A Magical Life I Lead and I Don't Apologize

On my list of people to photograph resides a brilliant singer, Santigold.  She is brilliant and lovely and talented in so many ways.  Oh and that's right, I get to meet her next Thursday and see her perform...  I'm already trying to remind myself to "be cool, be cool" for I may say some stupid thing that makes me sound creepy.  I mean similar things have happened when I have been so excited!



(by the way it was well worth the few year wait for a purely magical second CD release.  And hey she doesn't use auto-tune.  Imagine that, a real artist!)

-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

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 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessed And Highly Favored

2010 has not been an easy year.  2010 was the year where things I thought were not and things that were, became a thought.  I have learned of being confused and then of having a clear mind.

My family has been a great support and I know and hope will always be as things get interesting in 2011.  I can just feel it being a interesting year, but then again I say that every year and I am always right ;-)

I owe a great deal of thanks to a specific group of friends I have.  They have accepted your blogger, a certain Gawdun, and been a great deal of support and sound board.  They are a great group of guys.

Ok that is the limit I have on emotion for this year.  Quota full.  Enjoy your final day of 2010!!!  Here's looking to 2011

-Gawdun

In Rome they Do It BIG!!!

'Christmas Tree'
-Lady Gaga (probably the most random Xmas song EVER, but then are you surprised being from Gaga?)

As mentioned a few post prior I traveled to Vegas for a day of Christmas shopping with the destination set for the new H&M location that was replacing the old FAO Schwartz toy story in the Forum Shops at  Caesars Palace Las Vegas.  If you read the past post you would know that they actually didn't open on the scheduled November 20th.  Instead it would be two days from the day we were there.  So of course I was lucky that I had to attend a roller derby game that same night when it would open.  So you bet your bottom dollar this boy, and his friends Kenley, and Nicole got up early and drove down just so we could get the lucky opening door gifts.

We got there and had to WAIT in line to even get in the store, it was AMAZING!  I have never for one waited in line for a movie so to wait in line for a store to let us in was beyond me.  But we managed to score some sweet re usable shopping bags, and little note books.  I loved it.  However the highlight came when we got close to the door.  They gave out these little poker chips with scratch spots on the back.  Once scratched it had a money denomination.  I had $25 so that meant I pretty much had free money.  You better believe I used that up.

Now before I shut up and post the photo's of this marvel of a store let me describe the reason why I love me some H&M.  First off they are comparable, but better, to the Old Navy of Europe.  However you don't find many shirts with stupid decals of the store of pictures on them.  It's simple, well designed, decal-less, affordable clothes for the person looking to dress high style and not spend 50K on a new wardrobe.  Perfect for me as I have began the transition to get rid of my decal stamped Shirts and go for a more modern 50's look, which is were I love.  Think Mad Men style.  For opening day they had killer rack deals, $5 clothes and such.  So with that in mind here is what I spent and saved.  I WOULD HAVE spent $201.60.  I LEFT PAYING $59.40.  I'll let you do the math on how much I saved.  Only one item did I pay full price for it, and that was a GIANT bow tie.

Enough of the ramblings on saving, here are some pics for this gem.  Oh and I did find out for those interested that this location has a live DJ (I hope he wasn't just for the opening) and they will have items in this location you WILL NOT find in any other H&M.

Now here are the main reasons for this post, the eye candy I wet myself for.  The store seriously has the best displays in my opinion it just blew my mind.  Mind you it is 3 stories when you see these.

 Yes that is a DJ and his mannequin partner in crime

All the mannequins were hanging from wires and out of control rockin awesome

One final thing about this place is my mind as a photographer goes on major overdrive.  Styling is a huge part of photo shoots and the entire time I am there I am thinking what would be great for a shoot and such.  So if there are any guys or gals out there that want to collaborate with me and this store let me know!  I am for real let's set something up!

'The Night Before Christmas'
-Brandon Heath

-Gawdun

Bows of Holly

'Christmas Lights'
-Coldplay

I have been gone from the blog world for a minute.  I know, I know "The Horror!"  I could tell you that I have been busy which is yes very true as I have had family photo shoots and also a wedding shoot in Vegas, along with bartending and table waiting but that would be a lie if I used just "being busy."  I have had no desire to sit down and blog simply put.  I have been a blog party crapper.  Maybe it has to do with the fact I am running 3 blogs (or attempting) with one being ARG IMAG Photography, the business blog.  Whatever reason may be I have taken a blog hiatus but am back now.

I've begun compiling the listing of all the music mentioned at the start and finish of blog posts from this year.  That playlist will be available to view come January 1, 2011. (1/1/11)

St. George this week has flooded.  Not as bad I guess damage wise as the 2005 flood.  HOWEVER I have just one irritation with the hype around it.  Some of you may have seen this remark as my Facebook status but I must explain.  I HATE when people make reference to floods as a "common occurrence."  Unless you have factual evidence I don't want to hear the phrase, "oh this is a 100 (90, 75 etc) year flood.  Simply put I don't think weather truly has a pattern like the human race does.  I think the simplicity of my brother backing the toilet up has more of a pattern and can be called one than flooding does.  I had someone this week tell me that the flood of 2005 (which I didn't live here then) was a 100 year flood and the one of this week was a 90 year flood.  I won't lie, I laughed in their face and called them out.  Not nice but had to be done.  -The end of my flood rant-

December has been a busy Sin City Roller Girls month.  Nicole is also back from her master program in N.C. so we have attended most of the events.  I did the Twitter feed once again for the team during their bout this month.  We also attended yet another roller disco event they hosted.  They moved it from the Rain nightclub at the Palms to The Joint at Hard Rock.  Not as fun I will admit but it was a good time.  I opted to not skate it up and took some sweet photos.  I will be posting them tonight along with my photo's from the H&M opening at the Forum Shop.  That opening blew my mind!


'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'
-Aimee Mann


-Gawdun

I Could Get In Trouble, Big Time

'All Dressed in Love'
-Jennifer Hudson

Fitting song above while I write this post, which just as a annual reminder my yearly compiled list of music from all my blog posts this year will launch at 12pm Utah (I think that is central) time on 12/31/2010*.  And what a year of music listing it will be :-)

Today I made a trip down to Vegas with a couple friends Ros (sounds like Roz) and Fred.  Our sole purpose was to attend the new two story H&M that was to be opened inside the old FAQ Schwartz building in the Caesar's Forum Shops.  If you noticed my 'was' in the last line you might begin to be sad with me.  Unfortunately they never opened on November 20th like planned so now it wont open till 12/11.  Notice that little date?  Yeah that is two days from today!!!  We all got a good laugh out of it and headed down to the other H&M at the Town Square shops.  However I will be back in Vegas bright and early for the grand opening on the 11th, (2 days from now) as it is also the December Roller Derby Bout Day, and can kill multiple birds in one day.  Christmas shopping, Kwanza shopping and roller derby all in one day, I may be on over load that day, expect pictures to arrive soon.

Today was also a great day in the fact that all photographers hit a creative dud wall and need assistance.  I always find walking around the malls to be inspiring and today was such the day.

'Made For Us'
-Mackintosh Braun

*12/23/10:  The was a revision of launch time for the annual music play list.  It will now release 1/1/11 (well that is an interesting date :-> )

-Gawdun

Really I Want to Just Stop

I've decided, I'm done.

-Gawdun

I Beat First and Ask Questions Later, Sometimes

Ok I am about to loose it.  I have a very important blog post to post here.  However Blogger keeps telling me that I can't post the photo I need to include in the post.  It says some mumbo jumbo about me needing "license rights."  Ok first off I own my own photo's that I take for my own business.  I have been reading the message boards but there are NO answers.  I am so frustrated that I am about to go Madea on this blogger and then switch over to Wordpress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OXfGR4dgiY

The post I need to post with attached photo is a huge thing and needs to be seen by y'all.  So if you know how to fix this problem let me know ASAP!!!


-Gawdun