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I was listening to this man, middle aged, skinny, small in height, big ego, bigger truck (compensating?), and he was chatting with this other man (who acts like a boy), and they talked about family.

I felt obligated to listen, as I was mildly in the conversation, whist mildly continuing a winning streak on Solitaire (a rare feat, and doing it while multitasking. Terrific moment).

Well, the skinny said to the boy "I run my family like a business."

He went on to tell  boy that his children are more like his employees, and when results aren't produced, punishments are made.

Boy was amazed.  Boy wanted to learn more.  Boy wanted to be Skinny's apprentice.

I wanted to throw up.

Never will my family be thought of as a business.  We aren't the mafia.  My family will be treated like a family.  A loving family.  With two parents.  And a dog.  And every situation will be dealt with differently. 

No strange rules (he had strange rules), no paperwork, no egotistical father (hopefully.... definitely).

Boys, in this profession, are stupid. I'll be done soon, so everything will turn back to greatness.

Joy

Is that hard to come by? Can that be changed by one person? Are you searching in the wrong place? Living in the wrong place? Intermingling with the wrong people? 


You should make a drastic shift in your life. I should too. Let's do it together, shall we?

I Give Up.

No, seriously. I give up.

God doesn't want me to have a drivers license. And I'm okay with that.

Really, really, I am.

Now, just to clarify, I do actually have a drivers license.  I obtained it October 22, 2007.  When I was 17 (I do everything a little slow.)

eric's reasons on why his license should be revoked:

1.  The first times that I manned the Land Cruiser alone, I backed it into a blue spruce.  It was on our lawn. It scraped the front fender and broke the bug deflector. 

2.  A few months later, on Thanksgiving, I backed the Land Cruiser into my fathers work truck.  The truck was fine, but the Land Cruisers door was not.  I'm thankful for being an awesome driver.

3.  A year and a half later, in February, actually having a license this time, I totaled one of my dads work trucks.  Coming home from work.  In the mall parking lot.  Hitting, not a car, but a 10,000 pound lamp post, with a friendly cement base.

4.  I go off to Hawaii.  Then, home for Christmas break, I blow a tire on the freeway in the Land Cruiser coming home from Salt Lake.  I don't know how to repair a flat.  Awesome.  I am wearing my locals.  Double awesome.

5.  Just days after the tire incident,  Two days before Christmas, driving in Provo, in the Land Cruiser, in a foot of snow, I slide into some poor man. Completely tore up the front passenger side of the LC (man that car has been through a lot, little guy, he's a trooper).  Merry freakin' Christmas.

6.  Well, I pay that deductible off (I tend to do that a lot), and then go back to Hawaii.  Weeks after my return, in a truck (different truck, new truck), I scrape the side with a pole as I come out of a bank stall.  I will never be a patron of Wells Fargo, thank you.

7.  To pay this off, I start a job(the job I currently have, almost a year later) and get this, as a driver.  Well, a month goes by, and a man runs a red light right in front of me, as I begin to go through the intersection. Awesome. But he didn't hit me.  The other guy that ran a red light in the same intersection just seconds after, in the opposite direction, does hit me. Awesome.  Dealing with insurance is terrific, I love being patronized for hours over the phone.  Thank you, weird guy from Colorado here on business, you are the best.

8.  Winter rolls in, but the snow plows do not.  There is seriously two feet of snow on Bangerter Highway (the busiest highway in Utah), packed and slick, with snow falling around, and I lose control and hit a reflective pole. Delightful.  But it was on company time, so no deductible for me!

9.  April 27, 2010, my last accident that will ever be witnessed by anyone or anything. Ever. Because my license will be cut up.  By me, because I didn't cause the accident.  Some trick named Taffara rammed the bumper of my delivery truck.  But I am sick of it.  I'm done.  Once I leave this job (in two weeks) I will be done. No more driving for Eric ever again.

Thank you.

Oh, did I tell you that I have been on driving probation for about 9 months? Yeah.  I love driving. Driving is my favorite.

Square Things with Sharp Edges

Sometimes I buy five gallons of Sunny Delight at a time.

Sometimes I eat an entire loaf (stick?) of fresh crusty european bread.

