I wanted to make sure I got one post in during the month of February. I realize there are only 37 minutes left to do it, but I still make the deadline!
So January wasn't the greatest month ever, in fact it's a strong candidate for the worst month ever. February has been crazy and busy, but in an awesome kind of way. And I can basically guarantee that March is going to be hard to top. Ever. In life.
Here's a glimpse of some of the awesome things that have happened over the past 28 days . . .
Seeing Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino in Pittsburgh the day before the super bowl.
Being serenaded by Gabby, Harmony, and Olympia at Chocolate World.
Making Valentine's Day videos in Hershey with Ian and Chad.
Third times the charm!
Picasso's Guitars at the MoMA. Worth the whole trip!
What follows is a brief insight into the inner-workings of my brain this evening. Prepare yourself and know that I try hard to reign in the crazy.
Colors
My skin is kind of sort of brownish Pinkish yellowish white. My eyes are grayish blueish green, But I'm told they look orange in the night. My hair is reddish blondish brown, But it's silver when it's wet. And all the colors I am inside Have not been invented yet.
-Shel Silverstein
I read a bunch of Shel Silverstein to the kids today and really liked this one. Probably because it reminded me of Nickel Creek lyrics . . . (You dream of colors that have never been made, you imagine in songs that have never been played ).
When I think about Nickel Creek, I think of how I have to see Chris Thile play this year to complete my trend of seeing a different member of the band perform each year (Sean in 2009, Sara in 2010, there's really no other option for 2011). Then I start thinking about how I really, really, really want to see him at Rockwood in NYC. Then my brain starts conjuring up all sorts of things related to the World's Capital and that can go on for hours . . . This thought process reminds me of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie but it is 100% true!
Then there's this:
I've been mulling over the "compare where you are to where you want to be and you'll get nowhere" part all day. This is a current battle in several aspects of my life.
Since the lyric comes from a certain Sara Bareilles, I'm going to take the opportunity to explain my feelings about her . . . I did not like Sara Bareilles, nor did I want to. After the extreme over-play of 'Love Song' a few years back I had had my fill of her music to the point of extreme disdain. When Kaleidoscope Heart was released last September it went straight to #1 on Billboard and several of the musicians whose opinions and taste I respect were raving about it. I was sure no one knew what they were talking about, even after Sara B. was nominated for another Grammy. I ended up seeing her live in October when Greg Laswell was opening. If that man is playing within a 100 mile radius of my home I have no other choice but to go - he's that good! I also hoped to catch a glimpse of why people love this woman, and let me tell you, they love her.
The show was sold out but a friend and I got in by volunteering to pass out download cards for Greg after his set. It was great, he sang, wore an awesome orange sweater, and proved yet again that How the Day Sounds is a perfect song. Then we pushed our way (gently) through the crowd and interrupted (politely) people's conversations. We were giving out free music, so they were cool with it. The place was packed and there was no way to get back to our original spots before Sara came on. Pushing through the crowd to get closer to the stage is the quickest, surest way to get make enemies at a concert. It's also among the douchiest things you can do at a show, so we just hung out in back near the merch table.
I walked away baffled at the intensity with which people love Sara Bareilles. Men and women! I enjoyed seeing their passion for an artist, that's something I can relate to, but I left the venue less impressed with that woman than I was when I walked in. Let me explain. Not a whole lot phases me, but with Sara it honestly felt like she was getting paid to drop the f-bomb repeatedly every 3-5 minutes and there wasn't near enough charm smooth things over. I'm sure it didn't help any that 48 hours earlier I was at an Ingrid Michaelson concert. I've never seen anyone win over an audience as quickly and completely as she does. I've seriously thought about making a shirt that says "I'd rather be at an Ingrid Michaelson concert."
Fast-forward to the week after Thanksgiving. Amazon was offering several albums for $1.99, one of them being Kaleidoscope Heart. For 2 bucks I decided to get it, do a little analysis, and find out what it was I did not like about this woman's music. A week or so later this song came up on random on my ipod. It was beautiful and unfamiliar so I looked to see who the artist was . . . Not long after I fully understood what all the Sara Bareilles hype was about. This lady is good at what she does. If you want to hear the best pop album of 2010, look no further.
