Music for your Midweek: Ash, Oasis, Blur, and Travis

Let's pretend we're 15 again, shall we? I've been listening to a lot of britpop. Suffering a case of nostalgia I guess. Two summers ago, I was way into this song, and I've been listening to it on repeat a lot lately. Check it out.

"...and on nights when the north wind blows through your heart,
dream of a new age..."

A classic Oasis track. I listened to the fall of my sophomore year of college for some reason. 

This song is almost 20 years old.. can you believe it?!?

Here's a new-ish song by Blur.

I love the Beatles vibe through the whole thing.

And finally Travis.

I loved loved loved these boys in highschool. They were the soundtrack to my travels to and from Wendover on the weekends. I would just lie on the floor of my room listening to them for hours. I included this track on mix I made for my mom in 2006. I love those old mixes, they're like time machines. Anyway, I grabbed that old cd on a whim when I was leaving Salt Lake Sunday night. Those lyrics. They mean much more now. Give it a listen:

also...
it's Harry Potter's birthday!
All things British, I just can't escape it.

Shout-out to all y'all

I just wanted to give a big digital THANKS to all my friends and family. The past month, I've felt 2 steps away from becoming  Little Edie:

"Other people don't understand how sensitive another human being is!"

But you guys have kept me grounded, and helped me feel loved. You've brought me music, baked me treats, gave me Diet Coke, and just took time to listen to me talk (or not talk, depending on how I felt). Hopefully I've thanked you in person, and if not, know I've been meaning to. Much love to you all.

Though hard to you this journey may appear...

Here's part of a talk I wrote for Pioneer Day a few years back:

I grew up in Utah, always looked forward to the 24th of July as Independence Day round two. There were more BBQ's, more fireworks, and more parades. Maybe the significance of Pioneer Day was lost on me, but as I learned more about my heritage, and the example of the pioneers, I came to appreciate it more. I have some wonderful examples of pioneers in my family.

    

My great-great-great-great grandmother is Emily Dow Partridge Young, an early convert who crossed the plains. Her father, Edward Partridge, was the first presiding bishop in the church, and had to be away from them most of the time. Consequently, she and her family were driven from place to place to avoid persecution. She describes: “Times were hard and we were very destitute, having been robbed and driven from our homes and possessions so many times, and having had much sickness after we came to Nauvoo, and being afflicted in various ways, consequently we were reduced to extreme poverty. Mother was good at turning her hand to almost anything. She got an old stock, such as men wore at their necks at that time, ripped it up to learn how it was made, and then obtained a block and went to work making stocks to sell. In that way she earned a little to keep her family. My sister Eliza and myself were the oldest of the children, and it seemed necessary that we should do something toward earning a living....The Saints were again driven from their homes, and I crossed the Mississippi River about the middle of February, 1846, and was again without home or shelter, an outcast and a wanderer in the dreary wilderness, without even the necessaries of life. My babe was about three months old. I was not quite twenty-two, and had been driven, with the Saints of God, by mobs, four times, and all for my religion.”

 

Emily Dow Partridge’s great-great-grandson is my (my grandfather). He married another pioneer of sorts, my grandmother. Hevia Junca was raised Catholic in Melo, Uruguay. Her family owned a ranch and she studied to become a nurse. She would was assigned to give all vaccinations and injections to the missionaries, so had close contact with the church. She was baptized, and later wrote to my grandfather, who had served in as a missionary in Uruguay. Their courtship started through letters, and she came to the states to go to nursing school, and later, to be married. A couple weeks after their wedding, my grandfather left for Japan to serve in the military. My grandma gave birth to my uncle 9 months later, and raised him alone for two years while my grandfather was out of the country. Both of these women had to leave their homes for a new place and a new faith. They are examples of courage and strength to me. They faced those challenges with a steadfast faith in Christ.

    

Each of us is connected to a pioneer heritage whether we have ancestors who crossed the plains, or if we are the first members of the church in our family. It is thanks to the brave people who came before us that we are able to enjoy the blessings of the gospel, and worship freely. That’s partly why we celebrate pioneer day and the pioneering spirit. As we remember the pioneers this week, I think we could do well to consider the words of Elder Dallin H. Oaks. He said:

"It is not enough to study or reenact the accomplishments of our pioneers. We need to identify the great, eternal principles they applied to achieve all they achieved for our benefit and then apply those principles to the challenges of our day. In that way we honor their pioneering efforts"

Music for your Midweek: Weezer

PINKERTON PINKERTON PINKERTON

I loved it.
I listened to it alllllll the time in high school.
That and the blue album were in heavy rotation.

