Ragamuffins in Chinatown & Tinsel Town

Mike, being the good uncle that he is, took me and Sky on a little cultural excursion to the streets of downtown Hollywood.  We took a few detours to see the sights in Chinatown and Sunset Blvd., which is Sky's personal favorite (Tons o' guitar shops). It was a good time and a good photo op:

Tinsel Town is going down!!!

subway station. I didn't even know there was a metro in LA.

smile! we weren't supposed to be down here!

Things I am ashamed/should be ashamed of

 Okay Brace yourselves. Some of this may come as a shock. I hope none of you will change your opinion of me, and love me for who I really am. All right. I'm confessing....

Things I feel ashamed for not liking:

1. Taco Bell

2. Harry Potter

3. sand

4. pool parties

5. Ratatouille

6. the chocolate chips in chocolate chip cookies

7. that "I kissed a girl" song

8.  baby carrots... or any carrots for that matter.

9. That "525, 600 minutes" song.... ugh! shoot me in the face.

10. all the "Go Green" propaganda. Please stop.

11. Brad Pitt and Matthew McConaughey. I never thought they were hot, and I never will. I don't see what all the fuss is about. 

12. Will Ferrelll. With the exception of Elf and maybe a few other films/skits, I don't think he is funny.

13. Sonic commercials. I didn't know that people actually thought they were funny.

14. Those awful trojan warrior-looking sandals that I've been seeing in fashion everywhere. These are really hip right now. I tried to be open minded, but I just can't like them.

Things I should be ashamed for liking:

1. The O.C.

2. the sorry excuse for burgers at McDonald's/Burger King that only cost 49 cents.

3. kids movies

4. the greasy hole-in-the-wall mexican food, wherever it can be found...

5. Rexburg

6. America's Next Top Model

7. Almost everything in the organic section at the grocery store

8. facebook

9. Musicals.

10. Global Warming

11. The Scion XB

12. Sleeping on the couch

13. diagramming sentences.

14. Those trunk monkey commercials, or anything with anthropomorphized animals.

Feel free to confess your personal shame, or lack thereof, in the comment section.

Call me a square, but I love the Box-mobile.

Okay, Everybody says that these cars are weird or ugly, but I find them quite charming. Actually, I used to share the opinions of my critical peers, but I have had a change of heart. Something about the modern, geometric body is just endearing about this vehicle. I love the white ones. They look like iMacs on wheels. Surely, if apple started designing automobiles, they would look something like this. I'm also phased that the design of the car is engineered for superb acoustics. (Any Music Lovers in the house?) So those of you who are not tolerant of these boxy-like buggies, I'm coming out of the closet... I like them, and I don't care what you think! Ladies n' Gentlemen.... it's different.... it's daring....  it's the Scion XB.

I really like the 2006 model. Come on guys, give 'em a chance!

Today in Physics Class...

In Physics today, we watched the same program that Brian Reagan, stand-up comedian, is about to speak to you about in this video. The subject matter of that particular program happened to be on quantum physics and string theory. I had to buckle my seat belt for that hour of class because it was some of the insanest-freak science stuff I've ever heard of. I share Brian's reaction. If you ever get sucked into PBS's science series NOVA, I offer you my advice-- In the words of Samuel L. Jackson.... "Hold onto your butts!"

12 Unpleasant AZ things I would do to be in AZ

1. Lay out in the sun for ten hours straight with sunscreen only on the bottom of my feet

2. Eat the egg that I fried on the sidewalk

3. Hug a cactus

4. Lick on of those fuzzy-looking cacti that appear harmless, but are killers!!!

5. Challenge Shaq to a freestyle rap battle.

6. Get my special deputy badge taken away by county sherrif, for rapping inappropriate things at Shaq.

7. Work at sunsplash...

8. Swim in a freshly chlorinated pool with my eyes open until they sting and are bloodshot and my hair is green

9. Charm a wild rattle snake

10. Get so many scorpion stings, that I am immune to their poison.

11. Drink only the nasty tap water.

12. Go to a Cardinals game

Dreamin of AZ

This pic is ironic, since sometimes green grass tends to lack in AZ in the summer, but I find truth in it. I stole this pic from my friend. His band/music project is The grass is green on this side...

Anyway, It's funny when I think about it. I mean, when I think about the destinations and adventure ahead of me for the rest of this summer and the fall, I am just tickled with awe. Really, I am. As soon as I finish out this summer semester, it is high adventure from here on out: san diego (SEA WORLD!! woo hoo!), maybe hawaii (?), probably new york, and of course, london for all of fall. A girl couldn't ask for more!

Still, I can't get excited about any of these places for more than a few moments before they are overshadowed by the fact that I am going HOME some time between all of this craziness! Lately, I have been so aloof and day-dreamy. I'm not home yet, but I might as well not be here, because my mind is constantly drifting to other places and people. Lately, I've often asked myself that profound question made famous by the band The Pixies, Where is my mind?? Currently: not in Idaho. I'm dreamin' of Arizona.

Now I have to say, Rexburg is amazingly pleasant right now. In fact, there wasn't a better time to be in this town. It is beautiful, the weather is perfect, there's lots to do, and most awesome people imaginable for company. I've decided that no matter where I am, with great weather and great people, I am profoundly happy. Still, there's a longing for home just eating at me, even during the most miserably hot time of year in AZ. It doesn't matter. I would gladly be burned to a crisp, and soaked in perspiration from the sweltering desert sun just for a little taste of home.

and then there's always the pool and the AC... such pleasant amenities for the desert species to adapt to their arid environment! I desperately wanna sip some lemonade by the poolside, and enjoy what they are calling Global Warming. haha. 

