That Happened

Best Records of 2011

2011-12-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

I should definitely be focusing on writing my ten page paper on art and propaganda rather than looking up new bands and compiling this list, but....... This is way more fun. Also, I feel this information is much more vital to society.

These are my favorite/most listened to albums of 2011. I forced myself to limit the list to these 11, because honestly, there are probably 30 other albums that deserve credit. If you haven’t heard any of these I highly suggest stopping everything you are doing, and devoting a day to listening to every one of them. It will be a day well spent. I won’t put them in numerical order, but anyone that knows me well at all will have guessed by the second they started reading this blog what my number one is.

Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

I know their sophomore album Helplessness Blues came out this year (that is an out of control amazing album too, by the way), but I still chose their self titled album for my list. One reason being, I just discovered the gloriousness of this band/album earlier this year, and its glory must be praised. From beginning to end my mind was continuously blown, each song is perfect. If I was forced to pick a favorite track, I wouldn’t. But maybe I would say “Blue Ridge Mountains”, and that is only because I am literally listening to that song right now. Also, I love the use of piano. Mostly, this album makes me want to wear a really long ugly corduroy skirt, lay in the grass, and let these bearded beauties serenade me for days on end...in the 70’s.

Drake, Take Care

Yeah, I freakin love Drake. I just do. Minj (my little brother) and I just cannot get enough of this guy. We had been counting down the release of this album since, well about 2 days after we bought the last album. You can never have enough Drake. This album did not disappoint, other than it could have been maybe 3 hours longer. Greedy? Yeah, I am. From the first notes of “Over My Dead Body” I knew I would be fighting off a fit of hyperventilation for the next hour plus. I succeeded, barely. “Doing It Wrong” just about did me in.

The National, High Violet

I want to start off with an apology that I regrettably had not listened to this band before just a few months ago. I had seen this album, and heard about this band a million times before, but never really listened to them. Why? No freaking idea. For whatever reason, one day I started listening to a song of their’s, and proceeded to listen to every single album they have ever made. ....And continued to listen to them and no one else for the next couple weeks. Clearly, I fell in love. The relationship is still going exceptionally, might I add. They just know how to treat a woman. Simple as that. (Has anyone else noticed that they mention eating cake in their lyrics kind of a lot??)

Radiohead, The Bends

I listen to this album probably too much, every year. So, of course it has to be on the list. I love Radiohead more than I love most people. Often people question me when I tell them The Bends is my favorite Radiohead album. But I question them for The Bends not being their favorite, or at least among their top 3. “Fake Plastic Trees”, “My Iron Long”, “Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was” etc etc. How can you not understand the importance of this album? In all honesty, though, all the Radiohead albums (Pablo Honey excluded, sorry guys) rank at nearly the same place on the scale of “that just freakin blew my mind”...each in their own unique way, of course. Oh, I should mention that The King of Limbs was definitely listened to, by me, a lot this year.

Discovery, L P

There is no way I could not mention this album. Breanna and I have listened to this/had dance parties in the car and/or room to this album one too many times (including last night) for me to leave it unmentioned. Besides the fact that I love the album art, the whole record is freaking nuts! Just listen to “So Insane” once and try to tell me you aren’t going insane with how rad it is. Best dance party music you could ever ever wish for.

Toro Y Moi, Causers of This

By fate alone, I found this band back in February-ish. It was a day to remember. I listened to this album, as well as his others, and nothing else for weeks. I can’t even describe what you would call this type of music besides perfect. I wish more people made music like this. I absolutely love everything about it.

John Legend, Once Again

I am a huge huge R&B fan, and John Legend is one of my absolute favorites. This is probably my favorite album of his; I have short little phases of listening to it and nothing else at least once a month. “Save Room” “Another Again” “Each Day Gets Better” ....I cannot contain myself. Plus, in my opinion John Legend has definitely got that whole GQ thing going on. Well done, sir, well done.

Bon Iver, For Emma Forever Ago

Words cannot describe my love for this band and album. I first discovered this piece of my soul early this year, and my life hasn’t and never will be the same. I could not have found this album at a better time. It was EXACTLY what I needed at the exact time I found it. In its own beautifully depressing way that makes you want to do nothing else but cry yourself to sleep, this album will completely take over your entire life. That is exactly what it did to me. And I couldn’t have welcomed it more.

Bon Iver, Bon Iver

First off, that is the most beautiful piece of art I have ever seen, especially on the front of a record. The follow up album to For Emma was more than I could have ever expected. Rather than making you feel sorry for yourself and your crappy love life, this album give you a sense of hope and has an all around much happier feel to it. I bought this album the day it came out back in June and I still listen to it probably more than once a week. Bon Iver means more to me than just about anything else in the world. Overstatement? No. Weird? Sure, but I do not care.

Dear future husband,
You better hope I feel the same way for you as I do for this music. Thus far, no one has compared. Not even close... I won’t lie, part of me might just be holding out for Justin Vernon himself. He is a genius. And he loves cats. My soul mate? Undoubtedly.


My kind of man.

Electric Light Orchestra, Time

I had a hard time deciding whether to put this album or their Discovery album on my list, but in the end Time won. Seriously “Ticket to the Moon”, “Another Heart Breaks”, “From the end of the World” are you kidding me?! I can hardly take in such musical perfection. Jeff Lynne, you are an absolute genius.

George Harrison, All Things Must Pass

I want to marry this album. I cannot remember life before it, and I can’t imagine life without it. “I’d Have You Anytime”, “What is Life”, “If Not For You”, “I Live For You”, one of these will be my wedding song. My wedding to George, by the way. He definitely was singing about me, even if I wasn’t necessarily “alive” yet...whatever.

MARIAH CAREY (no specific album of hers was played more than others, but she is continuously played in the story of my life. She just had to be mentioned, because well it’s me, and I’ve been unhealthily in love with her since 1995)

By the way if you are curious, or don’t know me well enough to know what my number one album of 2011 is.... take a guess....

You got it.

BON IVER

2010-12-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

Recently Sarah so kindly reminded me that I haven't blogged in a long time. I mostly don't care, but am also somewhat bored and not tired enough to make myself go to bed. Also, lately I haven't had a lot of time for writing, (or much of anything else, for that matter. Thanks for that work, we are definitely not friends.) and I really miss it.

Now I am left with the question of what to blog about. I have pretty much abandoned the idea of finishing blogging about India, though I probably should. I could blog about how much I hate the word "blog". It's totally dumb and weird to say. hmmm no.

I could write about what Kristina has been telling me to blog about for like a year, but for whatever reason I haven't (maybe because a lot of me thinks it's not necessarily worthy of blogging about):

What is the most attractive outfit a man can wear?
Answer: Well, there are two answers.

1.Three piece suit. Always amazing. OK mostly I'm just obsessed with guys wearing vests and think they should at all times.

2. I guess this should really be my number 1. Hands down, there is absolutely nothing more attractive to me than when a guy wears jeans, a belt and a fitted t shirt.

Nicely done. (I realize those aren't really jeans, but you get the idea.)

Really though, as long as a guy has good shoes (please no tennis shoes. Just put on a pair of Converse, it's not hard, everyone can wear them.) then the rest of the outfit will most likely be just fine. Unless his jeans are bad, then there is no hope, sorry. (I hope that's not too harsh or shallow, just some advice to the unaware.)

Or.... I could write about what initially made Sarah tell me to write a new blog: Toy Story

Am I the only one who saw the original Toy Story movie when i was a child and seriously thought their toys were alive? I have faith that I am not. I vividly remember playing with my toys in my room, leaving the room very loudly (so they'd know I was gone) and sneaking back in very quietly to try and catch them in action. They were always too quick for me though. I never caught them. One time I really thought i did. I went to sleep with a clean room and woke up in the morning to a floor covered in dolls and barbies. Clearly, they had walked themselves out of my closet and gathered on the floor by my bed. I knew the movie wasn't lying. This actually happened a couple of times. I never found out until a few years later that the toys hadn't actually moved themselves. My sister, who I shared a room with, had just gotten bored during the middle of the night a few times and played with our toys until she got tired. Thanks for ruining my dreams Michelle. (yes, I realize I was 8 yrs old when the movie came out and probably should have known better. but leave me alone, you know you thought the same thing.)

Or... I could write about my most recent disappointment with the music of today.

One of my favorite bands, Cold War Kids, have unfortunately added themselves to the "My Favorite Bands, That Now Suck" list with the release of their upcoming album Mine is Yours. Ok, I wouldn't say they completely suck, but if you listen to their new single "Louder Than Ever" and compare it to their first single "Hang Me Up To Dry" (the song that originally made me fall head over heels for them) you can't help but wonder what the crap happened. The new song is catchy, but catchy doesn't equal good. I still kinda like it though, but it definitely doesn't deserve my love. I listened to some of the other songs that will be on the new album out in January, and sorry not impressed. I was hoping for a song that would make me feel the way I did the first time I heard "Hospital Beds" but it didn't happen. First Kings of Leon, now Cold War Kids?! This has got to stop.

So, I guess I pretty much covered all those topics in one post. Nice. I will end with a song of the day.

Rick Ross ft Drake and Chrisette Michele "Aston Martin Music"

For whatever reason I can't stop listening to this song. Every once in a while a hip hop song gets a hold of me and will not let go. This song has definitely done exactly that. Mostly because I love the chorus, and Drake is amazing. The rapping parts by Rick Ross I don't really care about.

Kelly H. (I know you always read these and are waiting for me to mention you in them, so there you go.)

Agra

2010-10-25T01:00:00.000-07:00

Our train was scheduled to arrive at 10:55 AM. At about 1PM we finally got off and caught a taxi to head towards where we could find a cheap hotel to set our bags for the day. It took a little longer than we would have liked to finally find our room, which was the size of my bed, and by this point we were all starving, disgustingly sweaty and tired. We headed over to a restaurant and ended up hanging out watching almost all of some crappy American "scary" movie called Mirrors that the waiter had turned on for us. Next stop: Taj Mahal.

We spent a good amount of time at the Taj wandering around taking pictures and watching the sun go down. Beautiful. By 9PM we were back at the train station playing stupid games like "I've never...." trying to entertain ourselves until our train finally arrived and we began our second sleeper train experience. This time we brought food.

Mandawa

2010-10-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

Once we got back to the hotel we loaded all our bags into the car Salim had arranged to drive us out into the Rajasthan countryside to a little town named Mandawa. Our new driver was also pretty awesome, and especially fond of Matt. Four incredibly crammed sweaty hours later we reached our hotel out in the middle of basically nowhere. We headed up to the rooftop to enjoy the incredibly beautiful view of the stars before passing out for the night.

After a very quick buffet breakfast we walked over to where our camels were waiting to take us out on a little trek through the desert. An hour and a half or so later we were all back in the hotel room taking turns taking showers and trying not to smell disgusting, which is kind of not possible in India. Our driver had planned to take us out to meet his family in a little village named Tye. When we got there Maggie and I were almost immediately ushered off to the girls bedroom where we sat and where stared at by all the children and women of the village for about an hour. Mostly we just smiled and laughed with the kids teaching them our names and trying to figure out what intentions the nice women had with us. It turned out they just wanted to stare at us. Eventually the young girls got their ink out and gave Maggie and I our very first henna tattoos. Meanwhile the boys where becoming good friends with the family and exploring their home area. When our tattoos were done we went over to the cooking room and watched how chapatis are made. After hanging out for a bit longer our dinner of chapatis and the mutton we had purchased off the street earlier in the day was ready. We ate until we were all completely stuffed and couldn't take the fire in our mouths and longer. So spicy, but oh so freaking good. After the feast we unfortunately had to part ways with the family we had all fallen in love with. They were sad to see us go as well, following our car down the road and waving goodbye until we were out of sight. One of them even called our driver (I wish I could remember his name. Zackar?) and told him to turn around and bring us back! We miss them. I totally want to adopt an Indian baby. Those big brown eyes are easy to fall in love with. We made it back into Jaipur in time to check into a hotel and sleep for six hours until our 6AM train to Agra.

Jaipur

2010-10-08T05:28:00.000-07:00

We got on our first sleeper train not exactly sure what to expect, bu thanks to the nice Irish 24 year old guy sitting next to us (I think his name was Darragh or something Irish like that) who gave us a little crash course of what to expect and tell us stories of his travels it didn't look like it would be so bad. The next morning at about 8AM we arrived in Jaipur and found an amazing super cheap hotel with a rooftop restaurant. We put our stuff in our room and immediately headed up to eat our first meal of real food in what seemed like forever. We all had survived on no more than a few crackers and almonds since we got on the train the night before at 6PM. After stuffing ourselves we each spent the next few hours by ourselves having some alone time. I spent mine taking a shower, writing, listening to my iPod and walking across the street to the Internet cafe to check my mail and post a blog. At about midday we all got back together to discuss plans for our next 3 days in Rajasthan. First stop- Pink City. We got a rickshaw and headed on our way. Our driver, Salim, turned out to be pretty much the coolest guy ever and our own personal tour guide for the next day and a half. He took us all around from Amber Fort to Water Palace giving us tips and travel advice about India. We were all in agreement that the best part of the day was the elephant ride. We all rode on the same elephant (they are huge, they can handle it) wandering through back rodes into an open field where a group of kids were playing a game of cricket. None of us could get over that fact that we were riding an elephant in freaking India. Epic. At the end of the day Salim took us to another hotel's rooftop restaurant and we all ate and hung out for a few hours.

