Favorite Music of 2011

1.Panic at the Disco- Vices and Virtues              
ALBUM OF THE YEAR

2. Boss in Drama- Pure Gold  

              
3. Justice- Audio, Video, Disco.  
SONG/VIDEO OF THE YEAR- Civilization             

 
4. SebastiAn- Total      

              
5. Icon For Hire- Scripted   
BEST NEW ARTIST

              
6. Death Cab For Cutie- Codes and Keys      
FOLLOW UP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
   
7. Adele- 21                      
  
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers- I’m With You    
     
9. “Weird Al” Yankovic- Alpocalypse       
      
10. The Decemberists- The King Is Dead   

My 2011 Playlist

1. Civilization by Justice  
2. Fantasy by Breakbot (feat. Ruckazoid)   
3. Memories by Panic! At The Disco  
4. Blackout by Breathe Carolina  
5. Neu Chicago (Side A) [For Dance] by Clive Tanaka Y Su Orquesta  
6. Why Even Try by Theophilus London (feat. Sara Quin)   
7. This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists  
8. Let Me Be by Boss In Drama  
9. Embody by SebastiAn  
10. Someone Like You by Adele
11. Helena Beat by Foster the People  
12. Shy Ronnie 2: Ronnie & Clyde     The Lonely Island feat. Rihanna  
13. Another Tattoo by Weird Al Yankovic
14. Deer In the Headlights by Owl City  
15. Trade Mistakes by Panic! At The Disco
16. Only a Memory by Icon For Hire  
17. Body Rock by Boss In Drama
18. Kindercut by SebastiAn
19. Promises by Nero
20. Helix by Justice

7th Annual Best, Middle, and Worst Movies List

GREAT
X-Men First Class
Captain America The First Avenger
Thor
Attack the Block
The Muppets
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Tabloid
50/50
Midnight in Paris
Our Idiot Brother
Bridesmaids

GOOD
Drive
Warrior
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Young Adult
Win Win
The Help
Moneyball
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Red State
Pearl Jam 20
Hanna
Horrible Bosses
30 Minutes or Less
POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Paul
Super 8
The Devil’s Double
Kill The Irishman
Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop
Rango

OK
One Day
The Sitter
Cedar Rapids
Green Lantern
A Better Life
Tree of Life
Fright Night
Reel Steel
Terri
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
The Hangover Part 2
Hall Pass
The Beaver
Tower Heist
Your Highness
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Kung Fu Panda 2
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The Adjustment Bureau
Source Code
Fast Five

Slightly OK
Friends With Benefits
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
The Green Hornet
Unknown
The Future
Margin Call
Trespass
Take Me Home Tonight
Arthur

BAD
Hobo With A Shotgun (Biggest Disappointment)
Bad Teacher
The Change Up
Cowboys and Aliens
Just Go With It
Sucker Punch

Catching up with 2010
Great
The King’s Speech
The Social Network
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Rubber
Micmacs
Waking Sleeping Beauty
Waiting For Superman
The Tilman Story
Inside Job

Good
In A Better World
13
Beginners
I Saw The Devil
Animal Kingdom
Barney’s Version
Exporting Raymond
Restrepo
Submarine
Tron Legacy
True Grit
American: The Bill Hicks Story
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Catfish
13 Assassins
The Parking Lot Movie
Marwencol
Buried

OK
Rabbit Hole
Blue Valentine
Jack Goes Boating
Super
Biutiful
The Other Woman
Let Me In
Unstoppable
Casino Jack
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
The Virginity Hit
Everything Must Go
Cyrus
Fair Game
Never Let Me Go
The American
HappyThankYouMorePlease

Slightly OK
Peep World
The Trip
The Company Men
Beautiful Boy
Howl
Trollhunter
I’m Still Here
Hesher
Morning Glory
Get Low
The Tourist

Bad
Skateland
Daydream Nation
All Good Things
Faster
Death at a Funeral
The Vicious Kind
How Do You Know
Unthinkable

October and November 2011 In Review

GENERAL
- Officially back working for Provo Freedom Academy
- More Netflix rentals including Win Win, Red State, Californication Season 4, and Catching Hell.
- Watching the current season of my favorite shows
- Drinks, food, movies, and walks galore

