i do my dance in the round

dear music industry:

2012-01-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

let's stop what we're doing and let's do this again...

boots electric.

2011-12-08T15:31:00.003-07:00

i have never been crazy about eagles of death metal, but front man jesse hughes side project, boots electric really was wonderful. despite having unreasonably amazing album artwork, this record is a delightful and poppy. "i love you all the thyme," are you kidding? i want to listen to it on repeat for a week. i enjoy this record from start to finish. it's just super fun. not everything has to be intense, some things are better simple and sweet, like this.

day 1: wild flag

2011-10-14T12:05:00.003-07:00

i am REALLY obnoxious about girl singers. i don't really know how to explain it, but i am extremely hard to please when it comes to a front woman, and this is the hardest thing for me to get past with girl supergroup, wild flag. made up of members of sleater-kinney, helium, and the minders; wild flag is really, technically brilliant.

the drummer, janet weiss,[formally of sleater-kinney] blows my mind. carrie brownstien and mary timony play so well off of each other i can barely stand it. but i have a really hard time with the vocal style... every song on this record is catchy and interesting, nothing is going where you expect it to, in the best way. it is a garage rock record and each woman is an insanely impressive musician.

that being said, i will admit this to no one i work with.

wild flag: "romance"
wild flag: wild flag [released 9/13]

i liked a lot of music this year...

2011-10-13T11:27:00.002-07:00

i don't know that i LOVED a lot. but i liked a lot. enough to the point that i feel i need to share AND i need to start sharing NOW. i'm hoping to post an album a day, we'll see though...

25.

2011-08-28T23:54:00.002-07:00

my birthday involved in a day filled with drinking and so many of my favorite people.

thank you, dear friends, for making the "crisis" a gloriously lovely day.

there may be mermaids under the water...

2011-08-17T20:43:00.002-07:00

this is where i'm at right now, and i love this about music. i love it so much.

finally, i'm excited about something...

2011-08-12T17:47:00.003-07:00

A lot of amazing records have come out this year, but nothing has grabbed me. Yeah, I'm jamming that Timber Timbre record pretty hard, I've been grooving the Cut/Copy album, I adore TV on the Radio's latest; but nothing has had a, "this is my number one album" feel to it. This week, however, the Horrors album, Skying, is blowing my freaking mind.

Get it. Love it.

i forgot to post this...

2011-08-12T17:41:00.002-07:00

I wrote this for work after the Elected show in June and I think it's pretty cute.

My best friend from high school and I were essentially the same person. So it is fitting she would be sitting next to me at such a pivotal moment in my life. "I have something to show you." So simple, yet it changed everything. The first few bars of Rilo Kiley's "Execution of All Things" filled her Honda Civic, and I sat awestruck. I was 15, and music just started making sense to me. I had always loved music, but this moment was a moment years of choir, guitar classes, and music theory couldn't teach me, it was a moment I had to feel. This was the moment I felt it, and it blew me away. It was like finding the missing piece to a puzzle I'd finished, but given up on. This is when my love affair with all things Rilo Kiley began. Execution of All Things, to this day, is the only song in my iTunes library with 5 stars.

Under the Blacklight, was a hard record for me to get through, it started out strong and just hitting an unfortunate wall and became just about Jenny Lewis. I loved that record, but I loved it because it sounds like the last date you go on before you're about to break up with someone feels. It sounds like those last moments you laugh at their stupid jokes or talk about all the Saturdays you woke up early to beat the brunch crowd. It sounds like when you realize it's over, but you're glad you had this one last happy moment. The tour supporting the record felt like the break up, with the band playing a song off the Jenny Lewis solo record, while showing nothing representative of Blake, and The Elected.

I think Rilo Kiley fans then had two options, you were a "Jenny" or a "Blake."

A "Jenny" of course was talented. Collaborating with the best in the business, Ward, Gibbard, Oberst, oh and freaking Costello. A Jenny was on the front lines with cute bangs, and outfits, and album covers. All reviews were glowing. A Jenny, is kind of the obvious easy choice.

I, however, am a "Blake." A Blake has spent the past few years in the shadows. I hadn't even heard anything about him, even after making Mike Bloom, [his Elected counterpart] rice-a-roni after his last Phoenix show and demanding some answers. A Blake is the brains of the operation. The sweet honest spots. A Blake is the heart of the project.

The release of The Elected, Bury Me in My Rings, seems to really fill in the gap between the "hiatus" of Rilo Kiley in 2007, and now. Their first release in 5 years, reminds me why I loved Rilo Kiley so much, with songs like "Babyface" and "Go For the Throat" providing the listener with that missing piece in the recent Jenny Lewis projects. [That's right, I said it]

It was honestly an honor to see Blake and The Elected back in action this past Monday night at the Sail Inn.

The Elected played a tiny 9 song set. While opening with, "Babyface" off their recent release, their tiny set did highlight all the "fan favorites," even playing a cover from a "pretty dope ass band" Rilo Kiley's "Ripchord." The band playing as a three piece which left the songs super stripped down, [Blake kept commenting about this, "Sorry, we haven't really done this before."] but each member knew what they were doing, and the songs all took on a different, more charming character from the versions we were all used to. The violin playing, that doesn't usually grace "Greetings in Braille," made my favorite Elected song simply blissful.

The crowd tried to plead for more songs, but Blake was just not having it. So, one of our fantastic Zia customers went over and pleaded with Mike Bloom, and he kindly obliged. To a small crowd outside Mike played some of his own songs while Blake sang backing vocals. It was refreshing to see. It wasn't about who Blake was or that it was his show, it was about creating something beautiful. It was a powerful moment... Until a man wearing a balloon panda hat showed up and said, "I'd like to make a request... I want you to play some chords and I'll sing."

I could not keep it together. It was the oddest, funniest request I'd ever heard and I just could not control myself. After some back and forth, Blake left to tear down, while Mike continued to honor this mans request. "No, more like this." and, "You'll get the hang of it." It was out of control and by this point I was not the only onlooker that was laughing from confusion. Eventually, the balloon panda hat man stated, "Alright, it's that Jason Mraz song!" Mike muttered quietly and politely to me, "Yeah, I don't want to play a Jason Mraz song." and handed his guitar to the guy.

This show reminded me of everything I truly love about music, we are a community. Community can be your religion, or your politics, or your neighborhood, or school, but my community is who I share experiences like this with. My community is people who just love music.

Welcome back Blake, so good to hear from you, let's not make it so long next time.

2011-08-12T17:31:00.001-07:00

i really want to post a mixtape. any ideas?

if my senses fail...

2011-08-10T10:39:00.002-07:00

greetings in braille. should describe everything, cause i can't see anything from here.

as of today:

2011-07-06T00:38:00.000-07:00

i have deleted both my facebook and my twitter.
the year is half over.
i need to make it count.

please consider this

2011-05-19T00:58:00.004-07:00

this will hopefully go up in DC. you can go here to read more:
http://epicstep.com/campaign/239/support-bradley-manning-accused-wikileaks-whistle-/

this is really important. please look into it. pray about it. decide how you feel.

Spending Easter at Hip Hop Zia...

2011-04-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

what makes this day good?
if you have ever believed that love inevitably leads to betrayal
this day says it doesn't.
if you have ever believed that some people are unloveable, irredeemable
this day says they aren't.
if you have ever believed that there is a limit to forgiveness
this day says there isn't.
if you have ever believed you aren't worth saving
this day says you are.
if you have ever believed that you don't deserve freedom
this day says you do.
if you have ever believed that fear, anger, hate and despair will always win
this day says they won't.
and this day is good for you.

confidence.