The next morning Salim met up with us as we were eating breakfast at our hotel. Until about 5 or 6 we rode around town in his rickshaw visiting more sites we missed the day before. At one point I even lost my debit card. That was exciting. I had a small panic attack until Salim pulled it out of his pocket and told me to be more careful with it. Not a funny joke. Lesson learned. Apparently I had forgotten to take it back from the ATM earlier in the day and the lady in line behind me noticed and ran out to give it back to me. Salim grabbed it from her and put it in his pocket before I even noticed anything was wrong. I didn't even notice until an hour later when Salim asked if he could see my debit card claiming he had never seen one before, which was an obvious lie. I questioned him a bit then went to grab it from my wallet and noticed it wasn't there, giving me a small heart attack. I'm so happy it wasn't actually lost. I would have killed someone. Anyway, other highlights of the day included feeding monkeys at the monkey temple and a visit to a jewelry store where Maggie and Steven had personal sessions with a very popular half Canadian half Indian healer man. (astrology, ora, stones, that kind of stuff.) Matt and I got an odd feeling from the guy, plus that kind of stuff kind of freaks us out so we just hung out looking at stuff. We also made a stop at the textile store we had visited the day before to pick up the pants Matt and Steven had made for them. The store was founded by a German, an Australian and an American from Washington DC seven years ago. The money they make go towards helping Indian widows and getting books and things for Indian children's schools. We had a lot of fun hanging out with the men that worked there as they showed us fabrics, Saree's and scarfs. Each of us spent probably a little too much, but it's for a good cause so, it's worth it.

Amritsar

2010-10-03T23:55:00.000-07:00

We woke up at about 6AM to give ourselves enough time to get ready, pack up and make it to the train station in time. The next six-ish hours were spent listening to iPods, doing sudoku puzzles, playing Uno, and wishing I could steal the iPad from the rich little Indian boy sitting behind us. Once we got off the train in Amritsar I was immediately reminded yet again of my absolute least favorite part of traveling outside of the US - the insane amounts of people in your face asking for money, if you need a taxi, where you are staying. if you need a hotel, etc etc. For the inexperienced traveler it can be enough to make you want to turn around get right back on the train, and surely give you an anxiety attack. I'm not saying I'm a super experienced traveler or anything, but because of the previous travels I do have under my belt plus the reading of friends travel blogs and the type of books I usually read, I am well aware and prepared for it. You learn quickly the best way to deal with it- pretend you are deaf, maybe even blind and if needed dumb. Some of the people can prove to be quite useful at times though. We made our way through the sea of annoying people and found a nice cheap hotel to set our bags down before heading out in search of an ATM. Once my rupee fund was replenished we found a nice place to eat- a somewhat hidden little outdoor restaurant in the middle of a hotel. This became our own little tranquil hang out/eating area for the next day and a half. After a nice lunch we set out to wander around the garbage filled streets of Amritsar exploring shops, riding a tricycle carriage thing (no idea what their real name is) and getting ice cream before heading back our room to lay down and cool off for a bit. Around seven we took a rickshaw to the Golden Temple, which was one of my main must see Indian sites. We bought bandannas to cover our heads, took our shoes off, rinsed our feet and headed into the area which encloses the temple to take a seat on the floor in perfect view of the temple. (any place is a perfect view really, considering the temple is by itself in the middle of a, I'm assuming, man made little body of water. The temple was so incredibly gorgeous at night so we just sat there enjoying the view and making friends for about an hour or two. We got up to take a walk around and get pictures from all sides. It was actually Ghandi's birthday so there were tons and tons of people everywhere, some stripping down to their underwear to take a dip in the water, others bowing in various locations around the place. We left to get sodas before taking another death defying rickshaw ride back to our hotel. Seriously, I will never understand how there are not more accidents here what with the basically non existent traffic organization. I still can't decide if there is more honking here or in Egypt. It's at least the same- non stop.

The next morning we headed to our favorite restaurant to eat breakfast and figure out how to spend the rest of the day until our 6PM train ride to Jaipur. What basically happened was a lot of wandering around looking in more shops, buying bangles, strolling through various street markets, sweating to death and taking rickshaw rides. I'm really going to miss rickshaw rides, they are like nothing else. We ate lunch in a 4th floor restaurant in some hotel we found before heading back to check if our bags were still safely stored in the lobby of our the hotel our little hang out spot was located at. The nice reception boy had offered to watch our bags all day for free. He was rad. We still had an hour or so before our train so we settled in our spot, ordered some naan and beer (the latter obviously not for me. I'm always the token sober Mormon girl, and very glad to be) and played a few rounds of Uno.

New Delhi

2010-10-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

After an infromative discussion with one of our hotel's tour organizer people (whatever you call them) we had a set plant for the next few days, which only slightly strayed from our original plan. At about 11AM we set out with our driver covering a lot of ground within new and old Delhi. We spent an hour at the Red Fort, which probably could have been successfully visited in 15 minutes, before heading to an incredible Indian restaruant to eat ourselves sick. Garlic naan and butter chicken curry with a dessert of brownies, ice cream and phirni (some Indian pudding like dessert that I think is actually quite good). Please try to tell me something that is more delicous. (I don't expect you to actually try, because you won't be able to.) Next we headed to Qutab Minar, which turned out to be our favorite picture taking place of the day. A few unsuccessful jumping pictures for Maggie and a few successfull yoga pose puictures for myself later (yoga started in India so it only makes sense to me to do yoga poses in my pictures, even if they do look awkward and result in getting laughed at by my travel partners for specific poses.....ha good times by the fountain.) we were on to our next location, Lotus temple. I'm not sure if that's the real name. We wandered around shoeless and learned the purpose of the architecture and abit about all the religions taught about inside. Mostly I think the place looks sweet and it should be my house. I would totally be OK with living in a house shaped like a flower with like 5 pools. I could be a hippie, that'd be fine. By this point we were all nearly ready to head back to the hotel. A quick stop at the India Gate and the president's house for a few photos ended our days tour and we happily found ourselves back in our air conditioned hotel room watching ridiculous Indian music videos.

Um yah, India

2010-09-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

After an 11 hour flight to Korea and another 7 hour flight into Delhi, Matt, Maggie, Steven and I finally got to our hotel at about 2AM on... Thursday? I think actually Friday, who knows it's all the same. We traveled in time, we're rad. Either way, we wanted nothing more than to pass out and not be on a plane again for a really long time (which translates to two weeks when we have to so we can go home). We all woke up with the rising of the sun and a bunch of monkeys crawling around the buildling right across from our window. (Even though they are surely covered in diseases I kinda want to bring one home) We just finished eating a pretty amazingly delicious buffet breakfast, and now Matt and I are hanging out in the lobby waiting for Maggie and Steven to get ready for the day. Then we are off to basically wander around and do whatever we want until we start heading north to Shimla.

They were just giving them out at the record store...in exchange for money.

2010-08-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

The search is over. I fell in love. For the past few years now people have been telling me that I would really really love this band, and I just didn't listen to them (my friends or the band). Well, as of a few weeks ago I was on a hunt that seemed to be never ending. I needed new music in my life more desperately than almost ever before. Too many things in my life are up in the air, I didn't need the added stress of no new album to be obsessed with. In my many visits to various CD stores (which is a common event for me, I probably go every week to see what new previously owned CDs will be there) and searching different internet websites like this, showing me what bands are similar to other bands I already love, I kept seeing this band that my friends had been telling me about. I have had one song of theirs on my iPod for a long time, but I was always too busy with other music to listen to it. Well, I decided that now is the time I should probably take a listen. Also they were having a new album come out in a few days (from when I found them) so they were being advertised everywhere. I listened to tons of their songs on youtube, and realized my friends had been right. I fell in love with them. I will forever regret letting so much time go by that could have been spent loving them. Oh Arcade Fire, please remain in my life forever. Since I have full control over whether or not they will, it's safe to say they will. The Suburbs is one of the best albums I have heard in a while. I would tell you which song is my favorite, but that's not physically possible. If I HAD to, I might say "We Used to Wait". It changed my life completely, but so did the rest of the album. (please note the adorable kitten at the end of that video. Will someone just please give me a kitten! this is getting ridiculous)

I guess to be honest, I would have to say I fell in love twice. In my extensive search for new music I also found another band that I have become fully obsessed with. A little less than the level of obsession with Arcade Fire, but very close. They also had a new album come out a few months back and I kept seeing it at the store. It always caught my eye because of the album cover, which I personally think is quite clever and definitely something I would do. So, I decided if they are cool enough to have that as their album cover, they are cool enough for me to take a listen. So, I did. I found their song "Tighten Up" off the album on youtube and immediately became obsessed, such a rad song. Also the video is funny, and I love that the singer looks a lot like Conan to me. (Team Coco for life). Also, that little brown haired boy in the video is the cutest little boy I have ever seen. I better have sons that look exactly like that. I saw the album on sale for $8 the next time I was at the record store, and of course bought it. Right from "Everlasting Light" I was just giddy. Amazing album. Oh, "they" are The Black Keys, if you haven't clicked the links and figured out by now. (which you should do so immediately if you have not, your life will change for the better)

These two albums have been ruling my life. It just seemed important that everyone know that. (I have faith someone, somewhere feels the same extreme joy and excitement about new albums as I do. And yeah, enough to continuously write descriptive blogs about how good they are. To the rest of you, I advise you to get more excited.)

My mountain won't hurt me.

2010-08-11T18:09:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, but when someone in Utah tells me to look at the beautiful "mountains" I have a hard time not questioning that persons knowledge on the definition of mountains. To me they just aren't mountains and they never will be, they are just glorified hills. Yes, they are gorgeous though. (In their own special, handicapped way) Don't start your arguing, I just feel like when you are used to looking at this

I stole this from a Seattle photographer's blog, Robert Wade.

and someone tells you these are mountains

I just feel like they don't know what they are talking about.

Now I understand that Rainier is only like 1000 ft higher than King's Peak, but Utah's elevation is like 3000 ft or something higher than WA to begin with, so just shut up and deal with the fact that the Cascades are better than the Uintas and forever will be. And be prepared to fight me if you want to talk about this. Sure hiking trails in the Uintas are perfectly good and I'm always up to hike them, but again they just don't compare to this

In my last year and a half in the Seattle area, and now being back in Utah, I have come to even more fully realize my need to live in the forest by mountains and lakes, but yet miraculously still be in close proximity to incredible cities, like say, oh I don't know, Seattle. Nothing is better. I'm accustomed to it, I've spent more than half of my life doing so. I miss it so. One of my main life goals is to own a house on a lake, preferably Lake Sammamish or Lake Washington. I used to go running on the Lake Sammamish trail all the time. Every run I would just stare at the lake the whole time with a big stupid smile on my face because it is just so incredibly gorgeous. I mean seriously, look at it...

It's somewhat hard to go from this being your driveway

driving over those potholes is "fun"

to well not having a driveway (or a house, for that matter). But if I did, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't look like that here.

Dear Washington,
I promise I will return to you one day. No, I don't know when, but rest assured our time apart is only making me love you more.
Love,
Mal

(If you must know, the title of this post is from an old man that lived in a cabin by Mt St Helen's. He was told to evacuate his cabin because the mountain was going to erupt and he told the rangers "My mountain won't hurt me" and didn't leave his house. His mountain killed him.)

2010-08-02T00:48:00.000-07:00

For the past few months I haven't had too much time to work on my artwork, and I'm not OK with that. It's for legitimate reasons that I haven't started anything new though, so I guess I am OK with it. The itch to start something new has been just raging lately, and it must be cured. So I went to my mom's house and dug around in her closet and found some of her painting stuff. I've been wanting to try some new mediums, so I thought I would mess around with some watercolor for a bit. I haven't used watercolor since my senior year in high school, and apparently forgot how freaking hard it is. One painting that I did in my senior year won in the art show and made me an All State Artist, so I figured I would probably be able to do something somewhat decent. Well, apparently not. After like five hours I had nothing good to show for myself. My watercolor skills are pretty much gone. I was really wishing my mom wasn't out of town on one of her many river rafting trips (I swear she goes every weekend, she's so rad) because I really REALLY could have used her help. She is an insanely good artist and watercolor is her medium of choice, she could have given me some very useful tips. I guess, in my own defense, I wasn't really trying that hard either. Also I hadn't properly prepared my paper for painting, I didn't have 12 hours to soak it and let it dry. But those are hardly excuses. Although, unless I'm super into the piece I'm working on, I've noticed I do considerably worse on it than normal. And I wasn't super into the ones I was doing. But I am so excited for this semester be over in like 2 weeks, then I will have lots of time to work on my art. I already have so many things I want to draw, I can't wait.

Also, lately I haven't had hardly any time for my own personally reading (aside from scriptures), or I guess I haven't made time. It's been a few months since the last book I read for myself, and I remember that the one I read kind of made me angry. It was Tears of Blood: A Cry for Tibet, a good read, but sad. The other day Kelly and I spent way too long at DI perusing the bookshelves and I found a couple good ones for like two bucks each - A Passage to India, and A Map of the World. That second one has an Oprah's Book Club sticker on it, so you KNOW it's good...I guess. I started reading A Passage to India, then about two days later I lost it somehow. I thought it was lost to the world until today I found it hidden under a pair of running shoes and one of my drawing boards that were in the trunk of my car. I'd like to know how it got there, but I've come to terms with the fact that I probably never will. I was saddened that I didn't find the one I was searching for at DI though, but eventually I will find me a cheap copy of a bio on Caravaggio to suffice my needs. Oh, that will be the day.

Not my chair, not my problem. That's what I say.

2010-07-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

What the crap happened? How have I already been back in Utah for a month? Have I really been living out of my backpack and bag of clothes, sleeping at Kelly's, Kristina's, Janie's or my mom's place (wherever I happen to be when night comes) for that long already?! I've been so freakin busy I didn't even notice! Maybe I should get an apartment, or maybe I should decide what I plan to do, in general, with my life. Most likely I will just stay here and finally finish school. Who knows, I sure don't.

Basically for the last few months of my life this is what I have been up to, since I know you are all dying to know...

- Quit my job. I don't care how much money I was making there, it's not worth it if it's not something I'm really excited about doing. Although, I did like how I was able to pay off my $9000 car in one year because of it. (I plan on having my beautiful Civic, La Toya, for years and years to come, otherwise I would not have spent so much.) But I'd much rather be poor and happy with my job, than rich (not that I was that rich by any means) and doing something that isn't very satisfying. I did it for about four years, and that it is all I could take. I will miss a few things about the job though. Mostly the funny/mean/weird customers and the things they would say. I swear, everyday someone would ask me one of two questions: "What are you, like where are you from?" (I was guessed to be Italian, Hawaiian (?!), Russian, and my very favorite was when one woman asked specifically if I was Transylvanian! Um what OK, that's not obscure at all?!) or customers would stand there and look at me for about five seconds then ask "Is it real" Is what real? Oh my hair, yes it's naturally curly like this. I wouldn't do this to myself.

- Ran in my second marathon with my brother Matt. We didn't get as good of times as we did last year because we both had a lot on our minds, plus we had already done it once so the challenge element was gone. He was moving to Alaska the very next day to spend 3 months fishing on a little boat with just one other guy, and I was moving back to Utah two days later. We both hadn't packed at all.

- Had a really fun/long drive out to Utah with my little brother Mitch and his friend Rugs (his name is actually Nick, but I nicknamed him Ruggles, Rugs for short). We mostly spent the drive talking about how much Rugs was going to freaking love Cafe Rio (he'd never had it, or been to Utah), and listened to the Drake Thank Me Later album like five times. I'm usually not much for rappers, but I freaking love Drake. Mostly because of songs like this one, and this one. He's good, I suggest listening.

-river rafting

-Michelli and Mitch's Wedding

-Modest Mouse concert for FREE. Ya awesome.

-Doing a bunch of stuff to do with Janie's wedding, then the actual wedding day.

-Kings of Leon concert. They played "Milk" and I almost passed out.

-ridiculous amounts of schoolwork and studying (which I should probably be doing now instead of this)

- 7 peaks: I don't care how old I am, that place will never get old.

- hiking at midnight

- running with Kelly. On one occasion we decided to run up into the mountains, and when we got about 3 minutes in we saw the hugest snake ever coiled up right in the middle of our path. We both freaked out a bit, immediately turned around and ran back down the mountain and almost ran right over this guy with literally five dogs coming up the trail. We think the snake was a rattle snake, but we both had our iPods in so we don't know if there was any rattling sounds.

- having a Leo filled weekend: Inception two nights in a row (it's as good as everyone says) and of course my favorites Blood Diamond and The Departed. Oh Leo, what a man. I love him even more.

Anyway, that's a recap of my past few months. If you're still reading, thanks. I know it's just ever so exciting. Stay tuned, in about two months the blogs really will be exciting. And I'm not joking.

I'm in dire need of a new album to be obsessed with. But recently I, with no explanation, just love love this song:
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros Home
I love running to this so much, and it makes me want to live in the south and regularly chew on stems of barley. But, I probably won't do that.

6 Records In Don't Know Where To Begin

2010-05-04T23:09:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks (mostly while I was on the east coast) so much incredible music has been added to my inventory and taken over my life. Out of all that has been added one band has definitely taken precedence over all the others, and I basically can't stop listening/thinking about their songs. That band is: Coconut Records. For those of you unfortunate souls who have never heard of them or their music, do yourself a favor and click here and then you can feel a little bit better about yourself and the life you live.

Also you will probably recognize the singer:

Mmm not bad. Also I guess he used to be the drummer for Phantom Planet, which makes him even more attractive (not the Phantom Planet part, although I guess they could be a good band. I know nothing other than "California") But apparently he has a wife. He would. Dumb.

Honorable Mentions (of the rest of the music recently added):

Paul McCartney Ram - I feel sorry for my life previous to the knowledge of this album and am forever grateful that it has crossed my path. I've listened to "Uncle Albert" probably 100 times since I got it.
Atmosphere's "That Night" - the drums mixed with the lyrics to this song are enough to give you chills, also make you a little sad. It's a true story.
The New Pornographers Together - Never actually listened to this band before today when I walked into the record store in Bellevue and asked what band was playing at the moment. I liked it, so I bought it.
Jaydiohead - Jay-Z mixed with Radiohead, actually very good and fun to run to.

All incredible music. Really do yourself a favor and listen to all of the above. But if you don't have time for all just at least listen to Coconut Records and then you can thank me for how much better your life just got. You're welcome everyone.

The Adventures of Mal and Lou

2010-04-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick recap of the newest chapters of The Adventures of Mal and Lou that took place over this last weekend.

Thursday: I spent the morning taking a stupid math final. I felt like I was going to throw up the whole time I was taking it and it totally sucked. I joke about throwing up a lot and I usually use it too describe something exciting, but this time I for real wanted to puke. I didn't though. And after the test I felt fine. Dumb. We will have to see how the crap test went. Then afterwards I headed to the airport to catch my flight to Newark. At about midnight or so Lindsey got me at the airport and we headed to her house to basically go right to sleep.

Friday: We woke up and ate breakfast then headed to the train station to catch the train to NYC. When we got there we spent the next few hours just wandering around from Time Square to Central Park to Staten Island to basically wherever we wanted. While we were in Central Park we happened upon a baseball game and stopped to watch. Lindsey started cheering for a "Timmy" because well, why not. Obviously we knew no one on the team, but it was pretty funny to us when the team members started yelling for Timmy too and thought we were actually looking for him. Well, just watch this video of it and it will make more sense. We also filmed some prime people watching and our commentary of it while we were there. (It may be posted on the internet somewhere someday, but for now it was taking way too long to load so we gave up.) After we got tired of walking around the city it was pretty late so we headed back to Lou's and pretty much went straight to bed.

Saturday: SIX FLAGS! That's basically all that needs to be said. It was pretty hilarious when we almost lost our bags at the end of the day. Our ticket for our locker wouldn't open the locker so we had to get the park maintenance people to come open it, and when they did someone else's stuff was in there. We were like - um crap that's probably not good. So then we had to open all these different lockers until we finally found our bags. The park people were super nice about it so that was good. We were so happy to find our stuff that we seriously wanted to hug the cute old man that helped us find our things. But we didn't. Then we left and got Rita's (Italian ice) and headed home to get pizza and Ralph's (even better Italian Ice) and watch a lot of episodes of Arrested Development. (quite possibly my favorite show now) Then we met up with Dave and Bryan to head to their house to watch Hot Rod. Lindsey had never seen it, which appalled me considering it's probably the best movie ever made, so we had to watch it.

Sunday: We drove to Philly and wandered around most of the day looking at all the typical Philly sites. We also probably got Ralph's like 2 or 3 times. It's one of the best things that has ever happened to my life and I wish we had it on the west coast. When we got home we spent the rest of the night watching Arrested Development.

Monday: We went back to NYC and wandered around SoHo in the pouring rain. When we got hungry we went to Chocolate by the Bald Man, this incredible chocolate restaurant, and ate so much chocolate. We both wanted to just pass out, it was so good. We left feeling way too full, but it was totally worth it. Then we headed home to get Ralph's and watch Arrested Development. (see a pattern?)

Tuesday: We went to New Hope, PA and wandered around the shops looking at whatever. Then after we were there for about an hour the power went out and no one was letting people into their shops anymore. So we left to get more Ralph's. Then I headed to the airport and back to the west coast.

The trip was way too short and it was so incredible to hang out with Lindsey again!! I am seriously considering moving to the east coast sometime in the future. Maybe just for Ralph's, but no seriously I could live there, I'd love it.

Rip City

2010-04-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Going to sleep at 3am and waking up at 8am to run 14 miles (I'm marathon training again for the June race) before driving 3 hours to Portland is probably not the smartest thing to do. I, as well as my passengers, were pretty nervous of me falling asleep at the wheel. But thanks to some Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper we arrived safely at Rose Garden in time to spend an hour in the Blazers fan store before the game started.

Mitch, Xander and I had decked ourselves out in Sonics gear to show our rebellion towards the Blazers opponent: OKC Thunder. Most people understood the message we were sending and would walk up to us and say a quick "Sorry they moved" or "They should have stayed" throughout the game. We were not alone in our rebellion, we saw plenty of people in Sonics jerseys and t-shirts all over the arena. Before the game started we noticed a couple 20 something yr old guys sitting maybe 5 rows back from the court so we headed down there to become friends with them and see if they wanted to trade seats. It turns out the seats weren't theirs either. So no go on the seat swap, but we did become friends with them. They were super drunk and kind of annoying though.

We were pretty excited when the Blazers won and the boys went to buy Roy jerseys before it was time to get back on the road and head home. At this point I was pretty tired and really was not excited about driving for 3 more hours, but the boys were helpful in keeping me awake. Xands and Mindge had a great time pointing out how every sign for food coming up at the next exit had Taco Bell, Subway, and McDonald's (or McDank's like Mitch likes to say) on it. They were just baffled that all three of them were at every exit that had food. I know it's fascinating right? Also blasting Third Eye Blind and The Beatles helped aid in the safety of our drive home. It was a glorious night for sure. I also may have developed a huge crush on Fernandez (Don't worry Deron, no one can replace you. No one) And I wish Roy wasn't injured and had played. He's a Husky so we were all pretty yoked to see him play, then he hurt his knee or something dumb and shattered a portion of our dream for the evening. Even so, it was an incredible night.

America Jr.

2010-04-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

I had a couple days off in a row, which hasn't happened in quite a while, so I took full advantage. Also one of those days was my birthday, so I figured I should do something worthwhile. I had plenty and I mean plenty of things that I needed to get done and those days off would definitely have been the perfect time to get those things done, but instead I decided to stress myself out and lose sleep to get those things done before Sarah and I left for our quick Canadian adventure.

Vancouver is only three and half hours away and I've never been to that part of Canada before so we thought it'd be a great cheap place to go. We spent most of the time there walking around and filming really pointless explanations of things we knew nothing about. (I would post them here, but they were taking a long time to load. So, if you are in dire need of seeing me on film talking about nothing that matters to anyone, you better hope you're my facebook friend). We went to some incredible restaurants and had the best Malaysian fish there is known to man. Then I decided - that's it, I'm going to Malaysia. I need to eat this on a regular basis. Or I guess I could just learn how to make it myself, but somehow I don't think it would be the same. We also had some French crepes that were worthy of throwing up and re-eating as well. (it makes sense, stop it) The hostel we stayed at was small and cheap, like normal. Except this one had an entire flock of birds nesting in the room with us. Well, I guess they were outside the window, but it sounded as if they were on the pillow squawking right in my ear all night. I slept well.

I was ecstatic that they had an HMV and I spent a fair amount of time perusing the CD's. I was upstairs looking for the newer Jape album and also Co conut Records when Sarah came up with an expression of horror on her face and exclaimed that she had just seen a penis. WHAT WHY!!! Apparently some homeless guy on the street didn't care that the entire walls of HMV are made of glass and chose to face the store and all of its customers and relieve himself. I'm glad I missed the show.

The new Vancouver temple also just got finished being built so we went and saw it. We were two days early for the open house so we unfortunately didn't get to go inside, but it was beautiful.

This Decadent Misuse

2010-03-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

I don't necessarily think it's healthy or normal for a person to know how they want to die, and I don't really think a person should spend a lot of time, if any, thinking about that. That being said, I know exactly how I want to die. I've had this idea for many years now, but it was brought to my attention again the other night as I was eating some incredible chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream with Sarah. As I took a bite an orgasm of flavor exploded inside of my mouth and caused me to relate my glorious idea to her. She started laughing pretty hard and told me that I needed to write a blog about it. Since I do any and everything other people tell me to do, here it is. I love peanut butter so much, and I eat it by the spoonful. I probably have a spoonful every single morning with some banana as I'm waiting for my oats to cook. MMM yeah so good. And I love chocolate even more than that. My life would suck without them in it. Mix them together and I can't even describe the joy that I feel when that taste touches my tongue. I probably like it better than ketchup. Although, I can't smother all my foods in peanut butter and chocolate. Well, I guess I could, they just wouldn't bet edible. Oh but I could smother everything in peanut butter and ketchup! You know what that equals- peanut sauce.(missing brown sugar and some other stuff) You know what peanut sauce is used for- Thai food. You know what is one of my top favorite types of food-Thai food. (It's an ongoing battle between Indian and Thai always won by whichever one I happen to be eating at the moment. Oh crap, Mexican is incredible too. I love food) Nice. So basically, I want to die drowning in a vat of melted peanut butter and chocolate. Just imagine eating yourself sick while swimming in the heavenly mixture, passing out then succumbing to the ultimate death by chocolate...and peanut butter. MMM. Delicious. If at all possible I would like to make this happen. Not sure how, but if any of you reading this are around when I die (since we know when that will be!?) if you could aid in this happening that'd be great thanks.

2010-03-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

So what the crap do you do when your "wife" gets engaged? Well, I guess it means I have to get a divorce, well a Facebook divorce. This blows. Because, you know, whatever Facebook says is super important to me...? But I guess I'm happy for her. OK I'm extremely happy for her. JANIE'S ENGAGED!!!!! She called me sometime after midnight a couple nights ago right after it happened and I couldn't be more excited for her! Although, I totally hate Quinston and his crap band. He's probably the worst guitar player I've ever heard, and seriously who plays the accordion?! Well, he does and he totally sucks at it. I was not happy when he asked me to divorce Janie so he could marry her. Ugh whatever. NUGGETS BLOW! Anyway I get to be the maid of honor! Rad. Considering we have been best friends since 13, I think it's only fitting that I am. What does a maid of honor even do? I HAVE to live with my Janie one more time before she gets married, and help her plan the wedding/throw her bridal showers or whatever. I think those are some of my duties as a maid of honor, right? Yah I'm pretty sure they are. It's going to be somewhat hard to do that from WA. Oh no, it looks like it just might be a UT summer (possibly longer) for me this year. Ugh life decisions, you are not my friend.

I Am Heaven Sent. Don't You Dare Forget

2010-03-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

So, it's commonly known that I eat cereal for 2 0f the 3 meals basically every single day, but I do freaking love cooking. I just have a hard time cooking for myself. I love cooking for other people, it's a lot more fun. Plus I crave cereal all the time, and when I'm not eating it I want to be. So why deprive myself? I think I'm a pretty good cook. I mean I think it tastes good and that's really all that matters, right? I mean seriously have you ever had my Thai coconut curry soup? It's incredible. Remember when I made it for you guys Kelly? Ya amazing. And I personally think I make pho pretty much the same, if not better, than most places I've been. I mean I can obviously improve, but I'm pretty good. (not to be full of myself) Is it wrong that when I'm old and married and dumb that I totally want to be that wife that has dinner on the table every night when her husband gets home from work? And that I totally love cleaning and organizing? I submit that it is not. And I personally want to give a big sarcastic "Thanks a lot" to Susan B. Anthony and friends for starting the women's rights movement. What a joke. I know my place.

Song of the day: B.o.B. & Bruno Mars "Nothin On You" I hear a lot of rap/hip hop these days because Mitch just freakin loves it. I'm not into that much rap, though early 90's stuff is rad, but I heard this song and I freakin love it!! Plus it has the best line I have ever heard in a rap song: "You the whole package plus you pay your taxes" hilarious.

2010-03-03T00:18:00.001-08:00

This week I have been forced to think about something that I haven't thought this intensely about in a long time. I have a paper to write for class, that's why I have to. Not that I don't think about it quite possibly everyday, but just not as in depth as this paper is forcing me to. It kind of gives me an interesting/sad feeling to have to do so, especially when I realized that today would have been her 23rd birthday if she were still alive. I'm reminded all to well of the worst phone call I have ever received in my life followed by me having to call each of our friends and repeat the news over and over again, wishing every time I said it that somehow it wasn't true and someone was just making a joke. The worst possible joke you could ever play on another human being. Then the rush of calls asking if it was really true, had Chelsea really died? Then the days of listening to "All That I've Got" and "One Sweet Day" more than any person should while crying myself to sleep and/or not sleeping. I could go on and tell about how messed up I was for like a year or so after this, but I'm not the type of person to focus on negative parts of life and this is not meant to be a depressing blog. Plus I have to describe those emotions enough in my paper and don't want to remember them much more than that. Needless to say, losing the best friend I ever had to a car accident was the hardest thing I've ever gone through and it completely sucked.

But, since I did realize it's her birthday today I wanted to relive some of the memories. If you knew her or were there, you should appreciate these, and if you didn't know her you still should. She was awesome.

I can't even tell you how many times we would laugh and laugh about the stupidest things. And her laugh, it was so hilarious! Just hearing her laugh always made me laugh so hard. On a lot of different occasions I remember laughing so hard to the point that I literally fell over and laid on the ground laughing. In my kitchen; in the front of OHS by the benches; in my front lawn one time; basically wherever. Oh good times. I could describe certain instances of why the laughter occurred but it probably wouldn't make sense to you. Also they aren't really that funny, they just made us laugh at the time for some reason.

We used to skip class all the time, once we had cars, in high school. Chelsea and I would usually get Starbucks and drive around or meet up with our drop out friends and do well, nothing. A lot of times we would just go back to my house and hang out in my mom's room (that's where the computer was) and listen to music and watch Homestar Runner or salad fingers and laugh. Some of my favorite high school memories for sure. We also were t.a.'s for the welding class our senior year and that was just hilarious. We would basically come in, correct a few papers, leave to go to smith's and get peanut butter m&m's (by far favorite candy), come back and flirt with boys til the bell rang.

After coming home from school Michelle, Marie, Chelsea and I used to sit in my front living room or around the kitchen table for hours talking about pointless things. We were all pretty obsessed with the Used at this point in our lives so the conversation usually ended up being about those boys and how much we loved whatever particular member we decided was going to be our boyfriend.

Chelsea was always the person that I would go to shows with. I still have yet to find someone that will go to shows with me as much as she did. We were at Starry Night and Muse or other venues (Reality Broken, Jam Shed....anyone?) almost every weekend, especially if Elliott's Assassin was playing. Oh Neil, good times. Miss the band. We also really loved Broke and went to all their shows that weren't 21 and older.

We spent so much time driving around and listening to music while dancing like idiots in the car. I remember one time Michelle, Chelsea and I were all driving to In the Venue to see the Used and we listened to Backstreet Boys and laughed and acted stupid the whole drive. She was always the one who drove, which is funny because she always got into car accidents. She only drove for 2 years of her life, but she went through 4 cars!! She crashed all of them. When she was late for school we used to joke that it was because she must have gotten into an accident. A lot of the times we were right too. It was funny.

There are so many other memories and hilarious stories, but they are better told in person. I miss all the good times we had in that group of best friends in high school, and I'm glad we basically all are still really good friends. Probably because we're rad. I can't believe that this November it will be 5 years since she passed away. I still wonder sometimes how I got through that and never got into drugs or drinking or something. Actually, it's one of the main reasons I ultimately started going to church again after not caring for so long. Weird, but truly everything happens for a reason and good comes from every situation. That's all for my serious side tonight. Good night and happy birthday Chelsea!

If You Don't Know, Now You Know

2010-02-28T01:43:00.000-08:00

I was talking this evening with some guy about things and we started talking about music. He was curious who my top 10 favorite bands are. Wow, um give me an hour and I will get back to you after I sort this out. This has always been a difficult question for me to answer because I just don't want to leave anybody out. There is so much music that I love, I just don't know how to sum it up to 10 favorite bands. So we (he) decided that a list of top 10 albums is a better question. That's probably harder, but thanks for the effort..? Anyway, it caused me to really think about it, and I decided I want to have this list ready in my mind for the next person that asks me, so I can throw it down like I totally know what's going on at all times.

As most people know about me, or can figure out from these ever so insightful blog posts of mine, getting a new album is quite the event for me. A new album to me is like a new crush. I buy it and listen to it - first date. Continue out my day and see if I feel the strong urge to listen to it again. If so, I listen to it through again- 2nd date. Then if I still feel like I need to hear it more, well I do. I listen to it more, and for a few days or weeks I can't stop listening to it. And when I'm listening to something else I get sad because I just want to be listening to it. I think about the songs all day and can't wait to get back in La Toya, or Henry (back in the day...tear. many a story in that car), to drive and listen to it. Then after some time it fades and then another new album comes along and the adventure begins again. There are some (a lot) that have gone through this stage with me, but have lasted for quite some time and even come back around quite frequently in the player. These ones made it past the crush phase and full on into the stage of everlasting love. Very similar pattern to that of the dating world. Except I don't necessarily fall in love with a lot of different guys. And neither should you. As a matter of fact, I probably have had more crushes on CD's than I have had on guys in my life. It takes kind of a lot for me to have a crush on a guy (you've got to be pretty freakin rad to make that short list) and it doesn't really take a whole lot for me to have a crush on or love an album. Just some good music is all I need.

So I've compiled the list and here it is. It's always subject to change though...Oh and I made the decision to exclude Mariah from this list because she is in a whole class of her own in my mind and she deserves her own top 10 album list. That would just be a whole other blog....

10. Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

9. Placebo Black Market Music

8. Cold War Kids Robbers and Cowards

7. Incubus Morning View

6. Nirvana In Utero

5. Interpol Turn on the Bright Lights

4. Third Eye Blind Third Eye Blind

3. Brand New Deja Entendu

2. The Bealtes Abbey Road (sorry for the small pic, all the others were huge)

and number one goes to.......

Kings of Leon Youth and Young Manhood

It's probably because the weather is already starting to get nice here in Seattle and I can already feel summer in the air that this is my number one album right now. It is definitely my favorite to go running outside to. This song was my summer theme last year. And this one I can already tell is going to be this summer's theme, I cannot get enough of it. The whole album makes me want to be in the sun and have campfires and canoe and dance like an idiot and just makes me so freakin happy! I love it.

'I'd Give My All To Have Just One More Night With You"

2010-02-21T00:17:00.000-08:00

After a few stressful days of working, doing tons of homework and not really sleeping, I was on my late night flight to Texas. I met Marie, her husband Paul and their 18m old Chanel when I landed in Austin at about 10AM Thursday morning. We headed back to their apartment to relax for about an hour then it was off to take Chanel to the grandparents and head out on our 3 1/2 hour drive to Dallas. When we got to Dallas we quickly got a hotel room, made a wal-mart run and then Marie and I were off to fulfill a dream of ours we had been chasing since those days in the halls of Orem High School. We were seeing MARIAH CAREY in concert!!!! I can still remember when we first knew we would be great friends. We were walking down the halls in between classes and Marie started singing a Mariah song and I asked if she was a Mariah fan and she said yes and wondered if I was too. Of course I said yes, and then we both proceeded to freak out and talk about how much we loved her and make a vow that if we ever see her in concert we HAVE to do it together and we will do anything to make it happen. Well somehow we made it happen!!! Probably because we are amazing and so is Mariah. Anyway we drove over to the Nokia theatre, changed in the car and headed inside to stand in the merch line for like an hour. At least there was a crazy girl in line that was super faded to watch yell and be obnoxious. (already? really, the show hasn't even started and you're already drunk?! um OK, settle down.) We finally got our tee shirts and then headed to find our seats. It was awhile before anything happened on stage. Then when it did it was some trio of R 'n B singing guys that were half way decent, but lost all respect from me when the middle one ripped his shirt off for no reason halfway through the set. Cool, I don't really care that you have super ripped abs, don't freakin rip your shirt off during a slow song, you're not Usher. (It's semi acceptable when he does it. I have to admit, I really love Usher, his older music mostly. And it kind of made me happy to see him perform at the All Star game, though those songs blew) After they got off stage it was literally like two hour until Mariah came on. It was fine though, we had quite the entertainment by the pimp and three ho's a few rows ahead of us. Seriously, there was an old man of about 60 ish with three 19 year old girls, one of them was all over him most of the time, and Marie and I as well as all the row behind us and the rest of our row could not stop watching this disgusting scene. At one point we even saw the dude give each of the girls a white pill. WTF cool, let's take ecstasy at the MC concert, are you kidding me?! It was weird. We all kept commenting about the situation to each other throughout the show. Most of us saying - seriously, did that just happen?; gross, He's not even a good looking old guy!; I'm gonna throw up - and a lot of other things. The one girl was completely cracked out and I was just waiting for her to fall over or something. After the longest waiting at a concert I have ever experienced and more Michael Jackson music than I was planning on hearing that day, (I love MJ and have most of his albums, but when I'm waiting for MARIAH!! I'm sorry I'm going to get sick of him) Mariah came out and saved the day. She performed so incredibly well and every second was amazing! I know I am biased because I am unhealthily in love with her, but she really has the best voice I have ever heard in my life and it is exactly the same live as it is on her Cd's. She played a lot of good songs, but I was a little saddened that she didn't play more of her 90's stuff. Her best music is form 1990-1997. She did play "My All", "Always Be My Baby" and "We Belong Together" which are some of my very favorites though. After the show Marie and I left elated and couldn't even believe that we just made our 16 year old dreams come true. OK I've been wanting to see her live since I was 8, but Marie and I made our vow when we met at 16. The next morning we woke up and drove back to Austin in time for Marie's doctors appointment which took forever. She's pregnant again and had to do check up and test stuff, I don't really know, I just sat in the lobby studying my sociology textbook. When that was finished we headed to the airport and I was headed home. I got back to Seattle at about midnight and went to bed so I could wake up and finish writing my paper before I had to go to work. Yes, Kelly, the paper I was worrying about while I was visiting you guys in UT.

Judge me all you want, I truly don't give a crap at all. I SAW MARIAH CAREY IN CONCERT!!!!! and it just might have been the best day of my entire life. I can't see how anything could top it, even my wedding day is probably going to take a backseat to this. Unless she sings at the wedding.

2010-02-15T00:48:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting on my bed writing an 8 page paper about American culture and my little brother just walked in and goes " Hey Mallor, what are you doing?" So I told him and he told me to ask him for help with it. So I asked him what he thought American culture was. He replied with "Jews" then literally waved said see ya and shut my door and left. If you have never had the pleasure of meeting little Mitchell, you should make it a life goal to do so. If you think I am in any way any type of funny (which of course you do because, please, I am hilarious), this kid is like 100 times that.

2010-02-08T18:00:00.001-08:00

While we were driving back from the Jack's Mannequin and Fun concert in Seattle, which was incredible, Sara and I were discussing celebrity crushes (mostly her huge one on the singer of Fun, Nate) and it turns out she shares a pretty big one with me. I was a little shocked to find this out because not a lot of people share these feelings with me. I know Kelly H. does and we discussed it just the other week while I was in Utah actually, but I was not expecting to hear the same two names come out of Sara's mouth when she said she has a crush on a celebrity that she thought I might think is weird because a lot of people think he is disgusting. But in fact, I do not find him disgusting, I am actually incredibly attracted to him for some unknown reason. Well, I guess I do know some of the reasons. Mostly because I love his sense of humor. Truly all you need in a man. Oh and he has scruff most of the time- very important to me. I've never been one for clean cut guys. Although his hair can get a little ridiculous at times he can pull it off. He's kind of the updated version of my high school crush on Bert McCracken of the Used. (Yah I had a crush on him, so what) Also apparently he is engaged to Katy Perry or something. And it just so happens I have a big girl crush on her. Anyway it's Russell Brand

Windshield Wipers Waving for an Audience of One

2010-02-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

If I had things my way math would not be a part of this world. I'm pretty sure I had the day off of work today and I'm pretty sure I spent 8 hours catching up on my math after I went running. Seriously, is it really useful to be able to do this trash?! I'm pretty sure beyond basic adding and subtraction and well figuring out how much commission I get on stuff I sell at work, I don't use it. If I didn't work 40 hours a week and also go to school full time and didn't need this day off like you don't even know, I can assure I would not have sat in my room all day on the computer doing homework. (I would have at least been looking at better things on the Internet.) I took one break to get some groceries and while I was driving listening to Rubber Soul I was incredibly tempted to just keep driving forever. Why is nothing better than driving alone listening to good music with no distraction of passengers? I could have made it to Canada in like 3 hours. I should have done it.

2010-02-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

So my little brother and I were hanging out watching t.v. and messing around on McArthur (my laptop) earlier and he goes, "Hey Mallor, I'm just gonna type in supersonics.com and see what happens." And yes, I purposely left out the y on my name. He always calls me Mallor pronounced well, pretty much how it looks, but maybe spelling it Mu-llor makes it easier to understand. Whatever, anyway I replied with something to the effect of "Ok do it, but if it redirects you immediately to anything that has to do with the Thunder, I will kill everyone." You can give it a try for yourself and see what happens or wake up tomorrow and have no idea why no one is alive anymore. Well, I guess with those circumstances you wouldn't be alive anymore either... It's not new news that I am very unpleased with the whole situation of the Sonics leaving and turning into the Thunder about 2 years ago (I know, I know I should get over it, but I won't until the day I can go to the Key Arena and watch something other than Seattle University games. Preferably NBA games, thanks) but I have never really tried going to their website for clearly a long time, so I am newly pissed again. That is all.

While I was typing this Mitch (my little brother) said "Hey Mallor I bathed the other day. It was weird." - my family is hilarious.

Welcome to the family McArthur, you've been much anticipated

2009-12-24T23:29:00.000-08:00

"OK thanks, let me think about it for a minute" is what I said to the Apple store guy before leaving the store to go meet my dad, Mitch and Michelle down the hall in the mall. By the time I reached them at the other end of the hall the flood of questions filling my mind -is it worth it? - yes; do I really need it? - yes, for school; do I really want to spend that much money? - no; etc. ceased when I realized I was in love with this beautiful piece of machinery that now sits here upon my lap and has in turn become another part of me. So I told my family members, who were at this point probably a little annoyed with my indecisiveness by now (we had already gone to two other places and I still couldn't even decide if I wanted to buy a new laptop at all) that whatever eff it I have enough money, I'm just going to get it. I walked back into the Apple store found an employee, pointed at the one I wanted and said I'll take one. Elated, I walked out of that store ecstatic for the future ahead of me. Oh the nights McArthur and I will spend together. (Fitting name right, I know)

Most people know this about me, but I seriously have a huge money spending problem in that I don't spend it. It was really really hard for me to justify dropping $1200 of my savings on a new Macbook. (plane tickets are probably THE only thing I don't even think twice about spending huge amounts of money on) I had to keep reminding myself how much I have been wanting a Mac forever and my old laptop broke like a year ago so... Also I start school again in like 2 weeks, I think it's justified.

2009-12-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Winter is definitely not a friend of mine. We don't get along very well. Sometimes we hang out, but the whole time I'm like -I'm not having any fun. I would really appreciate if you weren't around me, you blow. (sometimes literally, it gets kind of windy) But she always hangs around for a couple months waiting to see if I will change my mind. Take a freakin hint. I don't like you. Some things are kind of fun about winter, I guess. OK I won't lie there are a few things I absolutely love about winter but the fact that I sleep with 3 fleece blankets and a comforter at night and still wake up after freezing myself to sleep because I'm so cold kind of cancels those things out. Those few things I love are...

COATS - I'm pretty much obsessed with coats. They are by far my favorite piece of clothing. Maybe it's weird/mean but I kind of define people by the kind of coats they wear. It really tells a lot about a person. I'm pretty proud of myself, I haven't bought myself a new coat this winter....yet. I bought like 3 last year. All on sale of course, I'm super cheap and always will be. ...your gross by the way. Hey Kelly H., does this make you angry...
Sitting by the fire and reading or watching TV. Who doesn't love that
hot cereal. It makes it less weird that I eat it for like every meal.
NBA!
Holidays are pretty rad.

Alright OK, she's kind of won me over. I secretly love winter. Please don't tell her. It would be weird if she found out. It's been so long.

In other news, apparently I'm pregnant. Before you freak out, I'm not for real. But some customer at work totally asked me that. I don't really get offended that easily so it didn't really bother me that much, but it was sooo amazing to see the look on her face when I was like - No, I'm actually not having a baby- and her apologize and get all awkward. Hahah classic. Of course, being a girl I was like aw crap am I getting fat? Then I remembered that I exercise for about 2 hours everyday, so if I look like I'm pregnant, well then that's how I look and I don't really care.

So, I'm almost positive no one reads my post at all anymore so I can write whatever I want and it doesn't matter. Maybe if I actively read other peoples blogs and commented on them or something then maybe they would read mine. Ya right. There are only maybe 2 blogs that I actually do check regularly and that's about all I can manage. Sorry other friends. You didn't make the cut.

I really wish they would play the Jazz games here more often. I'm sort of going through withdrawals. Just checking scores religiously on my blackberry or seeing a game here or there depending on who they are playing doesn't suffice. Why Sonics why, why did you die. I will always remember you and the glory days. Oh Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton how you fill my childhood memories.

2009-09-18T23:37:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since my last post. I'm terribly sorry. I know you check this every time you get online just waiting in sweet anticipation for the day I will add another ridiculous post of nothingness to my ever so intriguing blog. Well wait no more my dear, the day is here. (uh gross that totally rhymed)

Since my last post mostly this has happened:

work
Europe (kallory.blogspot.com - good times)
Utah
Janie, Quinston, Jack, and others visiting for
Bumbershoot 09 in Seattle center : Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and others
Brand New in Puyallup
hiking with Mirinda in Issaquah

Now to the main topic of my post. I know what you are wondering and don't worry I'm about to supply the answer. It's easy to see from knowing me or even just reading my blogs that mostly all I care to discuss is music, therefore you clearly are wondering what I am currently listening to. (shut up, that's totally all you're wondering) I feel like the last few months have been just filled with so many amazing new albums that I really can't focus in on one like I usually do. Seriously, by the end of September Mariah Carey, Third Eye Blind, Muse, Brand New, Colbie Caillat, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Incubus, Pheonix and Taking Back Sunday have all released new albums this summer. Plus the remastered version of every Beatles album. Just add Nirvana, Interpol, Kings of Leon and The Cure and that's basically a list of my favorite bands. OK my favorite bands list is pretty long and even all those bands doesn't really begin to cover it, but whatever it doesn't matter. Mariah and Brand New haven't been released yet and I cannot wait. Every time Mariah has a new CD coming out the anticipation and excitement that I feel is even more so than if I was counting down to my own wedding day. No offense future husband. You're no Mariah. Hey, in my defense, you knew what you were getting into. Anyway, I still haven't fully answered the question of what I am currently listening to. So, it is as follows:

Third Eye Blind Ursa Major and Third Eye Blind
Lovedrug Everything Starts Where It Ends
Colbie Caillat Breakthrough
Muse The Resistance
Arctic Monkeys Humbug and Favourite Worst Nightmare
Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Basketball starts in 38 days. Add that excitement to the week and a half I have left til the new Mariah record and I'm pretty sure I should be passed out.

2009-06-28T18:45:00.000-07:00

"I'll eat whatever I want, I'm running a freakin marathon tomorrow!!" That's what Alycia, Matt and I kept saying to each other as we stuffed ourselves with anything and everything at The Cheesecake Factory on Friday night. Saturday was the day we would all be running our first marathon - the Rock n Roll Seattle Inaugural Marathon.

After dinner we went home and all forced ourselves to go to bed so we could be up and out of the house by 5:30. Of course I couldn't fall asleep and when I did it was only to be woken up like an hour later. Some neighbors dog was barking non stop. It was pretty annoying, but then I laughed to myself because it reminded me of Brian Regan's comedy about dogs barking. "Hey, it's nice and quiet out here, why don't I bark it up for no reason". I might have slept a little bit more after that, but either way I got up at 5, put on my running clothes, made sure we all had everything we needed and the three of us got in Alycia's car to head to the starting point in Tukwila. I was still extremely full from the night before so I just ate a protein bar and a GU on the way there and called it good.

We got there and there were people everywhere stretching and jogging in place to warm up their muscles. 25 thousand people actually. The excitement started to build. Holy crap I'm running a marathon! We checked our gear, found the bathroom then looked for our corral. The race started at 7AM but we were all in the 24th corral so we didn't start running until 7:40. I only had two goals in mind for this marathon - finish in less than 5 hours and run the entire time without stopping at all. I was doing great on both goals until about mile 18 or 19. I could not wait any longer, I had to use the restroom. Those few seconds of rest gave me a new burst of energy and excitement that I was almost done and I shot out of that port-o-potty and basically sprinted to the end. I wanted to make up for lost time, plus I'm not going to lie, I wanted to beat my brother and step sister. I had passed them miles before, but I was only a few minutes ahead of them and they could have passed while I was in the bathroom. When I passed the 25 mile mark and only had 1.2 miles left to go I really couldn't believe it. I didn't even feel tired or short of breath or anything. I thought it must be a lie, there's got to be more than that left to go. Until I crossed the finish line right in front of Qwest feild in Seattle and they handed me my medal and took my photo, I was convinced that sign was misplaced. But it wasn't so. I really was done and I finished in 4 hours and 21 minutes stopping only once. And yes I beat Matt and Alycia. (only by like 2 and 10 min) They did amazing too though, they both ran the entire time with a bathroom break as well!

So it's done, I've run a marathon! I decided I want to run one every year. (Could that be a career, running marathons around the world? Oh rad, I'm looking into it.) Maybe next year I will wear sunscreen.

I also wanted to write about how I attended the Third Eye Blind concert last weekend, but words can't really describe that experience. Maybe it's because they are one of my all time favorite bands, but that was honestly the best concert ever. I should know, I've been to my share of concerts plus yours.

2009-06-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

I've had a request to update this thing, so here you go.

I don't really have a lot to write about/ I really don't care to write much.

this is why WA in the summer is rad and you should live here:

my step grandma has a house on the lake which is 15 min away which = canoeing, swimming, paddle boating, fires/bbq's at any and all times
the weather is perfect - 80 mixed with some days of rain
festivals at Seattle Center basically weekly
canoeing at the arboretum
Mariner's games - Griffey is back (My brother and I saw him driving the other day. Exciting)
Seafair (of course this year I will be in Europe so I have to miss it. I seriously am pissed)
endless opportunities to go swimming or boating etc. (I live within 30 min of at least 3 gorgeous lakes)
tons of trails and places to hike
I could have stopped after the 1st one. That's enough for me to be sold.
a lot more

If you have ever been here, stop denying yourself and just move here already. You know you want to do it. There's nothing better. I should sell real estate for WA state. Nope, not happening.

The new Taking Back Sunday CD is pretty much amazing and if you haven't given yourself the pleasure of at least listening to "Sink Into Me", do so immediately. Actually watch the video. Somehow Adam has outdone his own gorgeousness yet again. Well done. If only Kelly and I could watch it together like we did with "Makedamnsure" and swoon over the way he holds that microphone.

Holy crap, I run a marathon in like 3 weeks. Oh just a tip for anyone that may be training for a marathon - don't go for a 20 mile run at 2PM when it's 85 out with no water. (I never run with water, it makes my stomach hurt) But do take GU packs, they taste so good and fit neatly in my sports bra next to my keys.

