tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67254717240648966642024-03-13T12:07:47.546-07:00Nick and Shara ParkNick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-33253475784838216702016-12-20T21:25:00.000-08:002016-12-21T08:31:58.681-08:00Year In Review 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although 2016 will be remembered by most as a pretty crappy year, there were some great things that were, at least to me, pretty awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2016 included: A full scale house remodel of our kitchen, dining, office and living room, which was a huge undertaking - My sister and her husband welcomed their first baby Stella Grace - The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl - I had my first year as a coach for Jr. Jazz basketball - the only grandma Shara knew passed away at the age of 90 - My band Go Suburban released our self titled debut album that we put so much time and effort into - We celebrated Jane's 3rd birthday at Disneyland/California - Will learned how to ride a bike & land flips on the trampoline - We remodeled a separate bathroom and laundry room - Will had 2 sets of stitches this year - Jane dealt with night terrors about half of the year, which we are still trying to figure out - We remodeled Will's room - Shara and I traveled to Moab and hiked around for our 11th anniversary - Will started Kindergarten - Jane started preschool - We voted - Jane started attempting flips on the trampoline. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During all of that, the events of this year were coupled with an amazing soundtrack. Which will help embed the memories of this year into my mind. A brief history of what I do to compile this list: My year in review mix is something I start doing on January 1st of each year. I'm constantly finding and listening to new music, debating throughout the year if it's worthy enough to end up on my list at the end of the year. This year I even contributed to this list as well, which I didn't just consider lightly. If you are new to how I compile this list, I rank what I consider to be the top 20 albums of the year, then I make a playlist featuring 1 song off of each album that I think best showcases the album, or is just my favorite song off of the album. In years past, I have always tried my hardest to find the "clean" version of songs knowing that some people might be somewhat offended by certain lyrics. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find clean versions of songs, and with the advent of streaming music coming to the forefront the past couple of years, it's going to be nearly impossible as we move forward. So on that note, some of the music I have included on this list does contain some swears, and I truly apologize.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year included some interesting choices that I wouldn't have otherwise foreseen me listening to. Specifically a musical that would have such a huge impact on me. This album made an exception because I'm generally not into musicals, especially while making a generally alternative playlist. It also made an exception because technically it was released in 2015, but wasn't on my radar until earlier this year, and since it pretty well dominated much of what I listened to this year, I had to make a spot for it. I also featured my band Go Suburban's album, which I was so proud to be a part of, and love every single song so much. These albums are the definition of 2016 for me. An election year, a year of firsts for my family, a year of struggles and triumphs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is my Year In Review for 2016:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool "Burn The Witch"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. Go Suburban - WWDK "War Of Wars"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Various Artists - Hamilton Soundtrack "Non-Stop"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4. Bon Iver - 22, A Million "8 (Circle)"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Pinegrove - Cardinal "Aphasia" *</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. The Hotelier - Goodness "Goodness, Pt. 2"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. The Strokes - Future Present Past EP "Oblivius"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. Wilco - Schmilco "If I Ever Was A Child"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9. Car Seat Headrest - Teens Of Denial "Fill In The Blank"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam - I Had A Dream That You Were Mine "In A Black Out"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">11. Young The Giant - Home Of The Strange "Amerika" **</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">12. The Lumineers - Cleopatra "Angela"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">13. Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Getaway "Dark Necessities"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">14. Weezer - The White Album "Jacked Up"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">15. Jack Garratt - Phase "Weathered"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">16. Angel Olsen - My Woman "Shut Up Kiss Me"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">17. Glass Animals - How To Be A Human Being "Life Itself"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18. A Tribe Called Quest - We Got It From Here...Thank You 4 Your Service "Solid Wall Of Sound"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19. The 1975 - I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of It "Somebody Else"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20. Frank Ocean - Blonde "Pink + White"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*: Best New Artist</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">**: Best Album Cover</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honorable mentions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Into It. Over It. - Standards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ra Ra Riot - Need Your Light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Band Of Horses - Why Are You OK</span><br />