Sometimes I sit on my couch for hours, reading, and writing, and listening.

Sometimes a wave of creativity flows through me (kind of like five gallons of Sunny Delight would) and I go and buy stuff to make.

Sometimes I look at the sky in the twilight of the evening and can't picture anything more idyllic to end the day.

Sometimes I wonder how life became so wonderful.

Then I remember. And it's a good feeling.

Rumours

Sometimes, in the late evening (night?), I get in these queer moods.  (Have you noticed me saying queer on a frequent basis? I'm really not meaning to term it as a fruity type reference, think of the 20's version of queer.  Keep it vintage.)

Anyways, Queer moods.


Wow! I really like the capital 'Q' in this font.  Delightful.

I have been wanting to write a post for a minute now, and all I can do is add extra letters to the ends of words.  Put things like "Alohaaaaaaaaa" and "Sooooo whattttt" in the title.

I have even written three or four posts.  And then deleted them.  Even though they were perfectly good postings.  Even insightful and literate.

It's not as if people are actually reading me on a daily basis.  What does it matter what I post on here?  


Irregardless, I am in a queer mood.  A procrastinating, add extra lettersss mood.


I need a massive horchata from Holiday.

Seedy Stairway

Lollipop
Ecstasy
Euphoria
Utopia
Transcendent 
Sociopath
Caress
Implosion
Horizon
Kaffe
Contour
Snuggie 

Writing Righting

Have you ever wanted to disappear?  Not completely, just for a spell.

Take a worn backpack and stuff it with the few necessities of life.  A jacket, a novel, a juicy apple.  Purchase a ticket at the train depot and depart.  Depart from your former life.

Venture to a spiritual, a physical, a mental discovery.

Again, not for forever.  Just until your discovery is completed.  A week, a season, a life crisis.

I've thought about it.  I'd like to go someday.  

Someday soon.  

Detours

Curious, isn't it?  What path we choose to take.

What path is chosen for us.

Most are misguided and wandering, while some are well refined, down to the slightest curve.


It is amazing.  Whatever it is. Whatever drives us to a new dawn.


Some with the contentment of mediocrity and the mainstream; others constantly and consistently striving to be authentic (a quality that, I think, keeps us alive).


All of us individuals.


Individuals with their own soundtrack.  Their own inner monologue. 


It is impressive the amount of effort people take into creating their path.  Directly or indirectly influencing others.  


Many authentic individuals have made my thoughts serene.


Thank you, you individual you.

Rain Rain

WWMD?


Well first, she'd praise Glee for one of the greatest episodes to date.  And for making her earlier works seem relevant and current.

A fantastic performance by Sue Sylvester.  Her best episode yet.


I loved how proactive Mercedes and Kurt were.  They seriously need more sing time.  Who said Finn and Rachel were the stars?  And I hope they stay on the Cheerios.


Brittany.  Keep doing what you do.

Indian Blues

I prefer to keep things authentic and alive.  I rarely, if ever, walk a beaten path (even if it is easier and more accessible).  You might say I'm difficult.

Well, today I made a decision.  An executive, and uncharacteristic, decision.  I am going to copy the idea of another person.  Just cause I like it.  And I do what I want.

Erin Dean, who copied this off of someone else (I don't judge it. I'm doing it too.), made a Deserted Island playlist.  One that could be burned onto a regular audio CD.  80 minutes or less.

The essentials.  The songs that would last you however long on an island.  Alone.  The ultimate hermit status.


Feel free to question my morals, my life goals, my persona in general based on this list of songs.


