2012 Resolutions

Kristy, Logan and I celebrated an early New Year with a glass of Ginger Ale at 9:00 PM, New Year's Eve. We did this so Logan could celebrate the New Year along with Kristy and I. We hoisted our glasses in the air and I made a toast. 

"Here is to a Happy 2013. I hope it is better than the last year."

Logan and Kristy immediately busted up with laughter. I guess I was getting a little ahead of myself. I think I wanted to skip making resolutions for 2012!

I really liked the format I used last year so I am doing it again. 

I RESOLVE...

• to go back to school and get an education. I am still not sure exactly what I will studying, I am going back and forth from Pharmacist to Paralegal. Either way, I will be heading back to school sometime this year.

I RESOLVE...

• to continue to read more. I think I will continue with reading a book every quarter and I am sure I can find more autobiographies or instructional books that I can read. Along with that I am going to try to read the Ensign magazine monthly again. Last summer we also had the cool opportunity to hear from Elder Bednar and he gave us all a neat promise that I am going to work on to fulfill. 

I RESOLVE...

• to continue exercising and trying to eat right. I will still continue to eat what I want but I am going to limit my portions more carefully. I still would like to run a 5K race but I am unsure how my knee will react. If all goes good, I will try to run the Top of Utah 5K. If that does not work I might run the 1 mile race at Logan's school again. I will continue with my walking DVDs, playing racquetball and going out for runs.

I RESOLVE...

• to actually do some drawing or some kind of art this year. Even if I do some rough sketches that would be good enough. I used to do some art while watching Lost a few years ago so I know that I have the time. I just need to get disciplined and do it. I still am highly interested in doing some Queen art. 

I RESOLVE...

• to continue to use and hone my musical talents. I will continue to play the bass guitar and participate in as many choirs and other singing opportunities. Along with that, I am also going to spend some time learning about music. I would like to get to the point where I can actually read music. 

I RESOLVE...

• to take the time to write more. I have a lot of projects that I need to edit and work on again. I will participate in the Nanowrimo competition again this November and I will give ScriptFrenzy a whirl again here in April. This time I think I might try out something completely different with ScriptFrenzy. I might do a TV show or a musical. I will also blog a bit more than I did last year. I might have to do a few more BlogBlitzes to accomplish that goal.          

I RESOLVE...

• to use my time wisely. I am going to shut off the TV at 9:00pm and spend an hour until bedtime completing my resolutions. So I can draw, read or practice music during this time. I am going to give myself a floating day or two where I can watch TV or a movie or something. Basically so I can veg out once in awhile. 

That should keep me busy this coming year. 

Christmas Music

One of the reasons why I chose to join my church choir was for the chance to sing Christmas songs. This year we are singing a couple of songs for our Christmas program. We are singing One Small Babe, Silent Night and Away in a Manger set to the tune of How Firm a Foundation. I am looking forward to singing these in just a couple of Sundays.

I love Christmas music. It is always so uplifting and happy. One Small Babe is a fantastic song, one of the Young Women is singing a solo at the beginning and she fits it so perfect. She has a real sweet and innocent voice that is so pure and I have to admit that it chokes me up a little when I hear her sing it.

I discovered an album of Christmas that I absolutely love. Christmas with Weezer.

It has most of my favorite Christmas songs that is set to more of a rock and roll feel. It doesn't feel out of place and it does not feel that it disrespects the music either. I might have to figure out the bass guitar for this.

An Evening with the Transiberian Orchestra

Last night my dad, sister and brother went down to Salt Lake City to attend the Transiberian Orchestra concert. This is my second time that I have seen them, the first time a couple of years ago.

This type of music is right up my alley. For those that are not familiar with them and their music they are a progressive rock band founded in 1993. The orchestra's musical style incorporates classical, orchestral, symphonic, and progressive elements into hard rock and heavy metal. In fact they have taken pieces of classical music (Carmina Burana, Beethoven's 9th symphony as examples) and incorporated them into their rock operas. Essentially, it is theatrical rock music. They are also known for incorporating Christmas music and having Christmas themes in their operas.

The first time I went and saw them I had a good time but I was not completely won over. It probably had to do with the timing. I was still working at my last job and hating it, my car got a flat tire at the gas station and I had to walk back to work in the snow and cold. So I had to leave my car there and my sister took Kristy and I. We ate at a Greek restaurant and I got a horrible, horrible case of the hiccups. Seriously, these were body shaking, headache inducing hiccups. So I think that affected my enjoyment of the show.

So I have to admit that I was not as excited to see them again. Sure, I knew I would like it but I wouldn't say that I was going to be knocked out by it.

I am sure glad I went again. We ate afterwards and I didn't have a flat tire beforehand. We had better seats and the set was much better looking. The music was fantastic. It was relentless, it was pounding and the lights, fire, fireworks and video screens enhanced the feeling. The show is split into two parts, the first part is centered around one of their Christmas rock operas and does have some fast and furious moments but can be a little slow at times. The music is still phenomenal and sends a great message about how we should treat each other and not just during the Christmas season. But the second half of the show they just rock the roof off. I have always loved orchestra mixed with rock guitars.

Jennifer and I feel we have missed our calling in life. We both want to be rock stars! But I think I would be happy to be the guy that escorts the pretty violinist up and down the aisles.

The only thing that kinda bugged me about the show was one of the performers. He has such a great voice but he was also in love with his own hair. And he would thump his chest and air guitar and I felt like I was watching a parody. But really, I am being quite picky and petty here.



I had a wonderful time. This was definitely a better concert than the last time I went. I am not afraid to admit that I am a fan of them and their music.

Thanks dad for taking me and for taking us to get some tasty gyros after! It was fun on the drive home singing to the iPod.

Tag! 15 Albums

Day 317

A friend recently tagged me in a note on Facebook. She was inviting me to name 15 albums that I have listened to that will always stick with me and then she listed her 15 albums. I have done something like this before only with 15 movies.

Since I have no idea what I want to blog about today I thought I will steal this idea and post my list of albums. If you want to participate the rules are very simple. Take fifteen minutes and list the first fifteen albums you think of. Don't take too long to think about it.

Now before you judge me and poke fun or laugh, remember, these albums are NOT necessarily my favorite movies (although there are a few), these are albums that stuck with me; ones that I cannot shake and easily forget. They are not in any order.

Men at Work: Business as Usual

I have fond memories listening to this album when my sister and mom drove down from Canada down to Utah. I still listen to these guys, Colin Hay has such a unique voice.

Honeymoon Suite: Honeymoon Suite

This was the first album that I bought. Ah.... hair metal.

Alien 3 Original Score: Eliot Goldenthal

This must be one of my favorite scores since it was the first one that came to mind. I listen to this whenever I write. It has a unique blend of orchestration along with a set of interesting organic noises.

Queen: A Night of the Opera

One of the first Queen albums I bought. I cannot listen to just a song of this album by itself, I have to play the whole album.

Led Zepplien: Led Zepplin 4

This takes me back to my high school days when I first discovered them. Another album I like to listen the whole way through.

Fleetwood Mac: Tango in the Night

This was my gateway drug to the rest of Fleetwood Mac. I ended up knowing a lot of Fleetwood Mac. Who knew that my parents at the time were cool enough to listen to them?

U2: Zooropa

I still think this is the best U2 album. Definitely their most underrated album. And it has Johnny Cash singing on it.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Growing up my parents introduced me to a ton of different music. They would often play classical music and "A Night at Bald Mountain" quickly became a favorite of my sister and I.

Pink Floyd: The Wall

I discovered Pink Floyd much later in life and I was blown away by this album. This one sticks with me.

Queen: The Miracle

It seems like Queen is split into two different bands. The earlier Queen sound and the later stuff. I am a fan of both but this is my favorite "later" stuff.

Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe

I think the only reason this came to mind is that I am preparing myself to go see his show next month. This was his first album that I took from my sister and never gave back. Oops.

Men Without Hats: Pop Goes the World

I must be thinking of albums that I listen to the whole way through because this one came to mind too. A very well put together album that can fit any mood.

Les Miserables: The Complete Symphonic Recording

This 3 CD set is the complete show. I don't know why this came to mind but it did. One of my favorite Broadway shows that I was lucky enough to see in person.

Sweeney Todd: Highlights

My sister raved about this show and she gave me the CD to listen to it. I had no idea what the crap I was listening to but I remember listening to it when I was alone and it was stormy outside and I almost peed my pants when that whistle went off.

Black Sabbath: Masters of Reality

Apparently my sister made an impact on what I listen to. Surprisingly this album is not as dark as people think. There are some very beautiful instrumentals and a very tender song. All around one of my favorite albums.

 

So what are yours?

List-Mania: Christmas Music

Day 48

It takes me time to warm up to the Christmas season but once I am in it, I go all the way. I love Christmas music even though I am not a fan of it before Thanksgiving. But I do dig Christmas music in all forms. So here are my Top Ten favorite Christmas songs.

10) Happy X-Mas (War is Over)
It may have started out as a protest song about Vietnam but it will always be to me about Christmas and the peace it can bring. It is too bad that we have to have Christmas in order to have peace.

9) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
I have U2's rendition of this song and it is just awesome. What is Christmas without having your loved ones around?

8) Do They Know It's Christmas
I know this is not really much of a Christmas song since it was made to raise money for Africa but the message it contains is what really matters. We should be helping others that may not have a Christmas. Donate old toys, drop some change in the Salvation Army buckets, help someone in the neighborhood.

7) Thank God It's Christmas
Believe it or not but Queen actually wrote a Christmas song. I thought it was just a cover of a Christmas song when I first heard it. It definitely sounds like a Christmas song. A simple song about how it is good when it is Christmas.


6) God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The first time I heard this song was in the 3rd grade. I participated in a choir during lunch times and we were to perform at a Christmas concert. I thought this song was so unique, something so different than any other Christmas song I had ever heard.

5) Oh Come All Ye Faithful
This was another favorite I sung in my 3rd grade choir. Who would have thought that this event would have such an impact on me?


4) The First Noel
I am noticing another trend here. It seems I like Christmas songs that have high parts.

3) Angels We Have Heard On High
I wish this song was more popular. It has to be my favorite Christmas song to sing along with. The tenor and bass parts are so awesome. Voice Male does a fantastic cover of this song. I also like Mariah Carey's mash up she did with this song and the next one on my list. That was back when I liked Mariah Carey.


2) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
What I love about this Christmas Hymn is how it continues to build to a crescendo. Oh, how I wish I could sing better. My version is not as good.

1) O Holy Night
This is such a beautiful song. The poetry (the lyrics) match the music so well. I cannot really put down in words how much I love this song. Mariah Carey does a wonderful rendition.

Now I'm off to listen to some Christmas tunes.