Goodbye?

So, I've been thinking about my blog a lot recently. It's become quite a mess of music, soccer, and a bunch of randomness. I have made a new blog dedicated to one of my passions, football (soccer). I am thinking that this new blog will become my feature blog and that I may delete this one. I want a blog that is dedicated to just one theme and that way it becomes more centralized and not scattered. I figure that if I have photos or important things to share with the family I can just do it on the family blog. Any suggestions?

New Grizzly Bear Song

Grizzly Bear's album Yellow House is one of my all-time favorites. Thoughtful, smart, harmonious, experimental, different, and just really great. I just can't get enough of anything these guys put out. This is why I am excited every time I hear something new from them. They have previewed a couple new songs that they have been performing while on tour. The latest is the song Two Weeks being performed on the Letterman Show. Enjoy!

Anxiously awaiting

So, as I anxiously await Beckie's return from girl's camp, I realize again how ready and how tired of waiting I am for school to start. I'm happy about the opportunity and am excited about the possibilities. If only I could just close my eyes (like Borges above), and open them only to realize that school starts on Monday.

Man Man Takeaway Shows

#95.5 Man Man - A day at the races and A night at the opera
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Fourth of July

Beckie and I had a very nice Fourth of July weekend. We saw some family, had work off, and saw some amazing fireworks. On Thursday, we were able to see my sister who was in Utah for the holiday. We didn't have a ton of time but were able to go to dinner and then have them come over to our apartment and have the kids go crazy and jump all over us.


Friday was the Fourth of July, and being that we live in Orem, we wanted to watch the Stadium of Fire. There is a spot on campus that we have been to before and that was amazing. The fireworks are shot off from a field next to the stadium. There is a barrier for fallout that goes through Helaman Halls. We found a spot just on the other side of this barrier. The fireworks started a little later than planned but when they came it was well worth it. We were right next to the fireworks and in some cases, underneath them. We had a great time.

California Trip

Beckie and I got back from our trip to SoCal about 3 weeks ago. It was a nice break from the Summer grind and from work. It was nice to see some of Beckie's family in L.A. and in Vista. We arrived in Culver City (home to Aunt Cyn and Uncle Tim) early on Thursday afternoon.


The rest of our trip included:

Thursday - Arrive in L.A./Culver City, Santa Monica Pier, hanging out at home
Friday - Los Angeles, Hollywood, shopping at H&M (Beckie) and Amoeba (me), Garment District, Downtown, Fabric shopping, a short rest back in Culver City, the Getty Center
Saturday - Disneyland
Sunday - The Getty Center again, drive to Vista, hang out with the Grandparents
Monday - the beach, Oceanside, San Diego, Old Town, Balboa Park
Tuesday - Drove home

Disneyland was very fun. Tim, who works for ESPN, was generous enough to get us in for free to both Disneyland and California Adventure. We got on most of the rides we wanted to. The only exception was the Indiana Jones ride which, while we were in line, had to shut down for some unknown reason. We loved a couple of the rides at California Adventureland and went on them twice. We left the park exhausted but happy.


Another highlight of our trip was the Getty Center. The Getty Center rests on the hills near Brentwood overlooking Bel-Air. The first time we went was on Friday night. We tried to make it before sundown but by the time we got to the top it was too dark to see the Los Angeles skyline. It was super busy and there was definitely a party atmosphere. Earlier in the afternoon, No Age played a free concert at the center. We decided to go again on Sunday morning so we could take some pictures.









We drove down to Vista after leaving the Getty Center and were able to see Grandpa G, Nani and Papi and Beckie's parents who were in town visiting. We visited for awhile before some had to leave. Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures of all of us. We also forgot to take our camera to San Diego the next day when we went to Old Town and Balboa Park. We did take a couple pictures of the beach in Oceanside though.

At Mount Zoomer

So, while Beckie and I were in California I couldn't pass up going to my favorite record store, Amoeba. I went to Amoeba for the first time last summer in San Francisco while visiting my sister and fell in love with it. It's nice to go to a record store that actually has what you're looking for, and not only that, but finding them many times used. I splurged a little bit and bought quite a few albums while there but for the past week I've been listening to just one, Mount Zoomer by Wolf Parade. Other cd's that I found that could not be found in Utah County include the following:

1. The Airing of Grievances by Titus Andronicus
2. American Water by Silver Jews
3. Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea by Silver Jews
4. B/E/A/T/B/O/X by Glass Candy
5. Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit
and 6. anything by Los Piojos

Shan Foster

I heard about this video while Beckie and I were driving back home from a nice vacation to Southern California. Jim Rome highlighted the song and it's message on his Tuesday program. Shan Foster is heading to the Lakers and it seems like he is one of few that recognizes the great opportunity and blessing that it is. I'm not a Laker fan but this season I'll be cheering for him.

Sigur Ros playing in Salt Lake

Yes, that's right. Sigur Ros will be playing in Salt Lake in September at Saltair. The announcement of the rest of their tour was made last week and the decision to play in Utah is very exciting. It will be a chance of lifetime to see one of the most progressive and innovative bands playing today. Tickets go on sale Thursday at 9 AM and although Beckie and I will be in California, we will find a computer and be online first thing to get ours.

