4, 3, 2, 1 Earth below us, drifting, falling, floating weightless calling, calling home

This post I would like to call...A blogger's journey.

I thought I had this whole blogging thing figured out a long time ago but I'm still figuring out so many things. I have been such a slacker on here & it's not because I don't want to be blogging (I wish it was all I would do all day!) But I have to be a big kid & actually do something with my life, like make money, or at least that's what I'm supposed to do at my age.

This just means I need to stay on top of my game on here! I love keeping a blog & I can't tell you every time I get a comment it really does give me happies in my soul. So I am so sorry to all of you that have endured with me for the past month of me hardly posting anything, but this week that will change...hopefully. And the fact that I am writing on Monday already gives me hope for the rest of the week!

The other day I started going through my old posts on here from a year ago. I always like going back & seeing what I was going through & what I was sharing on here. As I read many of the post, I found myself thinking, Wow, I used to really be a lot more open on my blog with what I was going through in my life. I felt a sense of sadness because I don't think I have been doing that of lately at all. Mostly because I am busy, I'll just put up some photos & write a couple of words. Which is fine, but sometimes I miss the openness & the realness that I let myself have on here. I also used to post whenever I wanted & now it's not that way. I try to blog two or three a week, but I miss blogging more. Ahh life you have gotten me going a little crazy!

I want to get back to writing more, being a lot more open & real, if people comment or not. I feel that if I can't share with y'all what's going on in my life & lessons I have learned or are learning, then what am I blogging for?

This felt good to get out! I feel like I can breathe a little easier now that you all know where I am with my blog journey.

And for the song for this MUSIC MONDAY. I'm loving Tom Major by Shiny Toy Guns.

Title: Major Tom by Shiny Toy Guns

Well it was just a dream just a moment ago I was up so high lookin down at the sky don’t let me fall I was shooting for stars on a saturday night

A couple of weeks ago I visited a friend on the trip I took to Jackson, MS. I gave her a copy of the summer cd I had made & then she asked me if I had heard the new B.O.B. album. I told her just a couple of songs of course on the radio, like Nothing On You & Airplanes, which I thought were both pretty catchy tunes. Well she so excitedly made me a copy of his new album B.O.B. Presents The Adventures Of Bobby Ray. My friend Cassie has really good taste in music, so I knew if she had bought the album it must be pretty brilliant.

I have not stopped listening to this album since she handed it to me. I like B.O.B. because not only does he do the regular hip hop/ rap, but the boy can also sing! The album is very diverse in all the melodies & songs so you don't really get bored with it. There are so many songs that I love on this album but so far my very favorite is Lovelier Than You. I like the drums & acoustics in it & I enjoy the lyrics too.
(I love the photo of him & Janelle Monae together down there.)

I'm very excited about this week & the ideas of my posts for this week! There is a lot I want to share with y'all.

Title: Don't Let Me Fall by B.O.B.

Your love is stag in the white sand Wilderness for miles, eyes so mild and wise Don't I know you better than the rest

I'm pretty sure this past week, I went through a mid 20's crises. Do you ever just want to change everything around you? Your environment, the food you eat, yourself? Well that was me. I have been a redhead for almost a year now & I have really loved it. I would have never thought that my natural dark brown hair would ever turn to red or look good either. But thankfully, it does.

Maybe it's the new season of summer coming in that made me want to make this shift. I have been contemplating changing my hair color for a couple of weeks now. I thought I could be patient & wait til I got some dinero & go to a proper salon. But one night this weekend I could not take the red any longer! I went down to Target, picked out a golden brown tint & headed back home to make the transformation. As I was squirting the glupe on my head I noticed it was much darker then I expected it to be, but I continued with it. I left it on for a good 3o minutes, washed it all out & blow dried my hair.

What I saw looking back in the mirror was not at all what I expected. My hair was now a very dark auburn. Golden brown! GOLDEN BROWN! That's what the box said! This box lied! And then the disappointment came. My hair was brown. I didn't want brown at all. I wanted my hair to be light, golden, as if it had been kissed by the sun itself. All that night I continued to look in the mirror trying to get used to it. I even looked at photos of my favorite brunette women. I thought, I can do this, I can be a brunette again. Trying to give myself the confidence with this new transformation was not easy. I texted my best friend Lexie & told her. I said I was not happy & she thought it was so funny & started to call me darky. For an hour in a half we went back & forth about my hair & how I could possible make it lighter again. She was not in agreement with me lightening it, but I told her it would indeed work.

