Sometimes... It's Time to Go

After applying for the last 8 months, I've accepted a position with Intermountain Brands in Salt Lake City.  This said, I will be moving.  First in with my Mom & Dad out in Eagle Mountain, Utah.  After a couple months saving, I plan on getting  my own place in the SLC area.  The goal is to have something by August 2nd for a visit from my friends James & Mandilyn.

This was a very hard decision for me.  Logan couldn't offer me a competitive starting wage.  School will be done through the extension in SLC.  It's still a priority and the top goal in my life (right now.  Maybe moving will bring a little lady into my life. Here's to prayin.) It's not going anywhere.  I started; I WILL finish.

I will miss Logan terribly.  I've been in the valley for 12 years.  I can see my first apartment from my last, a full circle.  All the things I've done and seen in Logan will be with me for forever. 

I have met many, many great people and friends. Too many to mention.  If you're reading this, I consider you a friend.  I plan to be up here for THE Best Damn Fireworks, Aggie Football, especially homecoming, and Basketball as long as they don't interfer with school.  I hope to see all of you some time or another.

As always music can say a lot more...



I know I've posted this before, but Dave Hause speaks to me like no other in music today.

I hope...

See you all in the future...

Lookout! Records

I learned earlier this year that Lookout! Records closed their doors. Spin magzine aske Dr. Frank to compile the Top 20 songs from Lookout!'s catalog.  Top 20 Lookout! Songs   I remenisce about one of the music labels I truly adore. Based in the Bay Area, Lookout! brought punk rock to the masses especially a young, depressed kid in a small town in Utah.  The likes of Green Day, Operation Ivy, Rancid, Mr. T Experience, The Donnas (Mmmm... The Donnas, truly a favorite of mine.), Groovie Ghoulies, The Queers, Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, Crimpshrine, The Lookouts, The Smugglers, The Hi-Fives, and Cub are all bands I love still to this day. 

I started my record collection when I was fifteen years old and went go to Deseret Industries with Bernie a lot.  He'd look at books, and I went to see what record section had in store for me.  I absorbed what my brothers Dave and Doug (Chopper) and thier friends (mine as well) Chris and Rich did in Salt Lake, panning for hidden gems amongst  the Mo Tabs, Christmas, and country music.  One day early on in my collecting, I was at the old DI in Logan where my hard work paid off; I found Twisted Sister LP and a Green Day 45.

I hit the jackpot.  Who would give this up?  Who cares, it's now mine. (Still is.)  From that day, I started eating up all the Lookout! Records records I could find. I discovered the Ramonescore of The Riverdales after I found twos 45s at the Graywhale in Ogden. I found Crimpshrine, Ductsoup, LP.  I came to learn quickly that if it was on Lookout! it was for me.  I trusted that they put out awesome punk rock.

The first CD was The Ramones It's Alive, but my second was Operation Ivy.  This purchase proved to be critical for me.  I then was intorduced to Rancid and Epitaph Records. I listened to that a lot.  It made me feel alive; it rose me from the dead.  I'm pretty sure I was the only one listenting to this at Bear River High.  It gave me the strength to endure.  It's not that high school was all that bad for me; I wasw depressed every day I walked through those doors.  Lookout! got me through those tuff times. I just remember coming home and turning this album on and escaping for just a little time.

Thank you Lookout! Records. You brought me the comfort I sorely needed. You shaped me into the old man I've become. You will be a part of me as I move forward.  You may be gone, but never forgotten.

My Exploits (April)

In April, I beheld two great shows within a week of each other.  They were the Revival Tour (Brought to me by Lee jeans.) and The Naked and Famous.

First the Revival Tour. This is a group of men wandering the earth playing great accoutic music.  I've seasoned in my old age and learned to love some of this stuff.  It's a great change of pace to my usual. The cast of characters changes every year.  This years line-up included Chuck Ragan, Laura Jane Grace (formally Tom Gabel), and couple of others.  Chuck and particularly Laura were super awesome. Thanks to Ingrid for helpin' me out.

Next, The Naked and Famous at The Depot. (Sorry under 21s) Holy SH!T! They blew me away.  I've been listening to their album for some time now (Thanks, Lin!). They were as every bit as amazing as the album.  They sauntered out on stage and started off with All of This. This might be my favorite off the album. Great! The whole set was Passive Me, Aggreeeive You except for one new song. My new fav...

Thank to Mandilyn and Mel for having the fun with me.

See you all in the future...

Nothing new...

I've had every intention of updating for awhile now, but haven't. Why tonight then? I don't know. Maybe, it's the 44 oz of Mountain Dew coursing thru my body.

Last I left you, I had just returned from a whirlwind trip to the Bay Area for a great friends wedding. I grew up in a small town. Any chance I have to see the world out side Logan & Utah is a great time. I love walking thru the concrete canyons. I love that no one knows me. I LOVE that feeling.

School is going well. I finished Fall semester strong. This semester I've taken a handful of classes. All are going well in my opinion.

I'm still looking for a job. I've applied a bunch of places and had a few interviews. Nothing yet. I've got faith the right job will come along.

Hope this finds all is well with everyone that reads this.

See you in the future...

Back in San Francisco...

By my teaser last time, I travelled to a new city, San Francisco. I flew out (with Mel) to see one of my best friends wed. It was a chance of a lifetime; I had to do it. I'd kick myself if I didn't.

Here's the beautiful couple. I'm beyond words happy for them. A great day.

My Visit to Southern California... (Forewarning, this will be long. I need to catch you up.)

Since, I'm only taking two classes at the moment; I had a few days during fall break to go with my friend Melanie to see The Wilde's & The Meldrum's. I always enjoy the small amount of time I get to see them. This time, there was two more on the way. Alas, one Meldrum, Alice, has made it safely. The other, a Wilde, will soon join us. an't wait.

Here's my itinerary of fun:

Day 1: Mel & I flew out early Thursday morning. We made it into LA around 1030 am PST. Everything was smooth from getting to the airport, through security, on the plane, the flight, off the plane, getting out bags, flagging down the rental car shuttle, choosing our rental car, and making it to Kelsi & John's house with little traffic. Melanie Wilde (I'll try to keep both of them straight.) was at work; so, Kelsi was tending Mel's kids. That sure was nice of her. Replaying that moment in my mind's eye brings happy tears to my eyes, steaming up the ol' eyeglasses.

After many hours catching up with Melanie, Melanie, & Kelsi; & a nap, I got one of my wishes for this trip granted. Melanie, John, & I headed into Hollywood to see Maria Taylor with Melanie's husband, Lin. We got there a few minutes ahead of Lin. My eyes aren't what they used to be, but I thought I could see Lin. As he got closer, he had a beard. It wasn't a 4 month long grow-a-thon as mine is. (Happy 5Now, I put 1+1 together. Norah, Melanie & Lin's daughter, told me Daddy was going to be Van Gogh. She even whispered secrets to Melanie telling her about the beard. I thought she was great, but the opener, Big Harp, stole it for me. I didn't have any expectations, & they were throurghly blown. See for yourself..

.

I bought their album.  It hasn't left the car in a month.  The CD came with a comp (Punk term for compilation of various artists.) that had this...



I listen to this daily if not multiple times during my jaunts around Logan.  If you don't listen to any of my video's, please do yourself a favor & try this on for size.  This song gives me hope.

Day 2: Uncle Walt's! Sadly The Meldrum's couldn't join; Kelsi was 9+ months pregnant. I'm surprised Melanie made it being 8+ months along.  Bless her heart.  Here's the few pictures:

 The Girls (Melanie W., Norah, & Melanie L.)

 The Boys (Me, Tommy, & Lin)

Damned Teacups (NEVER again. Sorry, Norah.)

Day 3: Recovery & Amoeba.  After 2 days of running non stop, my body shut down.  I'm like a toddler meaning I need copious amounts of sleep.  I don't function without it.  I become my most vulnerable to things around me.  The Wilde's had a ward party; I stayed behind to play some Wii basketball with John & Jake. It was a lot of fun.  Kinda like the real thing.  Amoeba is my mecca. I've been collecting records for the better part of my life; most of you know that.  This place I can pretty much find anything I ever wanted or needed in one store.  It's truly amazing.

Day 4: Melanie was sick.  It's not a trip to Southern California without a sick body. I feel horrible. Melanie, Lin, & I packed up the kids and met The Meldrums at the park.  It was a great way to end our trip.  I hate to see them end.  I dread it before I even leave Utah.  The pull of Logan is too great right now.  I've got things to finish up here. I miss them all daily & can't wait till our next adventure.  (March.)

Last, one of my favorite bands of all time reunited, ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT!!! I am overly exstatic about this.  When I found this, I wanted to shout an emphatic "HELL YES!" from the mountain tops. Alas, it was this one time.  If any of you see this episode, I need to know ASAP.  I NEED to see it.  There are also rumblings of a tour next year.  I'm saying my prayers & crossing my fingers this happens.

See you in the future...

(Next time...  San Francisco.)

On the Pre-Eve of Vacation...

There's something that I've been keeping a secret... I have a girlfriend; I wish. (Mom wishes more.) I quit my job last week. In all honesty, the biggest reason, I wasn't happy. Most of you know, I struggle with depression for most my adult life. I've come to realize; life is too short to be unhappy. I try to live my life with no ups or downs. I like to keep an even keel. The job was crampin on that. I over-stayed my welcome at Icon, 6 years too long by my estimation. There are other reasons that I won't discuss. I know I'm a much happier person. I will miss many of the people that I met, but Logan is small. My plan is to enjoy my vacation a TON, come back to Logan, focus on my classes, & then start looking for job. I've got a lot things mulling around in my head. You'll just have to see which one pops out.

So.... I leave on Thursday morning to visit my dear friends the Wildes & the Meldurms. Both are expecting at any moment which means I may witness miracles. (?) A lot is planned, but you all prolly know, my Uncle Walt asked me to visit. It'll be my 10th trip in 10 years to see him. The first one is kinda a funny story. Although, I'll tell it another time.




Happy Birthday wishes go to my Mom. You may know her as Bernice. AND my 3rd nephew Owen. He's the big # 4.

Also, my brother Dave, Geek~lee~tist, is doing gallery stroll this Friday. Please support. I will in thought.

See you in the future... Others sooner than you think.

Quickly... USU Autumn Voices

I've been going to Autumn Voices at Utah State University the last three years.  I'm honored to have a couple of friends, TJ & Chris, sing in this great event.  If you've never been, do yourself a favor & go.

The Women's Choir at Utah State covered this.  It was amazingly done; I wish I had there version.



And... Wuth the way I've been feeling this helped me out a ton.  I may have been the only one to drop a few tears.


Last thing...