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

For the Late Night Bunch

'The Last Page'
-Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton


I really should be in bed. This 2:18AM isn't best...

Last week my spin instructor came into my PT job and after we realized we knew each other, well let me explain why we didn't recognize each other at first. Let's be honest we have only seen each other at the gym, in gym clothes looking like hot messes, under black lights, and briefly under normal light. Needless to say I've always been told I have a demeanor that most people never forget even if I have never been involved in a conversation with them, it's just something you feel, it's the touch of Gawdun. Anyways moving on before I give myself an even further inflated head... She gave me the look of, "now why the hell have you not been in spin class the last two months?" in my head that's the translation of the look... I feel more than obligated to be there at 8AM (few hours from now.) I would have attended last Wednesday morning but she told me she would not be there. I was not about to take another class when Nicole is simply the best and better than all the rest.

You know I had a real concise write up for this blog but now that I'm laying in bed and typing away on my iPhone this post I have no idea what I was writing about, or even meaning to write about. This post has nonsense attached to it!

Oh wait I remember!!!!

As my days are numbered living in Saint George I think about the information I have in my brain. The stories I have about my time here. The people who I have dirt on just because I sit back and enjoy the task of watching people, all the while being slightly involved in the ever so small community of Saint George. And I mean, I have dirt on some prominent and not so prominent people in this town! I've always joked that I could write a fascinating tell all about my short life here but then what kind of person would I be? In the end all is revealed and a self hanging is more effective than an outsider tying the noose. I mean really why do people think they are being sneaky? Growing up as a child I remember mom making chocolate pretzels and I would sneak little slivers off the almond bark thinking she would never find out. I mean I was so careful, I thought myself to be a future CIA person I was so sneaky but my mother always found out. I just don't see the point in hurting others intentionally no matter how much they hurt you. I did years ago and would have had no problem but now I see clearly. You may believe in whatever Higher Power you want but I believe that the actions I make in this life and the way I treat those around will result in my final grade. I just want to do good by the Big Guy. I've been walked on. I've been cut. I've been the fooled person. I learned so much from it and would never trade it for another life. These events have made my outlook the way it is. So in fact being the bottom has truly made me the top ;)

I do not know everything or claim too but I do know from being learned that I want to do right by others even if they don't feel the same. I also want to be a great example of community and family awesomeness. You can't really be that way when you fake your life and hurt others. This is me, Andrew. I make mistakes. I don't really see myself with children. I don't care for Asparagus. I love everyone no matter their sex, color, economic status, sexual orientation, religious back ground, jobs etc.

If we could all begin to think this way Jon Lennon's song 'Imagine' would be seen as vision come true.

Once again I am not perfect, I am still learning and loving, this is just how I feel. And it is late. I have spin in a few hours so I shall depart from this iPhone posting... (see I eventually tied it allllllll together).

Did any of this make sense? ? ?


'Reading in Bed'
-Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton


-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

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

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

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

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

Bloggin for May

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

-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

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

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

Watch For The Sprays

Tonight, as for all Monday's, I was participating in FHE with a friend of mine by watching Real Housewives of Atlanta. NO JUDGMENTS. I know reality TV has ruined us but I can't get enough this show. I enjoy the other housewives in Jersey, BUT Atlanta is where it's at.

ANYWAYS

We were waiting for someone else to show and my friend directed me to this music video, which by the way readers is done by Willow Smith. (Yeah she's Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter.)

I won't and can not lie, I'm all over this jam! The single hits iTunes October 26th and yes I am going to purchase. I am totally diggin this video and song! And let's not forget that Willow is ONLY 9 years old. I hope she keeps her style FRESH and INDEPENDENT (yeah that was a pun on her father.)

Now please excuse me while I go and whip my neck (I don't have hair that long) around spraying paint around my room.

-Gawdun