"Back in the saddle again" - Gene Autry

There was way too much butter on the popcorn and way too much popcorn. Add a large Dr. Pepper and you've got a recipe for a stomach ache that lasts the rest of the night.

My innards haven't felt this bad in a long time, and thus why I am still awake.

But on the brightside, Star Trek was well worth my $2 (not $1 as I no longer have a valid school ID) which reminds me that now is a good time to insert how grateful I am that I don't have school for the next year.

I love what I do, and it hit me today that I think a lot of people think school is an end in itself. I did. I used to think that my professors were members of the echelon of Intelligence, who if I could emulate in any way I would be set for life eternal. However, it has come to my attention that I have learned more life lessons in the last 2 weeks at my job than I can tie back to my classrooms. There really is worthy, equitable learning outside of school, dare I say it and fall great heights from the Ivory Towers in my educational background. The kids I deal with are constantly impressing me, no...shocking me that no matter what their circumstances, they are rising above it with the little they have. These kids, in a sense, are living the American dream. Unknowingly.

Switch gears.

Today, there were so many cars on the road I was actually feeling anxiety.
On the way home from work, there was not 1, not 2, but 3 accidents all at the same time, one traffic jam flowing into the next one.
Target ran out of floor space for notebooks, microwave ovens, and fans, so they took over some of the men's clothing department.
I almost hit 2 pedestrians.
I received several text messages about how crazy the Wilke was today.

...

Oh the beginnings of school years.
I can smell the freshly sharpened pencils, hear the squeaky new shoes on the tile floors, see the new haircuts, feel the air chilling 1 degree with every day, signifying it's almost time to bust out that college sweatshirt you stole from your boyfriend of 3 years ago and now only wear it to and from the gym, making up for your lack of sweatpants and ample bare leg.

Yet...a longing pause.
I feel like I could be missing out on something: the pompousness and inclusion of being a college student that is only earned from walking the sidewalks, going to classes, being seen at the library hunched over a computer, book, and/or table, having a distressed look on your face most of the time, and/or spotted running with a backpack slung over your shoulder. I will no longer be able to share that "oh crap" moment with a friend who also has a paper due at midnight, or stories of that quirky or insanely intelligent professor, or how you may have spotted your soulmate across the quad last week and then again today. No...I am no longer in the middle of this social world we know as College. When the crowd cheers and boos, I will be on the outskirts with ears only curious, like a security guard at a football game not allowed to leave his post by the parking lot. He never sees the actual play, but feels all the ramifications of it, including picking up the trash. There is no doubt that I will be caressing the emotional shoulders of many friends, saying, "It'll be ok...it's only a paper." If you, reader, will be one of those friends, to you I say in advance enjoy it while it lasts because one day you'll be where I am, just doing my job. Perhaps you'll love it, or not, but right now love that paper that is due at midnight.

"Hangin' tough, stayin' hungry" - Survivor

The only thing I can say about the following: why didn't I think of that?

Speaking of lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!), I learned I was born in the year of the Tiger. And not just any tiger--the Fire Tiger. The following is supposedly my personality outlook. I don't think I concur.

"Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs."

(For added effect.)

Regardless, from now on you may refer to me as Fire Tiger (rawr) and you better believe this is my theme song.

A few more notes on why 1986 is so fantastic:

• The energizer bunny was first introduced in 1986.
• Designated as International Year of Peace by United Nations.
  
• Computer-created Luxo, Jr. is first of Pixar's virtual studio films.
• The first celebration of Martin Luther King Day.
• At the movies: ET, Die Hard, Ghosts Busters, Gremlins, and Stand by Me.
• Japanese introduce Game Boy, with 8-bit operating system.
• The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on January 28, 1986.
• Voyager 2 sends back images of Uranus, and who wasn't excited about that?!
  
• Cable shopping networks meet two public desires: TV and shopping.
• MCMLXXXVI is ridiculously long, I don't know what the Romans would do these days.
  