2011-03-05T10:26:00.006-07:00

why is it that my confidence generally comes from people doing a shitty job at what i want to be doing?

that being said... the arcade fire won album of the year. and still, a month later... my mind is blown.

i think i stopped really caring about the grammy awards when i was in sixth grade and hanson was SNUBBED when they lost, to paula cole and her hairy armpits, the title of best new artist. i repeat, SNUBBED. this is where i became cynical about music. this is where i realized what is right and good will not always prevail. it's a damn shame. i've spent the past thirteen years, watching, and so i could be angry about the mistakes that were made. but, when barbara streisand read, "suburbs, arcade fire" i felt my hope was restored. the people who voted for albums, listened to the albums! insane!

arcade fire won album of the year

2011-02-21T15:01:00.002-07:00

i've never really been a huge arcade fire fan, but this still, a week later blows my mind.

i heart awkward
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce0jkvnI0YM
around about the 3:50 mark is where it's at

do you know who arcade fire is?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeHV3tyNQ60

http://whoisarcadefire.tumblr.com/page/1

heart warming.

2011-02-07T17:54:00.003-07:00

this is a photo of christians protecting muslims while they pray in egypt.

i used to think everyone in the world acted this way. i am so glad at least some people do.

2010

2010-11-22T12:53:00.012-07:00

[15] john legend + the roots- wake up!

well, let's be honest, you can't go wrong with the roots. i feel like this record said A LOT of things that need to be said for what is going on in this country. this record made me want to go and do something, which is awesome. way to go john legend.
favorite fave: our generation (the hope of the world)

[14] kid cudi- man on the moon ii: the legend of mr rager

i really like kid cudi. i feel like he's not doing what everyone else is doing. he's working with interesting people. when he's not just talking about how much he loves weed, i'm all about it.
favorite fave: MANIAC [with cage & st. vincent]

[13] katy perry- teenage dream

katy perry, i want to hate you. i really do, but girl, your songs are so damn catchy. i just want to listen to 'teenage dream' on repeat. i feel like we could be best friends based on 'last friday night.' oh, and by the way, her actual physical record smells like COTTON CANDY. great second record katy. proud of you.
favorite fave: last friday night

[12] crystal castles- crystal castles ii

in my new dance party lifestyle, i will say crystal castles are one of my favorites, and possibly the only ones with musical credibility... that's right... i said it.
favorite fave: vanished

[11] black mountain- wilderness heart

plain and simple, this is an excellent rock record. there's not too much going on. simple harmonies. this record was an exciting find for me.
favorite fave: radiant hearts

[10] hanson- shout it out

YES! i think hanson put out, another, wonderful record. a record with depth and honesty that i have come to appreciate over the past 13 years. they were even able to put my love for them in word, 'i know that you've been thinkin bout it/and i know you think you're out of your mind/ all of this time you know that you've been waiting for this.' i really love hanson, i feel like sometimes it takes away from my credibility as a music snob. my devotion to them has made me feel out of my mind, but i like what i like.
favorite fave: shout it out

[09]scissor sisters- night work

well. the scissor sisters are obviously amazing, based on this album artwork alone. this record has made many a long work night go by quickly with an epic dance party. i've actually found it is significantly more enjoyable with friends or co-workers, than alone in my car.
favorite fave: whole new way

[08] the black angels- phosphene dream

i really love a record where i can't tell when it came out. is it new? is it old? i know this record came out this year, and i still don't know if i'm convinced. i really just love everything that's is happening on this record. i don't know that i can put it in words.
favorite fave: haunting at 1300 mckinley

[07]the roots- how i got over

dear roots: i just love you. thank you for being creative as hell. thanks for making a record i hate to turn off. thanks.
favorite fave: dear god 2.0 [with monsters of folk]

[06] sharon jones and the dap kings- i learned the hard way

i've never been as excited about hearing something for the first time as i was to hear sharon jones. it is a soul record. no one is doing that! love her.
favorite fave: she ain't no child no more

[05] beach house- teen dream

i like how haunted this record sounds. everything about it is almost a little creepy. i love every song on this record, plus the live show was fantastic. it's very calming, even when it doesn't mean to be. all about it.
favorite fave: better times

[04] the black keys- brothers

i jammed this record so hard when it was first purchased it. i couldn't turn it off, i barely made it past the first song, it is just so good.
favorite fave: everlasting light

[03] mark ronson and the business int- record collection

we listened to this record at work one night and every single person that worked that night bought it within the week. mark ronson knows what he's doing. he works with everyone from ghostface killa to boy george to simon lebon. i love every song on this record.
favorite fave: lose it (in the end)

[02] margot and the nuclear so and so's- buzzard

even without all my favorite members, margot, i mean, richard edwards wrote and executed yet another splendid record. favorite fave: yer lower back

[01] the national- high violet

this record is like a warm blanket on cold day. it is comforting, while sad. i enjoy music that makes you feel things, and this does just that. i can't even talk about how glorious it is.
favorite fave: afraid of everyone

wayfarer

2010-09-29T12:09:00.001-07:00

i highly recommend going here by sunday and downloading, "Jesus, cast a look at me"
i haven't really been stoked on any non-oneplace sung worship songs... but i'm so down with this one...

new

2010-09-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

i have a new job.
it makes me pretty happy.

Give and Get is Here!

2010-08-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

Give and Get is Here!: "Enjoy 30% off from August 26-29 at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy and we'll donate 5% of what you spend to a non-profit."

come in!

nothing is better to me than this.

2010-08-12T12:38:00.003-07:00

tattoo and someone special

2010-08-09T00:14:00.016-07:00

look how young and nice i look here...
this is my friend caleb and i, in i want to say 2005.

i was lucky enough to spend time with him today. he's one of those amazing people that you don't have to talk to for years but when you do talk again, it's like nothing ever changed. he's a tattoo artist now, living in portland. he's really good at what he does...

this is caleb hail!
everyone should know we listened to jonsi and bone thugs and i laughed the majority of the time.

first, caleb drew this baby on me with a sharpie. no big deal.

this was when i thought i was going to die.

final product.

we're so excited!

i never imagined this would have come out this amazing and i am so freaking excited about it.

[illusions: the adventures of a reluctant messiah, by richard bach, is why i got a blue feather. it's my favorite book.]

prop 8 is held unconstitutional by judge walker, a bush sr. appointee!

2010-08-04T17:12:00.004-07:00

glad you can have those rights back.
my heart breaks for your struggle.

ps: lady gaga is so much more amazing than i can express in words.

preview

2010-06-27T22:58:00.003-07:00

i've been working on a book for a little while now, i'm pretty excited about it. i may even go as far to say that i'm proud of it so far. i wanted to share the intro, for now...

My Friends are Getting Married
I’m Getting Wasted

There it was, once again, a wedding invitation. There’s nothing better then mail that comes with a promise of a guaranteed drunk evening, but each invite addressed to “Brittany Shedd and Guest,” is a little more painful.

This is especially painful when someone you used to love just got married. Married someone that thought the rockstar bump it was a brilliant idea. Not only was this guy married, but also upon further internet investigation, he had karaoke at his reception. Who does that?

I think this was about when I realized I dodged a bullet. I thought I missed out on this guy for years, but really, could I picture myself wearing a rockstar bump it singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on the most important day of my life? I couldn’t. And so I remain, “Brittany Shedd and Guest.”

There is nothing I love more than attending a wedding. I love getting dressed up. Seeing people I love in the best dress they’ll ever own. Watching the groom get a little weepy. Hearing the music and readings the couple think explain their relationship. This day is just authenic, and then right when you think it can’t get better, you arrive to a place with a bar! A place with a delicious dinner and a bar. A place with a dancing and a bar. A place where it’s ok, “Brittany Shedd and Guest” were invited, because there’s a bar!

