Wasatch Trail Running

Currently in SEO class at BU, we have been given the task to create our own site and optomize it for SEO. I've created wasatchtrailrunning.com as a place for others to find information on trail running in Utah.

I'm a novice in the sport (and at creating site) but wanted to create a site on a hobby as I thought it would keep my interest more.

The site is continually being updated with new content as I have time. Please check it out if you have the chance.

Thanks!

Some of my classmates have asked that I put up more photos on my blog so here we go!

Hiking with the fam

Eating my fill of treats in Japan

Hiking in the High Uintah's

Hello BU ECommerce Classmates

Upon logging into Blogger, I found that I already had a blog! So hopefully this is not cheating but I will add to this one. Long forgotten, my last post was clear back in December of 2007 and much has happened since then. New job, one more kid (that makes two total) and now am on my third class pursuing a Master's Degree from BU!

I currently live in Utah, am married and have two sons, two and four years old. It's spring time and is slowly getting warmer with longer days too. We enjoy being in the outdoors and are looking forward to new adventures this summer. This is my third class in the MET program and have found the prior two courses challenging and very helpful in my current job working as a financial analyst for a mid-size health and wellness company.

I look forward in getting to know everyone and wish each of you the very best!

Best Albums of 2007

What a great year for music, even if the number one album for 2007 was an American Idol contestant; showing that musical talent apparently has a direct correlation with record sales. But those willing enough to to take time to look, 2007 was an incredible year.

Here is what I enjoyed the most over the year. No American Idols allowed......

I know some of these styles can be difficult to listen to but give them a chance you may be surprised and be sure to take the time to listen.

#10 LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver

What a great dance dance record! These guys toured with Arcade Fire this year and were great to see live. Fantastic band with a great energy around them. They have the rare ability to take complex dance beats and mix those with indie pop that turn out to make outstanding records. Please give them a listen.

#9 The National Boxer

This band is a diamond in the rough. Behind the rustic vocals and simple guitar are great lyrics and simple pulsating beats that will have your foot tapping the entire time. If you haven't checked out their third album, Alligator you ought to. I like the songwriting on that one a lot more; however Boxer is really growing on me.

#8 Spoon Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

If you aren't already listening to this band you should be. They have a great talent for writing music that is more than easy to listen to but at the same time still try new styles. This has quickly become one of my favorite Spoon albums and with each album they keep on getting better and better.

#7 Interpol Our Love to Admire

Pioneer to the Falls wins the best opening track on any album this year in my book. Fans will instantly recognize the return to Turn On the Bright Lights sounds with uniquely tuned guitars and haunting vocals, an addicting sound that continues to win critical acclaim.

I was fortunate enough to see these guys live and they are a delight!

#6 Beirut The Flying Club Cup

Great vocal style, great use of melody and great overall feel, Beirut does a wonderful job this time and every time around. What makes this album really stand out are the vocals which compliment the melodies extremely well. Brilliant and beautiful tracks are all over. From Nantes to The Penalty, the well-written songs show the range of this amazing, unique artist.

#5 Bloc Party Weekend in the City

Bloc Party does it again with another great album this year. Although on the first couple of listens I didn't find Weekend in the City as enjoyable as Silent Alarm because of the different style but on repeated listens I found myself listening more and more throughout the year.

This is a truly great, young, talented band that is not afraid to take chances. I applaud them for the difference in style on this record. Few bands have the maturity and talent to pull that off.

#4 Battles Mirrored

The first time I heard Battles admittedly I couldn't stand the sound. But on more listens you realize how dynamic this band is. The best way I can describe the music is simple: Battles will turn everything you know about music upside down then rearrange it in such a way that will blow your mind. Appropriately named bionic rock, give battles some time and you'll learn what makes them special.

They make amazing videos as well.

#3 Arcade Fire Neon Bible

I was fortunate enough to see this band earlier this year and I must say it was an incredible show! (Watch the video.) Truly an incredibly talented group with lots of energy that is carried in their sound. During the concert I was amazed to see how many times members would switch between different instruments and play them extremely well.

Arcade Fire follows through on this sophomore album after their critically acclaimed debut Funeral. What surprised me most about this album was how much it grew on me. After every listen I caught something new that I hadn't heard before. No Cars Go and Windowstill are great tracks.

#2 Radiohead In Rainbows

Probably the biggest surprise of the year, Radiohead released In Rainbows over the internet for digital download showing their label that they can still do what they want, when they want. We are Radiohead, do not mess with us. Better yet, you had the option of paying whatever price you thought was fair. Pretty neat idea and it worked out well. The 'free' download was for a limited time but don't worry, if you missed out you can now pick the album up in stores.

Many of the tracks reminded me of Kid A, with classic Radiohead electronic beats and the chilling voice of Thom Yorke, the album is sure to please many.

#1 Okkervil River The Stage Names

I found this album more than any other this year to be the most consistent throughout. Amazing vocals, lyrics, and music that will keep you rocking all day, Okkervil River give an outstanding performance. Looks like Conan thinks so too. So many times I kept on picking up my iPod just to listen to tracks from this record. Instant gratification. How can you not like these guys?

On first listen the first three songs grabbed my attention instantly and have quickly become some of my most loved tracks of the year. Do not overlook this album....keep it up guys!

Stuff worth checking out:

The White Stripes

Liars

Sigur Ros DVD: Some of the most beautiful cinematography and music you will see on DVD. If you have ANY interest in this band, you ought it to yourself to see this. It does not disappoint.

Shout Out Louds

Sigur Ros Hvarf/Heim: They were busy this year. They also released a two disc album with acoustic and new recorded tracks. A very welcome record for the year that includes a new favorite Sigur Ros track of mine, Hljomiland (...and no I do not know what that means nor do I care, the song is great!).

What's The Frequency Kenneth??

I like to think of myself as someone who appreciates music for what it is. I have a specifc taste that I've devloped over the years and am able to confidently say what I like and what I don't like.

I really enjoy driving to and from work. Thanks to Apple, I can carry some of my favorite music and listen over the car radio by cassette tape. Yes, old school I know but hey, it keeps me happy. By the time I get to work I'm happy and when I get home the stress from the work day has left.

Often, I'll take the company car from the office in Springivlle to go to our manufacturing facilities in Salem. Most of the time, I'll have a CD at my desk that I take with me and pop it in for the ride but today no CD's on the desk--darn! On the way over to Salem I decide to turn on the radio. There has to be something that I like on, right? Wrong, dead wrong. It's been a good while since I've listened to the radio and what suprised me the most was not matter what station I turned to they all touted, "New music coming your way", "the best hits of the today", etc. I wasn't impressed at all.

Just about every station I listened to had the exact same playlist: Greenday, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, REM. Same stuff. No variety whatsoever. I thought to myself, "These are the exact same songs that were on the radio when I used to listen religously five years ago!!" Wow. Just wow.

I don't mean to offend anybody but honestly, how can anyone enjoy the radio anymore? Same stuff all the time, recycling years and YEARS of the same stuff. Thankfully, when I got to back to the office in Springivlle I whipped out my trusty iBook, plugged in the headphones and turned up The Knife, Cat Power, The Wrens and much more. Never have they sounded so good! It was as if I came home and was greeted by good friends.

Greatfully, I have a good friend that opened my eyes and helped me see that great music exists. I'd like to take a moment and thank him publicly. Thanks man! You know who you are.

Happy New Year

For any of you that did not receive a Christmas Card from the Simmons family, we're sorry. We can't believe at how many friends and family that we do have. So, to share with everyone, here are the pics that we had taken last month. These were taken by a good friend of mine, Deven, who loves taking photos.

Happy Birthday!!

I've been meaning to post this for awhile now but have not yet set aside enough time to do it.

Being a parent now, I realize how fast time goes. It's crazy. Once you get on the parenting train it seems like everything is just a time warp. Everything else in your life gets sucked away it seems and all your attention becomes focused on your kids. Wow, our little guy is one year old! It really does go by fast.

We had a little birhtday bash here out our place. Edward didn't know what to think at first with all the people crammed in our little place but once we started to sing 'Happy Birthday' he realized all attention was focused on him and he did't even mind. He caught onto opening presents fairly quickly.