• Hailstones weighing 2.2 lb fall on the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, killing 92.
• In Ukraine, one of the reactors at the Chernobyl nuclear plant explodes, creating the world's worst nuclear disaster. 56 are killed directly by the incident, many more die from cancer in later years, many thousands more are exposed to significant amounts of radioactive material, and vast territories in Ukraine and Belarus are rendered uninhabitable.
• In Louisville Kentucky, William J. Schroeder, the second artificial heart recipient, dies after 620 days (Woot, shout out to my crib).
• Cliff Burton, bassist for Metallica from 1982–1986, dies on the Damage Inc. tour in Europe after being crushed by Metallica's tour bus. Oh my gosh, right?
• The day I was born U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the Goldwater-Nichols Act into law, making official the largest reorganization of the United States Department of Defense since the Air Force was made a separate branch of service in 1947.
• Mike Tyson wins his first world boxing title by defeating Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas.
• Nobel Peace Prize: Elie Wiesel, only one of the greatest human beings ever.
• Did I mention I was born?

Are you jealous yet?

"My heart is filled with peace" - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

As you may know, the Oquirhh Mountain Temple dedication was today. All of regular church was canceled in Utah due to the ceremony, which one had to have a temple recommend in order to attend. I find it interesting that for the first time ever (because church isn't usually canceled for a dedication), only worthy LDS members were allowed to attend church today. I find it very much like a less intense version of the parable of the 10 virgins.
There is no doubt in my mind that President Monson is the chosen prophet for today and Jesus Christ is the head of His church. I could feel the close relationship President Monson has with our Lord in his dedicatory prayer through word choice, his phraseology, his demeanor...you can just feel the Spirit testify over and over again that he is divinely inspired to lead us. I felt honored to be there to witness a prophet pray, and to appreciate the power of his priesthood and calling. I can't think of any other time outside a dedicatory prayer when I've heard a prophet pray. How humbling it is to hear him praying for me, beseeching the power of God to be with me in my life, guiding, protecting, leading me through my trials and successes. I love going to the temple, and it's so exciting to think of how wonderful it will be to finally go through all of it.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple. For more information and pictures, click here.

Here is a short, beautiful hymn performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I Feel My Savior's Love. Nothing that happened today could be possible without the Atonement, which Jesus Christ performed out of pure love. There is so much to be grateful for that numbering my blessings seems trite. So, I'll let the music and lyrics sum it up for me.

Verse 1:
I feel my Savior’s love, in all the world around me. His Spirit warms my soul through everything I see.

Chorus:
He knows I will follow Him, give all my life to Him. I feel my Savior’s love, the love He freely gives me.

Verse 2:
I feel my Savior’s love, its gentleness enfolds me. And when I kneel to pray, my heart is filled with peace.

Verse 3:
I feel my Savior’s love and know that He will bless me. I offer Him my heart; My shepherd He will be.

Verse 4:
I’ll share my Savior’s love by serving others freely. In serving I am blessed, in giving I receive.




For more information on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, visit the following websites:
www.lds.org
www.mormon.org

"Have I found you flightless bird?" - Iron and Wine

At midnight, we decided we needed snacks. And then we decided we needed to drive the Alpine Loop. Without looking back, we made a playlist of 77 songs and only got through 32. We got out at the top and sat on Sargeant for a while. The few stars that found us were startled, I'm sure. I ate a plum while I listened. A brief dance party then commenced upon the introductory audio waves of Soulja Boy. The phrases "I wish I was black, Martha"and "You are a walking contradiction" were said at some point, and then Sargeant took us home. With all the wind, my face felt tingly and numb like it does after a motorcycle ride or speeding down a mountain on skiis. He said, "I don't know what that feels like," and I said, "You haven't lived."

"So far, I still know who you are" - Smashing Pumpkins

I'm sitting here watching Rhys Darby right now on comedy central, and I found this bit hilarious. Oh what the heck, watch this bit too.