1. Dreams - Fleetwood Mac [4:08]
2. Emma - Imagine Dragons [3:34]
3. I Know What I Am - Band of Skulls [3:18]
4. The High Road - Broken Bells [3:52]
5. Norway - Beach House [3:55]
6. Summer Skin - Death Cab For Cutie [3:14] (All Time Favorite)
7. On Top - The Killers [4:19]
8. Don't Cry Out - Shiny Toy Guns [4:10]
9. Wasted - Angus & Julia Stone [3:46]
10. Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles [2:07]
11. There is a Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths [4:05]
12. For the Widows In Paradise, for the Fatherless In Ypsilanti - Sufjan Stevens [3:57]
13. Black & Gold - Katy Perry (cover of Sam Sparro) [3:27]
14. Still Hungry - Sam Sparro [4:28]
15. Wonderwall - Ryan Adams [4:08]
16. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel [3:22]
17. Paper Planes - M.I.A. [3:24]
18. Electric Feel - MGMT [3:50]
19. Chasing Pirates - Norah Jones [2:41]
20. River (Live) - Sara Bareilles [3:50]
21. S Club Party - S Club 7 [3:30] 


Running Time: 77:04


That is what I would put right now. It will change seasonally.  Songs will come, Songs will go.

Citizen

Broken Bells.  The Envy Corps.  The Vibrant Sound.

Have you listened?

The High Road

I love people that love life.

I don't necessarily love people that laugh at those in love with life. I am quite disgusted and irritated with such imbeciles. 

I attended and attentively listened to the third hour of my Sunday Morning ritual, a tragic hour in which they implanted a new ruler of the quorum.  The introduction of the headmaster's two followers and bookkeeper was quite endearing. At first I was hesitant as I was quite content with our current president, the quality and consistency from men of their age is scarce.  I mean, I am certainly okay with the change now, but the initial thought of exchanging heads of our semi-circle was not well processed. 

Well, as follower 2 got up and introduced himself, his aspirations, his hobbies, his experiences (heavily influenced by his two year exodus) he mentioned his love of life. I smiled at the thought.  It's extraordinary how that phrase can have such an effect on me.  (You see, I have been in awe of life and it's wonders the past half year of my existence. I've always enjoyed life, but to actually look at it gives you an entirely different scenic view.)

Then, some young chap, some know-it-all (some idiot) laughed.  Not a chuckle of acceptance.  A scoff at his enthusiasm.  


I surely dislike associating with such people.  People that tear down others that are on a great path.  Of course, he wasn't deterred, and that's an excellent quality in a leader.


I love people.  I love life.  But if you don't know where you are, and what you stand for, I'm not sure you're welcome in my life.

But it doesn't mean I won't be cordial to you.

Bumble

Knit stripe, thick and thin

Interchanging blue and yellow

Brings two together

Show Biz.

Glee.

I mean, at first I was unimpressed (I don't like Finn playing Basketball, and his solo number was far from awe inspiring).  But it grew on me.

Brittany stole the show.  Her one liners are genius.

I am thrilled about its return. And Sue Sylvester dances on air.

Seduced.

Imagine Dragons may or may not have raped me from my innocence Friday night, much like most of this generation has been through the musical stylings of a one Lady Gaga.

But before we indulge, we must retrogress.  

The evening dawned while in line for the show at Velour.  We were 17th or so.  The competing venue, Muse, was obnoxiously trying to lure fans from the headlined Dragons on promises of MTV film crews and a cheaper cover.  It was a hard decision. I just couldn't decide.

Seriously? No. Who were they kidding? Let's leave the coveted Dragons and go for twelve seconds on a dying network.  It's not as if we were appearing on the Shore. And if we were, I would always choose ID.

Dragons. Always. Absolutely.

Alas, the poor, struggling music cafe surrendered to a sub par crowd and we continued our quest to catch glimpses of Fox and Reynolds conversing through the curtains behind the red V adorning the window sill of the Velour.  Delightful.

The pre-gamed, 30-something group that had been waiting longer than us had entered first.  It was 8:10 and they were already gone. Oh, and they brought children. I would love to be their child, watching mommy piss faced and dancing. Thank goodness it's a dry venue, poison control would have had to be contacted.


My excitement was uncontrollable. Or it was. I don't recall my exact actions. But in my head I was screaming.


After twenty minutes of standing four feet and two people back from the stage, Links took the center and played a set that was nothing less than fantastic. 

Hello Amsterdam played next.  Although their stage presence was not there, they offer mild thrills and entertainment.  You can download their album legally and for free here.


Dragons were next.  We had moved more to the center by now, away from some of the blacked out bimbos whipping their hair in our face and making atrocious noises and gestures.  Plus, our view of the front man was crystal. 

They took the floor.  I died. Right there at the Velour.

