I’ve travel a lot over the past year, all but one flight taking Southwest. I adore this airline due to the comfort of knowing its system. Last flight, as I have said, I felt like I was cheating on someone that had done nothing wrong but not given me a free flight on which I flew. But I am back again to my comfort zone in sky on my first ever fully booked flight. When they say full booked, they meant it. There’s usually always that middle seat between me and the isle person (I’m a window girl) but not this time. He kinda keeps leaning over on my side too. Hogging both arm rest is just not okay to do. In protest to this I pull out my laptop and write. Marla needs some air.

My mom treated me to the newest issue of In Style magazine with the adorable Kate Hudson on the cover. I don’t read magazines much these days, unless someone at work brings in People, I tend to read that on my breaks. But always feel a big guilty about reading so much about people’s lives I do not know. Then again, some of you reading this may be doing that very thing. Difference being the people I read about are famous and the one you are is not. In Style doesn’t get down to the dirt of who slept with who or who dressed badly while carrying Starbucks in hand. It’s simply, more about style. But on the other hand, the interviews with Kate or Kenny Chensley, neither really to do with style. Sure there’s the twist of Kate’s lifestyle and how stylish it is. Or the main feature on the newly wed Kenny is his Tennessee home and how he decorates or styled it.

In Style is also not embarrassing to carry around, at least not to me. Where as if you carry around People or the likes, there is judgment taking place silently by some near you. Sure, some are going to judge me about wondering what summer shoes are hot, but they are welcome to do that. I love shoes, so sue me. Talking over last minute wedding festivities with Sarah yesterday trying to pack in the-less-is-more method I worried about the amount of room my shoes would take up. She commented “Oh no, are you turning into a shoe girl, Alisa?” Yes, yes I am. I have will-power against buying every cute one that catches my eye. Heck, even just the other day Robbies was having a sale on some Steve Maddens (my weakness though I don’t own a pair. I have carried around a pair two sizes too big because they were just too cute and way too on sale not to even think about it. Call me silly all you want, I do not care.) but I couldn’t even talk myself into these $40 heels. Even if they had been the very pair I drooled over on my friend’s wife not even a month before wondering where she had gotten them. So Im do not need a 12 step program or anything, I just like shoes. A lot.

Back to the magazine… advertising has been fascinating me as of late. I mean, when did Judy Jettison make a come back? I mean I don’t remember when that show went off the air, but it’s been a very long time and I don’t remember her being a style icon. But she’s got two placements in just this one magazine alone with two different companies. I guess all I can say is ‘Go Judy’. I have no desire to color my hair; have no plans to until those ugly reminders that I am older of grey pop up. But there is a great cut shown in a color hair product advertisement that I do plan on ripping out and bringing with me next time I get my hair cut. Props to them. Also, word of mouth has talked about this lotion that is safe to wear every day which has a small douse of tanner in it. I thought it was a great idea when I heard about it but now seeing it and the company that makes it, I probably will treat myself to some next time I have spare cash. I think I’ve bakes my body enough this summer and it’s only the end of June. Final one I’ll push has to be the Walnut and Apple salad at McD’s. I actually discovered this tasty thing with my Grandma during the free red eye ticket adventure couple months back. Who would of thought sugary walnuts, red and green apples mixed with sweet yogurt would be such a wonderful thing? Next time you want to treat yourself (I’m all about that aren’t I?) in the food department head over to McD’s, grab it to go and eat it in a park. Much better senoray than the smells of hamburgers and fries surrounding your trying to be healthy snack.

Now that Im safe and sound, down from circling the skys waiting for nasty thunder storms to seattle down and a three hour drive from Maryland to Cville, I am going to get some beauty rest.

I have a review at work tommorow and I was trying to remember my “Star Skills” and couldnt. So I googled and man the stuff that came up is funny. I love finding nutty stuff like this:

Baristas someimes develop nicknames for certain drinks. Sometimes it is based on some aspect of the drink, sometimes the particular customers or types of customers who buy it. I thought it would be interesting to write down a number of the ones I have either heard or developed over my many years at the bux. Some things are in common usage, but most of the list is probably idiosyncratic.