“Brittany Shedd and Guest,” have had a lot of good times together celebrating with people I love on the most important day of their life. I am honored to have shared these days with these amazing, truly amazing people. I feel lucky to have them in my life and had an amazing time drinking to each of them.

happy father's day

2010-06-20T01:33:00.000-07:00

la da da da da da

2010-06-03T13:24:00.002-07:00

this is one of my favorite things i've been meaning to share.

my friend ryan and i saw them a few months ago. it was a super fun time.

love me, love me

2010-06-02T22:58:00.004-07:00

i don't even care if this makes me lame, but i've waited more than half of my life for this to happen. literally. more than half.

i've said it before, but i really attribute hanson with helping me become who i am today. i became more interested in music. i listened to bands an 11 year old girl never would have cared about. i wasn't as afraid to be who i am. i didn't care if i got made fun of for loving me some, 'mmmbop,' i just loved it. i ended up experiencing this by myself. i was really upset about it. i hate going anywhere alone, but i got over it.

i obviously had a lot to do with these things, but they helped me a lot along the way.

this may be the silliest thing i've ever said, but it's true.

thank you hanson, i had a great day/13 years with you.

oh no!

2010-05-29T16:44:00.003-07:00

i'm having a really hard time in my life figuring out if i'm being selfish, or i'm letting people walk all over me.

i've thought about it a lot. i've cried about it. i'm just really not sure what the difference is...

stories worth telling

2010-05-19T22:57:00.005-07:00

i've been a real npr nerd lately. more than usual. i find myself sitting in my car when i get home waiting for the segment to end. it's something new to me, but something i certainly welcome. i've been craving something a little bit more intense lately... i guess i'm just glad i'm getting it from somewhere.

i was thinking today about stories need to be told.
do you know what i mean? what stories are worth the effort? what stories do people need to hear?

i have the this american life app. i love everything ira glass has to tell me. i laugh out loud, i do further research after hearing things i feel i should know more about, i feel tears roll down my cheeks. i don't know that i need to know all of these stories, but i love them all. i love that i'm excited about them.

today on npr the ling sisters were on promoting their new book, somewhere inside. the book accounts laura ling's, [as i'm sure you all know] time captured by the north korean's while working on a documentary about the china/north korean border, more specifically, people fleeing north korea's conditions, to china. laura ling and her producer were captured, held prisoner, and interrogated. the whole ordeal lasted five months until president clinton got involved.
it was no surprise to me that north korean's were fleeing the terrible conditions of their country, i'm not really sure who this was shocking to. i guess i'm just not sure i understand why this was a story they felt needed to be told. i'm not sure it was worth the risk.
do i find this story interesting? heck yes i do!

i watched a documentary today, i'm not certain i would recommend to anyone. it shook me and i honestly feel priveleged to have had the honor of watching the film. i was folding laundry and literally fell to the ground crying at one point.
the film is called dear zachary: a letter to a son about his father. it was a netflix instant streaming option. i liked the movie poster. the synopsis reads as follows: "filmmaker kurt kuenne's poignant tribute to his murdered childhood friend, andrew bagby, tells the story of a child custody battle between the baby's grieving grandparents and shirley turner, bagby's pregnant ex-girlfriend and suspected killer. initially, kuenne made this documentary as a memorial for andrew's loved ones, but it morphs into an emotional legal odyssey when turner goes free on bail and is allowed to raise her son."
sounds interesting enough to have on in the background, right? wrong.
i am literally heart broken having watched this, but i feel it was a story worth telling. it took away all my faith in humanity, but offered such an epic glimmer of hope. the film ends as a love letter to bagby's AMAZING parents, david and kate bagby. again, i feel privelged to know people like them exist. they quit their jobs. moved from california to canada. they trusted in the legal system and they were let down in a way that pains me. but they continued on. they are activists for children with parents charged with violent crimes.

i am so disappointed with humanity right now, and not just this story.
as a "catholic" i am so saddened by the current pope's stance on so many issues. for the first time i'm not interested in being affiliated with the church because of HATEFUL statements, covering up TERRIBLE happenings, and RIDICULOUS decisions.
as someone living in arizona, i am out of my mind over sb1070, i'm uncertain of how anyone supports this bill. i'm unclear on how this bill will not lead to racial profiling.
there are terrible, horrendous things going on everyday, these things are so minor in the grand scheme of things...

then you get to see people like the bagby's. i only saw them on a screen. i know i'll never meet them. i know they'll never know how deeply saddened i about their situation. they'll never know they effected my life, but they did. they really did.

thanks for giving me a hope that there are great people in the world. your story was painful and made me sadder than anything i have ever seen, but it was worth hearing, so thank you for sharing.

may. i love you.

2010-05-12T13:26:00.002-07:00

of all the months, i feel like may just understands me. it's right before it gets to hot for me to exist. the weather is perfect for a patio brunch situation. there are flowers. the colors are appealing. the sales are amazing. people are getting married. best friends are coming to visit. may, you are amazing and i love you.

that being said, may, i wish you weren't so close to swimsuit season... you deserve better than that.

tomorrow...

2010-05-02T18:32:00.003-07:00

i will get to see this boy for the first time in eight months.
i also came up on a new margot song today, seems perfect for the reunion.

new hanson + pride

2010-04-06T10:37:00.002-07:00

first i would like to share that hanson has a new song! so you're welcome.

i was watching project runway reruns yesterday of the best season ever, you know christian siriano! i think it's safe to say i heard tim gunn tell the final four, a million times he was proud of them. and when my boy won, it was pride overload. i even cried along with christian, like i'd never seen what the outcome would be. there is nothing better than having someone proud of you. when i was young i had one priest i really looked up to, i've talked about him before, the man was just a champ. i learned a lot from him AND he went real quick over all the regular stuff, what more could a girl will add ask for?

he gave this talk about love, he said that to really love someone you need to be proud of the person you love. proud of who they are, who they were, and who they will become. i have thought about this a lot in the last year of my friends moving away. i know that i've thought it of people before, i've thought i was really proud of the things about them but i feel like the people i feel this way about now, burns me inside. i am proud of the things they did, even before we met. the things they're doing now, i am excited about and tell people with a big smile. the things they'll be doing amaze and excite me.

i have people in my life i am proud of and i really, really love. it's a good feeling.

2010-04-04T09:32:00.001-07:00

since i don't have a home church [still] i wasn't motivated to go to church for easter. i'm going to go ahead and say this is the first easter i have EVER not gone to church and i already feel terrible about it.

what makes this day good?
if you have ever believed that love inevitably leads to betrayal
this day says it doesn't.
if you have ever believed that some people are unloveable, irredeemable
this day says they aren't.
if you have ever believed that there is a limit to forgiveness
this day says there isn't.
if you have ever believed you aren't worth saving
this day says you are.
if you have ever believed that you don't deserve freedom
this day says you do.
if you have ever believed that fear, anger, hate and despair will always win
this day says they won't.
and this day is good for you.

i'm just blessed.

alexander mcqueen 1969-2010

2010-02-12T12:08:00.002-07:00

the only thing i have read that even begins to express the unfortunate death of mcqueen was written by a 14 year old. on the news yesterday they listed making a line for target as one of him notable achievments. i'm kind of upset about it. he was certainly brilliant and fashion will not be the same.

"He consistently delivered collections of extravagant creativity, the type of stuff where you just look at it and try to absorb it and you can't believe a person made this. Being lucky enough to gaze at a glimpse into such an artist's vision, and knowing that you can't even imagine everything that was put into making it, and suddenly feeling so happy and joyful about humanity, and life, because, Jesus, a person made this..is incredibly uplifting. Very rarely are we blessed with a talent so strong and unparalleled and a passion so pure and driven.
It's taken me an hour to write these few sentences, and it seems like all I've been able to do since hearing the news is cry. But now it's time to go back in the style.com archives, in my magazines, to every photo I've collaged and tacked on my wall, and appreciate everything he poured his life into.
So thank you, Alexander McQueen. Rest in peace. "

real like from awk

2010-02-12T10:36:00.001-07:00

'life really is a big celebration. anyone who says otherwise is lying or just doesn't realize how life works.'

101 in 1001

2010-02-09T12:43:00.007-07:00

jen and sophie both did a list of 101 things they hoped to accomplish in 1001 days, i think it's a good idea, so here are mine...

