Awkward Christmas

And yet another awkwardly funny quote from 'Six Feet Under.'

Taylor - "No but it's Christmas. And I want to watch the funeral."


-Gawdun

I Can't Stop Laughing!

'Your Holiday Song'
-Indigo Girls

I hace done very well with limiting my social media interactions to certain times of the day and for a certain amount of time.  Today though I have some time to kill before an appointment so I have been deeply catching up on the Twitter.  Every once in a while I see who follows who from the list of people I follow.  I never know if there is another person I will be interested in following and reading tweets from.  I don't know why but I just found this recommendation follow and it has kept me laughing.  I mean we are all free to "like" and "follow" whom ever we wish to, I mean this is free media....  But for some reason this cracks me up!

Officially I can't remember if this is an actual LDS Church created twitter account (LDSNews) but I just love this.  Proof that LDS members love trends and mainstream material.  Oh and that we are also normal.

He he he he he :)

'Christmas All Over Agaiin'

-Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

-Gawdun

Late Night Food

Tracy - "Why do people die?"

Nate - "To make life important."

(Six Feet Under)

What are you doing? How are you treating others? How are you treating yourself?


-Gawdun

The World is Your Blah Blah Blah, (Stupid) Oyster

Dumb phrase.


-Gawdun

This is How I Feel My Life Sounds

I have a handful of TV shows that I can watch over and over again. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Six Feet Under, among a few others.

I finally picked up the entire series 'Six Feet Under' the other night and have been watching it over. Probably some of the most awkward things happen on this show. As most people close to me know I always have awkward and enjoy a good awkward exchange in my life, which is another reason I feel I relate to the characters in the series.

Anyways I just finished a episode about a missing foot. (Oh and by the way the show is about a family that runs a funeral business.) Here is an exchange of dialogue that had me rolling between the mom Ruth and her two sons David, and Nate about their sister Claire...

Ruth Fisher - "She stole a foot?! From a person?"

David - "Yes. Would it have been better if it was an animals?"

Nate - "A little bit"

Ruth - "You wake up one day and your baby's stolen a foot. Where have I been?"

David - "Loosing $25,000."

Oh it cracks me up! HBO seriously has great TV ;)

-Gawdun

Addiction

It's a for sure sign that I may watch a bit to much of AMC's, 'The Walking Dead' and other zombie films. Why might I say this? I will explain.

Tonight upon our house plunging into darkness, and guessing the entire neighborhood followed suit the firs thought to roll into my head was...

"This is that moment when the government finally cuts the power supply and when I look out the window a 'walker' will be right outside. Seeing me he/she will try and break in my window hungry for my tasty and deliciously toned arms."

It's never dull in my head...


-Gawdun

Centered and Resourced

Change comes and so does the change of the seasons.  In what I call one of the roughest years so far in my life I have come to close several doors that made it tricky as the year winds down.  I never thought it would be here and yet we are finally under 60 days till 2012.  :)  Raise the roof!  

The other day I was feeling over whelmed with the changes I have been presented a head of me and then the thoughts of this last year, with specific events in the front.  As I was discussing this with my dear friend Kenley Chapman he sent me this photo...

-Gawdun

Of Course I Would

'Cobrastyle'
-Robyn

I thought about not posting on the passing of Steve Jobs, but I feel like I should pay respects to one of the great technology innovators.

I get a lot, and I mean LOT of slack for being an Apple fan from social acquaintances, and friends.  My family never really comments now that I think about it, other than my Aunt Dawn, but she's an avid Apple user as well.  I understand and know that a good majority of Apple owners just own them as it is a status symbol and cool factor.  I on the other hand own them because of the line of industry I am in, photography.  I do not need to own every object they invent or revamp.  Heck I still need to upgrade my OS from Snow Leopard to Lion but am fine for now, and currently use and do all my business on my 13inch white MacBook.  (Although it is time to get a desktop from the increase of work and clients I'm now having.)  Let's get to the purpose of this post though...

Steve was not flashy from what I ever noticed in his Keynote presentations.  He and his design team created things with the client and users in mind.  While at a 'Beloved' photography seminar recently we spoke on how your appearance in public can describe your product before the client even sees it.  From my opinion Steve knew that.  Jeans and a black turtle neck is all we ever saw him in.  That translated to his creations... Simplicity and comfort, less confusion, beauty and shine.  I'm always learning something new about his inventions that I own every time I use them.

