2008 Recap

34 days into the new year, and so much has happened. January's always kind of odd to me. You feel new beginnings all around you, but you also feel the oppression of a seemingly never-ending winter. I thought it would be appropriate to finally post my recap of 2008 to resurrect this long-lost blog o' mine.

Trips of 2008
1. February - Disneyland
2. May - Arkansas w/Mickelle for Tyler's graduation
3. June - Oregon for Bland family reunion
4. July - Arizona
5. August - Idaho w/Mom for Steven's wedding
6. August - Arizona
7. November - Las Vegas w/Mickelle for Thanksgiving
8. December - Ogden w/ family to see Grandma & Grandpa Bland & Becky
9. December - Sundance for Bushman family reunion

Books of 2008
1. Love In A Time of Cholera
2. Fablehaven
3. The Virgin Suicides
4. Stargirl
5. Love, Stargirl
6. The City of Ember
7. The People of Sparks
8. The Prophet of Yonwood
9. Why Men Love B******
10. Heal Your Body
11. Guns, Germs, and Steel
12. Life of Pi
13. The Phantom Tollbooth
14. It's Called a Breakup Because it's Broken
15. Good In Bed (not what you think...)
16. The Innocent Man
17. Glimpses Into The Life & Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley
18. Eclipse
19. Breaking Dawn
20. The Host
21. Believing Christ
22. Mars & Venus On A Date

My favorites that I read this year were Love In A Time of Cholera, Virgin Suicides, Stargirl, Guns, Germs, and Steel, Glimpses Into the Life..., and Believing Christ. I know that's like a quarter of the list, but each of those were great and I would reread. Oh wait! Also, Life of Pi. :p

I would recommend any of those. I didn't read as many books as I usually do, but I think I made smarter decisions in what I read because I found some new favorites. (And obviously, caught up on some teen fiction.)

Concerts 2008
1. Eisley w/Mickelle May 8th @ Avalon Theater in SLC
2. Rilo Kiley w/Mickelle May 21st @ The Slowdown in Omaha
3. Jack Johnson w/Cameron, Jason, and Shara August 18th @ Usana in West Valley
4. Rooney w/Jules & Courtney Sept 13th @ Spoon Me in Provo
5. The Mountain Goats w/Tyler, Meagan, Eric, Eliza, Ellen, & more Oct 18th @ In The Venue in SLC

Music of 2008
*Note: I won't explain this list too much, but it is not a list of my favorites of the year...
1. MGMT - Oracular Spectacular album
2. Rilo Kiley - Silver Living
3. The Weepies - Hideaway album
4. Lady Gaga - Just Dance
5. Journey - Don't Stop Believing
6. Brandi Carlile - The Story album
7. MIA - Paper Airplanes
8. Meiko - Boys With Girlfriends
9. Muse - Absolution album

Other Highlights
*Note: I should say, highlights that I'll mention in this blog. ;)
1. Getting in my first car accident in February, then again. (see post about 2nd incident)
2. Crystal coming to visit in April.
3. Tyler's graduation in May.
4. Dropping Tyler off at the MTC in August.
5. A wildly unplanned Halloween night.
6. Voted for the first time in November. (and tried to buy a vote, at least I got ice cream out of it)
7. Chelsea's wedding in November.
8. One year anniversary with SHC in November.
9. Semester of perfect attendance this fall.
10. First Jazz (/NBA) game in December

Audio Books?

I found these amazing cd albums and I've been thinking about them ever since.

Even though most of my massive music collection is digital, I still have hundreds of cds that are currently stuffed into two cd books (hidden) and stacked on a rack (also hidden, they're ugly). Unfortunately, these beautiful books aren't worth it at all. They're $22 and only hold 12 cds. 

I have been trying to brainstorm about how to store my music. There were some suggestions on the comments section of the site I pulled this from. I've thought about going the digital route and buying an external hard drive to put all my music on cds and mp3s, but I'm still undecided. I also have some ideas on trying to create something like this. I just can't feel comfortable completely getting rid of my cds even if they're all imported. How do you store your music? Have you gone cd-less?

I Heart Rilo Kiley

Back in May I drove across country with Mickelle to go to Tyler's graduation (more on that to come). I mentioned it would be awesome if Rilo Kiley's tour and our trip crossed paths somewhere along the way. Mickelle did a little research and the next thing you know we're seeing Rilo in Omaha.

The show was at an awesome venue called The Slowdown.
Not that I'm planning on many more concerts in Omaha, but if I heard it was there I'd be excited. Here are some pictures from the show.
If you've never been to one of their shows or listened to their music - check them out. Please.

"these stories don't mean anything"

This isn't really a new love of mine but I've been listening to this album again over the weekend. I first found out about Brandi Carlile while working at B&N and hearing it over and over and over for the entire 5 months I worked there. I think it was after I left that I truly was able to enjoy hearing a track besides the title track "The Story." It was just too associated with work. Anyways, now it's one of my most listened to albums. Brandi Carlile has a great style and voice and I admire the fact she's a songwriter too.

Favorite Songs
1. The Story
2. Wasted
3. Turpentine
4. Shadow on the Wall