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Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-5435757574951709072015-12-17T23:10:00.001-08:002015-12-17T23:10:13.158-08:00Year In Review 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2015, the year I had been looking forward to experiencing since seeing Back To The Future Part II has come and gone. When that movie was released in 1989, I was 9 years old and I remember thinking so much about what 2015 would be like. Now that it has passed, it's probably so much different than my 9 year old self ever imagined, but it's also so much better than I could have ever thought of. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2015 for me saw a lot of happiness, as well as sadness. Craziness and love. Challenges and blessings. We began 2015 with a Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Honduras, Belize & Costa Maya - I left my job after 5 years with Summit Home Health & Hospice, leaving some of the greatest people I have ever worked with - I started a new job as a Marketing Director with Five Point Restoration working with some of the best friends I've ever had - My beautiful and amazing grandmother passed away at the age of 91 - We owned a dog for a week, and realized our schedules were not cut out to be dog owners at this point in our lives, but we were able to find him a great new home- Shara's oldest nephew returned home from serving his mission ins Arizona - We got a trampoline - My little sister married her best friend of 8 years, and found out she will be having a baby next February! - My youngest daughter Jane turned 2 years old - Shara's younger brother Shawn passed away at the age of 31 - I took Will on his first overnight camping trip with my dad and brother in law - Shara and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary with a trip to Denver to see the Broncos and a new ring - My band Go Suburban played a bunch of concerts, and started recording an album that will be released at the beginning of next year - We took a trip with my family to California to go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the Utah v. USC game - My oldest son William turned 5 years old - My children challenged me more than anything else I think I've ever had to deal with, but grew to love them so much more this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As with other years in the past, this year was accompanied with music that became the soundtrack to my life. Through everything I did this year, there was always music with me. I was able to communicate with a lot of music lovers through social media, in person and through online publications which made finding great music even better. Music apps on smart phones became much more accessible and provided a seamless way for me to consume more music than I ever have before. As is custom with so many websites, TV shows and magazine articles at this time of year, I've created a my own list of top 20 albums this year. After ranking these albums, I create a playlist via iTunes & Spotify featuring one song from each album, which hopefully gives you a small sample of the music I listened to this year, but also creates a chapter in my music library for the year 2015. When I go back over the years and listen to these playlists, I'm instantly taken back to that year and I reminisce about all the events that happened during that time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is my birthday present to myself every year that I now share with you. I literally spend the entire calendar year researching, reading & debating what will make my list and what music I will put on it. I now present to you my 2015 Year In Review:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Tame Impala - <b>Currents</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Sufjan Stevens - <b>Carrie & Lowell</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Wilco - <b>Star Wars</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Jamie xx - <b>In Colour</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Hop Along - <b>Painted Shut</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Alabama Shakes - <b>Sound & Color</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Foo Fighters - <b>Saint Cecilia EP</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Grimes - <b>Art Angels</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Kurt Vile - <b>B'lieve I'm Goin Down...</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Ben Folds - <b>So There</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Father John Misty - <b>I Love You, Honeybear</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Lord Huron - <b>Strange Trails</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Ryan Adams - <b>1989</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Baroness - <b>Purple</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Deerhunter - <b>Fading Frontier</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Foals - <b>What Went Down</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment - <b>Surf</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Muse - <b>Drones</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Brandon Flowers - <b>The Desired Effect</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Day Wave - <b>Headcase EP</b></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Honorable Mentions:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">James Bay - <b>Chaos And The Calm</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Big Grams - <b>Big Grams</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">twenty one pilots - <b>Blurryface</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Fall Out Boy - <b>American Beauty/American Psycho</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2px;">Chvrches - <b>Every Eye Open</b></span></span></div>
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Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-25229135262663984042014-12-18T14:18:00.001-08:002014-12-18T14:21:34.484-08:00Year In Review 2014<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> 2014 will go down personally for me as possibly the most stressful year I've had. There was so much that we did this calendar year, with selling our home, packing up, garage sales, moving into my parent's home while we searching for a new home, moving into that new (yet old) home, dealing with flooding issues right away, starting a new position at work, and all this with my beautiful wife and our 2 wild and rambunctious children. However, this year was also filled with so many great things as well, including the new home, a great vacation to Cancun, trips to Disneyland, Midway, Bear Lake, & St. George, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">a successful year for my band, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">all with my beautiful wife and our 2 wild and rambunctious children.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> With that, this year also came with a pretty awesome soundtrack. There was a lot of music that surprised me this year, and a lot of music that made a huge impression on me as both a semi-invested musician and person as well. I love finding new artists and well as rediscovering old ones, and there was a lot of that this year. It's like meeting new friends and reconnecting with ones you haven't seen in years. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> If you are new to this way of how I compile & rank this list, I rank my top 20 albums of the past year and then create a playlist (via iTunes, Spotify etc.) with my favorite song from that album. In some cases - Against Me! for example - I had to find a clean version of the song so that if you are interested in listening to the mix, you'll have a clean version of the song. Unless you listen to my Spotify playlist or find the song yourself, I can't control that. Although I'm not in favor of censorship in music, movies and art, I know others don't share that same sentiment, so I do my best to make sure I'm giving you a clean playlist. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This is my birthday present to myself every year, because I literally spend an entire year debating what will make this list and what music I will put on it. So after all the work I put into this, studying and reviewing countless year end lists from multiple publications and websites, I now present to you my 2014 Year In Review:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The War On Drugs - </span><b style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Lost In The Dream</b></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">St. Vincent - <b>St. Vincent</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Weezer - <b>Everything Will Be Alright In The End</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Foo Fighters - <b>Sonic Highways</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Alt-j - <b>This Is All Yours</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Royal Blood - <b>Royal Blood</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Jack White - <b>Lazaretto</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Against Me! - <b>Transgender Dysphoria Blues</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Spoon - <b> They Want My Soul</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Beck - </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> <b>Morning Phase</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hozier - <b>Take Me To Church</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Manchester Orchestra - </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> <b>Cope</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delta Spirit - <b>Into The Wide</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Black Keys - <b>Turn Blue</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coldplay - <b>Ghost Stories</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Real Estate - <b>Atlas</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Death From Above 1979 - </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> <b>The Physical World</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First Aid Kit - <b>Stay Gold</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Milky Chance - <b>Sadnecessary</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Young The Giant - <b>Mind Over Matter</b></span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Honorable Mentions:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Cold War Kids - <b>Hold My Home</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Broken Bells - <b>After The Disco</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Cloud Nothings - <b>Here And Nowhere Else</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Foster The People - <b>Supermodel</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Thom Yorke - <b>Tomorrow's Modern Boxes</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7sxg3r6pis67fe1/AAAXXhWvu0CMGGx_x1yBwzgma?dl=0</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Spotify: </span></span><a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/sput_nick/playlist/6JYelOktcqxVqdVOiVXLLi">http://open.spotify.com/user/sput_nick/playlist/6JYelOktcqxVqdVOiVXLLi</a></div>
