i've been trying to decide whether or not to do this. but i'm going to. because i figure if any of you actually care enough to keep up with the internet version of myself, you might be interested in my new blog.

so, goodbye lj. it's been real. it's been fun... you know the rest.

please forward your browsers to http://pamilyruth.blogspot.com/

thank you and good night.

It's been an interesting past couple of days. For one, I've got a cough that's basically ruining my life. It won't go away.

Last night my parents took in a couple of foster children. They're sisters whose grandma was busted for meth yesterday. Their mom hasn't been seen or heard from in six months. The baby's dad is unknown and the older girl's dad probably won't ever gain custody. They are such sweet little things. I braided the older girl's hair this morning. She's rambunctious but loving. The baby is funny in the way an 18-month-old should be. She's good natured. The poor thing has asthma but hopefully being out of her smoky grandparents' house will do her good.

Christmas is an interesting time. It will be really neat to be able to give these little girls a nice Christmas. I'm excited to get to spend some time with them over the next two weeks.

I found out today I passed French. Thank heavens. I'm going to try to challenge 102 next quarter or else take it. And then 103 in the Spring if I'm not down at BYU by then.

I am so excited for everyone to come home from school for a few weeks. Avery gets home tonight. Katy gets in on Friday. We're planning a good amount of hang outs.  Brandon will be up here some time next week. I'm hopefully going to be putting together some kind of New Years Eve thing.

I'm very grateful for the friends I have and for my family. I love my family very much. I'm so thankful for the support they've given me over the years. And particularly this past year. It's going to be an excellent Christmas holiday.

that Brocky blows kisses when you ask him to say "thank you"
reading Brandon's letters of intent for BYU. turns out he's a genius. who knew?
that Brandon is coming up after Christmas for two or three weeks
eating yoko teriyaki chicken
talking to Eliza about international chocolate and it's superiority to American chocolate
that my dad ends all his text messages "-dad" as if I didn't know they were from him already
everything. today is one of the best days i have ever had.
i think Avery's prediction is true.

I received a letter from the BYU Honor Code Office today. Hah.

I was a little nervous as to what this might be in regards to considering I haven't contacted them since January or February.

Turns out they want me to fill out a survey on how well I was treated by said office.

I filled it out honestly. I told them my experience was terrible, that I got very little help from anyone other than the Honor Code Office President, and that was only in regards to my online classes. They asked me what I've gained educationally from my experience with the office. I told them I learned that the Honor Code is a really great way to get revenge on people I don't like. Turns out anyone can get anyone else kicked out. How neat.

The return envelope is stamped and sealed, but I'm still in the air as to whether or not I should actually send it. Especially considering I'd like to go back there in the Spring (I know, this seems either hypocritical or insane. It's probably both.) and I have no way of knowing if my answers will go down on any kind of permanent record. My name isn't actually on it anywhere, but you just never know how those things get tracked.

An update on other parts of my life: Apparently my near religious experience when I met Brandon was in fact reciprocated on his end. We've concluded we have a very generous Heavenly Father.  He's coming up here after Christmas (Brandon that is, not God). I'm really excited.

Thanksgiving was thanksgiving-y. With family friends and all that. I love pumpkin pie.

Avery and I became little girls this weekend and did the silliest thing I have ever done in my life: we bought bridal magazines and went engagement ring shopping Saturday night (the mall was surprisingly calm). She's convinced we're both going to be engaged within a year. Startling at best. But fun anyway. Ironically, my favorite ring and her favorite ring are almost identical. Mine was the solitaire version and hers was the three stone version of the same ring. Sometimes acting 12 is really fun. Especially because at 12 I was trying to act about 25.

December is going to be a good/busy month. Work, finals, Christmas, Brandon, friends, New Years Eve. I hope its splendid for everyone. And don't let commercialism ruin it for you. Give experiences. They're cheaper and more meaningful anyway.

My life this week was mildly hilarious somehow. Sort of sad and pathetic and yet I laughed a lot.

Firstly, I got accepted to UW on Tuesday. That's something.

In other news, Avery ended our six month open relationship via facebook in order to be listed as in a relationship with her actual boyfriend. She said we could still mess around on the side. I told her it was ok, we could still be friends.

On that topic, I had to tell Matty a second time that I don't want to be anything more than just friends. He didn't take it well. I've been trying to give him space.

I've spent hours talking with Brandon this week. He's becoming a good friend. He's coming up to visit in December. I told him I'd take him to Tacoma Book Center. Apparently my life is Tacoma Book Center.