2008 Twilight Concert Series SLC

The Salt Lake City Arts Council has really outdone itself this year with its latest versions of the Twilight Concert Series. The Twilight Concert Series is a summer-long series of free Thursday night concerts held at the Galvan Center near downtown. This years schedule trumps all previous years with some really amazing artists. These include Andrew Bird, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Roots, and Broken Social Scene. Beckie and I are especially excited for Broken Social Scene, who we don't think has ever come to Salt lake, Andrew Bird, and Neko Case. To check the full schedule and to learn more about this event click here.

Broken Social Scene


Neko Case

Terry Porter hired as new Suns coach

The Suns officially introduced Terry Porter as their new head coach yesterday afternoon. Porter, a former Pistons assistant is expected to bring in an emphasis on defense that was absent while Mike D'Antoni was head coach. I like the choice of a defensive-minded coach and just hope he can get Amare to play defense and not let Al Jefferson light him up for 30 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Terrorist Fist Jab?

All I can say is, really? Since when is this an important story and since when is it interpreted as some kind of terrorist communication? Where do they find these people? One of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. See for yourself.

Lacking Motivation

When summer comes around every year, many have come up with their annual "Summer reading lists". I've never really done this but this summer I have no choice because, well, it was given to me. As part of the M.A. in Spanish Literature at BYU, all students must take a literary theory course their first semester which is the basis for all of their future schooling and preparation for writing and analysis. I received a nice long email from the instructor that included the syllabus, reading list, introduction, and warning. I've heard that this class is very difficult and requires some intense reading assignments that in many cases, include philosophical texts. So, to help with the course studies we, the students, are required to read 3 books this summer before class starts in the Fall. These include two novels The Lost Steps by Alejo Carpentier, All the Names by Jose Saramago, and an introduction to literary theory. I'm excited for school to start but am struggling to find motivation to read them. I'm not really worried about finishing them but just hope that I don't save it for the last couple weeks before school starts.

Toms Shoes!

I was talking to a friend last night and was told about this amazing company, Toms Shoes. Knowing that I love Argentina, he thought that I would like this company as well. I fell in love with it in a matter of minutes. Toms Shoes makes simple canvas shoes, designed after the traditional Argentine "alpargata". The alpargata is a very popular shoe in Argentina, and the closest American equivalent of it would probably be the women's slip-on or even flip-flops. What makes this company great, besides the shoes, is the cause. For every shoe that a consumer buys, another pair is dedicated to needy children in Argentina, South Africa and other nations of the world. Go to the website at www.tomsshoes.com and learn all about the shoe, the cause, the company and buy yourself a pair.

Blog Construction

So, as those who read my blog have seen, the majority of posts have been about soccer and not so much about what's going on with me and other things that are important to me. Because of this, I've decided to make another blog specifically for the world's game. It is still in process and I will let everybody know when it is ready. Also, I want to do some tinkering with this blog with layout, color, and direction. Hopefully, it will be more readable for everyone. Thanks.

Manchester United Premier League Champions 2008

Yes, the inevitable happened this weekend and Manchester United won it's second consecutive Premier League Title. As those who know me well, know that I'm not a Man U. fan, but am a fan of el Apache, Carlos Tevez. Wherever Carlitos goes, a title follows. Whether it be at Boca Juniors, Corinthians, or Manchester United, Tevez is a champion. Congratulations Carlos and we look forward to your future successes.

Boca into Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals

After barely scraping through the group stages of South Americas biggest club tournament, Boca Juniors is looking like a more legitimate contender for the title. With two equal results of 2-1 at home and away against the Brazilian club Cruzeiro, Boca is into the quarterfinals.

Away match in Belo Horizante, Brazil

Great Video

I saw this video and couldn't resist putting it on the blog. What do you think, good dad or bad dad?

Dream Matchup?

The final for the European Cup, a.k.a Champions League final is set. Manchester United, with the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo will face the first time participants from West London, Chelsea. The two best teams in the English Premier League will play to see who is the best in Europe. While many consider this match the ideal and best possible final and a meeting between the actual best teams in Europe, I'm not so sure. Will this decide the best team in Europe, or are there other teams that are better at the moment? One can make a case for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, or even Porto. The final is set for May 21st in Moscow and will surely not disappoint.

Chelsea vs. Liverpool


Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Man Man @ In the Venue SLC

Last night I went to Salt Lake to see Yeasayer and Man Man. I heard that Man Man puts on a great show and I was already excited to Yeasayer. Unfortunately, Yeasayer canceled but Man Man was definitely worth the price of admission. Man Man's music is described by some as Viking-vaudeville, Manic Gypsy Jazz. I'm not sure exactly what that means but what I do know is that they are excellent live. Their energy, mannerisms, selection of instruments, and intensity is overwhelming but infectious. Here are a couple of videos of them live that are, despite the audio, pretty similar to my experience last night.

@SXSW