Rest can be seen on my flickr . Enjoy

Last night I saw “Behold the Lamb of God” by Andrew Peterson. It was my first time seeing the show, not in Nashville. If you know anything about this Christmas concert, you know the show is a bit bigger in Nashville with it being held at the Ryman and more well known artists in the mix of the familiar staples that makes up the 10 piece band of the BTLOG tour. I was expecting it to be a little less impactful somehow not seeing it at the Ryman. While it did feel different, I wasnt with the same community of friends who first got me into this show in the first place. Instead I was with my new beloved community here in town who I talked their hears off to come see the show. Needless the say, it was just an impactful as has been every year before I have seen it. The church where I work really did a stand up job on making the evening a wonderful one.

Im stealing this little peice of a blog post from Andrew’s community blog, rabbitroom.com:

“Upcoming BTLOG attendees, you are most definitely in for a treat. Indeed, you will be part of the treat. With each round of that phrase (I believe He is the Christ, Son of the Living God), the intensity of emotion ratchets higher and wider. And it’s not emotion for emotion’s sake; it’s emotional truth boring ever deeper into our being, and it’s one of the most profoundly moving sounds I’ve ever heard.

The season is here. Don’t miss the opportunity to sing “Silver Bells.” Drink some eggnog; eat some Christmas cookies. Kiss somebody under the mistletoe. Drive around and look at the lights. And by all means, attend and support your local Christmas pageant. But if you crave something more, something real, something that will simultaneously rock your world with truth, and cultivate peace and joy in your spirit, consider making Behold the Lamb of God, The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ, a new family tradition. It has everything to do with the real, true meaning of Christmas, and nothing to do with the paltry imitation.”

Its true, you are completely apart of the treat that is BTLOG show. Familiar faces from years of listening to their music before me. Watching a community of friends play music together while I sit with my community of friends is one of the best things ever. Hearing the words that I know to be true, but singing truth into my life backed with amazing music is hard to beat. I was completely excited before the show to come and now Im simply delighted that it was yet again part of my Christmas time tradition.

Thanks again for those of you who gave your advice on what songs to get. Heres what I ended up collecting from iTunes to help make my Christmas 2008 mix:

Frosty the Snowman – Fiona Apple (I dont really care for Frosty or Fiona Apple for that matter, but I love this little folky spin she gave it on this verison)

O Come Let Us Adore Him- Shane and Shane (High schooler influence. While I used to be a bigger Shane and Shane fan, I havnt listened to them for years until most of the kids are stuck on them.)

The Chipmunk Song – Chipmucks (This was a given. I cant believe I spent so many Christmas time without this song)

Grown Up Christmas List – Kelley Clarkson (Alright, I like song fine. Though the little clip did not preview the choir in the background. Hate it when song sneak in choirs like that! All choir or not at all!)

Carol of the Bells – The Bird and the Bess (I actucally got this one for free! Thank you free iTunes blog)

Christmas for Two – Sixpence None the Richer (This might be my favorite out of all the new songs I got this year.)

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – Gayla Peevey (Oh man, I love this song a little too much. What year was this recorded? Anyone know?)

Juggle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms (This is just classic Christmas right here. Cant help but dance a little or sing along)

My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) Regina Spektor (Okay so this is a New Years song, but the sound of it makes it fit right in with the Christmas songs. And you of course need a ending to the mix, this one is perfect. Also a freebie!)

Maybe I’ll post my Christmas Mix 2008 later.

It knocked me down, it dragged me out, it left me there for dead.
It took all the freedom I wanted and gave me something else instead.
It blew my mind, it bled me dry, it hit me like a long goodbye,
and nobody here knows better than I that it’s a good thing.

It can hurt like a blast from a hand grenade when all that used to matter is blown away.
There in the middle of the mess it made you’ll find a good thing.
Yes, it’s worth every penny of the price you paid. It’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
Do not fear.

