Best Albums of 2011 (JOE)

1. It's Time EP - Imagine Dragons
2. Barton Hallow - The Civil Wars
3. Long Player Late Bloomer - Ron Sexsmith
4. Christmas - Michael Buble
5. Last Night on Earth - Noah and the Whale
HONORABLE MENTION:
*Fictionist - EP - Fictionist
*So Beautiful or So What - Paul Simon
*Torches - Foster The People
*Mylo Xyloto - Coldplay

And For Good Measure... 2010's BEST ALBUMS:
1. Flamingo - Brandon Flowers
2. Hell & Silence EP - Imagine Dragons
3. Anchor - Mindy Gledhill
4. My Christmas - Andrea Bocelli
5. Hoarse & Roaring - Parlor Hawk
HONORABLE MENTION:
*Egyptian - EP - Egyptian
*100 Years: Celebrating a Century of Recording Excellence - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
*The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
*Let The Dog Drive Home - Teitur
*There Are Debts - David Hopkins
*I Speak Because I Can - Laura Marling

THANKSGIVING

We returned to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving. It was special to be with and see family especially in the mix of so many fantastic things happening--my first Thanksgiving with Julia as a married couple, baby shower for my sis. in law K and brother W (first baby in our family), my cousin's band signing a record deal and appearing on the newest American Idol commercials, and one of the largest Thanksgiving meals we've ever had (45+ people). I will forever be grateful for a wonderful family.

Julia cooked homemade cornbread stuffing and homemade cheesecake and she wrapped all of the family presents for my SIL's shower in addition to purchasing or at least shopping for each of them as well. She also did our laundry and rubbed my back. My wife is gracious.

We saw the always excellent The Muppet Christmas Carol as well as the new movie, The Muppets (fun yet still not quite their best work), and visited with a lot of family and friends. We also played Clue and Scrabble simultaneously (VERY tough) and chess. One of our HTA artists, Mindy Gledhill, released a Christmas album being featured on iTunes. The single "Winter Moon" has a puppet/muppet-esque music video here--



I enjoyed playing sports and telling jokes/ghost stories while the baby shower was held.

During Thanksgiving meal we enjoyed super gravy, terrific orange peel rolls, fresh Marco rolls, and plenty of other delectable fixings. Afterward, I told a young cousin several jokes until he finally peed his pants laughing. What a fun Thanksgiving!

IMAGINE DRAGONS SIGNS

Many of my friends have heard me talk about rock band Imagine Dragons. It didn't slow me down that I worked for them via HTA or that one of the members of the band (Dan Reynolds) is a loving relative.

I am very pleased to congratulate them for signing with major label Interscope Records!

Imagine Dragons are now working on their first full length album (although they have three independently released EPs on iTunes). Grammy-winning producer Alex Da Kid (Eminem, Rhianna, T.I., Paramore, U2) is working with the guys. And they are all really nice guys.

Previously, they won 4 battles of the bands, earned "Band of the Year" accolades across Las Vegas, and were invited to perform with Weezer, Interpol, Neon Trees, The Temper Trap, Foster The People, O.A.R., Blue October, Hot Chip, and many more.




Imagine Dragons website
Imagine Dragons wikipedia (written by me)

In A Week

Last Saturday Julia and I went for sushi at my favorite place in P-Town...Sushiya. It was Julia's first time. We ate salmon, tuna, and eel in addition to some rolls. If you've never been to Sushiya and tried the "godzilla" I recommend it.

Sunday evening we celebrated my cousin SB's birthday with a family dinner and then cake and ice cream with loads of friends.

Monday, we signed up at Gold's Gym for FHE.

On Tuesday we had a GOP debate party with some family. We bought pizza and watched the debate and commented back and forth about the results. We even had a pocket copy of the US Constitution available for reference.

Wednesday, I went to an excellent concert at The State Room in SLC. The headliner was Priscilla Ahn (Blue Note Records) and Parlor Hawk were the openers. Parlor Hawk's harmonies and duo set up was excellent and Priscilla rounded out the evening nicely. I also spoke with her and her band including Gary who, being Japanese, chatted with me in the language. Unfortunately, Julia is still just barely too young to attend.



Thursday, my mom came for a surprise visit and we all went to see my sister and my cousin play and win their championship intramural volleyball game at BYU. It was a nail biter but the Spike Girls took it home like true champions. Then we went for dinner at another favorite spot--Zuppas.