I woke up the next morning & there it was again, as dark as before. For the next two days I was just fine & attempted to get used to it. On Sunday after a long weekend of working & being exhausted I was sitting in my apartment. I had just finished working out & I looked at myself & thought, If you don't like something change it. I said THAT'S IT! I hopped in my car, ran to the grocery store, picked up a box of super light blonde & headed back home. I gluped & glopped the chemicals on my head & waited as it began to turn lighter. I washed my hair until it ran clean. When I got done blow drying, I looked in the mirror & there I was with my red hair! I was back! Yes, I gave myself a big smile in the mirror & did a little dance too.

Now this story is not to say that I won't ever change my hair color again. It might change it or it might not. But for now I'm happy being a red head.

Oh & since it is a Music Monday here is a song I can't stop listening to all this week. Zebra by Beach House.

UPDATE: I accidently deleted the comments on this post! If you commented I am so sorry!! I am rather bummed I did this, because it was before I could read any of the lovely comments!

Title: Zebra by Beach House

We can shape but can't control the possiblities to grow weeds amongst the push & pull

This Music Monday I'm featuring the sounds of Seryn. I heard this band last week while listening to NPR. I had heard their song "We Will All Be Changed," before & I missed who the band was! I hate when that happens. I finally figured it out who this beautiful band was by going to the NX35 site. They played at the music festival this year. I have been going to their myspace all week listening to their instrumental sounds.

Come to find out they are a band from Denton! I love to hear of local bands that are actually really making it out there & are making brilliant music. I looked at their touring schedule & they will be playing a lot in DFW. So my plan is to go to one of their concerts very soon. I'm very excited because this is one thing I can scratch off my list to do this summer.

Title: We Will All Be Changed by Seryn

I can't complain about it I gotta keep my balance & just keep dancin on it We gettin funky on the scene & you know about it

I can't remember the last time I did a Music Monday & I have been listening to some wonderful music lately. I just heard that one of my favorite bands Band Of Horses just released a new album Infinite Arms! I have only heard one song from the album & so far I liked what I heard. This is why Myspace is still pretty amazing. Yes, call me a nerd. I do indeed still have a Myspace. But don't judge, it's only because I can listen to music & hear new bands & artists.

Lately I have been seeing a lot about a girl named Janelle Monae. So, I decided to check out just what she was all about this past week. I really really enjoyed her music. I love her style too. She is extremely original & beautiful. Also, I wish I could get my hair to do what her hair does. I in fact attempted to do this style, but all the teasing & hairspray couldn't hold my hair up! So far Tightrope is my favorite song of hers & I think the dancing in the video is brilliant.

I hope to start posting regularly again this week. I found a 24 hour coffee shop in my town & I'm really excited about it! Let the blogging live on!

Title: Tightrope by Janelle Monae

Well I have been searching all of my days All of my days Many a road, you know I've been walking on All of my days

This is what I feel like today.

This is what I wish I could do today.

So this is what my spirit & soul is listening to for the day.

Title: All Of My Days by Alexi Murdoch

Up to my knees now, do I wait? Do I dive? The sea has seen my like before though it’s my first and perhaps last time.

So who doesn't like an amazing band, full of Scottish guys?! I have been listening to the band Frightened Rabbit for about a month now & they just make me smile with their music. So far "Swim Until You Can't See Land" that came out in November '09, is my favorite song from their newest album The Winter Of Mixed Drinks. They are about to be on tour, so if they are coming anywhere near your city you should totally check them out. Also, they all pretty much have the most legit beards I have ever seen in a band (besides the Beatles), so that's even more reason to like them.

Also, I would like to thank everyone who commented on my last post for the encouragement. It was just so good to read all of your reassuring words & it was really inspirational to me. So thank you my sweet readers.

Monday is here, embrace the day!

