Oh blessed rock guitar

So the news in the rock world, if you haven't heard, is the little dispute between Joe Satriani and Coldplay (thanks for bringing this to my attention Mike). Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for plagiarism for the song Viva La Vida. You take a look and decide for yourself.

Because Joe Satrianis playing woke a great memory of another great guitar solo song, one I may have never heard of it it wasn't for Guitar Hero 3. Cliffs of Dover by Eric Johnson. I don't know what it is about about this song but it makes me have an audible orgasm, if thats possible. The song is lovely and it makes me cry sweet sweet beautiful tears. Here are two videos one is just of the song, the other is a live version. Watching the live version is great because you get to see him shred, but theres a problem. There is a 5 minute and 50 second intro (what can I say it's guitar rock). So listen and watch at least one of these if you choose the live version, which I hope you do, fast forward to the 5:30 mark.

Studio Version



Live version

Greatest, Best, and Biggest

I was planning on writing something different today, but due certain events I've changed my mind. Those who know me, know I have a wonderful boss. Well, while I was working he noticed my tires on my car were getting a little bald. Yes, he did what you are thinking. He drove my car to Les Schwab and put 4 brand new tires on my car.

I got 3 other one just like this one. YEAH!!

Because I have a great boss I decided to make a list of great things.

Best Boss: My Boss

Best time to be alive: Now

Best love song: Mary May & Bobby by Joe Purdy

Greatest Food: Soft cheese the kind you can put on a baguette

Best Friends: My friends (thanks for still hanging out even after you ALL got married)

Best looking person I know: Wouldn't you like to know

My biggest crush right now: Not getting that one either

Best band that makes you want to put a fist in the air and sing: H2O

Greatest challenge: Believing there is a loving God (this is NOT an opportunity to bear testimony)

Greatest accomplishment: Proving my dad wrong when I moved out for the first time (he said I'd last 6 months, I lasted a year)

Best Cafe: Ville Bella in Ogden

These are some of my best, greatest, and biggest I can think of right now. buuuuuuuuuu bye.

Talk Radio And My Brain

Today I listened to Sean Hannity. I know, what the hell was I thinking. I can't believe how much I don't like that guy. Anyway, it seems that shows like that, both liberal and conservative, are shows with information saturated with opinion. What kills me is that most people either agree or disagree with the opinions given. When did we become a society that can't think for ourselves. Can we not just have our own opinion based off the "true" information given. They offer you apples or oranges then say choose. What if I want a freakn' pear, or maybe a pineapple.

That said here are some of my opinions-

-Bail out for automotive companies, bad idea. I agree unemployment is bad but man we have the let the chips fall. I don't want to reward anyone for bad decisions. (That was my opinion with the other bail outs too, for better or worse) I should know about unemployment at any day I could wake up and there be no work for me, I'm not asking for a handout I'll just do what I've always do, WORK ANYWHERE. I think Americans can still do this. This are going to get bad, but it has to happen. In the words of Reagan. "If not now, when? And if not us, who?"

-Prop 8. I was against but it passed so I'm moving on.

-Barrock Obama. For. Now that he is in lets see what he can do, hopefully good things. After four years we can reevaluate. Lets give him a chance before we try to destroy him.

-Cool quote from a movie, that has nothing to do with politics. "I'm not happy, but I'm not unhappy about it" (this is not how I feel I just liked the quote)

-Random thought I had the other day. I was working and saw some kid and I thought if he shot me dead I would hope someone would shave my head and beard with my beard trimmer before the viewing. Weird, I know. Even weirder is that was my only concern. lol.

-Done. Cherrio, friends.

Hotel Cafe Tour

So I wanted to post how great the Hotel Cafe Tour was, with pics and videos but Sarah already did it, and basically what she said is what I would say also. So if you haven't seen it on her page GO HERE!!!!!!

War

Who would have thought Facebook could be such a battle ground. I guess I have a lot of pent up frustration because I've been on the attack with acquaintances and friends on Facebook. My own personal virtual Gettysburg of Civil Rights. I think that whole mess over proposition 8 is crazy. Let them marry, it isn't my business to tell anyone what they can or cannot do, and HOLY CRAP when did the church start telling us how to vote. That really bugs me. Peace out bitches.

Reminder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So for the past month I've been talking a lot about the Hotel Cafe Tour. I'm going to see Meiko, but there are also a lot of other great artists. So here are a few that will be there that I'm excited to see.

