Back in the United States

Dear Reader: 

For the past few months I've been living in the great city of London. It's been a wonderful and exciting time. I have met friends that I will have for the rest of my life and places that I will always remember.

I took my first 'holiday' (as the British say) on Friday May 3, travelling to Orlando, Florida to visit my sisters and mother. Here is a sand castle that I found on Daytona Beach.

At the moment I am sitting in the living room of my parents house listening to Garrison Keillor and his Prairie Home Companion on the great NPR. What a wonderful show! I like the Guy Noir section. I grew up listening to this show. 

I spent some time on Friday with my friends. I saw Devin and Brooke Knight. They are amazing musicians and wonderful friends. 

Brooke is an amazing artist and illustrator. I'll let you know where you can view her art when she gets it online. Devin and Brooke are amazing musicians and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/devinandbrooke

Last night at a party I threw, the amazing Jeff Stone played some tunes. 

Then today I got the amazing chance to hang out with my niece and nephew. 

And right now I'm just chillen at the house. I'm signing off for now. 

Cheers, 

Tom

Love Others

I was reading in the Book of Mormon where the prophet Nephi quotes the prophet Isaiah (so basically Isaiah is talking). He describes a character trait that I'm shooting for and just had to share:

"and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth." (2 Nephi 21:3-4)

This scripture helps me understand how to judge righteously and not in the way the world judges.

Be good to people and love them for who they are!

Tom

Laura Marling

Laura Marling is a wonderful young female singer-songwriter from the United Kingdom.
Here are the quick facts:

Genre: Folk / Acoustic 

From: United Kingdom

How I heard about her: I listened to / watched a music video of "The Water", which is a song by her and Johnny Flynn. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4QQ7HYYdWw)

Good Songs to check out: Rambling Man, Don't Ask Me Why

More Information: http://www.lauramarling.com/

Who Am I

This blog isn't here to occupy unfilled meaningless hours of my day, it's just to share thoughts that I have. I have a lot of thoughts you know, being ADHD and all. I love and embrace the disorder (now at least). ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Not only do I get easily distracted, but I get hyper and impulsive. It's totes great!

I've got a lot of really exciting things going on in my life. I am a songwriter. I am a singer. I am a guitarist. I am a pianist. I am a drummist...drummer. I am a fan of a lot of different types of music. Music really heals my  soul (see the quick transition to different thought... ADHD). I love performing. I could be feeling happy, sad, depressed, excited, lonely, connected, whatever. The minute I step on stage and begin to play songs, I begin to feel better.

Being onstage is very fun. I love singing songs that people like as well as sharing music that I am passionate about with new audiences. Even more than that, I love when individuals in the crowd make eye contact or when they are singing along. It's so fun.

Another thing I love is helping others. I think that is why I enjoy my work as a Technical Support Engineer at a software company. I help people solve problems everyday. It's also different day to day, so I don't really get too bored.

Other subjects I am passionate about are education and the education system in the United States, teaching, politics (in a civil manner, try not to argue), following your dreams, being true to yourself and others, working hard, family, oh and I love kids (babies are soooo cute), Europe, travelling, meeting and getting to know new  people, music, painting, photography, and much much more. I guess I am not as knowledgeable about some of those items as I'd like to be, but I do appreciate each of them.

As for religious beliefs, I am a Mormon. More officially, I guess, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am also a fan of being open and accepting of different belief systems and cultures. Speaking of cultures... I love Hispanic culture. I speak Spanish fluently and thoroughly enjoy Hispanic food. It's really good. This paragraph started with religion and ended with food. On a related note, after church services today, we a mingle where we hang out and eat food to get to know other members better. Religion and food...

To end today's little writing session I'll share these wise words of Mark Twain with you. "Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from poor judgement."

I hope you and your family enjoy this Thanksgiving week. I am thankful for God and Jesus Christ, my family, my friends, music, people, and love.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Tom Butler

TOM'S MISSION HOMECOMING

My mission homecoming will be Sunday, November 28 at 12:40 PM, Bonneville Stake Center, 1535 E Bonneview Drive, SLC. At 2:15 PM, join me and my family for a homecoming party at 1578 E 900 South.

See you there!

Leaving for the MTC

Hey Everybody,

I am leaving for the MTC now.

I love you all,

Tom Butler

Family is Medicine

I write tonight with a lot of things on my mind.

I drove down to the beautiful city of Saint George, Utah today in order to see my new baby Nephew, Jacob Edwin Western. I think family can be the best medicine, whether it is your current family or your soon to be family.

Spending quality time with my father during our four-hour car ride from Salt Lake City to Saint George was so much fun. Not only did we listen to some oldies music ( Fine Young Cannibals, The Guess Who, Mason Jennings, and The Doobie Brothers ), but we talked about current events and about different aspects of government. We laughed about the nostalgia felt while listening to certain music as well as talked about politics.

Seeing the baby when I walked to the window on my Brother's family house was the most amazing feeling. I first saw my brother, then saw my new baby nephew laying on a blanket on the floor: he was squirming restlessly, trying to get out.

Then on the way back from my brother's house, to the condo, we discussed the history of a Mr. Hamill who negotiated with the American Indians on behalf of the LDS Church. It was a very interesting story.

One interesting fact that I learned this evening was that the name "dixie" was a soft almost kind reference to the confederate South. It makes me want to song write.

Not only did family facilitate a kind and exciting Atmostphere in which I am comfortable, but they enjoyed the family just as much as I did. I love family and encourage all that are in disputes with family members to clear them up in a safe manner and to also pull up those old family Ties.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.