My Latest Semi-Important, Yet Undeniably Entertaining, Pursuits

We’ll Miss You, Nessa.

2011-09-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

I could tell you what Vanessa Bentley was like — how she acted, interacted with other people and carried herself — but as any successful writer would tell you, it’s better to show rather than tell. So I’ll do my best to give a brief glimpse into her short life with a few memories that are undoubtedly pure Vanessa.

She rated everything on a “1-10 scale” — it didn’t matter what subject she was asking you about or how hard it would be to give it an assigned number. She would still ask you. It was as endearing as it was frustrating.

Anyone who has spent over 12 seconds with Vanessa knows she was constantly smiling and laughing. But she wasn’t just a typical example of happy-go-lucky — her demeanor was completely infectious. Impossible to deny or avoid. And she had one of the best all-time laughs in the history of all-time laughs. You’d do anything to get hear it. Thankfully, with her, it didn’t take much.

I have an active imagination and tend to get sucked into scary movies fairly easily. But no horror movie could match the sheer terror of watching a movie next to Vanessa. And by next to, I mean within a 3 ft. bubble in any and every direction. It was not unusual to get an elbow to the jugular during a particularly scary part. That’s probably the reason we ended up primarily sticking to romantic comedies.

Vanessa Ann Bentley is single-handedly the reason why I crave chips so often and so fiercely. If I become overweight in the future, I‘m pretty confident I could readily trace the source back to her undeniable affinity for junk food.

Vanessa had an obsession with candy of all types and flavors — specifically dark chocolate. It wasn’t unusual for me to pick up something from the nearest 7-11 or grocery store on the way to her apartment and bring it over to enjoy during a movie. She loved it. We both did.

She was mildly obsessed with playing the “would you rather?” game on a regular basis. Except her version of the game meant that she would combat whatever option you chose until the scenario became one-sided and ridiculous. It still makes me laugh to think about.

No one ever asked Vanessa if she was going to paint her nails, only what color. I remember a two-week stretch where she didn’t wear any nail polish and I became inexplicably concerned.

The key to her heart was and always will be compliments. She craved them. They say everyone has a specific “love language” with which they prefer to express and receive affection. Vanessa’s was undoubtedly spoken (or written) words of affirmation and praise. She was equally as good at giving them out.

We used to play tennis fairly regularly when the weather got warmer with some friends of ours. While she may not have had the smoothest groundstroke or steady backhand, she was the scrappiest player you’ll find anywhere. I’d like to think we usually won. Just watch your back while she’s serving, though. You may very well get hit (hypothetically-speaking, of course).

When I was contemplating what music we used to listen to, I inadvertently found a trove of songs that reminded me of her. And, by extension, also discovered that virtually my entire collection of guilty pleasure music is devoted to her alone. I’m fairly certain “Body Language” by Jesse McCartney got more airplay simply because of her influence.

When I worked as an intern writing for the Daily Herald in Utah last summer, we used to instant message on our Gmail accounts regularly. I have over 150 individual records of our conversations in my inbox, discussing everything from sister missionary clothing to our plans for the night to how her youngest sister Rachel was going to be my publicist when I embarked on a music career.

I first met Vanessa at the end of my sophomore year in college. We didn’t get to really know each other until about 6 months later, however, when my roommate/best friend and I went to a rave-esque blacklight dance with her and her roommate/best friend. We dressed up in only black and white and at one point sprayed each other with glow-in-the-dark paint with small, plastic squirt guns. To date, it’s still one of my favorite dances I’ve ever been to. I was lucky to get to spend so much time with her from then on during the last 6 months leading up to her mission.

I took Vanessa’s current profile picture (shown above) during a trip we went on driving the Mt. Nebo Loop just south of Provo in Utah. I remember she deliberated for a while over what picture she wanted to be up there for 18 months before choosing that one. I couldn’t think of a better example of her personality and disposition.

I’ve always considered myself to be “a saver.” I’m pretty careful with money and don’t like spending it without purpose or thought. With that in mind, I say unequivocally that Vanessa put me to shame in that department. She was undoubtedly a penny pincher.

If Vanessa were homeless, I would have no worries about her being fed. I’ve never met a human being who could secure more free food from a seemingly random variety of people. It was a gift.

While preparing and teaching elementary school kids, Vanessa would often make me and whomever happened to be in the nearby vicinity listen as she read children’s books. It was almost impossible not to laugh when a full-grown woman was reading out loud to me like a 6-year old. It eventually became normal, though — proof of how often it occurred.

I can’t remember how they got started, but somehow we developed inner-city nicknames for each other. I was Chase “Swagga” Larson and she was “Shantay” Bentley.

Her personality had an interesting dynamic at play. While she loved to hear the latest gossip and “who’s dating who” rumors, she was also loyal and honest. She had a knack for reading people and was never one to shy away from discussion or clarification. I admired that.

I feel like a lot of missionaries enter the MTC with all zeal but not much education or realistic expectations. That being said, Vanessa was one of the few I witnessed with a well balanced, grounded perspective. Though she confessed to me at one point that she was worried she might not be a good missionary, I think the many instances of warmth and praise I’ve heard from the people in her area in upstate New York put any doubt to rest. Her success doesn’t surprise me at all.

I’m sure I could write down a hundred other memories, but for now I’ll leave it at the above list. Vanessa’s real legacy and memory will be the effect she had on her friends, family and everyone else she came into contact with in her young life. Her legacy will be her warmth and her kindness. The way her clearly apparent happiness seemed to be contagious. While I, with many others, mourn the premature loss of someone close to us, I also can’t help but take the time to be appreciative of the affection she radiated and remember to live out my life in a similar manner.

One thing’s for sure — we’ll miss you, Nessa.

Sounds Like Fun.

2011-05-05T16:14:00.000-07:00

We all have dreams, aspirations and delusions of grandeur (some, like me, more than others). As the face of journalism continues to change and online viral campaigns have swept the nation making mass coverage accessible for the everyman, I’ve become increasingly interested in entrepreneurial endeavors. Added to that, I’ve always been interested in a technology and the last two years have taught me a good amount of web design and programming.

