Stop arguing. It's a time for some reflection and "a heartfelt bear-hug."

I am disappointed by how many people are using today's tragedy to prove points for &/or against the US "weapons ban" proposal.  Why am I disappointed?  A large number of kindergartners and adults alike are no longer alive today.  This is the worst reason in the world to fuel fire for any form of argument at all.
The fact that we argue with other people so often is annoying enough.  I'm having a hard time caring about political views right now.  I for one consider this a time to reflect upon our lives and consider how blessed we are to be alive in the first place.  If you have a heart, I invite you leave room in there for those who suffered from today's shootings.  And sure, what the hey, perhaps this is an appropriate time to think about your stance on gun control, but it is definitely NOT the time to bicker about it.  Today, I think it is way too easy to recognize the fragility of life to keep arguing about political issues like its just another day of the week.
It's time to shut up.
What amazing, brilliant miracles did you experience today that you may not be able to experience tomorrow?  Today, I found the answer to that question:  Everything.
Some specific people in Connecticut may feel like they've lost everything this morning, and some way, somehow, they need to wake up every morning for the rest of their lives looking forward like everybody else.  It's a fragile, often lonely place to be.  How can we help these people out?  What we can do is help them recognize how much they are loved and learn how to look ahead in our own personal lives.  Consider how much love and respect we give to others.  "Resolve to spend more time with those we love.  Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.  Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances" (Deiter F. Uchtdorf).  What the victims of today's massacre need is not an argument over a scapegoat.  They need a heartfelt bear-hug.

The Best Music of 2012

I made a list of my favorite songs of the year and re-did my list of favorite albums.  I have a lot to say about them, but I think I'll save myself the writing time and save you the reading time.  There is nothing by Alabama Shakes, Burial or Killer Mike on here.  For the record, I think they all had an awesome year.  Anyways, here's what the lists look like!
ALBUMS
#10: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do  Fiona Apple
#9: Until the Quiet Comes   Flying Lotus
#8: Attack on Memory  Cloud Nothings
#7: The Seer  Swans
#6: good kid, m.A.A.d city   Kendrick Lamar
#5: Kill for Love   Chromatics
#4: 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!   Godspeed You! Black Emperor
#3: Bloom   Beach House
#2: Celebration Rock   Japandroids
#1: Channel Orange   Frank Ocean
SONGS
#25: "Ramada Inn" -Neil Young & Crazy Horse
#24: "Sleeping Ute" -Grizzly Bear
#23: "Today's Supernatural" -Animal Collective
#22: "Genesis" -Grimes
#21: "Headin' for the Top Now" -Spiritualized
#20: "Watch the Corners" -Dinosaur Jr
#19: "Oldie" -Odd Future
#18: "Looking for Love" -Chromatics
#17: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" -Flaming Lips ft Erykah Badu
#16: "Take A Walk" -Passion Pit
#15: "Every Single Night" -Fiona Apple
#14: "Fire's Highway" -Japandroids
#13: "Elephant" -Tame Impala
#12: "me yesterday// Corded" -Flying Lotus
#11: "The Seer Returns" -Swans ft Jarboe
#10: "Stay Useless" -Cloud Nothings
#9: "Mercy" -Kanye West ft Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
#8: "Loftcries" -Purity Ring
#7: "Swimming Pools (Drank)" -Kendrick Lamar
#6: "Sweet Life" -Frank Ocean
#5: "Lazuli" -Beach House
#4: "Myth" -Beach House
#3: "Kill for Love" -Chromatics
#2: "Thinkin' Bout You" -Frank Ocean
#1: "The House That Heaven Built" -Japandroids

My Year in Music! (trying not to rip off of pitchfork...)

