Philosophically Challenged

You can NEVER go wrong with Jon Schmidt! His music is great and he is SO (well) goofy. I think when most people envision going to an instrumental concert their first thought is where is the pillow for my nap? But, Jon Schmidt’s concert ranged from soothing and calming to funny and entertaining. I highly recommend checking him out if you haven’t already!

So I decided to break out of my hermit shell for a night and throw a party. Since I’m a social hermit it was more or less a party for two of my sisters and their friends but it was still a blast. And honestly, my favorite part was setting up (before everyone showed up… what..? I can’t help it that I don’t like crowds). The reason I found it so enjoyable was getting to hang out with 3 of my sisters and Tyler (he’s pretty much an adopted brother). I feel like time is running out as me and my family gets older. So it was refreshing to spend time with them. We were jamming out while we were setting up. It was so much fun! It was like having an opening show or pre-party to the actual party. Ty baby has got the moves!

B A C D

A and C gettin’ jiggy with it

We had just finished setting up and turn around and see this going down (haha!)

Hanging out with Patch!

CC and Ty Baby

The Fourth of July is probably my favorite holiday. The fourth for me means family, snow cones, rodeo, the lake, more family, lots of food, water fights, trap shooting, volleyball, four-wheelers, a local parade, and did I mention family? When you throw all of these aspects into a mixing pot it’s the recipes for cherished memories. This year we even had a zip-line which will be a part of all future Gunlock memories.

Every fourth is spent in Gunlock. As I’ve gotten older, going to Gunlock feels like going home. Time stops. As soon as you drive into the city limits nothing else matters. Nothing else exists.

Our Statue of Liberty for our parade!

This year one of my younger sisters decided she wanted to do the donkey-watermelon race. I told her I’d do it with her if her named got drawn out. It just so happened that she was “lucky” enough to get chosen. In all my years of going to the Gunlock rodeo I’ve never seen the part of the donkey-watermelon race where they but roughly 40 people in a pin of 20 donkeys and tell you to hop on. Now donkeys aren’t the nicest creatures. They really can be a pain in the… *cough* Well for me and my sister our donkey was actually a pain in the knee. That’s right! We both got kicked. After that Danielle decided she wasn’t too keen about participating in the race so we both bowed out with a limp.
Lesson Learned: Never trust an ***.

Me and my big sister

Well… this is me…doing down a big slip-n-slide fully clothed. I couldn’t help myself!

Eclipse Line 9pm

 
Eclipse Line 9:30pm

It’s official a family tradition to go to all the movies of The Twilight Saga. Unfortunately this Twilight movie we were two girls short (two of them were off camping) but it was still a blast. Waiting for the movie is almost as enjoyable as watching the movie when you have great company (which sisters and your mom almost always are).

Another “SHOUT OUT!” about The Neighbors…. I know, I know….. look at the bright side, at least it is not a post about The Twilight Saga… that’s next week LOL. I went to a local Battle of the Bands concert and The Neighbors made it into the finale out of roughly 20 bands! They didn’t win the whole event but in my book they dominated.

(Hanging out with The Neighbors (Adam Kaiser and Rachel Kaiser) at the Finale)

Nothing beats finding songs you love so much that you scan the radio stations each morning to see if they’re on while you’re driving to work. Well ladies and gentlemen, I found a brother-and-sister combo local alternative piano rock band that produce such songs. Although you cannot yet find their songs on the radio while your driving around town, I foresee that this will not always be the case.

Those that know me personally know that I am somewhat of a introverted person (ok there is no “somewhat” about it) and can rarely be found at big group events. But… if you happen to be at an event that Adam Kaiser and Rachel Kaiser (The Neighbors) are preforming at you will most likely find me somewhere in the crowd.

The first time I heard these two was at a 2 year anniversary for a local burger joint. I was hooked as soon as they walked on stage. Not only is their music great but they are also entertaining to watch. They are very authentic and… just… themselves. I was shocked at their multitasking skills. What do I mean by that? They both sing, play the piano, Rachel plays the bass, and Adam plays the drum all in the course of one song; not to mention getting into the rhythm of the music themselves. That’s right. They switch back and forth in their songs between their instruments. AMAZING!

So what’s the point of this post? A) I haven’t posted anything in a while, B) I think The Neighbors are great and therefore want to share them with those who may not know of them yet, and C) I’m procrastinating vacuuming mi casa.

Fundraiser for Brazil at Kilby Court.

The Neighbors always preform barefoot and in unique attire.

The Neighbors chillin’ out at The Velour: Battle of the Bands

I finally got to have some “Fun in the Sun”… granted I had to drive 4 hours to find sun… but it still counts in my mind as my first summer adventure of 2010. I figure since a picture is worth a thousand words, it is more efficient to post 6 pictures than to write 6,000 words.

(It only took me 5 attempts to get it so they were all in the air.)

(Trying to be like Zeus. Now I just have to figure out the thunderbolt thing.)

I saw this at Cabela’s and have to share….

Everyone needs one or two of these in their life. Here is a collection of songs I have gathered along the road of heartache… Those moments when you don’t think it’s possible for your heart to be shattered into any more pieces.

(Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy
Battle- Colbie Caillat
Best Days Of Your Life- Kellie Pickler
Breathe- Taylor Swift
Broken-Hearted Girl- Beyoncé
Catch Me When I Fall- Ashlee Simpson
Cry- Faith Hill
Cry- Kelly Clarkson
Dear Agony- Breaking Benjamin
Details in the Fabric- Jason Mraz
Do You Believe Me Now- Jimmy Wayne
Give Me A Sign- Breaking Benjamin
Help Me Remember- Rascal Flatts
I Feel Bad- Rascal Flatts
I Hate Everything About You- Three Days Grace
I Never Told You- Colbie Caillat
Insensitive- LeAnn Rimes
Lies- Trifonic
The Man I Want to Be- Chris Young
Near to You- A Fine Frenzy
Need You Now- Lady Antebellum
On Bended Knee - Boyz II Men
Pieces- Rascal Flatts
Porcelain Heart- BarlowGirl
Possibility- Lykke Li
She Wouldn’t Be Gone- Blake Shelton
What Hurts The Most- Rascal Flatts
What Hurts The Most (Yanou’s Candlelight Mix)- Cascada
Whatever it Takes- Lifehouse
When You’re Gone- Avril Lavigne
You’re Not Sorry- Taylor Swift
You To Miss- Love and Theft
Your Love Is A Lie- Simple Plan
6 months, 8 days, 12 hours - Brian Mcknight
9 Crimes- Damien Rice

“The person in a relationship with the most power is the one who cares the least.”

I had the opportunity to attend the Hoil: Festival of Colors at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple (The Lotus Temple) in Spanish Fork, Utah. Holi is an Indian holiday announcing the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. What a priceless and memorable experience!!

This holiday is celebrated by throwing of colored powders, dancing, singing, and much more.

Thousands gathered to participate in this event.

How often do you get the opportunity to throw large amounts of powdered chalk?!