With all that in hand, some waffling, a lifelong obsession with music and a huge amount of trial and error, this year I decided I would fulfill a goal to create my own publication: SOUND Online Magazine. Its contents are devoted to musical discovery — something, I think, that interests all of us (I closely followed the advice to create something you would want to have available yourself). Maybe the site will make money in the future or maybe it will just be a fun ride but, regardless, I’m working with a team of talented writers I’ve recruited the last few months and this magazine is one you’ll want to keep track of (if I do say so myself).

Check it out:
SOUND Online Music Magazine

The "Best Of" Chase.

2011-04-01T11:52:00.002-07:00

After surpassing the century mark in my various writing activities among a handful of publications, it's time once again to take a (self-indulgent) look back. I put "Best Of" in quotations not because it's a trademarked title, but because it's a relative term describing the quality of my articles. Without further ado, here are some of my personal favorites from the last year and a half.

DESERET NEWS

RHOMBUS ONLINE MAGAZINE

DAILY HERALD

THE DAILY UNIVERSE

MY LATEST SEMI-IMPORTANT, YET UNDENIABLY ENTERTAINING, PURSUITS

Chase’s Excellent Internship Adventure.

2011-03-10T12:53:00.002-07:00

My time at Deseret News thus far has been rife with intrigue, hard work and valuable learning experiences. Also, it's been filled with strange occurrences and off-the-wall sources. Today marked a particularly interesting situation.

Here's an e-mail I sent out to a fellow reporter in the midst of my story -- it's since been passed around at work:

So...very interesting, but morbid development today in the line of duty. I head up to the JSB [on BYU's campus] for the lecture to find a mere eight people in the auditorium, seemingly waiting to watch Mr. Daines [New York Department of Health Commissioner] talk about the intricacies of Public Health -- or so I thought. However, after the clock strikes 11:10 a.m., I begin to realize something is wrong that even Mormon Standard Time can't properly account for. Promptly, I Google'd the event to see if I had come at the wrong time or experienced a stroke. Just above the BYU calendar link lies about three articles, relaying the sudden, unexpected death of one Richard F. Daines at the very end of February. A few additional minutes of searching confirms it -- our potential speaker poised to assuage our shared inner-geek is no longer with us. Now I sit here with only a few stragglers in the dim auditorium, feeling grateful for my health (he still delivered a powerful posthumous message) and ready to pack up my recorder and camera.

An interesting albeit sad day, worthy of entry in my journalistic diary.

Hope your other lectures fare better today!

Chase

Time To Man Up.

2011-02-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

After some mild (to dangerously high) trepidation and a handful of painstakingly filled-out applications, I successfully landed a spot as an intern at Men's Journal magazine in New York this spring. And I'm ridiculously excited (I'll have to lower my expectations later after the newness wears off as to avoid any disappointment in the Big Apple). Not only will I contribute to the magazine's target subjects of travel, sports, technology, movies and celebrities, but the recently instated editor of MJ was the executive editor and music writer for Rolling Stone (both publications are owned by Wenner Media). I was told he wants to beef up MJ's culture/entertainment content and that my music knowledge could come in handy down the road -- maybe help me make some important contacts at the 'Stone and get to live out my dream job. We'll see. I'll be living over at Columbia University in Manhattan and taking the subway to work every day, from the end of April to mid-June. Another internship or the start of something special in my swiftly-approaching career? Only time will tell.

Sounding Off.

2011-01-05T21:38:00.003-07:00

I've always loved music (read: been obsessed), not only listening to it but performing and creating songs of my own. I've written some tunes in the past but never taken the time to record anything. Finally, this past summer while writing for the Daily Herald, I decided to whip out my ol' interview recording device and establish a self-indulgent MySpace page -- which probably never should have seen the light of day but I'm sharing it anyway. Below is my latest recording and you can go to myspace.com/chasemlarson for the entirety of my musical attempts.

The Future of Journalism.

2010-12-09T17:43:00.005-07:00

For my Media Effects class, I just concluded a fairly lengthy evaluation concerning the future of the journalism -- a topic I am very interested in (especially since it has to do with my hopeful vocation or homelessness). It may seem dry to some, but the topic affects us all -- whether we read the newspaper, have a smart phone or use social media. I think it's safe to say that covers just about all of us. Take a gander if you so desire and hear what the "best in the biz" have to say about where the media industry is headed. Click below.

The Future of Journalism (PDF)

Playing Catch-Up.

2010-11-16T01:15:00.002-07:00

I think I've finally come to the realization that I'll never be done with my perpetual "to do" list. There is no last hill to climb before a blissful, end-all paradise. And I'm content with that conclusion. The ride is the best part anyway. The most important thing is maintaining the balance. Now, well into the latter half of the semester, I'm finding (and making) more opportunities for me to write again. With school and my job as editor at the Universe, it's been nice to sit down and get the juices flowing again lately.

Below is my latest Rhombus Online Magazine post (which I spent many moons on) as well as a couple articles I did regarding election coverage for The Daily Universe:

Rhombus Online Magazine
MUSIC: 20 Important Songs You Should Hear

The Daily Universe
Students play vital part in nation's oldest student-run exit polls
A liberating evening for democrats

A Day In the Life of a News Editor.

2010-10-19T18:54:00.019-07:00

It's a typical Tuesday here in The Daily Universe newsroom. Here is my workspace. It's sort of like a cubicle but not quite. More like an designated open space area in the shape of a quasi-hexagon with Avatar-like lily pad light refractors hovering above me. My area has the makings of any typical place of labor — computer, telephone, newspapers, spider-embroidered hand towel, celebratory "party poppers" and a tri-fold piece of headwear with "Birfday Hat" enscribed on the side in magenta and lime green crayon. Home sweet home.

This is Parker. He's my co-editor on the campus desk. The contents of his workspace are far less arbitrary than mine, though his affinity for spotting wildlife outside the window, incredible punch-making abilities and desire to live for over a century provide more than adequate color commentary and excitement on this side of the newsroom. He — not Lassie — is man's best friend.