Young Litigator on Crack – a venti coffee, two shots of espresso. I used to work near a law school, and this was the student favorite.
Soccer Mom – a nonfat latte
Pepto Bismal – a raspberry white mocha.
Barista’s Friend – iced chai
Fallen Vegan – a soy with whip mocha.
Pregnant Teenager – a nonfat with whip mocha
Bacon Stuffed Pork – anything breve and with whip.
Keanu – an iced drink with no ice. Whoa.
Britney – a carmel frappucino.
Surf and Turf – another name for the soy with whip drinks.
The Bowel Disruptor – venti coffee and a bran muffin.
Idiot’s Frappuccino – an iced mocha with blended milk.
Pancreatic Shock in a Cup – there was this one customer who would have you fill up his grande cup a quarter way with refined sugar, stir in three shots of espresso then add ten pumps of vanilla, some 195 degree steamed milk and then extra whip cream.
Side of Insulin – really extra caramel.
One Arrow, Two Targets – anything extra hot and with no foam, but especially soy drinks.
The Drink Without Qualities – decaf nonfat no foam latte. Most people call this a Why Bother? but I had a lit major coworker who thought that wasn’t creative enough.

I have never called any of these drinks by any of these names (other than “Why Bother” It SO fits. Also, one pump of mocha added to a latter – dirty latte. But thats what Kristin was taught and told me about). I just might have to bring this into work.

Oh and also, my little brother just got back with his band from their first tour. To celebrate the homecoming and my lack of sleep due to his very early morning bedtime, I shall post a picture that I’m stealing from their roadies blog. To view the rest, go here.

I beg you, if you happen to find yourself in a Starbucks this summer, order something other than a frappuccino. I realize mine is on the coast line, but 16 frappuccino lined up on the counter is just too much. We have other iced drinks! Just don’t make us blend it! Get creative – we have tons of syrups to chose from to make it just as sweet as your precious frapp. Almond, white mocha, toffee nut (my personal favorite), hazelnut, raspberry and so on. Mix them together with mocha for that yummy chocolate taste in exchange for a mocha frapp. Id be glad to assist you if you don’t know how Starbucks “works”. This my friend is what the comment box is for. I’m here to help you, please don’t let this chance pass you by. Just, please, for all baristas everywhere order something else. Until summer is over at least, other wise, we just might go crazy.

(This does not reflect all Starbucks everywhere. In fact, they’d probably not like me blogging this since frappuccinos are one of our money makers. Just so you know.)

Oh also, on June 29th (for time check with your local Starbucks) we are giving away FREE Starbucks ice cream. Yep, you read that right, free! You are welcome.

I can offically say I like “Worlds Collide”. She used the word “damned” in a Christian book. Maybe I judge the CBA too soon.

It was only appropriate that I finished “Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing” on the day I actually go fishing. I got a little too emotional with this book than I thought I would. The ending left me wondering but not caring. I like to care about my book characters and I never got fully attached to this one. Only reason I picked up this book is because in one of the many articles written on chick-lit it said this was on the first.

I am here to tell you that “Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing” is not a chick-lit book. Parts of it reminded me of Carrie’s character from Sex in the City but I think that was merely the fact she lived in NY during that part. Other than that, it was a fine book, I have nothing bad to say about it, just a good read. No more, no less. But whoever marketed as a chick-lit needs to stop.

Currently I am in the middle of “Worlds Collide” which at first constantly reminded me of the Plumb song, matching titles and all. Alison Strobel, as in Lee, is the author and this is her first novel. Im only half way through it but its safe to say that I recommend it. I discovered something with this book, I need to stop looking for something new in the CBA.