But I can't stop thinking about my day today. I think it may have had a stronger impact than I thought. So of course, here I am blogging about it. (You know my journal is getting some serious silent treatment these days.)

Today after work I went to the adoptions agency to do my volunteer work. Today's assignment was to disassemble files from the late 90s. I got to read every detail I wanted about these kids who were placed for adoption. The weird thing is, they're all at least 10 by now.

There was one girl who got pregnant at 18 and the guy was 24. She wanted to get married but he didn't and told her if she didn't place the baby for adoption he would never talk to her again. So she did. In her records made by the caseworker, there was a description about how she really struggled about giving up her little girl. When it came time to sign the papers of releasing all parental rights, she started crying and said she couldn't sign just yet, that she needed time. The caseworker wrote that she waited outside the birth mother's room for 45 min until her mom came out and said she was ready. She explained it was the finality of all of it that made her scared and nervous but she knew she was doing the right thing. It broke my heart to think that this poor girl wanted to keep her baby and boyfriend, to start a family, and was flat out denied.

Another file I read was a girl who got pregnant while she was traveling through Kansas, and she didn't even know the guy's last name. He had no idea about a baby at all, and she said she wanted to be a single mom, at age 20. She had twins, Isaac and Isabel. She kept them for 2 1/2 years, and realized she couldn't take care of them. So she placed them. To this day, he has no idea. At least he didn't 3 years after the twins being placed.

There were stories of parents who didn't want their kids anymore for one reason or another, stories of rape, of one night stands being quite more serious than expected...and the list just goes on. I was teary eyed for a good 2 hours straight. I couldn't help but put myself in every one of their situations and contemplate what I would do. I just don't know. Being involved with kids in state custody and working with foster families every day has completely opened my mind to adoption and being a foster parent one day. Not that I shut out, I just never thought of it before. I have so much respect for these families that I work with. They serve every day. Their lives are not their own, and I feel honored to work with them. To me, they live a Christ-like life for dedicating their time and resources to helping youth who have been in trouble and are trying to get back on their feet.

2 hours of being teary eyed was kind of a trip, because with every file it started sad, but by the end of the file I was usually grasping my throat area with a huge smile on my face going, "Yay!" The happy tears came from reading about all the families who were so grateful for the children that were given to them. I read a ton of thank you letters, and each one was so special, so full of gratitude, and it occurred to me that adoption is just one step in the process of creating eternal families. Sure there are some dark clouds associated with it, but in the end, it's nothing but sunny skies. I talked to several caseworkers today as well about their job of matching families with children, and each one was incredibly willing to tell me how much they LOVE their job.

I may have found my new chosen profession. Oh grad school, you elude me. I haven't given up on you. I'm coming.

For my music selection this post, I figured I'd be straight forward. I haven't been for a while, so why not. I present to you my favorite song by Smashing Pumpkins: Perfect. So underrated. I discovered this fact and connected with this song on my solo 8 hr. drive down to EFY, and well...I'm not over it yet. The lyrics haunt me.

"Our love is here to stay" - Ella Fitzgerald

Often when I was a child, I never had the remote. When we were all sitting around the TV to lose our minds, to catch up on our TV shows or sports as it were, my shows were not choice #1, or #2, or #5 in the company of my sport addict family. But on the rare occasion that my parents were upstairs, and both brothers were playing outside or playing NBA Live in the bedroom, and the off chance that I was even interested in the TV, I most often chose to watch Cinderella.

