We got there in time to hear a couple Gaslight songs and I was not a fan. Their music was okay at best. After them was Thrice. I haven’t seen them for at least four or five years. They played a good set. My favorite was their cover of Helter Skelter. Third was Alkaline Trio. I saw them a few years ago and loved them live. This time around they didn’t rock out too much and the sound levels were all over the place. I still enjoyed them but was a little let down.

To finish the night Rise Against headlined. Last year they put on a great show and this year was the same. They played for almost an hour and a half highlighting mainly their new CD, Appeal to Reason. Again the sound levels were way off but by the end of their set the sound guy finally figured it out.

I loved the encore when they played their new acoustic, Hero Of War, along with their well-known, Swing Life Away. Rise against is a very good example of how a band should put on a show. They have incredible energy, they move around and get into the music, they are very dynamic and know how to entertain the crowd. I very much appreciated that they didn’t try to shove their own agenda down our throats as many bands do. They simply made reference to how nice it will be to have a new president and that was it. Thank you.

I really wish Saltair would get its act together and stop putting on shows with such craptastic sound. It seems like every other show I see there is the same with muted and mediocre levels. And sadly Saltair is bigger thus resulting in bigger bands and more expensive tickets. I’d rather see a show at the smaller Avalon or In the Venue any day.

The Market will be playing at Saltair with Anberlin, Hoobastank and The Brobecks next month on December 12. Tickets are only $9.60! I hope everyone can come.

Gabbi was a part of our family for over six years. She brought a new life and unconditional love to us that was only enhanced with the arrival of her best friend, Gabe. I’m going to miss her.

Luis got married over the summer and I was left to find housing by myself. After much thought and searching I decided to stay at Lanai. I moved to a 4th floor unit with Bobby.

School started back up a few weeks ago. I’m taking 18 credits this semester. I’ve never attempted this but am very optimistic. I figure the more credit hours I do at a time will make the finishing point come sooner and feel more real.

The Market is doing well. We played at the X96 4-Play concert series and won a spot to play at the Big Ass Show again this year. That’s coming up next weekend, September 27, at the USANA Amphitheatre.

Also in the news my car is broken and beyond repair (at least within a reasonable price) and as a result I will be making a car purchase once my current vehicle officially fails.

Luis has setup the new The Place site with a promo for the redone episodes which will be launching first thing next year. The new episodes are going to be awesome.

A view from the freeway of the new sign and library (left side).

To clear up the confusion for people who ask me, here is a list of acronyms the school has been known as: CUVS, UTTI, UTC, UVCC, UVSC and now UVU.

It has been a 4-year school for over 10 years as it transitioned from Utah Valley Community College to Utah Valley State College. The irritation level rises every time someone asks me what school I go to, I say UVSC, then they say, “Hey, did you hear they’re making that a 4 year school finally?” Seriously people, you sound stupid saying that and know nothing about my school.

On July 1, 2008 it changed names yet again and is still a 4-year school in addition to now having graduate degrees/programs, e.g. a 6+ year school… or a university, hence UVU.

John Allred opened the show playing mainly songs from his new Covers CD. I like John and I generally like his music but I’m sick of hearing him play covers. It lost its appeal after the 100th time. Soon after Allred was Ferras of whom I was very surprised by. He played solo on the piano and rocked so hard. I didn’t know that could be done on a baby grand. I loved his music and will be purchasing his CD soon. Immediately following Ferras was Secondhand Serenade. They played a good show and rocked as well. I wasn’t fond of his jacket, but luckily he took it off only to reveal the ever so popular rockstar v-neck t-shirt. For a 2 band tour their set seemed awfully short at under one hour. Regardless, it was fun to be there with my friends and younger sister.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq1Cdg_1jV8

I went down a couple times and loved the breeze blowing against me as I glided on the board; It’s been awhile since I’ve been. She decided it was her turn to experience the awesomeness of forward motion on a longboard so she kicked off and the board started to roll. I was at the bottom of the hill watching her gain speed very quickly. I figured she knew what she was doing so I didn’t say anything and just let her ride. She rolled faster and faster on the board until it was too late to turn. The board got speed wobble and she got scared and bailed onto the asphalt, a two-handed double-knee plant right onto the ground. From my view I saw her hit, slide and then roll. She immediately stood up and ran after the board. I screamed her name and she yelled back that she was ok. I longboarded over to her and saw the result of the bail, a huge rip in her jeans and a golf ball sized gash taken out of her knee.

I was very surprised with how tough she was and well she took it. After 10 minutes of sitting she was back on the board riding around for another hour, pant legs rolled up and a big smile on her face.

The memories longboarding brings are unforgettable.

Since I’ve lived in Provo I’ve never had this happen with all of the places that I’ve lived (4 now). And usually whenever I make a visit home to Kaysville, if I’m there for more than one night I get very homesick for Provo and all of my friends whom I love dearly. I don’t understand where this change of thought has come from. I’m the type of person who embraces change and new experiences.

About a year ago my parents moved into the new house that they built. It’s a very grand structure but lacks a bedroom for me because I’ve never lived there. I am definitely attached to the new house as my family lives there and we’ve had numerous spectacular occasions, but I don’t think anything will ever replace the comfort and feeling of being in my old room.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e26rwyHTQwU