Rest In Peace, Allun Cormier (1978-2010)

Allun in 2004, not long after I first met him.

I met Allun through his brother, Rick, in 2004. He was a friendly, energetic man with an amazing talent: the ability to sing, play guitar and write songs. Anyone who has spent any amount of time around Allun knows that he just had a spark to him and that it could just radiate through a crowd of people. He was just one of those people that could easily put a smile on anyone's face.

Allun was a member of a band called Folk Soul Revival. You can find their first CD on iTunes. You can also find 27 of Allun's original, solo songs on SoundClick.

Here is just a little bit taken from this article by David Cate in the local paper's blog:

"2010 ends on a tragic note as we say goodbye to one of the best singer/songwriters in the Tri-Cities region - Allun Cormier. 

On Wednesday morning, December 29th, 2010 Allun and his girlfriend Lucy Jennings died from smoke inhalation in a house fire in Bristol, VA. The word came early across the social networks and even though the wound cuts deep into the fabric family, friends and musicians, Allun left an indelible legacy of personal songs touching thousands in the region.

It's with great regret I share these words about an inspirational friend who I've been following for a number of years now. I'm sure he knew how I felt, but If there was ever an artist who had the potential to stand alone as a national recording artist, Cormier was at the top of my list. His music – native as the mountains of East Tennessee seemed to echo every moment. 

Known by his closest friends as a free spirit, he was performing most every night of the week across the Tri-Cities. From songwriter groups in Bristol and Kingsport, to living room house parties, there was never a day where he wasn't singing a new song. 

Although fate has closed the book on his life and the success which he so deserved, Allun has left a treasure trove of recordings and memories that speak volumes of about his short life. There's nothing contrived in these performances either. As you listen, you'll find a depth and an essence that lends itself to an important chapter in the musical heritage of our region."

Update: Happy New Year!

I know, I was such a horrible blogger through out the holidays. There was just way too much going on, and it's only going to continue. Tax Season officially started today and school starts back next Monday. I'm taking my 2nd Biology class, my 1st English class and Psychology this semester. Plus, I'm doing Taxes. I'm going to be super busy. My New Year's Resolution was to start blogging more regularly...I guess we'll see how it works out.

I spent a week in Tennessee for Christmas. I had a good time and it was nice to see my family, but I am definitely happy to be home.

The Gingerbread House I did with my sister.

The Christmas Tree @ Mom's

Our stockings! Mine is in the middle.

My brother, Jake. So stoked he got an xbox 360 w/kinect

White Christmas!

Busy, busy, busy!

Oh, there is so much that has been going on, I don't even know where to begin...

I am done with school until January 10th. Thank goodness! I know I passed my Biology final and the class itself, however, I don't know specific grades because the professor has yet to give them out. Lovely. I can't say I'm surprised. I'm really glad to be out of his class. He is the most disorganized, irresponsible teacher I have ever come across. His sloppy methods didn't hurt me so much, because I stayed ahead of the game. However, a lot of the other students were affected by his sloppy behavior and I feel that was just totally unfair to them. I was brutally honest about his methods and behavior in my student survey.

I just returned home on Sunday night from spending a week at the beach with Sarah's sister Amber. I had went to help her with her sons, Noah and Jack, because she was "about to pop" pregnant, uncomfortable and miserable. I had to come home Sunday because I started pre-season training for my job on Monday night, which is when Amber's beautiful baby girl decided to make her appearance. Figures...just my luck! lol

I'm going to be doing taxes at H&R Block this tax season and I am so stoked! I missed it terribly last year. But, because of the pre-season training schedule I may not be able to go to Tennessee for Christmas, which is definitely a bummer. Such is life, I guess.

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...

We have our Christmas Tree put up :)

And we finally found a use for the empty fish tank, lol!

Thanksgiving Festivities

I know it's been a while since I've posted anything substantial or worth reading. I've been busy studying hard core and preparing for Thanksgiving. This was my first Thanksgiving not eating dinner with my parents, and although I missed having my family around on Thanksgiving I still had a good time.

Melodie and Zack were out of school all week last week for Thanksgiving Break. Sarah's sisters, Amber and Hannah, their kids and Hannah's husband Spencer all got here on Wednesday afternoon to kick off the festivities. All together we had 11 adults and 7 children (between the ages of 2 and 9). We baked 1 turkey and fried 2 turkeys. I made stuffing (using my mom's recipe), giblet gravy (using my dad's recipe) and deviled eggs. We also had potato salad, homemade mac n cheese, brown rice, and crescent rolls. We definitely got our grub on, lol!

I ended up going with Amber back to her house in Myrtle Beach on Thanksgiving night. She had intended to spend the weekend, but realized she had an ob/gyn appt. Friday morning. So, I went home with her to help her with Jack (her 2 yr. old) and Black Friday shopping. She's already 1 cm. dialated, so I say she will have this one as early as she did Jack! Hannah and Spencer ended up joining us Friday afternoon. The kids had a blast playing and us adults spent the weekend playing cards and watching movies.

As far as school goes, I ended up dropping my 2nd Math class. I felt I just wasn't grasping the material as well as I would like to and decided it would benefit me more to take the class on campus versus online. I'm taking English, Psychology and my 2nd Biology class next semester, so the 2nd Math will have to wait until the summer semester at least, maybe even fall. I currently have a 99.7% in Biology and I take my final December 7th. Then I'm done until the next semester starts on January 11th. I can't wait!