“Love is a good thing” by Andrew Peterson

Just Been listening to this song off of Andrew Peterson’s new album a lot this week. Thought Id post it to sum up a lot of my thoughts and the thoughts Ive just begun to have.

Google and me? We are a good team. Google collects all these great things for me when come to the internet all in one neat place for me to have (you know, google gives and I take). Thats right, Im talking about my iGoogle page. One of the beat features iGoogle has is the free iTune songs. Its a hit and miss, but hey its free right? Well heres a fun pop song (and well all know Im a sucker for a good pop song) you can download for free. Its a song by the band “The Script”. Apparently they are an Irish band made up for three twenty somethings who are big in Europe right now. I like most things Europe a lot of times and this is one of those times. Enjoy.

Last couple of days I have kept the TV off to listen to music while I write, knit or work around the house. Its been really nice to my surprise. I get more done also because Im not stopping to look up from time to time at the rerun of Gilmore Girls I own on DVD but insist on watching on TV or seeing how unfortunate some girls outfit really is on What Not to Wear. Not only am I listening to music, Im listening to music in my iTunes that barely gets a listen. I have it for a reason, I liked it at one point enough to put it in my music library, so lets listen to it! I have reconnect with old favorites to new songs that are quickly becoming favorites.

Currently there are four pairs of shoes sitting on my bedroom floor instead of their rightful place in my closet. I had a bad habit of just coming home and slipping off my shoes whenever I happen to lay my purse down at (so usually around the edge of my couch). I wont notice this till about 6 or 8 pairs are shoes are out. I blame this on my couple years of Hawaiian culture upbringing of taking your shoes off when you enter the house. Time to break this habit and be rid of those shoes that rarely ever hit the floor.

Jackets in the morning a lot of times lose their need by the afternoon time. In the car they sit and gather in a group by the end of the week. I now have an unsaid responsibility to myself to take at least one thing out of my car (usually a coat or travel tumbler) when entering into my house. I just have found it funny that I have given myself rules to live by without really noticing it, even in silly little ways. Surely Im not alone in this – what rules have you given yourself?

While I love Christmas themed items (just ask Jason, I kept squealing with delight as we walked through Target and they had put out even more Christmas things) I do not like giving them as Christmas gifts. As cute or as perfect a the Christmas theme gift is, your friend will not be able to use it until next Christmas. Which is just a really sad thought to think about, it gets unwrapped only to be put in a box in a closet somewhere for a year. Im in the Christmas spirit early this year with already making gift lists, getting gift wrap and now getting myself some new Christmas music. This year I want to add to my collection, lets review what I already have so you maybe able to help me with my search:

“A Christmas Album” by Amy Grant
“Behold the Lamb of God: True Tale of the Coming Christ” by Andrew Peterson
“Wintersong” by Sarah McLachlan
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sufjan Steve’s Christmas Albums
And a good handful of London Festival Orchestra (thanks to Kari)

The singles…
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” Barenaked Ladies
“Evergreen” by Switchfoot
“Child of Wonder” by Sara Grooves
“Babe in the Straw” by Leigh Nash
“Silent Night” by Martha’s Trouble
“What Child is This?” Caedmons Call
“Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)” Death Cab for Cuttie
“Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas” Coldplay
“Feliz Navidad” by Veggie Tales

Most of those singles, come from Kari’s Christmas Mix which I love listening too. I put my favorites here so you can get an idea of the type of Christmas I like. Clearly I need a little more of the Santa songs, which as much as I didnt grown up believing in him, his songs are fun.

After doing a little iTunes research, heres what Ive come up with:

Christmas Lights by Mathra’s Trouble. I like Martha’s Trouble a lot, so I dont see why I wouldnt love this ablum.

O Holy Night by Sara Grooves. I used to be really really into Sara Grooves. I dont know if I have grown out of her or what, but everytime I listen to her she brings me great comfort. I just dont listen to her nearly as often as I once did – so do I get this album?