I guess there is no concise theme to this post except how grateful I am for the awesome and simplified technology that Steve envisioned and brought us.  (I mean Microsoft, really?  Do you have to be so confusing?  Take a lesson.)

Thanks again!

'Deep Blue'
-Arcade Fire


-Gawdun

Good Times to Be Had

It's interesting the things your learn about people.  I  invest to much time into friendships that are just social encounters and not friendships.  I am a firm believer that you can tell a true friend by the amount of miles you have between you and the amount of communication and interest that fills that distance...  One of my best friends has lived in the same town as me, different countries and states and yet we have never grown apart. 

When you live in the high school world you think the number of friends means something.  Heck even in the Facebook world we live in today we think the number of friends means how cool we are.  But I have learned as you get older that number isn't important.  Your best friends are first your family, then the other people.  I am grateful for my family above all but so grateful for the friends that I can call friends in my older years.  Sorry to all those that are just social encounters, it's nothing personal, but we just never had it...

 Oh and on a side note:  Judging me by friends and/or associations then calling yourself my friend is so far from the truth.  Thanks but I don't need that negative energy in my life.

-Gawdun 

Oh So This is What My Dream Translates To?!

I posted yesterday but just now was dong some YouTube'n of my favorite bands who's videos never seem to get air play in the states.  Either that or they are still so un-respected as talent that the American mind won't fathom awesomeness in music like this.  However in defense of the American people I know a one, Sydnee, that is trying to help the cause of great music in the States.  :)

Ok I'm off my soap box.  Just enjoy this awesome video and song from the most talented 'Ladytron'



-Gawdun

What Happened to Kick the Can?

'Take You Away'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Last week while I was in the Target I pa roused through the toy isle.  First off let me explain how I am impressed with the latest and greatest LEGO designs.  Bravo Bravo!!!

However what cracked me up was the below video I shot.  Just a advertising fail for Cars and Target...  It still cracks me up...  There was even a tire from another car that had popped off and was laying on the bottom of the display track.  LOL

'Matching Weight'

-Trespassers William

-Gawdun

My MInd Has a Part 2

Earlier this week I posted a blog of two topics that were on my mind...

I had a feeling was leaving something out and that would be #3...

3.   This Darn NFL Lockout!

Back at the end of the NFL season the stupid NFL moved into this "Lockout" mumbo jumbo.  I mentioned it to a few people that I found this to be a giant waist of crap news.  Here is why...  If I remember right almost every darn year at the end of EVERY sport season there is some sort of strike or lockout.  Mostly they want money is the underlining theme but they usually cover that up with some sort of other bull crap.  

So there I was talking to a friend and I said, "mark my words the NFL lockout will come to an end right before the training and preseason kicks off."  Boy I need to be paid for my predictions.  There I was this last week in the gym locker room and on EPSN they were talking about they players were being allowed back into the locker rooms now as training season begins as long as they got their physicals.  Huh ironic.  Pre season is just weeks away and the "lockout" sounds like it is vanishing away.  

Just be honest and say you are giving your players more money for the next season.  I believe they just use the "Lockout" also as a cover up to make it so much easier for us to accept the fact they are going to once again get pay raises and they deserve it.  We wouldn't easily accept a raise if they just gave it to them.  This is just further proof that the majority of America is blind and can't think on their own.  

(Once again this is just my thoughts and opinions if you did not like this post then you really should... I don't know, but you should do something.)

-Gawdun

My Mind

I have two things on my mind right now...

1.  Dear Officers of the Law, I can not take you seriously when you wear WHITE sunglasses.

Today while I was running on the treadmill at the gym I watched as a car pulled over due to the fact that the police behind him was flashing him to stop.  As the police man pulled up behind him I noticed the officer was wearing WHITE sunglasses.  My fellow readers should know by now my loath and repulse to the WHITE sunglass look.  Especially when guys where them.  As soon as I saw them on the officer I immediately lost any sort of respect for him.  I tried as hard as I could but I could not gain respect for him.  The WHITE sunglasses made him look un-professonal and like a complete joke.  I had more respect for the officers of CHIPS than I did him.

