now playing

One of my favorite things that i own is my record player. It is a 1980-something original Denon Record Player that my mom bought when she was a teenager. Recently she decided that she would be nice and pass down this lovely piece of her own music history. It's actually amazing that it has survived so long in my house, let alone survived in perfect condition.

With this marvelous gift, I also acquired quite a few original records from some awesome music bands of the 80's (side note: I have an obsession with 80's music despite the fact that I unfortunately, never lived in that decade). Getting the record player back to Utah was a slight inconvenience but I managed to carry it in a box on the plane and miraculously fit most of the records in my backpack. Since then, I have been building my own collection of record albums. As of now I have about 40-something records, and I have big plans for my next additions.

 This is my record player:

In case you were wondering, here is a list of some of the records I own (in no particular order):

• The Smiths- The Smiths, The Queen is Dead, Louder than Bombs, Hatful of Hollow, and Meat is Murder
• Depeche Mode- Some Great Reward and A Broken Frame
• The Cure- Boys Don't Cry (Original Release) and Faith
• Tears for Fears- Songs From the Big Chair
• The Beatles-Abbey Road and Hey Jude
• James Taylor- Rainy Day Men
• Bob Dylan- The Times They are a-Changin', Infidel, and Slow Train Coming
• Neil Young- Harvest
• Stevie Wonder- Greatest Hits
• Bob Marley and The Wailers- Legend
• Kraftwerk- The Man Machine
• The Guess Who- The Best of The Guess Who
• Michael Jackson- Thriller
• Bon Iver- For Emma Forever Ago
• The Police- Every Breathe You Take (The Singles) and Outlandos d'Amour
• Violent Femmes- Hallowed Ground
• Simon and Garfunkel- Greatest Hits and The Concert in Central Park (Live Album)
• The Clash- Black Market Crash
• R.E.M.- The One I Love (Single) and Green
• The Velvet Underground- Loaded
• Johnny Cash- Story of a Broken Heart
• George Harrison- All Things Must Come to Pass (Double Album)
• The Church- Starfish, Seance, and Remote Luxury
• Lou Reed- Rock and Roll Diary 1967-1980 (Double Album)
• Notorious B.I.G.- The Final Chapter
• John Lennon and Yoko Ono- Double Fantasy

a growing issue

Today I bring you a profound statement about American obesity. In the news today, we are hearing more and more about the increasing amount of obesity in America. Is due to poor eating habits and lack of motivation in U.S. citizens? Probably, but I believe that there is something more sinister at hand; something that may be considered the best innovation to modern day fashion. Ladies and gentleman, I blame the "Jegging."

The jegging, a hybrid between the conventional pair of "jeans" and "leggings," emerged in the fashion forward scene around the fall 2009 season. SInce it's (re)introduction to the fashion industry, it has been welcomely embraced by pant-lovers of all types. The jegging, with its functional and fashionable appeal, offers the comfort and stretch of a legging, with the look and sometimes feel of your favorite denim. It offers less bulk than the average pair of jeans and more durability than typical cotton or spandex leggings. Not to mention the ease of mobility that has been coveted for centuries. It can be dressed up or down, and is available in many different washes and fabrics. For the pant-lover, the jegging is truly the best of both worlds.

Though the jegging may appear to be your best friend, I believe it to be the most nefarious item in your closet. The reason being is this: because of the jegging's unique ability to stretch and shape to the wearer's form, the stretch also enables it to fit a variety of body sizes.  When I say a variety of body sizes, I mean you (the wearer's) different fluctuations in size. I'm talking about weight gain.

Undesirable as it is, most people experience natural changes in body weight over the course of their lifetime. This correlates with seasons, emotional states, stress, activity, etc. Before the jegging, the easiest way to tell when you were increasing in body mass (aka getting fatter) was by the way that your pants fit. The stiff shape of normal denim jeans has always been a good measure of size and they make it clear when the pants' capacity has reached its limit. Jeggings on the other hand, know no such boundaries.

Just like the world's most baggy and unsightly sweatpants, jeggings have a surprisingly large body mass capacity. They defy all laws and can grow to horrifyingly enormous sizes--just like the person wearing them. They do not give the friendly but firm reminder that you are are expanding, as normal pants do; rather, they lead you into a false sense of security, leaving you unaware that you are putting on pounds.

Everything about the jegging is misleading. It is both its greatest asset and deadliest flaw. When you first purchase a pair, you are told to buy 1-2 sizes below your normal size because of the remarkable stretch ability. From the initial meeting you are beguiled into believing that you are smaller than you actually are. This is a tragedy that must be stopped before the damage is done.

Do not allow yourself to be fooled by this seemingly miraculous clothing innovation. The jegging may seem like your best friend at first, but it will only leave you with a broken heart and perhaps, a broken scale. If you are one of the many victims claimed by the jegging, do not despair, it is not too late. There is hope and there are people to help you. Please do American obesity a favor and spread the word. Tell your friends, your neighbors and Michelle Obama if possible. The spread of the jegging must not go on.

Oh, and someone better warn Conan.

powder

Personally, I feel the winter season has few redeeming qualities. The bitter cold air and lack of sunlight just doesn't mix well with my native San Diegan way of life. The one thing I definitely enjoy about winter is the snow.  Not the snow you have to shovel on your side walk or the kind that makes you drive 10 mph all day, I'm talking about the layers of fresh snow on the mountain.

Some like to call it powder, pow-pow, or just pow. Whatever it's called, I love it. There is nothing like waking up early and heading to the ski slopes to enjoy the clean air and the blankets of fresh powder. Perfect days like these are rare and few but unforgettable. Here are some pictures from my last powder day:

 This was at Canyons Resort in February the bowl off the Ninety-Nine-ninety lift. This was my first powder day for my reverse-camber board. I will now swear by reverse camber for the rest of my life.

Don't be fooled. It wasn't cool.

This was a picture not worth taking. Here's some of that laughter at my expense:

Powder days like these make the Utah winter season bearable. Though the days this season are numbered but I hope to see a few like this more before the season ends.

accepted

Officially accepted into the BYU BUSINESS SCHOOL.

Best news I've heard in a long time. Life can now continue as planned.

I am blessed.

prayers for japan

This is an eye-witness account from the New York Times Japan Tsunami Highlights:


"I was on the 9th (top) floor of recently built, thin (30' square) and very flexible apartment building in Sumida, Tokyo. Living here has been a little unsettling as even small vibrations -- a large truck passing by, for example -- tend to set the structure quivering. Now I appreciate its amazing engineering. It flexed and bounced like an airliner in turbulence.

The shaking went on for so long that I had ample time to get up, put my shoes on and go out onto the emergency stairs. The neighborhood -- largely 3-15 story buildings -- looked like a set of children's blocks teetering on a shaken table. It looked more dreamlike than scary. Each building is topped with a lightning rod; they became metronomes swaying in competing directions. Old women moved to the middle of the street and stood motionless, looking at each other. After what must have been 2 or 3 minutes, the neighborhood public address system came online with a cheerful, slightly inappropriate recorded message: "This is Sumida City. Just now, a large earthquake happened. Please be careful."

It was only when I turned on the television and saw live footage of a tsunami closing in on cars driving down the road that I understood the severity of what happened.

Three hours later, things continue to rock every few minutes."

Andrew, Tokyo

March 11th, 2011

4:30 am

My prayers are with the people of Japan and all those who are affected by the Earthquake and Tsunami.  

a random thought

Is it strange that I find something profoundly religious in Ayn Rand's theories? She is the ultimate capitalist, devout atheist, the mother of objectivism, and possibly my favorite writer of all-time.

"Achievement of your happiness is the only moral purpose of your life, and that happiness, not pain or mindless self-indulgence, is the proof of your moral integrity, since it is the proof and the result of your loyalty to the achievement of your values."

— AYN RAND

Lykke Li | Until We Bleed

good morning

just something to start the daily routine.

Daily Routine (Phaseone Remix) - Animal Collective