James Taylor at Christmas – James Taylor. I like James Taylor, his hit album is one of my favorites but do I want him here at Christmas time too?

Christmas – Brad Paisley. I love Brad Paisley with all of my guilty pleasure heart. I like some country music but I dont own a single album by anyone. Some singles here and there but not a whole album so this would be a jump.

Christmas – The Andrew Sisters. 1940s music ladies and gentleman and I totally love it. I dont know what it is, but I really like it.

Singles:
Grown Up Christmas List – Kelley Clarkson. Oh man, I love me some Kelley Clarkson. Very tempting.
The Chipmunk Song – How do I not have this song?! Hula hoop!
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms. Classic, no?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Rizzo and Gonzo
Youre a Mean one Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscrof
Little Saint Nick – Beach Boys – What can I say? Im from California and I love it.
I want a hippopomatus for Christmas – Gayle Peevey. I love hippos and Christmas. This is my song.

Im very open to singles as well as ablums you like. iTunes doesnt have the rare, really good stuff, so let me know what you know! Please share your Christmas music wisdom!

…in this non-blogging that is happening here. I know I said Id blog about Project Serve with photos. Well my photos are all a mess and I havnt gotten to pick which ones to use yet. Im working on it. But my “free time” which is Saturday will be spent second shooting a wedding, so it maybe delayed even more. I have something to share in the mean time – Sixspence None the Richer is back with a new cd. Thank you Nate for this tip. Im excited.

The other day at work my coworker and I found something in common – we both liked the song that was playing in the store. This is small I know, but I really dont have much in common with her. Our work styles are completely different. She gets offend really easy and sometimes I simply dont know what to do when I work with her. So when we made a connection of liking music (it was a song off of Jason Mraz’s new album) I felt like there a little bit of hope for us. Not that Im wanting this deep relationship with her, but 5:14 is based on Galatians 5:14 which is about loving our neighbors. Where I live, I dont really have typical neighbors – I have business. My ‘neighbors’ in my life is the communities I find myself in, one of them being my coworkers. When this coworker said she is wanting new music and liked (so it seemed) the same type of music I offered to make her a mix CD. She seemed very greatful for the offer, so I made it a point to put it together before I leave next week for Ohio. Not that I listen to a lot of Christian music these days, but I find it interesting that I really didnt add a lot of Christian music to this mix. I wasn’t avoiding it, but Im also not trying to had her a track in the form of a CD. I just want to share with her a little bit of my life which I think this CD reflects, if not my little sound bites of my connections on her play list I wrote up for her. I think opening myself up a little more than I normally do will hopefully show love to her.

1: Behind Your Eyes – Jon Foreman
Jon is the front-man for the band Switchfoot (who you may or may not have heard of) who released four EPs (one for each season, which I find amusing since hes from San Diego like myself, and we do not have seasons there) this past year of his music away from the band. Switchfoot’s music is much more rock, where as his EPs are simple yet amazing singer songwriter style songs. This is one of my favorites.

2: 100 Miles to Charlston – Martha’s Trouble
When I moved from California to North Carolina two years ago this month, my friends Mike and Kari made me a three-disc road trip mix. This is one of the songs Kari picked out for me. I really like Martha’s Trouble music, but this song is where I started.

3: Please Forgive Me – David Grey
David Grey has been a long time favorite of Jason’s. He put this song on a mix CD for me when we first started dating. I have grown to really enjoy David Grey’s music a lot over the past year.

4: Rangers – A Fine Frenzy
We actually play (or did play) this song at Starbucks. She was even a free pick of the week at one point. When I got this CD I wore it out. I really love her voice and music. This is probably my most listened to song of hers.

5: New Life – Todd Martin
I went to see Peter Bradly Adams (who you will met later on this CD) and Todd opened for him. I really enjoyed his personality on stage and bought his CD, even exchanged a few emails with him. Its singer songwriter type stuff again, but a little more pop than normal.