Personal
[001] get a passport [x]
[002] buy less full price items [x]
[003] embellish plain shirts
[004] make my quilt i've been 'making' for the last five years
[005] get new tattoos, a blue feather and something the same as shelly [like a seahorse][x]
[006] blog more: reviews, important things, and thoughts, whatever
[007] find a home church
[008] read the old testament
[009] wear more jeans[x]
[010] watch less tv [x]
[011] volunteer for some sort of political campaign [x]
[012] keep a journal
[013] finish my book
[014] spend more time reading
[015] record demos
[016] be less cynical [for coco][x] [i'm not all the way there on this, but i'm committed and progress has been made]
[017] be more adventurous [x]
[018] continue to see krista [x]
[019] get adjusted
[020] become clutter free
[021] go somewhere new alone
[022] make cards for special occasions [x]
[023] audition for something
[024] get a camera [x]

home
[025] move to austin
[026] print and frame my favorite photos [x]
[027] get rid of the things i will not bring with me when i move
[028] wander my new city
[029] collect art and hang it, even if i made it

workin on my fitness
[030] take my current measurements [x]
[031] work out twice a day two times a week for six months
[032] work out once a day two times a week for six months
[033] find something physical i enjoy doing
[034] take and participate in my mom's classes
[035] drink only clear beverages for a month [x]
[036] try hot yoga for a month[x]
[037] have a normal sleep schedule [x]
[038] vegetarian it up
[039] do to cleanse [x]
[040] get healthcare [x]
[041] maintain
[042] work out with laurie [x]
[043] do not eat bread or pasta for one week once a month[x]

fall into the gap
[044] become a specialist [x]
[045] become an expert
[046] have my wardrobe resemble classic gap with fun accents[x]
[047] know about all of our denim, especially mens [x]
[048] update my resume [x]
[049] stay as long as possible:)
[050] be more willing to board fold [x]

fun
[051] be more open to other types of music [x]
[052] go dancing [x]
[053] go do karaoke with kim [x]
[054] watch more movies [x]
[055] go to art museums with the sazdanoffs
[056] vintage shop with shelly
[057] celebrate and support my talented friends [x]
[058] book some shows
[059] plan a roast [x]
[060] learn more about things considered to be classics: art, fashion, books, movies
[061] go see david sedaris
[062] plan the classiest bachelorette party ever[x]
[063] go to the beach when it's cloudy
[064] see margot as much as possible [x]
[065] see the academy [the new andy fry band]
[066] see m ward as much as possible
[067] go to a music festival
[068] go to a brewery
[069] see comedians
[070] go to the north west
[071] infuse something delicious [x]
[072] go to a show and dance [x]

learn
[073] change my own oil
[074] fix my own headlight[x]
[075] walk in heels, not wedges, heels [x]
[076] how to play bass
[077] how the people i know communicate and be sensitive to it[x]
[078] patience [x]
[079] to drive stick
[080] how to play harmonica
[081] make tamales

family
[082] see my family in california [x]
[083] go to my brothers just to hang out, not to do anything specific [x]
[084] make my family dinner at least once a month[x]
[085] plan a day with kaitlyn
[086] be independent of my parents
[087] spend more time with my parents individually [x]
[088] throw my father a bomb birthday party

friends
[089] visit seth in ukraine
[090] see travis twice a year[x]
[091] spend more time with jill and the kids
[092] make valentines for my babies [x]
[093] make a mix for the people i love [x]
[094] offer to be dd more often [x]
[095] go to tucson to hang out with jen
[096] help with a wedding [x]
[097] talk to mike once a week[x]
[098] see bennett [x]
[099] go on a friend trip [x]
[100] make dinner for my friends[x]
[101] drink absinthe with a pro

i'm with coco [and am so so so sad]

2010-01-29T13:27:00.006-07:00

i realize this is past due, but i have just been so sad about it...

i feel like nole is the only person not in my family that is furious by the conan/leno happenings.

my brother and i watched and recorded every episode of the tonight show with conan o'brien. we love that baby. my generation has grown up with conan. i have been more entertained by this man than most of people in my life. i love him. i've been unreasonably emotional about the whole thing, like me and conan are friends and i feel his pain. plus i had tickets to go see him on february 8, which makes this even more irritating.

i have loved the way the fans and other celebrities have rallied around conan and his staff. i loved the way conan handled himself. the jokes were hilariously funny about the situation, but when all was said and done, he was a class act. as many jokes and he made he consistently reminded his viewers that more important things were going on in the world. [the i'm with coco facebook group made 'i'm with coco' cause bracelets and all proceeds are going to haiti] conan, at the end of the day, is a good guy and i will greatly miss him in the next 7 months.

i realize conan came up on $33 million in the end. i'm actually abundantly more annoyed by the 'i don't feel sorry for conan, he got so much money' comments, than by what actually happened. it's not about the money! conan had his dream taken away from him instantly. i hope no one i know ever has to deal with something that heart breaking. money doesn't fix everything, and if you think that's true, it's not how the world works and i hope you change your priorities in life. having a goal is so important, and reaching that goal is amazing. conan and his staff were obviously confidant in the show. they moved their lives across the country, and for what?

i understand where jay leno is coming from, why would he not want that time slot? he makes it seem like he didn't have an option, but he did and he needs to stop acting like he didn't. his damage control, i feel, has made him look like an idiot. the oprah interview was pathetic and made me so so so mad.

i hope nbc knows what they're doing... i have honestly considered boycotting...

if you did not watch the final episode, what conan had to say was the best thing i have ever heard anyone say on television. it was real and i loved it. if you didn't see what he had to say, you can do so here.

this made my holiday season...

2009-12-22T11:26:00.002-07:00

ga ga oh la la

2009-12-18T11:57:00.002-07:00

npr released a list of '10 records you weretoo cool to like in 2009'

i think i could get down on half of the list
i was kind of shocked to see har mar and rhett miller on the list

that being said, i have officially jumped on the gaga bandwagon for the sake of 'bad romance'

that is all

best of 200fine

2009-12-08T03:40:00.012-07:00

[10] florence + the machine: lungs

[09] wilco [the album]

[08]edward sharpe and the magnetic zero:up from below

[07] animal collective: merriweather post pavillion

[06] phoenix: wolfgang amadeus phoenix

[05] neko case: middle cyclone

[04] monsters of folk

[03] yeah yeah yeah's: it's blitz

[02] m ward: hold time

[01] grizzly bear: veckatimest

fantastic mr. fox

2009-12-03T10:39:00.004-07:00

go as quickly as you can to see this. it's no secret that i love wes anderson and i was kind of expecting something totally different, but dearest wes made this stop motion film, a wes anderson movie; with intense attention to detail, little jokes that not everyone thinks are hilarious, and some cast you're used to seeing in anderson films.
this is an adaptation of a roald dahl short story by the same name. wes anderson actually wrote the screenplay at roald dahl's house after meeting with the late authors wife. the actors voicing these characters actually recorded on location at farm. bill murry says nothing's been done like this before. i believe him. it's freaking bill murry. wes anderson even acted out the scenes himself for the animators to use as map for how to shoot the characters. guy is bamf.
if you're already a fan of wes this film will certainly grow your love for him, if not, get to know him, you'll love him.

it's time...

2009-11-29T23:44:00.001-07:00

edward sharpe and the magnetic zeros...

2009-11-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

i can not get enough of this song.

mostly for shelly

2009-11-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

this is the blog of a thirteen year old girl that loves fashion. i think she's charming.

hanson and sherwood thank you

2009-11-11T18:21:00.003-07:00

this is a picture of those sherwood babies. my worlds collided. it was intense.

i went to way too many great shows this year... i'm a lucky girl.

it's amazing after 12 years of loving hanson, they still make me go crazy.

today is the big day

2009-11-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

i'm so excited i can not contain myself.

do yourself a favor

2009-11-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

watch the austin city limits this from this week.
it was one of those things i wish i was with someone to share it with...

you can watch it here.

my love for m ward is at an overload...

monsters of folk again

2009-11-05T10:45:00.002-07:00

this song is a jam. watch it. you know the roots played.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

november, you remind me of alive in wild paint

2009-11-02T11:43:00.002-07:00

travis wrote the record around this time a few years ago. we were sitting in his room listening to demos and i remember looking out the window and the color of the sidewalk, and the road, and the few trees that lined his street, and the way the air looked... these things just all complemented his voice so well. it was one of those, 'i hope i always remember this' moments.

i was driving last night with my windows down and my ipod on all songs random and 'ceilings' came on and it was perfect. i loved it, it was one of those, 'i hope i always remember this' moments, so i thought i should share. people should be let in on the things in your life you think are magical.

the songs can be heard here... my favorites are: 'ceilings,' 'everywhere an ocean,' and 'crystal selves'

[the name of the band comes from this book... it will certainly be my next tattoo, it's so good.]

2009-10-25T14:54:00.002-07:00

i need some good craft blogs...

monsters of folk

2009-10-25T10:06:00.005-07:00

i don't really know what to say about this, other than it was hands down, the best show i have EVER been to. i've been listening to bright eyes and m ward forever, but jim james was something new for me and so delightful. the set list was nearly perfect. i'm not sure if the venue had a lot to do with it, but it was an epic evening. i have always experienced god in unexpected places and sadly, i hadn't felt that way in a long time, but by the first chord i could feel it. by the third song i was in tears. it wasn't even a song i knew. jim james said, 'for us this is church,' and it was true. it was amazing. i feel so blessed to have experienced god in this setting.

i HIGHLY recommend seeing this show if it comes through your town, kind of expensive, but worth every cent.

i also saw bob dylan last weekend and it was crazy. i was told it was going to be terrible so i had low expectations. yes, he was hard to understand and yes, he only played guitar to two songs, but it was awesome.

music is certainly my first love. people were up out of their chairs going crazy to songs you wouldn't expect. i love it.

[ps now all of my dreams are about hanson]

i'm going to hanson... ohmygodohmygodohmygod

2009-10-20T10:57:00.004-07:00

hanson was a HUGE part of my life in sixth grade, HUGE. there was no white on my walls, they were plastered with pictures of these charming boys. i loved them. i got a lot of shit for loving them, but it didn't make me love them any less. i'm going to estimate that the 1997 hanson craze really only lasted one year, during this time i never got to see them play. so, my freshman year, upon the release of their second album, 'this time around' their tour did make a stop in phoenix, and i happily attended 'for nostalgic purposes.' i left that show with a new sense of how people responded to music. i'm not talking about screaming and freaking out, i'm talking about not caring what was going on around you, only caring about the music. my senior year, they were back to touring and i was lucky enough to go with my best friend katie to see an acoustic tour. what we witnessed was shocking, they were like a different band. they played better than ever, everyone was so much more talented than before. after this i happily skipped my last class to go buy their next record, 'underneath,' the day it came out. i even saw them by myself once after this.

'underneath' is, hands down, their best record. i remember hearing my music snob friends talking about how great it was and being shocked that i wasn't alone in my love for hanson any longer. i had real musicians on my side, and that was more important than any sixth grade teacher. [my teacher was the biggest bully about this of all] 'underneath' was not a record a label wanted to release, so they branched out and released the record on their own.

hanson certainly has a different mentality than they did when, well, we were kids. their most recent record, 'the walk' featured a lot more songs by the youngest brother, zac, than ever before, and it was so good. hanson grew up. they are all married, they all have children, and they are ready to change the world. hanson teamed up with toms shoes three years ago when 'the walk' came out and decided that before every show they would go for a barefoot one mile walk with their fans to raise poverty awareness in africa, you can learn more about it here.

in closing, these guys are the reason i love music with the intensity i do. they helped me out of my shell and i love them for it forever. hanson has an every three years pattern for new records, so, this being the third year, i am more than excited to see them next month in tucson. they're even letting you vote for which rare hanson song you want to them to play at the show you are attending. i'm really, really excited. i'm having dreams about it.

plus the band opening for them are pretty good dudes.

barney's new york!!!

2009-10-13T13:29:00.003-07:00

barney's is opening in scottsdale on thursday. i hate to say it, but i am so so so excited about it. i've had dreams about it every night this week...

sherwood: qu

2009-10-12T13:51:00.003-07:00

i feel like it's likely that it's unfair for me to say how great an album is that is indeed my friends album. but really, this is a great album and it can be purchased here for a mere $2.99 on tuesday and wednesday, [october 13 and 14] i obviously recommend it.

i wish this guy would have been my music teacher

2009-10-10T08:47:00.003-07:00

i'm not going to lie about it. every time i see one of these videos of these kids at ps22, i cry. i don't know what it is. i guess i just really love music and i hope these kids are inspired by their teacher to love music as well...

ps i seriously cried so hard looking for my favorites...

me and t swift both

2009-10-02T02:43:00.001-07:00

i have an excellent father
his strength is making me stronger
god smiles on my little brother
inside and out he's better than i am

friends

2009-10-01T12:56:00.002-07:00

this is my precious friend dan's band sherwood. they have finished recording and are about to release their third record and i can honestly say this song is my favorite they have ever done. they are touring this fall with steel train, hello goodbye, and hanson [!!!!!!!] i really proud of this band and these friends.

2009-09-29T22:38:00.001-07:00

my best friend is the best
i can't wait until we live near one another again!

stephen, stephen

2009-09-17T12:26:00.001-07:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Kanye West Interrupts Taylor Swift at the VMAs

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Protests

ps this came out...

2009-09-13T01:07:00.000-07:00

adele

2009-09-12T23:17:00.004-07:00

I feel like sometimes I don't give things that most people like a fair chance. Colin and I talked about it on the way to Austin when listening to the Modest Mouse record that made them popular for the first time. I've had it, but never listened to it to maintain my, 'I liked them before you' attitude.

My parents, mostly my father, got really into Adele last year. My mom told me a million times I'd like her, but I just didn't care, I wasn't trying to let my parents show me any new music. I guess when I say this I should explain that my parents are down with top 40's music. My mom jams the new Black Eyed Peas record pretty hard. my fathers iphone is littered with Pitbull songs [I don't even really know who that is] don't get me wrong, my father does have some quality stuff, but I feel like I hear a lot more Rhianna than I should.

So when they're pushing Adele at me, I was expecting the worst, but Miss Adele was the biggest breath of fresh air. She's young and her songs can make me cry when I hear the first note. Her voice is epic. I have no other words to explain it. She credits her fame to Saturday Night Live, but with a voice like hers, it wouldn't have taken long.

During her grammy acceptance speech she did express her love of the Jonas Brothers. Girl is just honest and normal and I love that. I love that she doesn't wear a size 2 and that it's never been an issue in her career because she's too good for it to matter. I like that she smokes. I like that she wears cute clothes and at her Marquee show she wore a poncho because she was in the southwest. I love that he voice filled that room to the point that it wasn't just your ears that heard her, your whole body heard her. I love that when Sarah Palin tried to meet her, she simply said she wasn't interested. Plus, she covers Bob Dylan. I love this girl. So, if you're a music snob, drop your weapon and listen to the following song, which is currently my favorite...

Ursa Major!!!!

2009-09-12T22:59:00.003-07:00

i'm not going to lie. when i was in grade six and that first third eye blind record came out, i was all over that shit. i loved the simple songs and the lyrics that i didn't know what they meant until years later. i loved that last three songs on this record that could put me in a terrible mood no matter how happy i was. they were painful in way i didn't know music could be and i loved that.

when on vacation, my brother and i watched a special about third eye blind in a new hampshire hotel room. it was more of a performance of songs they used to be able to play but it definitely sparked my interest in their new record, ursa major, their first record in six years. lucky for me, my friend chris was kind enough to share the record with me.

i was shocked to hear it debuted at number one, but the truth is, i love this record. i love that stephen jenkins still insists on that weird talking verse [like you may remember from 'semi charmed life'] and pulls it out. the drummer is the high point of the band. the songs are fun. i'm all about a fun record at this point in my life...

the single, 'bonfire' i'm not going to lie, is a jam.

the band also plans on releasing a record titled, ursa minor, which will consist of the songs that didn't make the ursa major record.

austin

2009-08-28T11:26:00.003-07:00

colin and i went on an adventure to austin this week. to see the best. to relax. to party right.

i was talking with jill last week about my life being at a standstill. that there are these things i want to do but the risk just may be too great.

i think austin might be something finally worth the risk.

attn

2009-08-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

i would see the roberts' everyday if i could.
how blessed am i?

