Mash Up

Today, on the day where I will for the first time try this thing everybody raves about called "alchihol", I have a lot of presents for you. Yesterday started out as a not so good day then ended with a hundo percent on my group presentation and a numbah. Then the radio really came through for me and provided me some gems to provide to you. So imma holla at cha for a second. Just enjoy the ride. 

First, my current urbsession is Lady A's Dancing Away with My Heart. It just gets me. And while I usually don't go for the country genre, this one, and pretty much their whole cd is pretty ballin. And I would consider them more poppy country anyway so I'm not too worried about it. Enjoy the harmonies. I meannnnn, they just rock. And its nice to see them getting some recognition at award shows. They are certainly very talented. 

The next little number I will also admit is a country jam. Its from Glorianna and its [Kissed You] Goodnight. Its for the hopeless romantic in me. Suhge cuteness, I don't even need to explain. And how much do you LOVEEEE Tyler Hilton in this. And lets be honest, we've all been there....

Now, veering from the country and getting back home ot singer songwriters, I was flipping through the channels and whatdayaknow, the Current comes through again. Tom Waits. His voice. His guitar. His everything all wrapped up into an amazing little present for any time of day. ENJOY! He is by no means a new artist, but he should be a lot more famous than he is. 

And finally, a shout out to the Lumineers who I feature a coupled months ago and who my friend Meghan also featured on her blog as well. They are gaining momentum and now are heard on cities97! So thats really exciting because they are really amazing....

Everyone have a fantastic and above average day!

Yellow Light

When I was three, I wanted to be a princess. I was obsessed with horses and although I never got to ride one, the back of our old couch got plenty worn from me pretend riding it all the time. I wanted the prince, the castle, the fairy tale dwarves, and the animals who spoke to me. I wanted it all.

Then I turned five and I decided I wanted to be a "vegetarian". What I was trying to say was veterinarian but my little brain couldn't process what the word was. But that family I've talked so much about understood what I was trying to say. I loved animals and at the time I thought you just had to play with them when they were sick and that would make them better. Then I found out that you had to go to more school than was required and I was done with that.

When I was nine I started to play basketball. So naturally my next dream was to be a professional basketball player just like Katie Smith. I went to Lynx games, trained extra hard, went to every single camp imaginable all to make my dream come true. Then I found out that I wanted to do something other than that. Naturally.

Those in between years are fuzzy. I never thought about being a firefighter or an astronaut. But I know that I had goals and dreams. But high school was filled with being forced to make decisions about your future. But lets be honest, you don't know what you want to do with the rest of your life your freshman year of high school. It just isn't going to happen, unless you're one of those amazing people who has life figured out to a tee. I have yet to meet someone like that, but I admire you. So I started out my baby year at Marquette wanting to be the top international business woman in the world. Then I decided it was a load of crap. Screw desks and planes and motels and itchy business suits and men trying to faze you out. I'm not built to sit behind a desk. So I switched to Social Work. Went to the intro class I was required to take and got so depressed about the state of our country that I quit that too. So I landed on Criminology. I felt comfortable. There were lots of things I could do with it and lets be honest, I'm a little excited about the prospect of learning how to shoot a gun. I don't know if I want to be a cop or an agent or a probation officer or any of that. I'm getting the degree because its a requirement to go anywhere in our world today. But who knows where I'm going to be in five years. Someone told me I would make a good prosecutor. I asked them "Why because I'm a bitch?" And they replied, "No. Because you actually care"

So where am I going with this you ask? Let me tell you. Does you heart ever drop or your stomach turn over when your approaching a stop light and its green, then as fast as you can blink, its yellow. There is that moment when you have to decide if you want to beat or surrender to it. Now naturally there are some instances where you wont make it. But I'm taking about being in the exact spot where you can floor it or stop it. And your nervous. What if I don't make it? Should I stop? Do I have enough time? Will it be worth it? To me, stop lights represent life. There are moments when it brings you to your knees and forces you to surrender. Then are those times where its giving you the go ahead to maintain your course. Then there are the times when it proposes options. And its like its testing you. Playing chicken with you. Question is are you going to play it safe even though you know you can make it? Or are you going to keep your trajectory full speed ahead. Life presented me with a yellow light almost a year ago to the day. Am I going to make the leap into the unknown, or am I going to shell out thousands upon thousands of dollars to play it safe. I took that challenge head on and floored it. I am coming to the end of my chapters of college. I'm facing that yellow light and it could go either way. My heart is pumping, my palms are sweaty and there's an incessant knot in my stomach constantly pestering me to decide. The beauty of the situation is that there is still time. I can hit the breaks or I can push the gas. The excitement about a yellow light is being able to choose.

The Acorn

I bring to you two amazing songs I just want everybody every where to listen too. First is Glory by The Acorn. The classic singer/songwriter style with some piano and awesome funky drum thing in the back. AMAZE! This isn't the best version but they are pretty good live. There is the Glory Mountain Road album on Spotify is you're really diggin it.

The second, an amazing pure vocal and piano piece is by Tori Amos called Silent All These Years from her debut album in 1992. I'm sure some of you have heard it before but that doesn't make it any less beautiful. 