I got into a Weezer kick again a couple of months ago and I was amazed. Let's just say I didn't fully comprehend a lot of lyrics til I got a bit older 0_0
jajaja
It's still great.

and another! With Chloe from 24!

Belle and Sebastian Concert Recap: "Make me dance, I want to surrender"

This was the first time I went to a Twilight Concert, and left thinking "That was nice!". I've had a good time at past shows, but last night was the best. The crowd was less dense, the weather was forgiving, I got a great pita wrap, and I was just really happy to be there. We danced the night away. I found this video from some stranger if you want to see what it was like:

Also, this may be a new favorite Belle and Sebastian song:

They brought people on-stage to dance during this song. It was darling. 

Oh yeah! I almost forgot!

First show of the Twilight Concert Series is tonight! I'll be car-pooling up from Provo with my roommate and her friends and we're going eeeeeaaaarrrrly. So, come find me there! I'm hoping to hear these songs:

Don't know much about Blitzen Trapper, but this tune sounds groovy:

Belle and Sebastian have a special spot in my high-school heart.

True story. I crashed my car while listening to "Fox in the Snow". Oh memories. 

And a newer favorite:

I'm interested to see how this music be when faced with an outside-crowd-of-thousands.

"Lonely I see, lonely I need"

You guys, I found the best thing.

IT IS A COMBINATION OF ALL MY LOVES IN THE WORLD!

Look at it!

It's a PERFUME...
inspired by a SONG....
by my boyfriends JACK WHITE
and DANGER MOUSE

A dream come trueeeeeeee.

Too bad it's $350 for 50 ml.

Maybe someone can send me a baby sample? I also want to try their perfume Likewise. It sounds nice.

Check out a review of the perfume here.

Strange Invisible Perfumes, I like you.

Music for your Midweek: Peter Gabriel

So old it's new.

Have you heard his album of covers? I LOVE IT. I'm the cheesiest.

A month out.

I can't believe a whole month has gone by since my dad passed away. My mom just sent me an article about him and his work in the family business. Here it is: 

Smith Family Casino Scion, Michael Devine Dies At 54

Posted on 03 July 2013 by Howard Copelan

Michael Devine the last member of the Smith family to manage its local casino empire died late last month from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Devine, 54, was injured in a car accident while visiting San Diego, California on business.

A grandson of StateLine Casino founders William and Anna Smith, Devine was an international lawyer when in 1998 he was tapped to save the family business, then consisting of two major casinos and numerous other holdings in Wendover, Utah and West Wendover, Nevada.

A combination of bad decisions a sluggish economy and a rapacious competitor had put the family’s casino holdings deep in debt and foundering.

Devine overhauled the company bringing in new management, adopting a new marketing plan. Despite showing some initial success Devine’s efforts proved to be a case of too little, too late.

Three years after taking the helm, Devine was forced to seek bankruptcy protection. Nine months later the company was liquidated. During those nine months Devine desperately tried to  either find a partner or find other sources of funding to save the family business. He was unsuccessful.

On December 20th, 2003 ownership of the State Line and Silver Smith Casinos was transferred from the Smith family to the Peppermill Casinos and to Generation 2000.

The State Line became one of Nevada’s first casinos when it opened in 1933.

William Smith, Devine’s grandfather, first started the company as a service station on the border property in 1926.

Together with his wife Anna, they grew the casino and gas station to include a restaurant and one of the first air-conditioned hotels on U.S. Highway 40, the country’s main East-West artery. In 1952, the property added a 90-foot tall-animated neon sign in the shape of a cowboy known as “Wendover Will.” It has since become a nationally recognized gaming icon.

The properties grew to include two separate Las Vegas-style casino resorts with a combined 740 hotels rooms and suites; 1,600 slots; 80 table games; seven restaurants; a showroom; spa; swimming pools; several entertainment bars and complete convention facilities.