I think more people need to be aware of what they wear in the public when they are representing their business or profession.

2.  The locker room at my gym is wayyyyy to small.

My good friend Karyn shared this 'Modern Family' clip with me when I told her about my locker room stories while at the gym...

Click me for a "Splash Down Moon Landing"

Now the last couple of days I have had this above clip stuck in my head and begin to laugh while in the locker room thus making it seem that I am probably crazy or making other guys uncomfortable thinking I am judging and laughing at them.  (Which is not even happening as the eyes stay straight ahead on my locker.)


-Gawdun

And Where Has Summer Gone?

'And The Boys'
-Angus & Julia Stone

Summer has been busy.  I've been around.  Sadly won't have my annual August trip to Tahoe.  Sample of of my summer thus far, in no particular order...

Much more to come including a few more CA trips this summer for work and housing and several events.  Hope your summers are going swanky!

'You Can't Keep Me'
-Amy LaVere


-Gawdun

I Was Walking Down the Street...

Years ago back in the roaring 90's there was once a band named Cibo Matto.  This band was amazing with the talents of two Japanese American women, Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori.  They even had the musical talents of Sean Lennon in their band.  They made sweet sweet music that resonated through the ears of many.

Years ago in the late 90's I discovered a band called Cibo Matto as they played one of their songs entitled, 'Sugar Water' on a favorite TV show of mine. (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)  I acquired all their music possible.  My love for them has never faltered like it has with other music talents.  Cibo Matto has been the go to music for every moment in my life and when nothing else fits my mood I return to them.

Unfortunately the band has since dissolved (I hope it resolves in the near future) and all I am left with is the albums of past and their individual projects.  *heavy sigh....  I'm using today to once again introduce you fellow readers to more bodacious music.

(Due to the evils at Warner Brothers Records I can't embedded two of my favorite videos/songs of theirs on my blog. Thus I present you with two links in order of importance to me...)

#1.  'Sugar Water' - http://youtu.be/EN9auBn6Jys
(*Sugar Water will more than likely be a them song at my wedding reception when and if that ever happens, sorry future other half)


#2.  'Know Your Chicken' - http://youtu.be/COMWwwv_MTk

Yes it's true they are amazing and crazy and weird.  Just like me :)

-Gawdun

Ride That Bike Sister

I introduced you to a wonderfully talented singer back in an April 2011 post, Ida Maria.  Her sophomore album finally dropped in the US this month and just like the first one it is amazing.

I found the official video to one of the tracks of the new album, 'Quiet Nice People.'  Beautiful and well shot.  Makes me want to live in a small village in Europe.  Maybe one day...


Ida Maria - Quite Nice People (Official Music Video Premiere) from Ida Maria on Vimeo.

How about them lyrics too, eh!?


-Gawdun

I Always on the Edge w/ a Sax

J'adore the new Lady Gaga album!  She continues to create stunning work and lyrics.  To this day I have yet to see the 'Born This Way' music video.  I have seen the 'Judas' video and loved it, but let's talk about my number *two favorite video of her's ever.  'Edge of Glory'

This video is simple and totally not what I was expecting, but for the song being so brilliant and simple I guess it's best that the video be just the same.  It totally has an 80's vibe to it.  In fact it feels like a modern day version of Flashdance, and oh what a feeling.

In the song Gaga uses the best version of a saxophone I have heard in a long time if not ever (Kenny G makes me vomit and I'm not interested in the saxophone Bill Clinton wants to offer).  And I am very pleased with the visual use of the saxophone.

This video just makes me smile at the simplicity.  Well done Gaga, well done...

My favorite part is the playfulness at 4:35 - 4:38.



THE EDGE OF GLORY - LADY GAGA from jncamez on Vimeo.


I just find it interesting at the amount of times she grabs her chest, pushes it up and out or flashes it out to us.  I counted 45 times.


*the number one video of her's I love is still 'Bad Romance'

-Gawdun

This Is Me At A late Night Hour

As I drove home from the part time job, (man I need to get over the mental idea that I won't survive with just my photography alone and thus I need to have a part time job) I turned on the Kandi from my iPod.  I love me some R&B music and I am completely white.  I don't even need to look in the mirror to know the whiteness that I am, it just comes out of me naturally no need to remind me.  Either way I love the R&B.