I stop enjoying the writing, voice, story, whatever which is really missing the whole point of a book. After my last try at Christian fiction, Im always very weary. But let me not step onto that soap box. Its been said you could hand this book to a non-Christian, but I think it be too much like handing them a track in form of a book. But, if they are warming up to Christianity, then go for it. Or simply looking for a good easy read, pick this book up too.

Totally off the subject but Im watching Late Night while writing this and that hp commercial keeps coming on. I always stop and watch it, its just too pure genius of a commerical not to. But I encourage you to read a book over watching late night tv any day.

Currently I have two pieces of my neighbor’s furinture living in my little room. Its a matching dresser/desk set that are quite nice, especially to be on loan. With my parents getting themselves a new dresser and me in not in real use of a desk much these days, its time for them to go. I will get my parents old dresser (which I’m excited about because its bigger than my current one) and a little end table/dresser to make up a mini desk for Marla (my laptop) to call home. It will free up some space in my 10×10 room which I’m looking forward to having. In order for all of this space and change to happen, I’ve had to clean out the desk full of stuff. After deciding to do this I found a few piles of photos I never dealt with when moving back. I just stuck them in a draw, now they need to find a permit home which leads to a bigger project I have put off for years.

A few weeks ago I embarked on a different project which was printing photos from my year in Alabama. When I lived there I was really poor, didn’t have the extra cash for a lot of photos (and did we ever take a lot). I never mind living (well maybe a handful of times but I don’t remember it affecting me greatly) poorly, but I am now paying (literally) big time to catch up in the ever going process that is my photo album collection. I have about finished the Carla and Alisa adventures (as was most of my pictures from my year in Alabama) and now storing them away. In storing them away, yet another project is brought to my attention, my older photo albums. I’ve caption my life on film since Jr High on my own and those albums needed to be reduced. I tired to stay in the mid set of 13 year old Alisa as I reorganized them into more practical photo albums. Old memories where stirred in me which were sweet. Lately I have been playing catch up with very long emails to an old friend in my home town. We haven’t talked in almost four years so there’s much to over. We reminisce some of the old times, and now I have found the photos to match the memories.

Some of the photos as I grow older in the photos are bitter sweet. Friendships that were not so long ago the world to me are gone now. I once was told I should remove old photos of my high school sweetheart to spare is now wife’s feelings. I understand the meaning behind it, but to remove those from my personal collection would be like removing a big chunk of my life. I’m not going to basically lie to all those who want to see my high school life through photos. We departed ways as friends, we hold no regrets towards one another even now. My kids some day will ask about my first boyfriend and I will be fine in sharing it with them. And I’m excited to have all of these memories physically avaiable to share with my future kids along with having them as a tool for myself. Looking at photos always makes me happy. Sometimes it makes me sad, but mostly happy. Bittersweet is the constant feeling as of late in my photo projects. Watching myself grow up along side the people who shaped me who I am now. Wondering where these people are today and what’s going on with them. This is been a long on me emotionally and time wise but I am hopeful for its end result.

Confession: I have two presets on my radio that are set to country stations. During high school my close girlfriends turned me onto country music. Were as before that, I swore it was the most awful this someone could call music. But they wore me down and when I wrote a friend back in my old home town I was listening to country she just about peed her pants. Only country cd I ever owned is a Sara Evans cd, other than that, I learned songs through constant radio play or mix cds (tapes back then) that were given to me. I haven’t listened to country much since moving to Alabama (go figure, I move to the south and grow out of country music) and not even since returning to California. I hung out with one of my close girl friends this week who turned me onto country. We met somewhere and drove separate cars, so it wasn’t like her music selection was there to influence me, but it had to be the linger of her presence that made me click over to country radio. That or every other station was on a commercial and I had gotten my cds at home (really need to get myself an iTrip). When those melon colly notes with sappy lyrics filled my car, it made me happy. It felt like reuniting with an old friend. Brad Paisley hands down as the be my favorite. I don’t like Kenny Cheney, even if he did end up with the girl who plays my beloved Bridget. Newer poppy country still makes me cringe, but good old country is great. So all this week I have been tuning into country radio. Old songs I had forgotten about are once again in my life. So, are any of you still my friend? (I know I’ve lost tons of cool points with Jason for this)