Their set was amazing.  Me and Dan screamed lyrics to each other, not once, but twice. Of course his were the only ones coming through speakers. Can I just say, him screaming at me and me at him, both with scarily intense and satisfying faces, was one of the greatest moments in recent times.


Afterwards, we chatted with him about our intensity and awesomeness.  Snapped a few flashes and Makayla took a lot of restraint when she didn't drop her pants in front of him.

I mean, I look twelve, but it's fine.

If you would like to see a couple videos I took of the performance, Click here.

Granted they aren't the best quality. Don't sue me. Also, sometimes they go to his crotch.  This is completely unintentional. I wasn't paying attention to the camera.

*Side Note: I will be volunteering at Velour now! Can you say my foot is in the door? I can't wait. That's all. 

Naked

Play your 45 records late at night.
Open all the windows, turn out the light.
Mysterious creatures will fill the room.
A midnight show, put on just for you.

Vintage Bohemian & Beautiful People

Guess who had a ghetto-fab Easter?

That's right.

Don't worry that, in between sessions of conference, Easter dinner was spent at a park in St. George eating KFC out of bucket.  And without napkins or utensils.

At least the weather was lovely.

The Morning Benders with  Miniture Tigers & Desert Noises Tonight at Velour.  Color me excited. 

Love. Make it Hurt.

Tonight, in a dim light, with vibrations blazing through the air, a revelation came.  A revelation that proclaimed to me that my tolerance for mediocre music has dwindled to nothing.

I'm speaking of Allred.

I used to enjoy them.  But in the midst of True Religion, Seven Diamonds wearing douchers, and hearing the music they love, I was finished.  Allred is no longer a part of my life.  And that is fine.  I have outgrown them, and I am truly thankful for that bike unlatching from my rack.

The night, however, was not lost.

Shilen, the music store goddess (I don't actually know her name), helped me with some amazing new sounds.  I purchased the Monsters of Folk album.  It's gold.  Pick it up.

Also, listening to Katie something-or-other in an alley by Sammy's in frigid conditions was such a redemption to the nonsense that Allred was giving us.

It is Not My Birthday

It is not my birthday.

I mean, I would gladly have it be my day.

But, only for the cake.  And money.

Because I have a fondness for August 16th.  It has kept me in check for the last 19.6 years of my life.  I have lived by the law of Leo.  I do treat astrology as a religion.  And, as I believe there is wisdom to learn in any religion, I believe we can learn much from our sign. 

I sound like a hippie.  And I like it.

So, thank you Facebook Hacker, Thank you.  But I think I will stick with August 16th (you know I share it with Madonna? Who would not want to keep that?!)

I would like to thank a one Erin Dean for sharing her kind words about my blog.  I love hers as well.  Very well spoken and thought provoken.  Although she said them under the false pretense that it was my birthday (again, sorry about that).  

Anyways.

I love Thursdays. 

I love new music. (I mean, new music is set for Tuesdays, but what is special about Tuesday? Oh right, nothing)

I love 30 Rock.

I mean, I still have the de-stimulation of work, which I loathe.  And I see no point in selling goods to consumers with too much stuff, and are over worked (to pay for the stuff), and have no real grasp on life.  Life doesn't have to focus on money (contrary to the overwhelmingly, almost law defining belief that it is). 

Whoa.

Calm it down.

I can mumble about my feelings in another post so no one can read it.  Keep it together.

I haven't showcased any new music in the last week or two.  Flip.

Desert Noises is another local flavored band (I know, I know, I talk way too much about the Provo music scene, it's what I am into right now, I think there is tremendous talent under our umbrella).  They are good.  I really love two of their songs, Blue Skies and New Man.  Their other stuff is good. But just good.  Be forewarned that they are slow.  I would compare their slowness to Spoon.  I don't find Spoon slow (listen to The Platte, then tell what slow really is), but when I turned some acquaintances onto Spoon, they said it was too slow and unoriginal.  No longer acquaintances, thank you.

Oh, and I finally purchased the entire MGMT album.  Why the eff did it take me that long?

I have been freeloading off their myspace for almost a year.

Tomorrow is for Tramping.  Until then.