I WOULD SO BUY THIS

Away We Go

Heart Songs Pt. 1: Are You Listening?

In 1995 I started listening to the radio. The events that preceded this occurrence are slightly obscured in my own mind. Suffice it to say, I did not discover KKDS 1060 Radio AAHS on my own. Radio AAHS was a children's (kids) station on AM (radio). I could now go into what I did while the radio played, the significance of it to my 11 year old life, what the radio looked like, and the time I called the station to answer the daily moral question asked by my favorite daytime DJ (whose name is lost to history), and how my recorded conversation with said woman was broadcast throughout these united states. But the minutia of biography is sometimes overbearing (at least to one's self), so let's skip it. I got an old radio and started listening. All of this is to say my first favorite song was "As I Lay Me Down," by Sophie B. Hawkins. All of my early favorite songs were sung by women. All of my life I have loved women. I know now and can see now the preparation that was occurring in my heart for the future.

This is the first in a series about the songs I love. Not songs that rock, not songs that are good, great, or greatest, but songs I love. Songs that have an emotional connection to my life, whether in time, space, or event.

Songs are music and words together. Lyrics alone can never give the same effect as actually hearing a song, but for your enjoyment: "As I Lay Me Down," Sophie B. Hawkins

It felt like springtime on this February morning

In the courtyard birds were singing your praise
I'm still recalling things you said to make me feel alright
I carried them with me today, Now

(chorus)As I lay me down to sleep

This I pray
That you will hold me dear
Though I'm far away

I'll whisper your name into the sky

And I will wake up happy

I wonder why I feel so high

Though I am not above the sorrow
Heavy hearted
Till you call my name

And it sounds like church bells

Or the whistle of a train
On a summer evening
I'll run to meet you
Barefoot barely breathing

It's not too near for me

Like a flower I need the rain
Though it's not clear to me
Every season has its change
And I will see you
When the sun comes out again

For an incomplete picture of Radio AAHS see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_AAHS

Practice

I was asleep and you woke me. I was a a stranger and you fed me. I was a boy and you called me beautiful. I was a child and you loved me. I was corn and you shucked me. Now I know what life is.

But that was just practice.

You were hiding in plain sight. Now I see you truly. Now I remember what life is. On and on and on what a song! Let it be in your head! Let it be in your heart!

This isn't just practice

Give me time to catch my breath. I want to mean something. Will you mean something with me? I only want to do what matters. Matter with me! Would you take my hand, and hold on to me, through everything?

Practice makes perfect

Hearts brake and bend, necks and wills bow to Him. Lives and souls sealed to Him. Enduring and Progressing.

We go on.

What Is Inside A Name

The best band name ever is Sonic Youth.*

Here are my favorite band names of my own invention.

Pool Honeys
The Economy
Youth Novels
The Shire
Future Hymns
The After Party
Our Young Love *
Mufasa
I Like Lightning
Patronus
The Love Gurus
Transcendental Businessmen
Peradventure
The Constant
Quaid
Our Moms And Teachers
The Lovely Vagrants
Venture Communists
Department Of Aging
Hot Conference
Think Tank


* Irregardless of the music.
* Shout out to Beka Lowe for this one.

Just Do It

Things I Want To Do 2009 Edition (Part One In A Series)

1.) Jump into a pool of jello (preferably green).
2.) See Wilco live.
3.) Steal something (then return it).
4.) Appear in a film directed by Wes Anderson.
5.) Bowl 300.

I Need An Editor

I have been negligent in my blogging, and I apologize.

What I would like to do is get "assignments" from everyone and blog about them. Examples would include, "How has having a friend obsessed with AFI blessed your life?" to reggae's influence on 70's punk rock bands, or ...

Thanks in advance, kids!

Truth abides

A GOOD REMINDER FOR ALL OF US:

"Love don't make things nice. It ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren't here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die." -Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage, in Moonstruck)

(photo by amelia Lyon)

You and me are we

I got this idea from Beka Lowe.

To quote and use her example: "So, here's the deal... you answer the following 12 questions about yourself: 1. What is your first name? beka 2. What is your favorite food? pizza 3. What high school did you attend? marcos de niza high school 4. What is your favorite color? green5. Who is your celebrity crush? zach braff 6. Favorite drink? water with lime7. Dream vacation? greece8. Favorite dessert? cupcakes 9. What do you want to be when you grow up? interior designer 10. What do you love most in life? being creative11. One word to describe you? crazy 12. Your Flickr name? iwillsaveyourday Wanna play?: Type your answer to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL’s into the Mosaic Maker (3 columns, 4 rows)... Enjoy!"

