GUS

Retiring

2010-01-11T11:50:00.002-07:00

To any of you that follow this blog, it is being retired. I decided that with the commencement of my new life as a married man, I will no longer be utilizing this blogs services. It's not like you've seen anything from me on this for a while anyway.

You can now find me and my beautiful half at:

thecrouchies.blogspot.com

ENJOI!

Polarized

2009-08-27T17:12:00.003-06:00

Four Years

2009-07-27T13:58:00.002-06:00

So Far...

2009-07-18T17:20:00.001-06:00

Polaroid captures from the last month, Enjoi!

LOST CAT

2009-06-01T21:27:00.001-06:00

CCSC - Creeker Crew Scooter Club

2009-05-17T11:43:00.008-06:00

I proudly present my 1978 Vespa p200E

There's A Real Cool Club On The Other Side of Town.....

2009-05-17T10:57:00.011-06:00

I have officially joined the cool kids club
and asked this girl to be my wife.....

As the day gets closer we will be sure to send out invites,
but here's some preliminary info to tie you all over:

September 26, 2009

2009-04-04T10:42:00.004-06:00

Hilarious

2009-03-29T18:07:00.002-06:00

Tattwos

2009-03-14T13:53:00.006-06:00

Thought I would post these up. Most people already know, but I added a couple new ones to my collection back in October. Looking for ideas to finish off the quarter sleeve. Any thoughts?

Anchors Aweigh: F&F Forever - August 2008

Creeker Crew: Home Is Where The Heart Is - October 2008

Mom: RIP - October 2008

If you didn't notice I have a theme amongst my artwork - Friends and Family. I am looking to fill in my upper shoulder soon and bring everything together.

Ees Da Bessss!

2009-01-28T15:52:00.002-07:00

I really really really really like this video. Thanks to my cousin for showing me the way to this.

Hometown Roots

2008-12-12T12:05:00.007-07:00

I stole this from my boy C-Dub's blog. Seriously one of the raddest things I have seen in a while. Growing up in and around the punk scene in Boise, I am totally stoked on this. Take a peek at the scene in 1985 Boise:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Tradition

2008-11-27T20:38:00.003-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here and A LOT has happened in the past month. For those of you who don't know, I am once again on the move. My work has asked me to relocate to the sunny skies and sandy beaches of Southern California. Kansas City is a great city and was a great experience for me, but I am so stoked to live the dream in the Southwest U.S. I am currently residing in Utah until my place opens up in January. So all you Utah friends, get at your boy. More on the move and other happenings later.

When it comes to holidays I would classify myself as a fairweather fan. I don't necessarily love or hate holidays. To me it's just another day, that is until the holiday is actually upon us. Every major holiday throughout the year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Veterans Day, etc.....) something happens to me the morning of. I wake up and for a brief moment I think about the "special" day and what it means to me. This very thing happened to me this morning. I woke to the muffled sound of Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab on VH1. Desperately trying to switch stations I angrily searched for the nowhere-to-be-found remote. After 20 mins of looking I finally stumbled upon the blasted thing wrapped up in the very blanket I used to sleep with the night before. As I was searching through the channels that feeling struck me. It was at that moment I realized how grateful I am for so many things, including the ability to sit on my fat butt and change the channel with the press of a button. If you think about it the remote control is such a rad invention. Then I thought about all the other things I'm grateful for like peanut M&M's, my past collection of Homies (the little guys you get at Smith's along side the temporary tattoos and calvin-peeing- on-things stickers), The Beach Boys and ultimately my friends (Creekers For Life) and my fam. Then I went back to sleep.

A few hours, one and a half of Becca's waffles and two glasses of OJ later I was on the road to eat dinner with my family in Payson. While gathered around the table I announced to my step-family my recently created Thanksgiving tradition (born in 2003) of telling my Dad something from my past that he didn't know about and that I really can't get into trouble for anymore. The inaugural launch of this tradition resulted in the telling of an event from my past that included delivery trucks and a very well known potato chip distributor. If you want more info just ask, it's epic.

With all ears at attention, I expunded on an unforgettable night in the summer of '97. Under the influence of certain beverages and amidst several of my friends and my older brother's friends, I proceeded to ride my little brother's bicycle around the backyard pool yelling "Look at me!" When I reached the diving board I thought to myself 'What could be better than riding this bicycle off the diving board? Nothing, thats what.' I pedaled hard trying to reach maximum speed. Once in the air I realized that there was one problem, I was fully clothed.

My Dad shook his head in minor dissapointment and major laughter, along with the others, at my wondrous feat. May everyone have a grand Thanksgiving and don't forget to undress before you decide that it's a good idea to ride a bicycle into water.

Halloween

2008-10-25T12:16:00.004-06:00

I have been many things for Halloween through the years: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, mad scientist, a girl, a human body part and the list goes on. But my most accomplished costume of all time was two years ago. Remember the Cobra Kai skeleton costumes from The Karate Kid? No? Maybe this will refresh your memory........