Just a few weeks, AZ, and I'm all yours...

Below is a pic of me during my first semester away from home. My friend jake sent me a bunch of AZ postcards, which made me happy and miss AZ even more...

Jesus Is Just Alright With Me

The other night Skyler informed me that he was at the Doobie Brothers and Chicago concert in at the Dodge theater in Phoenix. Gotta say that I was a little jealous, and fascinated. My mom told me that when she went to pick up my 15-year old brother and his friend from the concert, everyone else looked to be my parents age. No surprise, really. I mean, my dad was an aficionado of the Doobies in their early days. He's showed us kids black and white photos that he snapped at Doobie Brothers and Kenny Loggins show when he was young. I'm not sure what kept him from hanging with the boys that night, but it amazes me that the music that was rockin my dad's era is still blowin kids' minds today. Seriously, the Doobie Brothers are nearing 40 years old as a band, being formed in 1969. It just blows my mind. 

As for me, I'm pretty jealous of Sky. The kid couldn't get over how awesome the concert was. In his words, "They were sick!" Which is definitely a good thing. I really love the classic 70s-80s rock music, and I just can't get over the song "Jesus is just alright." Great little number. 

After reminding him of all the vanilla creme frappucinos I'd bought him in the past, I convinced Sky to get me a shirt from the concert. Thanks dude!

Arts n' Crafts Night!!!

Recently, Kari and I discovered these great shoes at Walmart. They look just like vans or keds, except they are only five bucks. What a bargain! So I bought a white pair and the red pair, and fell in love. It's been forever since I bought a pair of sneakers. I've been hooked on the wedge heels, but I rediscovered the joys of a cute and casual shoe. This left me wanting more, which led to my genius idea. I could buy a pair of white shoes and dye them! As for the color, I wanted something that really made a statement... like "can't touch this." Had to go with yellow. So work this equation out:  bucket + shoes + water + golden yellow Rit dye = Yellow shoes! 

Check 'em.

Physics meets Photoshop

The Retrospect: Best Albums of 2007

So lately I have been thinking a lot about the great music of 2007. There was a podcast on NPR's "All Songs Considered" where they played songs from the top 25 albums of 2007. I didn't get to vote so I decided that I wanted to make my own list. A lot of them are the same as NPR's, but there are a few that are unique to my list. So here's my top 25 of 2007.  I thought it was a pretty good year, but let me know if I missed out on anything good. They are in chronological order of their release dates:

23 jan

The Shins- Wincing the Night Away

(This one was one Jacob Garn's tops picks for 07)

6 feb

Dear and the Headlights- Small Steps, Heavy Hooves

(Prolly my fav AZ band)

6 mar

 Arcade Fire- Neon Bible

(This one reminds me of driving home  from horkley's with sarah, and almost hitting a pedestrian... she was driving.)

12 mar

LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver

(more fun than a barrel of monkeys)

20 mar

Hail Social- Modern Love and Death

(This is a lil' gem of a band that I discovered last year. fun music for dancing.)

Modest Mouse- We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

(Probably one of my personal favorites of the year. Can't get over it.)

10 apr

Bight Eyes- Casadaga

(Mixed feelings about this one, but there are some great songs. Plus Dupree sisters from Eisley sing backup on a few tracks.)

1 may

Feist- The Reminder

22 may

Maroon 5- It Won't Be Soon Before Long

( I had a change of heart with this band and this album. Love the disco-feel of the beats and riffs of the dancy songs.)

10 jul

Spoon- Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

Stars- In Our Bedroom After the War

11 aug

Eisley- Combinations

20 aug

Rilo Kiley- Under the Blacklight

21 aug

Minus the Bear- Planet of Ice

(Love. this. album... I've gotta see these guys live someday.)

4 sep

Beirut- The Flying Cub Cup

(This one takes me to another world. just phenomenal.)

8 sep

John Mayer- Continuum

(I didn't really like this one at first, but after listening to it in Adam's car constantly... it grew on me.)

11 sep

Pinback- Autumn of the Seraphs

(I hate the artwork for this album. It doesn't make sense to me at all, especially with the music. But music is twice as good as the artwork is weird.)

The Good Life- Help Wanted Nights

(I'm in love with Tim Kasher's voice and songs)

25 sep

Iron and Wine- The Sheperd's Dog

2 oct

Ghostland Observatory- Paparazzi Lightning

(First heard this stuff at our Brookside halloween party. couldn't get enough of it.)

9 oct

Band of Horses- Cease to Begin

(This was Han Solo's top pick)

16 oct

Jimmy Eat World- Chase This Light

(Didn't like this on at all at first. I saw them play the songs live, and I've really come to appreciate it.)

Thrice- The Alchemy Index Vol. 2

(Amazing concept album! Didn't bother with Vol. 1. though. Too hard for my taste. Vol. 2 is incredible though. Really mesmerizing. Vol. 3 & 4 just came out too, and they are really awesome.)

23 oct

Yeasayer- All Hour Cymbals

(I was actually just introduced to this band by Jane, and I am WAY phased. Their album came out in 07, so I added it to my list.)

28 dec

And Finally...

Radiohead- "In Rainbows"

(This one below is truly a work of art)