OCTOBER
- Dates with Katie include going out to see movies 50/50 and Tucker and Dale vs. Evil,  We continued to watch Dexter season 4, we celebrated a year of knowing each other eating at Joe's Cafe in Orem, more dinner and movie dates, and numerous times she showed up at my work waiting for me to finish.
- Visiting my cousin David in the hospital several times after an accident involving a golf cart.
- Began watching The Big Bang Theory like crazy catching all the way up the current season. 
- Got the new album by Justice that I waited very long for and really like it.
- Dressed up as SNL Digital Short character Shy Ronnie for Halloween. And had an awesome Halloween weekend with Katie and her friends carving pumpkins and taking a stroll around Hogle Zoo.

NOVEMBER
- Started to step up my exercising by going to the Orem Fitness Center
- Using gift certificates to eat free-ish food at Pizza Pie Cafe and Jimmy Johns, both times with Katie.
- My Aunt Jean came to visit to give her love and support to my cousin David as he started his recovery. I also had some good times exposing her to music that I love and enjoy that she got a kick out of. I also have been getting in some fun visits with David which I have longed for.
- Dates with Katie included bowling, some retro gaming (Nintendo 64), going to see The Muppets, eating at the Cheesecake Factory, watching an advance screening of Twilight: Breaking Dawn, and celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday with her family.
- Started the craziness of holiday shopping.

August and September 2011 Update

GENERAL/FUN
- Walks
- Food/Drinks
- TV Shows- Hell's Kitchen, Masterchef, Wilfred, The Challenge, etc
- Two trips to a Cabin near Kamas hanging out with Katie and her family 

WORK
- Finished out the season for the Orem Owlz, a little too early sadly (no Champioinship)
- A Couple shifts as a back up custodian for Freedom Academy
- Currently on the job hunt again

AUGUST
- On August 22nd we put our older pug Clark to sleep after a two year decline in his health. 
- Dates with Katie include a half b-day dinner at the Mayan, seeing a show (Charlie's Aunt) with friends at the Off Broadway Theater in Salt Lake, double date to Boondocks, and watching the Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert (Their new songs) at the movie theater.
- Movies we saw include Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 30 Minutes or Less, and Our Idiot Brother.
- Sold my CD player and then got a new audio player, the kind that docks and plays an iPod
- 311 Concert with Sublime With Rome
- Bought the debut album from a band called Icon For Hire, who most likely will be my choice for best new artist this year

SEPTEMBER
- Katie and I did our own Yard Sale in Provo which was a decent success considering location and items sold.
- Dates with Katie include going to Wiseguyz Comedy Club to see local favorite Marcus, Celebrated 6 months with gifts and IHOP, watching the 3rd Season of Dexter, Star Trek nights with friends, and seeing the movie Drive,
- Did some cooking from my Heart Healthy Cookbook I received recently
- Was in a car accident, more specifically another driver ran into my car and almost left if it wasn't for an eyewitness who was there. Everything got settled and repaired. I even had a rental car for a couple days.
-Weird Al Yankovic Concert at the Utah Sate Fairpark
- Long awaited debut album from Boss in Drama

Thanks for reading

June and July 2011 Update

GENERAL
- Started my 7th Season working for Orem Owlz Minor League Baseball
-Netflix rentals include True Blood Season 3, The Office Seasons 4, 5 & 6, and Rubber.
-In TV there was RW/RR Challenge Rivals, Hell's Kitchen, and Masterchef
- Drink Runs, Food, Walks with my new Shape Ups, and numerous other purchases.


JUNE
- Saw some more movies with Katie including X-Men First Class, Green Lantern, and Super 8. Other dates included a double date night of bowling, Texas Road House, California Pizza Kitchen, Madeline's Steakhouse, and going to a wedding ceremony and super nice reception for one of her bosses.
- A Day at Lagoon with Katie along with Terra and Zach (also mentioned below)
- Usual Orem Summerfest traditions including going to parade with my mom and Katie
- New music from longtime favorite "Weird Al" Yankovic.