Kandi, Jennifer Hudson, and even Coolio!

I'm also currently enjoying pretzel rods dipped into Wallaby brand Organic Raspberry Yogurt.  And let us not forget I am also enjoying all of this with a crisp tasting SmartWater :)

(The above photo is one I took using the Istagram App on the iPhone 4 of my friend Karyn.  I just love it.)

-Gawdun

Drink Responsibly & Get Sponsored Responsibly...

'Home is a Fire'
-Death Cab For Cutie


It's about time I posted a blog about this...

Let's face it!  I am a water racist.  I wont drink any other water but a certain Glaceau kind.  What kind would that be?  SmartWater.  It just taste better, smells better has better ingredients and I could keep going on for hours.  Oh but I must not forget to mention has the coolest packaging.  I have been drinking SmartWater exclusively for 4 years and before then I would mix my water purchases with tap water or San Pellegrino.  But I have been a avid fan of the Glaceau brand since I read an article on them in the Entertainment Weekly back in spring 2001.

There is just something magical about SmartWater.  No I don't feel smarter (which is the same lame joke people ask when they see me drinking it).  ---> I have always wanted to tell them that just talking to them makes me smarter, but I refrain.  Seriously the only ingredients are; Vapor distilled water and Electrolytes.  "So pure and crisp like from a cloud," as one of their marketing campaigns stated.  It's just down right tasty.

Thus brings me to my current goal...

I have spent enough money on this company that I deserve to be a major share holder in the company but I will actually settle for a major sponsorship of some sorts.  I'm sorry Jennifer Aniston may make drinking SmartWater look sexy in black and white (another campaign that ran last year) but I look sexy drinking it in color ALL the time, not just at the turn of the page.  I am a major advertiser for them and they don't realize it but it's high time they do.

So by year end I want a sponsorship with them!  I sent out a tweet about this a few months ago and one of my photography network members actually tweeted back saying Glaceau sponsored one of their wedding promo events and they ended up with tons of bottles left over.  To prove that I drink this liquid heaven everyday and everywhere I will be taking a photo of me and the SmartWater everyday until they notice.   I am creating a separate Tumblr page then my "Behind ARG IMAG Photography" page.  I will have the link for you by Friday as I am in the midst of designing the page :)

It's gonna be sick!

Let's look at the dedication I have to this liquid heaven:

1.  I have a 1L bottle with me during my gym work-out, which I attend 6 days a week.
2.  I have at least a full bottle and a backup one here in the office at all times.
3.  All road trips consist of a separate area in my car where I can reach a SmartWater at all times, even if I'm not driving.
4.  I will not waste a single drop by dumping out.
5.  Before crossing airport security I will guzzle the entire bottle I have left (see #4), which then causes me to pee a lot before flight and in flight.
6.  On my mission my dear friend Roxanne would send me packages in the mail with at least 3 of the 1.5 L size bottles at least once every 6 months.  I would ration it out to be used only during meetings and when I had a rough day teaching.
7.  I have a bottle with me whenever I do any public speaking.
8.  When I find it on sale it's all over.  I will buy a shopping cart full, but not in one trip, I make several trips.  I don't want people to think I run a mini-mart.
9.  I don't just throw the bottle away I will place it in the proper plastic recycle location just as it suggests.
10.  I actually just paused between 9 and 10 to drink some.
11.  Only water I will put in my protein shakes after each work out.
12.  I will turn my nose down at you if you reuse the bottle with any kind of water that is not the SmartWater.  I am not afraid to admit it.
13.  I can tell you are a good friend if you actually knew all this about me and don't offer me anything other than SmartWater at your BBQ's, parties, etc.
14.  Even when I was laid off I still managed to buy it and support the dedication.

AND ONE MORE:

15.  I have a bottle with me at EVERY photo shoot I do.



See I deserve a sponsorship!  So get ready for me to have it by year end of 2011.

