My Ghetto Computer

My computer ha been lowly deteriorating for the lat year.  I had to replace the hard drive about a year ago.  Then the hinge on the top broke and I fixed that.  Then my charger died and I had to get a new one.  Then the hinge broke again.  And Dad..."fixed..." it:

Aweome right?  But wait, it get better!  There i more!

You might have noticed omething miing from thi pot.  Bet you can't gue which key on my keyboard decided to die...That' right, our good friend who live between a and d on the home row.  I'm kind of thinking it' time for a new laptop. After all thi one i 4 year old, and in't that like, a million computer year?

This is How it Works

You all know about my love of music.  Especially music with off-beat lyrics.  I was in my car today and the lyrics of this song struck me for some reason.  I guess I was never really listening before.  This part especially made me think:

This is how it works.

You're young until your not.

You love until you don't.

You try until you can't.

You laugh until you cry.

You cry until you laugh.

And everyone must breath until their dying breath.

No, this is how it works.

You peer inside yourself.

You take the things you like,

then try and love the things you took.

Then you take that love you made

and stick it into some

someone elses heart

pumping someone elses blood.

Then walking arm in arm,

you hope it don't get harmed,

but even if it does,

you'd do it all again.

There were a few things that struck me about these lines.  But you take them for what they're worth to you.

Temple Square

Temple Square in Salt Lake City is one of my other favorite places in the world.  It is alwas so peaceful and beautiful.  In spring the grounds are covered in flowers and brides!  Here are some pics of the flowers...but no brides because that would have been a little creepy...

Moving out...not me.

I was talking to my mom yesterday, and my BFF Andrea today, about my big brother moving out with his new wife.

I'll be honest.  It is a little weird to know he won't be coming 'home' to our house any more.  I was just sitting in bed listening for him to come in the front door.  Then I remembered, he is at his house now.  Before, he would always come stick his head in my room and say good night when he came in from a date or something.  Sometimes those 'goodnight's' turned into long talks.  Sometimes I would pretend to be asleep because I was tired, and didn't want to be up super late (or early depending on your perspective) talking.  Even when he thought I was sleeping, though, he would say, "Love you." 

That being said, it isn't as weird or sad as I was expecting it to be.  Ya, I will miss those late night chats.  But things are as they should be.  My happiness for him, and my excitement over FINALLY having a sister is what is at the forefront.  And that is a blessing.  The Lord helps us in so many ways, and this is one where he has helped me.  I have been able to see.  I have been able to put aside my selfishness.  (Yes, I do have a deep selfish streak.) 

Brothers are pretty cool.  Especially older brothers who make you laugh till whipped cream comes out of your nose, protect you even when you don't want them to, and wake you up because they just read the most interesting thing...

And younger brothers who think they are super handsome, and in all honesty, are; who have the charming-est wink in the history of the world, and who surprise you with their maturity sometimes.

Anyway, this was just on my mind!  Goodnight world!

The Wedding...Carnival

McKenzie has always know she wouldn't be one of those fussy, formal reception type brides.  So she and Cory decided to have a carnival instead.  Well, actually McKenzie had decided this when she was like 12 years old.  Cory, however, was more than happy to go along with this plan!

Tell me if this doesn't look like a total blast!

Check out all that candy!

New Friends!  To the left is McKenzie's cousin, and my neighbor Jessica Midgley.  To the right is McKenzie's sister Morgan.

Playing Games

Cute!  My Aunt Trina, Aunt Amy and cousin Jodee.

Mom showing Tauna and Brad how it's done over at the cotton candy machine

One of the two bounce houses we had.

I just put Travie in because he is soooo cute!

The bride and groom and their first...bounce...as husband and wife

...their first slide as husband and wife...

Mom and Dad on the slide.

My cute buddy, Emily.  We were cousins, but she told me that now we can't be because we are friends now.  And everyone knows you can't be friends and cousins at the same time!

Me and my bff Andrea on the slide...

Those four pictures are really funny if you flip through them really fast!

The beautiful bride enjoying her snowcone!  Just don't drip on your dress!

It was awesome to see everyone having such a good, relaxed time.  I have to give props to the bride and groom for setting such a wonderful tone for everyone!  They were the happiest and most relaxed of anyone there.  Love you both guys :)

Summer Songs

One of my first years in college, my good friend Ali introduced me to the idea of a summer song.  It is a theme song for the summer, for days when you just have to drive with your windows rolled down and sing at the top of your lungs. 

Here is my top ten list of great summer songs.  These aren't in any particular order...

1) Bruises - Chairlift.  This is the one that started it all!  Ali introduced me to this song that first summer.  The video is a little weird, but it is a great song!

2) Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae.  Just a feel-good song.  It totally makes me want to ride my bike.

3) To Be Suprised - Sondre Lerche.  I was first introduced to Sondre by the Dan in Real Life soundtrack, and he is fan-freaking-tastic.  Love it!

4) Get Happy - Judy Garland.  First of all...Judy Garland; need I say more?  This is a classic.

5) 1983 - Neon Trees.  Again, weird video, great song.  And they are a Utah band!

6) Good Life - OneRepublic.  I just herd this one today.  Which gave me the idea for this post :)

7) Fidelity - Regina Spektor.  This is such a great song.  I think there is some rule that the better the song is, the weirder the video is.

8) Hey Soul Sister - Train.  I know, totally over played.  But I still smile every time it comes on! 

9) Stuck Like Glue - Sugarland.  Normally I am not a big country fan, but this song is infectious.  The video is super creepy/funny...

10) Don't Stop Believing.  Totally cheesy, totally great.  I must admit that '80's hair bands are my guilty pleasure. 

What are some of your favorite summer jams?

Red Butte Gardens

So a few exciting things have happened recently.  First, my brother got married!  More to come on that later... 

I have been trying to be more creative lately.  I think it is important to let your brain wander without worrying about getting something 'right'.  I took the opportunity to go take some pictures after work last week.  Red Butte Gardens is one of the most beautiful sights in the city, and far too few people know about it.