These are some of our reporters hard at work at the multitude of computers lining The Daily Universe newsroom walls. Even though everyone on our desk opted to study public relations in place of the ideal, utopian calling of a print journalist, we're most of the way through the forgiveness process and secretly think they're great anyway.

Here are the voyeuristic, oversized windows on the west side of the newsroom. Coincidental? I think not. Often, the appearance of deer, inclement weather or wandering students capture our attention and add that "je ne sais quois" that provides reporters with the profound sense of inspiration they need. Or maybe just satiates the innate curiosity and fly-on-the-wall nature of a journalist.

Just another day in the life of a mild-mannered news editor.

(All photos courtesy of my cell phone)

My Foray Into Photography.

2010-09-06T13:03:00.009-07:00

Horizons Broadened.

2010-09-02T15:01:00.004-07:00

It's been years in the making with painstaking efforts and crumbled plans. I think "The Road" (great novel I just finished) describes it best:

"Nights dark beyond darkness and the days more gray each one than what had gone before... Bedrock, this. The cold and the silence. The ashes of the late world carried on the bleak and temporal winds to and fro in the void. Carried forth and scattered and carried forth again. Everything uncoupled from its shoring. Unsupported in the ashen air. Sustained by a breath, trembling and brief. If only my heart were stone."

After all this metaphoric yearning and hardship, I finally did it. I ate at Jack In the Box. If you don't believe I accomplished such a feat, I'm one step ahead of you. See evidence below (photograph courtesy of Kerisa Shelton).

Man vs. Wild

2010-07-29T15:35:00.002-07:00

There's something about the male genetic makeup — some indiscernible facet not able to be scientifically identified — that causes us to, on occasion, risk life and limb to be...well...manly. I'm not talking about avoiding the sharp corners of a tortilla chip while scooping salsa and watching the latest NBA game, I'm talking a little more uninhibited. This past weekend I made the trek down to northern Arizona for a little R&R at our family reunion and subsequent jaunt over to Snowflake for the coveted Pioneer Day celebration. True to form, the rodeo called my name and as a highly unqualified city boy, I entered myself into the rodeo with my two cousins to compete in the grocery race. Our number was called and...well, I won't give away the rest — just watch and note the Avatar-like union between man and beast.

The Story So Far.

2010-06-29T01:56:00.009-07:00

Now about six months into my journalistic adventures, I feel it fitting to take a step back and review what I've done up to this point. Of the near 50 articles I've written thus far (and tweets well into the triple digits), some of my favorites are listed below from the various writing outlets I've explored. A few months down, a career to go.

Daily Herald

Rhombus Online Magazine

Daily Universe

Flipping Through My Future.

2010-06-21T14:44:00.007-07:00

So there I was perusing the local Border's Bookstore, listening to the acoustic folk sounds of All On Seven (check 'em out here or read my article about them here) and catching up on my favorite music mags when I came across this cover story on Paramore from SPIN Magazine. The author got to follow the band on tour for a few days and see the grind for himself. While opinions on the quality of the band vary (and fiery lead singer Hayley Williams wasn't pleased with some parts of the expose), the article was captivating, revealing and just good writing. If I were a dog, my tail would've been wagging. It reaffirmed in my mind that this is what I want to do for a living: tell peoples' stories—whether it's stripping down the fame-inflated or promoting the talented-but-less-than-privileged. Love a little bit o' inspiration every now and then. The aforementioned article can be found at your local magazine stand or online here where the first half can be read.

Band of Horses, "Infinite Arms"

2010-06-09T01:16:00.007-07:00

I've heard a lot of talk about Band of Horses the last few years, enjoyed a couple of their tracks and continued on my merry way. The group's newest release, however, "Infinite Arms," has solidified my position as a long-term, admiring fan. Playing sort of a folk/country brand of music with an unmistakable indie aesthetic, the band manages to sound simultaneously contemporary and antique—channeling a distinctly Western vibe, like laying out 'neath a desert sky (as the album cover would suggest, uh, kudos to the design team).

Stream "Infinite Arms" here, free of charge. I reckon you'll become a fan too.

Memorial Day Weekend In Pictures.

2010-06-01T16:07:00.003-07:00

What I'm Listening To...

2010-05-22T19:30:00.019-07:00

As is periodically expected, here is a playlist of my latest musical pursuits, in no particular order...or genre. Just a few tunes I'm diggin' on.

Spring Begins.

2010-05-06T16:39:00.017-07:00

The grass is green again, reflecting the sun's reestablished presence, ready and waiting for the inevitable constant company—wielding picnic blankets, frisbees and glasses of lemonade—to arrive. Flowers of endless shapes, colors and sizes bloom everywhere and the mountains look inviting, having freshly shaken off winter's last cold whisperings.

Finally, spring is in the air.

Along with nature's annual makeover, a peculiar change of outlook also accompanies this wonderful phenomenon. Positivity seems more accessible. New opportunities present themselves--or at least cast seemingly worn-out opportunities in a new light. A certain je ne sais quois ignites the serotonin in our brains. Romance blossoms. Barry White music is no longer scoffed at, but encouraged.

If you ask me, "spring resolutions" should replace "New Year's resolutions." As a result, the number of people able to accomplish their goals in the former would rise from roughly 11% to 63% (yes, the aforementioned statistics are made-up and arbitrary).

Something about the season also let's the "magic" of life more easily fill our minds. Warm nights looking at stars, appreciating the beauty of nature, valuing relationships and more.

I love the feeling of renewal, of a fresh outlook and the chance to re-prioritize while worrying less about the little things and feeling a little bolder in my pursuits, whatever they may be. Being able to let my hair down and be more open to whatever may come my way.

I'd ponder more on the wonders of springtime and its effects, but it's time to go lay out on the grass, sip on some lemonade and groove with Mr. White. Good luck in your revitalized endeavors.