I wore a homemade skeleton outfit exactly like you see here, it was so dope. If only I had some pics of it, oh well.

I know a lot of you out there have seen some pretty fresh and pretty dope Halloween costumes. But what is one of the worst costumes you've ever seen? Here's one I came across...

I have one that tops all others, but I don't think it's appropriate for this blog. Just go and Google "worst costumes ever" and you may come across it.

California Dreamin'

2008-10-12T10:59:00.002-06:00

I'm on my way........

Son, She's Gone

2008-09-28T18:55:00.003-06:00

So I have been thinking a lot about my Mom lately and just how much I love her. I guess this is something I don't talk about a lot. I mean, it doesn't bother me to talk about it you know, I don't get all teary-eyed or weird about it. In fact, I enjoy talking about it because then I open myself up to others in a way that I previously knew not how. I don't tell you this for any sort of pity or for your condolences. I tell you this to praise the woman who I was able to spend 23 of the best years of my life with.

Most of you know the basics of my Mom's death. For those of you that don't, here you go. Candice P. Crouch was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma in Dec 2004/Jan 2005 and passed away in July 2005.

This whole ordeal started back about 10 years or so. As she fought through various pains, no one could diagnose her condition. This went on for several years with good days and bad days. In Dec 2004 she suffered from a seizure that caused a minor blip in her heart as well, so she was hospitalized. After her release, she had another seizure causing even greater damage to her heart . During this time the doctors noticed a tumor that had developed on her kidney. The heart issue cleared up and the kidney was removed, but my Mother would never be the same. The cancer did irreparable damage, causing her to function with the mentality of a small child. 7 long months later she passed away quietly with my Father by her side.

As one can only imagine, things became very complicated, very quickly. We have the ability to control almost every aspect of our life - our career, what we eat, the music we listen to, the people we choose to call friends, etc..... It is not often, almost never in fact, that we are faced with a situation in which we do not have some sort of control. But this is exactly where I found myself. There is absolutely nothing I could have done that would have saved my Mother's life and that's the hardest part, coming to grips with the fact that I had no form of control in the situation. The following period of time proved to be difficult in many arena's of life.

Three years and two months later, I find myself in a much different state. I have learned that, and this is as eloquent as I can put it, shit happens. I have come to terms with the fact that she has passed and that I don't know why. I don't think I'll ever understand why this happened, but I am learning each day how to integrate this experience into my life for the better. I still struggle with a lot of things surrounding her death, but this I do know: regardless of my beliefs, actions and status in life I will see her again.

I wrote a song in tribute to my Mom and if you're lucky enough you may just get to hear it one day. Until then, I'm playing this one close to my chest.

The Cat's Out Of The Bag or My Dad has an Eagle Eye and Spotted This Within Two Minutes

2008-09-14T18:23:00.003-06:00

Rumor's have been spreading, so here it is in all of its glory......

In other news, I recently finished first in the Kieth Crouch look-a-like contest. Check out my winning photo:

Tears

2008-08-09T01:02:00.007-06:00

I am shedding tears at how funny this clip is. Mad props to my homie Collin "Cons" Creek for the storyline and the film work, mad props.

3 Years To The Day

2008-07-26T22:11:00.003-06:00

Mom, I miss you.

Surprise Surprise

2008-07-26T13:46:00.003-06:00

Yeah, I know..... but I really do miss it.

Speechless

2008-07-18T23:49:00.000-06:00

The Dark Knight. Seriously, that's all I have to say.

Viva La Espana

2008-07-02T20:12:00.005-06:00

So there I was, sitting in the Orlando airport as El Nino made a magnificent move to beat the keeper and score the only and winning goal of the Euro 2008 final. I must admit that I originally had Portugal going all the way, but second on my list was that of Torres, Sergio Ramos, Fabregas and Spain. I watched the entire final with about 50 drunk travelers from across the world in the Fox Sports Zone at the Orlando airport, it was ill.

* Sorry for the music on the vid, what the hell was this dude thinking with Creed?

From The Vault

2008-06-22T21:11:00.007-06:00

Just happened to come upon these, scope them:

In other news, Portugal was nowhere to be found against Germany on Thursday. But my #2, Spain, pulled through today despite the mess of a game called by the referee. Seriously, two no calls in the box, that is ridiculous. Russia looked pretty good against a Netherlands team that, for the most part, looked like this was their first match together. As impressive as Russia looked, they will not redeem their group loss to Spain. I'm calling it right now, Spain over Germany 2-1 in the finals.

CAN'T GET ENOUGH

2008-06-14T18:21:00.003-06:00

I hope that this doesn't sound super super conceited but I am in love with my band's CD. Honestly, I can't get enough of it. I want it to get big. Like, touring big but I know that won't happen.

