"I'm going to be here"

I read the Modern Love column from the New York Times every week. It is usually beautiful. This week's was especially fitting for the end of one year and the beginning of another. Click here to read it. Here's a teaser:

““I used to be angry,” Mike told me. “I’d pick fights over nothing. I was mad to be in prison and I wanted everyone else to be mad, too. But then I realized: Man, this is my life. Do I want to be that guy? Always mad? I’m not going to get married or have a family. Not today. Maybe never. I’m going to be here. I’m a prisoner. There are some things I’m never going to do. And I can spend my life being mad about that, or I can try something else...I decided to be the best prisoner I could be.” 

"I'm glad you're feeling good, because we're feeling awesome"

You may have noticed, I'm essentially using this blog as a clearinghouse for all the crazy videos I used to have bookmarked. I hope you appreciate it. Here's a gem for you. She is a little crazy, but this video makes me love Celine Dion:

Guys she's in Vegas LET'S GO. I know at least 3 of you who read my blog are going to get married soon. Could you imagine a bachelorette party to see Celine Dion? I WILL GO EVEN THOUGH I HATE THE VEGAS. Do it.

Happy Birthday Dad

Today my dad would have turned 55. My family and I are celebrating by going to Brick Oven for pizza (my mom worked there the whole time she and my dad were dating) and visiting the Sacred Gifts exhibit at BYU. I wish he could be here with us. Here is a great performance from the Berklee College of music:

Dad would joke that this was his song ("Oh Mike Devine" vs "Oh Night Devine"). Soooo funny. I miss his dumb jokes too.

Music for your Midweek: No Doubt - "Oi to the World"

This is one of my absolute FAAAAAAVORITE Christmas songs. I remember bouncing around our house in Wendover, dancing to this. My extreme No Doubt phase. Those were the days...

Click here for the original by the Vandals if you're into that sort of thing...

Recap Attack: Starting the Holidaze

Here are some pics from the past month or so. I need to be better at documenting things, mostly.

Post-Friendsgiving goofing around

Knees

My brother Jeremy and I playing frisbee
in the dark after Thanksgiving dinner

One of the worst things about short hair,
is everyone can tell how you sleep
just by looking at you

Real Salt Lake Tree at Festival of Trees...
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL

DABAS girls out on the town

The beginnings of a cake I made that was really good

Stained glass and icicles at the church where my Sacred Harp group sings

Gotta start taking more pics!

December Mix:"Come in"

This mix was the hardest to put together! Hope it was worth it.

1. I Wish It Was Christmas Today - Julian Casablancas
2. Pain Au Chocolat - JHAS
3. Kangaroo Court (Forever Kid Remix) - Capitol Cities
4. Don't Wait - Mapei
5. We Used To Wait (Arcade Fire Cover) - Clare Burson
6. Little Toy Gun - honeyhoney
7. Radio - The Royal Concept
8. Give It Up - E X R O Y A L E
9. Step - Vampire Weekend
10. Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song) - Oscar Isaac & Marcus Mumford
11. Picture Of You - Mr Hudson & The Library
12. In The Backseat - Jonas Alaska
13. Call Your Girlfriend - Robyn
14. Lacuna - Last Lynx
15. Goodbye England (Covered in Snow) - Laura Marling
16. Shelter From The Storm - Bob Dylan
17. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland

NOTES:
1. Babe.
6. These guys opened for Jake Bugg back in September. I like them.
9. Don't hate. Vampire Weekend will always have a special place in my stone cold heart. And the lead singer Ezra is super funny on Twitter. OMG have you read his review of Drake's new album? Gold.
10. Need to see this movie ASAP. Need to own this soundtrack yesterday.
11. For Dad.
13. Still listening to it er'day
17. The saddest sad Christmas song to finish

Let it Snow: I'm freezing, but I'm going to be happy about it.

I made a little blog post for work about in-door reading activities for families. It's sickeningly cute. You'll love it. And you'll find a link to make a darling igloo LIKE THIS:

Click here to read it!

And yes. You can bet I'll be forcing my future children to make they're own staged versions of the Chronicles of Narnia like I suggest in the blog post. Can you imagine? It will just be the cutest thing.