So... I Bought a Book...

At Urban Outfitters. I have had gift card that's been burning a hole in my pocket since December 28th, 2008. (Birthday present from my friend Jill. I'm a hoarder of all things money related. Just ask how many different gift cards I've got.) I've gone into UO a few times looking for the right thing for me. Clothes... No. I'm very specific about what I wear. Records... No. I'm not going to pay $30 for the new Band of Horses. I'll wait, get it at the show, & give my moneys to them. (Sadly, I'll not be able to attend on Tuesday, STUPID math quiz. I'll just wait & get it from Amoeba in December.) Everything else is a little kitschy to me. But I'm a book lover. It's just been recently that I've been this way. I attribute this to Harry Potter. (I've been on the lookout for the next big thing in books. I've been able to read some great books: Spud, 13 Reasons Why?, Looking for Alaska, & so on & so forth.) I was lucky enough to find a book in the discount section (I won't pay full price at UO). It's called The Happy Book...

It has a lot ideas on jotting down & remembering what makes you happy. I thought I'd post a couple of things in no particular order to start off my adventure. These are things that are making me happy right now...

This song is killing it for me. It's a new side project from some amazing musicians, CoCo, Jem, Poni, Greg Oblivian, & a few special guests. I've been lucky enough to meet CoCo, Jem, & Poni when they came through SLC last time. Great band and even better people.

This picture is on my desktop. It makes me smile & wish I was doing that exact same thing every day... This is Norah & Jake. We're waiting patiently in line for the Toy Story ride with our 3D glasses in California Adventure at Uncle Walt's House. (Great Ride.) I love being able to go to Southern California every year & enjoy all my friends. Every year the group keeps growing & growing & growing... (Will it happen this year? It did & still might?) And it's Disneyland. I've been every year for the last 9. Started on my 23rd birthday. I still get chills walking into the park. It's such a wonderful place for me. I can't explain it; you just need to experience it for yourself. Take a day, patiently stand in line (Cause you will be standing in line most of the day. Pull out a phone & play monopoly. It's what Lin, Mel, John, & I usually do. I don't know if we've ever completed a game. Maybe, this will be the year.) for whatever you wanna ride (Me... Space Mountain, please...), but make sure you make a wish at the Snow White's Wishing Well, and get your fortune told by Esmerelda. These are musts. Take everything in. So much to see & so little time to see it. One day isn't enough. Someday, I'll spend more time exploring Uncle Walt's backyard.

I'm so lucky to be in school. It makes me happy that I'm bettering myself for the future. It may be the hardest thing I ever mentally go through (Especially this year.), but I wouldn't have it any other way. Not only the learning part which is a majority, but also the social. I've been able to meet some pretty great & talented people from all over the world. Have I met a girl? Sure, I've met a few. Have ask any out? No. I know this is partially why I'm up there. I'm learning skills I didn't in high school. At 32, it's hard. I think I'm getting better at it, but I'm still too comfortable being by myself. I'm working on it kinda sorta.

So, there's a few things that make me happy right now. Take a second & write your happiness thoughts down. When you're down or need a pick-me-up, re-read your thoughts. I know I will. (I hope.)

See you in the future...

My Big Bro Doug (Chopper)...

In December, I learned that my brother Doug (Chopper) had gotten engaged to be married. In June, I got a call that he & Niki had eloped in Truth & Consequences, New Mexico. I'll be honest I was a little bummed that I wasn't there to see it, but truthfully, I might do the same. (Sorry, Mom) Saturday, Doug & Niki celebrated themselves. It was held at the Museum of Natural History on the campus of my vaunted rival the University of Utah with the dinosaur fossils. They did it their way. Nothing was traditional. Earlier that day, Doug had mentioned that that's the way they wanted to to it. They had a DJ spinning records. (Both are avid collectors. Doug's partially why I caught the bug.) They had the band The Rubes play a big set of covers. The last, Doug got up and serenaded Niki with...

I will never hear this song & not think of that moment. (Side note... It was my Mom & Dad's first time ever hearing my brother sing with a band, & he's been doing it 18 years of my life.)

I've been going to SLC for a good portion of my life. It all started when I was a sophomore in high school & have been doing it ever since. Doug & I have been through some great times like the time we went to The Ramones in '96 (YES, those Ramones.) at Saltair. My first concert. Through the better part of high school, I hitched a ride with anyone I knew was going to SLC. Most the crowd I was around went to Confetti (Actual name) on Friday nights. I went & was dropped off at 27 Punk Street. Those trips saved my life. If I had stayed in G&T, I don't know if I'd be here right now. The morning at Kosta's down the street for breakfast. The many, many trips to the DI to find hidden gems. Seeing him play in his various bands: Decomposers, Wormdrive, Tommy Gun Killers, Hot Rocks, The Switch, & Blackhole. Now, he's all grown up...

Congrats to Niki & Doug!!! (Not actual wedding photo)