The two blank spots symbolize the mystery aspect of personality, the place in the soul that few dare to know, let alone enter. Well, that, or a computer malfunction.

Words you forget to anniversary songs

Five years ago today I left on my mission to Iowa. When I got to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, I had a startling, pristine understanding jump me about what, exactly, being a minister of Jesus Christ for two years would entail. I never felt it so clear during the rest of my entire mission. As the feeling/understanding came on me, I thought "Do I really want to do this?" The answer was "YES."

(The picture above is Main Street in Osceola, Iowa, my first area.)

All Apologies

Um, so I appreciate every one's positive response to what is, at least for me, an unusual post. But, the thing is, I'm kinda embarrassed. I feel like I just GUSHED all over this thing. I did some pretty intense self editing while I was writing, but not quite enough. I meant to write about two paragraphs to cover the time frame indicated, instead I wrote about a million. My bad. It was good for me to cast my mind back and reflect on this time period, so maybe I take my "My Bad" back? Thinking about stuff that is long past can sometimes impress upon us lessons we didn't learn the first time, when we actually experienced the events themselves. I'm still going to finish my chronicle of the past few years, just a little slower, in order to make sure I can actually draw out the correct lessons from my experiences.

A YEAR LATE IS THE NEW PRONTO

Last August, my friend Beka Lowe, left a comment asking for an update on my life "pronto!" A year later, and all of us older and wiser too, and here we go: I was scheduled to come home from my mission (Iowa Des Moines) on September 30, 2005. 5 months previous to my planned departure, I was in an interview with my president, Dirk Driscoll, when I broached the subject of extending my mission 6 weeks. I expressed to him some of my feelings about my service so far, and how I felt like I could give and do more. I said, "I know it doesn't work like this, but I want to make up for things." He said, that, actually, it DOES work like that. A very clear and concise teaching of pretty important aspects of The Atonement, I think. President Driscoll asked me to think about it some more, pray about it (which I hadn't done yet), and see what my parents thought. Next transfer, I told him what I wanted to do. He thought it was a good idea, and so I was able to stay in Iowa an extra 6 weeks. They were some of my hardest, and some of the best, not that it was exceptionally different than previous transfers. So, I left Iowa and arrived back in Arizona on November 11, 2005, with no plan for my life at all. My first companion, Elder Sorensen, pretty much thought it was a sin to spend time planing your life at home when you should be doing the Lord's work. He felt that it's your job to kill yourself for the Lord, and he'll pick you up after the fact. Interestingly enough, I knew of quite a few stories to back this idea up. I pretty much picked up his philosophy on the subject. Meaning I didn't plan jack about what I'd do when I got home. By the way, I stupidly interpreted these ideas, there's a good middle ground available here, where you use the Lord's time wisely, and with your own few hours of preparation, lay some plans for the next leg of your life. I got back to AZ and immediately it was like I never left. And I mean that in the worst way possible. I enrolled in community college, just because I was "supposed to." I started attending my stake's singles ward, which was almost sheer torture the first few weeks. I knew a few people, but didn't have any friends in the ward. I have loved going to church for a long time, but I hating going to this ward for probably the first 9 months I went. I felt so uncomfortable and useless. I would see groups of people talking and think I should go and talk to them, and then I would think, why, for what reason? I had no purpose. Purpose is one of the biggest things I learned about on my mission and through studying Preach My Gospel. I did meet some really cool people, don't get me wrong, but it was like I had lost all my friendship making skills. I got a calling after talking to the Elders' Quorum president. It was to put the chairs up after priesthood. I don't believe any calling is b.s. but this one FELT like it was. It felt like appeasement. I was doing pretty good on the dating front, or so I thought. One time I was home teaching and dating came up, my companion said he went on 8 dates a month! Suffice it to say, he beat all 3 other guys in the room with that score. I had a friend-girl that I felt an interest towards, but it didn't go anywhere. When I told her I had a huge thing for her(something I've NEVER done to a girl before we become official), all she said was "I don't know what to say." Which is kinda inexplicable, since at the time she was dating the man she eventually married! It's also hilarious that even though we were friends, I didn't know she was dating anyone! I was pretty perplexed by the whole thing at the time, though not very tore up. Now I think it's one of my funniest stories. Flash forward a few weeks, it's May of '06, and I decide I should CONCENTRATE on dating, and date once a week. For the inaugural of my new campaign, I decided to play it safe. I called an old crush from high school up and asked her out. We went out and had a really good time. I planned to call her again in about two weeks, but the next day she called me to go watch a CES fireside with her. Then, on Thursday, we saw the Joseph Smith movie at the Mesa Temple Visitors Center and got ice cream afterwards. She paid, saying that she owed me for the date. When she dropped me of at my house, she walked me to the door, and gave me a hug! Like we were on a date, or something! I immediately called my friend and said "I think I'm starting to hook up with this girl!" Now a word about this girl. I had an immense thing for her in high school, like big-big-time. And mostly, I wanted to be her friend, not necessarily go out with her at the time. I had pretty mixed feelings about serious dating during high school. I would always ask a friend to call her to come hang out in our little group, so I could spend time with her. One of the worst memories I have of being a teenager is looking to my right and seeing another boy and this girl holding hands while we were at the discount theatre watching Mr. Deeds. I wanted to die/run out of the theatre screaming. For various reasons, we never got to know each other that well, or hang out much one on one. Back to the future: So, for me the fact that we were hanging out a lot and it appeared she was starting to like me, meant a very great deal. TO BE CONTINUED... I'm just tired of typing.