Avery got home from WSU last night so we went to Starbucks and talked over chai lattes for a few hours. We wanted to stay until it closed, but when a homeless guy reeking of urine sat down next to us, with big eyes and half smiles we laughingly mouthed "let's go. now." to each other and finished our conversation at home, ending with a very long laugh about how a "catty" and vague remark I made a week or so ago has had some unintentional ripples. 

I think I've decided to go to BYU.

I'm active in church again (besides today hah).

I miss Katy and others in Provo.

I'm excited that my life is moving forward slowly but surely. And in the right direction. Definitely in the right direction.

First off, this is the kind of weather lovely Seattle provides in the middle of June: I had an inch of hail on my back porch.



Anyway, Aves and I went to see Grizzly Bear and Feist at the Moore Theatre in Seattle.

Both were magical. We were second row, center (it was seated general admission). After Grizzly Bear I ran up to the front where Chris (who plays flute and clarinet and other various instruments) was putting away his gear and asked for his setlist. He gave it and I told him I was so glad they played On a Neck, On a Spit, since that's my favorite song. He was really nice. After the show I got Ed, Chris, and Christopher to sign it. Ed crossed out He Hit Me and said he was just going to correct it for me since they played Shift instead haha.



Only one pic of Grizzly Bear playing came out well from my camera. I'll check Avery's camera later and see if she got some better ones. But here's one of Ed on recorder:



As for Feist, I don't think there's a whole lot to say other than that she's amazing.

The show started off with a disco ball:



And she loves audience participation so she kept promising us things if we'd sing along (a free grizzly bear tshirt, food, etc), and she'd dance and talk to us. She has a beautiful voice and puts on a mesmerizing show. Here are a few pics of her:







Also, she had a girl come on and tap dance. I can't remember the girl's name, but she was very good and just adorable:



Also, I got a setlist, no thanks to the cranky roadie who blew me off, but much thanks to the guy on percussion. Here it is:



So there you have it. Such a lovely show.

Goodness this was a fantastic show. I know all you Indie kids say you hate Cassadaga, and I'm willing to admit it's not Bright Eyes' best album, but I don't hate it. Far from. As such, when I say I loved this show, a lot of that is because I don't hate Cassadaga. Because as you can see, they played basically the entire album, minus a song or two:





Well, as usual, I hate being in the back, so Megan and I rushed forward when they let everyone stand up at the Paramount. We were maybe third row on the far right to start. While the first band played (I don't remember their name. They sucked. Sorry) I was looking around trying to figure out how to get closer. There was an older couple in front of me to my right and a couple girls (Laura and Brittany) directly in front of me. The girls were also trying to figure out how to get front row so they, little by little, and very suavely I might add, wedged their way in, moving the older couple over haha.

Before the second band, Oakley Hall, started, the older couple finally decided to go sit in the back since they were right in front of the speaker. I waited for just the right moment and as soon as they stepped away from the barricade, I swooped right in! I'm pretty sure we pissed some people off, but whatevs, you gotta be johnny on it at these things! I told Brittany and Laura (who we'd just met haha) to hold their ground and not let anyone push us further over or we wouldn't have been able to see anything. (We saved Brittany's spot when she ran out, they agreed to let me have the setlist should one come my way, and then we started chatting it up about Bright Eyes and such, they're awesome girls!)

Oakley Hall were really good.I definitely suggest checking them out.

So finally Bright Eyes came out and I literally started screaming when I saw Andy LeMaster walk out haha. I'm the biggest dork ever, I know. He was right in front of us:

(sorry the quality is so crappy. It's from my cell phone. I'll see if i can get some better pics from Laura):





He sang M. Ward's parts from Cassadaga and played bass. And my word he is seriously the hottest man alive.

But seriously, it was like a giant Saddle Creek party on stage. I was blown away. There was a small orchestra section including Anton on violin (yes I have a major crush on him), and two girls on drums (one on a full kit the most of the time and Rachel Blumberg on percussion and another kit for some songs), then of course Andy on bass, Nate on keyboards, a floutist and of course! Mike Mogis on guitar and pedal steel. Mmmmm it was sooo goood. I barely watched Conor at all because I was so busy watching everyone else.

One really amazing part was the picture show they had going on behind them. Someone was up at the projector showing different things (like a clear bouncy ball with spots, or see through chip things, or flower pedals). That along with everyone wearing white, the white flower boxes with real flowers in them and the white wooden stand around Nate set the mood pretty well. It was a big production with a big sound.

I should mention that they played a fantastic version of First Day of My Life. That was one of the songs on which Rachel played the other kit. Anton played some of the other percussion instruments as well. I wish I could have version on record. I loved it.