I just balanced my check book after pay some hefty bills. I put my checkbook back in my purse and think how nice a new handbag would be. Youd think Id learn after balancing my checkbook and seeing the lower and lower the balance got, but no. I get on ebay and do a search to spend money I do not have (I did not buy anything, just looked). I have just decided that Ebay is evil by having cheap bags just to taunt me with! Speaking of Ebay, I got Bridget Jones 2 off of there not too long ago and awaiting its arrival. A little Bridget would cheer up my money blues. Who could not be happy with Bridget is around? This might force me to go read the book the movie is based on, which I haven’t read yet. But then I don’t get the pleasure of seeing the silly boy fight in the fountain. Or Colin Forth for that matter. Also, I want to work on knitting a two colored hat I certainly cant do that while reading now can I? Oh, I know, I will go see if I get a cheap audio book off of eBay. AH! See! Vicious cycle. Evil Ebay.

Today I finished my first real knitted hat. This is to say I had made one before the one pictured below the other day as trail run. It is rather small and would fit only my book (closest thing to me at the time to be a model for me). So now I have a normal size hat which Im quite proud of. Next to make one with strips to match my scarf I knitted not too long ago. Dont be suprised if Christmas gifts this year are knitted!

Im just posting this because Oreo is just far too cute. I got a sheet out the other day and walked by to notice him finding a new home on the nice clean towels. Silly kitty.

Last day in Greensboro. Only reason I’m looking forward to go home is to get away from this humidity. How quickly I forget how it feels like to walk in air that’s wet. Or that my bangs don’t appreciate humidity at all. I don’t remember how I lived with it, oh wait, yes I do. I stayed inside all the time with the air on. But I do miss the nights here. Like last night Jason and I were walking the streets of downtown Greensboro and it was a lovely feeling. Not too hot, not too cold, just right.

I’m pulling my third shift at the Green Bean today. If you are ever in the area of downtown, I recommend this quant coffee house. It’s a wonderful place to spend the day because how different it is from every other coffee house I’ve been in. Plus a buck for the internet, you really can’t be that. I think they might recognize me by face now. Then I will leave and next visit it will start all over again. Or will it?

We got an application from the new(er) Jr High pastor for all us as leaders to fill out so he can see where we are at with the ministry. I hate things like this, not because it’s longer than the Amazing Race application, but that I have to talk about myself. I hate doing that, especially when asking spiritual questions. I wouldn’t think I was the best judge of such things. So, I’m gonna work on it a little at a time. Hopefully keeping the same color of ink as I go.

Jason, Tim and I went to the “big” farmers market on Saturday. I bought the best tomato ever. I ate it just like you would an apple. Jason said he should appreciate a women who would do such a thing. I also got NC jar presents for my family and Jason’s parents. Tim bought lots of food to make a fresh dinner with. So that was fun, until it got really hot and we all were miserable. But my spirits where lifted when I saw funnel cake. I don’t know if yall know about my love for funnel cake or not, but I do love it so. (And cucumbers) So I get myself some hot funnel cake on a hot day then get into the car with the air on. Lets just say powder sugar + air conditioner = messy Alisa

Some of you know that I hate odd numbers, which is why Jason and I stake claim to the 12th of June to be our anniversary (of dating). Our relationship was officially started on the 13th (really early am) so really, it was the night of the 12th so it isn’t really lying. I just didn’t want any of you to think I was, so Im clearing the air. I have had this craving for ribs lately and so asked Jason if we could get some for our anniversary. North Carolina is in the south, youd think it would be thriving with BBQ rib places, but no. They are actually few and far between. But I still got them and they were yummy. To stick with the whole BBQ theme Jason bought us tickets to see a play. I like seeing plays despite my lack of visiting a theater. I wish I went more often, so I was delighted to be able to go to one at a very pretty theater. It was a fun show and lovely day.