  

Luck

I want to tell you a story. When I was little, hell now as well too, I was really talkative. I had two spectrums on a car ride with my family, anywhere, no matter the length. I was either talking my brains out or sleeping like a rock. On a lucky day it was sleeping. But on other days, I was just so excited to be where I was or so annoyed that it was taking so long to get there. I had a phase that I went through when I wanted to rehash everything and anything that had ever happened to me ever. Except I didn't know how to say remember. It was "renember when I did this" or "renember when you" renember, renember, renember. I remember my sister getting so mad at me that I couldn't say remember properly. But to me, I was right and there was no backing down. It was renember. I was sure of it. But to my dismay, only weeks later I realized that alas, I was wrong. But I stray from the point. The point of this story is that my family would usually just listen and smile and nod, even when I went off on undistinguishable tangents that made no sense in the slightest. These are some of the happiest times I can remember. Sure, my sister and I didn't really get along, at all, when we were little. But then a time came when I stopped caring about what everyone around me thought and my sister stopped being a stuck up biatch (to put in bluntly, sorry Sare). We are closer today than I ever thought we were going to be. But again, I stray. I am lucky to have the immediate family I have.
I have two great parents who are more fun, more loving, more understanding, more everything than I ever thought two people could be. My sister is one of wakiest, smartest (when she wants to be), most loving, independent, dependent, bug drivin, teaching fiend you will ever meet. She's a storm and you can't help but be taken with her. I watching her the other day when we were out at a restaurant, and she was going to the bathroom and of course had to pass the entire place to get there, and it was so amusing for me to see every single head in the place turn to her and watch her too. There is a sense of pride I feel when we go out and I see people get taken with her. Just that "yeah, we're related" type thing. I'm so proud of her and how far she's come and where she'll go. All I'm saying is that you better watch out, because when she swoops in and steals your heart, you can't say I didn't warn you. That's how it is with my family. We have our ups, our downs, our in the middles, our periods of contents. But no matter where we are, I always flash back to those early days in the car. And when I think back on all the highlights in my life, they were a part of every single one.

We aren't a perfect family by any means. But we are to each other. And I can't help but feel that there was little luck involved. I would still like to believe that some stork dropped me off in this family. This family of no boundaries, bad table manners, crude humor and most of all never ending love. I can't help but feel a sense of pride when we are all together and just sitting. None of us are talking, but just sitting. Some sleeping, reading, writing, staring, but each still in tune with the other. I am lucky. Plain and simple. I have nurtured that luck, stretched it, loved it, discarded it only to gain it back seconds later. I hope that everyone else feels this at least once in their life. And if you don't, just know that its out there, and take that as a hope. Not everything in the world is bad, no matter how true the bad may ring each day. There are families like ours out there. Simply, we are a family of mutts, all brought together by some stroke of lucky fate.

Shivers in my Bones

Oh. My. Gosh. Now I know that I've raved about The Pines before, but they just keep amazing every single time I listen to them. The song I'm going to feature today is Check out their earlier albums, they are amazing! And I kid you not, I am not a crier, but the beauty of his voice and everything that accompanies it gets my eyes a little dewy. Enjoy! A note, they have some pretty awesome tour dates and really cool venues coming up in the summer and fall in MN!! Check it out! This is Cry, Cry Crow from their latest album, Dark So Gold.

In terms of my life lately, it really hasn't been all that exciting. I have a great internship for the summer, albeit unpaid, but amazing none the less. I am officially a double major, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, on my path to do great things in the justice system. I am rocking with my weight-loss, enjoying my time with my family and dogs, being so proud of my friends for all that they are accomplishing in their respective countries, schools, majors, jobs. I have a pretty remarkable group of friends. I know I've said it before, but I'm lucky to have established such a solid group in high-school, and for all of us to still be close and hanging out is quite a miracle in some peoples books. While we are off ad doing our own things, its not sadness, but pride that I feel when I can say, 'yeah, I know them'. And I hope they feel the same about me. While at first I felt as if I was taking so many steps back at first when I made my decisions this fall, it doesn't feel that way anymore. I'm proud that I was able to take my future into my own hands. I'm not a plan follower. I make them, but rarely do I ever follow them to a T. This is no different. At this time last year, I was planning my trip to India and finding an apartment in Milwaukee with a friend. Today I am more independent than I ever thought I would be at this age. Yeah, I am living in my parents basement, but it really isn't all that bad. For one, its free. Second, the food is generally pretty rocking. I have car to drive, a job, great schooling, and I'm saving tens of thousands of dollars in the process. I'm in a good place. While I'm not traveling the world like my friends or living away from home, I know that I'll get there. Its just taking me a little longer than I thought it would. But thats what this last year has taught me. To expect the unexpected. To embrace what is thrown at me. The little things that happen throughout my day like seeing the children I nanny grow and become more outgoing, or hearing that new tune I wouldn't have heard had I not been in the car. Like I said before, I'm untraditional. And truth is, while I'd like to think I would go back if I had the chance, I really wouldn't. This is only the beginning. 