Also, the ??? song was Road to Joy, which they stretched out and turned into a jam session. During it Conor got down behind the barrier and ripped the flowers out of the flower boxes to give to people. He came over to our side and sat down on the stage for a minute to play:





Anyway, overall it was just suuuuch a good show. It was fun. They played really well. My favorite people were there. And! (setlist story time) I managed to get a big grin from Andy. I yelled out his name during a quiter moment. He looked over at me and smiled. I tried to make a square in the air while I asked for his setlist, but the song was starting and he looked away haha. So, he probably thinks I'm either insane or that I was calling him a square. After the show I didn't get his setlist, but I'd asked the security guard before the show if he'd get one for me and when the roadies passed a stack of five or six to another security guard, he went over and got one for me :). I greatly appreciate it and thanked him profusely after.

So that was my show experience. The buses were right outside but I had work in the morning so I couldn't stay (crappy excuse I know) plus we were meeting Megan's friend Shannon for food so there wasn't time.

I just heard Ross got to talk to Mike Mogis though. I'm expecting a full story when he gets back from the show tonight haha. I'm tooootally jealous.

Anyway, next up: the decemberists. Hope you've enjoyed

well hello!

'finally. a new blog' you say. well ok maybe you don't say. but i say!

i saw bright eyes last night. sooo goood.

first of all, there was a huge problem with the pre-sale tickets. They lost everyone's credit card info and so every single person who ordered through the pre-sale had to resend all their info. Jen from Ravenhouse (who manages the fan club) said she would send out the tickets as soon as she got all our credit card info.

she never sent them.

saturday afternoon i was having a near breakdown wondering how to get my tickets. finally i got an email from her saying they had decided to keep all the tickets in will call and we could pick them up at the show.

ok. no biggie.

I got in line with danual at about 4pm. There were maybe ten people in front of us, and I was ok with that. I brought homemade cookies and other organic snacks (yummers) and we sat by a tree for a while to wait for doors to open.

At 8pm, we were tired, cold, and realizing will call wasn't going to open until doors did. A cool old guy with three fingers on his right hand played hits from the 60s on a guitar. 3 finger jack was his name.

fiiinally, after a lot of whining and worrying from everyone who'd ordered through the pre-sale and had sat in line for hours, the doors opened and they sent us up to will call...

then they told us we were in the wrong line and would have to get in the back of the other line to get in....

i. was. pissed.

even better, jen could remember my name but couldn't find my info. finally after a few minutes of searching as other people ran up and crowded the front of the stage, she just wrote my name down and let me in.

danual said he'd fight his way through to get me to the front. he definitely did help. if it weren't for him i'd have been somewhere in the middle of the floor.

i ended up on the left side of the floor about three rows back from the front. it's a low stage so it wasn't a terrible view. i stood next to, and thankfully not behind, some 6-something foot tall guys who we'd talked to outside. and between them and danual, my spot was fairly safe.

A Weather opened. I liked the mix of the guy's and girl's voice as well as the fact that the girl played only a half set of drums while she sang. Also loved that they had someone playing a xylophone. Very gentle music. It's like a sweeter version of damien rice but with much better lyrics. I bought their single afterwards and I've been enjoying it in my car.

After A Weather, Bright Eyes set up and about 45 minutes later, Mike came out, tuned up, and was followed by the rest of the band.

I'd been warned that the set was going to sound pretty folky/country, but i really enjoyed it anyway. Conor was definitely drunk and some guys near the back kept screaming that they were in love with Mike, that they worshiped him, that he was a genius, a god, etc. He looked kind of embarrassed but laughed it off.

Everyone on stage was so much fun to watch. Anton (who is just too cute for words) is so intense and plays so well! He was right in front of us and kept talking to the audience. Between a couple songs I yelled out his name, he looked over and I drew a rectangle in the air and acted like i was writing on it while i said 'set list. can i have your set list? please?' he saw, smiled, mouthed 'oh. set list!' and nodded. At the end of the show he crumpled his set list up and threw it out in my direction. A tall guy right up front caught it, but i grabbed him by the arm and proceeded to plead and beg for him to give it to me since i'd asked Anton specifically. Finally once he saw Mike's was on the ground not too far away, he handed it over.

All I can say is that was 100% karma. If Jared and I hadn't given the Shins set list back to that girl who nearly started crying when we grabbed it, I'm positive I wouldn't have gotten this one. But we did. and i did! and i'm happy!

So, here's the set list for your viewing pleasure:



The last song they played wasn't actually Laura. At the last minute (after Mike sat down at the steel pedal and anton was getting ready on his violin) Conor turns around and goes 'no, no, June. June.'