(I totally just took this)

'You Are a Tourist'
-Death Cab For Cutie


-Gawdun

Splash That Red On Me

I remember back on a fall day a week after I returned from my mission in 2008 I learned of a vocal maven known as Santogold, now know as Santigold.  (For reason on name change read this article found on wikipedia.)  But I digress.  My first paycheck once I started back to work a couple weeks later I made my way down to the local record shop (Ok it wasn't really a record shop but more like the Best Buy.  My town sucks and has no record shops... corporate scum and best) and picked up her first album, 'Santogold.'  The guy who helped me find it thought I was crazy as the cover art is simple genius at best, but to him must be insane, this town has no art appreciation :(

Once again I digress.  Needless to say I love her and have been with her since her debut.  I pray she releases more magic this year!  Her stuff is one of the go to albums I blast right before any photo shoot I head off to.

-Gawdun

The Arms of Another Man

'Extraordinary Machine'
-Fiona Apple

I sit in my office way past normal business hours (1:30am) and I hear rhythmic pounding from the office upstairs.  I think this might be the plot of my favorite Woody Allen film 'Small Time Crooks' happening before me, except we don't share a building with a bank just a consignment shop.

At least that's all I hope the noise from upstairs is...

On a sad note Sydnee said I missed a most awesome lightning show tonight due to being stuck at my job.  I sure hope things change in the very near future as far as employment goes.  *fingers crossed*


'Take a Letter Maria'
-R.B. Greaves


-Gawdun

Fergie Say's

'Don't You Evah'

-Spoon

Why must we label?

-Gawdun

I'm on Fire

It's true I totally am on fire.  I've been blogging up a storm.  In fact last week when blogger was down for what was just a day but seemed like an eternity I was nervous.  I don't know what has gotten into me but I am back to blogging like a mad man.  However I will refer you all back to 'Jesus Has Me Blogging Again' and most importantly the last section in that post.  I still will not ever go back to posting personal details on my life so this blog I'm posting is just another music discovery post.

Oh how Sydnee has turned me onto some amazing music and this band who's video you will watch is no exception.  How have I, Gawdun, never heard them before?!  The Jezabels...

This is the favorite song of mine now...

-Gawdun

If I Were a Bridesmaid

I have not laughed nor cry-laughed at a film in such a long time till I saw 'Bridesmaids.'  And just like Sydnee and I agree we laughed the ENITRE time.  All I can say is, "Well done Kristen Wiig on such a well written film, well acted and great choice of actors."  I may be seeing it again very soon.




-Gawdun

Man This Ship Has Left Already I See

I thought with me attending the gym 2 hours at a time for 6 days a week meant I could be proud of my accomplishments in the work I have done.  However according to the below picture I now need to find a large white board to hang around my neck when I go to the beach in a few weeks...

Welcome to Utah magazine racks...

However it looks like they missed a few that are more "skanky"than the fully clothed Olivia Wilde cover of Glamour.  So really what are they trying to sensor, I'm confused. :-/


On a side note:  Michael J. Fox looks so out of place.  Happy 50th Mike!

-Gawdun

We All Find It

I just don't have the time nor ability to be a faithful fan of Glee.  However one performance on the show by our favorite late night Ambien induced twitter user named Kristin Chenoweth will never leave my mind, especially on a rain filled night.  By the way I hate youtube videos with stupid lyrics flashing on the video but the below video was the only one that would post properly so just minimize this window and do other work while you listen to the song.




-Gawdun

Your Male for My Female

This is my ode to Steve Jobs and the rest of the development team over at the Cupertino, CA HQ offices.  (That is the HQ of Apple for those that might not know this fun fact)

Thank you for designing and thinking,
Thank you for listening to your clients,
Thank you for "Thinking Different,"
Thank you for paying attention in anatomy class,
even when all you wanted to do was design mother boards.
Thank you for understanding that a male end will always
do the same to a female end.
THANK YOU for making the iPhone male and female
ends all the same as the iPod ones!!!
Thank You.

With Love,
Me,
A. Gawdun

The reason for this post would be the simple understanding that when you lock all your keys in the car with your iPhone charges, both home and car chargers, and your battery shows only 2% life, your life might end.  Thank goodness I have an extra cord at home from iPod #3 I bought last summer.  I couldn't have found a better way to open it and christen it for the first time than sticking it in a iPhone 4.

-Gawdun

Bloggin for May

Just another late night music feast/break from work, for them that may not know of this awesome band.

-Gawdun

Late Nights at the Office

Now that I rent space from a friend to use as a creative location for my photography and creative else parts, I tend to spend a few late nights down here.  Either way I remembered that we were all down here the other night and Rachel (one I rent from) wanted to share a favorite song of her's from childhood.  (I think the screen printing paint fumes had sunken into our brains by this point so we were all getting loopy)

-Gawdun

I Needed A Good Avataring...

Who would have thought that witnessing a good o'l fashioned avataring would change my dismal cloud to a cloud of light?

Lesson learned:  When you have one of them days just look at your back up photo files, I'm sure there will be a mind lightener in there somewhere :)

PS:  Morgan and Kenley will have the best avatar children ever, I'm just saying.


-Gawdun

Oh It Sure Is Gonna Get Weird... But NOT For Me

You know who you are, so please enjoy your anthem as life will "do you in" and realize that I dedicate the first verse to you :)  Happy Easter

-Gawdun

Un Foxed

Dear Jenny Lewis,

I am still sad that Rilo Kiley and you haven't released an album in a while.  However you are redeemed now that I found your newest project called, 'Jenny and Johnny.'  You are amazing!

http://youtu.be/GQAF5xLOliA

(Click the above link for the official amazing video)

Thursday has become better :) !

-Gawdun

Lines

-Gawdun

"Jesus Has Me Blogging Again..."

(Taken on a recent trip to Laguna Beach:  ARG IMAG Photography)

I would say that the famine of blog postings started back on January 30th when I last posted my most honest blog posting.  All the rest were true but fillers to cover my hectic life making it appear I was alive and well.  I mean yes I was and still am alive.  But as for 'well,' that is debatable.

I don't like rehashing the past anymore as it truly doesn't get you anywhere, but I learned several things in February that I must share.

Caring about someone can consume every ounce of you.  It is raw, powerful, scary, memorable, intense, gentle, overwhelming and the list can go on.  A word that deserves most focus would be CONFUSING.

Unemployment.  Is.  Horrible.

I have come to part of my life where I want a dog.  In the words from the great film, Empire Records...  "Shock me, shock me, shock me, with that deviant behavior."

I am working again part time when not working on photo shoots.  Outback Steakhouse has me now, and actually wanted me to be there from the get go.  I am honored to have been so desired as an employee by the management team.  :)

I really hate the way this blog is turning out to look and sound.  Man I don't think blogging is my thing anymore.

I joined a gym a week ago and have been tearing it up.  I decided to join one after my running habit turned into a 6 day a week habit.  As I tell my friends my lower half is looking all sorts of fit and nice while my upper half is looking the opposite.  Can't look disproportional now can I?  So thus I made it all 6 days to the gym while allowing Sunday as my only day off.  Monday and Thursday I do yoga.  Mon-Thurs I attend the gym at 5am with a friend.  Friday we go at 6am and then Saturday I told her that I plan on going around 10am.  Each time I am there I stay around 2 to 2.5 hours.  I wont lie going super early in the AM is tough but I manage to have self motivation, who would have thought.  Once my friend Trudi get's out of school for the summer I told her I want to start around 9:30 weekdays.  I know it's only been one week but I am loving it more and more every day.

I don't do a lot of personal Facebooking anymore, unless it is on my business page.  I just don't think everyone needs to know everything I am in the midst of.  You want to know, then call me.  :)  Plus there have been people who have been using my posts and such as fuel to create preconceived ideas of my personal and professional life.  This would also explain my un motivated desires to blog.  I just don't care to share anymore :)  We have become a society of "must knows."  So good luck with "must knowing" Gawdun.  Consider this post to be the last of it's kind in the personal life of Gawdun.  Don't fret I'll still blog from time to time but I won't be giving out personal life details.  Once again as Dragonette sings, 'Pick Up The Phone' if you want info...

I'm hungry now and want a steak so go find something else to read  :)

-Gawdun

I Am Here

As much as I love blogging it sure sometimes feels like a job.  

With that I am here still, and storing up on the topics to put down here for you fellow readers, but I just don't have the time.  Ok that is a lie, as of this very moment I do have the time I just don't feel like posting a long winded story from the travels of Gawdun.  DEAL WITH IT...

Here is a photo to swing the mood... into what way it swings I will leave that up to you.

