Bon Iver means "good winter"...

...and what a good winter it was. I just saw this band called Bon Iver. and i was literally speechless after the show, in a good way. the man behind the name, is justin vernon of eau claire, WI and he is amazing. apparently he spent one winter at his dad's hunting shack, and recorded his album For Emma, Forever Ago, and now has national distribution through jagjagwar records. he's probably about my age, give or take a year, and it's just so frickin' cool to see this young guy getting all these great reviews and press. there are a lot of videos on youtube that i suggest checking out. just type in bon iver in the search and they should all come up. the first thing that gets you is the voice. you'll know what i mean when you hear it. it's so great to hear fresh new music and a new voice from this generation of crap that we are in! i suggest picking up this cd, you will not be dissapointed. my pick from the cd is: the wolves, part I and II. or something like that. check 'em out folks!!

Ode to the Buck n' Bass..... you officially kicked my ass!

This is my official praise to the Buck n' Bass lodge in Barnes, WI, where i spent three glorious days with some glorious people and one hell of a bartender named Steve! Last month, a couple friends held their 2nd annual birthday weekend at the Buck n' Bass lodge, and i was lucky enough to attend this year. I began referring to the Buck n' Bass as "wee-vegas," because apparantly, "what happens at the Buck n' Bass (wee-vegas,) stays at the Buck n' Bass (wee-vegas.) So, really, i'm not at liberty to divulge specific information aobut said weekend. However, i will say that it was an awsome time, filled with laughter, fun, music, and strippers( it is wee- vegas, don't forget. and they didn't actually take their clothes off, they just walked around in bikinis... wierd!) On saturday night, Medford came out to play a show at the bar, and totally tore the place down! it was great, and the locals seemed to like us... also a plus! By sunday, i was sad to leave, but ended the weekend singing on the front step with my friend Caleb, to our rendition of "Buck and Bass, you kicked my ass!" an instant classic! Here are a few photos from the weekend... some of the lovely ladies i hung out with! and of course, Steve the bartender!

Music washes away the dust from my soul....

Lately, I have been playing a lot more music, and singing more and I get such a high from it. I've been singing with a friend on wednesday nights, and the bar, and it's fun to come up with new stuff for us to sing together. It forces me to broaden my musical horizon and find stuff that I really want to sing or play, and also, to create new stuff as well. Now that I have this new computer, too, I'm able to listen to more music and make cd's and just have more access to more music. I would say that my wildest dream (well, one of them) would to be a part of a band or duo and to play shows, and perform. In the past year or so, I have met some of the greatest people, who happen to be muscians, and I can't even explain how great it is to hang out with them, and witness their music first hand, and be a part of it sometimes. I feel that I have really grown in my own musical sense because of these people, who can't help but make music... all the time! This has been some of the most fun I've ever had.... more to come soon.

Bloggable? I think so....

Well, for those of you who watched the Oscars (I did not, actually...) you would have seen Glen and Marketa perform their song "falling slowly." And then you would have seen them win the award for best song. And then you would have seen how cute they are and how humble and beautiful and amazing they are. I watched their speeches on the internet, and my love for them grows more... It's pretty amazing how they were virtually unknown in this country before this movie came out., and now they've won an Oscar! It's crazy!! Hollywood has somewhat redeemed themselves for the moment, but lord knows that won't last. As for Glen and Marketa, I'll be seeing them this summer at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. I'll be front and center for that one, for sure... And so, the obsession continues...

Soundtrack to my life...

Well, to say the least, 2008 has already proven to be a great year. Definitely crazy at times, but i'm feeling renewed and refreshed and ready to move forward. The whole "soundtrack to my life" refers to the wonderful gift that my friend james just gave me. I came home the other day to a package that contained cd's that james had burned me for my upcoming trip to Hawaii (figuring i'd need some tuneage for the plane ride.) It's probably the coolest thing I have ever received and i literally freaked out when i got it. I think James was a little scared of my reaction. But it was so cool, because music is everything to me, and a part of my daily life, and the songs and the albums that he gave me really touched me and meant a lot to me. My choice pick from one of the mix cd's was "box of rain" by the grateful dead. Now, not only is this my favorite dead song, but it reminds me of the show freaks and geeks, (if you all remember that show??) and lindsay, the main character, puts on the american beauty album and rocks out to box of rain in her room. and that was kind of a pivotal moment in the show, and a point of letting go and moving on. and the other day, when i was dealing with all of my car dilemmas, FINALLY!, i was listening to that song and really feeling like i was letting go of things from the past and clearing the way ahead. As insignificant as it all could seem, these past few days have allowed me to breathe easier and feel a little lighter. peace and love to all in 2008!~

*Ganesh (pictured above) is the God of knowledge and the remover of obstacles. Take time to listen to your heart and hear what you are holding inside, and begin to release it. Clear the way for the good stuff! Namaste!

random thoughts on a random day....

So, i'm up at eagles nest selling gift certificates today, and i'm a little bored and tired. so i figure, why not blog? anyhoo, i'm sure you'd all be interested to hear that a plumber came to the house today and unclogged our bathroom sink and tub. it's fantastic to take a shower and not have to wade in your own filth at the same time. so, that's pretty cool, i guess. also, i was kind of rushing to leave this morning and was brushing my teeth and washing my face at the same time, and totally got toothpaste in my eye.... not cool. so, here i am now, just surfin' the web, checking stuff out, eating a lot and not moving much. hope everyone's day is as eventful as mine. ciao!

p.s. friday is the winter solstice and to celebrate, i'm going to a medford show up the shore. should be a blast. the boys are sounding fantastic with their new lineup.

Gardening, yoga, bubble baths, medication...and I still want to smack somebody!

So, the christmas season is upon us once again. and let me tell you, you have not witnessed the true meaning of the christmas spirit until you have worked retail for the holidays. as most of you know, i am working back at the old barnes and noble for the holiday season. my hiadus did me well, because i was able to pick up the pieces of my self-esteem that were shattered by last years' holiday shoppers. i am in good spirits, even when crotchity old ladys try to rush me so they can catch the bus in time to get the good seats. i'm really working on centering myself and staying calm, even in the face of the crazed shoppers. but in the end, i'm only human, and can only take so much of this crazy shit! and i'll be oh so glad to have five days off right before christmas... and that's when the real winners come in and blame you for their special orders not being here and making you feel that you single-handedly ruined their family's christmas. i choose not to buy into the guilt that some so heavily lay on me, and instead go to the breakroom, stuff my face with holiday cookies and bitch to my co-workers. only once in my retail history did i ever cry. this year i'm in a much better place, so far so good! merry christmas to all, and to all that cross me this holiday season....f**k off! i'm in no mood!