Mike: 'Are you serious? June? Cause... that's a different song.' haha, so he got up and got his guitar and they played June on the West Coast instead and it was fantastic!

Overall the show was just fantastic. Everyone played really well and for once I really liked the fact that I didn't know all the songs. I got to hear them all for what they sounded like right then instead of what it's 'supposed' to sound like. No singing along in my head. Just plain listening.

It was a good feeling.

A couple of other tidbits before I get to the rest of the pics: turns out Ben Gibbard was at the show. Dave Bazan may have been there as well. Conor listed off a bunch of his good musician friends from Seattle who were at the show. Among them were 'Ben and David.' Later on in the show Conor talked about how great it was to have them there and went into how one of his favorite memories of the Showbox was playing there with Ben when he opened for Death Cab at the release of Photo Album. I thought that was pretty darn cool.

Sadly, M. Ward was not there. Conor even mentioned how sad that was and said they just didn't sound as good without him. Conor seems to have a huge mancrush on him, so that's understandable.

Also, I just want to say that I wish I could have seen Rachel, the drummer, a bit more. She played really well! but someone's head was in my way. sad day.

ok ok, enough blabbing, here are the pics. enjoy!













i wish i could have gotten some good ones of everyone else, but the ones i did get just turned out really bad.

so that is that. such a great night! i bought the most comfy t-shirt in the entire world: the gray bright eyes Ouija board one made by American Apparel. It is seriously the softest t-shirt I have ever owned. I also bought the EP on Vinyl. I'm such a sucker for vinyl.

anyway, hope you all enjoyed.

take care!

Pamela

I saw the shins tonight.

i'm an idiot and forgot my camera, but it was a very good show.

viva voce opened. i'm saving my review of them for the music magazine david and i are putting together (if anyone is interested in writing/editing/photographing for it, just message me and i'll give you more details)

the shins put on a decent set. I nearly got the setlist when Jared stole it out of some girl's hand for me, but then she was really mad and about to start crying so he gave it back. i got a pick instead, so it wasn't a total loss. and i got viva voce's set list from the lead singer herself.

we managed to get front row because we accidentally showed up an hour and a half before doors opened, and then because the idiot teenie-boppers in front of us ran to the bathroom literally two minutes before they let everyone stand up and shuffle forward. they tried to complain about it, but i've had my fair share of being in the second row. if you're stupid enough to give up your spot, that's your problem, not mine.

anyway, the shins played all the favorites of course and a lot of new material from their latest album. i'd only just heard it earlier that day so it was nice to hear a lot of music i didn't know very well. also, the light setup they had was beautiful. it coincided perfectly with the album art.

we thought about staying afterwards, but the fact is, the shins are good, i'm just not a big enough fan to stick it out like that. it would have been a waste of their time.

i'm deeply saddened that the likes of garden state have turned this band of truly talented 30-something-year-olds into such an outlet for boy band lovers. it felt like an N*SYNC concert. I had one girl next to me (the one we stole the setlist from before giving it back) who screamed out the words to all the songs. If it was Dashboard or Tilly, alright. But the shins just don't sing loud enough for that. their music is too intricate. its for listening. not for belting. and to top it off, amongst the cat calls that are 'oh so funny' in the high school crowd, in the middle of really beautiful songs, people, up front i might add, would suddenly start laughing and screaming, which created only one conclusion for the rest of us: they don't even care about the music they're 'listening' to.

frustrating to say the least.

anyway, short and short: A+ for the shins. D- for the crowd. nearly ruined the show for me.

Well, this weekend was one of the best I've had since I moved back down to Utah. On Friday night Ross and I drove up to Salt Lake to see Sparrows Gate, Briertone and Now It's Overhead at Kilby Court. We'd missed the Sparrows Gate boys so it was great to see them!

Also, I have the biggest crush on Andy LeMaster now haha. We stole the setlist and got him to sign it afterwards. He's very nice. All of them are actually. We talked to the bass player as well. They put on a really good set and they're super nice guys. A+

On Saturday Sparrows Gate and Briertone played at Muse Music in Provo. They were amazing. The show was really fun and afterwards we all went over to the dance party at Velour. If my camera had some battery left I'd have taken some pics of all our groovy dance moves. I think either Anthony or Jesse win the best grooves out of our whole group. : )

After that it was Beto's at 1am. It was hard to find seating for all 17 of us, but we managed. The entire night was a blast and we can't wait for the whole lot of them to come back and visit!

I took pics both at Kilby Court and Muse, so here are some of the highlights. Enjoy!

Sparrow's Gate:









Briertone:









Now It's Overhead: