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

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

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

"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

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

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

Dance on Your Floors

'My Only Wish'
-Jessica Simpson

For my final posting for today.  (Three in one day that is record for me fewwww.)

Last week Nicole and I attended that Sin City Roller Girls roller disco event down in Vegas like old times. (They used to host it at the Rain nighclub at the Palms but since it has moved over to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel Casino) Being friends and working with the roller girls has it's perks as we did not have to pay a cover for the club and were on the list.

I like being on a list.

I opted out from skating with the rest of the fun people so that I could take photo's.  I did not bring my work camera as I wasn't on the media list so I just stuck to the trusty cell phone and used a trusty app called 'Vignette.'  If you have an android based phone I must tell you to get the app.  It's worth the freeness of it.

Here are the shots from the night.

Favorite Shot #1 (above)

Favorite shot #2 (above)

Favorite Shot #3 (above)

Favorite Shot #4 (above)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these please.

It's nice to once in a while shoot photos that are not on a specific assignment or job and things that I want to shoot.  It helps keeps me creative and fresh.


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


-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

In Preparation

In preparation to be a zombie one must scoop mud off the side of the road and gather sagebrush. Next gather liquid latex and blood purchased from your local supermarkets. Take a cheese grater and run it over your clothing. I recommend not grating your hands as a trip to the ER will hinder the events of the night. Unless you can go a few hours without a doctor visit, then by all means your way more authentic and deserve a pile of jello-molded brains.

For an even better effect consult Lady Gaga for the maker of the meat dress, any scraps they may have will help in construction of stench.

Happy stumbles ghouls!

-Gawdun

Yes, You Did Ding Me!

'Emancipated Minor'

-Ani Difranco

Last night we had a rockin rain storm bust it's way through St. George. I'm not talking cat's and dog's rain, I'm talking small children from 3rd world countries were dropping on our lands. It was insane! Not to mention the lighting that came with it was amazing. I have NEVER seen lightning completely surround and entire town. I mean it was ALL around, usually it stays in a central area but not last night.

Anyways.

I was called by my Elders Quorum President as I was leaving work to show up for a meeting. I agreed, even though I am still having a hard time with this ward. Upon my drive there I found a parking spot right up front of the institute building, which was nice as I didn't have to run in the rain very far and look like a wet llama. The meeting was interesting and I left. Upon returning to my car I sat there and spoke to a friend on the phone right there in my car not leaving my parking spot. A few minutes into my conversation I watched two guys walk up to different sides of the car next to me. Obviously they belonged to it. I'll have you know what took place next SHOCKS me!!!

I was parked in my lane and not in any other lane. So I was perfectly legal in my parking. I'm there talking to my friend and all of a sudden the guy getting into his drives seat opens his door and lets it swing right into my passenger door and then proceeds to leave it that way and out his backpack in his back seat door!!!! You read it right. This kid ALLOWED HIS DOOR TO SMACK INTO MY DOOR!!!!!!!! I was shocked. My mouth dropped and I told my friend Nicole to hold a moment. I proceeded to lean over and roll down the passenger window and say, " Really!? You just did that?"

Yeah he just looked at me and got into his car and said nothing!!!!! NOT ONE WORD!!!! You know just a sorry is all I would like. BUT NOTHING!!!! So I explained the ordeal to Nicole and stared the guy down. I decided before it happened again by this guy I would back out and move. So I did, however I also memorized and wrote his plates down that way I can leave him a nice note next time I see that car about proper manners in times like that. I may even check out Emily Post to see if there is a rule on situations like said event.

I forgive the dude totally as upon inspection today there is no mark left from his Maroon Buick.

On a side note to make last night worse I really wanted Annie's Shells and White Cheddar Mac n' Cheese with hot dogs cut into it (totally against my healthier eating habits). Yeah what is it that whenever I want turkey franks they are NEVER on sale, but when I don't even need them they are dirt cheap? Really??

On a happy note it's almost Halloween and I can't wait! Two days of events to be two different things! (more on this later)

'Got Nuffin'

-Spoon

-Gawdun

Not Just the Magazines

'Belong'

-Cary Brothers

When I was a wee laddie, (I still feel that I am) I tore up the pages of many books. For clarification I would read them. Oh how much I loved them. I had no problem clearing a Box Car Children or similar style of book in one day tops. I mean I loved the literary world. As with most of us the desire to read and time to read escaped me. I blame the iPod as I love me some podcasts and I also blame the great Google Reader since it delivers all the daily news and blogs I subscribe to via RSS feed each moment they are newly posted.

I am trying to better my ways of the classic for of words. I have began to purchase books and read them. Last week while I was watching Brothers and Sisters with the family, the book, 'Walden' was brought up. I was always told how much I needed to read it and that I would love it. Although unlike movies I don't go out and read all that are referred to me. But after the dialogue on TV about this book and thinking about the excerpts we read in high school I decided it was time to read it.

So yesterday while on yet another Vegas trip (this was a photo working one) I stopped by our lovely friends at Barnes and Noble and picked up a copy of Henry David Thoreau's book, 'Walden.'