And yes this is one of my images.  In fact if you would like to purchase this in the form of a print to hang on your wall or somewhere else contact me through...

arg.imag@gmail.com

-Gawdun

Ok You Can Stay

'Pick Up The Phone'
-Dragonette

I have been very fortunate to know some swanky and swell people in my life.  If we were to go by my Facebook friend count I would have over 400 friends but then again I don't go by that, let's be honest that is not a perfect gauge on friendship.  (I think several are business contacts and networked friends that will come in handy in the future.)

While on my run today I had the chance to do more thinking even though Madonna kept singing to me about 'Burning Up.'  I thought about those that I associate with now and those that I have in the past.  I created a mental rolodex of all those that have been major impacts and true friendship in my life.  I am going to introduce you readers to them.

(NOTE):  I don't consider this to be a complete image rolodex as I do not have photo's of all of you so if you are not pictured don't be sad you are still good I just need to get a picture of you to post here :-)

Bill, Fred, Me, Kenley:  No matter what your life has for you in difference, that doesn't make the friends, it's the person(s). 

Nicole the perfect roller derby enthusiast

Karyn  

Molly there from year back no matter where we live 

Erin, Alex, Me, and Katie.  Reno isn't a trip without this gang! 

Aunt Dawn, supper supportive and hysterical! 

And MOST IMPORTANT!!!  My family!  Alycia, Me, Lucas, Mom, and not pictured would be David. Y'all worry to much about me but I love it.

'Photojournalist'

-Small Black

-Gawdun

How To Serve A Black Swan

'Come On, Come Out'
-A Fine Frenzy

Many of you, well maybe just a few close in proximity know my current obsession.  We call it the 'Black Swan.'  In the past month I have seen it every weekend.  Ok that is a lie I managed to not see it this weekend but I did see it one and a half times last weekend.

I'm sure many of you are shaking your heads in agony of my love for this rated "R" flick.  You may shake all you want but then again take a look at your lives and tell me it's perfect in what you watch.  I don't think so...  Besides I don't care what you say it was amazing! :-)

Let's get it off the top right away.  Yes there was this awkward girl with girl scene that probably could have been edited down or possibly not even put in the movie at all.  Either way it was in it and shocking, well from what I saw as my hands were covering my eyes.  My friends all thought this was a hoot to witness me doing so.

Acting was beyond amazing.  If you think about it there are actors and actresses who almost never seem to do a new and growing role to their resume.  Natalie is not that girl.  She has grown and continues to grow in each and every role she has done and this one was the top of the top so far.  Just watching the transformation of shy insecure 'White Swan' to controversial, explicit 'Black Swan' was the stuff you want to see in movies.  Don't get me wrong I love a good mindless movie but that seems to be all that have and are coming out anymore so this was a tall drink of water!  Then Winona Ryder's supporting role was brilliant and shows us once again why we love her as an actress.

Music was superb!  It is amazing to listen to the music and be able to envision the entire story line play out in your mind.  When a soundtrack can do that you know it was well scored!

Costumes and locations made my eyes water.  I was so impressed with the entire thing that I was receiving idea after idea for future photo shoot times!

My only complaint and caution is as follows:  I forgot how gnarly and nasty ballerina dancer feet are.  I wanted to vomit several times in the film just from the site of the feet.  SO if you have issues with feet don't eat a full meal before the movie.

OVERALL:

I guess you can say I loved it minus the feet part.  I loved it so much that I actually want to see a ballet this year. On one of the viewings I did one friend told me that he would go as well so now I have a trip to New York to plan I guess, poor me :-)


'My'
-Lykke Li


-Gawdun

2011 A Grand Start

Besides loosing my bartending job this week due to Ruby Tuesday closing all it's franchise locations I am having a FANTASTIC 2011!  I'm sure it will get better but I would like to see it try!

My photography business, ARG IMAG Photography, is growing, and my personal life has taken a huge jolt of "I didn't see that coming but I love it!"

Hope you are all having a great start as well.  February is next week!!

...The End

-Gawdun

It Really Isn't

Just a little something from me to you, (this is not the real video as it is a little risque and don't know who would take it bad so here is a much cleaner one.)




I'm actually doing my best to stay out'a others biz this year too.

