the exception of Michael) was living in Idaho Falls. Now I have wonderful friends in Idaho Falls, Missoula, Boise, Pocatello, Logan, Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, Seattle, Boston, and other places, I'm sure. Maybe that's why I don't have a picture of all my great 2009 friends. Something that is quite surprising to me though, is that none of us got married. Actually, maybe that's not surprising at all, but it seem like everyone else is getting married... So why not us, right?
Various achievements:
When Michael left, I was a music major at Utah State. Ha! No, I did not ever take a single music class at USU, but it seemed like a good major when I applied. Haha! Since then, I have declared an Art Major, declared a Park & Recreation Minor, interned for the USU Park & Rec Department (lolz), dropped that Park & Recreation Minor, gained a Graphic Design emphasis, transferred all my credits to USU-Brigham City Extension, graduated with an Associates of Science in General Studies, applied and got accepted to Utah Valley University, transferred all my credits to UVU, and got accepted into the Digital Media program. Wow! Haha! My course of education has changed very drastically.
Let's not mention forget to mention that Ryan, Ash, Kenzie, Rachel, and a lot of other people have graduated, and quite a few people have started college or changed colleges. Hailey was at Paul Michelle Hair Academy when Michael left, now she goes to Salt Lake Community College... or something like that. And two years ago Megan was going to USU and now she is going to UVU. Kenzie is at ISU and Rachel is at... MSU? UofM? I don't know... Which ever one is in Missoula. Ha!
Just about all of us have gone through multiple jobs. In the past two years I've worked at ShopKo, the Ammon Pool, and Best Buy. Most of us have gone through multiple housing situations. Since Michael left, Geremy lived with his dad, now he's been living on his own for over half a year! Two years ago, I lived in Oakridge Apartments in Logan, lived with my parents, lived at Edge Hill in Logan, and now I'm living with my parents again.
Something that I think is cool is that my older brother got married. Two years ago Jaren didn't even know who Joann was!
Other things that I think are cool:
This stuff may or may not be interesting to anyone but me, but lands! I feel so old when I look back on the past two years. A lot has changed, but I still feel the same. I guess that's good.
I lived in Logan, Utah, but when I was in Idaho Falls, I would almost always hang out with Ryan, Geremy, and Ash. Of course that hasn't changed... Except for the living in Logan, Utah part, that has changed. But something that is significant is that all of my best friends (with the exception of Michael) was living in Idaho Falls. Now I have wonderful friends in Idaho Falls, Missoula, Boise, Pocatello, Logan, Salt Lake City, Orem, Provo, Seattle, Boston, and other places, I'm sure. Maybe that's why I don't have a picture of all my great 2009 friends. Something that is quite surprising to me though, is that none of us got married. Actually, maybe that's not surprising at all, but it seem like everyone else is getting married... So why not us, right?
Various achievements:
When Michael left, I was a music major at Utah State. Ha! No, I did not ever take a single music class at USU, but it seemed like a good major when I applied. Haha! Since then, I have declared an Art Major, declared a Park & Recreation Minor, interned for the USU Park & Rec Department (lolz), dropped that Park & Recreation Minor, gained a Graphic Design emphasis, transferred all my credits to USU-Brigham City Extension, graduated with an Associates of Science in General Studies, applied and got accepted to Utah Valley University, transferred all my credits to UVU, and got accepted into the Digital Media program. Wow! Haha! My course of education has changed very drastically.
Let's not mention forget to mention that Ryan, Ash, Kenzie, Rachel, and a lot of other people have graduated, and quite a few people have started college or changed colleges. Hailey was at Paul Michelle Hair Academy when Michael left, now she goes to Salt Lake Community College... or something like that. And two years ago Megan was going to USU and now she is going to UVU. Kenzie is at ISU and Rachel is at... MSU? UofM? I don't know... Which ever one is in Missoula. Ha!
Just about all of us have gone through multiple jobs. In the past two years I've worked at ShopKo, the Ammon Pool, and Best Buy. Most of us have gone through multiple housing situations. Since Michael left, Geremy lived with his dad, now he's been living on his own for over half a year! Two years ago, I lived in Oakridge Apartments in Logan, lived with my parents, lived at Edge Hill in Logan, and now I'm living with my parents again.
Something that I think is cool is that my older brother got married. Two years ago Jaren didn't even know who Joann was!
Other things that I think are cool:
- iPods were just being released with touch screens
- Juno, Sweeney Todd, and I Am Legend hadn't even hit theaters yet.
- President Obama hadn't formed the "Yes We Can" slogan.
- Brittney Spears hadn't shaved her head bald and then somehow make a great comeback.
- Heath Ledger was alive.
- Hollywood writers were striking.
This stuff may or may not be interesting to anyone but me, but lands! I feel so old when I look back on the past two years. A lot has changed, but I still feel the same. I guess that's good.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
This and that. Nothing else.
I've thought about making a post for a while now. I have no idea what I want to write about, but I know exactly what I want to avoid writing about.
First, let's do a shout out to all my peeps at Best Buy!
... Actually, I don't have anything more than acquaintances at Best Buy at this point. But still, thank you Best Buy for hiring me. I thought I was going to be a horrible salesperson... I mean, all I've ever sold are pool toy rentals and spots in my swimming lesson class. But I really enjoy my job selling digital technology (cameras, camcorders, mp3s, etc.). Oh, and even though I had to promise Best Buy that I wouldn't talk about my very significant employee discount, I can say that I love it, and that I will be using it but the complete remastered Beatles discography. I cannot wait! Ha!
Last night I applied for my federal student aid. I finally made my decision to go to school in the Spring. I've already been accepted to the school (and my program), but I was trying to determine whether or not I'll be able to pay for school... I won't be able to, but I'm going anyway. I absolutely cannot wait to move to Orem! It's not that I'm terribly excited for school, I'm just sick of living in Idaho Falls...
I guess that will be it for know. Eh, yeah, boring post. Oh well, I don't feel bad for the time you just wasted. SUCKA!
First, let's do a shout out to all my peeps at Best Buy!
... Actually, I don't have anything more than acquaintances at Best Buy at this point. But still, thank you Best Buy for hiring me. I thought I was going to be a horrible salesperson... I mean, all I've ever sold are pool toy rentals and spots in my swimming lesson class. But I really enjoy my job selling digital technology (cameras, camcorders, mp3s, etc.). Oh, and even though I had to promise Best Buy that I wouldn't talk about my very significant employee discount, I can say that I love it, and that I will be using it but the complete remastered Beatles discography. I cannot wait! Ha!
Last night I applied for my federal student aid. I finally made my decision to go to school in the Spring. I've already been accepted to the school (and my program), but I was trying to determine whether or not I'll be able to pay for school... I won't be able to, but I'm going anyway. I absolutely cannot wait to move to Orem! It's not that I'm terribly excited for school, I'm just sick of living in Idaho Falls...
I guess that will be it for know. Eh, yeah, boring post. Oh well, I don't feel bad for the time you just wasted. SUCKA!
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