She's always been my favorite princess. I think it started with my fascination of identifying with beautiful women who were blonde. (Naturally, I gravitated to Barbie, too.) Usually if there is a competition between a brunette and a blonde, all other things being equal, I'm voting for the blonde. I'm not really sure when that started. In child development, they say your understanding of who you are begins with looks, before you can talk. Not sure how soon, but obviously later you can make connections to other people and yourself on a deeper level. For example, Cinderella had 2 siblings who hated her, and at age 5, I considered my 2 brothers my equivalent of 2 evil step-sisters. She was ordered around to do chores by her step-mom, and before I could play with my friends, I had to get my chores done around the house. I distinctly remember one Saturday morning when I had to empty the dishwasher, I started singing, "Cinderelly, Cinderelly, night and day it's Cinderelly - wash the dishes, do the laundry..." and before I could say anything else my mom spanked me and told me to be grateful I was learning how to clean.
And how about being screwed over just when everything is going so well? I think everybody has an "it's over at midnight" experience.
Not only did Cinderella and I have siblings, chores, and midnight in common, she could talk to animals. Not that I'm schizophrenic, but my journal at age 7 is filled with wishes and dreams of talking to animals. Every birthday candle, every Christmas list, every shooting star and every discovered eyelash was dedicated to wishing for a dog. Basically, all I ever wanted was a pet. I believed Cinderella's mantra: "No matter how hard your heart is beating, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true." And you know what? It worked. I didn't get Freddy till I was 10, but we've been soul mates ever since.

2010 Webster's Dictionary definition of adorable (adj.) Freddy, Jack Russell Terrier. (see picture)

Then, Cinderella has a fairy god-mother who grants her the most beautiful dress of all time, she dances with the hottest, richest guy in the kingdom, AND she is sustained and redeemed by her friends in her time of need to live happily ever after.

I mean, look at that flawless complexion and godly physique!

It's a story of justice, good triumphing over evil, of true love. Her friends, the little mice, almost die trying to rescue her. Her prince doesn't rest until he finds her again, to love and cherish her forever (skip to 3:20) because he knows she's one in a million, that he'll never find another girl like her, that she's probably the best girlfriend there ever was. Her asanine step-mom's antics were put to a halt, and her retarded step sisters are publicly embarrassed. Simply put, I consider the movie to be completely relate-able to my life, past and future alike.

But you're right. I'm an unrealistic sap.

"Let's change the way we treat each other" - Tupac

Just say this phrase out loud once and realize that you'll probably never approach being able to say it 3 times fast:

"Three Swedish switched witches watch three Swiss Swatch watches switches. Which Swedish switched witch watch which Swiss Swatch watch witch?"

Q: Do you know any hard tongue twisters in other languages? Anyone?

This week at work has been simply amazing. I'm already learning so much. I watch over 4 girls, all 18 or under, who have been through challenges that I never ever want to face in my life. My anger management class hasn't started yet, but I'm already gathering ideas. I'm actually really excited about it. I met all the kids on Monday at their group therapy, and they're way nice. Apparently it's not just boys, either. Life is great, and I hope you're thankful for your family and friends. I learned about the LDS adoption agency too. You should see how many couples are on the wait list to adopt. I mean, really. There are 5 binders, each one is about 4" thick, and they're overflowing with couples' information. For the first time, I realized just how many couples can't have kids. They say it's a lot, but wow, it really IS a lot. And I only saw how many couples want to adopt in Utah with this one agency and this one agency's office--not even the couples who haven't signed up, or those with other agencies, and other offices, and outside of Utah. *mind explosion

Today's song: Changes by Tupac. We listened to this song in Thinking Errors group therapy. The kids had to find all the thinking errors in the lyrics. I'm telling you, my job rocks.

"Givin em eargasms with my mellow accent" - Blackstreet

Haha, oh my gosh. Watch this video and listen for these key phrases:

"...and this creepy guy."
"...you're gonna be buzzed by the pastor."

Also, notice the homosexual intonations in Anderson Cooper's interview (I mean, would a TV host be able to hit on him that blatantly if he weren't gay?), the fact that the guy on the pogo stick will probably never have children, the great clip art of the squirrel, and Flo-Rida's parents: is it conceivable that he paid 2 normal people to impersonate them for the sake of reputation and TV? My Life Experience monitor points to "Most Likely." We can have a debate about this later.

Now, listen up. This song never. gets. old.