JULY
-My sister and her family were in town making for lots of fun times and memories including a second trip to Lagoon.
-New albums by longtime favorite bands 311 and Sublime (With New Lead singer/guitarist Rome)
- Happy to see one of my best friends Terra get married to the love of her life Zach
- Saw more movies with Katie including Horrible Bosses, Captain America: The First Avenger, Tabloid (first time I have been to the Broadway Cinema in Salt Lake), and especially the Premiere of the Final Harry Potter Movie where I did win an iPod Shuffle in a drawing (for dressing up of course). Our other dates included a delicious dinner at Archibald's, Olive Garden, and Fazoli's which is still missed in my neck of the woods.
- Midnight screening of Cowboys and Aliens with my good friend Justin Black. We dressed up for the occasion.

April and May 2011 Update

Before I wait too long, here's how my April and May went

 GENERAL STUFF
- Worked for Freedom Academy until their school year ended at the end of May. I intend to return to work there when the school year starts up again. Until then I will work at my favorite summer destination- The Home of the Owlz!!
- Netflix rentals that I enjoyed include True Blood Season 2, Marwencol, The Tilman Story, and Inside Job.
- Still watched shows Celebrity Apprentice, The Cleveland Show, Family Guy, SNL, The Soup, Kitchen Nightmares, and of course all my favorite movie reviewers online.
- Many a visit to the post office and gas stations for drinks.

APRIL

- Outings with Katie included late night dining experiences at Village Inn and IHOP, a double date miniature golfing at Mulligans, seeing the movie Paul, and the Living Planet Aquarium,
- Ate more food around town at Marley's (first time), One Man Band in Spanish Fork (tradition), Skipper's (it's been a while), and a Giant Chimichanga from Mountain West Burrito (expensive but worth it!).
- Had a Spring Break again thanks to working for a school. I did my traditional visit to Nickel City playing some games. I also walked to Movies 8 to see a movie which I hadn't done in years.

MAY

- I attended the funeral of my Aunt Linda who was my mom's youngest sister. She was the coolest ever and I hope she's still raising hell wherever she is. This means that I went on brief trip to California where I got to see the beach again and have some good times with family living down there.
- Almost had jury duty but then the case was settled before it could happen. 
- Outings with Katie in May included a double date eating at Shakey's and seeing the movie Fast Five, other movies including the new Pirates of the Carribean and Bridesmaids, a weekend camping/four wheeling adventure at the Little Sahara Sand dunes, and we went to Payson to be there for the birth of her first niece.
- Got a new pair of shoes that I love. They are blue with black laces.
- bought new albums from The Lonely Island, Death Cab for Cutie, and SebastiAn. So much more music to come this year- so exciting!

Thanks for reading

The Blog Challenge Conclusion

27. Pets
I never really had a pet until the fall of 2003 when we were given a pug puppy named TJ.  Sadly, TJ only lived with us for about 4 months before being hit by a car.

A month after that in April 2004 we were given another pug puppy named Clark and he has the been my best bud ever since. Yes I may treat him like the little brother I never had but I'm always happy to see him.

Two years later we decided to bring another pug into our home to be a playmate to Clark and her name is Minnie. They are the best and sweetest dogs on the planet and make my home a lot better.


28. Something that stresses you out
One thing that can stress me out is when I'm at work and I'm thinking too much about it being work. This doesn't happen too often cause I have tons of music and podcasts to keep me distracted enough to make my job more fun.  The podcasts I listen to include Geekshow Podcast, The Big Movie Mouth Off, Nerdist, Doug Loves Movies, The Dork Forest, WTF w/ Mark Maron, and Comedy Film Nerds,

29. 3 Wishes
- A New/Different Car
- Weather gets good and stays that way
- long and happy life, and more contact with my friends could help contribute to that in great ways


30. A (Recent) Picture and Three Good Things

So that concludes the 30 Day Blog Challenge which took a few days longer than it should have and was updated pretty poorly but it has been a blast and some of the topics I came up with so there wasn't too much info overlapping. The three good things that have happened in the last 30 days are
1- Getting some comments and feedback on these blog posts, always appreciated
2- I saw the movie Thor which I loved and it's the first great movie of 2011, can't wait to hear what the Geek Show panelists think.
3- and last, but certainly not least, the good times I have spent with my girlfriend (who took this pic). With every day I feel closer to her and look forward to the future.