Title: Swim Until You Can't See Land by Frightened Rabbit

It's so available to you right now just taste and see, it's a new season (it's a new season)

I have been reminded many times over the past couple of weeks of how things in my life are changing. Somethings are going up & somethings are drifting away. Winter has gone & spring has sprung & we are all making the transition into the sunny days of summer. I have the tendencies to go back in the past & remember how good those days were & reminiscing about my life back then. I suppose it is what we do as humans. It's sometimes hard to look forward & see the uncertainty of our future. My best friend, Lexie, reminded me last night when we were talking, that this is a new season for me & I need to embrace every single part of it. Whatever is in my past should be left there! It is in the past & does not effect my present. Thank you Jesus for best friends that have wisdom & give it to you straight. These lyrics to New Season by Israel & Newbreed has been one of my favorite songs for the past couple of years & I always play it early in the mornings when I wake up or as I'm about to get into bed. It's a promise that has been given to me. That this is a new season & I am on a new adventure. Everyday I wake up & it's a new day.

"It's a new season, it's a new day. Fresh anointing is flowing my way. It's a season of power & prosperity. It's a new season coming to me."

photos from weheartit

Title: New Season by Israel & Newbreed

Turn up that radio hear the rock and roll malibu shines like summer gold wild beaches in the salty wind california summers never end

Summer, you are so close, but so far away! Okay not that far away, but I'm ready for it to be here. I'm just going to say, that I will most likely be putting this in every post from now on until the summer gets here. It seems that every time the summer comes around there are 2 things that I do to get ready for it.

1) I start wearing my hair as crazy curly as I can.

2) I begin to listen to rock music.

These two things get me mentally prepared for the season coming for really random reasons. Wearing my hair long & curly makes me feel carefree & let's me feel like a "gypsy" again. I try to contain that part of myself during the winter season so I can stay focus. It doesn't always work. This is also the first summer in three years that I have had my hair long, so I'm a little excited about it.

There is just something about having all your car windows down, having the sun shine in on you & listening to good ol' rock music. I have been listening to Kings Of Leon a lot because I really enjoy their southern rock blues sound. Driving the other day, Shea said, "Can we not listen to Kings Of Leon, you are driving me a little crazy." Maybe I should tone it down just a bit, woops.

I do love this song Buttons, by The Weeks. They are a local band in my old stopping grounds, Jackson, MS.

So on this Music Monday I would like to know if any of you have some good rock bands you listen to? New, Old, it doesn't matter. I need to start building on this genre & I think it's about time.

Title: California Paradise by The Runaways

The city keeps on going we just keep on rolling the city keeps on going we just keep on rolling...on

Nashville. Folk Music. Plaid. Country living. Banjos. Are on my mind.

Title: The City by Joe Purdy

Sometimes in my tears I drown but I never let it get me down so when negativity surrounds I know someday it'll all turn around

I'm a big fan of music that A. has a good beat & B. that has a good message behind it. And One Day by Matisyahu ft. Akon has both. I heard this song for the first time last week on the radio & I really cannot stop listening to it. This is the first new song I have heard of Matisyahu's on his new album Light. I haven't listened to the other songs, but I'm thinking it's pretty amazing. There is also a version of One Day without Akon on it, but I think Akon does a really good job in adding his Senegalesan flows & they both sound so good together. I'm a big Akon fan so I'm really happy Matisyahu chose to collaborate with him.

I really do love this song & my eyes welled up the first time I heard it, call me a baby I guess. One Day was also the official song they used for this years Winter Olympics! How awesome is that! You can tune in to the rest of Matisyahu's album Light HERE.

I hope you like the song as much as I do loves.

Title: One Day by Matisyahu

Muscle connects to the bone & the bone to the ire & the marrow I wish I had a gentle mind & a spine made up of iron mouth connects to the teeth

This is my first Music Monday to write as a 22 year old! That's quite exciting & I had such a wonderful birthday! Photos to come soon.
I started listening to St. Vincent aka Annie Clark's new album Actor this weekend & it has really become a new favorite. I had no idea how electronic she is, I guess that's a bad word for it though. But her music is very techy. Also it's what I like to call "smart/ intellectual" music. There are so many meanings, history, philosophy & ideas behind her music that makes it complex & interesting to listen to. I heard a interview of her on World Cafe the other day & I was so taken in on how chill & softly spoken she is. Also she grew up here in Dallas & toured with one of my favorite bands Polyphonic Spree. I think this makes her pretty hardcore. So far favorite song on her new album is "Marrow." Listen to St. Vincent HERE & make your Monday wonderful.