"Give it to me four times" - Toots and the Maytals

Ask me about the Toots and the Maytals concert next time you see me (Sublime's cover). T'was unforgettable, events that I can't create justice with words alone. You'll need to see how I recreate that one guy who stared at the sky the whole time swaying back and forth to the beat with 2 beers in his hands and had the funniest things to say with an accent that made no sense, and the one slightly disformed lady who went AWOL on this guy just for standing there, like really, just standing there, and of course my best effort at impersonating Stevie, the nicest, most legit hippie I have ever met in real life who looks like he could have walked off the set of Across the Universe. Oh, and definitely how when Aaron's face was smashed into a girl's arm/shoulder area when the mosh pit got out of control and when I looked up he says with his matter-of-fact tone, "Oh, oh, my face." After 5 straight minutes of uncontrollable laughter, which happens to me occasionally, my abs felt like I had done about 200 crunches, and I almost peed on myself and 2 other people. Word to the wise: don't drink a lot before going into a huge crowd of people in a very small space. And start expecting my posts to include at least one run-on sentence, an overuse of commas, usually a lot of lists in various forms, and defintely sentences that start with "And."

In other news, my ipod was stolen out of my car 2 nights ago, and I found the ukulele I'm going to buy today. It's $100. Lessons start in September, so if you feel generous and want to contribute to my future in being a ukulele virtuoso, I accept all major credit cards, cash and personal checks. I may even accept precious stones.

"We'll just have to adjust" - Arcade Fire

It's been 19 days since I've been back in Provo from my summer getaway. 19 days of looking for jobs, submitting applications, updating resumes, and networking to the best of my knowledge. My first week back, I literally spent 6 hours a day on the computer and on the phone. The second week I averaged about 4 hours a day. For the record, it FINALLY paid off.

I've probably been to about ten or so interviews in the last couple of weeks. Nothing too fancy, and nothing too promising. Today, however, I was at my research meeting. I was chatting with Jen, my lovely phD student whom I'm assisting in her thesis, and she told me that there might be an opening where she worked. She contacted her supervisor who told me to come in today and she hired me on the spot. So, what do I do? Who do I work for? Wouldn't you like to know... click here.

Basically it's a private company funded by the state of Utah. Technically I'll be a state employee who works with teens who've been court ordered to participate in our programs based on behavioral issues (like stealing, graffiti, etc.) and substance abuse (alcohol, meth, etc.). My job is to track 4 girls who have already graduated from the program but can't go home due to a lack of family. I just help make sure they stay out of trouble while they're living with foster families. I also have to teach Anger Management classes to teenage boys (ha! what a ridiculously fun job) and Criminal Thinking classes (which is basically like driver's school but for kids who have been caught stealing). It's full time with benefits, incredible experience to add to my resume and grad school applications, not to mention it's the most flexible full time schedule out there. I have a certain number of hours I have to fill each week and I can do them whenever I want. Obviously the classes aren't flexy, but that's just twice a week. I know what you're thinking, and yes, you can come with me and help teach Anger Management. I'll call it "bring a friend to work" day.

ANYway, I've got that, my volunteer work with Jen and her thesis, volunteer work at LDS Services in their adoptions agency, ski instructing on weekends and holidays starting Christmas break (if they'll let me) and substitute teaching here and there in case I get called and I have time. Oh, and squeeze ukulele lessons in there somewhere, too. Whew. Life without school is pretty awesome. Plus, little brosef Paul Wall is coming back into town, and I'm pretty much crazy excited about seeing him again. It's been almost 2 and a half years! Last time I saw him he was a wee lad...

Opening up his mission call. How precious, right?

PS. This has to be the worst wedding catastrophe I've ever heard.

"Technically, I'm hard as steel." - Q Tip

Attention: Dad
If you're reading this...stop.






After the Q-Tip concert, I was getting icecream. It was almost 11 PM. There it was, parked right outside the front doors, blue and beautiful. I got a small chocolate and cake batter mixed with cookie dough, which rang up about $3.50. So, I ask the guy at the cash register, "Yo dogg, who's bike's that?" and he's like, "Girl, you know dat's mine." (Not really.) But really, I asked him if he'd take me for a ride, to which he replied, "If you wait until 11:30 when I get off work." I waited, and then we drove around the corner to the empty parking lot where he asked, "Do you know how to drive?" I said, "No, but I want to learn one day." Then the magical words, "Why don't I teach you right now?" My palms started sweating, no kidding. He hopped off and let me slide down to the driver seat. I'll have you know that motorcycles are heavy. It almost fell on me. Luckily he caught me and the bike in time haha...ha. He showed me how to turn it on, where the "oh crap" button is that shuts the whole thing off, where to put my feet, my hands, how to shift, how to go, how to stop. Simple, really, but quite involved. I killed it the first couple tries, but then I got it every time after that. I never shifted out of first gear, and I never figured out the brakes quite right, and he did run beside me the whole time, but...wow. I felt so cool. I just want one even more now.

History in the making: "The first bike I ever drove was a 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 500R."

"They sit and wait and all will be revealed" - Led Zeppelin

Finally, the fight of the year (for me) happened last night. I mentioned it a while ago, you may remember. (He didn't come out to T.I., but another fighter did!) Alas, nothing has changed: Silva is STILL unbeatable! 10 straight UFC fights in a row: unheard of. He's still my favorite and he proved he could take the light heavyweight category by storm. Last night it was me and about 3 other people in the gym cheering for him. Everyone else went crazy for Griffin. (Dear Paiser and Barnum: I'm here to tell you I told you so.) Anderson beat Griffin effortlessly, and not without his usual mockery. Oh my gosh, it was so worth waiting for. Of course, here is the story that is much more eloquent and knowledgeable. Not only does this talk about the fight last night in better detail, it also secures my idea that Silva will move up to the light heavyweight division for good. And, he refuses to fight Machida. *gasp! Oh Dana, please follow up on your statement.

Andy, an extra 20 lbs. is a good look for you.

"I'm on the outside looking in" - Robert Plant

I forgot how much I love joy riding on my bike. Somewhere along Growing Up Rd., I lost my interest. I am so happy Joel helped me find it again on Sunday. It was dark, I was nervous, but there it was, between the wind in my hair, that lovely bell chime, and the satisfaction of going around town a lot faster than walking. I like that you can just pick up your bike whenever and start pedaling. You don't have to hassle a locked car door, the gas gauge, looking out for pedestrians in fear of killing them, headlights, air conditioning, the scratchy radio, the musky smell of smokers from 10 years ago leaking from every inch of the interior leather upholstery...it's just you, the wind, and the rhythm of pedaling. Simple. Efficient. Healthy.

Fast forward to today. What began as a nice bike ride around town soon turned into a Critical Mass convention. I have a fatty bruise and dried blood on my right leg to prove it. I ran into a fence. A boy fell into me. And not in that order at all. I'm not sure if I fully appreciate/agree with the politics but it was really...fun. We stopped rush hour traffic. There were some cars who had to sit through 2 red lights as they watched us bike past them. Others were cut off unintentionally as all 106 of us had to turn left onto Center Street. Some cars honked in appreciation while most other honkers did not.
I kept thinking about how I would have reacted if it were me sitting at those red lights. What if I had decided to go grocery shopping instead, and was that person watching us cruise by laughing, singing, talking, pedaling, all without a care for those people waiting on us? Would I have cursed biking forever? Probably. Because dang it, I was being forced to wait at a light, in my hot car with no air conditioning, smelling that awful "used" stinch, listening to my favorite song cut in and out on my radio, daydreaming of lifting my foot off the break just until I "accidentally" hit one or a few of the bikers, while my chocolate icecream melted in my trunk. I wonder how many cartons of icecream and dreams of changing the world melted because of our political statement.

"I don't know if I'm a boxer or the bag" - Pearl Jam

I'm pretty sure I was begging God to let me be born in Seattle around 1978.

I would have liked to have been old enough to fully appreciate the fact that about every other influentially important alternative/rock band is from Seattle, around the early 90s.

Question: What do Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and Temple of the Dog have in common?
Answer: Eddie Vedder.

So, in honor of my alternative grunge roots and the music geniuses who helped them grow, and because I care about your music appreciation (really, read the article), here is a playlist pour toi to enjoy on another sunny summer thursday.

Temple of the Dog - Hunger Strike

Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter

Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give it away now

Audioslave - Shadow on the Sun

Rage Against the Machine - Wake Up

"I'll tell you everything about being free" - Wolfmother

Last Saturday was full of various water activities. I dived off the diving board for the first time ever at a local swimming pool in Draper (or not so local), and enjoyed a 200 ft. slip n' slide. Here is the evidence.
Luckily we had a film major who attended. He's the one who makes it all the way standing up. Great balance and artistic talent--this guy is on his way to having it all. (Almost). If you aren't a fan of the classical music, you can always listen to this song while viewing, too.
What the heck, watch it twice.
(If you wait like 10 seconds after the song starts playing and then press play on the video, the timing is a lot better. Don't forget to mute the video, too.)

"Please let me get what I want" - The Smiths

So I'm watching HGTV, and the next thing I know I have a strong desire to own a house in Belize.


Tonight featured a couple, both mainly working from their home. They took a trip to Belize with some friends and were like, "Um...we need to be a part of this." It occurred to me that if your profession was reduced to a phone and laptop, you can pretty much do anything and go anywhere you want. With no kids, middle aged, and both working big people jobs, their budget was 1.5 million US dollars. The first house they looked at has a private beach, private pool, 3 floors with imported wood, a guest floor (yes, floor), and a flat top roof with 360 degrees of nothing but clear Caribbean seas, blue skies, and hot sun. The house they ultimately chose is the one featured above, totally modern and beautiful with pretty much the same set up.

Admittedly, I am not much of a beach person. However, given these circumstances I may kiss my skiis goodbye forever. Maybe if I'm ever that well off, I can afford a cabin in the mountains, too.

"[Change] is hard and it happens slowly" - Paper Route

I'm a fan of the indie music scene. I haven't always been the most loyal fan, but 2009 has been a year of changes. I took a hiatus of sorts and caught up on my popular bands/singers, and last night while downloading the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer (which is #1 on the must-hear-now list), I can honestly say I've been inspired to come back. Not that I ever really left, but you know. Man, I forgot how much I love to surf music blogs.

So, during my soundtrack downloading and music blog search I found a few bands that are necessary to have on my ipod, a few that will probably just stay on my Project playlist, and a few that are better left unheard. Here are the few bands that I think are most noteworthy:

The Smiths.
What Garden State did for The Shins, 500 Days of Summer is doing for The Smiths. I wonder if Zach Braff is getting a pension from The Shins. Whoever arranged the soundtrack for 500 Days should probably get a pension from The Smiths, assuming they'll get as big as The Shins did after Garden State. Just an opinion.
Songs to look up:
-> There is a light that never goes out
-> Please let me get what I want*
(Deftones have an interesting hard rock cover of this song. If you're looking for a new experience, I'd suggest listening.)