Literary world ready or not here I come! Let's embrace and have a moment.

'Everybody Hurts'

-R.E.M.

-Gawdun

I Did It!

‘Fade Into You’

-Mazzy Star

This has been a month of new adventures and trials! First off I ShamWowed for the first time, (that is another blog post in itself) but most importantly I completed a 5K for the first time. I was told I am now a real life runner. Next stop is a 10K, half marathon and then maybe next year the St. George Marathon. I’m not sure about running 26.something miles but we shall see.

The blue card above shows all my finishing information so no need to explain the details. However I am super stoked that for my first 5K I did it in under 30 minutes and managed to be 11th in my age group! Getting up at 5am and running at 7am was well worth it! I am ready for something new to challenge myself with.

I managed to narrow my playlist down to a few select rockin tunes and here is the listing from my official run Saturday that actually managed to shuffle to attention.

‘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

‘Kids (Soulwax Remix)’

-MGMT

‘Kiss With a Fist’

-Florence + the Machine

‘4 Minutes (feat Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)

-Madonna

‘3’

-Britney Spears

‘Odyle’

-Heloise & the Savior Faire

While I was running I had a few moments when I wished I had taken my cell phone along just for the pleasure of photo’s that needed to be taken. First up was the old man who was walking faster than I was running. Don’t worry I managed to pass him and never look back but it took a minute or two. For the simple fact that he was speed walking so fiercely that his hips would threaten to knock me down every time I tried to pass him. I mean, I can’t swing my hips that hard or far out! We also had a ton of little kids that participated in the 5K. They were flying! God speed to their youth! Lastly after I crossed the finish line I spotted a guy who I thought could double as Willy Nelsons twin from the back side.

Not sure if the front could be equally twin worthy but still it was great. He was wearing these awful American Flag inspired shorts that were much shorter than the red ones I wore (see below photo) and then he had one of them hats that also has the bandana tail thing on the back. It too was American Flag themed. Then to top off the look he had the Willy Nelson hair. Maybe I was just tired from the running I had just done and the 5 hours of sleep from the night before but I almost walked up and asked for an photo with him.

I did run the entire time and not once stopped! That was a goal of mine and then of course to finish in under 30min. I am ready for another race, but I think my next one will be a 10K and they have one coming up in December.

While all this has been a lot of fun to prep for, if we recall back to my first post on this new running habit of mine I used it as a stress outlet. While I still treat it as such I am amazed at the amount of planning I can get done. The photography business, ARG IMAG, has been picking up and I have some big jobs in the next few months so to gather all my thoughts on these has been great. Besides all the planning I have gotten done I have come to terms with certain decisions I am having to make and I am ok with them. I love my life and where I am!

Thanks to all those that supported and cheered me on during this new adventure I have partaken of! You guys rock!!! And most importantly Trina (left) and Roz (right) you two are the best running partners EVER and you tore it up! Plus let's not forget we had killer shirts!

'Tom's Diner'

-Suzanne Vega

-Gawdun

I Could Not Believe It!!!

Over this weekend I made it down to the Season 6 opening game for the Fabulous Sin City Roller Girls. I was not partaking of the photography side of the bouts (what we call a game in derby speak) as this time I was the teams official Twitter-er ( @SinCityDerby for those that speak tweet.) However I did bring my trusty Lomography camera I spoke of in my last post to test out on a derby. I am printing them this week so check back for shots that I hope turned out. Anyways I was also pumped that it turns out I wont miss the October bout like I thought I would. They moved the date a week earlier! I was going to be in Reno for the October one but it looks like I will be there to cheer and scream my heart out.

I do have to give a shout out to my dear friend Annie for letting me crash at her place, it was a hoot. And man was she cheering enough for the both of us! She picked up my cheer slack so I could keep up with tweets (tweeting is not as easy live as it looks). However we need to down Oreo's next time. I mean we had two bags and not one was opened, but hey at least we got some Arrested Development in!

I will say though that the last two minutes of the last half of the bout were AMAZING! I have never seen a final push to score like that before. I was edge of my seat screaming!!!!

That is all.

-Gawdun

Supersampler Wake

'Electric Feel'

-MGMT

Over the past weekend I joined some friends at the lake. 26 and I sadly have to admit that I had never wake surfed before and the last time I was on a boat was when I was 9 or 10 and it was a tiny fishing boat. (You know the kind seen in the movie 'Date Night.' Yeah it was just as slow.)

It was a day of new things. First off I'm not a fan of water I can't see the bottom in, but that didn't even bother me. When it came time to attempt the surfing I wont lie, I sucked at first. But the guys said I was improving each try. I neither can nor cannot confirm that there was a few choice words out of my mouth at this time. I just about made it standing up but man-alive I needed to take a break, wake surfing sure used muscles I forgot I had. We then decided to hit up the cliff jumping rocks. I said "Heck NO!" to that but in the end jumped not once but twice. It was fun and addicting.

Later though when I tried wake surfing again I feel that I tore it up! One of the guys gave me a pointer on getting up on the board better and it totally worked. I was up and riding behind the boat! It was sick. The only bad time was when we hit, what my aunt calls, "that wave." I am surprised I wasn't knocked out cold. It was nooooo good.

Needless to say the pain in the morning was well worth the adventure.

While I was on the lake I brought along my camera. (I know shocking.) But I didn't bring my work camera I brought myLomography camera. It's a camera from the 'SuperSampler' line. I forgot how much I love shooting with film and this camera....

Bill yet showing how to do such events with the board.

I had Bill take a shot of me with the camera so I did my best to explain from the water how to use the camera. Bill did manage to photograph part of me, er the board I was on. Don’t worry Bill I still love it.

Fred, seriously tears it up. While I need to hold onto the rope he did not need it most the time. That shall be my goal for next time.

The cliff from which we jumped. I only was half way if that on it.

This is by far one of my favorites from the day.

'Dying Day'

-Brandi Carlile

-Gawdun

You Can Go Where You Wanna...

Boy did I do it to myself now!

I officially signed up for my first 5K today. I have never been a big runner, in fact I would say I only ran when Sydney Bristow would run... Stressed out times. However two weeks ago I made the mistake of tweeting a post to my facebook account on my awesome run for the day. 2.6 miles after not running for 3 months. Ok let me level with y'all. I did a lot of running mixed with walking, but I did it. After I posted the tweet I was notified by a friend of a 5K that was coming up soon. After doing a little research I learned that a 5K is only 3.1 miles.

Oh I got this in the bag :)

Today I ran 2 miles non stop with two fellow 5K runners!

I have learned though I have a new addiction... I can't stop thinking about running! I mean I want to get out and do another run right now. I'm like a crack addict I think. Although tomorrow is almost here and I can run again.

The big day is on Saturday, September 25th at 7am. I don't care about being the first person to cross the line in my age and sex group, I just want to run the whole thing and finish. And darn tootin I will do just that.

Besides it was only a $12 entry fee, only...

-Gawdun

Admission is Free with Purchase

'Dance Anthem of the 80's'

-Regina Spektor

This has been a week of serious thought! Several times I wanted to take the advice of a certain Gaga and "just dance." Heck I still might tonight :)

I'll start with the worst part, that was today.

My ward was officially dissolved :( It was our last Sunday. Dang Bishop Hurst even got me to have "eye leakage" problems. Former members were there amongst all us current un-married members. Wonderful talks but the end of an era. September makes 2 years since I returned home from my mission and I moved to St. George. A town where I have struggled and learned more about myself on a personal and friend level. If it wasn't for that ward I might have left this town in 2009 instead of later this year. I remember the first time they had me speak, which today talking to the Bishop on the side he too remembers. He said I had that funky color in my hair and my energy told him "activities" would be the place for me (this was January 2009). I finally went to my first FHE in March which is were I met the most amazing group of friends. June I was called into the activities committee as a co-chair where I have been until today when the ward was dissolved. I appreciate the places I have been taken in this position. I could go on much longer on this ward but I won't. I have a separate post that once I mellow out will be written on the whole singles change here in St. George.

I can say that in the meeting where we learned our new ward assignments I did not see one person from my now dissolved ward stand up. I am back in the place of learning about new people and making new friends. And let's be honest that is not a problem with me but I would like to just keep what I have. My cell phone book is already to full and it can't hold that many more numbers. :)

Saturday was a full day ranging from a meeting at the restaurant after only having 4 hours of sleep from a crazy first day back at work. Then fixed my brothers broken bike tires. (I hate fixing trick bikes!) We set up our wards final formal dinner, which was also my last event to hold with my committee. I thought I would be happy about it but I am now saddened that I will not do such things unless I am asked again. I freakn love party planning and throwing them!

Friday was hell at work towards the end but I made out like a bandit in tips. I love my regular customers but to the man who left .27 cents just know that I remember faces very well and will make your life interesting if you return, tell that girl who was with you the same thing, I know where she works and can make that hell too. :) (yup that is the waiter speaking.)

Thursday was my return home from a week of Reno

Monday-Wednesday became known to me as the time of changes inside. I learned more about who and what I really am.

Over all this past week I have done a lot of inner searching at to what I wanted. I booked a return flight to Reno, Nevada for October 19th-30th. I will begin my hunt for work and housing now but when I get there I will hopefully solidify the stepping stones. Reno I took advantage of growing up and am ever grateful for it's welcoming arms to allow me back despite my old hates of it. Funny what growing up does to a person.

I made some new friends this week that will hopefully become a great support in the coming months and hopefully year as I make transitions. The friends I currently have I am so grateful for all you have done AND will do. Thanks for supporting me, even if you live 380, 1,000+, or 2 miles away.

And I can't forget my family, who even though they may not read this blog, I still appreciate them more than ever.

(This picture is almost 2 years old and we all look more zingy than in this photo)

This will always be THAT week.

'Everywhere I Go'

-Lissie

-Gawdun