33
My thirty-third has come & gone. With the trials of life, I grew immensely. I started out the year unemployed by my own volition. I went into the spring semester at The Utah State University worried about finances but hunkered down for the rest of the year. That semester I learned to appreciate the music of Jazz. I never really spent a lot of time listening to Jazz. I came to love many of artists i.e. Count Basie (Love him.), Tommy Dorsey, Dave Brubeck, & the usual suspects of Miles Davis, & John Coltrane. I grew as a music lover in that class & grateful for it. By the beginning of May, I began to worry about money. I hesitantly started applying outside Cache Valley. I wanted to stay, but the job market was pretty dry. (I’ve got a particular set of skills.) I received an email one morning asking me to call on a job I applied for back at the beginning of April. I set up an interview for the 23rd. I got thru that one & was asked to come back the following Monday. I perspired thru that one, received an offer, accepted, & started a new job all within 7 days from getting the initial email. (Lost it a month later (by text… Yes, a text message.), but was rehired a week later.) I was in no position to say no to any income. What do I do? I plan, schedule, & purchase raw ingredients to make dry soup & chili mixes. Exciting stuff. Would/ DO I miss Logan? Terribly. I pine for it every day. There isn’t a day that passes that I miss something or someone up north. I know for some reason beyond my grasp that I need to be in SLC. Scared to death, here I am. I am almost certain I will live in Logan again someday, but not till at least September when my lease runs out.
I, now, live in a one bedroom apartment on 801 Park Street (#2) Salt Lake City, UT 84102. (I enjoy getting mail. Hint, Hint.) (Thanks, Led Prop.). I’m learning to like living on my own; although, I don’t have a TV, but I just did get the internet & Netflix. I’m still moving in. I’ve been easing my way thru it. I moved so fast; I didn’t want to do that. I had & still have nothing when I moved. Right now, I’m sitting on the floor, typing. Not a chair in the place. I eat on my bed & watch internet. I do have all my records; plus, I’ve added about 150 or more to the collection. They’re sorted alphabetically if you’re wondering, but I’m sure I’ll do it autobiographically soon. (Hopefully, someone got that.) I recently was praised from the thrift store gods with a find of a lifetime. (Almost as big as scoring my first Ramones album, Rocket to Russia.) I found an old Hi-Fi console, Maggie (She’s a Magnavox, get it?). I’ve been looking for some time now, pulled the trigger not knowing if she’d work. She had the needle, & that was good enough for me. With the help of Mel Led, I got her to 801 Park. I tested her the next day with the very rocking, Chipmunk Punk album. Maggie can play all three speeds, 33, 45, & 78. She’s equipped with AM/ FM radio & even an eight track player. She’s beautiful in my eyes & I love her dearly.
Musically this year, I’ve been listening to a great band, Title Fight. Most of you won’t like it; it’s of the punk genre. It’s “super rad” to quote The Aquabats. Mrs. Magician, Strange Heaven, will also make my Top 5 of the year. I’m sure Band of Horses new one will surely be there if I can get myself to pay the $31. Japandroids for sure. Shows… I was pleased I spent the $20 to see The Naked & Famous in April. They blew me away. I’m not easily blown. I find new things about their album every time I listen to it. Thanks, Lin for that one. I saw The Walkmen, My Morning Jacket, Tony, Toni, Tone, & NAS at the Twilight Concert Series during the summer. But the best show there, by far, was Band of Horses with great friends. They played Great Salt Lake twice for me. (It’s true; I asked them.) Chuck Ragan & friends on the Revival Tour we’re awesome. Sharon Van Etten rocked my socks. Title Fight amazed. I can’t say enough about these kids. (Yes, kids. They’re like 20 or 21.) However, this show was shut down for occupancy rate. The club allows 45 people. I’m pretty sure there was 200 + easy. Japandroids were fun other than the headache from the light show. (Strobe.) Nothington played a fantastic show on a very, very, very bad day of work & life. I became a true believer by seeing The Avett Brothers during my 10 day layoff. It was fun to see my dear friends Mel Led & Jason have so much fun on the front row. I almost forgot. How could I forget my giddiness when it was revealed that my number 1B band is getting back together? (1A: The Ramones). ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT! If you want to see me smile for 2 hours, follow me ends of the Earth to see them. I plan to see them multiple times. I’m getting a VW van & hitting pavement to shadow them city to city. Music plays a deep part in my life. It’s my time machine. I listen to albums or just songs & transport back to a place & time. Thanks to my brothers, Dave & Doug, for giving me the light, Midnight Oil, Blue Sky Mine & The Fixx, Walkabout, cassette tapes. Without those, who knows who I’d be.
Books… As I recently learned, I read the YA variety (Young Adult). I haven’t read a lot this year, but hope to change that during my 34th. I reread 13 Reasons Why, maybe, my favorite since Harry Potter. I finished again Perks of Being a Wallflower, just to keep up with the new movie. The movie truly was amazing. See it for yourself. I read the Brotherband Chronicles by John Flanigan, great YA adventures. Wonder was great. To Kill a Mocking Bird tells me new truths every time I read it. I love Scout, Jem, & Dill. (My fishes’ names.)
My friends are my link to this life. I depend upon you all more than you will ever know. I love that we may not talk all the time, but we can pick up a conversation right where we last left off. I think of a lot of you daily. I hope you feel those vibes coming to you from 801 Park.
I hope this update finds you all well. I am.
See you in the future.
Tom