I’m flying out this afternoon on Southwest, which Im so glad for. It was so weird flying another airline. But I will be back with my comfort in the sky, even if I have to drive to Raleigh to do so. I just hope I get to have some nachos before I do so. I think NC brings on strange cravings because I felt like Ive been eating or wanting to eat all weekend. Back to the land of soy and low-carbs.

When Kari told me she was reading “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” I gave her a hard time about it. Those are books that my Jr. High girls probably aren’t even reading. However she talked me into coming a few days earlier on my trip so we would be able to watch the movie together, is beyond me. I must really love her.

I was delighted to be surprised how much I enjoyed this movie. How I was being sucked into the character’s stories as I would do like I was reading a book. I don’t find that a lot of times with a movie. I mean, the physical display of them before me is nice and touching. And for moments I have emotional high and lows for the characters on screen.

But after leaving the theater I rarely think much past that. Where with book I remember them long after I finish the last page. Maybe since these girls started out as book characters as Kari said, they characters were displayed well on the screen. I just found a little bit of emotion pulling for each character for different reasons. (Past this point there will be many spoilers.)

Carmen is the louder girl, voice of the movie and not afraid of her own skin. We follow her to a visit with her astrained dad who has gained a whole new family that doesn’t include Carmen. I have been blessed with a rather functional family, so I did relate to that part of the story line personally. But all I wanted to do was give her a big hug. I wasn’t angry with her, I was sad with her. She did a very good job at her role, she seemed like someone who Id like to be friends with.

Bridget is the tall, blonde girl who just wants to be loved. Her emptiness comes from losing her mother as a young teenage and never fully dealing with all the pain and hurt that comes from such an experience. Her father and her are not close by any means, so for man figures in her life aren’t the most stable. She sets her sights out on a guy and doesn’t stop till she has slept with him. After the fact she writes Lena, feeling more lonely than she ever had been before. Not to the extreme as Bridget, but a lot of my Jr. High girls come from broken homes and try to fill the void with anything they think will work. And their stories are the same as Bridget’s, just come up even emptier. These girls brake my heart the most because they are the ones who have to learn by experience most of the times.

Tibby is the girl who beats to her own drum; comfortable with herself in that aspect. While at the same time she gives off the I’m pissed off at the world attitude, as one of her friends says, rather than feeling things. We get to watch her blossom when she befriends a younger girl who first finds annoying then later falls for. On the flip side of my Jr Highers personalities, you have Tibby. These girls are hard to connect with a lot of times for me. But I realize as long as they know I’m there and care about them, they open up in their own time. They soften their stone face mask they have on for something so amazing to watch.

Lena is the shy girl, afraid to open up to a lot of people. She’s self conscience and very modest about things. Forget the fact the actress who played this character was the main draw for me, I related to this character the most. I know after a lot of hardships of relationships during different seasons of my life, I have put of a wall to people. I think twice when I pick my friends now, which is sad, but I just cant afford for my heart to crash and burn again. So the walls go up. Now that isn’t fair to newer relationships at all, I know this. I’m working with God to soften my heart in this area of my life but it takes time. Lena lives with her Greek Grandparents for the summer and meets a English speaking Greek guy that put its simply for her how she is. “You don’t even know me” “I’m trying!” Then it hits her, she cant open up to love when she’s lost so little while her friends who have lost so much can. How I fit right in her shoes during that relation of a bitter truth in her life.

Now, if you are planning seeing this movie, please don’t go thinking its a thinker. The characters where just real, so it was easy to relate to them or picture those you didn’t as people close to you. Or makes you ponder on old friendships like it did for me. I had four friends in high school, all of us so close but no longer.