Massive, but brief, Blog challenge Update

17. Something you're looking forward to
Orem Owlz 2011 Season (Home games start Monday June 20th) and hopefully working there for all of it

18. Something you regret
Just being myself and being more social/involved in things during my high school years. That would be my advice to anyone that age- just be you and hang around people who appreciate you for it.  


19. Something you miss
I miss hanging out with my friends on an all-the-time basis like I did as a kid, which is saying that I miss being young with my friends before all the responsible adult and life changing things occurred.


20. Favorite Quote
"Don't Be Sad It's Over, Be Happened it Happened" - Unknown


21. A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
One that comes to mind is "A Movie Script Ending" by Death Cab for Cutie, depending on the day/mood it's a guaranteed cry. I'm listening to it as I type this and I think I'm gonna tear up, in joy of course.



22. Favorite city

I'll say Washington DC cause it's the only city I have really explored by myself for hours and hours a couple years back. 



23. Favorite vacation
Picking a favorite vacation is not easy by any means, but the one that comes to mind is a vacation to California in 1999.  My family and I first went to San Francisco which was so awesome. We then drove directly south to the Temecula area which I've mentioned before going to on this blog. In all this time I visited almost all of my family that lives in California and somewhat made a stronger bond with some of them.

24. Something you've learned
Wow um, I know if this is a "great lesson" or anything but I think I have learned to just shut up and do things sometimes cause throwing a fit and thinking too much about it will cause more stress than just doing something. I'm mostly referring to doing a quick favor for someone which in my case is my mother.

25. Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
This is a random selection from my current 100 most played list
1. The Sun's Gone Dim and the Sky's Turned Black by Johann Johannsson
2. Broken by Gorillaz
3. Alice Practice by Crystal Castles
4. '75 aka Stay with You by Lemon Jelly
5. Sold my Soul by The Used
6. Why Even Try by Theophilus London featuring Sara Quin
7. Derezzed by Daft Punk (Tron Legacy Soundtrack)
8. I'm Not Contagious by Chromeo
9. Take It All by Adele
10. Rox in the Box by The Decemberists


26. Favorite Places to Eat
Based on everything from atmosphere to drink products and of course food, these are some of the places that are always a joy to go to.

- Cafe Rio
- Chick-Fil-A
- Five Guys Burgers and Fries
- Jimmie Johns
- P.F. Changs China Bistro
- Smashburger

30 DBC #16- Dream Home

I don't have the biggest vision of what my dream home would look like, but I can think of things I would have inside and outside of my dream home.

- Vending Machine dispensing free cans of soda

- Pool Table

 - Movie Theater (Of course)

- Tons of IKEA Furniture and Art

- Display cases and framed posters galore
- and most likely a Basketball court

30 DBC #15- Concerts

I just wanted to list a time line of concerts I've been to in my life


06/25/1996- "Weird Al" Yankovic
09/30/1999- "Weird Al" Yankovic- at Kingsbury Hall University of Utah
06/02/2000- 311 (w/Incubus)
07/20/2000- "Weird Al" Yankovic
11/20/2000- 311 (w/ Zebrahead)
11/09/2001- Incubus (w/ The Start)
03/04/2002- 311 (w/ Hoobastank) in OREM!!
10/16/2002- Finch (New Found Glory was headliner but didn't stay for them)
08/30/2003- 311
11/14/2003- Korn and Limp Bizkit
03/18/2004- A Perfect Circle (w/ Mars Volta)
03/26/2004- Clay Aiken & Kelly Clarkson (I always forget that I went to this, I was there cause it was free and was with family)
09/18/2004- "Weird Al" Yankovic
09/07/2007- "Weird Al" Yankovic (Yes I've been to every show of his since I became a fan 17 years ago)
05/26/2008- Death Cab For Cutie (W/ Tegan and Sara)
07/19/2008- The Police (w/ Elvis Costello)
08/12/2009- Halestorm and Lacuna Coil (Free Show)
07/13/2010- Paul McCartney

Another Blog Challenge Catch Up

Number 12-What you Believe
I have a lot of crazy opinions and beliefs, here's just a few
-I believe that people do not need to be jerks, life's too short for stupid drama
-I believe that if two people love each other no matter what religion, race, or gender they are then they should have the right to do whatever they chose to do in celebrating their love including marriage.
-I believe that a business should be able to make money/profits, however they should not be able to keep all of it if it's a ridiculous amount (millions, billions, etc) of profit. There should be no individual who makes millions and billions of dollars and get to keep all of it at years end.
- I believe that doctors, lawyers, and other highly trained individuals should do what they do because they actually like it and not because of the money they stand to make.