2009-07-28T13:42:00.001-07:00

hi.
it's gap friends and family time... this weekend 30% off at all gap brands! let me know if you would like to come up on one...

2005 called

2009-07-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

in the loop

2009-07-21T09:26:00.001-07:00

there is something about their live performances that get me amped on life.

2009-07-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

your new favorite website:
http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/

nina persson: great or greatest

2009-06-19T14:02:00.004-07:00

i don't think any one can look me in the face and tell me back in 1996 they didn't jam 'lovefool' by the cardigans. you remember it, 'love me, love me, say that you love me...' it was great. romeo and juliet soundtrack: well done. some of you may have sang it in the talent show, or turned the radio up so loud the speakers may have burst, or maybe used it as your ringtone. it was a brilliant song. i'm sure, even now, it's a song you don't hate to have stuck in your head, it happened on the office, and it was great.
the cardigans came out with three epic records after this. the most recent, 'super extra gravity' is fantastic beyond measure. this record came out in 2005, so it's safe to say the cardigans are on hiatus.
lucky for me, nina is rocking a sweet little side project titled a camp. [very similar to the cardigans. she's just so good.] in general i can not get behind a female vocalist. there are VERY few i enjoy, so this is saying a lot. nina's songwriting skills are glorious. her lyrics are beautiful and her vocal lines are challenging. she also seems to love a bass situation, and so do i. i highly, highly recommend listening to any of her work. here is someone who likes the same a camp songs as me

2009-05-29T11:13:00.001-07:00

hi.
travis is here.

2009-05-21T23:28:00.001-07:00

yesterday was epic

2009-05-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

today is going to be epic

2009-05-13T10:22:00.003-07:00

margot is a mere 7 days away

you can get your tickets here.

happy day of my people!

2009-05-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

this girl's obscene

2009-04-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

i have always been a favorite band kind of girl. for as long as i can remember there has always been one band i had to listen to everyday. margot and the nuclear so and so's are [obviously] that band in my life.

i love everything about this band. i love that there are too many people on stage when they play. the honesty in their songs. that the songs are written when richard ed is more than a little bit drunk. the hilarious twitter updates andy makes. they're just a sweet band.

i feel like i could talk about how wonderful they are for hours. instead, i will just say come to their show on may 20 at the rhythm room. it will be the best $11 you have ever spent... plus there will be a bar!

dress me like a clown
my baby shoots her mouth off
at the carnival
real naked girls
a children's crusade on acid

this is why you love me

2009-04-19T20:37:00.003-07:00

i think it's pretty safe to say that when i find something i love, i REALLY love it.

on thursday night my brother and i ventured over to the worst venue of my life to see the brian jonestown massacre. this show was easily in my top three shows of all time and i go to a lot of shows. even their soundcheck was entertaining. i was honestly not expecting greatness, i was only expecting fun, but their two hour set blew me away. there were no crazy outbursts just amazing music.

i can not say enough good things about this band. i highly recommend giving them a listen.

here are some brian jonestown songs i love, let it be known that my jams are 'got my eye on you' and 'this is why you love me' i couldn't find them for free download though:(

nevertheless
let's pretend that it's summer
ballad of jim jones

brian jonestown massacre

2009-04-17T10:34:00.001-07:00

hands down. one of the sweetest shows of my life.

easter

2009-04-12T16:57:00.001-07:00

i found this is my journal from the last easter at oneplace. it was good to find today.

what makes this day good?
if you have ever believed that love inevitably leads to betrayal
this day says it doesn't.
if you have ever believed that some people are unloveable, irredeemable
this day says they aren't.
if you have ever believed that there is a limit to forgiveness
this day says there isn't.
if you have ever believed you aren't worth saving
this day says you are.
if you have ever believed that you don't deserve freedom
this day says you do.
if you have ever believed that fear, anger, hate and despair will always win
this day says they won't.
and this day is good for you.

dig.

2009-04-08T23:35:00.005-07:00

today i watched the saddest movie i have ever seen.

i had started watching it a few months back but never finished it, so today i finally sat down and watched it.

dig is the story of the two bands that hope to change the music industry, the brian jonestown massacre and the dandy warhols. the film follows each band for seven years, so you really get to know each group.

the dandy warhols sign to a major label and nothing significant really happens to them in the us, but in europe, they are huge. if i'm going to be honest, there was really nothing that interesting about them at all.

brian jonestown massacre, however, are easily the most creative band i have ever heard. you can't tell if they're an old band or a new band, all you know is their music is epic and you don't want to stop listening to it. nothing big happens to them, they don't blow up, they remain minor and insignificant. their songs are crafted and played well. they put out eleven independent records in ten years. it seemed like something dramatic happened at every other show and eventually they just fall apart and it is heart breaking.

the bands start out as good friends. both on a mission to change music. they planned on working together, but the dandys success does not sit well with jonestown and the friendship quickly ends as the dandys fear for their lives. the dandys still have jonestown on their list of influences and as a myspace top friend. jonestown lists acid as an influence...

seeing brian jonestown being so close to something and not getting there was just rough. if you like music you must see this movie. it explains the industry so well and there are a lot of jams in it. but you were warned. it is sad.

brian jonestown is coming next week, i really want to go.

favorite. favorite. favorite.

2009-03-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

the most important thing i've ever had to say...

2009-03-26T12:32:00.004-07:00

it only took four years for it to be heard but...

ladies and gentlemen, the unrealsed noise ratchet record can be heard here...

times before that i was mean, i was mad but honey, i ain't never had nobody like you...

2009-03-17T20:33:00.004-07:00

it is news to no one that i am an m ward fan. he opened the first rilo kiley show i went to and played a performance which was life changing. two years later mike and i saw him play at the clubhouse. this is the only show i have ever been to that my jam was not played but it was still amazing.

m ward, in my opinion, is the guitarist of our generation. he has a brilliant, creative mind. he writes honestly. his songs are catchy, and challenging, and this new record, hold time, adds the element of fun. m ward is an epic producer and all around bamf.

he's coming in april... i'm pretty into it...

m ward: i ain't never had nobody like you

stateless

2009-03-02T00:49:00.004-07:00

i'm going to say one of the best parts of having a best friend like travis, is the music i have come up on, and generally, everything he discovers has a pretty good story of how it came to find him. if you have met travis you know he is eccentric. he is this person that fun seems to find. he is hilarious and does things that no one could ever understand. i love this about him...

so, while drunkenly walking around l.a. travis is picked up by dan keys. [young love] [ok a couple of things about that. 1. who drunkenly walks around l.a. alone? 2. who gets picked up by their hero while drunkenly walking around? travis.] travis gets into the vehicle and before he says anything dan says, 'you need to hear this,' and turns up the jams.

stateless is unlike any band i have ever been into before. i usually cannot get down on 'rock' bands with dj's, [i don't know, it reminds me of limp bizkit] but stateless makes it work in a way that, i feel like, is necessary to the songs. plus the singers voice is epic. the song i'm suggesting is potentially the sexiest song i have ever heard in my life. i highly recommend this entire record. just make it happen in your life.

stateless- bloodstream

love of my life

2009-02-21T14:36:00.003-07:00

this week i realized i love music significantly more than i thought i did. my friend dan has a fab blog where he suggests music and makes the songs down loadable for a week. pretty sweet... except dan is dropping the ball! he is writing a new record... i guess that's a good excuse.

so, i'm stepping in. i'm not going to upload songs or make my life harder than it needs to be, for now i'm just going to tell you where songs can be downloaded. i'm lazy.