I LOVE COMIC BOOKS

Songs That Belong

UPDATE: As requested, here is the finished song list with accompanying artists. 6/29/08


Here are my favorite songs I HEARD in 2007 (in no particular order)


-7 Stars, The Apples in Stereo
-Simple Man, Graham Nash
-All I Want Is You , Barry Louis Polisar
-My Eyes, Travis
-Boots of Spanish Leather, Nanci Griffeth
-Anyone Else But You, The Moldy Peaches
-Your Ex-lover Is Dead, Stars
-This Time Tomorrow, The Kinks
-Catch The Wind, Donovan
-Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands, Bob Dylan
-I Live In The Mess You Are, Zookeeper
-007 (Shanty Town), Desmond Dekker
-My Hands Are Shaking, Sondre Lerche
-Umbrellas, Sleeping At Last
-1234, Feist
-When I Say Go, The 1900's
-I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You, Black Kids
-The Christmas Song, The Raveonettes
-Falling, Ben Kweller
-Under Control, The Strokes
-You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb, Spoon
-All My Friends, LCD Soundsystem
-Whatever, Oasis
-Everyone's A VIP To Someone, The Go! Team
-The Start Of Something, Voxtrot
-Sin City, Limbeck
-Hanasakajijii (Four: A Great Wind, More Ash), Anathallo
-The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani
-Oh, Sister, Bob Dylan
-Goodbye (CWL Remix), The Postmarks
-Lloyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken, Camera Obscura
-Lips Are Unhappy, Lucky Soul
-Make Your Own Kind Of Music, Cass Eliot
-The Rifle, Alela Diane
-Somebody Loved, The Weepies
-Wildflowers, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
-Tonight I Have To Leave It, Shout Out Louds
-Two Of Us, Aimee Mann And Michael Penn

this year's favorites

1.) Juno.

It's not only my favorite movie of the year, it's my favorite movie ever. It very simply (almost deceptively) tells a story about real love. And redemption (in the truest sense of the word), and getting over yourself and your precious hang-ups. And I love Ellen Page. I guess Paulie Bleeker sums it up best when he says "Can we make out now?"

2.) I Am Legend

I liked it the first time I saw it, but I fell in love the second. I had to fight not to cry. Light up the darkness.

The New New Thing

Coming Soon: The Best of 2007.

The Darjeeling Limited

A work of truth and beauty.