I am really really bummed that I decided to leave Maple Grove. I hope that the rest of the group knows how much I loved being a part of the band and how much I absolutely love our music. Here's something for the rest of you to wrap your ears around, let me know what you think:

Storytime With Rabbi - Maple Grove

BOOKS

2008-06-14T08:04:00.003-06:00

I have come to the realization that although reading a book is far more mentally stimulating than television, I am just not that big of a book reader. I would prefer to watch TV. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against books or those who enjoy reading them, I just have never been able to get that much into books.

Strike that, there was one point in my life where I used to stay up into the wee hours of the morning reading, that was in 3rd Grade. "Encyclopedia Brown" where have you gone?

Crush = Curse

2008-06-05T20:24:00.013-06:00

Warning: The following is a true story of one man's battle with the greatest curse of all time.... The curse of the crush.

I'm accursed, at least I think so. I have the uncanny ability to turn into a complete pussy when it comes to my crushes. I don't know what it is. I mean, a majority of my friends are girls (granted, I have no feelings for these women except for maybe the occasional seductive appearance in my dreams,) but when it comes time for a crush, count me out.

For a while I was on this kick of having mini-crushes because if I never pursued, or tried for, my mini-crush(es) I didn't feel bad for not doing anything about it. You know, I didn't feel like I was letting myself down. With major crushes, if I didn't actively attempt to let the girl know that I liked her then I felt horrible and my self-esteem dropped by at least 24.68 points. For a brief moment in time I switched back to major crushes, that didn't work out as well as I had hoped.

When I do finally nut up and make a move on my crush one of two things usually happens: I get a little piece and fall head over heels without the same response or I just get denied.

On the recent heels of a successful session, I find myself at the worst point of the curse. You see I have this thing, I can't make out with a girl unless I really and genuinely like her. "That's so sweet," "Oh my gosh, how cute," and "I wish all guys were like that" are just a few of the responses I have had for my inability to close a non-committed sesh. We all know that the words of comfort I listed are just that - words of comfort, to someone these girls feel pity for.

Well, I really really like this girl. But due to the 1200 miles between us and my proficiency in the art of post-sesh pussdom, I am drawn to a conclusion that nothing will come of it. I have once again fallen victim to the curse.

Or have I? I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and rid myself of this curse that has followed me my entire life - the curse of the crush.

Stay tuned for details (stay tuned for a long time b/c I'm in Kansas City and she's in Utah.)

Tres Leches

2008-06-05T20:22:00.001-06:00

If you can guess who this is then you get the prize.....

Numero Deuce

2008-06-04T21:22:00.003-06:00

The Start Of A New Generation

2008-06-02T20:06:00.003-06:00

So I want to just start posting things that I like on here. Don't worry kids, I'll still keep you updated on my life. Its just that I come across so many rad things and I want to post them on here.

Numero Uno:

To view more go to blublu.org

This Is The Place

2008-05-26T19:56:00.007-06:00

So I'm pretty positive that approximately 12.62% of my friends actually read this blog and a big Cheers! to those of you that do. I appreciate it. Seriously I do.

I feel that this is going to be the best way for me to communicate with all of my long lost homies. I am going to try and do better about posting on this thing. I hope everyone is doing alright.

Here's a little update on my Kansas City status. I moved in on the 17th with help from my Pops and Moms. Then I flew out to Phoenix on the 20th for work to the Arizona Multi-Housing Association trade show. It was a good show and I was able to spend some quality time with my colleague Mark Stoddard. He's a great guy and I know he will do super rad in Sacramento.

I finally got back on the 23rd late in the evening and have spent the last three days catching up on organizing my place. I don't have a lot of stuff so my pad looks pretty barren, but check it out:

*This is what you see right when you come up the stairs from the garage.*

*View from the little eating nook.*

*Time Wasters*

*The Office*

It's not much for now, but the longer I'm out here the more rad it will all become.

I'm not gonna lie, not knowing anyone out here makes things pretty lonely right now but that should change as time goes on. I have committed myself to being more active at church, I went for all three hours yesterday! I think that's the first time I have gone for all 3 hours in like 3 months, RAD! Now I just gotta keep it going.

Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to all my Provo homies and all the Creekers nationwide for all of your support. As much as it pains me to say, I do miss Utah already but glad that I'm moving on with my life.

Until next time Ima leave it to my boy Snoop to say

peace out.

Soda Popinsky

2008-05-23T11:54:00.003-06:00

Does anyone remember Soda Popinsky from Mike Tyson's Punch-Out? Seriously, he might not have been the hardest character to beat but man did I like saying his name. For the last little while (few years) I have been calling my Dad 'Pops'. He seems to like it seeing as when he calls sometimes he says "Hey it's Pops!" Today it struck me that maybe I can get away with calling him Soda Popinsky.

Well as many of you know I made the vicious 1200 mile trek to Kansas City last week and my folks came along to help me get situated in my new place and to see my friends in Nebraska, the Wilcox's. Good ol Pops and Sug helped me move in last weekend and then joined me on my first venture into new church waters, here's a pic:

I have a crush......