for my first suggestion it seems appropriate to use something significant in my life. the first show i ever went to was noise ratchet. it was epic. they played intensely and moved around so much it was typical for at least one member of the band to make a trip to the hospital after they played. at the end of the show we sat on the ground and sang worship songs. this changed my life forever. i was way down with noise ratchet. like all good things noise ratchet came to a close and four members started a band called the life. i'm going to say that the life lasted about 3 months before they called it quits. it was rough.

the drummer, brandon, and the bass player, john, [who back in the day went my johnny] moved on to a band called delta spirit. i was VERY reluctant to give them a chance. despite their debut album 'ode to sunshine' getting great reviews in my heart, they were noise ratchet. it took an evening performance on conan to finally get my attention, and holy cow, it got my attention. i have listened to the same song on my hour drive to work for about a week.

if you liked noise ratchet and are expecting to hear noise ratchet... get it out of your mind. you can do it.

i'm going to suggest downloading 'trashcan', you can do so here. it is a jam.

as honest as i get

2009-02-16T21:20:00.002-07:00

my last truly special oneplace memory is katie telling me i was faithful. hearing this was difficult and i cut her off. it was too hard and honestly i was just tired of crying. my cheeks were chapped from wiping my tears away and i was just tired, and maybe a little drunk.

i don't know how to be faithful anymore. it is breaking me in every way i am. i am bitter. i am angry. i am frustrated. i have prayed. i have begged. and still i am falling short. prayers go unanswered and i feel like god has forgotten me completly.

when i was young i had a priest tell me there would be times in my life i would doubt god. i shook my head in disagreement and swore that would never be me... and here i stand.

i don't know that anyone will read this. but god, i'm still here, but i'm scared, and i'm sorry.

may the ones you love, be the ones you keep

2009-02-13T18:39:00.002-07:00

today was the first day i really thought about it... within the next year most of the people that i love most will leave arizona and go on other adventures. it's terrible how that works.

mi madre!

2009-01-29T12:10:00.002-07:00

my mom is leaving june 21 on a bike ride from oregon to new hampshire, [although she will be riding to maine to meet our family at our camp] she will be done with this outrageousness on august 10!

my mom is looking for people to sponsor her on her 'dream ride.' [seriously, this is something she's always wanted to do] she is trying to raise $10 a mile and she will take all of your wishes with her and have a celebratory burning at the end. so if you would like to get down on this let me know. it's fun!

prime super premier premium

2009-01-26T13:16:00.002-07:00

i highly recommend checking out this website. daytrotter has some top notch recordings from some quality bands. [today is ron sexsmith] it's a great way to find new music, there is always a sweet illustration of the band, and it is regularly updated. try it out.

baby ava

2009-01-02T14:00:00.005-07:00

ava anne-

before you were born i wished time would move more quickly so we could meet one another. i couldn't wait to count each of your perfect fingers or each one of your perfect toes, i couldn't wait to see your perfect face, i couldn't wait to hold you while you slept and whisper to you that no one was ever more perfect than you. today you are nearly three weeks old. you have perfect fingers and toes, you have a perfect face with a perfect dimple in your cheek, and you are the most perfect person i have ever met. now i wish time would slow down, you're getting too big already!

ava your family is the most loving family i have ever met, and they all love you an extraordinary amount. your uncle jack is outrageous and will likely be your favorite.

your father is easily one of the best people i have ever met and my dearest friend. he is fun and hilarious. he is devoted to everything he does, especially your mother and you.

your mother is an amazing example of a strong woman. she is independent and unique in the best way possible. i fell in love with her instantly, just like your father.

you are special beyond any measure.

soon you you will start to crawl, and then walk, and then run, but ava, don't run too far so we can't catch you.

one day god will come into your life, i pray that you will love him with everything you are.

things that are hard are generally worth doing.

try new things. go new places. eat weird food.

be excited to do things for others, even if you get nothing in return, god will bless your life for it.

take time to enjoy nature. explore the forests. sit on the beach and listen to the waves crash against the shore. be fascinated by animals.

appreciate art. look at paintings. be amazed by sculptures. listen to beautiful music. watch old movies. listen to recommendations of others, and if you hate them it's ok to say what you think.

dance and sing. even if you're not good at either, it is really fun.

be a strong, independent woman. follow your heart, it won't lead you in the wrong direction. form your own opinion on things.

be educated. it may be boring, but you'll come out on top because of it.

dream big ava anne. you will succeed in everything you do if you put your heart into it.

feel compassionate towards people who have less than you do. help them in any way you can.

talk to people. find out their stories. listen with an open mind.

do the things you want to do, not just the things you can.

god will provide you with what you need.

admit to your mistakes.

always tell the truth.

love the people who don't love you. it is likely they just don't understand you, and in the end, they will just be missing out on someone wonderful.

someday someone might break your heart, know that there is someone better waiting for you. be patient.

one day, far too soon, you will fall in love. this person will love you the way your father loves your mother, it will be magical, and you will have your own family. be ready for adventure.

know that i love you with all my heart. you will always be able to say anything to me and i will always have an open mind. i pray your life is filled with happiness that some people only read about. i love you.

love,
aunt brittany

cody waldon

2008-12-30T03:27:00.004-07:00

i won't lie. this post is solely in hopes that other people are as lame as i am and google themselves.

i talk to one or two people from high school. i generally have little interest in speaking to anyone ever again, that is until three nights ago.

three nights ago i have a dream about cody waldon. i have not seen him in at least two years. of course i have missed him in this time, but i never felt a sense of urgency to speak with him like i did when i woke up that first morning. and then the same urgency the next. and then the next. so i started to panic.

i did what any girl trying to find someone would do. myspace. facebook. livejournal. twitter. google search. each site leading me to a dead end. however, i found his sister-in-laws blog. and eventually, after some digging, i saw a picture of him.

i have never felt desprate to speak with anyone or to know that they are doing well, but i am in this situation... i guess all i can do is hope cody waldon will get excited about himself and google his name.

my best records of 2008

2008-12-22T00:13:00.022-07:00

katy perry - one of the boys
i gave mark so much shit for liking 'i kissed a girl' so much, but when 'hot and cold' came out... i was so down. cd purchased. this record is mostly nostalgic, it reminds me of 90% of the fun i had this year... how could it not be on my list?
the jam: hot n cold

vampire weekend - vampire weekend
this record reminds me of sitting in the store with shelly and miah, jammin some vinyl. i didn't give it a shot until my father recommended it to me. this record is fun in a way that is rarely done.
the jam: oxford coma [for sentimental reasons]

adelle - 19
another jem from mom and dad. her voice is magical. i'm so down.
the jam: cold shoulder

patrick watson - close to paradise
travis brought this for me from austin. i've never been so impressed with anything in my life. the way he plays and his voice... dammit. it's so good.
the jam: slip into your skin

greg laswell - how the day sounds ep
i was not as impressed with his full length that came out this year as i was with the ep. laswell is likely the most honest songwriter i have heard in a long time. i adore him.
the jam: high and low, all of the songs are amazing though

beck - modern guilt
oh beck. never letting me down. you've all heard this...
the jam: youthless

dear and the headlights - drunk like bible times
favorite local band. bob hoag did the record so you knew before you got it that it was going to be amazing. plus, with an album name like that, how could you go wrong?
the jam: if not for my glasses

black keys - the attack and release
i really liked this record. and then i saw them and i loved this record. there is something almost haunting about it.
the jam: all you ever wanted

alive in wild paint - ceilings
first, this is my favorite album artwork of the year. although i'm not excited about the way it was recorded like a lot of the rest of the albums. trav's voice is one of my favorite things in the world. the bass lines are sweet. there are some intense one liners in the lyrics... i am only mostly biased about this.
the jam: crystal selves

margot and the nuclear so and so's - animal!/ not animal! [duh]
so epic wanted the put out one record, margot wanted to put out another. so the compromise? they put out both calling epic's record not animal! and the margot record animal! they encouraged fans to first listen to animal! then not animal! if they felt it was appropriate. animal! consists of a lot of new songs no one has ever heard, not animal! has a lot of songs fans already knew as demos. [i knew 7 of the 12 songs when i got it] the albums have 4 common tracks.[but if you ask me, they sound better on animal!]
the jam: oh what a nightmare! for animal! and pages written on a wall for not animal!