6: Scythian Empires – Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is another guy who Jason really likes who I have gotten into because of how much he listens to his stuff. Andrew likes to whistle a lot in his songs, I like that little touch he adds to his music that’s different than what is out there.

7: Falling Slowly – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
I had a really hard time picking which song of theirs to share with you. If you have not seen the movie Once, go right now and rent it. It’s a wonderful movie staring these two people. This song was written for the movie, and it won an Oscar! Jason and I traveled to Richmond just to see them live and it was so worth it. Their music is just amazing.

8: Everything But You – Glen Phillips
Back in the 90s there was a band called Toad the Wet Sprocket who Glen was the front-man for. Apparently they are back together now, but I haven’t heard any music from them yet. Glen between now and then made a little solo career. He’s a very honest song writer.

9: How Lucky We are – Meiko
This past Christmas went I went to California a friend of mine got married. She played this little song at her reception and I’ve loved it ever since.

10: High and Dry – Jamie Cullum
Yet another guy Jason turned me on to. Actually, the day that Jason and I met Jamie Cullum’s CD was the soundtrack to our day as we drove around getting to know each other. This is a wonderful cover of a Radiohead’s song.

11: Tomorrow is a Long time – Nickel Creek
Nickel Creek is a great bluegrass band that you should buy every single one of their albums if you don’t already own them. I maybe love them a little more than most fans because they are from my hometown in California. This is a Bob Dylan cover and I just adore. I usually love Bob Dylan covers more than his originals… I just cant get past his voice. His words on the other hand I could listen to all day long.

12: Chinese Translations – M. Ward
I have to give full credit to my friend Mike for his guy. For his birthday Mike went to see M. Ward live, and I only knowing a few of his songs went along. Seeing M.Ward live put me over the edge and I have been a fan ever since. This is probably his “hit” song.

13: Rowing Song – Patty Griffin
When I lived in Alabama my roommate got me into this wonderful lady who writes mostly sad songs. Sometimes sad songs are just needed and Patty writes beautiful lyrics and her music is pretty. She’s a little bitter at men you could say.

14: Unreconciled – Peter Bradly Adams
He used to be apart of a duo called eastmountainsouth who sadly is no longer. They put out one amazing record that I still listen to a lot. He now does music on his own, this is from his first offering.

15: Plenty – Sandra McCracken
Probably my most favorite singer/song writer is Sandra. I personally think she is better live than in her recordings, even if its just her and her guitar (and her husband has done backup too). She just writes songs that make you think since they don’t always give away what they are all about. This song is pretty clear on its purpose, but just moving. This song is not about her husband – it was written before she met him.

16: Out of My League – Stephen Speaks
I listened to this band a lot in my early twenties – they write a lot of sweet songs about girls. This is one of my favorites; I’m a sucker for a sweet song with a strong piano melody. My dad has out listened me on this song – he and I like a lot of the same type of music.

17: Stars Go Blue – Ryan Adams
My friend Scott is a huge Ryan Adams fan. Actually a good handful of my friends like Ryan Adams a lot, but I’m pretty sure Scott got me listening to him first. Ryan Adams is one crazy guy but he writes some pretty great music. This is one is prettier songs. He can be very rock and roll

18: When the Leaves Turn Green – Songs of Water
I had to put on one of Jason’s bands songs on here. Just couldn’t help myself! This song is one my favorites – its just so pretty. Jason plays the guitar on this song.

I was at the used bookstore in town the other day and found the greatest hits album for the band PFR. I wouldnt have called myself a huge fan, but two CDs I did had of them, I played out. So much in fact that when I put the CD in my car this morning for my ride to work I sang along as if I listened to these songs yesterday. I laughed out loud at the fact I still could sing these songs word for word, even if has been ten years since I sang them last.