2008-05-10T12:01:00.001-06:00

RETIRED

2008-05-04T23:32:00.004-06:00

I retired the blue beast aka the blue balls this week.
That's right, no more oohing and awwing the babes with my 1999 perrywinkle-blue Chevy Malibu anymore.

I will now be destroying the streets of Provo (for the next 11 days) and Kansas City in this little number.....

For some reason I've had my eye on this beaut for a while and just decided that before I make the move out to KC I needed something a little more reliable and something that would help me obtain a sesh. If girls don't make out with me now that I make a lot of money and have a new sporty car then all girls must be really dumb.

New Digs

2008-04-23T23:34:00.005-06:00

So life has been pretty hectic lately. I am moving away from Provo next month and up until a week ago had not found a new place to live in Kansas City. I was trying to get appointments set up out there with some potential clients so that I could then make some rounds and tour some joints to live at, but it just wasn't going to work out. I left my destiny up to the internets. I'll be rocking a quaint little 1 bedroom with a study for my office and a garage to boot.

A couple of weeks ago I got on lds.org to get a feel for the single adults scene out in KC. I was surprised when I only found one YSA Branch listed, but decided to give them a call nonetheless. Some older dude answered and happened to be a member of the Branch Presidency. I talked with him for a bit and he told me about the area and that there are 8 stakes in KC and the surrounding areas with a YSA ward or branch in each stake. He then told me that the largest ward is the Shawnee Mission ward which encompasses Overland Park KS and Lenexa KS. The only area I searched for a place to live is in Overland Park.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to rock a branch. But to increase my chances of finding babes I thought I would test out the large ward first. The best part is I can ward hop every couple of months and pretend to be the new guy. I'm pretty sure something good is going to come of this, I just got that feeling. I just hope Tobias and Gob are in my ward.

IT IS FINISHED

2008-04-14T21:15:00.008-06:00

I just want to thank everyone who came out to our show last Friday. It was seriously so EPIC!!! Besides the fact that we got screwed out of fifteen minutes for no apparent reason (there is a motive behind going on second - its called getting to play longer) the show was so so rad as witnessed by the pictures below. Two songs into the set we played California Girls by The Beach Boys, hence the short shorts and the tanks and muscle sweatshirt on our part.

(This is pre-California Girls)

(Come On Party People Get Up!)

(I think you can almost see my twins in this one)

(I rapped Fat Joe's Make It Rain, Illa Illa)

As you can see it was a pretty rad party. The venue was packed and we ended up selling a ton of merch, which is good because I gotta recoup our recording costs somehow. Everyone should have a listen to some of Maple Grove's new tracks. We are really really happy with the album and the artwork and my last show and the birds and the bees....uhhhhhh sorry about that. Its starting to get late for me. I know I know, 930 isn't that late but when you are about to turn 26 life just starts slowing down and 930 just feels a lot later.

EP

2008-04-04T19:22:00.004-06:00

1) Amen To The Moon
2) Seasons
3) A Soldier's Requiem
4) Storytime With The Rabbi
5) Sea Of Memories
6) Stars

ITS THE D-O-DOUBLE-G

2008-04-03T21:47:00.003-06:00

I don't know if any of you have heard but Snoop Dogg is now a Mormon. I didn't believe it at first either, but after doing some research I found this article from CNN. Here is a pic of the Doggfather reading the Book of Mormon:

This is seriously one of the best April Fool's pranks I have ever heard of. Mad props to whoever cam up with this idea. Oh and by the way Cardon, I DID NOT steal this from you. Someone came into work today talking about how they heard this story on the radio and so we checked it out. I haven't stopped laughing since noon today, hilarious, hilarious.

IT IS FINSHED

2008-04-02T22:46:00.003-06:00

We put the final mixes on our new EP last night. It feels so good to have achieved such a rad accomplishment. A lot of work went into this CD and I feel like it shows on the record. We poured almost everything into making this thing happen before I leave. I am so stoked on the CD right now. Maybe it's cause I'm in the band, but I am seriously in love with our record.

We needed to get it recorded and pressed in time for our show on April 11th. This is probably going to be my last show with the band and we are gonna do it right. The show is pretty much going to be a huge party to celebrate my bday, my going away, and most importantly the release of our yet-to-be-titled EP.

I just want to thank everyone who has come out and supported us the last few months. Seriously, you have made this part of my life so rad.

Make sure to come and see me at the show, this might be your last chance to catch a glimpse and give me a hug. Oh and I have to make my shameless plug that you should buy a shirt at our show so we can actually pay for the CD (you can buy a regular printed shirt and a CD for only $10 or you can buy a custom sewn shirt and a CD for only $15 - WHAT A STEAL!)

Holla at ya boi!

STAY GOLD PONY BOY

2008-04-02T22:23:00.005-06:00

I have pretty much announced this to everyone, but for all of you out there who might stumble upon this - I AM MOVING TO KANSAS CITY!!!!!