2009-05-15T23:38:00.001-07:00

Wow, this place is pretty ugly. That's what I was thinking as I looked out the window on my plane ride to Utah. Why the eff am I here again? Oh yah to visit those three ladies I so happily abandoned 3 months ago and to surprise my mom. I got off the plane and got in the car with Kristina and Janie (thanks for coming too Kelly, oh wait that's right, you didn't. My mistake.) and headed back to Provo.

We stopped at Maverick and continued last summers tradition of getting as much frozen yogurt as you can in that small bowl without them getting mad and making us pay more. Then after walking through Nordstom to see who was working and say my hello's we went to Costco for sample time. (another tradition which I continue to practice here with Mitch almost weekly) I had every intention of buying one of the Beatles albums that I don't have since they sell them there for 11.99, but of course the one time they don't have any Beatles albums in stock was this time. None of the other Cd's were worth adding to my collection, and if they were I already had them. So we left empty handed, but really when don't I leave empty handed from Costco. I really only go for samples. Then we got Kelly and headed to the center of the Pleasantville bubble that is Provo. As we got to their apartment right by campus I immediately wanted to be back in the real world (Seattle, or really anywhere else) but I wanted to be with these three ladies more.

I had no intention of spending the next like 8 hours watching movies, but it happened. It began when Kristina and I went to the dollar movies to kill time til my sister was off work so we could go surprise my mom. Then after surprising her and getting Cafe Rio my mom wanted to rent a movie and watch it together. As Michelle and I headed back to Provo, Janie called me and said to meet everyone at the dollar movies, so of course I did. Then it was after midnight and time to practice another tradition- getting ready for bed while Janie and I have laugh attacks from making "the face" at each other and generally be retarded. (this always ends in one of the already sleeping roommates to poke their head out of there room and ask us to be quiet)

Thursday morning began with yet another tradition - me making oatmeal for breakfast for everyone. Delicious. Then Janie, Kristina and I went to hike the Y. The best part of that hike is a toss up. Either the 40 something year old man drenched in sweat running down as we were going up and stopping to jog in place as he told us he runs the Y 6 days a week and how it is such a beautiful day etc etc, or the adorable 3 or 4 year old boy with his dad that after we took a picture for them told us that we talk a lot. Maybe it could have been the part when we called Kelly and told her to look at the Y from the apartment because we were all flashing her, then we turned around and there was a family behind us. That one probably wins. The rest of the day was filled with swimming; cafe rio; Janie dying Kelly's, Kristina's and my hair; and meeting up with my other Kelly and attempting to go 80's dancing. We thought is was free for ladies if u get there before 11 but we got there and apparently it's til before 10. We said fine eff that, it's not worth $7 and left.

Friday began with another round of oatmeal. (it just comes with living with me, that or cream of wheat, oh joyous) Everyone had things to do so Janie and I were left to ourselves, giving us some good wife and wife time. We spent that time grocery shopping then listening to music as we sat in the circle chair and played sudoku. We're very in love. Then we went to meet Michelle and my mom for lunch at India Palace. Bombay House doesn't open til 4, I was pissed, but the buffet at India Palace was enough to remind me of my never forgotten desire to visit/live in India. I then said my goodbyes and got in the car with my mom to head to the airport. A few hours later I was happily home again and my quick 2 and a half day visit to UT was complete.

There could possible be more I was planning to write but someone has started my new favorite movie- Slumdog Millionaire - and I must abandon this to watch with my full attention.

2009-05-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

June 2 - Taking Back Sunday New Again
June 9 - Placebo Battle for the Sun
June 16 - Incubus Monuments and Melodies
June 23 - Third Eye Blind Ursa Major

It looks like I will be spending a lot of money on Cd's this June, sweet. I'm most excited for 3eb. Though that release date isn't definite yet I'm still going to make one of those construction paper chains (like in elementary school at Christmas time) and rip one ring off each night until I'm holding that album in my hands. OK I probably won't, but I will in my mind. They are coming in concert on June 20th and if for any reason I end up not being able to go I will go on some sort of rampage.

How Do You Do It, Make Me Feel Like I Do

2009-04-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

My jaw literally dropped and I froze as I let my ears focus into the familiar tones of the most beautiful male singing voice one could ever hear. I dropped the clothes I had been folding and went to my radio to turn it up. Could it be? I think I'm going to throw up, it is!!! That voice could only belong to one: Brandon Boyd, in the brand new Incubus song "Black Heart Inertia". I almost couldn't contain myself in the unfathomable joy I was not expecting to experience this morning as I was cleaning my room accompanied by the sounds of 107.7 The End. This (clearly) was the first time I had ever heard their brand new track off of their upcoming album, which unfortunately contains only two new tracks and the rest are greatest hits. Since I own all the Incubus albums and therefore have all those songs you would think I would opt not to buy this one when it comes out on June 16 (I'm already counting down). But remember who is typing this blog, the girl who hates burned CD's and downloading music and actually has the real albums to back up at least 75% of the music on her iPod. So for those two new songs, I need the album. Plus there could be pictures of Brandon inside. To me he is the quintessential "hot guy" and I personally think every guy should strive to look more like him.

How can you not be in love with that?

I solved my recent dilemma in purchasing two tickets to the Cold War Kids concert tonight. I decided to leave the decision up to fate as to whether I should go to The Killers or Cold War Kids and it answered with The Killers show selling out, which I figured it would. I'm perfectly fine with that, I'm a bigger Cold War Kids fan anyway. So in a matter of hours my brother and I will be at Showbox enjoying the sounds of one of the better bands that has emerged over the last few years.

All in all I'm in love with Incubus and generally obsessed with music.

Oh Those Days In The Sun, They Bring A Tear To My Eye

2009-04-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

The follows is dedicated to Miss Opalgene

I was talking to OP on the phone yesterday, which hasn't happened in a while, but it was my birthday and she called me. I take all the blame, by the way, as to why we haven't talked a lot since you moved OP. We ALL know I'm not the girl to just call and chat for no reason no matter how good of friends we are. I've only talked to my wife (Janie) like 3 times since I moved to WA. ("what am I gonna say - Hey, I just want you to know that I'm still alive. Ok talk to you later. - I hate calling people" - inside joke with my sister) It doesn't mean I love you less OP, or anyone else for that matter, you know how I am and that is exactly how our love is. In fact quite possibly it means I love you so much that I can't even bare the pain of hearing your voice and not having you near me. Let's go with that and not that I'm horrible at keeping in touch. (I wonder how my sister's been since I left) Anyway, we decided I should write a blog about the way we are today compared to when we first started hanging out. Oh the laughter we shared in the hilarity of how much we have changed.

So I am now 22 and my step sister just turned 18, which caused me to look at my life since I turned 18. I realized, holy crap, I've actually grown up a lot and and am WAY different than when I was 18. When I was 18 is when I first met OP when we both worked at Jamba Juice in Orem. HAHA I just thought of so many funny things that happened there. (Just for you OP - Eric falling down while screamin SHIZAM!; throwing ice at the ceiling; her tattoo; kelly's napkin note; "we should sell kittens here") I know you are all wondering - yes it was I that said we should sell kittens there, and I still think they should. Aw man does anyone remember my kitten Marbles? I miss that annoying beast that peed in my car. Ok back to the subject, if I can ever keep on the subject. (My brothers friend literally said "I love going to dinner with you guys, it's like going to dinner with a bunch of drunks" cuz we are all like this, ok mostly me. shut up)
ANYWAY, we were just laughing about the things we used to do and what we do now. For example how we used to go to Mo's in SLC EVERY Sunday night and now every Sunday you will find us at church. Neither of us could really have cared less about going to church back then. I don't think I even started going back to church or even considering myself LDS until March 07. I never saw that coming when I was 18, 19. Oh man OP remember this time - Area 51, you and Kelly, me driving her Jetta home - I think you can see what I'm talking about, funny times. That's not all we reminisced about but no need to tell my life story on the Internet. We just looked back at our old selves and realized we were completely useless and going nowhere and it was hilarious and good to see that we are now currently "going somewhere" at least hopefully. Life is funny and looking back sometimes I wonder how it all worked out/is working out the way it has/is. Like holy crap did my best friend Chelsea really die in Nov 05 and I really actually survived through that. Granted yes it took me til about March 07 until I fully felt normal again (notice that coincides with something else, hmm funny) but I did. And a whole lot of other stuff but I think everyone knows what I mean when you look back at your life and realize all the things that have happened. Weird.

Well that's all. Funny OP isn't it. ah life.

Chicks Love My G'd up Swagger

2009-04-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Sweet, I finally found an appropriate situation to use my favorite rapper phrase "g'd up swagger".

I'm doing a new art project which is essentially kids of different ethnicity's faces, and I found this rad African kid. How does this picture not make you want to marry some hot NBA player (Chris Paul) or rapper just so you can get a son like this? It totally makes me want to. Definitely one of the cutest kids ever. It will be a joy to draw this one.

Someone Call The Ambulance, There's Gonna Be An Accident

2009-03-29T00:22:00.000-07:00

The training has begun. I am sixteen weeks away and I cannot wait! On June 27 I am running in my first marathon. 26.2 miles of heaven. It's the Rock 'N Roll marathon in Seattle so there will be a different band playing every mile or so and then that night after everyone is done will be the headlining band (which hasn't been announced yet). So, basically this marathon was tailor made for me: Seattle, running, music - not much else needed to make me happy. If they were passing out Cafe Rio salads at the end then it would be perfection. But Cafe Rio is only in Utah and maybe Idaho I think, so that would never happen. I am in dire need of eating one. My little brother is in Utah right now and I told him to bring me one back in his luggage, I don't think he will. I don't think it would be the same either. While I'm on the subject of food, why do my hands still faintly smell like Ethiopian food when it's been like 2 days since I went to that most amazing Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle? I wash my hands a lot it should be gone, weird. Anyway, the training is pretty easy. It's basically the same amount I already run except one day a week I have a really long run. Like last week I ran 10 miles straight, next week 12, next week after that 14, and so on with some variation. There are tons of trails through the woods out here and I just run through them for hours, it's awesome. As long as I don't get attacked, by human or bear, I should be good. I guess we'll see.

It's seem I have been faced with quite the dilemma, The Killers and Cold War Kids have concerts on the same night and I don't know which one to go to! They are on April 22ND, a couple weeks after my birthday so I figure that's a pretty good present for myself but I just don't know which one! I guess it should be settled in the fact that I have never seen The Killers and I have seen Cold War Kids. But what if when I saw Cold War Kids I had a bad experience? Not because the show was bad, they did great, but my company was bad. (that guy- as Whitney would say. Hey, at least I didn't have to pay for my ticket right?) And I would love to see them again and see them perform their new stuff. I can only imagine how wonderful "Relief" is live and you know they would do "Hospital Beds". Oh good crap. But Brandon Flowers is so gorgeous and Day and Age needs to be seen live by me. Actually I really want to see them perform "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine". Well, looks like I will be losing sleep over this, great. (Really I probably won't at all)

I love being in my home state so much because when I get pulled over for speeding, which I totally didn't coming home late last night, I can be like - "Really? Do you know Trooper Zebley, yah I'm pretty sure he's a sergeant for Washington State Patrol, probably yours, oh yah and totally MY DAD. So why don't you go ahead and NOT write that ticket."- Yah that's not what I said at all, but it never fails to be funny when they see my last name and go "Oh are you related to Trooper Zebley?" No officer, I'm not. Zebley is an extremely common last name I'm surprised you've never heard it. Of course I'm related to him.

This Is The World That We Live In, I Feel Myself Get Tired

2009-03-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Day is pretty much a pointless holiday, unless you drink, which I don't. But it's a good reason to have a huge race in Seattle right? Well my brother Matt and I think so and we participated in the St. Pat's Day Dash early this morning. It's just a quick 3 3/4 ish mile run around Seattle starting near the Key Arena (As I walked past the arena I felt a surge of anger at all the Sonics games I will never get to attend, then it passed and I wondered if they would let people play basketball in there since they are clearly not using it for NBA games. I'm sure they don't) and going around town a bit ending back near the E.M.P. (that odd shaped building in Seattle Center that is filled with music memorabilia that I love) There were over 8,000 people in the run, I think way more than that actually. It was ridiculous! Matt and I reached the enormous crowd with about one minute before start time to safety pin our numbers and tie our chips to our shoes, then we were off and lost in the mess of people. I couldn't have felt more cliche with rain pouring down on me as I hit the shuffle button on my iPod and Drain You-Nirvana was the first song that came up. I smiled, turned it up and started weaving my way through the other runners. The rain lasted the entire run and well into the rest of the day. Nothing is more invigorating than running in the rain, I highly suggest it to anyone. Less than a half hour later I crossed the finish line and found my brother who had finished a couple minutes before me. We wandered around the booths and grabbed as much free stuff as possible and people watched (we do that A LOT, try it it's awesome). Nothing like a bunch of people dressed as leprechauns and getting drunk on a Sunday morning. I laughed at the funny ones then left so I could go to church.

After church and some reading/napping I went downstairs to help with dinner. I was trying to open a can of pineapples to put on the pizza we were making and sliced my finger pretty insanely bad. I kind of just stood there staring at it in shock as the blood gushed all over the counter until my dad grabbed a paper towel and started putting pressure on it. My step mom was freaking out and saying I needed to get stitches, and my dad was messing with my finger trying to get it to stop bleeding and asking if I felt light headed because I was loosing a lot of blood, all the while I was just standing there silently like - wow this is pretty annoying and I'm pretty hungry. I didn't want stitches and it should heal fine, but I will probably have a nasty scar. Good thing though, you know it is pretty important to me that I always remember that time we made pizza for dinner. You just can't let the good memories slip away.

7 Minutes In Heaven

2009-03-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

As I was running and listening to my iPod the other day, I realized something. Most of my favorite/the best songs out there are about 7 minutes long or a least very close to that. Yet I still find them to be not long enough, they should go on forever. It seems the longer a song is the better it is. Weird, here's some good ones -

Sick Sad Little World - Incubus 6:23
Aqueous Transmission - Incubus 7:46
Asleep - A Film in the Ballroom 7:14
Pictures of You - The Cure 7:28
Limousine - Brand New 7:42
You Won't Know - Brand New 5:42 (not quite as close to 7 min but so unbelievably worthy)
MFEO - Jack's Mannequin 8:01
Knocked Up - Kings of Leon 7:10
The Sun and the Moon - Mae 7:16
The Beautiful Ones - Mariah Carey 6:59
Space Dementia - Muse 6:20
Sunset on a Friday - Mitch Zebley ongoing

These are just a few 7 minute (ish) wonders that have crossed my path and will forever continue this journey of life with me. There are plenty more out there, but these are the ones that came to my mind first. So they win.

Not that I'm super proud of where I'm from or anything, except that I am, check out all the great bands that Washington state has given the world!

Nirvana (probably 100% of Washingtonians love Nirvana, even if they are hardcore hip hop fans like my little brother)
Modest Mouse
Pearl Jam
Alice in Chains
Death Cab for Cutie
Postal Service
Sound Garden
The Presidents of the United States of America
Jimi Hendrix

And if anyone cares at all, I pretty much can't stop listening to Interpol right now. Mainly Our Love to Admire, I have the other two also but that ones definitely getting a lot of play time in La Toya.

2009-03-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

First off there is a new member to my family, La Toya. She is Afrian American. It's pretty awesome. I got her about two weeks ago in Issaquah. Her name comes from my brother. The night I purchased her I drove her over to Matt's house and walked in and told the guys I got a new car that is African American and asked what I should name her. Matt immediately yells - La Toya Jackson. So that is her name, but she is still a Zebley. The best part about her is that she is a stick. When looking for cars I found myself being somewhat of a snob in that I wouldn't even give the car a chance unless it was a stick. Kind of like how I won't give a guy a chance unless I like his hair. Harsh I know. (I'm not shallow I swear, I just like what I like) It's fine I found what I wanted, and she drives like a dream.

The other day I didn't have work and everyone was busy except for my sleeping brother on the couch. He had a pretty late night the night before so I chose not to wake him and set out on my own. Oh remember that song by the Used? That takes me back, what a good one. Anyway, so I got in La Toya, headed for Snoqualmie and about 15 minutes later I was there. (I wished the drive was longer so I could have had more quality music time. Oh well, I know my music will always be there waiting for my return. I can count on that if nothing else.) I was excited to once again make that quick hike down to Snoqualmie Falls. This time by myself with my only distractions being the other hikers I occasionally passed. I would post some pictures, but blogger is being dumb so I can't. The hike really is ridiculously short; the parking is even limited to 90 minutes, which is stupid.

And We'll Linger On. Time Can't Erase A Feeling This Strong

2009-02-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

It was sometime in fall of 1995 when I found myself standing in front of the t.v. watching in awe as I took in the music video that was playing. "Who is that lady?" I asked my brother laying on the couch. "Duh, that's Mariah Carey" he replied like I should know. It was then that the obsession began.

I'm writing about this for a few reasons. 1. I unpacked all my C.D. cases this week (which have been at my mom's for the past few years so I forgot how many I even have - roughly 200) and got excited to see all my Mariah stuff. 2. I just watched Zohan with my brother Mitch and loved how he was wearing her shirt basically every scene. 3. I love her.

I don't usually bring up the fact that I'm pretty much obsessed with Mariah unless she somehow comes up in conversation, so a lot of my friends don't know or at least didn't find out for awhile. Considering the type of music I usually listen to (Brand New, Incubus, Muse, 3eb, Placebo etc etc) people usually think I'm joking when I say I'm in love with her. I think it's funny because I'm not joking at all. When I meet people that share the way I feel it usually goes like this -

Me: Are you serious? I effing love Mariah Carey

other fan: No way, I love her so much!

massive hug

It's happened more than once. I remember at my work every time a Mariah song would come on either I would call Ali over in the operators booth or she would call me at my department. She or I would answer and say "I know! I love her" then hang up and get back to work. I probably listen to Mariah every single day and will never get enough. I have to go to her concert in my lifetime or I have wasted my time on earth. I'm not going to lie, for years it's been my dream to go to her concert and be proposed to at it.....by her. Actually you know come to think of it maybe those two things shouldn't happen in the same day, I would probably have a heart attack and literally die. Well it would be a good end to life.

Now that you know this about me, feel free to discontinue friendship. I will understand. I can always go listen to Mariah's 1993 hit "Anytime You Need A Friend" and feel great. And little Miss Courtney Smith don't think I can't see you rolling your eyes at me in disgust back there in Provo! You love her and you know it! Oh just to clarify, if I ever met her I would definitely not be one of those crazy fans that freaks out, that's weird. I would probably stare from afar. I've loved her for the past 14 years, if that's not lasting love I just don't know what is.

Though it's impossible to choose, here are my favorites by her. Only for today though....

10.Melt Away

9. I Still Believe

8. Dreamlover

7. Sent From Up Above

6. Long Ago

5. For The Record

4. Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri remix)

3. We Belong Together

2. Don't Forget About Us

1. Slipping Away (Unreleased track from 95 that I don't have and need soooo bad!)

Some Of My Friends Sell Records, Some Of My Friends Sell Drugs

2009-02-16T00:31:00.000-08:00

It wasn't until we were driving through Snoqualmie and I saw the broken down train that sits in the middle of that small town that I began to feel like I was coming back to my roots. Only about 30 more minutes and I would be back to living in the middle of the forest. In that moment I made a promise to myself that I will make that quick drive from Redmond to Snoqualmie to hike the falls this week. Then my dad told me that about a month and a half or so ago there was some major flooding out there which ruined some houses and parts of the road. Also that they most likely closed off the trail down to the falls and wasn't sure if it was open again yet. I had already heard the trail was closed but I didn't know it was from flooding. That ruins my life completely. I will have to figure out if it's still blocked off so I can see those beautiful falls up close and personal.

When I got to my house I saw my little brother's ghetto Metro in the driveway and got excited to see him and punch him in the back, which I did. He's a big 17 year old, he can handle my weak punch. I called my oldest brother Matt and he headed over. After getting all of my belongings upstairs into my room we headed over to Kirkland to walk around the waterfront and get some dinner. Have I mentioned yet how much I love this state? Well I do. The trees, the endless number of lakes and ponds, the people (which are mostly Asian - thanks to Microsoft and Boeing), the fact that I don't have to reapply chapstick every 2 hours, basically everything. After wandering around Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square then meeting up with my brother's friends to crash their Valentine's dinner, we headed back home. My insomnia was really catching up with me by this point, so I went to bed and actually slept almost all the way through the night!

Today was your typical Sunday- wake up, hang out til church, come home, eat, hang out. It's funny I wrongfully thought I had, at least for this week, escaped the talks on marriage in Sacrament seeing as how I was at a family ward. But nope, the subject was choosing the right companion and strengthening your marriage. I'm not even kidding, when the first woman started her talk and introduced the subject my dad and step-mom both turned and looked right at me. Please, I'm like 22 leave me alone.

Now that I am away from all my friends back in Utah I am going to try my hardest to update this thing more often. I can't promise anything, but I will do my best to post more than once a month.

I Love You So Much. Do Me A Favor Baby Don't Reply

2009-02-15T23:44:00.001-08:00

Getting everything ready to move is probably the most annoying thing that can ever happen to a person. And if you're anything like me, you procrastinate and try to do it all in the last few days. Well that's what my last days in Utah were filled with, on top of figuring out things with my car insurance for my newly totalled car.

Besides the stressful parts of relocating my life, I enjoyed my final time in UT. I mean I didn't do anything super special besides spend time with the people I wanted to see most before I left, but it was good. If I didn't get to see you before I left, I'm sorry. You're just not as important to me as the people I did see. Oh you know I'm kidding, at least a little. I do miss everyone, some quite a lot, but that's life. I will see you when I see you and I'm glad I saw you when I saw you.

Oh It's Such A Shame For Us To Part

2009-02-15T00:22:00.000-08:00

As I took the little silver key off of my keyring and handed it to the woman behind the desk, I realized in that moment my life would be forever changed. I would never see Henry again. Since March 2005 we have spent time with each other almost every single day. I thought our love was everlasting, but apparently I was wrong. Everything was going so perfectly. We had plans for the future; we were going to take a road trip together. Who would have thought it would all come to a screeching halt, quite literally. So farewell Henry Fonda my red Honda. I will always remember the way I had to guess how fast I was going because your speedometer didn't work or how you just hated defrosting the windshield. Lets not forget the time we were driving to Salt Lake so I could go to work that one winter and you decided you just didn't need the right front tire, so it flew off and we almost died. That was so darsh of you. Despite our differences we made such a wonderful team. Every time I see a red civic I will think of you and our time together. 13 is such a young age to die, you will be missed my little 5 speed wonder.

They want your money honey, give them it all

2009-01-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to lie, I've already lost interest in writing this blog. I will go on only because I am very bored and don't want to continue to disappoint those that are waiting for a new post from me. So the three of you, here you go.

I love Conan O'Brien. I think we can all agree that between 11:30-12:30 P.M. there is no better thing to do than have a few laughs with Conan. That's a lie, but he has brought me many laughs this evening. On the other hand, why is Rachel Ray on t.v.? I'm pretty sure my life would be the same if not better if I didn't have her and her 30-minute meals in it.

So come middle of February I am out of this state. Oddly it is somewhat bittersweet. I can't wait though. It's coming up on 9 years that I have been here and that's much longer than I would like. I have such a huge crush on Washington, we've been apart too long. Just seeing her in pictures or once or twice a year will never suffice. I need her near me.

On February 5th I won't be 15 anymore. It will be a day to remember.

My desire to travel is definitely peaking right now. I am in need of a long flight with free toblerone bars. I still really want to go to India. I most likely will want to until I actually do. I would love to go visit Michelli in Brazil or wander my way through Europe. Good thing I'm really rich so it's most likely I will be doing all of these things.

The Killers Day and Age - amazing album

I'm going to go read myself to sleep goodnight.

2008-12-20T23:40:00.000-08:00

Draping assignment for class

Some guy that sat there for two hours so I could draw him

She's gonna be a soccer playing, she is she iiiiiis

Music is my boyfriend

2008-12-20T23:12:00.000-08:00

drums Adam hot Lazzara (T.B.S.) I would love to do this one over again, I think I could do it so much better and maybe not at 2 in the morning.

Brandon Boyd (Incubus) I'm pretty sure this doesn't fully capture his intensely good looks.

Adam Lazzara again

Some girl that sat in front of me for two hours so I could draw her

I'm sorry it took me so long (to come around) I'm sorry it took me so long

2008-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone, yet again I have failed you in keeping up my blog. You've reminded me relentlessly to do so, so here I am in math class choosing to not pay attention to the lesson and instead update. If I fail the next test I will wholeheartedly blame you. In the interest of time and my math grade I will just make a quick list of things that I have been keeping myself busy with/struck my interest since the last post. I may later come back to add more, but lets be realistic I probably won't. Oh I will be posting more art on here soon but I don't have those pictures with me at the moment. On to the list....

- Taking Back Sunday "Where You Want to Be" album (I remember the day it came out 4 years ago. I bought it and listened to it for no joke the whole first half of my senior year everyday during art. It feels good to step back in time, musically at least)

- Chris McCandless

- somewhat of a Zebley family reunion with 5 of the 7 brothers

- working my 2 jobs

- schoolwork, tests

- my crushes on Mehmet and Deron growing immensely

- Brand New

- The Office

- wanting to go to Bombay House more than life (still haven't gone for quite a while, just saying)

- drawing

- being cold, but thankfully not as cold as other winters...yet

- wanting to go to another country more than anything else (preferably India, oh then I could get my Indian food too, and have the chance to use the most gay phrase ever "killing two birds with one stone" but I would not)

There's probably more I could write but I'm going to go ahead and work on my math now.

You treat 'em like an obligation, welcome to the occupation

2008-10-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my little brother Mitch when he was about 5 or so, I really don't remember. I was at my mom's house today and drew this between conference and dinner. It's not done yet but almost. He was probably the cutest kid ever, we're not sure what happened. Just kidding, I love you Mitch.
This one I drew last night at work. I was looking in a magazine (we aren't aloud to read books which severly pisses me off considering I couldn't care less what Britney Spears or anyone else is doing) and I saw this little boy in a Ralph Lauren ad. He is soooo cute I HAVE to have sons that look like this. He's like 4 and already rockin the sidebag, what a heartbreaker.
This is some building in Egypt. Obviously it is not even close to done, but maybe if I put it on here it will motivate me to actually finish it. We'll see.

Here I am again writing another blog only to satisfy the needs of my friends at work. It does nothing for me. After drawing a picture last night at work and being reminded yet again of my insufficient blog updating, I decided I should turn my blog into a place to post my artwork. I will also post it on my facebook but on here I can write a little about each one. That will be fun.