Paper Route.
Holy crap these guys are awesome. If you like MGMT, Empire of the Sun, and Passion Pit, you'll love these guys too. I haven't found a mediocre song by them yet.
Songs to look up:
-> Second chances
-> Are we all forgotten
-> Carousel
-> Wish*

Rogue Wave.
Confession: I kind of already knew this band before last night, but they're great and should be mentioned. I believe one of Kelsey's favorite songs is Eyes, too.
Songs to look up:
->Eyes*
->Everyday

Pixies.
These guys have been around a while, but they're new to me and maybe they'll be new to you too. They carry the retro sound too.
-> Here comes your man
-> Where is my mind*
(John P. Strohm does a way good cover)

Passion Pit.
Collin, my indie music sensai, introduced these guys to me. Just brilliant. I pretty much love every song by them too. They were recently featured on Urban Outfitters' LSTN album #4. They're loved by many a music blogger, and are arguably the first of the 80s throwback bands.
-> The Reeling* (i can't get enough of the intro)
-> Moth's wings
-> Sleepyhead

The Doves.
Their songs are just so dang catchy. Their music spans a lot of different sounds, which is a trait I always appreciate. I am excited for their future. I also enjoy his voice--kind of reminds me of Coldplay.
-> There goes the fear*
-> Caught in the storm
-> Catch the sun

Mumm-Ra.
Undeniably from Great Britain, and undeniably fantastic. They have rock roots, so I'm immediately sympathetic. I found myself humming to their music the first time I ever heard them. Basically my expectations are big for these guys.
-> Now or never
-> She's got you high*
-> Out of the question

Even though these bands are still relatively unheard of, I find it interesting that some of them have been blogged about since 2007. I didn't think I was that out of the loop, but clearly I am still a n00b and roughly 2 years behind.



*favorite songs

"It's contagious" - Regina Spektor

I think it's time to re-evaluate my Top 10 list of movies. For the few of you readers out there that have been with me for some time, you'll remember that I once tried to create my list. However, tonight changed my Top 10. I'm not sure which movie to switch out, but just know my updated list will be coming soon.

There was a lot of hype about this movie, especially coming from me, which I knew wouldn't be a good sign if it was going to suck in any way. But behold, it did not. My expectations were met with full force of cinema glory, which is a rare occasion indeed. Not only was it a non-romance movie, incredibly original with plot and artistic license, it also made a deeper statement about the ongoing debate of fate vs. coincidence, a concept I've tried to debate myself. (Tried = keyword).
Aaron asked me an interesting question after the movie: "Do you think a movie means more to you if you see it during a certain period of your life?" My answer is indubitably. Would have my expectations been exceeded tonight had I not seen the movie right now? Probably not, actually. There is something about experience, especially in the present tense, that enables the viewer to better appreciate the plot, the characters, and how they're responding. The fact is, I felt like Tom Hanson was me. I felt like we could have been friends, that I could have sat with him on his bench and said, "Dude...I feel...you." I connected with his character. If I hadn't been able to relate to the story, I would have walked out of there thinking, "Yeah, that was cute." And I don't think I could have related to the movie as deeply at any other time than now. I'm convinced because of convenient timing the movie is now on my list. Coincidence?

Acknowledgments:
I'd like to thank Paige for knowing the people who insisted we come along, Joseph Gordan-Levitt for being so love-able, and of course the writers Michael Weber and Scott Neustadter for making a film about a story that is common yet hardly told. And thank you for the best random musical scene ever. And the best soundtrack. <-- On that note, can I just mention that I am starting to fall for Regina Spektor? I have always liked her in an acquaintance kind of way, but shoot...I feel we'll be non-lesbian lovers soon, her serenading me through my Sony speakers, and me listening with gooey delight.

"Crooked teeth" - Death Cab for Cutie

Last week, I thanked my mom for paying for my tooth cavity to be filled. As she handed me the $100, she said, "That's for your tooth," and she walked out of the spare room. I said, "Thanks."

I turned back around to see the picture on the wall where me and my dad are sitting in front of a teal background. It's just our faces up there. Our cowlicks are the same, but his hair is white and mine is blonde. We're both wearing awful Christmas sweaters, which clash with the teal atmosphere we're floating in. I'm missing a tooth, his are stained yellow and crooked. I have all mine now; his are still the same. I'm wrapping my arms around his neck. Immediately the old primary song, "When Daddy Comes Home," fills my head and I'm humming the tune.

I thanked my mom for paying me back for my cavity.