For a long time (and maybe still have in a box somewhere in my parents garage) I had a interview with one of the guys in PFR who is married to Leigh Nash. I believe I tore this interview page out of the magazine called 8 Ball? Maybe? Anyways it was this awesome music magazine. I distinctively remember a photo of the PFR guy and Leigh Nash – they were newly married and she was ether just starting Sixpence or just before that. Ether way, it was pre-dark eyeliner days for Leigh. She wore overalls in these photos – as was I when I read the interview probably.

This CD is worth every penny of the $2 bucks that I paid for it.

“I don’t know how I got here. It’s not where I want to be. I feel the walls are closing in and I can’t breathe. Cause I’m feeling like a little girl, lost her way and disappeared, to a world that really doesn’t care and I’m on my way to the bitterness hotel.”
~Martha’s Trouble

“There’s just two ways to lose yourself in this life and neither way is safe. In my dreams I see visions of the future, but today we have today. And where will I find You?

In the economy of mercy, I am a poor and begging man. In the currency of grace, is where my song begins. In the colors of Your goodness, in the scars that mark your skin, in the currency of grace is where my song begins.”
~Jon Foreman

“Everybody here’s got a story to tell
Everybody’s been through their own hell
There’s nothing too special about getting hurt
Getting over it, that takes the work.”
~Glen Phillips

“As the music at the banquet
As the wine before the meal
As the firelight in the night
So are you to me

As the ruby in the setting
As the fruit upon the tree
As the wind blows over the plains
So are you to me

As the wind blows over the plains
So are you to me”
~eastmountainsouth

In my different circles, there has been a common factor, that keeps popping up. A lady who has nicked named herself Pioneer Women . She writes a few blogs, but the cooking one was the one that made me become a fan. When Im looking for a recipe, Im always drawn to the one with a picture. I need to know what it looks like for two reason. One, Im a visual person, step by step pictures work well for me. Second, I want confirmation that it does in fact look like this. Disclaimer about this post, its very Pioneer Women style and well, my roommate already made fun of me for taking photos as a cook but dang it, it was fun! [ Brandi, I hope you took photos as you made your Pioneer Women Thanksgiving dinner.]

Ah well this has been something Ive been doing before on this blog. Its just been a while since we’ve seen random play list brought to you by the shuffle feature on my iPod. I havnt been on walks in a while. It was too hot during the summer. Fall got busy for me. I need to get off my hinney and go now that weather is pretty awesome. Anyways, I wanted some tunes to cook my green beans and heres what I got:

All Right Here by Sara Groves (Good girl power song. A favorite for sure.)
And Can It Be by Sandra McCracken (Good upbeat hymn.)
Across the Universe by Rufus Wainwright (Beatles cover. Bringing two awesome things together. Yes.)
Magic Trick by M.Ward (I just adore this song. I dance around a sing a little every time its on.)
God Rest Ye Merrt Gentleman by Barenaked Ladies (CURSES! Emily Freeman are you in my iPod turning on the Christmas music two days early? CURSES!)
On the Divide by Bebo Norman (Its been a while for me and Bebo. I didnt know who this was a first.)
Wish In This World by Edwin McCain (What? You know you like some Edwin McCain too.)
I Want a Broken Heart by Derek Webb (This song seemed really out of place.)
The Best Is Yet to Come by Frank Sinatra (Its as though he was singing of the green beans.)
Jessamyn’s Reel by Chris Thile (Wonderful song. I rarely say that about an instrumental. Makes stirring around things fun.)

Alright, now we have our Green Bean Mix going, onto the production. Now, this is no means a step by step on how to make these green beans, whos recipe is titled “The Most Delicious Green Beans” . Well see if it holds up to its name tomorrow. This is just more of you sitting in a chair in the kitchen with me as I fix these green beans.

Ah my little kitchen space. I make it work though becasue I love my house despite its lack of counter space. So we’ve got a hot pan from IKEA (love my IKEA cook wear) and bacon. One pound of bacon (which I use all but two pieces of).