Summer's Ending

This is my very first summer mix:

Summer Hymns

1.) My Rights Versus Yours, The New Pornographers
2.) Thinking, The Hippos
3.) Your English Is Good, Tokyo Police Club
4.) Stuck For The Summer, Two Hours Traffic
5.) Catch The Wind, Donovan
6.) Wonderwall, Oasis
7.) The Thanks I Get, Wilco
8.) Jaime, weezer
9.) 7 Stars, Apples In Stereo
10) This Magic Moment, The Drifters
11.) Take Me Out To The Ballgame, The Hold Steady
12.) Better, Regina Spector
13.) Having A Party, Sam Cooke
14.) The Difference, The Wallflowers
15.) When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through Her Eyes, The Zombies
16.) Heavy Hearts Brigade, The Little Ones
17.) My Summer Girl, The Rentals
18.) The Sweet Escape vs. Jimmy Mack, Gwen Stefani/ Martha & The Vandellas
19.) Mmmbop, Hanson
20.) A Praise Chorus, Jimmy Eat World
21.) Gyasi Went Home, Bedouin Soundclash
22.) (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay, Otis Redding
23.) Summertime, The Sundays

Our band could be your life

Band Names

• Hypewriter


• Pool Honey's


• The Shire


• Peradventure


• True Ants


• The X's


• The Favorites


• Momo's


• Patronus


• Hate Club


• Sherpa


• Peachee


• Austenesque


• Mufasa


• Perdittle


• Hers


• The Darcies


• Randall Poster


• Heartfire


• Frenemy


• Evangelical Physicists


• Lovejoy


• Schrutebuck


• Easy


• Backhanded


• Ben Teusch


• Very Emergency


• The Young Alumni


• Woo


• The Fudiuk's


• Reckon


• Harold And The Cricks
• The Zimmerman's
• The Dundies
• Michael Scott
• Reveille
• Pocket Sensai
• Pam pong
• The Candy Growers of America
• The New Hotness
• The Mulberry's
• Hypertrophic
• Summer Days
• Seer stone
• The Halpert's
• Sway
• Gentleman and Scholar
• Wellsville
• Anawanna
• The Wrigley's
• Enders
• Ending
• McLovin
• Ocean
• Loveography
• Shake Your Heart
• Gold Stars
• Robot Boy
• Hawaii
• Primary Sources
• Luster
• Bus Club
• Torpedo
• Structure
• Intervention
• The Quiet Dignity
• Thinking Cap
• Young Human
• Bobsledders
• Encore
• Truth Bombs
• The Blume's
• Monticello
• Quaid
• York Shades
• Cashbasket
• Mushmind
• Time-like
• Shoeshine Division
• The 9.0 Club
• Phenomology
• Voyager
• The Potentials
• Pulver
• Monkeyshine
• Checkrein
• Awesome Lessons
• Watch Me Jumpstart
• Who We Be
• The Taurvettes
• Your World
• Second Best
• Mind Grapes
• Squints
• The Hop-ons
• Shirley
• Cello
• Plan B
• Leap
• Tambourine
• Genius Club
• The Sunset Limited
• Things Have Changed
• The Preakness
• Boomlet
• Pose
• Bomb Bach
• Snow Day Dedication
• The Wayne
• The They
• The Perfect Day
• The Spaces
• White Villains
• Compose
• Trust Fall
• Eva
• Demarcation
• The Springsteens
• The Coolies
• Revolution Summer
• Super Classic
• Super Kindergarten
• Hornacek
• Adaptation
• Sweetness
• Permanent Dream
• Argyle Welcome Mat
• Prime
• August
• Election Day
• The New New Thing
• The New War
• The New Roma
• Welcome
• Gerta Rauss
• Angus
• Seals
• I Love Lisa
• Composure
• Unmanned
• Sticky Bomb
• The Human Project
• English Department Decoder Ring
• Infinites
• Our Mom's and Teachers
• Inglorious Miltons
• The Economy
• Catchy
• Groupling
• Car Test
• Chill Pill
• Capitol City
• Blush
• Furious George
• Soul Twin
• Blond Fro
• Hello
• Phantom Babies
• The New Geezers
• Excitable Boy
• Prodigality
• Fan Club
• Makemost
• Ferris Wheel
• Things Have Changed

Which stand out to you?

SAD EYED LADY, SHOULD I WAIT?

50 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I LAY THIS MORTAL BY PT 5


41.) Baptize someone
42.) Go on a date with my wife to a movie premiere
43.) Learn to skateboard
44.) Say a prayer in the Sacred Grove
45.) Go cliff jumping
46.) See a genuine Iowan demolition derby
47.) Learn to crochet
48.) Go to the Iowa State Fair
49.) Learn to surf
50.) Discover my mission in life