Parlor Hawk, "Hoarse and Roaring"

2010-04-19T17:16:00.005-07:00

Listening to “Hoarse and Roaring” is like driving alone down a long, open road off into a sunset tinged landscape, leaving plenty of time to contemplate life’s hopes and struggles. Parlor Hawk’s distinct brand of Americana folk-rock permeates the effort with a tight sound featuring steadily strummed guitars, an achingly bluesy twang and frontman Drew Capener’s desperate vibrato on every track.

The band successfully creates a contemporary take on an antique sound with a salt of the earth vibe — but that’s not to say there’s anything ordinary about this music. The evenly-paced drum beats and clean harmonies are both intimate and personal in their everyman quality. The sound produced is at times melancholy but more often contemplative — simultaneously nostalgic and forward-looking. Utilizing instruments such as a pump organ and slide guitar, Parlor Hawk generates its vintage sound. The music and lyrics are unpretentious and fervent; simple yet rich and layered. Stylistic comparisons can be easily drawn to artists like Damien Rice, Ryan Adams or an early Wilco.

“Home,” the album’s opener, has a catchy chorus and sparse percussion with the duo of a bass drum and tambourine that eventually break into handclaps at the peak of the action. Capener careens in and out of the guitar riffs, channeling an old-timey, saloon feel as you envision an antique piano being played in the corner. Parlor Hawk’s country roots show through in “Every Bone,” a track laden with the twang of a steel guitar as the reluctant rhythm trudges forward with a message of love lost. “Julian,” the album’s most melancholy tune, well utilizes Capener’s wounded voice as he croons about faded love; “I’ll give you my canvas/Paint cracked and dry/Might lead you to question/But reason can’t ask reason why.” The album’s dream-like, “Lark,” is a swaying melody that plays like a bittersweet lullaby with the ethereal chorus floating in the night sky as Capener’s voice intertwines with the female harmony. The more upbeat “Flowers” contains a bluesy guitar hook and a steady, toe-tapping beat. “Saddest Song,” is a melancholy campfire sing-a-long, featuring only vocals and an acoustic guitar.

All in all, “Hoarse and Roaring” is an album that you’ll want to pick up and sing along with, no matter what mood you're in. Check out Parlor Hawk's MySpace page here and listen to some tracks.

Check out the official article at Rhombus Online Magazine

The Cycle.

2010-04-14T15:42:00.004-07:00

What a whirlwind. Like the tail end of a draining bathtub.

I know what happens from past experience, but every time I’m faced with a new challenge, I lose perspective all over again and have to re-learn what I formerly thought I was better for—that impossible challenges slowly turn to manageable experiences which become great ones and inevitably end too early and I’m left with a feeling of gratitude, wondering where the time went.

This past week has been somewhat of a proverbial blur: finishing up my last stories, celebrating my birthday, dealing with controversy in the newsroom (specifically on my desk) and now concluding a semester that would receive the superlatives of “hardest,” “most intense” and “most rewarding” all at once.

It’s my last day in the newsroom, and as I type this entry on a computer I’ll probably never walk by again in desperation to get another source for an impending story I have to do, I contemplate the past few months as well as my immediate future simultaneously. It’s really a mixed bag of emotions—fear, worry, hope, anxiety, confidence and an unexpected sense of sadness leaving my home for the last four months.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me—my editors (Spencer and Kaye), fellow reporters, professors, friends and family who have supported me and given me encouragement and anyone else who has aided me along the way. As hard as this has been, I’ve loved every second of it and am eager to take the next step in bridging the gap to a career and begin my internship for The Daily Herald this summer.

Goodbye Daily Universe. It’s been a good ride.

Where's Waldo?

2010-03-25T23:16:00.009-07:00

It all began last winter.

It started with a passing thought, developed into a full-fledged idea, became tangible when we scribed it on paper and settled in our minds as a finalized goal: to make a movie filled with mystery, intrigue and stripes.

Yes, a movie about Waldo.

However, through the complicated and ever-shifting characteristics of college life, our promising project was put on indefinite hiatus--until now that is. Using a film competition put on via our church ward as a catalyst, Waldo was finally able to come into fruition through our camera lens.

In odd, yet successful combination with two of my latest interests--1920's noir private eye flicks and "The Office"--our freshly finished project, "Where's Waldo: The Movie," contains elements from all three. I, of course, play the part of the detective (see nerdy shot of me attempting to spice up life in the newsroom below).

The movie follows the Scooby Doo-esque adventures of a band of college students attempting to find the elusive Waldo, all the while encountering a myriad of colorful characters of lore on their pursuit.

The movie was a blast to make. Hopefully the end result is just as entertaining. I give you "Where's Waldo: The Movie."

Watch part one here:

And part two here:

WARNING: Nerds May Seem Closer Than They Appear

2010-03-07T14:15:00.004-07:00

The night began as any other typical Saturday evening would in Provo. A sense of restlessness, a flurry of activity and socializing, a crowded University Ave.--oft making any vehicular travel frustrating--and the expectation of a good movie with friends.

This particular Saturday’s movie selection was the much talked about “Slumdog Millionaire,” a film offered through BYU’s international cinema program—one of the University’s hidden gems (or so I thought). Turns out the movie was quite well-known judging by the roughly 437.6 people standing in line, reproducing approximately the length of the LaVell Edwards football stadium. I seemed to have underestimated the attraction of Mormons to the “clean flicks” editions of good rated R movies. We were forced to re-strategize our night’s goals.

After strolling over to the Eyring Science Center and playing with the assortment of gadgets and science experiments strewn about the building’s main area, we had collapsed in a thin hallway where we were admiring a glass display of Russian nesting dolls along with the seemingly unfit placement of a zebra Beanie Baby named Ziggy.

Enter “Spencer”—real name omitted for his protection (not to protect his safety, but future dating opportunities). Donning a Star Trek shirt and a disarmingly large grin, he greeted us in the small corridor. After a bit o’ small talk, he offered to give us a tour of some of the facilities he has access to as a physics major, forebodingly known as “the basement.” We weren’t sure why he would offer such an opportunity, but intrigued we ventured into the depths of the science center.

Appearing like some secret lab out of a James Bond movie, the basement was very cool-looking—in a sterile, mad scientist sort of way. “Spencer” led us down to one of the larger rooms with a bright yellow sign attached to the doors, reading:

“Big Scary Laser: Do not look into beam with remaining eye.”

We all laughed at it (somewhat suspiciously, I might add), and slowly proceeded to enter the room. A quick scan of our surroundings told us that this place was every nerd’s paradise. There were some computers in one corner, others scattered about, lasers and other contraptions on lab tables, a pair of light sabers in a box near us and a ridiculously complicated-looking math equation taking up an entire white board.

Eagerly, our geeky tour guide showed us around, tossing out terms like “Strontium,” “inferatory” and “U.S.S. Enterprise” (Trekkie reference) as we explored. Admittedly the tour was pretty fascinating and our escort’s enthusiasm for his surroundings a little infectious. However, we began getting bored so we said our goodbyes.

We walked back to my car enlightened, worn-out and grateful that our Saturday nights usually consist of activities with other life forms above ground.

Thank you Spencer, wherever you are, for such a special evening.

The Graduate

2010-02-28T19:05:00.004-07:00

I’d heard a lot of buzz about “The Graduate”—especially after being featured in “(500) Days of Summer”—but didn’t know too much about it until I finally watched it this weekend. Though I don’t think the plot was quite fleshed out enough and the characters weren’t very sympathetic, the cinematography was impressive and the uncertainty of youth well-captured.

"The Graduate" follows Benjamin Braddock’s post-college quandary. Braddock (played by a young Dustin Hoffman) spends his time after graduation sort of stagnating, without a real direction, wondering why he just spent four years devoted to academics and trying to figure out what it means for him now (the mood well-represented by Simon & Garfunkel’s musically-inspired melancholia).

Though you don’t get much of a chance to get a feel for Hoffman’s idealistic character before getting thrust into the action, you do get a sense of his perplexity. He’s a good person who has done what he thought (and has been told) best but seemingly received nothing from it of value.

Though the ending appears to be happy on the surface, there’s no clear resolution (this is the part “(500) Days” comments on). After narrowly escaping a wedding precession, Braddock and the object of his affection, Elaine, board a bus and reflect on what the audience supposes is their future. At first, smiles abound but gradually fade into looks of neutrality and subtle uncertainty. They ponder: is there really a clear right choice and happy ending? Is this it?

If nothing else, the film also causes us to reexamine our own futures and the choices we’ve made that have led us up to this point in our lives. It makes us question our motivations and plans. What do we really want? What's not so important? Where do we want to devote our energy and time? What risks are worth taking?

Ultimately—and especially as a college student drawing nearer and nearer to graduation—I’m left with the importance of balancing the academic with the emotional; working hard to succeed in school to secure a stable future while doing my best to keep relationships and family atop my priority list. Trying to be flexible with a lot of inevitable uncertainty, but still reaching for the ideal.

Overall, “The Graduate” is worth a watch and hopefully causes you to have a well-placed introspection as well.

(Here’s one of the Simon & Garfunkel tunes predominant on the soundtrack.)

The Helio Sequence

2010-02-23T14:34:00.005-07:00

This past weekend I got the chance to head up to The Depot in Salt Lake for a concert put on by the City Weekly Music Awards, featuring a few local bands that were opening for The Helio Sequence--the real reason I attended. After a screaming, hard rock band named Bird Eater performed, redemption came in the form of the next act, a soulful rock group from Ogden named The Naked Eyes--sort of a Black Crowes meets Band of Skulls affair. Finally, after an overly long performance by a slow-paced Americana band and after being hit on by two intoxicated older ladies, The Helio Sequence took the stage. Really an amazing performance and the catalyst for the album review I wrote yesterday for the Universe. You can find the article here and listen to some choice THS tunes below.

A Valentine's Day-Induced Rant

2010-02-14T16:57:00.018-07:00

The more I live life and go about the day-to-day grind, I am reminded more and more of how happiness and genuine peace come through achieving a balance and "reading between the lines" in a sense. Life never just gives us answers — sometimes we think we receive them, but there’s really no tried-and-true formula. No simple way to get around it. No obvious “quick-fix.”

It’s about learning, discovery, trial and error, connecting-the-dots. Finding truth in the midst of life's seeming dissonance and trusting in personal constants. Discovering and holding to the things that make us truly happy.

To me, there are sort of two trains of thought regarding our path within existence. One is the somewhat mundane, realistic view we cling to which fulfills our expectations and doesn't disappoint. We know what's coming — and though it's not usually special — it's nice to know what lies ahead.

However, there's a second view that encompasses what I like to call the "magic" portion. The special moments. Moving music. A beautiful view. Quiet moments with a special someone. Something ethereal that is often hard to create or sustain. But every once in a while you attain it. A sense of transcendence and clarity.

Instead of being completely idealistic or completely realistic, I try to be a mixture. Find or create "magic" in the day-to-day. Drive somewhere random. Go on a walk. Do something with someone — I don't know. Be realistic yet allow room for and know that the hopelessly romantic moments in life will and do come. I try not to get too burrowed in the day to day crap. As Artistotle said, “Virtue is in the mean.”

I think this applies to relationships as well. Nietzsche said “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.”

To me, that’s the balance in love. Reconciling “madness” (the magic) with the reason (practicality) that gives birth to that madness. But often, even finding someone worth throwing caution to the wind for is difficult in itself — a sometimes seemingly hopeless pursuit.

For the longest time I couldn't find anyone I was really interested in. Opportunities arose, but they were never the ones I really wanted to pursue. I just started wondering if the vision of romance that I had in my mind was too utopian. That I was setting my standards too high.

I just feel like a lot of people "settle" in a sense. But I've learned that relationships, the one's you really cherish, don't come along very often just like anything in life. But they do come. And they're worth waiting for.