This is not becasue I love bacon a lot. This becasue the pan on the bacon package and my pan match. Confirmation Im using the right thing! And yeah its Costco bacon. You dont even want to know how much more of this stuff is in my fridge.

So, the recipe said to have strips of bacon. I always burn bacon when they are in long strips for some reason. And I didnt really get down with a big fat layer on top of the green beans. Wouldnt that cause problems when taking a soup to it to dump on the Thanksgiving plate? Kitchen scissors to the rescue!

Do not judge! There is nothing wrong with canned green beans. Look I even got the no salt added kind since you know, there is ton of bacon in this dish.

I know they look funny. Its not becasue they are canned, its becasue the flash colored it funny. They are shiny! Pretty green beans.

Those are pretty bubbles of grease! Crispy brown bacon! YUM!

I know, I know. Its like McDonalds putting calories on the side of french fries. You dont want to know how much fat drained off the bacon. I just kinda had to know sorta thing. (Its little over 1/2 cup in case you cant read it.)

Jason rented a Wii game Ive been wanting to try called Cooking Mama. Its pretty fun and very Japaneses. Well, Im awesome at chopping on Cooking Mama. Not a whole lot other than that, but I always get those points and cream the computer when I chop. Then real life comes and Im not so awesome at chopping. Though this is the first time I didnt cry when cutting an onion. That in itself is a victory.

Dont worry, it isnt more bacon fat. This is apple cider vinegar that goes into the bacon fat. With some sugar. But this little beauty is one of my favorite new kitchen items. A measuring shot glass. Its way too fun and great for small liquid measurements.

Final product! Okay well not final, final. Its gonna sit in the fridge over night then cook at 350 for 45 minutes tomorrow before I head to my friends home after a little morning shift at the ‘Bucks (time and a half!). And I left the almonds at Jason’s but they will go on and be awesome along side the bacon and green beans. (Another shot glass appearance, I love it so much.)

A close up of the pretty green beans and toppings. Have a great Thanksgivings!

I Repent – Derek Webb
Majik of Magic – Cat Stevens
Chattanooga – Sandra McCracken
Made Up My Mind – David Grey
Complicated – Avril Lavigne
The King of Carrot Flower Part 1 -Neutral Milk Hotel
Night Air – Teddy Geiger
Lonely Holiday – Old 97′s

Today’s walk play list is pretty random, but enjoyable. I might have to make myself a “13 year old girl” music play list. Those songs make for good upbeat music to walk to. One of these times I will have to bring Owen along to take photos of all the lawn art I see. Some of them are just plan odd but others make me laugh out loud. I walked almost two miles today – missed the two miles mark by .20 But I got up earlier, well, 830 isnt real early but I got up and out of the house on my day off to walk! Good thing I went early becasue it looks like it might rain again today. I dont know what Im going to do during summer when its bloody hot outside.

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide.
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side.
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.

Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow: this shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence of that happy meeting place,
You must mind and bear the image of the Master in your face,
Of the Master in your face.

This song was written by a women name, Ellen Lakshmi Goreh. I know it well thanks to Sandra McCracken redoing the music and setting these lyrics that was originally a poem to a beautifully slow banjo piece. So many of these lines grab me, but today I just get lost in the whole song. “You hide them in the protection of Your presence” Psalm 31:20

Everything But You – Glen Philips
Somehow, Someday – Ryan Adams
Thirteen – Jolly Naiper
Behind These Hazel Eyes – Kelly Clarkson
Let’s Get Into A Fight – Don Chaffer
Time Will Do The Talking – Patty Griffin
Mediocre Bad Guys – Jack Johnson