Yes its true. No "day after April Fools" or nothin'. I really am making the move to the MID-WEST (said all slow and gangsta-like) Maybe I'll run into Nelly even though he is from St. Louis (St. Lunatics on da map!)

In all seriousness though, I am getting really stoked to make the move to America's heartland. Obviously I will miss a lot of people and things here in Utah, but that's what holidays are for right?

I've had the privilege of meeting various members of The Get Up Kids at random times in my life - when I was one of ten people at a Koufax (Ryan and Robby Pope) show in Boise, talking with Matt after multiple New Ams shows, or meeting the whole band on their last tour. I have this odd feeling that they will play a reunion show while I am living there and it will be freaking EPIC! VIVA LOS GET UP KIDS!

Do You Read Minds?

2008-03-16T18:16:00.006-06:00

I decided to re-dedicate myself to my blog. I feel that in the near future this will be one of the best ways to communicate the happenings of my life to my friends, fans, and loved ones. So here is a list of things that have happened since my last string of posts in December:

-I graduated from BYU's Marriott School of Management in Business Management with a Marketing emphasis. Not that I'm trying to walk around with a fat head, but the Marriott School was recently rated the 8th best undergrad business program in the country. Read more here.

-Only two weeks after school was over I received a call from Property Solutions here in Provo. I turned in a resume to their booth at the BYU career fair back in October and didn't really expect anything to come of it. I just thought I would get my resume floating and see what came back. Two days after Christmas I got a call from John Hanna stating that they had come across my resume and were interested in an interview. Two interviews and about a month later I became the newest salesman for Property Solutions International, Inc. Do you want to pay your rent online?

-Maple Grove continues to dominate the Provo music scene. After being crowned champions of the Velour Battle of the Bands we were asked to play the Velour 2 Year Anniversary Show, a very big accomplishment. Since then we have been fortunate enough to share the stage with Mathematics Et Cetera, Drew Danburry, Seve vs. Evan, and others. Thanks to Corey Fox at Velour and Jake Haws at Muse Music for giving us many opportunities to blow people's minds.

We also welcomed back to the MG lineup Mr. Jeff Costello. He still rocks barefoot.

I always hate it when I come across a blog that is way tooooooooo long, much like this one is becoming. I know that you may not believe this, but there is much BIGGER news to come.

(Hint: It has something to do with the picture I posted late last night.)

I Told Tyler I Would Update My Blog.....

2008-03-16T00:01:00.002-06:00

It is too late to write anything extensive right now. You know you are definitely getting older when Midnight on a Saturday night is "too late." Whatever, I kind of like being old. I am turning into my Dad though for sure. Seriously, I fall asleep in the recliner while watching the evening news. Anyway, here is a little something for all of you. This alludes to some future posts, BIG NEWS in store:

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.........

2007-12-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

*UPDATE*

So last post I told you how we won our heat of the Velour Battle of the Bands and made it to the finals which were played last Saturday, December 8th. As you have probably guessed by the title of this post we totally took first place for the whole thing. This is pretty big news for us considering Velour is a super well-respected venue here and it will hopefully give us the recognition we need to start making a name for ourselves here in the local scene and outside of Utah as well. Pics will be posted soon and a little bit more info. YEAH!!!!!!!

Maple Grove WHAT WHAT!!!!!

2007-12-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

So my band Maple Grove played this past Monday (Dec. 3) in the opening round of the Velour Battle of the Bands. We faced some decent competition and we really sucked our set up, so I was a little surprised when we were announced as the winners of the Monday night round. But as I have thought more about it, it is more and more evident in my mind that we were the clear cut winners. I am just super stoked that we overcame a few trials on Monday to get the win. First of all during the sound test I turned off the snare on my snare drum so it wouldn't buzz into the mic, Well I forgot to turn it back on for the first song, so we started off a little on the wrong foot. Then on the third song Seth's guitar pedal went out. And finally during the whole set John's low E string kept slipping off the neck. But it turned out okay and now we are in the finals on sat.

I just want to thank everyone for coming out and supporting us that night and I expect a lot more people to show up on sat night. We have a few surprises in store for our fans and ready to freaking start the party. See you all Saturday (Dec 8) night, here's the deets:

VELOUR BATTLE OF THE BANDS - FINALS

VELOUR LIVE MUSIC GALLERY
SATURDAY DECEMBER 8
DOORS AT 730PM, SHOW STARTS PROMPTLY AT 8PM
$5

BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!

HOV'S A LIVING LEGEND, CAUSE EVERYBODY WANNA BE HIM BUT HOV'S STILL ALIVE

2007-12-02T03:10:00.002-07:00

Seriously the greatest rapper alive. If you don't believe me then check the vid.