For well over half a century the Smith family was the largest single employer in Wendover and was also Wendover’s biggest benefactor. It donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for a wide variety charities, as well as equipment and property to both Wendover, Utah and West Wendover, Nevada.

Both the Smith family individually and their company were the major donors to the Wendover LDS church and the Wendover Catholic Church in their construction.

In 1999 the company helped found Wendover In Need (WIN) with the United Way that centralized all charities under one umbrella group. The company also donated a building for the WIN thrift store and is the source of most of the organization’s operating budget.

In addition to charity the Smith Family through the Anna Smith Scholarship foundation that sent hundreds of Wendover children to college.

Perhaps because Devine was at the helm when the company went under he received most of the blame and almost all of the vilification from Wendover locals not only for the loss of employment but for the local recession that followed in the wake of the bankruptcy.

“Mike got a lot of flack for the bankruptcy,” said former StateLine CEO Mac Potter. “Most of it was unfair. He had at most two years to turn around 20 years worth of bad decisions and tens of millions of dollars of debt in a bad economy.”

click for latest Newmont Notes

In the ten years following the loss of StateLine Devine was counsel to several American Indian tribes.

He is survived by his wife Rita Cromar Devine; his children Gretchen, Christian and Jeremy; his mother Billie Ann Devine; his sisters Stacy Devine, Kristin (Richard) Hart, Erin (Shannon) White; His in-laws; Dale and Hevia Cromar, Ken (Barbara), James (Esteban), Rick and his many nieces, nephews, and loved ones.

A memorial service was held Saturday, June 22nd at 11:00 a.m. in the Federal Heights LDS chapel at 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to the service, the family will greet friends beginning at 9:30.

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The Twinkle In His eyes

Posted on 03 July 2013 by Howard Copelan

Howard Copelan, Publisher

Every once in a while we meet someone in our line of work who it is a pleasure to know.

As a client then as a news source Michael Devine was such a person.

We would go so far to call him a friend we only knew him for a few years but we enjoyed his company.

He had a joy of life twinkle in his eyes and no matter how tough things got he never lost it.

We always knew where we stood with Michael. His family was first and far above any other priority. We understood.

Like a relief pitcher called in to protect a one run lead with the bases loaded Michael was booed as the goat when everything collapsed. But it really wasn’t fair.

He did his best and we doubt anyone could have done better given the circumstances.

While are contacts grew far less frequent after he left Wendover, they did not fade altogether.

We enjoyed our infrequent phone calls and although we had no business together we did share news of our children.

He was the only man we knew who could match us in talking about his children.

And that is not a shabby epitaph.

Not at all.

Let the countdown begin

Every once and a while, I feel a sudden sense of euphoria. Joy that I am here and I am alive. I felt that as I left church on Sunday, and when I remembered that Twilight Concert Series is soon to be upon us. I felt that while drinking slurpees out on my front porch and riding the train to Salt Lake the 5 millionth time this week. And I felt it just now when I saw that...

THE NEW ARCADE FIRE ALBUM COMES OUT OCTOBER 29TH

I know this makes me seem so "2006", but I really love Arcade Fire. And this is a big deal to me guys so, don't make fun. I was  on a Suburbs kick the summer I lived in Virginia, and since then, they've maintained a special spot in my heart. 

I mean really,

Oh Win. STOP IT.

Some music interviews you oughta be listening to.

So I got on this Nardwuar kick last week where I watched practically every interview he ever did. I first found out about him by watching and his interview with Alt-J. His interviews with Kurt Cobain and the Strokes are particularly infamous. His Ted Talk changed my life. For reals. Watch it:

Here's a great, previously un-released interview from the Beastie Boys when they were between 19 and 21. What cuties:

"We do not play sucka music"

You can't cry in space

Weird things make me emotional. Like this cover of "Modern Man". And this video that was floating around Facebook for a while a couple months ago:

After I watched the above video, I proceded to watch ALL of Chris Hadfield's space videos. They are truly fascinating.

Keep watching, you'll be hooked.

Music for you Midweek: Twintapes and Radiohead

Heartbreakers.

Twintapes. Who knew?

30 years and more

Today is my parents anniversary. They would have been married 30 years.

Over the past few weeks,  I've tried to remember when I last saw my dad, when I last hugged him, when we last talked. He was out of town so much, it's hard to pinpoint those exact moments. But  whenever they were, those weren't really our last moments.  I know that I will see him again. And despite the challenges we've faced, we're still a family, and we move forward.

Here's a new favorite love song I've been listening to about family. For my dad and my mom and all of us.

More Grown-Up Stuff

Dear Melindy shared this a while ago, and I thought I'd pass it on. We're adults guys. We're supposed to be doing stuff.

She's right.

Small Space, Big Life

Hi everyone! In an attempt to return to some sense of normalcy, I'm going to be trying to post more regularly. Everything is in some state of flux, so it would be good to have some things to depend on, right? My dad was one of my most faithful blog readers, and writing seems like a fitting way to remember him and keep moving forward.

I've been spending a lot of time at my parent's house in Salt Lake, being with my family, and helping my mom as best I can. There's endless paperwork that I'm really not much help with, so I've tried to help in other ways. I've helped get my dad's clothes, books, and other things organized. It's hard to go through stacks, seeing what was important to him and what he was thinking of his last few weeks at home. It made me think about what people would think of me if I were to disappear suddenly. What would they think is important to me? What am I holding on to?

That's one of the points where my dad and I diverge. I think we were both collectors of sorts. I used to feel like I needed to have every song in the world, which led to a panic attack when I lost 13,000 songs from iTunes, and then near mental breakdown when we lost 50,000 songs from our computer hard drive a year or so ago. My dad felt like he had to own every book. We held on to so many things, and our rooms (as well as storage in our attic, basement, and rooms all over the house) allowed us to. People tend to fit the space their given. So having an abundance of home space, can easily lead to an abundance of things. But those things can become a burden. At least to me. Stacks of books begging to be read. Piles of stuffed animals anticipating snuggles. Closets full of clothes waiting to be worn. (I had problems with personification as a kid).

A few years ago, I decided to stop. I didn't want my "things" to define me, so I started to cut down. A lot. I researched"living small". And watched videos like this:

and read articles like this.

My dad gave me a magazine a month or so ago dedicated to small design.

That's one of the things I miss about my dad. The things you loved became the things he loved. He was always so thoughtful, and kept others in mind. Whenever he read something about living small, or perfume, or Jack White, or any of my other weirdo interests, he would send it my way. Anyway, I'm going to try and incorporate their design ideas in the space I have. 

A month or so ago, this article was making the rounds on Facebook. If you aren't convinced to live small, give a read, and it may just convince you. Some highlights:

 "This is only one small example of something that has been going on for a very long time. Big companies didn’t make their millions by earnestly promoting the virtues of their products, they made it by creating a culture of hundreds of millions of people that buy way more than they need and try to chase away dissatisfaction with money." 

"We buy stuff to cheer ourselves up, to keep up with the Joneses, to fulfill our childhood vision of what our adulthood would be like, to broadcast our status to the world, and for a lot of other psychological reasons that have very little to do with how useful the product really is. "

"Healthy, happy people don’t feel like they need much they don’t already have, and that means they don’t buy a lot of junk, don’t need to be entertained as much, and they don’t end up watching a lot of commercials."

It's true guys!

Best of luck in your down-sizing endeavors! Remember. You're more than your stuff!

"Tears were shed, hearts were gladdend, a cup was shared."

This has been making the rounds on Facebook, and I thought I'd share it with y'all. Hope you aren't too offended; it's really spot on!

Happy Sunday!

July Mix: Radioheavy

Here are some songs for us.

1. This Time Around - The Radio Dept.

2. Eyes - Rogue Wave

3. Amanaemonesia - Chairlift

4. Motherboard - Daft Punk Random

5. Original Don (Flosstradamus Remix) - Major Lazer

6. Demon To Lean On - Wavves

7. Your Life Your Call - Junip

8. Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show

9. Our Hearts Are Wrong - Jessica Lea Mayfield

10. Racing Like A Pro - The National

11. There There (Radiohead cover) - Julia Easterlin

12. High And Dry (Radiohead Cover) - Rozzi Crane

13. Lose Yourself to Dance - Daft Punk

14. Video Tapez (Ft. Del The Funky Homosapien) - Amplive

15. These Days (Jackson Browne Cover) - Memoryhouse

NOTES:
none

Happy 4th of July

Hope it's great, and as happy as this song: