My Top 10 Events of 2009

So I decided to list all the important events in my life that occured this year. There were more than 10 but these ones held the most weight when it came to lessons learned and dreams fulfilled. I think overall this year, the biggest lesson I learned for future goals and experiences is "Count your blessings, forget yourself and go to work. and keep smiling."

I've had a few heartbreaks, a few flights around the world, a move to a new state, and a spiritiual feeling that I have missed for more than 3 years of my life. All these experiences have come from a transition from being safe, comfortable in Idaho to facing the real-world of Menifee/Escondido, to facing even more realitie of life in Gilbert, Arizona. I needed to be here in Arizona for many reasons that I am still realizing how the hand of trhe Lord has been in my time here. It is evident in the people I have gained closer relationships with and the experiences I have had.

I have made some best friends out here that I know the Lord aligned me with or rather we knew each other before this life. Dancing has been the main reason our friendships and relationships have grown and the Gospel has been the way for us to grow closer. I am so energized for 2010 it's ridiculous. I have so much I want too accomplish and pursue this next year! I think this will really determine my path for the next 2 or 3 years.

Here is my 2009 List:

10. Working for my brother Craig/Career Job at Univeristy of Phoenix:

Working for my brother doing property preservation taught me so much work ethic. To that point I had a decent work ethic but hadn't held too many jobs for more than a year. Given, I had been attending school for 4 years, I just went from job to job after school. I had to wake up every morning early and work until sunset doing physical work for these foreclosed houses. I learned alot about real estate and came to love the in's and out's of property preservation.

When I took my life to Phoenix, my buddy Lance Thorson hooked me up big time with an interview as an Enrollment Counselor for Axia College. I got the job and was uber stoked to work for such a great organization and school. My manager was the coolest guy when I went into the interview and the team was solid! I was ready to put my best foot forward! That manager ended up going to another company and my new manager and friend, Mike Davidson, came to the rescue. Davidson really is the man! He just knows how to make your weaknesses strengths and find the best in each individual on the team, while making the team work together.

I have gained so many great friendships that will last forever at this job. I also have the opportunity to work on my MBA in Small Business Management, which I am currently looking at Spring 2011. Haha I just think of people like Halston, Taylor, or Travis such funny guys and witty as well. Then theres caring people such as Sheila, Sarah, Yvonne, Brittany, Alesha and Natasha. Just know its where I need to be at this time!

9. Year of The Heartbreak:

Can I just start by saying something? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ok thank you! I mean really getting my heart broken more than once. Part of the reason my move to Arizona was kind of sudden was getting over Amy and just moving on in my life. It was weird to start the year off the way I did! I had a sense she was going a different direction but I didn't want to face what was to come! She did a number on me in good and bad ways! I'm not saying anything against her at all because if she didn't feel like she was ready for a relationship then I respect that. It took a lot of tears, hard work, good friends, prayer, fasting, and a move to another state to just move on.

There is so much I learned from that situation about what I wanted in a woman and what I needed to correct in my life to prepare me for whoever I am to marry. I was finally able to find closure with her in September back in Rexburg. That was the first time I had talked to her in months or even seen her. She was much different from the Amy I had known. Felt like I had grown and moved forward, even though at times I miss the care she had for me. It was real, that much I know to be true. She was the first real relationship I had experienced ever! It was nice to receive the same came and respect from the opposite sex because I try to go above and beyond for those that I want to be with. Simple things from her were sending me a text to see how I was and just the way she helped me with all my events, cares, happiness. It just made me appreciate when someone is really there for you. I really wanted to be there for others thanks to her love and inspiration.

There was one in Arizona that had me so caught up on her, but she had so many different guys after her our relationship would have only been a "musical" haha. Not my words but hers. haha

Haven't really found the dating scene to be all that great in Arizona.

The last heartbreak really wasn't that bad! I mean I got to go to London, had some great times, but I guess it isn't right when you travel half way around the world to see your girl and then she basically breaks up with you an hour off the plane! Cheers! haha.

I'm ready to move forward with 2010, no regrets, no holding back, I'm ready to let whatever happens happen! Keep smiling! thats always my motto! thanks to jacob rosen

8. Met Nate from The Format/fun. :

This was actually a way cool experience because when I showed up to the venue to get my ticket it was sold out. So I checked the line for extra tickets but no one had any. When I went around the back alley, which behind the Clubhouse in Tempe is just another back alley for a shopping mall, I noticed there were 2 other fans hanging out in the back. They said they had just met Nate and he was in the back by the bus. They didnt have tickets either! So we saw him walking up to his van, I decided I had something to give him. I had a mickey mouse sweatshirt that I wanted to give him, which was a dope sweatshirt. When I saw him I said, "I know your love for Mickey Mouse, and Ive wanted to give you this in thanks for the inspiration your music has given me and how its got me through a lot of situations." He said thanks and asked if we were going to the show! I said we didn't have tickets cause it was sold out. After he kept saying I can only get one or two in, he said your on my list for +3 which was innnnsssannneeee! He was so nice and humble! the guy is just awesome.

7-4 COMING SOON! THEN 3-1 AFTER THAT

My Top Songs & Albums of 2009

So I had to decide exactly what albums/songs influenced me the most this year. All albums/songs of 2009 are in the year 2009. So we will start with the songs. There may be some repetitive answers to my albums and songs.

Songs:
10. Ryan Leslie - You're Not My Girl - Thanks to Travis May for getting me into Ryan Leslie because I have put his albums on repeat. This song is replacing JT's "Sexy Ladies" because I'm not too happy with JT right now. Y.N.M.G. has that funky guitar, with that southern synthesized organ/piano, some good background hi hat drums, a dope bass guitar that rides the beat like a summer day, and the concept of the song is different.

9. Jason Aldean - Truth - I am just loving this song lately! That country twang guitar and country fiddle with that sand in a seashell swooshy sound (yeah pretty terrible description right). I think every one can relate to this song with some break up and you have friends who surround that other person. "Just don't tell them I've gone crazy...Just don't tell 'em all the truth." Aldean is pure songwriting genius.

8. fun. - All The Pretty Girls (On A Saturday Night) - !!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats all I need to say. Check one of my earlier notes.

7. Miley Cyrus - Party In The USA - Yes I love this song! Ok so I hate Lady Gaga because shes nasty and her music just is terrible. But Miley Cyrus caught me nodding my head and shakin my hips. It's such a happy positive song! Come on - you love it!

6. Tim McGraw - Southern Voice - The song is exactly what country is! I'm glad Timmy brought it back hard with this song! Which the album is really awesome. But you mix a song that includes Michael Jordan, Jack Daniels, Billy Grahm, and Number 3 drove it! Really simple in terms of musicality, but the lyrics take you for a ride through the Southern States!

5. Keith Urban - Kiss A Girl - This song is exactly what I needed to get over a crazy break up! "She broke my heart/Broke it right in two/ And it took some time/But I'm feeling like/I'm ready to/ Find, find somebody new/ I wanna Kiss a girl/I wanna hold her tight." Album will be in top 10 for 2009. This song brings memories of moving here to Arizona and sneaking backstage at Keith Urban's concert here in Phoenix. haha

4. Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be - This song just drives me to dance! It's got hits for days in the track. BEP really brought it hard with this album. All the haters will say they ain't hip-hop anymore, but I don't care I love a good sound and something to get down too and this is it!

3. fun. - Light A Roman Candle - I don't think there is any song that could settle me and make me smile as much as this one. Seriously, fun. hit this one out of the ballpark! There is so much to be said but you just need to listen to the song.

2. Jamey Johnson - In Color - I really the love craft of songwriting and the concepts that make a song really grab you. Well Jamey Johnson could sing about something ridicuously stupid, sad, or childish and I think you would accept it as gold! In Color is just one of those songs everyone can relate to. Love this song.

drumm roollll

1. fun. - The Gambler - I cry everytime I hear this song. No really I do! Nate Ruess now sits next to Ben Folds in terms of songwriting ability for that sweet love song. The Gambler is all about Nate's parents and the blossoming of a love and a family. The end of the song says, "I will set the table/And you can make the fire." Just beautiful!

Top Albums
10. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
9. k-os - Yes!
8. Brad Paisley - American Saturday Night
7. Flo-Rida - R.O.O.T.S.
6. Ryan Leslie - Transition
5. Forever The Sickest Kids - Underdog Alma Mater
4. John Mayer - Battle Studies
3. Black Eyed Peas - The E..N.D.
2. Keith Urban - Defying Gravity
1. fun. - Aim & Ignite

Artist of the Year is Michael Jackson! No doubt because of his death! His spirit and legend lives on with me and those who continue to use his influence with music, dance, love, and charity work! We will celebrate the light that he brought to this earth!
RIP MJ 1958-2009

CMA's or TSMA's (Taylor Swift Music Awards Show)

Well last night was the CMA's and I stayed up after class to watch the DVR'd awards. I was hoping to see some great performances and worthy individuals recieve awards. Well the prior was true but the latter is not so true. I woke up this morning with a awards show hangover from staying up late to watch it and also because I turned it off in a my-team-just-lost-the-big-game attitude.