VELOUR LIVE MUSIC GALLERY

2007-11-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

So Stoked!!!!! The other weekend I was hanging out with Natalie and we decided to go check out Mathematics Et Cetera at Velour. I am really glad I went because after the show I was able to talk with Corey Fox and he asked if we wanted to play the Velour battle of the bands. We had been trying for about a month to get a show at Velour but nothing was panning out, so we were elated to be asked by Corey to play the battle of the bands. We are playing Mon Dec. 3 in the third time slot and if we do well hopefully we will be in the finals on Sat. the 8th. Thanks for everyone who came out to our last shows at the Muse battle of the bands and supported us, please come out and support us at Velour. The cost is only $5 and you are sure to have a great time. Plus its an easy F.H.E. idea for all you mormons out there, ha.

Gobble Gobble

2007-11-28T09:44:00.001-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted something on here but I am giving myself a little slack and chalking it up to the Holidays.

Speaking of Holidays--Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful. I woke my butt up at 5am to go to work that morning and was planning on running down to Best Buy after work to get in line for Black Friday. I checked out of work at 11am and drove down to the Orem Best Buy only to find about 30 people already in line. I was blown away. Black Friday has become a spectacle. I decided to call Levi (my roommate) and let him know the situation. I then decided that freezing my ass off in the cold to only make a few hundred bucks off of the sale just wasn't worth it. So I cruised back home and helped get the house ready for Thanksgiving dinner. Well I didn't really help cook that much, in fact I mostly took a nap. But I did clean up the kitchen and put all the food away so its not like I didn't do anything to help out.

It was a great day spent with some great people and I was stoked not to be freezing my nuts off on a sleeping pad inside a sleeping bag at Best Buy but rather snuggling up into my nice bed and warm sheets.

Battle Of The Bands Pics

2007-11-15T18:06:00.001-07:00

LET MYSELF FIND ME

2007-11-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my band Maple Grove competed in the Muse Music Battle of the Bands here in Provo for our first couple of shows in over 2 and a half years. We were able to win our heat out of 4 bands on Friday night which got us to the finals on Saturday night where we competed against 4 other bands (5 total); The Elizabethan Report, Flashburnt Shapes, The Skinny Mice, After Midnight, and Maple Grove (us.)

We decided to change up our set on Saturday night so that we didn't play the same songs in the same order as we did on Friday, you know to provide a little differentiation in our set. I don't know what it was but our set on Saturday night was so tight and went so well. I was a little sketched out at playing last because I was afraid that many of the people at the show would leave due to the fact that they had already been at the show for like three hours. But a ton of people stuck around and made the night so so rad.

We ended up taking 2nd place overall which was way rad considering our competition and our lack of awareness over the last 2 years. I'm not going to lie I was a little disappointed that we didn't take first place because although The Elizabethan Report is a rad band and I have the utmost respect for them, I felt our show went just a little better but MAD PROPS to them for stepping it up and taking the gold. Regardless we got hooked up for 2nd place with $100 and 5 hours of recording time. So we are going to go into the studio soon and lay down this new track we have been working on which is oh so good. I think we are going to spend the $100 on t-shirts so we can start generating some revenue so that we can buy a van for our tour coming up this spring/summer.

I just want to say thanks to all of the bands we played with and all of the fans who came out and lent their support. Be on the lookout for upcoming Maple Grove shows, you don't want to miss the next party!

PS - pics coming soon

Introducing......

2007-11-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

So I don't know what it is but I have really been getting into the graffiti artist Neckface lately. I think it's mainly because his stuff is not super elaborate and crazy, it's just hilarious. Whenever he tags his name it always looks like really crappy handwriting and I really
like that. Here are some photos of his stuff:

MAPLE GROVE

2007-11-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

So I am getting really stoked on playing this Friday at the Muse Music Battle of the Bands. This is our first show in over two and a half years and my mind and body are getting hella A.D.D. about the whole thing. We have been hitting the practice room really hard lately and have a couple surprises for our fans both old and new. We have retooled our old stuff and written some new stuff that I feel is simply amazing. I hope everyone can come out on Friday and support us. The winners from each night are selected by audience vote and then given a chance to play on sat night in the finals for some cash and recording time.

BEST EVER

2007-11-02T21:25:00.002-06:00

In my humble opinion I would have to say that I think Sell My Clothes, I'm Off To Heaven by Saves The Day is one of the best songs ever written. I just thought I would post that little tidbit. Seriously, Saves The Day is probably my favorite band of all time. Chris Conley's vocal lines and lyrics are simply amazing.

Summer of Shenanigans Continued.....

2007-11-01T11:07:00.001-06:00

Thought I would add some more pics from my time with LeadAmerica this past summer. These ones are from DC. While I was there we were able to visit all of the tourist spots as well as a few other places not usually hit by the tourists. DC was so rad, I mean I'm not a huge history buff but it was amazing to be encompassed by the history of our country. I was able to do a lot of reflecting on the sacrifices made so that we would/could have abundant opportunities available. I am truly grateful for and have a lot more respect for the history of this country. Oh and mad props to Danny and Amanda for putting up with me while I was there, you guys made me feel like family.