That is my playlist from my walk today, I let my iPod chose the music and it seemed to work out well. It’s short becasue it started to rain on me mid walk so I took shelter under trees on the way back. Thankfully my neighborhood is older so the trees are big and old and all over. I love walking around my neighborhood and looking at all the amazing houses and pick my favorite. It was cooler this morning and my hands were cold when I first started walking. Usually I can find excuses to not go walking, its cold or I dont know where my earbuds are. I dont know why I do that since I really enjoy walking once I get of lazy funk and go. Hopefully on days I have to work early I can still find time to take a walk. Lately I haven’t been listening to a lot of music. Maybe I felt a longing for some quite for a while but now I cant seem to get enough. Music really clears ones head, especially mine, than adding to the noise. I’m one of those people who can be moved to tears becasue of a song hits me where I hurt the most or where I’m most confused. Songs that I’ve listen to over and over again bring back a memory of when the song was new. Between a walk and music and little bit of rain, I don’t know what else could be better to clear my mind.

Friday night I went out to celebrate Kelly turning 25 at a baseball game. Maybe Im just old or not a parent to understand, but Friday was my first time sitting in the lawn. I do not like the lawn so much. So many kids and rude people. Where as sitting in our seats people are friendly and get into the game with you. Just a little harder to do in the lawn. Plus Im not into yelling at the outfielders, which seems to be the only way to get into the game out there. We had fun taking some goofy photos just the same:

Saturday evening Mike and Kari invited me to go with them to see M. Ward in Asheville. Ive only been to Asheville once before for a quick dinner on a drive back to NC from Nashville. We got there a little early for dinner and so we got to walk around a little bit allowing me to see another street of Asheville than I had before. M. Ward was great. Ive seen him once before with a full band before I was really a fan and it was amazing. This show he played solo which was also amazing for a totally different sound.

Sunday was a day full of friends and catching up. I introduced Kelly to the Wii, which is living at my house currently. Jason returned from a weekend in South Carolina. We catched up with each other which I really like. As much as we want each other in our stories, we love sharing them with each other. We had plenty to talk about before the Amazing Race came on. Sadly, no photos from Sunday – Owen needed a little break. I loved having a weekend full of friends and plans since a lot of time my weekend comes and goes with nothing really note worthy. Not that everyday off needs to be note worthy, but it was one of the more enjoyable weekends in a long time.

I havnt share with you all this neat little corner of internet that some friends of mine have started an online magazine on. Its called Cornertableonline.com and I just posted an interview with the one and only Tara Leigh Cobble . Be sure to add Cornertableonline.com to your bookmark or RSS feeds.

Also, I took some photos of our new downtown park. Enjoy.

There’s a well-known venue in Carrboro, NC called Cat’s Cradle that I was invited to last night. It an odd location for a usually packed out house at the end of a shopping center. After finding rock-star parking Mike and I took a walk to kill some time before the doors opened. We came across a used bookstore called Nice Priced Books and wandered around making comments that Ed McKays should take after there great organization skills. We were fourth in line to enter the Cat’s Cradle making way for our planned out seats (there is very little seats, a lot of standing and we both didn’t want to stand the whole time) and then the merch table walk. We both made some purchases (Mike some M.Ward t-shirts and I a M.Ward cd, Post-War) and then settled in for the nights show.

The opening band.. not really much to say about them. Oh other than the girl’s hair. As a naturally straight hair girl, I envied her sweet curls. She also was decent with a violin. Not sure why she’s in that band really, doesn’t seem to fit. The middle band or as they referred to themselves “the meat in the sandwich” was much better. I really enjoyed their music with guests of a 4 part string and they had a piano player. Its really hard to not win me over with a piano and a violin. Mike said it perfectly about the one element of the this band I sorta got over as time went it on, “I cant understand anything hes sayin’ but I believe him!” The singer had passion but he sorta talked as he sung and it was really hard to him understand him. The music that carried him made up for this strange form of singing though. Rather enjoyable to say the least.

