my heart like a kick drum.

Right now, my brain is on the verge of exploding. There are so many thoughts to share that I don't even know where to start......

How about we start with The Avett Brothers...yes, that will be lovely.

So, my darling Father, surprised the fam by getting us tickets to see one of my favorite, favorite, bands- you guessed it- The Avett Brothers. This was the third time I've seen them live, and let me tell you, the true mark of an amazing band is that you find it hard to listen to their studio work because the live stuff is just too incredible to be described by words. Scott, Seth, Bob, and Joe put on one hell of a show. I have chills just thinking about the glory of it all- they killed it. They are true artists. Their melodies and lyrics hit you like a ton of bricks because of the honesty behind them. You feel like they are singing to you and about you and around you, and your heart aches because every song feels like it belongs to you, wrapped up in sparkly paper and tied with a bow, with love from The Avett Brothers.

Another thing that made this night magic- Family time. I count myself as one of the lucky ones- one of the few who can stand up and say without a doubt, that I have one of the most incredible family units ever. We are strong, and steady, and there when everything else is gone. We're not perfect by any means, but we are intrepid- we carry on through the bad, the good, and everything in between. It's hard to get together now that we are all grown ups- but being with them, this night, in Tallahassee, Florida- made the verse from "Murder in the City" which was performed acoustically to a completely silent crown, ring ever so true.

"Always remember there is nothing worth sharing like the love that lets us share our name"

p.s. Do me a favor on September 29, 2009- go pick up The Avett Brothers' new cd - I AND LOVE AND YOU. It will change you.

the trapeze swinger.

Please, remember me... Happily... By the rosebush laughing... With bruises on my chin... The time when... We counted every black car passing... Your house beneath the hill... And up until... Someone caught us in the kitchen... With maps, a mountain range, A piggy bank, A vision too removed to mention....

be good to your heart today.

she'ssss baaaccckkk.

Ok, so I've realized how truly neglectful of this sweet little blog I've been...it's sad really. It's not even legit at this point...pssshhh. Well, out with the negative- I'm back and I've made the decision to coddle and nurture this lovely little piece of Internet real estate to become the prime blog I know it can be. That being said- let's do this...

Fall is ever so quickly approaching and I have compiled a list of things that I'm jonesing for this autumn season:

1. Leather Leggings- In the words of Rachel Zoe, patron saint of all things FAB- D-I-E. I discovered these little gems at the beginning of 2009- suffice it to say, this darling little fishing village in which I currently reside- isn't the most fashion forward dot on the map, so I've had to wait until my leather leggings are popular with the masses to obtain and (ugh) afford (yeah, she's still broke- but employed- that should at least get thrown into the snap cup- no?).

2. Riding Boots- mahogany. distressed leather. lace up. knee high. STOP IT.

3. Ray-Ban RX 5121 Eyeglasses- I love thick framed glasses, good thing I really can't see for shit, or I would almost feel stupid for wearing them...almost.

4. Kings of Leon- October 15, 2009 - Birmingham, AL - I wish this day would come and then replay over and over and over every day for 6 months. I love these boys. I don't care what anyone says- their old stuff is amazing, their new stuff is amazing, and I swear one of these days, we will be pals.

5. The changing of the seasons- It's effing hot- which is another reason why #1 had to wait... I love cold weather and all the goodness it brings. It's also exciting to see what kind of changes I will go through...this past season has been one of the most difficult and eye opening times of my short little life, and I have a sneaky suspicion that I've only seen the tip of the iceberg...it's all happening...

There are so many more things that I can't wait to clutch..... but we'll save that for another time. Onto current music that I love which in turn means you should love it too.

Florence & The Machine- Cosmic Love- Holy Moses, this is goooood. It's soft and loud and the drums and the voice. Every time I listen to it, I feel like I'm in the middle of an epic love story.

Owl City- Fireflies- They sound like the Postal Service on a sugar high...it's just way too sweet but you can't help yourself....and you'll probably go back for seconds, and thirds- even when you start to get a toothache.

Ingrid Michaelson- The Chain- Ingrid does no wrong in my eyes, but this little ditty in the 3/4 time is exactly what I would say to guy who does the wrong things and says the wrong things but nothing is ever fully itself when he's not there.....

Kings of Leon- Where Nobody Knows- I love a B-side. I love Kings of Leon. Victory? I think so.

Bloc Party- SRXT - just listen to it....and wait for "that" moment. trust me, you'll know when it hits you.

Bonnie Raitt- Angel From Montgomery- one of my all time faves. one of the all time greats. Miss Bonnie in my next life, I want to be a freaking bad ass, soul singing lady just like you.

Alright, I'm done for now....

BE OPEN TO THE GREATNESS THAT AWAITS YOU.

-j.

diving in.

Another blog- blah - I get it. Stay with me for a second though. I figure if anyone can write about what they love, then damn it, so can I. Who am I kidding? I might be the only one to ever read this... At least I can look at this as an open journal- a place for thoughts to stretch.

I just want a chronicle of my life, something to look at and laugh at, because trust- in my life - hilarity always ensues....

I also want to share my love of music to whomever might stumble upon my modest little blog. Maybe one day you will find yourself searching for something and VOILA! You find this page and these songs, and maybe, just maybe...you will find exactly what you are looking for - or you will find something you never expected....

Songs for Today 4/16/2009-
1. Lovin' Arms - The Wood Brothers - From their latest CD, Loaded, comes this simple song about the uncertainty of love and the question of whether distance really does make the heart grow fonder...
2. Indian Sunset - Warren Haynes - From The Lone E.P. -Warren Haynes sure knows how to deliver. What a treat to hear an already hauntingly beautiful song covered by one of the masters. Elton John's original version is scary good but, Haynes takes it to a whole new level by stripping it down, making almost too raw to handle- almost. Play on Warren. It's so good, I ache.
3. Ragoo - Kings of Leon - From Because Of The Times. Quite possibly my favorite Kings song- but please don't make me choose. These Tennessee boys are exactly what music needs- a revival of soul rock. The kind of music that shakes you inside.In my opinion, they have brought back real music to masses of young ones who have wanted for so long to know the feeling of just listening to good rock n' roll. I hope the critics are right when they say, this band of brothers (and cousin) might just save Rock N' Roll...shit, I believe it.
4. Martha - Tom Waits - From Closing Time. What is there to say about ol' Tom? I guess you either get it or you don't. I like to think I always get it, but I also don't pretend to be as deep as Tom Waits or his truest die hard fans. That being said, I know can always go back to this song or really any song from Closing Time, and just dive in.
5. Impossible Germany - Wilco - from the CD, Sky Blue Sky. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful songs I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. This is just one of those songs that always has a memory or a story attached to it- you know the moment you first heard it, exactly what you were wearing, exactly who you were with, and exactly how you felt.

Ok, that's all for now...Stay tuned until next time. Going to Widespread Panic this weekend for a 3 day show- I'm sure I'll have a story or two to share.

CHOOSE LOVE - j.