honorable mentions:
ratatat - lp3 [i feel like a jerk for putting this down here]
sigur ros - med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust [this one too]
tilly and the wall - o [this should be on my favorite shows list too, for a lot of reasons
the mars volta - bedlam in goliath
kings of leon - only by the night
she and him - volume 1
nada surf - lucky
the killers - day and age

things i got into that had no new records:
saul williams
the cardigans
midlake
brian jamestown massacre [15 years later]
robert plant and alison krauss
native korean rock

really?
jenny lewis - acid tounge
death cab for cutie - narrow stairs
conor oberst - conor oberst
the counting crows - saturday nights, sunday mornings

terrible news

2008-12-19T00:45:00.002-07:00

sparks has been discontinued... it is likely we should have a farwell celebration.

blue sparks was my jam.

edward cullen<3

2008-12-12T01:24:00.005-07:00

in case you were wondering... and i'm sure you are... this book is more addicting than anything i have ever come in contact with. i wasted my day reading it, and frankly, i hung on every word. i felt like i was fourteen, barely aware of the opposite sex, hopeful for what the future will hold... i can't help but wonder if this is why i have such unrealistic expectations of men? because i'm a sucker for romance... even though i'm not into romance at all in real life?

all i'm going to say is this: i would let edward cullen bite me...

seriously.

200great

2008-12-05T13:20:00.031-07:00

i'm following in shelly's footsteps, here are my favorite shows of 2008:
[there are links to hear all of these bands if you click their name, in case you're out of the loop]

the counting crows at tempe beach park:
this was awesome for the following reasons: it was free, it was cold, and they played 'have you seen me lately'

dear and the headlights at the clubhouse
dear and the headlights is my second favorite local band. this was the most fun i have ever had at a local show. travis opened and we sat in the bar and sang along. we had an amazing night.

alive in wild paint at deep rock drive
this was my favorite day of the entire year. i have never been prouder of anything in my life. this was overall a really fun trip. we drove to las vegas, the boys did a zia instore, we stayed in a vampire hotel and drank gin and tonics, then they had the preformance. it was bomb.

pattern is movement at the phix
i don't know if it was the sparks or the company, but this was an amazing night filled with radiohead covers and the wizards of time.

greg laswell at the clubhouse
i went to this alone. he only played five songs, but they were five amazing songs. i cried.

this will destroy you at the modified
i loved everything about this. i thought that i could never be down with instrumental music until this year, it was unreal how great this band is... look it up... seriously.

margot and the nuclear so and so's at the rhythm room, take one
i went to the show early to drop a cable off to travis, and i screamed when i saw margot members in the parking lot. i was so into this show it was not even funny. i spent hours getting ready and wore heels, this was serious business. travis opened the show. most key players in my life were there. i drank whiskey and kneeled on a bar stool during their set holding onto to seth and quinn to ensure i didn't fall over. they played every song i wanted to hear. this was the best night of my life. later, mike bloom stayed at my house and said i sing better than jenny lewis... just saying... it was awesome.

saul williams at petco park
this was freaking magical. the gang was all there, shelly, miah, and quinn. we were exhausted, but when saul took the stage everything changed. shelly was my mvp. saul was easily my favorite discovery of 2008. we also saw his spoken word and it changed me life.

the black keys at petco park
i didn't know what to expect, and that is likely why it was so amazing. i don't know why on god's green earth i didn't see them when they were here. i was into every single song they played. it was excellent.

radiohead at cricket
it was freaking radiohead. there was weed everywhere. the crowd was amazing. they played forever. it was honestly one of the most moving shows i have ever been to in my life. i was so down.

sigur ros at the marquee
this was crazy. there were tons of people there. people you wouldn't expect to see, but there were there and they were excited. everything about this was exactly how you would imagine it, except the sound... marquee

ratatat at club congress
i love a spontaneous trip. this show was amazing, if you block out the opening bands. everyone was dancing. amber was hilarious. we drank pbr. we walked to plush, then found out about the shuttle to plush. we drank all night long. jen foley drove us to taco bell. it was amazing.

margot and the nuclear so and so's at the rhythm room take two
i drank a lot. a lot. i fell asleep standing, leaning against seth. when margot took the stage i was all business. they played almost every song i wanted to hear, with a good mix of old and new songs. i was into it. i loved it. so much so...

margot and the nuclear so and so's at plush
that seth and i went again the next night. we thought we left late enough to miss the unfortunate opening bands, but no luck, so we drank. and drank. and drank. margot played a lot less songs at this show, but we were lucky enough to hear some not animal! gems. when they were done playing i bought casey tennis and tyler watkins a drink to seal the deal. seth and i took a cab to taco bell. we climbed a small wall. it was hilarious.

the wizards of time at phase 54
this is the only time in my life that nearly everyone involved was the same amount of drunk. it was fantastic.

next year, i'm looking forward to vanderslice!

in case you missed it

2008-12-01T17:04:00.002-07:00

margot was on conan and were amazing... guess who is my favorite member

roscoe

2008-11-30T22:52:00.002-07:00

when i was a little girl i checked out tar beach from the library. i loved the artwork in this book, so much so that when it was time to return it i hid it in my closet, convinced no one would ever find it. i would go in my room and sit in my closet and look at the pictures. so, when the library sent the, 'hey you forgot to turn in this book.' letter, i stated the book must be lost. no one asked me about it again, so i figured i was in the clear... that is until the day my mother organized my closet and found that copy of tar beach hidden in a box.

my mother and father immediately took me to the library, where i counted out change to cover the late fee. it was terrible. i cried and cried. it wasn't about the money or losing the illustrations in the book... it was that i disappointed my parents. this is the first time i remember them really being disappointed.

for some reason, i have always really thought the rules didn't really apply to me. not that i was raised to think that or i got away with things at home, in fact my parents were very strict, but for some reason i just really have thought that i can pretty much do whatever i want and being a nice girl will get me out of anything. life doesn't work like this. being a nice girl might make the blow a little softer, but it won't stop it from happening. sooner or later life will catch up and there will be nothing to cushion the fall.

i rediscovered this song by midlake, roscoe, [which by the way there is a joy in discovery that can compare to nothing else in the world, but rediscovery is like seeing an old friend, there is something epic and beautiful about it] i've been thinking about one line a lot... 'whenever i was a child i wondered what if my name had changed into something more productive like roscoe' what if i had been named something more productive? i've never really felt like brittany was an appropriate name for me, but would my life be different if my identity were named something else?

just a thought...

where we are

2008-11-18T13:36:00.001-07:00

november reminds me of ceilings... it's a nice memory...

bgok

2008-11-13T16:52:00.005-07:00

this is my favorite poem for this time of year, by emily bronte

fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
lengthen the night, and shorten the day!
every leaf speaks bliss to me
fluttering from the autumns tree.
i shall smile when wreaths of snow
blossom where a rose should grow;
i shall sing when nights decay
ushers in a drearier day.

i hate moving.
mostlywhen i'm not sure where i'm going.
i may become a scottsdale resident...

meditations in emergency

2008-10-18T18:21:00.003-07:00

last week at work two women came in on a quest for a sale sweater. after wondering the store for awhile they asked and i pointed out the red sweater hanging on the wall. 'good, that was the only one i REALLY liked!' as i started to total the sale, the women were shocked that each sweater only came up to $12. the one purchasing the clothing turned to her friend, kissed her cheek and said, 'thank you for bringing me here.'

i forget to be grateful for the places i get to go and the things i get to do.

so thank you for bringing me here. i hate it and it's awkward, but i think it's where i should be?

2008-10-07T09:26:00.001-07:00

i work at baby gap.

i love it.