My ears are still ringing just a little from how loud the show was. I’m usually an old lady when it comes to that sorta thing. But when the music is rocking like it was last night then you just have to let it be. Sacrifice your ears for one evening and let the music boom your body. Jason has said before when he watches a show he just stands, arms folded and without a movement watches the show. I don’t know if even he could of not even tapped his foot to the music last night. I don’t know how to put M.Ward in a typical music category. I want to say rock and roll with folk thrown in. See? That doesn’t really work now does it? Different sound than I’ve experienced at a show and I thoroughly enjoyed. Id even be willing to say it was the most fun I had a show in years. Which is pretty high being I knew very little of M.Ward’s music before entering the venue. You get much more into the music if you actually know it. I could only think how much more I would of been moving with the beat if I had known the material. The guy knows how to play a good, very well. It was a sight to behold when he did a solo or his bandmates and him rocked out. Another thing I really enjoyed was how two of the bandmates juggled the playing if acoustic guitar, bass and electric guitar. They were not half bad themselves but M.Ward was quite amazing. Maybe it was the smell of beer but it would of seemed fitting to have a nice cold beer in the end. Mike and I even discussed on the way to the show whether M.Ward would be a beer person. At the end of the show he held up a beer and said cheers.

I’m looking forward to getting to know Post-War very soon. I can see myself falling into the wonderful but dark musical trap of M.Ward. Thanks again for the invite Mike. Have a very happy birthday today!

After a long over due trip to Chapel Hill to visit Dawn and a quick walk on Franklin Street (that I did not know existed before yesterday) I drove home in the rain. I’m sure some folks around here thinks the cold and the rain is a little premature. It was perfect weather for the first day of September as some of the leaves start to turn sweet shades of yellow within the sea of greens. Dawn directed me to a smaller back country highway to avoid some nasty traffic on the 40. As I turned onto the highway I switched on my ipod and let it pick what soundtrack I should have for my drive on the 54. I was excited to take a new way back; another place to explore in my new state.

I’ve rediscovered the many things I love about the song “Let Go”. Its a perfect song to listen to while driving and raining. The commotion of the rain drops splashing against the windshield as a background bass almost to emotional songs, there are not many things like it. Classics in my book, such as “On Your Way” or “When You Come Back Down” where seen in a new light to me, driving songs (both about going somewhere). I never did get caught by Chris Mason’s second album as much as his first, but his song “Just Enough” reminded me of why I really do enjoy his work. Its also where the line for this entry’s title came from. “The Mariner’s Revenge Song” came on right when this red car was literally, holding up 15 cars (including myself) behind it. 54 is not the best highway to pass other cars on, with its curvy bends and hills to ride on. So for the entire song, this line of cars and I weaved between our lane trying to see our next move to mass slow poke. And the Decemberist write long songs, that one is no exception. 8 minutes. Somehow, I related to this song for a moment as I was stuck behind this line of traffic. “Tied to the Nineties” and “Mess” were fun upbeat songs to drive to, you need some of those in every mix. “Laugh Out Loud” was that familar song that I dont know why I dont listen to more often. “A Joyful Noise” was almost a slow dance song for the scenery that passed by too quickly. The farms and fields that tempted me to stop and take dozen of photos in the rain.

I couldn’t tell you of all the thoughts that those songs and I shared. It was really unplanned time that turned into a wonderful time of comfort and wonder of the glories around me. Usually I don’t think much of letting the shuffle button, but as each song came on, my thoughts just got further lost in the colors that painted my drive. Whether in the melodies or rain drops or dotted yellow lines, I soaked them all in. It was my sunday morning…

Let Go – Frou Frou
On Your Way – eastmountainsouth
Just Enough – Chris Mason
The Mariner’s Revenge Song – The Decemberists
Tied to the Nineties – Travis
Laugh Out Loud – Popular Genius
When You Come Back Down – Nickel Creek
A Joyful Noise – Glen Phillips
Mess – Ben Folds Five

Thats right, Derek’s ablum Mockingbird will be free for you on September 1st. Spread the word. Download it yourself and enjoy.