Title: Marrow by St. Vincent

But now it's just another show you leave 'em laughing when you go & if you care don't let them know don't give yourself away

A music post for your Wednesday. I feel as if I should have started listening to Joni Mitchell years ago. I have heard her name for so long, but I never gave thought to listening to her music. But now I know why she is so celebrated through the decades. I have been listening to music I can find of hers on the internet, but I think to purchase her album would be a great thing to add to my music list. Joni Mitchell reminds me of an older version of Brandi Carlile, but maybe a little softer. Shea made a playlist & put her music on there & I play her song "Both Sides Now" any time I'm sitting on my couch relaxing.

Title: Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell

The earth can never hold this love that burns my soul heaven holds me I can't hold my love back from you I've got to sing

Monday, bloody Monday...okay so I changed the words around a little (if you know what song I am referring to, you are now my favorite person.) I had a wonderful, crazy, upside down weekend. Babysitting alot, learning all the things I need to know about my second job ( yes, I got a second job!), being with family for my brother Beau's 43rd birthday, & helping my brother Cale & sister-in-law Ky move back to Dallas (highlight of my weekend!) And the week is going to just get crazier I know. My planner is filled every day with little things I have to get done ASAP. I can't remember the last time I was this busy, but I'm excited to get the ball rolling on things.

I had mentioned last week that I'm doing a detox the whole month of February & it's more a spiritual kind of detox. Without going into so many details (there are a lot), I basically need to spend more time with my Father God. That's what it boils down to. It's so easy to do, but yet I make it complicated. So I felt this month, this is the month that I'm finally putting my bloody foot down & saying it's time.

Last year I started listening to Sarah McMillan's music on her Myspace. She's the wife of John Mark McMillan, & they are both brilliant song writers. I lover her folk sound. It's very real & genuine & you know the words she is singing comes from the deep crevices of her heart & soul. I had forgotten how much her music & sound had affected me, til I tuned in again this past week. Shea & I can't stop listening to her. So I decided that Sarah's album, Under Your Bright Wings, will be my music album of this month on PassionBird. You can click on her album to the left < yes, yes, over there, that's it. I also love that she's an artist & a mom on top of being a musician. That's called a multi-tasker for sure.
Happy Music Monday loves! I'm happy it's a new day.

Title: Sing My Love by Sarah McMillan

There's a moving inner peace that i love to see gotta raise my soul to tell you how i feel gotta listen to the tears that people cry for me

I absolutely LOVE award season. Don't you? I was never aloud to watch award shows when I was younger (don't ask, I still don't know why.) So now, every year I make a big deal to watch every show. After watching the Grammys last night, I was so very up for writing this Music Monday post. Now I think there's a lot I could say about the performances & my opinions on who should have won & who actually did, but eh, let us let that be.

I have decided to make this Music Monday post about the music artist Maxwell. This past fall was the first time I had heard of him & it was after I had listened to his new solo, Pretty Wings. I fell in love with this song & me & my girlfriends listened to it all during Thanksgiving break. He was nominated for so many Grammy's this year it was unbelievable, so he must be legit. And it also doesn't hurt that he is an absolutely beautiful specimen. I'm hoping he brings back the hippy fro he sported back in the 90's. I am a huge fan of soul & R&B music & Maxwell's album Black Summers' Night, pretty much hits the spot for soulful beats.

Have any of you listened to his previous music or have heard this album?

I hope you are having a great start to your week!

Title: Help Somebody by Maxwell

Gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, gold lion's gonna tell me where the light is, take our hands out of control

Hello lovely readers,
I found this video last week & was so excited to share it with y'all on this Music Monday. It's a band called The Very Best. I found this great article all about who they are & I absolutely love it. This song called Warm Heart Of Africa is so fun & light hearted. I'm probably going to have to do another Music Monday just on The Very Best band, but for now enjoy this video. Oh, I went out & bought Alicia Key's new album finally! Since it is Music Monday I try not to go on & on about what's going on in my life. All I'm going to say, is that if you return on Wednesday, you might get an ear full about the ticket I received this past weekend. To be continued...