Love is hard. Relationships can be (and often are) confusing and difficult. Often the sublime portions are masked under struggle and frustration. It isn't always the fairytale we envision. We open ourselves up and risk showing someone who we are — lay it on the line — and chance getting hurt.

Like Leonard Cohen penned in his timeless "Hallelujah," Love is not a victory march/It's not somebody who's seen the light/It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah.

So why do people repeat this apparent irrational behavior? I think it's because when we find those truly great relationships — the one's that really matter — we get back everything we risked. It will still be hard, but then again it was never meant to be easy.

It's about being able to embrace personal differences and love the other person, despite whatever problems you might have.

It is here — in the "mean" — that we find enduring happiness.

For true enlightenment, listen to Cohen's aforementioned song below, sung by Jeff Buckley (in my opinion, the best rendition of the tune).

Reliving the 90's With An Old Classic...

2010-02-14T16:39:00.006-07:00

Katie Brandeburg and some other notables from the Provo music scene cover Lisa Loeb's "Stay." A great rendition with an assorted grouping of backing vocals and a swingin' beat (enhanced by some clapping from the vocalists at the peak of the action).

Music To My Ears: Blog Soundtrack

2010-02-12T17:31:00.006-07:00

Nine-to-Five Jobs Are Lame

2010-02-11T13:53:00.005-07:00

After a whirlwind journey into the world of journalism, I am finally a full-fledged reporter for The Daily Universe at BYU. I am currently on the A&E desk covering off-campus music and entertainment--pretty much my dream job. So far, so good. Here are some articles I've written now that I'm about halfway through my journalistic foray this semester:

Muse Music "Rockumentaries"-- universe.byu.edu/node/5055
Location Location -- universe.byu.edu/node/5192
Orion Music Festival -- universe.byu.edu/node/5234
Orion Reviews -- universe.byu.edu/node/5385
Sundance Film Festival -- universe.byu.edu/node/5432
Fictionist -- universe.byu.edu/node/5595
"Shock Doctrine" at Sundance -- universe.byu.edu/node/5657
Animal Collective's "ODDSAC" -- universe.byu.edu/node/5896
Mudbison -- universe.byu.edu/node/6027

A Few Reaction Papers From Pysch 101

2009-09-03T20:23:00.007-07:00

MEMORY
Memory is an organism's basic mental ability to store, keep and recall information. It can help us remember numbers, formulas, experiences and emotions. However, our memories are rarely objective. For people with a varying, daily spectrum of emotions and perspectives, the light in which a memory is cast is often affected by emotions. As we retrieve and recall past events, the psychological principles of “state-dependent memory” and “mood-congruency” come into play by demonstrating how memories are more easily recalled when linked with unique or highly emotional experiences.

Clearly defined, state-dependent memory is a phenomenon that increases our capacity to remember things we have learned in a certain emotional state when again in that state. Events in the past may have caused us to experience specific emotions that later can aid us in recalling their associated events. Whether we were content, depressed or nervous when the memory was captured, we can more easily recall the event when we are in that situation again.

In relation to this principle, our moods also bias our memories. Many of our memories are mood-congruent. According to the theory, we seem to associate good or bad events with their accompanying emotions which become retrieval clues (Fiedler & others, 2001). For example, being depressed taints memories and gives them negative association when later recalled. Inversely, if in a “buoyant mood, people recall the world through rose-colored glasses. They judge themselves competent and effective, other people benevolent, happy events more likely” (Schwarz, 1987). Yet, as the text book points out, in a good or bad mood, we persist in attributing to reality our own changing judgments and memories (Myers, 2005).

These principles of associated memories strike me as inherently true. While I’d like to believe that we can recall memories as they really were and not be affected by our own deeply-held feelings—both at the time the memory was made and the time recalled—I think more often they are biased. I’ve often noticed that people can experience a similar event and engage in similar activities, yet come away with differing perspectives afterwards. Stemming from a cumulative difference in attitudes and emotions, these individuals can have profoundly separate views. In this way of thinking, it becomes somewhat difficult to completely trust other peoples’ view points. Often I find myself taking advice or opinions with a grain of salt, always doubting to some degree the truth of what the person is telling me since it is tainted by their convictions and experiences. I think this practice is both healthy and detrimental. On one hand, I can more easily sift the truth from falsehoods by looking at the situation objectively and reasonably. On the other hand, however, I find myself unable to trust others as completely as I would like.

The way I want to try to be, and the people I find happiest, are those who seek to cultivate a positive attitude and view their experiences in life favorably. In doing so, I think it becomes not only easier to recall memories in a favorable light, but those memories contribute to our current happiness by reinforcing the paradigm that we’ve have chosen to strive for. I want my most remembered memories to be those that come from highly-emotional, positive experiences.

INTELLIGENCE
Throughout the history of psychology, there has been an ongoing battle regarding what truly defines intelligence and how it can accurately be measured. In the search for an accurate assessment of one’s intellectual capacity, psychologists have argued that intelligence is both one general ability as well as several specific abilities. As these definitions and theories continue to broaden, the principle of emotional intelligence has been included in the debate.

Emotional intelligence, first known as social intelligence, is an important facet of the intelligence debate to take into account (Cantor as cited in Myers, 2005). Distinct from academic intelligence, commonly classified as “book smarts,” emotional intelligence deals with the ability to “perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions” (Myers, 2005). This emotional understanding does not deal with numbers and logic as much as it does with a sense of social savvy and self-awareness.

Mayer, Salovey, and David Caruso (as cited in Myers, 2005) have developed a test to measure general emotional intelligence as well as its four parts—the ability to perceive emotions, to understand emotions, to manage emotions, and to use emotions to enable adaptive or creative thinking. In Germany and the United States, those scoring high on tests dealing with emotional management enjoy better relationships, are better able to read others’ emotions, and avoid anxiety and depression (Lopes as cited in Myers, 2005). People with a high amount of this type of intelligence often can more easily “delay gratification in pursuit of long-range rewards” (Myers, 2005). Though an individual may be academically smart, emotionally intelligent people often enjoy more marital and professional success.

I think that the inclusion of emotional intelligence into the spectrum of intelligence analysis is essential to accurately measure someone’s aptitude. Humans are inherently emotional and therefore it makes sense that including the measurement of this kind of intelligence is necessary. Though simple and basic social behaviors are noted and praised such as academic success, often it is the subtle, understanding responses that establish someone’s emotional intelligence in a given situation. In a social setting, I find myself drawn to those who “just get it,” or in other words have a high degree of emotional intelligence and can relate to me. As the studies pointed out in the book, people with a good amount of this type of intelligence are often successful in their marriages, relationships and even professions. I think there is need for a people who understand circumstances, people and relationships.

Another important trait of someone with high emotional intelligence I find important is a distinct sense of awareness, both for the individual and for others. I think having this attribute more easily allows you to meet peoples’ needs and to be able to carry yourself in a way that is respectful or needful. To me, the people I view as the most intelligent are those who can anticipate someone’s social needs and be able to “read them” in a sense. I’ve always valued being able to find out who a person truly is and then complement their personality by identifying what is most meaningful to them and playing to their strengths and interests. This ability is useful in a variety of situations as it enriches relationships and facilitates greater harmony.

Collegiate Mid-life Crisis

2009-04-01T09:32:00.011-07:00

I’ve noticed that as humans, we seem to create our own boundaries, our own ruts. We get in a groove and tie off our lives in a nice, little bow. After all, it’s easy. It’s safe. It’s comfortable.

This theory applies to relationships as well. Sometimes we think we know a person so well yet fail to recognize all of their inner complexities—the gray area within the black-and-white of the personality that we’ve affixed them.

That’s why I think it’s so refreshing to step back once in a while and regain perspective—whether that means retreating to an isolated place of reflection with a view or whether that means stepping out of ourselves and being spontaneous and carefree.

This is part of the reason why my best friend and I have begun planning out a 2,000 mile road trip amidst our collegiate midlife crisis. Luggage will be minimal. Our destination is both metaphorical and literal: the happiest place on earth. The one and only Disney World. More details sure to come.

Sunday Reflections

2009-03-30T01:34:00.003-07:00

Do you ever get that feeling that stems from a moment or experience that you wish you could hold on to for your entire life? A clear sense of who are you are or an undeniable realization of what’s really important to you, your ultimate goals down the road? I don’t know what it was today…just a regular Sunday, but as I now attempt to get work done for school I can’t help but ponder, contemplate, meditate—whatever you want to label it as—in a stream-of-consciousness fashion, the things I’m grateful for. It's a blessing to know that you can learn how to truly appreciate something while it's still around. I’m trying to bridge the gap between reality and my theoretic idea of true happiness, especially in regards to my future. I’m wondering how close I can come. I can imagine a dozen different paths to take in my professional life as well as important relationships that I don’t want to let go of. Do I have to compromise some of the things I care about or can I have it all? This is all a search for clarity I suppose. Maybe these questions aren’t supposed to be answered in an instant, but, rather through a culmination of big events and small moments, through different people and defining experiences—the daily trappings of life. I know God knows what’s down the road and hopefully I can catch that vision. I’m just holding on for the ride.

Trip To Snowbird

2009-02-26T19:42:00.015-07:00

It was an unusually warm morning at the base of the mountain and the sun was beaming. Upon inspection, there were few, if any, signs of wind, ice or long lift lines to be found. The sprawling mountains were set majestically against the blue hue of the sky, and the skiers seemed to bustle with urgency to take advantage of such a utopian day.

It was mid-morning, about 10:30 a.m., and after picking my dad up from the Salt Lake City airport, we headed out for our coveted, annual ski excursion. Our destination, Snowbird Ski Resort, is nestled in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, roughly 11 miles east of Sandy, UT. Finally, we arrived at our destination and began a memorable day that any avid skier would be envious of.

“You guys got lucky,” Carly, a Snowbird lift supervisor, said. “The lift lines are usually much longer, almost as far back as the lodge.”

Snowbird is a challenging resort and this difficulty derives from its large number of black diamond ski runs, attempted primarily by experts. I was most impressed by the variety of terrain and expansive views the mountain had to offer, however.

The favorite section of the mountain for most of the patrons seemed to be Hidden Peak, which fed into some of our favorite runs, “Regulator Johnson” and “Election.” The peak, which is the highest point at Snowbird and measured at 11,000 ft. according to the trail map, offers a wide view of the Gad Valley as well as the Salt Lake valley in the distance.

On one of rides back up the mountain on the “Mid-Gad” lift, we spoke to some fellow skiers who had a distinctly laid-back, western feel about them. We talked about the resort, wallyball, and life in general. Their demeanor seemed to perfectly capture the feeling of being on the mountain that day.

According to the ski resort’s website, Snowbird opened in December of 1971 with three lifts, the Tram, the Lodge at Snowbird and the Snowbird Center. Snowbird is considered prestigious as far as ski resorts go. It has been consistently ranked as the second best resort in North America, being runner-up to the famed Whistler Blackcomb resort in Canada, according to SKI Magazine.

“This was pretty much a perfect day for skiing,” my dad concluded.

I couldn’t help but agree.

Bridging the Gap Between Cultures

2009-02-23T16:44:00.004-07:00

The city is large and shaped like a giant crater, set 12,000 ft. above sea level. The outer edge holds the poorer section of the city’s population, while the wealthier communities with 15th century Spanish houses and high-rise buildings are in the center, like the nucleus of a living cell.

It was 7:30 a.m. in La Paz, Bolivia and Vanessa Rada was just waking up. She got up, got dressed, and after her usual breakfast of hot chocolate she headed out for Universidad de Mayor San Andres, the local state college she attended with roughly the same student population as BYU.

Rada was studying music and had been playing the clarinet for years. She settled into a seat in one of her typical classes with over a hundred people in attendance and began to listen, while she contemplated the fun weekend of salsa dancing she would have.

It was just another day in the life of Vanessa Rada. Until the day she began her journey that would eventually land her on American soil at BYU.