Sweet ending to the movie left me sad, but at the same time because I remember happy times with those friends too. Take a good friend with you, not a guy and enjoy it. Good friendships at time seem harder to find than a romantic relationship. Some are so lucky to have deep friendships in our lives, maybe just for a season or for a lifetime. I know I take the friendships in my life for granted far too often. A movie to celebrate good friendships was probably just what I needed.

A long over due update of the books Im reading. Sadly, I have read and finished books that didnt even get a place on my blog. And I havnt started “Worlds Collide” or “Can You Keep A Secret” yet, but I surely will on my trip. This is why it takes me forever to get through books, I read 5 at once.

Greetings from Gate E2 in Charlotte, its 6:50am in the morning… which according to my little body is 3:50am. The flight wasn’t…bad. It could have been worse I guess. We start this red-eye adventure… well, when checking in I was told the flight was going to be late. Wonderful, less time to sit in the Charlotte airport during the wee hours of the morning. I usually fly Southwest, so much in fact that I felt like I was cheating on them as I drove past their terminal to US AirWays. Being that I don’t fly other airlines often, I wasn’t sure what combination of letters and numbers on my ticket was my seat assignment. I felt a little silly telling the ticket checker “Where is my seat number?” As I made my way to 15D I was sad to see D meant the derided isle seat. I had visions of it hitting my elbow as it passed by. Lucky for me, it didn’t.

Only other person in my row was an older gentleman who was in the window seat. He commented to me that someone was watching out for us since no one took the seat between us. Indeed someone was because many rows had three people in them. Not the whole row to myself so I can stretch out and sleep, but I will take what I can get. There are a lot of people flying at 10 at night, I was surprised. As much as the roomy seat I had was nice, the bad side came when my travel companion who sat down behind me had really. Long. Legs. So long in fact that in this pretty roomy plane, he kept kneeing my seat and shaking it for the first hour of the flight. Making it very hard for me to sleep. I almost turned around a couple of times to let him know, since surely, he was unaware of his actions towards me and my growing frustration. Lucky for him, an hour into it, he became still.

The fear I had of a crying baby came true as well. Nothing worse than a crying baby in the middle of your sleep that’s already not the best. Then you have the lady in front of you with a dog in a bag arguing with the flight attendant that the dog cant breath. This is another reason I despise little dogs. Since it can fit in a purse, people think more highly of it, a child even. My dog flew once before, and she had to be in with the luggage. Our kitties who also where along for the flight had to stay below the seat. This lady was claiming she (the dog) couldn’t breathe down there and she needed water. Uh, how do you know she cant breath? Are you sticking your head down there or something? Many animals before yours has done this before and been just fine. How about next time leaving your dog at home and not making a scene with the nice lady and let others around you have their peace!

(Totally off the subject side note: There are three other people around me on their laptops. None of them being Apples. Yay PCs!)

Four and half hours went by rather quickly which means I must have gotten some sort of sleep. Since we were cutting it close, we let those going on to New York off first since they had 14 minutes to make their connection. No problem, I needed a little more time to wake up anyhow. I was one of the last folks to get off the plane, but once I did, my reward awaited me. In front of me were Starbucks to my left and Krispy Kreme to my right. Nevermind I had to use the restroom, coffee was a must, and so I made a beeline towards that well known green sign.

This is going to show how much of a coffee snob I am. Since the prices are super high at the airport Starbucks I never get more than a coffee (cheapest thing). Theres the cheating way of a latte: getting shots over ice then filling it up with milk at the condiment counter. Key word there is cheating, which I couldn’t bring myself to do. Plus, I wanted a warm coffee. Coffee of the week is Light Note. Now, those of you familiar with Starbucks coffee you know that’s a very mild coffee. I wasn’t looking for caffeine in take; if I was I would take the mild. Know why? Per cup, a mild coffee from Starbucks has more caffeine in it than the bold. Most people don’t know that, they think strong taste means strong caffeine. One of the “secrets” of Starbucks I guess. So, with a mild coffee after a splash of half and half, you cant taste the coffee anymore. What to do? Well, what we’d do for anyone who’d want a stronger tasting coffee: an Americano. So that’s what I did, which a little bit of toffee nut and it was a wonderful cup of coffee. Just perfect to get me over to Greensboro before crashing.

I download free songs from Paste music before leaving and have discovered the greatness that is Harrod and Funck. Especially Jason Harrod’s “Siobhan”… wonderful music to keep me company on my trip across the country. Be sure and check them out. Oh and besides Carla, who can name the song the title is from?

When my Grandma told me she had a free flight for me to use I was over joyed. Last minute getting time off of work, not a problem. But I wont even go into the hassle of us driving down to the airport to sign the ticket over to my name only to find a rude sales clerk at a closed ticket counter. Never mind we spent those hours shopping at the Pier One clearance store finding very good deals! They wasted our time. Though, the airline did redeem itself when we did go back and this very nice older gentleman explained thoroughly why I had to be in stand by.

I had never been on stand by before. Im not really a stand by girl to be honest. I dont mind doing things spare the moment at all. But when it comes to flying across the county Id like some assurance that its actually going to happen. So yes, I might make it to say Utah, but then be stuck there for another 13 hours waiting to get to North Carlina. I have slept in an airport for 12 hours. In a foreign country, I have done my dues. Besides, this is a ticket given to my Grandma for spending 16 hours in an airport. Something just isnt right here.

The nice man at the counter told me to just keep calling to see if flights cleared up. A couple days ago one did, which secured for me that I was going. Though, I was prepared to practice for The Amazing Race and go stand by. I even was going to pull out from the rafters of my garage my backpack through Europe style backpack and get ready to rough it. Nothing like a little practice you know? I even got tips from a coworker about going stand by (good ones too). But no, God apparently had a little talk with the airline folks and told them there will be a way!

Now, red eye, I think I will understand by the end of my adventure why they call it that. My flight leaves at 10pm and I will arrive in Charlotte at 5:30am. Thats 2:30 my time folks. That means, if Im lucky, I will get four airplane sleep hours. Lets hope I do because Im gonna have to stay awake for 2 and half hours in the airport until a flight to Greensboro takes off at 8am. The difference of me sleeping in the airport in Germany (the foreign country) that I was with a group of people, three of them being males, one very protective one. So, this time, not so safe.

Hopefully everything will go as smoothly as possible. I will spend my extra day in town sleeping since I know I wont get much the night before, to make sure I am ready for my time in Greensboro. But if you dont have anything to do and feel like keeping me company in the Charlotte airport, feel free. Or just bring coffee and go back to bed. Id be eternally grateful.

Ive been reading about my friend’s music lives lately never thinking Kari would pass the baton my way. But I will not let her down and do my musical duty.

I always seem to have music on. Being in a car without music on kinda drives me crazy. Theres music I like for background music and theres those times of silence and a perfect line sings through it at just the right time. I mean, you really cant beat moments like that you know? I love my little iPod, Pinkie, that keeps me company on my many plane rides or when I simply clean the bathroom. Music is always surrounding me in some form it seems. So it means a lot to me, but its always changing. Id like to say it grows with me as I grow.

Amount of music on your computer?

Well, on my iTunes (one of the greatest things ever) I have 892 songs 3.58 GB. Thats 2:14:41:17 total time. Not as impressive as some but I do not have all my CDs on my computer.

Currently listening to?

Today it was James Taylor and Eastmountainsouth.

Five songs that mean a lot to you?

These are the songs that mean a lot to me currently (check back with me a year from now, I bet it will have changed).

Useless Desires by Patty Griffin
Patty is an amazing song writer, but always seems to be who I listen to when Im melodically and sad. She just keeps me content in my mood, but makes me think. This song has been a comfort in those times over the past year. “Impossible Dream” is the album which is can be find on is probably my favorite by her.