The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa (feat. Ezra Koenig - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

Title: Gold Lion by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

When the wind is blowing in your face sometimes in life you don't see straight wait for him he will show

It's Music Monday in 2010! So far I have attempted to post a clever post all about Alicia Keys new album The Element Of Freedom, but so far everything keeps getting erased. Right now I'm just a little frustrated, but I will not let that get in the way of me blogging! I will defeat my frustration. Okay so here's the thing, this album is absolutely amazing. I wasn't a huge fan of her previous album As I Am, but this most recent album as blown it out of the water. So go on mate & listen. Let her her funky beats (yes i just said that) & her playful piano melodies lighten up your Monday.
(I'm crossing my fingers that this all won't erase right now.)
p.s. My red hair turned out marvelous! I'll post picks soon.

Title: Wait Til You See My Smile by Alicia Keys

Silver bells and open fire and songs we used to sing one more chance to be inspired Is what I'm offering if love is not enough then stay with me

I find myself tired of listening to the same Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin Christmas music. Shea & I started listening to Christmas music this week while decorating our balcony with lights (that are now not working, bloody things.) I found myself wanting to listen to just some good acoustic guitar type Christmas music. Is this a lot to ask for? So thus I told Shea she should get out her guitar, look up some chords & sing away! She was all up for that & is even going to learn some songs so my family & I can all sing together on Christmas day (cute I know.) It was so nice just to relax to her soulful voice strumming a long to some of my favorite holiday tunes.

I heard the song "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson last year & could not get enough of the ballad. It was so refreshing & yet sorrowful at the same time. Anyway my friend Kara wrote me & asked if I had heard The Hotel Cafe's Winter Songs album. I hadn't heard of it at all. So I looked it up & there it was, the song Winter Song! There's a whole album of some of my favorite rocker chicks singing Christmas/ Winter music! How come I didn't know about this? I have no idea, but I can't stop listening.

So for those of you that haven't heard it I say go listen loves! Here

I'm having issues with being inspired right now & even writing posts that are just completely pointless, it's a rut I know. Hopefully it will go away before Christmas break comes around next week.

Title: The Heartache Can Wait Brandi Carlile

I'm like the rain in a downpour I wash away what you long for and I wave goodbye with the sun in my eyes I wish I could be there tonight

Once again it's Monday, somehow I always find myself back on Monday. It's like you can never get away from it no matter how slow the week goes, it's always going to be Monday all over again.

It's Music Monday which makes my day a lot better. Brandi Carlile has been one of my favorite singers for about 4 years now. Her soulful melodies have become such a staple in my life. I have never seen in her live but hopefully it will be soon, because i have heard she is absolutely brilliant live. You know when an artists comes out with a new album & you are so excited but annoyed that you have to learn all these new songs or that these songs will not be as good as the last songs. Well it is not like that at all with Brandi's new album. All her music flows so well together & I feel like this music just adds to the already amazing songs she has.

So go check it out!! It will make your Monday a little better.
Title: Downpour by Brandi Carlile

You always did kind of drive me crazy and pissed me off ‘cause I let it faze me but I never wanted my time with you to end

It's been a sleepy day. A day where I have just relaxed & talked to my best friend all day. It's going to be a good cozy weekend. This song made me smile today.

The Guy That Says Goodbye by Griffin House
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you
From where I sit, you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work you and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
Well I been down and I need your help I’ve been feeling sorry for myself
Don’t hesitate to boost my confidence
I been lost and I need direction, I could use a little love-protection
What do you say, honey, come to my defense?
I’ll stand up for you if it’s what you need and I can take a punch, I don’t mind to bleed
As long as afterwards you feel bad for me
And you give me all of your attention I got deep desire and it needs quenchin’
I think that’s pretty plain for you to see
Hell, enough about me and more about you cause that’d be the gentlemanly thing to do
I hope you like your men sweet and polite
I thought I was done with telling you but I ain’t nearly halfway through
I got a few more things I’d like to say to you tonight
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you
From where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind
You always did kind of drive me crazy and pissed me off ‘cause I let it faze me
But I never wanted my time with you to end
Now I’m back in town for a day or two and mostly I came back just to see you
I’m leaving now but I don’t want to go
You don’t need to change a thing about you babe
I’m telling you
From where I sit you’re one of a kind
Relationships, I don’t know why, they never work out and they make you cry
But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind.

photo from here