Lenka
Go HERE for her video


Emily Wells

Rachael Yamagata
This will be one hell of a good show. If you haven't figured it out yet it's going to be an all female line up. Go HERE for more!!!!!!!!!

Someone forgot to erase those pictures, lol.

This is my sister in-law Sarah and her sister Laura, and this is what happens when you take pics with my camera and then forgets to erase them. I post them for the world to see these two in all their geek glory.

Sarah

Sarah and Laura (I must be taking an oath in the background)

Laura

Love it!!

I wish more artists would do this. Pick up a camera, a guitar, and just play. This is more of Meiko. Nov 12, in Salt Lake. Who's going with me?

Stuff on my mind

The other day, on my long drive to work, my mind was lost in deep thought. For the whole journey I kept pondering about some really good stuff, and thinking to myself I got to blog this. Well, now when I have the time to actually do that. I can remember very little about the train of thoughts that I had. One string was on honesty, and the other things that haunt me. Like Nissan Altimas, why are there so many on the road? Errrrrr.
Honesty is an interesting subject, especially with ourselves, and others around us. How many masks do we wear? We have professional masks, family masks, friend masks, etc… Of course in certain situations one would have to behave accordingly, but there comes a point when you really put on a show for others. Maybe it’s because you are afraid of what others may think. I’m sure there are dozens of reasons. I’ve been pondering about the masks I’ve been wearing lately, some because I don’t want to disappoint loved ones. The perfect example is this current tattoo that I want. I have already decided to get it, and I know where I’m going to get it. I’ll be able to cover this tattoo pretty easily, but if I were to wear a t-shirt it will be seen. The struggle I fight in my head is when and where will I choose to cover it. I’ve decided that I’m just not going to tell my folks, few of my siblings, and probably not my boss. Of course they will find out eventually but that’s a stress I don’t want to deal with. Why, I ask myself. I love my mother, and my father, and of course I don’t want to disappoint them. This tattoo won’t be their favorite thing, they don’t like them and they wouldn’t want me to get one. I’m different I think they are fine, great actually. I love tattoos. I love my parents. Why is it when someone makes a personal decision, one that doesn’t affect anyone but themselves, it still seems to involve everyone else and their opinions? I guess I should just not worry about it, but how could I not.

Dashs new music pick

Well it seems more and more the only thing I have to talk about is music. I don't know if that is bad or good. Anyway, I'm digging this guy William Fitzsimmons so here is a video with him and Ingrid Michaelson, I know out of the 4 people who read this 2 of you really like her. Please enjoy. I love this guys guitar licks.



If you are craving for more William go HERE!!!!

Best Rock Band Ever

British accents are good.

Everyone loves British accents, I love British accents. However, sometimes when some singers sing they lose their accents. Oh oh oh, not this young lady. I'm loving her tunes, I think she is beautiful, and her voice takes me to a special little place, where there are lovely things surrounding me, like babies, butterflies, flowers, and singing song birds........................................Please say "I can't" one more time.

New Music (at least to me)

I haven't written in my lil blog for a while, so I thought I would write about what I know best. MUSIC!!! GOOD MUSIC!!! Hahahaha, I'm so biased. Anyway, this is not an attempt to get others to like this artist so that I have company at the concert I will be attending. *wink *wink. The artist that I'm talking about is Meiko, yeah I'm sure you have heard of her, now go HERE and hear her. She is coming here on the Hotel Cafe Tour, which I've been waiting for for god knows how long, well since April when it was here last. The music on this tour is good, I'm talking so good Zach Braff puts most of these artists in his movies. So you like Garden State................. uh yeah. There will be a group who has a song on that soundtrack. What about The Last Kiss Soundtrack you ask? Why yes there will be an artist here in Utah from that soundtrack as well. This is not going to be an H2O rocking time, I know, but it will rock in it's own Indie/Folk/Acoustic/Rock way. I haven't given you the date of the tour yet, so everyone get out your blackberries and mark this date. November 12th at the Avalon Theater in SLC. Listen, love, and come with me please.

Movies

So apparently last Sunday was movie Sunday for me. I watched a total of four movies. Two in the afternoon and two in the evening.

Vince Vaughns Wild West Comedy Show
City of Men (From the guys who did City of God)
Wristcutters A love story
Short Order

Here is my verdict. OK, OK, Really Good, and OK.

The Comedy Show was funny at times but I was hoping for a little more stand up. It was more like a little documentary about the tour.