Number 13-Goals
I actually have a list prepared for this that I made for a Positive Psychology class a year ago, here are my basic goals.

2. Keep some kind of job
3. Always keep things organized (avoid hoarding)
4. Love my hair as long as it stays there
11. Donate time, energy, and some money to great causes
13. Speak up when people walk over me
19. Live life until it’s over
24. Always remember what makes her (my girlfriend) special
31. Never go a day without saying “I Love You”
32. At least one sentence of communication with girlfriend a day
53. Walk at least 2 ½ hours a week
61. Travel to New York City, United Kingdom, Australia, and Paris
80. Keep up with TV shows by getting a DVR
83. Bungee Jump/Sky Dive
89. Read more often, even if only comedic books


Number 14- A picture you love
So many pictures to chose from, but I choose this from my 2008 trip to California

Blog Challenge Catching Up

Number 8-A place you've traveled to
One place out of many that I've been to is Charlottesville, Virginia. I traveled there in the fall of 2007 to see one of my friends I met in high school named Britney. She was my guide for a day and a half showing me local shops, a yummy bagel joint, lovely scenery, and great friendly atmosphere.

Number 9-A picture of your friends
I love every chance I get to take pictures with my friends. Some of my friends love to take pics like I do and some can take the torture of taking a quick snapshot. Here are pics of some friends that I have taken.

Number 10-Some things you're afraid of
- I'm afraid I'm going to pass a kidney stone and other medical problems passed down in my family
- I hate being around bees, wasps, etc
- Loss of the things and people I hold dear
- Never finding a well paid and benefited job

Number 11-Favorite TV shows (just to name a few and in no special order)


Animated- Family Guy, Ren and Stimpy, The Simpsons, Beavis and Butthead, The Cleveland Show, Daria,


Drama- 24, Heroes (the first couple seasons), Dexter, True Blood



British- Blackadder Goes Forth, Peep Show, Spaced, Mr. Bean


Comedy- Seinfeld, The Soup, Californication, Saturday Night Live, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Wonder Showzen



Sports/ Talk/Reality- Conan, Pardon the Interruption, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares

DBC #7- (Some of my) Favorite Movies

I could go on and on about movies, but here are some random categories that show what some of my favorite movies are.

Favorite Movie Franchise- Indiana Jones

Favorite Comedy- Ferris Buehler's Day Off

Favorite Drama- Forrest Gump

Favorite Science Fiction- A Clockwork Orange

Favorite Sports Movie- Rocky III

Favorite Historical Movie- JFK, the most un-boring 3 1/2 hour movie I've ever seen.

Favorite Thriller/Horror- Silence of the Lambs

Favorite Disney Movie- The Jungle Book


Favorite Courtroom Drama- A Time To Kill


Favorite Foreign Film- City of God

Favorite Comic Book/Superhero Movie- The Dark Knight 

Favorite Crime/Police Drama- The Departed

Favorite Romantic Comedy- She's Out of My League (I am a guy after all hahaha)


Favorite Mystery- Brick

Favorite Buddy Cop Movie(s)- Rush Hour

DBC #6- Happy Pics

 Traveling/Going To Certain Places That Aren't In Utah Makes Me Happy. Donuts=Happiness haha

Day #6- Picture(s) of Something That Makes Me Happy
Well the obvious point to make is that my pictures make me happy. I've loved to take pictures ever since I was a boy and I've always tried to capture as many things as possible. I'm trying not to sound like a broken record in this whole blog challenge so I'll try to post pictures that aren't just my favorite things or interests like I've mentioned already.

The Beach Obviously Makes Me Happy

Nice and Sunny Canyon Walks Make Me Happy

A View of Utah Valley From High Up Makes Me Happy

Amusement Parks Definitely Make Me Happy

Other Pics I would include are going to be featured in future posts.

Thanks for Stopping By