I figured the show would start off with a great performance and of course it DIDNT. So alittle background before I go any further. For awhile I liked Taylor Swift, when she first came out with "Tim McGraw"- "Teardrops on my guitar"-"Our Song". When I broke up with my last girlfriend I hated TSwift because she reminded me of my ex, but also I had seen some live performances of "Should've said No" and it was terrible! I thought oh nice Avril Lavignes little sister sings country. So after I got over my ex - I started to really open my mind as I try to do with all music and really listen to Taylor Swift. So I did and I started to real appreciate her writing songs and voice with slower songs. "White Horse"-"Fifteen" great songs, and its bringing a new crowd to country and expanding its small town limits.

There were a few other things that kept me swaying back and forth between liking and disliking TSwift. Well that was because at the ACMA's she beat out George Strait for Album of the Year. REALLY?! George "fReAkin" Strait who put out a great album "Troubadour" probably one of his best in a while. I really felt bad for George Strait and other artists. This was Taylor's Sophmore album and I just don't believe it had the country album of the year honor in its full production. Troubadour had busted out hits like "I Saw God Today"-"River of Love"-"Troubador" and a few weeks later on CBS there was a celebration of his musical career.

So let's move ahead to the MTV VMA's where Taylor represented country and won best video of the year award! AWESOME! So I was like thats - Oh look who it is - Kanye! "Clayton, I'mma let you finish- but I had one of the best blogs of all time! All time!"

Oh thanks Kanye once again you interrupted someone! Anyways Taylor had to deal with Kanye being the biggest idiot and unsportsmanlike gentleman! Taylor handled it well and thats awesome she won.

So lets travel to Nov. 11, 2009 CMA's! First performane was Miss Swift singing " Forever and Always." WOW SO TERRIBLE! She could not keep breath to the song and was not even in key! It seemed like a rock show (once again Avril is texting her in the middle of the show saying "You Go Girl!"), it was not a good start to the show. Although Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood saved the show by there awesome introduction to the show after the performance. They were pretty hilarious with Paisley playin the acoustic and singing some made up songs with Carrie. Funny moment was when Brad took a shot at Tim McGraw's fragerance and Carrie took a shot at Faith Hill's "parfum" haha. It was epic!

Some of the best performances of the night were Darius Rucker getting down to "Alright" with the crowd, literally hugging cougars and dancing with college girls in the stands! Martina McBride with a surprise guest performer George Strait, joined her for a rendition of "When Country wasn't Cool" Loved the song and the honoring of Barbara Mandrell. Martina is so amazing with her voice and the type of composure she has as a performer. I also enjoyed Keith Urban's "When Summer Comes Around" and Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews -"I'm Alive."

Now on to the awards, there were many catergories that had some tough competition. For new artist of the year - the award went to Darius Rucker which had Jamey Johnson and Zac Brown band also in the mix. Any of those artists will do for me because they have put out some great hits. Jamey Johnson's "In Color" ended up winning single of the year which gave some justice to the rest of the awards that would be given that night.

Here's the issues: Lady A beat Rascal Flatts ; Sugarland beat Brooks & Dunn (their last CMA as they are parting ways)-Taylor Swift beats Reba-Martina-Miranda&Carrie for Female Vocalist; Taylor beats Jamey Johnson-Zac Brown Band-Brad Paisley for single of the year; Taylor beats Kenny; George; Keith; and Brad for Entertainer of the Year ?

Whats wrong with this picture? Well its just another picture to burn!

Look the girl has talent but there were some great albums and performers this year! While she has sold out shows and been getting a lot of ground outside of country music, Kenny is one of the top grossing tours in ALL OF MUSIC! He is a pure entertainer within country music! I just believe the CMA panel needs to spread it out and not give the awards to popularity for RATINGS. Thats truly what happened here! Eventhough I love Reba, she said she voted for Taylor because of her expanding country music to new fan bases. Great! But I disagree that because of that reason she should receive Entertainer of the Year, Kenny expands himself not only to country but the Jimmy Buffett enthusiatst and if we're talking about numbers here well - Kenny Chesney ($86 million) about 5th on the list for 2008 according to Billboard.com

I could go on and on, oh totally forgot 2 of my favorite moments - Daughty and Vince Gill did a collaboration song called, 'Tennessee Line' wow my new favorite song and going to Itunes it tonight if i can! The collaboration which I would have like to heard a better voice from Vince Gill was great! Good lyrics and sound!

The other moment of the night was when Carrie and Brad came out from a performance to do a bit. Carrie started mentioning video of the year and Brad pushes her aside and starts to thank people like he just won the award. Well Little Jimmy Dickens comes out and says "Excuse me young man, excuse me. But Taylor Swift had one of the best videos of the year, you go girl"

http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20316530_20319261,00.html

Here's the video! Hahah Put it right back in Kanyes face with Little Jimmy!

Well I want to be in Nashville and working in the country music industry! I'm going to get there sooner than later!

Peace y'all

Clayton C-Bass