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Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-82380912189977688032013-12-21T21:30:00.000-08:002013-12-26T10:28:53.367-08:00Year In Review 2013<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> These past 12 months of music have been much better than in years past. Some of the best albums I have heard from some artists - Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire - came out this year. So, compiling a list and narrowing it to just 20 albums was a difficult task this year. I think my honorable mentions list will be a little more extensive. This "Year In Review" list used to be titled the "Year In Rock" because most of what I used to listen to was categorized in that genre. But as you can tell from this year list, you can probably see why I elected to change it from "rock" to "review". There is just to much good music out there in a variety of different genres. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you are new to this way of how I compile this list, I rank my top 20 albums of the past year and then create an iTunes playlist of what I consider the signature song from that album. Or rather, the song that I related and loved the most. In some cases - Kanye West for example - I've had to find a clean version of the song so that if you are interested in listening to the mix, you'll have a clean version of the song. Although I'm not in favor of censorship in music, movies and art, I know others don't share that same sentiment, so I do my best to make sure I'm giving you a clean playlist.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> There was a lot that happened to me and my family this year, with the biggest thing being the birth of my daughter Jane. If you've had children you know each one is life changing, and she was no different. I find that when you have life changing events, regardless of what it is, the music you listen to during that time becomes part of the soundtrack to your life, and has a much bigger impact on your life than it would if you weren't going through a large event in your life. I've found over the years, that even if those life changing events are good or bad, you'll never forget the time in your life when you first heard that song or album. And even if you don't listen to again for many years, it can instantly take you back. With that said, this is the music that defined the year 2013 for me, with all of it's ups and downs. This was the best year of my life, just as I'm sure next year will be the best year of my life.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Here are my picks for the top 20 albums of 2013:</span><br>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vampire Weekend - <b>Modern Vampires of The City</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arcade Fire - <b>Reflektor</b> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Daft Punk - <b>Random Access Memories</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arctic Monkeys - <b>AM</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grouplove -<b>Spreading Rumours</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disclosure - <b>Settle</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Queens Of The Stone Age - </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...Like Clockwork</b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Kodaline - <b>In A Perfect World</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kanye West - <b>Yeezus</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Volcano Choir - <b>Repave</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phoenix - <b>Bankrupt!</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The National - <b>Trouble Will Find Me</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah Yeah Yeahs - <b>Mosquito</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lorde - <b>Pure Heroine</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Neighbourhood - <b>I Love You</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atoms for Peace - <b>AMOK</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Strokes - <b>Comedown Machine</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Head And The Heart - <b>Let's Be Still</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Biffy Clyro - <b>Opposites</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Natives - <b>Hummingbird</b></span></li>
</ol><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>* - Best New Artist</b></font></div><div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><br></b></font></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honorable Mentions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pearl Jam - <b>Lightning Bolt</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!!! - <b>Thriller</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MGMT - <b>MGMT</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Alt-J - <b>An Awesome Wave</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atlas Genius - <b>When It Was Now</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Justin Timberlake - <b>The 20/20 Experience (1&2)</b></span></div>
Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-91023720467946080732013-11-19T21:42:00.005-08:002013-11-20T10:57:18.838-08:00Will's expressions of love<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our oldest child will be 3 years old this week. He's at the age where he's coming up with his own thoughts, stories and just hilarious sayings. He tells us stories about his day that include things that actually happened and then things that happened in his imagination. It's pretty funny once you get him going. He also has interesting ways of showing that he loves us. Sometimes, his simple expressions of love will come while we are just sitting on the couch and he'll ask if we will hold his hand, or put our hand on his tummy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning, after I had been up with our 6 month old for 2 hours trying to get her back to sleep, I finally got back into bed. I had only been there for just a minute when around 5:45am Will came upstairs from his room to our bed with me. By then, my wife had been at work for a couple of hours, so I didn't mind him coming into bed with me. We laid there, and I asked him if we could sleep a little longer. He said yes, but asked if I would hold his hand. I have to admit, it was very cute, and when I pulled my hand away for a second to scratch my face, he ordered my hand back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, he fell back asleep, changed positions and ended up with his bum in my face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then he farted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, these are Will's expressions of love.</span></div>