Crank Dat Soulja Boy

2007-11-01T11:05:00.001-06:00

Haha, so I found this hilarious video of me and my cohorts this summer rockin the soulja boy dance at our final LeadAmerica conference at Stanford University. Check it:

Summer of Shenanigans v2 - NYC: CSI

2007-10-25T10:39:00.001-06:00

These pics are from my Lead America stint in NYC. I was actually working a CSI conference instead of LeadU. Eric, Mr. B, J-Will, Jon, D.C., Sarah, Mary, Jessica, Ben, and Jacinda; you guys are not missed, HOLLA!

Summer of Shenanigans v2 - Stanford

2007-10-25T10:18:00.001-06:00

Here are a bunch of pics from my Lead America experience this past summer at Stanford University. It was so rad. LEAD WHAT, LEAD U!

Summer of Shenanigans

2007-10-25T09:42:00.003-06:00

I spent this past summer teaching and leading high school kids from across the country as a Team Leader for the Lead America organization. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life and the people I met will always be remembered. I was reminded of just how close I became with my co-workers this morning when I woke up to find a text from my buddy Mike Hilty which mentioned that because of hearing a certain song he wished he was with his fellow LeadUr's. It is amazing to me the type of bonds we can form with others over such a short period of time. What is it about our nature that allows us to become so personal with a complete stranger in a matter of minutes.

I find this all the time

when working up at Sundance. Part of my job in the deli is to meet and greet customers. I love it. I love being able to just talk to people and find out where they are from, why they are visiting Utah, and what they do. It completely fascinates me. But what is most interesting is that we, myself included, are willing to share certain information about ourselves with others whom we have not previously met.
Alright back on track, didn't mean to hit a tangent there, I guess I will save that for another blog. Anyway, back to the summer of shenanigans. So I read this text this morning and I just thought how grateful I am to have been a part of LeadU this past summer. I am often asked "What did you do?" or "Where were you this past summer, I haven't seen you in a while?" When I tell people that I was teaching high school kids across the country they are always intrigued and I want to believe they are thinking 'Why would someone so young be teaching high schoolers and what could he possibly be teaching them?' The question that quickly follows after I answer their first question is generally "What did you teach them?" And my reply is always an emphatic "TO BE AWESOME!" That always gets a few laughs, but then I explain to them that I really was teaching and helping these students to be awesome. It all really depends on your definition of what awesome is. I had the opportunity to help these students further develop the leadership skills they already possessed and discover some skills they might not have known existed in them. So in essence (and in my opinion) I was teaching and helping them to be awesome.

I guess I just can't really explain in words my feelings about the whole experience. It's one of those things where you really have to experience it for yourself to grasp the amazing motivational and inspirational power of what transpired. I love and respect my LeadU co-workers and students more than they will ever know. I can't tell them thank you enough and I know I don't keep in great contact with them but their images are forever burned in my heart. I will always remember you all.

Don't Stop, Can't Stop

2007-10-25T09:36:00.000-06:00

So I got my hands on the new Saves the Day album, Under the Boards, this week (it doesn't drop until Tues the 30th, yeah I got my connections) and all I can say is AMAZING! Seriously I cannot stop listening to it. I think it has been the only thing playing on my iPod, in my car, and on my comp for the last 72 hours. I highly recommend everyone going and picking up this album or snagging it online somewhere when it comes out next Tuesday.

Moonlight Lifties

2007-10-11T17:50:00.001-06:00

So Natalie and I made a trip up to Sundance the other week to hit up the moonlight lift ride, it was SSIIIICCCKKKK!!!!! It was hella cold but Natalie was gracious enough to cook us up some Wassail which was oh so delicious. I don't know if anyone has been up to Sundance but the view is extremely beautiful with Mt. Timpanogos in the background. The full moon provided enough light to see the beauty surrounding The Sundance Resort. The lift ride took about 45 minutes and afterward I kept cracking jokes about me and Natalie hooking up while we were on the lift. It was so funny. I kept saying aloud "Oh man that was such a good sesh. I highly recommend everyone seshing on the lift ride like we did." Although Natalie was laughing quite a bit, she kept saying "Shut up!" but laughing the whole time. After all was said and done it was close to midnight so we packed up and cruised back down to the valley. All in all it was a great night and I couldn't have asked to spend it with anyone better than one of my best friends.

Tales from the Dirty Dirty

2007-09-27T18:16:00.000-06:00

I'm back in full effect after a great trip to North Carolina, a la the title to this blog. North Carolina was extremely beautiful and I am stoked that my first trip to the South left me wanting more. Although it was a little rough and tumble at the start of the trip the final outcome was well worth it.