City of Men. Well City of God was a crazy movie and I think it's a definite see. This movie was a lot slower then City of God and less violent. Probably the most interesting thing about this movie is how they depict life in that part of Brazil. Now that is Crazy.

WristCutters was great. I'd heard a lot of good things about this movie from friends, and noticed a lot of people were talking about on there blogs or web pages so it was about time I saw it. I really liked it the concept was pretty cool and the liked all the actors/actresses in it. My favorite line, "dickhead get in".

Short Order. Well I was under the impression that this film was going to be in a different language, but it wasn't. Everyone spoke with an accent, and I'm not talking just a british one. I think everyone had a different accent. The movie was OK for me. I think it was a little to deep for me. I was really tired so I couldn't really grasp all the interesting things you could apply to life. All I really got out of it was that the lead actress was a really hot version of Hillary Duff. Voila that was my Sunday. Au revoir.

Tattoo thinking time

Well this summer I've been at it again, thinking tattoos. I always like to think of types of tattoos I would get. This is the latest idea I've been working on.
I thought I would pay a little respect to my birthplace with this one. Plus, I'm kind of a bird freak.

H2O

Finally after 7 long years of wondering what the hell happened to H2O, they have returned and brought a delightful little album with them. H2O is part of the original east coast hardcore scene but you would be surprised how different the original hardcore music is from todays hardcore trend. The new album Nothing to Prove is bad ass! Like all H2O albums this one makes you want to raise a fist and sing, chant, and yell right along with Toby. It is completely directed at those posers in the scene right now, and it doesn't candy coat it at all. I am so excited to see them again on Sept 17. The last time I saw them had to be at the end of 2000 or the beginning of 2001. A very long time. That show was one of the best shows I've ever been to, and I am confident that they won't disappoint me.




Yes that is Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio and Lou Koller of Sick Of It All.

good company, good music, good times

There is a sure fire way to have a good time, every time. All one has to do is follow this simple equation. Good Company + Good Music + Good Drinks = Good Times. I didn't lack any of these tonight. The music was Joshua James at Club Sound/In the Venue. Arriving at the venue a little early I immediately was concerned with the crowd that was standing in line. These folks were not the folk music type. With a little inquiry, I discovered Alkaline Trio was playing in the same building just on the other side. I didn't think to many kids with mohawks listened to Mr. James lol. The staff there were complete idiots they had no idea about the Joshua show. But alas we figured out where to go and were able to get out of the sun and get refreshed waiting for some great music to start. I took a little video footage of the show on my phone, not that great of quality but it reminds me of how awesome Josh is when performing.



You must give this guy a listen. His CD is good, but his live show is amazing. Not many performers can really show the type of passion they have for there music. When JJ plays he makes you feel what he his feeling. There is no doubt that these songs have meaning to him and it shows. He draws you in with his singing, and passion. He definitely wears his emotions on his sleeve. This is the second time I've seen him and both times now he makes you feel the music. After the second song in the set I could have gone home happy, it was powerful. Give him a chance he is local boy too.

I already miss San Francisco

I'm back. Can't say I'm super excited to be back here in Utah but I have a few things to look forward to, like Joshua James Friday night, yay. Other than that I want to go back to San Fran. Looking at pics of my trip will have to suffice. Here are a few of my favorite moments of my recent trip.

Jason and Lindsay were great. I couldn't ask for better friends.

Me and the Bay in Tiburon. This was after Our Sunday Morning brunch at Sams.

Magnus, that dog is great and it sucks for those who didn't know him as a pup because you might not ever get to meet him.

My Rainbow Sushi roll. The only non-vegetarian roll. It was all mine, and it was good.

Eating sushi. I like this pic. I don't think it's one of Lindsays Favorites.

Mag being his awesome self.

New text from the bishop

Hey Dash - Had a great Sacrament Meeting, then linger longer. Missed you. It's time to come back.
I've heard rumors of bad choices. Hope you're doing well. See you next Sunday. The church is true.

Bishop


This was the first text of a three text conversation.

I can't even express how much this makes me upset. I have so much I could say, and I want to say, but I'm not going to. Okay, I'm going to say this one thing. My choices are my choices. If I kill someone or become a horrible person in some way then I will admit my choices are bad. That hasn't happened yet. Well I guess some people may think I'm a horrible person now, but I'm in the process of excluding them from my life.

Some Old, New material

It's rare when Mike will play and sing, I must have caught him on a good day. He wrote this song back in High School. I think the band is going to take it and revamp it. Always puts a little smile on my face.

