Me, I'm gonna live forever. I feel alive.

Last Tuesday: Really, this story starts a long time ago. I once loved a band named The Format. I was introduced to The Format during a time where I had a solid group of friends and their music became the soundtrack to our adventures. It was a very good year for me of pushing myself to trying new things. A year that culminated in my first out of the country experience to Costa Rica. The end of that summer our little group sort of disbanded, not because of a fight or any hard feelings but rather marriages, school transfers, people moving, and the sorts of horribly wonderful things the fall can sometimes bring. I still loved The Format but slowly listened less and less. They were tied to a place in time for me. Not too long after our group moved on The Format broke up. I remember that Feather cried. To me it seemed somewhat symbolic. Their website said something to the effect of the band members not fighting but just needing to move on.
Nate Reuss, the former lead singer of The Format has formed a new band: fun. They remind me of the things I loved most about The Format but they are noticably different. Almost older for lack of a better word. Perfect for where I am now compared to where I was when I fell in love with The Format.

I mentioned their new CD the other day and Tuesday Chala and I went to their meet and greet at Grey Whale and then their concert. It was their first headlining show of their tour and they sold out Kilby Court. (Which from what I hear from knowledgeable sources never happens.)

We were stuck in the back. The very back by the wall and also by the heating unit that I found with my head when I was jumping to try and see the band. It was a beautiful concert from any spot in the venue. Can I again say it was a beautiful show? They are very good live and I fully believe it was enriching to my soul. I'm in love with their music and haven't stopped listening to it since the show.


On the way back to the car I realized that I didn't have my keys. I was so exicted for the concert I got my camera, my phone, my card/id and put my purse (also containing my keys) in the trunk since we were parked in an unlit, slightly sketchy area. Chala posed on the car until a car pulled up next to us and sat there for a while and we retreated to a cab dispatch building with lights. Luckily they knew a guy who could get me into my car for less than half the price everyone else had quoted me.

Reunited with our signed posters.

At the end of the show we were standing by the sound booth. Since the guy in the booth kept looking at a paper I assumed he had a set list. Once the show was over I asked him if I could have it. He told me it wasn't a set list but rather the band's stage layout but I could have it if I wanted. I of course took it and was DELIGHTED to find that it also had some phone numbers and email addresses on it. Particularly the phone number of Nate Ruess, the lead singer.
I haven't used the phone number yet. But don't you think I have to at least once? That kind of information just doesn't come along everyday right?

I <3 fun.

I will grow my own trees while you follow the moon.

I usually like to post my own pictures/words on my blog rather than re-posting awesome finds already on the internet mostly because there are great blogs that already do that. However, today I can't resist. I saw these on the Today Show and wow... The art of poodle shearing was completely foreign to me until now.


See the rest HERE!

You can move me if you want to, you can move a mountain

I'm a fool for thinking I would have more time. Work continues to be just that, work. My bedroom has been flooding. Today my bathroom ceiling decided it wanted to also join the unwanted water party. Personal life issues are happening too. However, I am not complaining because I have good music to carry me through. I finally found where I stashed the iTunes gift card sweet Hilary gave me. You see, it got misplaced when I moved a few months ago but is now happily providing me beautiful melodies which I am now recommending to you.

First: aim & ignite by fun.

fun. is made up of half of the duo that created The Format who I continue to love even though they are no longer. (Remember when you cried Feath?) I'm loving fun. and am even more excited because I have tickets to see them in a week. fun. is not your average band, there are gospel choirs, violins, some harpsichord and a whole lot of flair. Current favorite songs are All the Pretty Girls, Light a Roman Candle with Me, and I Wanna Be the One.

Number Two: Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

So good. I really don't know what to say, it hasn't left my car since I bought it a week ago and I've done a lot of driving this week. Ingrid has such a good voice and words that move me. Perhaps mid my first listen a tear came to my eye because I was so happy. Favorites are Soldier and The Chain. Ingrid is also coming soon and I'm excited to see her again.

I'm shocked people don't hire me to professionally write music reviews.

Now I need to know...
What music are you currently loving?

Light a roman candle with me

I love married friends who can still hang out with their single friends. Last night I went to Sam and Andy's where they served me dinner and gave me a foot rub before we played Ticket to Ride. And I beat them both.

For dessert we experimented and made grilled peaches. They were pretty close to nirvana and very easy to make.

Thanks Sam and Andy!

I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage

I'm back!

I decided I wanted to traipse about the country for a while. Literally. My body was in every US time zone within one week.

Then I came back and was looking forward to establishing a routine for life only to have work explode. Between last Tuesday at noon and this Tuesday at noon I worked about 70 hours. (Don't fear my dear work friends, I managed to do that without any significant overtime. I'm that good.)

So now I think I'm really back. The good news is my mom found a great closeout deal on a camera and was kind enough to buy it for me so I've got pictures of my escapades that will be coming soon.

Another one bites the dust...

One more shirt to add to my portfolio. This one had a wiggly model and I had a hard time getting a good shot. Good thing the model was so cute.

Canta y no llores

Very apt for how I'm feeling today.

I must learn to love the fool in me -- the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, fool.

Theodore I. Rubin, MD

I had a very good weekend in a renewing sort of way.

Thursday (which I'm totally counting in the weekend) was an opportunity to mend a relationship, see a friend do what she loves, and have renewed faith in kind and caring people. (Side note: seeing a musical from the sound booth might be better than seeing it in any other seat. Also, you would be shocked to know that I am able to stay quiet for that long.)

Friday brought needed sleep, a surprise lunch with an old and lovely friend, and an evening at work that reminded me that a change in plans can provide opportunities to see people in a new light and to connect with them on a deeper level.

Saturday included errand running that accidentally gave me some good "singing with John" in the car time, a movie matinee (If you see My Sister's Keeper take a box of tissue. I pretty much cried through the whole thing and then got a headache from crying so much. But it was good and worth it.), a trip to Ikea to help a friend prepare to start a new career, very good chatting time with that same friend that helped me see myself through new eyes, and an evening laughing with many friends playing a silly game. Also a series of phone calls from a very thoughtful mother who found me a new camera at an amazing price. Thank you mom.

Sunday was church which brought a spiritual renewal and an opportunity to help a friend, quality time and good food with friends who will soon be a little further away and a chance to meet new people.

All in all a very good weekend. Reminders that I shouldn't be quite so hard on myself and that I am surrounded by amazing friends.