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Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-30334811248408449282013-11-18T21:19:00.001-08:002013-11-18T21:24:36.933-08:00A new direction<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately there seems to be a trend of blogs getting a lot of "viral" attention these days. Mainly these blogs are written by women, listing reasons motherhood is hard yet rewarding, or how to be better in their marital relationships. Trust me, I've read them all. They have amazing advice, and there is very good insight into many different subjects of life. I'm not entirely sure why I'm drawn to reading these blogs - perhaps it's the fact that I'm a sucker for lists of any kind - but I end up reading a lot of them. And while I am reading all of these blogs, there is something that has really stuck out to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Women are writing the majority of these blogs on parenting and marriage but men aren't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure there are good reasons for this. I know there are men who write blogs on parenting and some on marriage. They exist. They just aren't getting much exposure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was reading another viral blog today on parenting, titled "15 Things Experienced Moms Really Want To Say To New Moms" I thought to myself, "Where is a dude's perspective on something like this?" (I really said that out loud to myself.) I immediately took to Twitter and said I was going to start a similar blog from a male's side of parenting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not looking to be some big time blogger. I'm not looking to go "viral". I'm not professing to be the world's best father or husband by any means. I'm even having an internal struggle even typing the thoughts in my head about parenting and marriage in a blog form.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just think there are thoughts, ideas, and advice that could come in handy from a male perspective, and as I searched around the internet for advice on a sick 6 month old these past 2 weeks, I found the only places that I was reading information from was from moms. Believe me, as a married husband who turns into a single father after 7:30pm every night (that story coming in a future post) I rely heavily on those blogs and advice from other moms out there. Their advice is golden and it's helped me immensely. That being said, I do know that I'm not the only guy out there looking for advice on parenting from another guy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So my purpose in this post today is to say, I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to write about being a "hands on" dad and a good husband. As I get more into this, I'm going to try to have better content and interesting stories on my <i>attempt</i> at parenting and trying my best to be a good and supportive husband to my wife. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here we go.</span>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-85493590936447791302012-12-27T19:33:00.001-08:002012-12-27T19:33:36.204-08:00Year In Review 2012<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">Here are my top 20 albums this year. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2v2fqruvfbifpl/Year%20In%20Review%202012.zip">(Here is the Year In Review 2012 Mix, with my favorite song off of each album.)</a></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">1. Jack White/<b>Blunderbuss</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">2. Alabama Shakes/<b>Boys & Girls</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Electric/Guest </span><b style="font-family: arial;">Mondo</b></span>*<br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">4. Grizzly/Bear <b>Shields</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">5. Frank Ocean/<b>channel ORANGE</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">6. Muse/<b>The 2nd Law</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">7. Japandroids/<b>Celebration Rock</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">8. Divine Fits/<b>A Thing Called divine Fits</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">9. Delta Spirit/<b>Delta Spirit</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">10. Cloud Nothings/<b>Attack On Memory</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">11. The Lumineers/<b>The Lumineers</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">12. Best Coast/<b>The Only Place</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">13. Mumford & Sons/<b>Babel</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">14. A Silent Film/<b>Sand & Snow</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">15. Gotye/<b>Making Mirrors</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">16. The Shins/<b>Port Of Morrow</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">17. Alex Clare/<b>The Lateness Of The Hour</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">18. Father John Misty/<b>Fear Fun</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">19. Ben Folds Five/<b>The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">20. The xx/<b>Coexist</b></span><br />
*<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Best New Artist</span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;"><u>Honorable Mentions:</u></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">Animal Kingdom <b>The Looking Away</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">Band Of Horses <b>Mirage Rock</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">Beach House <b>Bloom</b></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">The Killers<b> Battle Born</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">Sea Wolf <b>Old World Romance</b></span><br style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 16px;">What are your top 20 albums of the year?</span>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-62384242653309915742011-12-21T08:18:00.000-08:002011-12-21T08:22:42.258-08:00Year In Review 2011<span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >Here are my top 20 albums this year. <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/?mrar4638q6t04g5">(Here is the Year In Review 2011 Mix, with the best song off of each album.)</a><br /><br />1. Wilco <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Whole Love</span><br />2. The Strokes <span style="font-weight: bold;">Angles</span><br />3. Bon Iver <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bon Iver</span><br />4. Fleet Foxes <span style="font-weight: bold;">Helplessness Blues</span><br />5. Foster The People <span style="font-weight: bold;">Torches</span><br />6. Young The Giant <span style="font-weight: bold;">Young The Giant</span><br />7. Red Hot Chili Peppers <span style="font-weight: bold;">I'm With You</span><br />8. Adele <span style="font-weight: bold;">21</span><br />9. The Black Keys <span style="font-weight: bold;">El Camino</span><br />10. Radiohead <span style="font-weight: bold;">The King Of Limbs</span><br />11. Incubus <span style="font-weight: bold;">If Not Now, When?</span><br />12. Foo Fighters <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wasting Light</span><br />13. Lykke Li <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wounded Rhymes</span><br />14. Mister Heavenly <span style="font-weight: bold;">Out Of Love</span><br />15. Coldplay <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mylo Xyloto</span><br />16. Holy Ghost! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Holy Ghost!</span><br />17. Washed Out <span style="font-weight: bold;">Within and Without</span><br />18. Grouplove <span style="font-weight: bold;">Never Trust A Happy Song</span><br />19. The Head And The Heart <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Head And The Heart</span><br />20. Wavves <span style="font-weight: bold;">Life Sux - EP</span><br /><br />Honorable Mentions:<br />Beastie Boys <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2</span><br />The Decemberists <span style="font-weight: bold;">The King Is Dead</span><br />Death Cab For Cutie <span style="font-weight: bold;">Codes & Keys<br /></span>Jay-Z & Kanye West<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Watch The Throne</span><br /></span><br />What are your top 20 albums of the year?</span>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-44157186692025756612011-10-26T20:58:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:59:41.025-07:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dncTdk5oTv4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); " ><b>Will has been walking for about 2 weeks now, but in short spurts. That is until we let him loose in airports and the Kirtland, Ohio Visitor's Center.</b></span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-52699326926724231692011-10-05T20:14:00.001-07:002011-10-05T20:15:49.149-07:00Freebies2Deals<span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ_bw39vq7E/To0dKawZlWI/AAAAAAAABOw/_IRCLdromQA/s1600/Freebies2Deals-Logo-150-HR.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ_bw39vq7E/To0dKawZlWI/AAAAAAAABOw/_IRCLdromQA/s320/Freebies2Deals-Logo-150-HR.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660212371492803938" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" >I can't tell you how many times I have saved money, gotten free items, surveys I have taken that have resulted in CASH, or heard about upcoming deals because of this blog. It's amazing how many things there are that are out there where you can get an awesome deal. For someone like me who doesn't like to search that far for a good deal, this blog brings it right to you. Check out<a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.freebies2deal.com">www.freebies2deals.com</a> TODAY!!</span></blockquote></span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-4884082129548203422011-09-08T11:01:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:52:25.091-07:00Top 5 Deli Sandwiches<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Chicken Salad sandwich from The Quilted Bear.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Turkey Bacon Avacado sandwich from Kneaders. </span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Italian Night Club from Jimmy Johns.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Empire State from Gandalfo's.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >Blimpie Best sub on white from Blimpie. </span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >(I realize I've left off Philly Cheesesteaks. I didn't consider them "Deli" sandwiches, but if I had to choose it would be a close tie between Moochies and DP Cheesesteaks.)</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-18295790502035881442011-08-15T12:11:00.000-07:002011-08-15T12:14:48.955-07:00Will's Top 5 recognizable TV show intro's<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Sesame Street Intro<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">KSL News Intro</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Intro</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Little Einsteins Intro</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span">Sportcenter Intro</span></li></ol>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-66964403122628037292011-08-11T21:11:00.001-07:002013-10-28T20:47:34.173-07:00Top 5 explanation.<span class="Apple-style-span">I was recently reminded about the movie High Fidelity with John Cusack, which comes from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Fidelity_(novel)">book of the same name</a> written by Nick Hornby. In it they are occasionally making top 5 lists of music, girlfriends, movies, episodes of Cheers</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> etc. This made me realize I am constantly making top 5 lists in my head about everything: Top 5 fry sauces, top 5 bread appetizers at restaurants, top 5 songs that remind me of my junior year in high school, top 5 jobs, top 5 ANYTHING.
<br />
<br />I realized that though I have been lacking in the photo a day posts, these top 5 lists could come in handy. I also have a couple guys I work with that I always need to have top 5 recommendations in ANY food category handy at any given moment. Sometimes my top 5 lists go into a lot of detail and can change at any given moment. But for the most part, they are just fun for me to compile.
<br />
<br />So, in light of the movie/book High Fidelity, todays top 5 is: Top 5 Records: Side One, Track One (Opening Track).
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Everything In It's Right Place",<i> Kid A, </i>by Radiohead<i>.</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Dance Yrself Clean", <i>This is Happening</i>, by LCD Soundsystem<i>.</i></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span">"Black Dog", <i>IV</i>, By Led Zeppelin</span></li>
<li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"My Name Is Jonas", <i>Weezer (The Blue Album), </i>by Weezer<i>.</i></span></span></i></li>
<li>"Privilege", <i>Make Yourself, </i>by Incubus<i>.</i></li>
</ol>
<div>
<i>
</i></div>
Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-50432514183382048022011-05-09T11:59:00.000-07:002011-05-09T12:05:41.868-07:00Near & Far with Will<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/or_YRvzCiRg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br />Our little boy Will was cracking up when I was doing my Grover impression of Near & Far with him.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-25326768601886443032011-03-21T20:45:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:49:00.746-07:00Day 169<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rd7dpWsdG5w/TYgbz6fGM4I/AAAAAAAABNc/O06jqWOnDug/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rd7dpWsdG5w/TYgbz6fGM4I/AAAAAAAABNc/O06jqWOnDug/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586745916440064898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Will is 17 weeks today and will be 4 months tomorrow. He's growing so fast, and time is starting to fly. He now looks like a little boy to me, and not an infant anymore. I guess it never ends. I love having this little guy around.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-59180157895094440542011-03-21T20:42:00.001-07:002011-03-21T20:45:20.602-07:00Day 168<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guqIwodjAKo/TYgarR2sisI/AAAAAAAABNU/2G_5i6EIzBM/s1600/IMG_2387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-guqIwodjAKo/TYgarR2sisI/AAAAAAAABNU/2G_5i6EIzBM/s320/IMG_2387.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586744668582611650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >About the time Will got RSV, we got him this humidifier. This has been great to use, I hope it is still helping. Maybe we seem like over protective parents by having all of these devices, noise making machines, battery powered nasal suction machine, and humidifiers, but having your baby in the hospital at such a young age will do that do you I guess. And he's our first so BACK OFF! :) (Lovingly)</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-34053007381977251072011-03-21T20:36:00.001-07:002011-03-21T20:41:49.870-07:00Day 167<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCfHC14jNlo/TYgZs5tgTyI/AAAAAAAABNM/JshuB3UoFOU/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCfHC14jNlo/TYgZs5tgTyI/AAAAAAAABNM/JshuB3UoFOU/s320/IMG_2384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586743596949720866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is Will's sound machine. He comes by it honestly, because I haven't been able to get rid of mine for around 15 years now. I'm so weird, but so dependent on it. </span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-68724268392895818252011-03-21T20:33:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:34:49.693-07:00Day 166<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxo-9BoNwNo/TYgY01pwsfI/AAAAAAAABNE/dGy_HkDYErs/s1600/IMG_2315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mxo-9BoNwNo/TYgY01pwsfI/AAAAAAAABNE/dGy_HkDYErs/s320/IMG_2315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586742633787601394" /></a>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-42374701988761495892011-03-21T20:31:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:33:34.036-07:00Day 165<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qXI97FRGeg/TYgYZty21DI/AAAAAAAABM8/rN3fjUVucfo/s1600/IMG_2294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0qXI97FRGeg/TYgYZty21DI/AAAAAAAABM8/rN3fjUVucfo/s320/IMG_2294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586742167821800498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Makeshift La-Z Boy.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-20565020615256621152011-03-21T20:29:00.001-07:002011-03-21T20:31:03.341-07:00Day 164<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxcVhEdrT3I/TYgXwiDjc2I/AAAAAAAABM0/VLtlNMoOZE0/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxcVhEdrT3I/TYgXwiDjc2I/AAAAAAAABM0/VLtlNMoOZE0/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586741460295971682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >By far one of my most favorite pictures of Will.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-81938819841994129362011-03-21T20:23:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:27:35.269-07:00Day 163<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpdDz8TrcY0/TYgWm06aJhI/AAAAAAAABMs/iPW5IAqw67E/s1600/IMG_2379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HpdDz8TrcY0/TYgWm06aJhI/AAAAAAAABMs/iPW5IAqw67E/s320/IMG_2379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586740194047567378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW3q5nQY9po/TYgWmkF6HbI/AAAAAAAABMk/q8F07J9r_kk/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DW3q5nQY9po/TYgWmkF6HbI/AAAAAAAABMk/q8F07J9r_kk/s320/IMG_2377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586740189532396978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The final project. These are on the wall next to Will's changing table, and sometimes he'll just sit, stare, and smile at them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-284627722085221142011-03-21T20:20:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:21:04.984-07:00Day 162<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOO5AQO2Gls/TYgVfd79T5I/AAAAAAAABMM/MhWkxiZwi8M/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.11.09%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AOO5AQO2Gls/TYgVfd79T5I/AAAAAAAABMM/MhWkxiZwi8M/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.11.09%2BPM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586738968109338514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >But for now, I just hope he stays a little boy full of imagination...</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-38257584076329436332011-03-21T20:19:00.001-07:002011-03-21T20:19:44.696-07:00Day 161<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPdOC3mmKoM/TYgVP5-P_fI/AAAAAAAABME/WMJFO8SwW7w/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.55%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPdOC3mmKoM/TYgVP5-P_fI/AAAAAAAABME/WMJFO8SwW7w/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.55%2BPM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586738700757237234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Maybe he'll just be a rock star though...</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-34529184741782085622011-03-21T20:16:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:18:53.389-07:00Day 160<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5gmrX3XGwo/TYgUtXFqSaI/AAAAAAAABL8/im__KeRS4AU/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.39%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5gmrX3XGwo/TYgUtXFqSaI/AAAAAAAABL8/im__KeRS4AU/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.39%2BPM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586738107277527458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >"Football Will". However, if basketball doesn't work out, I couldn't think of a better sport to play than football. It's almost a tie with basketball. But knowing he'll most likely be super tall, I think he might be better suited for roundball.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6725471724064896664.post-11759525060163503522011-03-21T20:13:00.000-07:002011-03-21T20:16:38.895-07:00Day 159<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODKMeph36Ao/TYgT_Y5ohRI/AAAAAAAABL0/kFkgk4S-3MY/s1600/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.25%2BPM.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODKMeph36Ao/TYgT_Y5ohRI/AAAAAAAABL0/kFkgk4S-3MY/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2011-03-21%2Bat%2B9.10.25%2BPM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586737317489968402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"Basketball Will". Of all sports, I really hope he gravitates to this sport the most, but I am biased and will lovingly persuade him to play as much basketball as possible.</span></div>Nick Parkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03553524889409730061noreply@blogger.com0