So a couple weeks ago I went to Baltimore for a conference. My sister lives in Washington, D.C., a mere 45 minutes from Baltimore, so of course I went a few days early to go sightseeing. I went to D.C. once when I was thirteen, so I was excited for another opportunity.
My older brother also went, and together the three of us had two days of sightseeing.
So, first on our stop was the Washington, D.C. temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have never seen a more majestic building. I’d seen it in photos, but nothing compares to seeing it firsthand.
Breathtaking…
Beautiful and powerful…
I was trying to think of the word that best describes this edifice, and I decided that MAJESTIC was the best word. If you ever get a chance to see this building in person, take it. It is well worth it.
After our trip to the Washinton, D.C. temple, we headed over to the Marine Corp Museum. As you can see from the image below, my older brother was in the Marines (as well as the Army and Air Force).
Inside I got to wear a sample 120 pound backpack (what our soldiers wear, without a weapon or body armor… it was heavy). Sorry the image is blurry – my sister doesn’t know how to take pictures with my camera lol
At the end of the tour, I found the part that hit me the most… I was in the Dominican Republic when it happened, but I still felt the shock of it.
I almost cried as I stood there looking at the memorabilia from that day: photographs, items found in the debris, and newspaper clippings telling the story of my nation’s dark day.
Part of me is sad I was not here in America to feel what everyone else felt; to see the patriotism; to feel the unity of the nation I love. I hope a day like this never happens again.
After the Marine Corp Museum we went to the Capitol Mall (where all of the monuments are). We saw the Washington Monument and then the Capitol building (I couldn’t help it… I had to take the next photo. It’s me holding up the Capitol Building!).
Then we drove by the Supreme Court and visited the Lincoln Memorial.
After that we went to the Vietnam Memorial (it was cool seeing it at night, but unfortunately none of my photos turned out). And our final stop on our 1st Day was the Jefferson Memorial. We were dead tired by the time we got there, but it was my favorite site of the day, with the exception of the Washington, D.C. temple. It stood all alone away from the other monuments, yet the structure itself was beautiful. I didn’t get a good picture of Jefferson or the outside of the building, but I did manage to sneak in the following picture of myself…
My next post will conclude my photographic trip through Washington D.C. We got to see one of my favorite monuments, and I had no idea it was so huge. Tune in tomorrow (or possibly the next day…) for Day 2 of my trip
I decided that I wanted to highlight my debut album and remind everyone that I am a musician (just in case you forgot lol ).
I released my album “When We Started” in June of 2008. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to it, please hop on over to iTunes or MySpace.
All of the songs on the album are original music written by yours truly. They are also fully produced (with a full band). I was lucky to work with Jake Joyner, Jordan Kester, Paul Bates, and Ryan Lindow in the recording and arranging of the songs on the album. They are all great musicians in their own right, and it was great to work with them.
From Left: Paul Bates, Jon Pinney, Jordan Kester, Jake Joyner at Harlow's July 2008
As always, I am deeply moved whenever I am reminded of the sacrifices made for me and my freedoms. I would never ask for anyone to give up their life for mine, and so I am grateful for those who have and for those who were willing. This video is more than just touching. It is beautiful. Thank you to all of those who have sacrificed for my freedoms.
(You can watch it here, but it will be bigger if you watch it directly on YouTube)
So yesterday was indeed my birthday. Thank you to everyone who helped make it special by sending me birthday wishes on Facebook, via text, over the phone, in person, or in your heart. I could feel it all and it helped me have a wonderful day.
Also, special thanks to Julie for putting together the dinner and movie plans: California Pizza Kitchen (yum) and Inception (great movie).
Overall, it was an awesome day.
This was me in the morning… (sorry I look so sad and/or mean lol… I didn’t feel that way).
My 2010 Birthday Morning
And as a birthday bonus to you… this is a funny spoof on the Old Spice commercials from my Alma Mater. Thanks to Lyle for sending it my way…
Has anyone else noticed how guilt-ridden our world is these days?
Guilt seems to be one of the top driving forces. I want you to do something, so I guilt you into doing it. You feel guilty, so you do it, even though you’d rather not.
What a pathetic and pitiful way to live–for both the guilter and the guilty.
The worst part is that so many of us don’t realize it’s happening, but know something is not right when it does.
Well, I finally realized something about myself. I don’t think working out is fun.
In fact, I’ve found that keeping a consistent workout schedule is hard, especially if I don’t change it up a lot. (I get bored) In the last 10 months I’ve changed my workout schedule almost once a month.
Most recently it was P90X… super good workouts, but super boring, especially when done by myself.
So, I’m trying to find something that’s fun and a workout. My newest idea: Kung Fu.
This week I covered Closer by Ne-Yo. I used to hear this song on the radio and I was never sure who sang it but I always loved it. So, I have decided to do my own acoustic version. I hope you enjoy
This week I decided to cover Mad World by Gary Jules and Adam Lambert. This song was originally written and performed by Tears for Fears, and has since been covered by Gary Jules (on the Donnie Darko soundtrack) and Adam Lambert (on American Idol). Here I give you my acoustic version.
Mad World
Written by Roland Orzabal
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces
Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to takeWhen people run in circles it’s a very, very
Mad World, Mad world
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And I feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen, sit and listen
Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me, no one knew me
Hello teacher tell me what’s my lesson
Look right through me, look right through me
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it’s a very, very
Mad World
Mad World
This week I covered a song by George Michael called Careless Whisper. (I actually never knew that was its name till this week… I always referred to it as Never Gonna Dance Again). Either way, this song has one of the most memorable saxophone riffs in history, and was super successful. I read this week that it went #1 in 25 different countries. It is an excellent song. I hope you enjoy my version of it.
Careless Whisper
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley
I feel so unsure as I take your hand and lead you to the dance floor.
As the music dies something in your eyes
Calls to mind a silver screen and all its sad goodbyes.
Chorus
I’m never gonna dance again
guilty feet have got no rhythm
Though it’s easy to pretend
I know you’re not a fool.
I should have known better than to cheat a friend
And waste the chance that I’d been given.
So I’m never gonna dance again
the way I danced with you.
Time can never mend the careless whispers of a good friend.
To the heart and mind ignorance is kind.
There’s no comfort in the truth, pain is all you’ll find.
Chorus
Tonight the music seems so loud
I wish that we could lose this crowd.
Maybe it’s better this way
We’d hurt each other with the things we want to say.
We could have been so good together
We could have lived this dance forever
But now who’s gonna dance with me? – Please stay.
Chorus
No dance
no dance
no dance
you’re gone – no dance
you’re gone.
This matter is so wrong
so wrong
that you had lo leave me alone.