We had it all planned out. Travel to SLC and pickup a boatload of iPhones that Levi had sold on ebay, ship them out, then hop on a plane to NC for Wyatt and Becca's wedding. It should have smoothed over like butter, but as with most of my plans there were some complications. So Levi and I get up to the Apple store in SLC and go to buy about 50 iPhones. Earlier in the week Levi had made several trips to purchase similar large orders of iPhones and had run into no problems. When we got to the Apple store a manager kindly informed us that they could no longer sell such a large quantity of iPhones. Well the crap really hit the fan for Levi (and indirectly myself) after that. Levi had already sold the iPhones on ebay and just needed to pick them up and ship them. So the manager let each of us buy 5 (10 total) which was only 20% of what we needed. With only an hour and a half until our plane took off we rushed to properly package the phones and shipped them out. We arrived at the airport and boarded our plane no problem, but how, where and when was Levi going to get the other phones.

We land in Raleigh, NC at approximately midnight and cop a motel room. The plan was to pick up the rental car at 8:30 the next morning and make the 3 hour drive to Sunset Beach where we could relax and enjoy the sights and smells of the ocean. Yeah, didn't happen. I woke up early and caught a shuttle to pick up the rental car. It was actually a decent car for a fairly good price, that is until I added the insurance which doubled the price of the rental, but whatever. I'd rather pay a little extra now than have a major blow to my debt department if anything were to happen. I got back to the room and Levi was still asleep so I decide to hit the zzz's a little bit as well. Ten o'clock rolled around and we both got up, showered and then discussed the day ahead of us. "Dude, there are two Apple stores in Raleigh. Let's go to them and get as many phones as we can so I can ship them out," Levi says to me. I'm thinking 'alright you can handle that, take a couple of hours and get this done for him.' 4 to 5 hours later we were finally on our way out of Raleigh. All I'm saying is that this trip was supposed to be a vacation for me, a little weekend getaway if you will. I didn't expect to be haulin' my butt all over Raleigh to get a few phones shipped out.

I won't go too much further into it. As I stated before, it all turned out good in the end. We pulled into Sunset Beach, where Becca's family has a beach house, right as the catering guys were setting up dinner. After such a long day and a pretty good drive, my hunger was in full force. I'm not a vegetarian but I usually try to avoid pork and red meat for health reasons, well that ideal flew out the window that night. Becca's dad had Carolina BBQ catered in for everyone. It was so so sooooooooo good. I mean my mouth is salivating at this instant just thinking about it.

We were only at the beach house for a couple of hours when we decided to join most of the wedding party in heading over to Bald Head Island, NC for the night. Bald Head is accessible by fairy and is one of the most beautiful places I think I have been. There lies a resort on the island with a ton of beach houses, a golf course, a couple of club houses, and not to mention miles and miles of beach. Becca's dad had rented out a couple of beach houses for everyone to stay at and a few golf carts to rally around the island with. It was great! Friday night we all just hung out and had a good time enjoying one another's company.

Saturday came with a pleasant sleeping in session. I think it was the latest I have slept in about two years, it was 11:30 when I woke up. But I guess that is 9:30 Utah time so it wasn't relatively too late. After the sleep sesh, we hit up the beach with Wyatt and some other doads.

Before we left Utah I totally spaced packing my swim trunks, so Levi hooked me up with a pair of super short, cream colored trunks that looked like they had been around the block a few times. When we arrived at the beach I immediately jumped in and started swimming around. It wasn't until I decided to get out of the water that I realized not only was the inner mesh lining of the trunks extremely stretched out, but the trunks were practically see through. Anything, and I mean ANYTHING, that the trunks stuck to could be seen through the outer material. So here I am on a beach in NC just relaxing when I look down and discover that my manhood was being exposed to the world. The worst part is that there were family's in the general vicinity of where we were swimming. I quickly re-entered the water and learned my lesson. Never trust Levi when he offers you a pair of swimming shorts, hahaha.

After the beach Levi and I attended the wedding. It was super hot and muggy and being in a shirt and tie didn't help. The ceremony was quick and beautiful, which allowed us to make a mad dash for the shaded tent. Dinner was served and then Levi and I decided to round up a few peeps and rally the carts around the island.

After some good rallying, which at one point involved me being dragged behind a golf cart for a bit and the crashing of another wedding (my name is Bobby O'Shea hahahaha), Levi and I settled up and started our drive back to Raleigh. Our flight left Sunday morning at 6am and we didn't want to miss it.

We finally get back to Raleigh after I almost went off the road when falling asleep at the wheel. After the point where we almost died Levi drove the rest of the way, I don't think he was too happy but I told him "Dude, would you rather have me fall asleep and kill us?" With a couple hours to spare before our flight we tried to catch some z's in the car.

the plane from Raleigh departed and all I remember is landing in Dallas for about an hour and then landing in SLC. I was hella hella tired and ready to get back in my nice warm bed.

I'm stoked that Becca and Wyatt invited us out for the wedding and that I was able to go somewhere I've never been, the SOUTH aka the dirty dirty.

Master of My Domain

2007-09-13T18:18:00.000-06:00

Yeah that's right, I now have my own blog. I really am Master of My Domain. I'll keep this first post short and simple. I hope this finds all of you well and I'll speak at you soon.