Awesomenest Band Name Errrrr

I would like to introduce to Trampled by Turtles .... First off, that is probably the most awesome band ever ever. Don't deny it cause you can't. Why have me explain it when you can just listen to their amazingness. Enjoy my musicalites.

Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. Love. You get the idea.......Love.

I'd Like To Think

I'd like to think this isn't it for me.

I'd like to think that one day, I will be content with what was given to me.

I'd like to think I'm different that everyone else out there.

I'd like to think that I'm not worried about the future.

I'd like to think I only think about the present.

I'd like to think that today was the best day of my life just because I said so.

I'd like to think that I'm luckiest person in the world. 

I'd like to think that I'll one day see the world. 

I'd like to think that peace is possible. 

I'd like to think that I think before I act.

I'd like to think that one day someday wont matter so much. 

I'd like to think that I really don't need to think so much. 

Maybe I'll just start doing instead.

Safe

Just when you feel like the world around you is safe, BAM, it hits you. You aren't. I'm probably being dramatic, but I would like to think that I live in a relatively safe area. I do live in a relatively safe area. My house is my home. But when I came home last night and there a man hunt going on in my front yard, I didn't really feel it. Like the cops didn't stop me from going into my home or let me know what was going on. I thought they were just there for the regular check of the neighborhood they usually do every so often. Then I looked out the window and there was spotlight scanning the woods in front of my house. Then the helicopters came, then more cops. So of course I'm freaking out. I'm running around the house making sure all the doors are locked, and by this time I'm hearing noises and I'm convinced that he's running around the house trying to figure out how to get in. I'm throwing things into my bag and packing the car and leaving. And all the while I'm hearing things. I'm sure they were just a figment of my imagination, but I'm used to the noises my house makes. And those weren't it. I'm convinced that when I open my garage door, he'll be there behind me all serial killer like just waiting to pounce. By this time, I'm shaking. Then I'm driving away from the chaos and the jokes start to come to me. I'm imagining people asking me why I want to go into the field of catching fugitive's and dealing with bad guys everyday. And the answer comes to me as quickly as the question. There's a big difference between an armed Mary and an unarmed one. So after I get the hostage situations out of my head while I'm running around getting my stuff, I go into attack mode. I'm imagining him coming after me and me hitting in square in the face with my computer then pinning him down and calling the police saying, "I think you lost something". But of course none of this happened. I ran away, scared, with my tail between my legs like any rational person would of done. Like I said, you feel safe, then you don't. The sad thing is, this isn't the first time something like this has happened in my neighborhood. Needless to say, I'm doing what I'm doing to prevent things like this from happening. Of course when I'm actually working the field, I'll be armed, and then you better watch out. Cause I won't be running then.

On a lighter note, my newest endeavor is starting a band. I have a piano player. I'm learning the guitar. I now know D and G. Now for the rest of the chords haha. But I'm excited. I miss singing, and I'd like to think I'm not half bad. So watch out! Todays featured song of greatness is by First Aid Kit. These ladies are amazing and this is not the first time I've featured them in my blog. They are just so good you can't get enough. Lion's Roar. Again, try and stay upright against the wind of greatest that will soon be entertaining your ears.

Alabama Shakin

I first heard this song on the current a couple months ago and it has grown on me ever since. An AhMaze-balls band with an even amazingerballer song. PLUS, it is currently the free download on iTunes. So don't wait to get your little piece of Alabama heaven. Here is Hold On, by Alabama Shakes. Try not to fall out of your chair....

Now usually, I'm not a big advocate for covers of Fleetwood Mac. They are just too good to be covered and Stevie Nicks has the most amazing and interesting voice on the planet. But leave it Lissie, who covered Kid Cudi's Pursuit of Happiness, to cover them. This is pretty chilling. Her voice is amazing, but not in the I'm going to trill you to death with it. It has Stevie's rustiness with Lissie's just totally badass-ness. I would definitely check out her stuff if I were you. Here is her cover of Go Your Own Way which is featured on her Covered Up With Flowers EP. Again, try and keep you feet on the floor. Or not...

Have to Share

This was a letter a man's wife received that alerted her she could no longer shop at the local Target store because of her husband. Fellas, don't try this at home.   

Dear Mrs. Samsel,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against your husband, Mr. Samsel, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras. 

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals. 

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom. 

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing management to lost time and costing the company money. 

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway. 

6. August 14: Moved a "CAUTION_ WET FLOOR" sign to a carpeted area. 

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the children shoppers he would invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged. 

8. August 23: When a clerk asked him if they could help him, he began crying and screamed, "Why can't you people just leave me alone?" EMTs were called. 

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose. 

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were. 

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme. 

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his "Madonna look" by using different sizes of funnels. 

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled "Pick Me! Pick Me!"

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed "Oh No! Its those voices again!"

and last but not least, 

15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, and then yelled very loudly "Hey! There's not toilet paper in here." One of the clerks passed out. 

You have to give the man credit for being so creative. Don't forget to check out Skinny Girl Thoughts brought to you by moi! Fun outdoor workouts are what's on the menu today! What are you going to do to change your life today? This man banned himself from shopping. Lets be honest, he's probably not that disappointed.