Let Me Sing by Andrew Peterson
I could play this song everyday and not get sick of it. Its probably do me some good to do that to remember the chorus daily. “So let me sing for the love. Let me love for the loss. Let me lose all I have, for what I found on the cross. Let me trust you with my life. Let me live to give you praise. Let me praise you for grace by which Im saved. Lord let me sing.”
I thought at one point to have it in my wedding someday as a song as we start a new life together. Maybe I still will… I dont know. Not a real wedding song but the message is a good for a marriage: “Embrace that old rugged cross”

Economy of Mercy by Switchfoot
If I would have to pick one Switchfoot song, this one would be it. That and “Ben Hur”. Love song and a God song, I can have one of each right? I think Jon Foreman is a really wonderful song writer and these words always hit me at the core no matter what state I might find myself in.

Nothing Is Ever Enough by Derek Webb
I know this is a strange pick. I do know Derek wrote it about leaving Caedmon’s. I have listened to it during some rough/frustrating times and it spoke clear to me. It helped me sort out my feelings when they needed to be detangled. Relationships tend to do that too often in my heart and music tends to help me work it out. Not fix it, but you have to start somewhere.

Get Out the Map by Indio Girls
This song reminds me of Carla big time. It was our road trip (from Cali to Alabama when I moved out there) theme song and was constantly played on our journeys together. Reminds me the birth of our close friendship and our short time as room mates. It makes my heart smile listening to it and thinking of those happy times.

Top five albums?

Why are music questions so hard? I think its because it kinda marks the kind of person you are in ways (well to other music people). Especially putting it down as top five albums! I dont think I could tell you one album that I love all songs on a cd. I changed favorites so often that a top five is hard. So right now, these are the ones that mean a lot to me. So that said… here goes nothing.

For Lack of a Better Word by Popular Genius
I first heard this album through the wall of my bedroom in my apartment in Alabama. It was muffled but I knew it was good music. I walked out and asked who we were listening and Trey said “Popular Genius” a friend of his’ band that he had talked about tons. I am now a devoted fan of the band. Thats the short PG story.

The Crucible by Sandra McCracken
Actually, this album, I love every song on it. Probably only one I own I can say that about. As described in an interview this album is very faith driven. Its driven by faith, it isnt soaked in faith. Sandra opened my eyes to a beauty of writing about lives ups and downs without having to say the name of Jesus. I think it speaks the loudest when you dont have to do that. This album always bring me comfort with all the different emotions it stirs in me over the road that is life.

eastmountainsouth by eastmountainsouth
Musically and lyrically this is an amazing album. I wish this musical duo would put out more albums, I cant get enough of this album it seems. Once in my cd player it stays for days without rest.

Long Line of Leavers by Caedmon’s Call
Oh how Im going to be flogged for this, but I dont care. This album has so many memories tied to it that I probably will never get sick of playing these songs and getting lost in them. This album came out around the time I was going through a lot of changes in close relationships to me and it could of been my life Derek could of written about. The Cliff songs are nice too, remind me of different moments of that time of my life but not as closely connected to me.

Heavier Things by John Mayer
Its hard for me to listen to this cd skipping a song. It happens very rarely, the songs just seem to flow together so well. I dont want to be the one to brake them up. The songs make dance a little in your seat. Make you think of past loves, family and life. Its such a human album, and what I mean by that its a searching album for sure. Christian or not, we are all searching in some shape or form. I think John Mayer nailed that better than some Christian song writers.

Last album bought?

I think it was Chris Thile’s “Deceiver”

Recent discoveries?

Jump Little Children . Mind you, I just have one downloaded song by them, but its lovely. Popular Genius plays with them a lot and Trey is a big time fan of them.

And the baton goes to:

Jason
Carla
Susan
Kate
Aaron

I found a photo of the said hippo so I thought Id share it with yall. Isnt she cute? According to Jason, she is very soft.