9:13 A.M.------Hey Dash - It's been on a long time. Hope today is the day.

Bishop.

This was my wake up call. Thank you. I am suffocating here. Everyday I can't wait to leave, to go somewhere where religion isn't the most important thing to everyone. It's important to Mormons, "are you Mormon" "did you go to church" blah blah blah. It's important to none Mormons "are you Mormon" "do you go to church." Am I the only one who thinks that this type of mentality is stupid. How has what we believe become the most important part of our identity. I'm sick of it, it's not important, it's not important to me.

I am changing, I think people should always change and grow. However, I can't be honest with myself here. I am surrounded by people, my family included, who have a preconceived idea of who I am. Who am I? I don't know. How can I possibly find out if every time I act in a way that doesn't fit in someones idea of how I should act, they immediately think there is a problem that needs to be fixed. I end up acting in a way that won't rock the boat just so I can avoid headaches, and unnecessary conversations about people worrying about me . There are a handful of people that know me, they know whats going on. These few are the only ones I can really just let me be me, and find out where that goes. Yes Jason you are one of them. My biggest dream right now is to just disappear for a while. Have one big yard sell. Sell everything I own, and just leave. Get as far away from this state as possible and just live. Start fresh. I've started fresh before. I did it when I moved to Provo. It was an amazing feeling to not have to play a part, not that I felt I was, but when no one knows who you are you can be anyone you want. That person that emerges is you, in all it's glory.

I am in control of my life. I know whats best for me. I put in a lot of thought and consideration before I act. Why aren't you going to church Dash? It's not because I'm lazy. It's not because I slept in. It's because I don't feel like it. I have my reasons and just because I may not express them to others doesn't mean they are not real. These are reasons, not concerns that need to be resolved. There are other things going on in my life. Others may think that church attendance is the most important thing for me. What gives them the right, to think they know whats best for me. There is nothing more annoying and insulting when someone thinks there is something wrong with me, when I know there isn't.

A surprising 4th

Today, for reasons unaware to me, I made peace with God.

Hmmmmm, time for an update.

My life right now consists of a few things. Work, plasma, allergies, and one bad ass BMX bike. I know not everyone can live the high roller life like myself, but I guess I'm just special. First, work is work, and it's hot, hot, hot. Second, plasma or as I'd like to call it my second job. I get hooked up to machine twice a week and they pump the very life source out of my veins and 55 dollars magically appear in my account. Yes the needle is big, but I'm a man. Third, constant sniffing. Bastard shit in the air that makes my existence awful. Fourth, my pride and joy, my baby, my BMX bike. I bought this beast and a garages sell for 30 bucks stripped it down, sanded it, and murdered it out. All black, all the time. Gangsta.

Art at 80 miles an hour. (please don't try this at home)

While I was driving to Provo, I decided to just randomly point and shoot my camera. These photos aren't masterpieces but I like what I accidentally got. Here are just a few that I liked.

Two Poems

Well in my French class, my professor assigned the class to write poems, in french. At first I wasn't to thrilled about the whole thing. However, I did finish the assignment and I'm happy with what I wrote. It was really hard for me to write just anything so I had to write what I was feeling at the time. Here they are, and I like them. They aren't amazing or anything but they are all I got.

J'attends toi

Je fais la lessive
Je fais les courses
J'attends toi

Je fais une promenade
Je fais la sieste
J'attends toi

Sur la rue
Où chez moi
J'attends toi

Dans trois jours ou
La semaine prochaine
J'attends toi

J'attends toi

Dans sa tête

Tout est dans sa tête
Elle voit seulement gris
Sa vie dans noire
Tout est dans sa tête

Elle dit bonjour
Elle dit bonsoir
Tout est dans sa tête
Elle vois de la couleur

Obscurité d’un jour
Est-ce que c’est un mirage
Ou un livre d’image
Sa vie sans couleur

Tout est dans sa tête
Elle trouve du bonheur
Demeurer tristement
Tout est dans sa tête

Oh memories

So, recently I was reminded of a little music website, www.purevolume.com, and in the process of poking around on that website I found some music Eric Westbroek, Mike Westbroek, and I wrote and recorded. Really they are Erics babies but we had our little hand in them. Check them out www.purevolume.com/ericwestbroek.

Let the good times roll

Ihave just moved into my own place last week and I have to say, I'm quite excited. No roommates nobody living upstairs no homeowners living with me. Just me and whatever I want. Here is a few pics of what I've done with the place, I'm pretty proud of my work.

The biginning, or almost.