P.S. I came on here for the sole purpose of posting the poem and then being done. This is why I need a music blog . . .
2010 was an incredible year! I made new friends, hung out with old ones, went crazy fun adventures, learned some lessons, and attended a handful of concerts. Here are a few fun facts from the year.
Books I started and completed: -Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne -Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby -The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance by Elna Baker -Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (re-read) -Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (re-read) -Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins I feel like I'm missing some . . . regardless, this is pathetic! I need to read (and finish) more books this year!!
Cities visited: -New York City, NY (5 times) -Salt Lake City, UT (3 times) -Nashville, TN (twice) -Charlottesville, VA (twice) -Baltimore, MD (twice) -Paris, FRA -Nantucket, MA -Los Angeles, CA -San Diego, CA -Albany, NY -Annapolis, MD -Hoboken, NJ -Asbury Park, NJ -Philadelphia, PA -Spokane, WA -Hershey, PA -Outter Banks, NC
Number of days it would take me to listen to all the music I purchased: 1.77
Best decision made: Going to Albany to see Ian Axel, Chad Vaccarino, and Mike Campbell play at Bread and Jam Cafe
Concert stats: Number of shows attended: 56
States those shows were seen in: VA (40) MD (5) NY (4) NJ (2) CA (2) PA (1) UT (1) MA (1)
Most seen artist: Ian Axel (7)
Favorite venues: -Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1 (NYC) -Bread and Jam Cafe (Albany) -Lestat's (San Diego) -Sixth and I Synagogue (DC) -Jammin' Java (Vienna) -The Southern (Charlottesville)
Number of movies seen in the theater: 23 The 10 favorites (no order): -Inception -Despicable Me -Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows -Waiting For Superman -Toy Story 3 -How To Train Your Dragon -Babies -Leap Year -The Social Network -Hereafter
Top 25 most played songs: A miracle has occurred folks, Joshua Radin does not sit atop this list for the first time since I started making it. It's bittersweet, but when you consider who took over it's not as surprising. Unfortunately my ipod has a glitch and the play counts are waaay off! With the help of itunes and common sense here are the songs that made the list.
The entire This is the New Year album-Ian Axel* Afterglow-Ian Axel Home-Ian Axel Here We Go-Joshua Radin Sympathetic Vibrations-The Paper Raincoat Take Everything-Greg Laswell Streetlight-Joshua Radin The Ladder-Andrew Belle We Go Together-Luke Brindley Right Angles-The Paper Raincoat Odds of Being Alone-Trent Dabbs Dig with Me-Allie Moss I Knew Prufrock Before He Was Famous-Frank Turner
*According to my ipod/itunes I listened to the title track 2,656 times. That may be slightly off seeing as it equals over six full days of listening to nothing but This is the New Year. Despite an obvious over-estimate it is definitely my most listened to song of the year . . . and life. :)
I got home late Wednesday afternoon after a wonderful Christmas visit to Utah. I had all these plans for how I would use the rest of my time off. Continue the never ending process of cleaning and organizing my room, read, do laundry, get a little crafty, clean and organize Matthew's room, hang out with friends, make a day trip to NYC before New Year's eve, and catch up on my blog. I thought I'd start out blogging since there's tons to catch up on. I turned on my computer but the internet wouldn't work. I turned on the tv, the cable was out too. I called Verizon and while the customer service guy was one of the best I'd ever come in contact with, we could not fix the problem over the phone. He said the soonest they could get someone to the house would be in 3 days. My blogging dreams were crushed. I could have moved on to other things on the list, but no. Instead I've been doing a whole lot of nothing . . . well, not exactly nothing.
I discovered what all the hype surrounding Angry Birds was about. I played so much yesterday that when I would close my eyes all I could see were birds and pigs.