“Going to BYU has been a dream of mine for a long time, even before there was a possibility of coming,” Rada said. “I wrote a letter to a music teacher at BYU three years before I even applied.”

Despite the desire of Rada and her sister to attend BYU, they didn’t have the money necessary to seize such an opportunity. Then, things in La Paz began to get worse.

Though La Paz is not the capital of Bolivia, Rada said that most major political decisions take place there. This being the case, there were constant riots and political unrest near where she lived and her parents began to worry about the safety and future of their daughters. Then Rada’s parents got divorced and added to her concern.

However, once the decision was made to send Rada and her sister to America, things seemed to fall into place for the family.

“God opened the doors wide for us,” Rada said. “My parents stopped fighting for a while and we got approved for a visa and bought affordable airplane tickets the day we got accepted into BYU.”

After attending BYU-Hawaii in a language immersion program for 6 months, Rada finally arrived in Provo in the summer of 2007.

Rada said that she has had an interest in different cultures and languages for many years. In Bolivia, Rada learned Hebrew, studied Jewish history, knows some Mongolian, Mandarin, Korean, and understands a lot of Portuguese. However, even her experience with other cultures didn’t completely prepare her for the transition to America.

“The hardest thing for me about the move was the culture shock being in Hawaii and Utah,” Rada said. “I didn’t realize how poor my country was until I got there. It was sad seeing people waste so much food while people in my country are starving.” Rada called it a “cultural contradiction.”

Rada also identified additional cultural differences between Bolivia and the United States. She explained that the community she is familiar with is close-knit.

“Everyone knows each other in Latin communities,” she said.

She described the individual nature of people in Provo as “separate and divided.” Despite these differences in culture, Rada is thankful for her chance to attend BYU.

“BYU is everything I thought it would be,” she said. “I have no regrets and I’m very grateful to be here. God has given me this chance to grow to the best of my potential--something I couldn’t do at home. Even though I can’t see my family and friends, this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Rada hopes to graduate with a degree in musical instruction and later apply for a master’s degree in art management.

Discussing her plans for the future, Rada said, “I’d like to be married, keep working on the things that I love, and be able to share my Bolivian traditions and culture with my husband and family.
“People express love in different ways, but we’re really the same. We value our families, we value our friends, and we like to eat,” she said with a laugh.

It’s 10:30 p.m. in Provo, Utah and Vanessa Rada is preparing for another day at BYU.

My Obituary

2009-02-19T10:57:00.004-07:00

Chase Larson, 21, dies of elation

Chase Larson, a deceivingly perceptive college student known for his long reputed search for enduring happiness, died in Provo on Saturday from complications of experiencing too much bliss and content within his life this weekend. He was 21 years old.

His death came in the wake of so much potential. He finally was recognized as coming into his own after choosing a major and finding a girlfriend. In ironic sadness, the search for euphoria and fulfillment ended late Saturday as his life was cut tragically short on the eve of Valentine’s Day. It can be said with conviction, however, that he “died happy.”

Seemingly soft-spoken and indifferent, Larson never looked the part of an assertive and quick-witted character. Beneath this façade of demureness, Larson enjoyed spending time with friends, playing sports, and had an irrevocable infatuation with music of all flavors. He also always clung to a firm belief in God, and tried to live his life in an according manner.

He was born in Palo Alto, CA on April 9, 1987, but spent most of his life split between Scottsdale, AZ and the Washington, D.C. area. He graduated from Desert Mountain High School in 2005 and was enrolled in his junior year at Brigham Young University at the time of his death.He is survived by his parents, Mark and Melanie Larson, as well as his brothers, Geoffrey and Grey who reside in Scottsdale, AZ.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Muse Music, the local music club in Provo, Utah, on Feb. 21 where friends and family can come to pay their respects while enjoying his favorite art form.

A Wordsworthian Composition

2009-02-18T11:06:00.001-07:00

Lines Composed a Few Miles below BYU

1
Amid the bedlam of the city;
The street lamps, passing car lights, and buildings strewn about,
Stretches the vastness of God’s creations.
Above the hum of restless murmurs and bustling urgency
Transcendent of our current sphere,
Seemingly ephemeral and far from here
Lies the door to infinity.
Numberless angelic musicians strike the chords of their creation,
Staccato stars above,
The flowing melody of ancient streams,
A swaying flower’s fluttering waltz
All alluring and familiar, like an old refrain
Sing together in a celestial symphony
That carries into the boundless expanse of our Master’s dominion.
Oh sweet bliss! Fleeting memories of simplicity and peace abound,
Yet now I search and search and not a sound;
Will my former joy again be found?
How trivial we seem in the midst of such grandeur,
Yet in comparison
Find wisdom, and strength
Through God’s evident concern.
Through chilling frosts of cold in December
Comes the warming thought of a May since past,
And through this notion lights an ember
Where fear and weakness melt away at last.

A Memorable Night of Music

2009-02-18T10:36:00.007-07:00

A few months ago I had the chance to go to a Kalai & Benton Paul concert over at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. Aside from the night's magic spell that was cast from the simple facts that: A) I was on a exceptionally romantic date, and B) the Autumn air was crisp and was perfectly complimented with a free cup o' hot chocolate, there was a certain je ne sais quoi about the concert's main act. Kalai, a Hawaiian born singer-songwriter, has a sound that's a melting pot of genres, past and present. Picture a mix between Ben Harper, John Mayer, James Taylor, and Bob Marley and you'll start to get an idea of his particular brand of sound. He ranges from acoustic guitar ballads, to blues, to jazz, to an assortment of reggae-inspired compositions, all the while soaring through fast-paced guitar solos and belting out the chorus in falsetto. He's released five CD's thus far. My current favorites include Acoustacism (mostly romantic acoustic ballads), Crows Feet (a good display of his range of styles and a little more upbeat), and his latest album A Pauper's Hymnal (a bluesy, folksy take on some popular hymns).

Check out Kalai here:
http://www.myspace.com/kalai