-Gawdun

Gimmie Sympathy Sick Muse

I feel I need to share love with others!   Back in 2003 I was watching Leno, (sorry I think Conan is an idiot)and this gem of a band from our lovely neighbors to the north happened to be musical guest.  Every since then I never looked back and have loved them ever since.  I present to you Metric.  Their latest album came out in summer 2009 and never get's old.  In fact I can't think of a band I don't listen to more often in the week.  It's sad but yes I like to play a game while listening to certain songs where I turn the volume down and see if I can sing along and then turn the volume back up and be on the exact verse and word they are on.  I am killer at it.  But this is a "all by myself song."

Anyways here are two visually inspiring videos from their 2009 release 'Fantasies.'






Talent huh!  Best songs though are 'Dead Disco,' 'Blindness,' 'Gimmie Sympathy,' and 'Monster Hospital.'

PS:  If you watch Greys Anatomy you will have heard some of their music on the show.


-Gawdun

Feed Your Ears Vol. 2

Due to internet connection issues this list was not available to post on the 1/1/11 like intended.  Here it is now.  (Once again for those new readers if listening to music while blogging I post the song that was playing when I started and the song that was playing when I ended the post.)

2010 Blogging Playlist In Review

 'They'
-JEM

'Who's That Girl'

-Eve

'Kids (Soulwax Remix)'

-MGMT

'Waterfalls'

-TLC

'Oops (Oh My)'

-Tweet feat. Missy Elliot

'Take It Like A Man (Suarez Remix)'

-Dragonette

'Paris is Burning'

-Ladyhawke

'Rocket'

-Goldfrapp

'Run This Town'

-Jay Z (feat: Rihanna & Kanye West)

'Here Before'

-Lissie

'I Want You'

-Fefe Dobson

'Shine Right Through'

-Correatown

'Your Heart Is An Empty Heart'

-Death Cab For Cutie

'Modern Nature'

-Sondre Lerche

'I Love LA'

-Randy Newman

'Bad Romance'

-Lady Gaga

"Valnetino"

-Diane Birch

'Hospital Beds'

-Cold War Kids

'Beauty in the World'

-Macy Gray

'New Divide'

-Linkin Park

'Gimme Sympathy'

-Metric

'Heartbreak Warfare'

-John Mayer

'Pocketful of Sunshine'

-Natasha Bedingfield

'Stop Draggin My Heart Around'

-Stevie Nicks w/ Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

'Take Everything'

-Greg Laswell

'Sweet Disposition'

-The Temper Trap

'Next Best Thing'

-Nikki & Rich

'Everywhere I Go'

-Lissie

'Dance Anthem of the 80's'

-Regina Spektor

'Take Care'

-Beach House

'Die'

-Carissa's Weird

'Empire State of Mind (feat Alicia Keys)'

-Jay-Z

'My First Kiss (feat Ke$ha)'

-3OH!3

'Click Flash'

-Ciara

'King of the Berry (Piano Slam Mix)'

-Happy Monkey

'Dying Day'

-Brandi Carlile

'Electric Feel'

-MGMT

'Tom's Diner'

-Suzanne Vega

‘Kiss With a Fist’

-Florence + the Machine

‘4 Minutes (feat Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)

-Madonna

‘3’

-Britney Spears

‘Odyle’

-Heloise & the Savior Faire

‘Why Don’t You Love Me (Jump Smokers Radio Edit)’

-Beyonce

‘Got Love to Kill’

-Juliette and the Licks

‘Living Dead Girl (Subliminal Seduction Remix)’

-Rob Zombie

‘Fade Into You’

-Mazzy Star

'Everybody Hurts'

-R.E.M.

'Belong'

-Cary Brothers

'Got Nuffin'

-Spoon

'Emancipated Minor'

-Ani Difranco

'Whip My Hair'

-Willow Smith

'Bad Romance (cover)'

-Lissie

‘Cannibal’

-Ke$ha

‘We R Who We R’

-Ke$ha

'Made For Us'
-Mackintosh Braun

'All Dressed in Love'
-Jennifer Hudson

'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'
-Aimee Mann

'Christmas Lights'
-Coldplay

'The Night Before Christmas'
-Brandon Heath

'Christmas Tree'
-Lady Gaga

'Time of the Season'
-Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan

'My Only Wish'
-Jessica Simpson

If you missed last years playlist here is a link...  2009 Blogging Playlist in Review

-Gawdun