"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.

"Let's paint the town" - Black Eyed Peas

It's thunderstorming outside, creating ripples in the standing black puddles. It feels like you're breathing in wet, blue and green laundry in the middle of an extra hot drying cycle when you walk outside. It has come to my attention that clinging pink clothes and kinky, khaki-colored hair clash with sexy. I cared about Sexy once; but it left, and hasn't come back. I don't mind in blues anymore.

I bought silver snakeskin sandals, red lipstick, and a yellow raincoat. You know, one that Dick Tracy would have worn. Snakeskin and purple polka dots start to argue, but I grab my dotted patterned umbrella anyway. The Dick Tracy coat silences them, and my red lips smile.

I opened the back screen door, and made my way to the street to catch a taxi.

I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good, good night.

"Life is opportunity" - Melody Gardot

Top 3 comedians of 2008, in order: 

1) Jerry Seinfeld

 - he's been doing this a long, long time. 

2) Chris Rock

- America: "Racist jokes and swearing are SO funny!"

3) Jeff Dunham

- who knew ventriloquism could be so lucrative.

^All banking over 30 mill. Who's laughing now?

Madea Goes to Jail: surprisingly funny paired with redeeming values. I probably give it a C. 

Harry Potter was pretty good too. My favorite Harry Potter movie to date. 

I saw the New Moon trailer. It will be better than Twilight simply because of the actor playing Jacob.

This is perhaps the best fashion news in a while.

Current novel: Love in the Present Tense by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Current poem: The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe

Current musician: Melody Gardot, "All That I Need is Love" 

Current person: my cousin Jeff

Current congratulations: Tara and her new baby Ethan

     Ben and Emily

And lastly, I have wondered about this for a long time, so pay attention banana lovers. 

"Put aside all my pride" - Marie Digby

I watched a boy from England sing "I'll Be" at the top of his lungs. It looked like he was out of breath the whole time during his slightly off tune solo, but his passion overwhelmed me.

I watched 4 girls sing PB&J a capella with perfect syncronized movements, dedicated to "Prince Charming," otherwise known as "Drew the Jew."

I watched the 4 manliest boys dressed in swimwear, complete with goggles and swimcaps, synchronize swim to Swan Lake. It was only 2 weeks later that I realized this particular skit was also a youtube phenomenon. At least in the Mormon chapter.

I watched a boy sing a song he wrote about breaking up while playing the guitar, and then dedicate it to his ex-girlfriend who was sitting in the audience. It wasn't angry - it was about getting back together. I actually teared up at the end. I saw that same boy dance every slow song that week.

I watched a girl play the ukulele while singing Stupid For You, which also moved me to tears. I liked her version better, and I've been inspired to learn the ukulele. 

I watched a quartet of boys sing Billy Idol's For the Longest Time, each one with perfect pitch.

I watched a boy tell the story of Dora the Explora' and the Dragon's Cave, with actions, accents, and faces to match. That kid has a gift. 

I watched a boy play the Blues on the piano and the harmonica. At the same time.

I watched another boy who called up a girl from the audience, told her to pick 4 notes on the piano, and created a song titled her name - right there on the spot.

I watched a boy who lost his father 2 years ago, play and dedicate the most amazing live drum solo I've ever seen to his dad and titled it, "The Best of Times." He was crying by the end. In front of 500 people. 

-------

I listened to a girl talk about her back surgery, the infection that occurred because of it, and yelling, "Lord, just let me die," just before she passed out.

I listened to that same girl tell me how she knows for a fact there is an afterlife, with relatives ready to greet you.

I listened to another girl testify that in her darkest hours, as she was praying so intently, she swore an angel had to have been there in the room with her, as her spirit was lifted, her burden erased.

I listened to another girl tell me about her father giving her a priesthood blessing to calm her fear before she entered the surgery room, knowing she had a 7% chance of surviving. She knew at that moment the Atonement was real, and whatever happened with her life was in God's hands.

I listened to another girl tell me about her parent's divorce, how it ripped her family apart, how after praying for a year every night that her parents would get back together, last week they told her they were going to be sealed together again in the house of the Lord.

I listened to a boy say he's hated God his whole life until this week, that he now regrets blaming God for his trials, that now he was in fact grateful for them, and that he can't wait to serve a mission.

I listened to a girl tell me how all she wanted was her brother to know that she loved him, that God loved him, and when he bore his testimony on family and wanting to be like his big sister, I saw them embrace each other for 5 minutes crying on each others' shoulders.

I listened to a girl tell me she has been in and out of jail the last couple months and that it was through prayer that she felt the Spirit for the first time in years, and after that solemn moment in her cell, she wanted to start reading her scriptures again. And I was there to witness that she did.

------

It's hard to put into words all of the vignettes I've been able to witness these last 3 weeks. It's hard to explain how my heart has been softened, how I've been humbled to my knees, how I've come to a fuller knowledge that Heavenly Father knows exactly who I am and what I need, and you are and what you need. I didn't get to serve a mission for my church officially, but I have had the chance to at least see a handful of youth rededicate their lives to follow Christ. I have been struck with nothing short of awe at how sweet the fruit of missionary work is. If I never have another missionary experience again, I am comforted in knowing I made some sort of difference in a few lives over the last 3 weeks. The Lord has surely blessed me in ways I never would have known to ask for. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.

--For Meghan.