Music Tuesday: Young

"Hey!" you say. "It's not Monday!"

You'd be right, dear reader. But you'd also be a little too particular about when I post my blogs. I do what I want.

This song for the KC Turner Songwriting Challenge had to contain the phrase "everyone's a little bit crazy." Easier said than done as I struggled all week to make some magic. I'm not loving this one as much as last week's, but I am digging some of the bits and pieces. Enjoy, cowboy!

Music Monday: Happy New Year! Here's a song.

What was my first exciting purchase of 2013? Well, actually, a polka dot, chambray dress. (Gotta stay true to my roots.)

But my second exciting purchase of 2013 was a gorgeous new Ibanez guitar. Wanna see? You can check it out in this video of my first original song this year (and my submission for KC Turner's Songwriting Club).

Collaborative Music Monday: Breaking Hearts (James Vincent McMorrow cover)

Thanks to my pal, Christi, for collaborating with me on this song. Watch out for some more songs from us in the future (like this one).

Enjoy!

Music Monday: Cathedrals (Jump, Little Children cover)

Anybody who knew me in college knows that my favorite band at the time was Jump, Little Children, a group from Charleston, South Carolina. My friends and I went to every Jump concert we could and knew just about every song. Unfortunately, the band is no longer together.

This is my favorite Jump, Little Children song, "Cathedrals."

Music Monday: Take Me Out of the City (Dawes cover)

For this inaugural Music Monday, I chose a simple folk number by a band called Dawes. They have lots of great tunes, so check 'em out!

Thursday Latelies 1.12.12

BAM! It's me on video. Don't get scared, children. (Especially from the thumbnail. Could it be any worse? Yes. Yes, it probably could. Guess I need to learn a thing or two about video editing. Bored bored bored.) I'm planning on making this a weekly thing, so just get used to it, or unsubscribe now. You're been warned.

1. Geetar time.

2. I bought this and this. They both make my days a little brighter.

3. Things I like and don't like in the latest Lucky Magazine.


Thanks to Rose a la Mode (via Bex... a diary) for cluing me into Thursday Latelies. 

Faster than a bumblebee.

January's issue of Wired Magazine features an entire section all about speed. No, not the drug or the movie, but the scalar quantity.

One of my favorite features in the speed section was on the world record setter for fastest guitar playing: a 28-year-old named John Taylor. Apparently, in order to set the record or beat the current record, you have to play "Flight of the Bumblebee" because the judges were sick of people just playing one note over and over again.

Well, I just had to see his 600 bpm rendition of the song myself, so I mosied on over to YouTube and found it. It's pretty amazing.

So Merry (early) Christmas to you, reader!

Day 5: Contrast

Yesterday I had a dress code. Minna, the mastermind behind the Magik*Magik Orchestra, gave us a dress code for the concert: black and white. It didn't matter if we were formal or casual, as long as we met the dress code standard.

Fortunately, I had this white dress in my 30 (not even planned!). A quick word about the leggings. For San Francisco summers, I consider them accessories. So that's why they're not included in my 30. So there.

Banana Republic dress, Prana leggings via See Jane Run, Mossimo wedges, Old Navy jacket, F21 bangle and necklace

Now let's talk about the concert. It was amazing. I'm not just saying that. One of the most inspirational moments of my life, for certain. Just being on stage again, and this time with a band and entire orchestra, was so powerful.

I just kept saying how honored and privileged I felt to be asked to join the six-woman choir (one was absent for this pic) for this performance. I can't wait until videos start popping up on You Tube. You'd better believe I'll be sharing them.

I really hope I get this chance again. But, if I don't, I'll always remember last night as one of the best musical experiences of my life.

Oh, and JV is the most humble musician. That's him and me below. Happy weekend, all!

Days 2-6 and My Debut at Herbst Theatre (It Pays to Have Musical Friends)

Shopping temptation radar (days 2-6): 0! (It helps that I'm between paychecks and wouldn't have the cash to spend if I wanted to.)

I've been a little M.I.A. lately, but for good reason. Involving medical stuff you don't need to know about.

I'm better now, thanks!

I had a delightful weekend. You'll see some more pictures from it later.

So, just to update you, I did manage to go for a run on Friday. Saturday the hubs and I did a lot of walking around with our neighbor, so I'm counting that as my exercise for the day. And yesterday (Sunday) I worked a half marathon, loading and unloading boxes and carting them to and fro.

Today I was less-than-thrilled about some frustrating stuff at work, so I went for a quick run before heading home. It was perfect because by the time I got home the hubs was too hungry to wait for me to cook dinner, so we went for Turkish food. Yum! In fact, we still have some baklava that we got "to go" waiting to be eaten.

Anyhoo, this was Friday's work outfit. Unfortunately, I rarely wear this merino wool sweater. Mainly because it's a bit too form-fitting. But it's a great basic piece. I just need to find more ways to incorporate it into my wardrobe.

 Banana Republic sweater, gifted tank, Gap jeans, Old Navy scarf, old necklace, Madden boots

Some awesome news I got today? I get to sing with this orchestra while they accompany this musician in a couple of weeks. I'm amazingly honored to be asked and so excited to participate.