I've been off my mission for nearly 8 months.  How have I spent my time?  Following the music scene, reading too many Pitchfork reviews- I'm back to normal.  The year is coming to a close & I don't really give a crap about any upcoming music this month.  I made a list of my 10 favorite albums of the year, assuming I don't get into any new bands this December...  Here are some excellent albums that barely missed the cut & I didn't want to rank:
-Centipede Hz   Animal Collective
-Shields  Grizzly Bear
-R.A.P Music  Killer Mike
-I Bet on Sky  Dinosaur Jr
-The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do  Fiona Apple
-Lonerism  Tame Impala
And here's the top 10 list, which I've thought about for the last couple of months.  Some artists are out there succeeding at scaring the crap out of me (Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor), some are actually getting me into the genre of dream pop (Chromatics, Beach House), and some are Frank Ocean (Frank Ocean).  #10- #4 have changed a lot, I honestly haven't heard all these albums all the way through, but I really like what I've heard.  #1- #3 will probably never change for me, some of my personal favorite music ever.
10- Attack on Memory  Cloud Nothings
9- Sweet Heart Sweet Light   Spiritualized
8- Kill for Love   Chromatics
7- The Seer  Swans
6- Until the Quiet Comes   Flying Lotus
5- good kid, m.A.A.d city   Kendrick Lamar
4- 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!   Godspeed You! Black Emperor
3- Bloom   Beach House
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuvWc3ToDHg
2- Celebration Rock   Japandroids
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRVCtbfuDqw
1- Channel Orange   Frank Ocean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD8nAt2xJZM

"Well, its November 2/ Count me in, Tom."

Well, its November 2, 2012.  I didn't think I'd get to live this long.  My 22nd birthday is in about 3 weeks, that's exciting.  It's pretty darn cold outside.  There will be an election for President in a few days.  I got a weekend full of homework & church duties.  I feel like a very boring person sometimes.  I think a lot about how a person should express political standpoints moreso than the actual election.  I love reading about people's excitement about the possibility of their companion winning!  However, I am... thinking of a big word for "very annoyed"... because I am very annoyed by people thinking they know everything about politics & the opposing candidate is a bigot or an idiot.  People, please.  I am on facebook.  I would much rather be listening to this sick recording of "Heart of a Saturday Night" by Tom Waits!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt5Ecm78hj8
 Meanwhile, I had a good talk with my English teacher about how I'm struggling with my paper on record labels companies, and he says he can hook me up w/ a friend of his.  This friend so happens to be best friends with Wilco (&Uncle Tupelo) frontman Jeff Tweedy, and has helped him get into the music business.  This would be an exciting interview!  Although I don't know what to talk about.  I guess I shouldn't worry about it since it might not happen anyway.
That hockey game was fun, despite the fact we lost 6-2.  USU has a guy on the team, Stuart Hepburn, a returned missionary from Sidney, British Columbia.  Stewie knocked a guy out across the ice & was penalized for the rest of the game.  Gotta love that guy.
Anyways, I am bugged.  I'll be busy with like- important stuff, this Saturday night.  Maybe when I get the time, between thinking about Jeff Tweedy's music career, Utah State's crappy hockey team, and unprofessional political attacks by my facebook friends, I'll get the chance to look for the heart of a Saturday night with Tom Waits.  I think it'd require some hard of work, but it'd be lots of fun.  "Tonight will be nothing like you've ever seen, blazin' down the boulevard, lookin' for the heart of a Saturday night."  Count me in, Tom.

List-o-mania!

Here are some randomly selected lists I have made.  Enjoy!

3 People who make me embarrassed to be Mormon:

3- Turtle Man (from Animal Planet)

2- Stephanie Myers

1- Glenn Beck

My 10 Parents:

Wes & Lisa Hall

Jeff & Audra Clegg

John & Jill Crozier

Abel & Lisa Hernandez

Stan & Cathy Lott

3 Qualities that, though highly unlikely, I wouldn't mind in a future wife:

3- Wouldn't mind not owning a TV

2- Listens to Fugazi

1- Thinks farting is funny

My playlist from when I played guitar/sang at Redfish:

1- An unfortunate cover of "Don't Worry Baby" (Beach Boys)

2- "Jack & Dianne" (John Mellencamp)

3- "That's Alright" (Elvis Presley)

4- "Redfish Crew Anthem" (Self- written)

5- "Who'll Stop the Rain?" (CCR)

6- "The Weight" (The Band)

7- An unfortunately crappy improvised song 

8- "Do You Wanna Dance?" (Beach Boys)

9- "Best of My Love" (Eagles)

10- "Kiss Me on the Bus" (Replacements)

11- "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (Beatles)

Why I have a blog.

I need to complain about my life and write stupid things about music I like without annoying people with a bunch of facebook notes.  End of post.