I really fast need to update on some recent occurrences. Jack's Mannequin's The Glass Passenger has fully lived up to it's expectation of taking over my life. I won't lie the first time I listened to it all the way through I was not hugely impressed. I, just as I felt with Everything In Transit, thought it was good and would like to listen to it again but wasn't necessarily blown out of the water. But just as any good relationship should, the feelings have grown with time (yes it's only been a week, but this is BYU town I don't feel out of place). Also the Tuesday before that Cold War Kids - Loyalty to Loyalty AND Kings of Leon - Only by the Night came out. I absolutely love both of those albums and am a little saddened that Jack's came out so quickly after these two. I really didn't have a good amount of time to fully love them and I'm clearly not taking Jack's out of the player soon. That's what running and my iPod Nathaniel on shuffle is for.

I'd teach a course on how I got to be a star crossed pimp

2008-09-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

As I sat pondering in our thinking chair upon last nights events, I was drawn to the sound of footsteps as they seemed to gracefully pierce the sidewalk directly outside the window. My eyes were overwhelmed with what could be no better described as than the warmth of a summer days sunset. He's was about 5'9 or 5' 10 (perfect height) and had beautiful flowing hair. I couldn't look away. He must have felt my gaze as he turned and looked down through the window with those beautiful eyes the color of tree bark. The sun seemed to caress his well chiseled face. Within seconds I heard a knock at my door. It was him. I couldn't believe it. Who would have thought that today September 13th 2008 I would find the man of my dreams....

OK so there's not much truth to the previous, but that didn't stop Jared and I from having probably the best time ever coming up with it here on this lovely Saturday morning. Jared by the way is a really great guy: loves to play WII (comes over all the time to do so and is especially good at boxing, but I'm better) cook, clean, read, make jewelry, etch - a -sketch, has an adorable accent and did I mention is SINGLE. Just in case you were wondering. By the way he is the type of guy who actually asks girls out in person not over the phone or the douche way- through text. Therefore he is a real man.

Anyway it's seems lately people have been bringing up the subject of blogs around me quite a bit. Just last night at work after a wonderful discussion of Indian food and how I've been meaning to make it for myself lately, but the fact that all the ingredients costs close to $30 deters me every time (I'll save those cooking skills til later in life, back to cereal for now), Courtney reminded me that I haven't posted a blog in a long long time. So here I am posting one. It's all for you Courtney. Also I was reading some of my friend Joey's blogs from his recent travels (JEALOUS) and thought sure I will write one. Not that I really have much to write about or any sweet stories about surviving my way alone through a foreign land (you're a brave one Joey, you will have to teach me those skills), but that's OK I will write one anyway. Maybe I am just trying to forewarn the dullness of this blog. But don't stop I'm about the talk about Third Eye Blind. Intrigued?

So basically for the past 3 or 4 months I have been on a Third Eye Blind craze. Not quite sure how it all began but I'm not complaining it's been great. For you out there that hear the name Third Eye Blind and think - oh didn't they have a song in the 90's or something called something life? - It's Semi-Charmed Life and yes that's them and I will have you know they have two other albums besides that self titled one featuring that hit and they are currently recording a new album. Also the singer Stephan Jenkins probably couldn't be more attractive and he can do way better than Vanessa Carlton (me). If you are a true fan as I am you would know all about all three albums and how every song is beyond amazing. I can't describe my love for them. I bring this up because I feel that it might be time for me to change the cd in my car from the steady 3eb rotation it's been on (ok I did throw in some Muse and Mae at least once during this summer) and get something else playing. I feel good about it though because Cold War Kids has a new album out on the 23rd and my beloved Jack's Mannequin has their long awaited return on the 30th. Clearly these albums with be taking over my life. Good thing I don't have a boyfriend currently, he would undoubtedly get pushed aside. JK he would hopefully also be reveling in the joy of these albums.

Basically I don't have much else to write about, well I dont really feel like writing more actually. So I will be ending my writing and going back to eating my delicious Maverick frozen yogurt and watching Kelly and Jared WII box. I'm next and I will throw down. Good day.

2008-06-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I found myself watching Tyra as I was waiting for my lunch to settle so I could go running. The topic of the day was "Label Mania." They talked to all these different girls who said how they feel so much better about themselves when they are wearing Prada or Gucci or have one of those ugly Louis Vitton bags hanging from their shoulder. Tyra even had three girls from the audience, who are clearly high end designer obsessed, compete in a nasty Fear Factor like competition where the winner won the latest bag by Dolce or LV, I don't really remember or care. All the girls were ecstatic to have the chance of winning this $800 designer bag and were willing to do anything for it. It was sickening, I probably should have thrown up all over myself. If not from that, I definitely should have from this : a girl in the audience said she was 21 years old and $22 thou in debt, no doubt from spending all of her money on materialistic designer stuff. She didn't even seem phased as she told the audience this. How could that not freak you out that you're probably going to be declaring bankruptcy by the time you're 23. I'm also 21 and thankfully I have no debt at all.

I think I just sat here for literally 5 minutes because I don't even know where to begin. Part of me wants to line up all the girls from that episode, slap them all individually, steal each of their bags to later sell on Ebay, then to top it off, I don't know I would probably just push one of them down and leave. Yes I know in reality I would never do that and if put in the situation I would most likely just talk to them or something. I'd like to think I would at least steal one of their bags though. Then the other part of me just feels almost sorry for them. Do you honestly have to define who you are by the label on your clothes? It's called personality - get one.

Now I'm not trying to be rude to people that are this way. I guess I'm just saying it doesn't make sense to me that you would care so much about what you're wearing and how expensive it is to the point that you don't even care if you have to go into debt just to get it. Even if I did have the money I don't think I would ever be able to justify spending close to a thousand dollars on some bag that's just going to hold my keys and money...and all that other crap girls carry in their bags. (And the answer to your question is- I have no idea why girls, myself totally included, carry so much stuff in there, and no I don't usually need it. It's just comforting to know that I do have my swim suit, change of clothes, hiking boots, spare tire, a Sherpa, you know the essentials at my side at all times. You never know how the day will play out.) Now I am probably the cheapest girl out there, so I can't really justify spending money on anything, but that is beyond ridiculous to spend so much on one item. And it's not even clothing, it's an accessory. You can still feel good about yourself and look good without spending so much. If it matters to you so much, just lie and tell them it's D&G or whoever. It's not like anyone is going to make you take off your shirt and prove it. Although I might, because that would be funny and really I just want to say that to someone.

In response to this you may be wondering - OK then why did you go to school for fashion. The answer is as follows. I do think it is good to dress well and take care of yourself and try to look your best. I do love clothes and I really, more than almost anything else, besides music and traveling which are probably ranked at the same level, love drawing. So I thought it would be fun to design clothes. I still think it is, but as I got more into it I came across a lot of this- all that matters is who you're wearing kind of stuff. I really don't want to be in an industry that is so focused on that and filled with people that revolve their lives around it. I just don't care enough about designers and the fashion world. There's so much more I could say about this, but I can't really word it. I just don't want to be surrounded by that.

I could go on and on about this subject as well as so so much more about other various money topics that are racing through my brain right now. This one has nothing to do with this, but it's sort of the same and I feel the need to touch on it right now. Someone please answer me this. Why do newly married couples feel the need to go out and buy brand new cars and take out loans to buy houses and crap? I can't see why they think they need all that right away. Ugh I hate kids that grow up rich and expect to have the best of everything all the time. Get a job. I'm just going to stop now, but really I'm just really bothered and sick of people waisting their money on frivolous things. I hope this all doesn't come off as rude, though maybe it has hmmm.

2008-06-05T17:32:00.000-07:00

Tuesday I had the glorious experience of having all four of my wisdom teeth pulled, yay! I probably haven't ever had so much fun in my life. Let's see, yep never had more fun. No, really it wasn't that bad. I got paid $550 for it too, so that was sweet. All I had to do was stay in this place for 24 hours and do all these weird "favors" for this guy. At first I felt a little uncomfortable, but I just had to remember- it's all for the money. Actually you're disgusting and have you ever met me before. Obviously that's not true. I did have to stay in their clinic place for a day and a half though. It was a study for the medication to be taken after the surgery, but I never ended up taking the medication because I wasn't in that much pain. Apparently I have a high pain tolerance. My mom says that's true and I've always been like that. She said that when I was little and had to get shots I never cried, I would just stand there and take them. She also has said she thought I was retarded or handicapped too, thanks Mom, love you too.

It was pretty uneventful laying in bed all day and night (thanks to my insomnia and the awkward feeling in my mouth, I probably slept, collectively, maybe two hours while I was there). Almost immediately after I got out of surgery all the nurses where ordering themselves lunch and of course they were getting Cafe Rio. This severely pissed me off. Then while they were eating their Cafe Rio they were talking about how good Bombay House is. At this point I was ready to kill. Must you talk about my two absolute favorite places to eat right in front of me when you know that I can only eat soft foods for the next week or so? How inconsiderate can you be? Nothing else of my stay is much worth writing about. Well, one girl passed out but that's nothing to freak out about.

The next day I was pretty swollen and it was awesome! I was hoping someone I didn't know would ask me what happened to my face so I could tell them a long story of how I beat someone up and they only got in two punches to my mouth. Unfortunately I never got the opportunity. I was also contemplating committing some kind of crime so I could have a mug shot taken but I couldn't bring myself to get something put on my permanent record just for a sweet picture. So I just took some myself. Today my swelling is pretty much gone, so I don't look like I should weigh 500 pounds anymore.

The whole experience wasn't all that bad and to me the worst part definitely was not pain. It's the fact that I can't go running, and still can't for a few more days. I have to wait til the areas are healed so I don't get nasty throw up dry socket. I HATE not being able to run. It's all I can think about! Right after I got out of surgery I was like - OK sweet, got that done. Now heal so I can run right now!! If you know me at all, you know the extent of how much this bothers me.

2008-06-01T01:37:00.000-07:00

Friday night after attending the Chance and Dan sing-a-long at Muse, Shayla and I were off to our much anticipated "Girls Night Out". We finally found Courtney's apartment after seriously like twenty minutes, no probably more than that, of driving around Provo trying to find it. When we finally found it it was, not even kidding, like MAYBE four blocks from Muse. This yet again is just another example that attests to: Mallory driving + Provo = She's retarded. I honestly don't know what it is with that town. I can find my way around Salt Lake just fine, you'd think I would be able to figure out Provo. Whatever. So anyway at our girls night, which consisted of work friends and myself, we started to discuss blogging. We may or may not have read peoples' and made fun of them, but that is beside the point. Might I add that our girls night lasted for a good 4 or so hours and not a single picture was taken. I think by current "girls night out" standards that would make it completely unsuccessful. Anyway, a few of the girls have their own blogs and were telling me to start one of my own. I have personally always thought they were super gay and a waste of my time, but due to recent boredom and slight insomnia I've been having for a couple months now - here I am. Considering my days are usually quite uneventful and mainly consist of 6-8 hours of work, about 2 hours of working out, school (when it's in session) and then however else I decide to spend the rest of my time, I just don't really see how many people would be too interested in what I have to say or well write about. But here we are.

So the other day I had an epiphany of sorts pertaining to schooling and the rest of my life. I had recently met a woman shopping at my work that designs and makes custom gowns and wedding dresses. Since I'm studying fashion at school I thought it would be a good idea to work with her company part time and see how I like it. So last Thursday I went and started working. I worked on sewing a corset for about two hours and then it was time to close. Oh just to let you know I found this ladies address on the first try. I was shocked too. As I was listening to Muse's Origin of Symmetry album (that has nothing to do with my story, I just want you to know I was listening to Muse. They're good) I realized - I cannot and will not do this (meaning sewing, fashion etc.) for the rest of my life. I do not have a passion for it, I hate sewing and the whole idea of that being my life makes we want to throw up. Not in the excited "throw up all over my thighs" kind of way, but the really bad way. I've always slightly felt in the back of my mind that I didn't really want to do this, but maybe I will grow to love it or at least like it more. Well I didn't and I'm basically saying eff it to that whole plan and I applied to go to UVU and I'm going to be majoring in Fine Arts. My dream job is to travel the whole world (7 times) and paint/draw what I see and experience other cultures. Now as far as I know no one is going to pay me to do that, but I'm amazing and watch it happen.

Insomnia still going strong so I'm just going to ramble on. Oh are you kidding me, did that just rhyme. I hate myself. So a few days ago marks the end of an "era", if you will, for me. After it's release April 15th, the Mariah Carey E=MC2 album has left my cd player in the car. That was a good strong month or month and a half I had been listening to that and nothing else. Well minus the ten days I was in Egypt. I didn't bring my iPod, for fear of losing it, so I didn't listen to much of my own music then. It's OK I had sweet Amr Diab to get me by. It had been awhile before this Mariah stint that I had listened to one album so consistently. Every now and again this happens to me. The last one I recall was Mae's Singularity. Man was that a good one. It lasted quite a while, I'm sure anyone that was friends with me at that time remembers it quite well.

I don't know how everyone else feels about late late night t.v. but I'm pretty pissed that Full House is nowhere to be found. I swear Home Improvement has been on repeat forever. It's a fine show, but I just want to watch some classic touching moments between Danny and D.J. or Uncle Jesse and Joey in a fight about something really stupid. Oh well Home Improvement will have to suffice for now. Actually I'm probably going to go to bed. Honestly I highly doubt I will be updating this that often and I even more highly doubt caring.