I watched a lot of Scrubs and by a lot I mean the last 8 episodes of season two and all of season three. It's probably a good thing I don't own season four. Yet. :) Matthew got a pop-shot basketball game for Christmas. I've been perfecting my game so I'll be ready to take him on when they get back from vacation. I also made it to the gym, walking there and back so I felt better about my lazy day, went late night grocery shopping, visited with a friend, picked another friend up from the airport, and stuffed invitations for my boss. I have eaten delicious Thai food for every meal, gone to Target, and am currently sitting at Barnes and Noble enjoying the free wi-fi before I go see if they have season four of Scrubs. :)
Why go to New Jersey you ask? To see these awesome people of course: Ian Axel, Allie Moss, and Lauren Zettler
If you're really really, really lucky, Chad Vaccarino will be there and he'll sing with Ian. Poolside.
You could hear new songs, like You'll Be Okay.
Ian might do a cover of Greg Holden's Are We Wasted. Not a song you're likely to ever hear him perform live ever again. Solo at least. (he, he, he)
Then if the stars have completely aligned, Allie will join Ian and Chad in singing Shorty Don't Wait.
If you want, sit by the pool and discuss the future of Ian's career, the similarities between your belief systems, aliens, and tips on moving to NYC. If Ian and/or Chad happen to mention going to lunch next time you're in NYC, you will know they don't think you're completely crazy.
Observations: -The look on someone's face when you completely and utterly surprise them is still among my favorite things ever. -Allie Moss' mom makes delicious food, including homemade marshmallows. -If you see an artist 3 times at 3 different house shows in 3 different states, all in one month, she might greet you with a kiss on the cheek.
Post-game analysis: -Bring a sweater in case you get the opportunity to experience your first dose of fall weather.
Get in the car and drive to New Jersey. That's right, New Jersey. It helps if it's the weekend after Labor Day. Still warm and less crowded. Also, bring your soul twin.
Stay in a slightly creepy, yet charming, old hotel with the slowest elevator on the planet. Opt for an ocean-side room. Do awesome things that I will post about tomorrow . . . ;)
The next morning take a stroll down the boardwalk. People watch, it's awesome. When you see signs that tell you there's an Oysterfest in the area, follow them. If you've never eaten oysters, try them. After all, you are at Oysterfest. When you've taken part of enough of the festivities, stock up on kettle corn and start the somewhat long drive home.
Observations: -Oysters are slimy, even when fried. The buffalo sauce and blue cheese do help though. -Not all of Jersey is bad, in fact some of it is magical. -Sometimes hotels only give you shampoo and lotion, no conditioner. Lame, I know. -Lotion is not a good substitute for conditioner. Check bottle before using.
Post-Game Analysis: -Bring blankets, sometimes the AC in your hotel room only has 2 settings: perma-freeze and off. -Go with the peanut butter balls instead of the chocolate covered cheesecake-on-a-stick.
Go to concerts for bands you've never really heard of as well as for the bands you absolutely love. Enjoy the show, rock out if and when it's appropriate. However if you want to make the most of your experience, you should probably stick around after and meet the rather attractive rock stars. For example:
Mikel Jollett from The Airborne Toxic Event. Or Noah Harmon, also from The Airborne Toxic Event.
Andrew Belle is super nice and will blow your mind with his talent. Chatting with Joshua Radin post show is always must. Duh.
Observations: -Waiting until the crowd dies down to talk to an artist can be the best idea you've ever had or it can mean not meeting the artist at all. It's a gamble, so go with your gut. - Paying 50 bucks to hear Joshua Radin play 2 songs from a 30 minute set is totally worth it. -If I weren't already secure in my beliefs, I'd probably opt to become Jewish because of the magical experiences I've had at the Sixth and I Synagogue.
Post-game analysis: -When going to a show, take the route you think is best, even in Garmin tells you to go another way. Otherwise it could end up taking you almost 2 hours to make a 20 minute drive. (Josh was still worth it). -Bring a working sharpie. -Think, then speak.
Seeing Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino in Pittsburgh the day before the super bowl.
Being serenaded by Gabby, Harmony, and Olympia at Chocolate World.
Making Valentine's Day videos in Hershey with Ian and Chad.
Picasso's Guitars at the MoMA. Worth the whole trip!
Being silly at FAO Schwartz.
Eating delicious pancakes in Brooklyn!!
Front row for Joshua Radin!
