Insert Sad Face

I didn't get that job..... sigh.

Did you know?

A friend shared this video with me. "Heard Maria Taylor's song and thought of you"
I really love her voice. This video is super cute and well ...
"I'm not as fragile as I thought"

Why the long face?

I am back from an AWESOME trip to Iowa. Spent some much needed time establishing Aqui Estamos Records in the community, connected with old friends, met some really cool new friends and managed to rock out Friday and Saturday night. I will post pictures soon I am waiting on Caboose to get some to me as I used his new camera for the shows. It's good to be home in Raleigh though. I am growing fond of this place.

Today I ventured to Kinston, NC for an agency visit. This agency is one of my favorites (all gals) they really get me laughing. At lunch, I was the last one to the table. One of the CSR's was sitting there with a very serious expression.. So I asked "What's on your mind, everything ok". She said " I was just thinking that I need to get you a date since you aren't very good at it." HA ... Ha and HA again. This was not the reply I was expecting. Touching really that she would be so focused on that thought. She proceeds to tell me about how she met her boyfriend and that he was the first person she dated after her divorce and they have been together 3 years.

Here it is for everyone that wants to get me a date. THANKS! Really I do appreciate it. It would be nice to go on a date. A real one NOT a "let's hang out" thing BUT a "pick me up at 7, both dressed up, go to dinner, talk about things that give you the butterflies and the thought oh OH..I'm in trouble, walk arm in arm, say goodnight with a kiss that lifts your foot like in the movies" date. Is this too much to ask? Ok, I am really awkward with guys that I fancy but I am also picky. I don't want to settle, I won't settle for less than being treated like a princess. I have a lot to offer I just have to find the right person to offer it to.

This little conversation made me laugh but also think. "I believe the love I give will return to me" don't punch me in the face for quoting a JM song but I really do find comfort and truth in that verse. I have LOVE and HOPE and well .. that's a start.

One word...

HUZZAH!!!!!

My Mix

I made this mix for a new friend. I really like the artwork ... it turned out to look kinda like a tape. I wasn't so sure starting off.

"Shut the Punk up..an Indie kid did WHAT?!" mix by Me

I've Got Friends -Manchester Orchestra
Wire and Wool -The Envy Corps
I'm Making Eyes At You -Black Kids
She Can't Change -Neva Dinova
Zurich Is Stained -Pavement
The Weather -Built To Spill
A Good Start -Maria Taylor
The Rhythm Method (Move!) -Flobots
Soft As Snow (But Warm Inside) -My Bloody Valentine
Autumn Sweater -Yo La Tengo
Sleeping Lessons -The Shins
Happy When It Rains -The Jesus & Mary Chain
Easy/Lucky/Free -Bright Eyes
A Million Shards -Pseudosix

Be still my heart

I came across this Postal Service song a few months. I had never heard it before, it is currently on repeat. If you are a Postal Service fan or DC4C you should check out this song.

"But I could not recall
A more perfect fall
Cause when I looked up into your eyes
It didn't hurt at all.

And I thought, be still my heart
This could be a brand new start, with you.
And it will be clear
If I wake up and you're still here with me in the mornin"

I'm not sure if he is referring to a returning love, I interpret as finding a new love. My favorite line "when I look up into your eyes it didn't hurt at all" That completely clean slate with someone you've just met and fancy, it's refreshing. You have the opportunity to give your heart, if you chose. It beats harder and fast knowing there are no past wounds created by this person. "This could be a brand new start." I love these lyrics. He has a way of expressing the most complex feelings so simply.

I found this video on youtube, it's super cute

In my lil corner of the world

August was packed with fun filled activities. I made my first trip to Gainesville, Fl and even got a pretty sweet tour of the Gators playground including locker room and workout areas. A day after my return I picked Matt up from the airport and we drove to NYC. Spent a few days taking it all in, especially the ever so carefully crafted cheese pizza. YUM! Seriously, if you have never been to NYC this is the reason you should go. It is life changing! We headed back and I gave him the grand tour of my stomping grounds including a house party and a trip to the beach for some old fashion crabbing. We had a blast. Since Matt's visit I have been chillin low key. Not much exciting going on just the normal day-to-day awesomeness that is Shannon.

I am really looking forward to /excited about/can't freakin wait for the following:

28!

This Friday I, like everyone else, have an anniversary of my existence. I will be honest and say since about 23, I haven't looked forward or been happy about turning a year older. It seemed to be a constant reminder of how much my life was NOT what it was suppose to be at that age. Heck, the week I turned 25 I wore all black to work. Yep.

With that being said, I am not at all mourning the passing of another year. I'm actually looking forward to turning 28. I was chatting with my sister today about this subject. I am going to be 28... getting closer to 30 and its awesome! The fact is: At 28, I have a lot of great things in my life. I am blessed to have great family, friends, a good job, I started a record label, I have the most adorable dog in the world, I have no drama, don't stress about money, have the freedom to travel (which I love), smile everyday, my mended heart is ready, I live in a cool town with a stand up music scene, make new friends all the time, my brother ROCKS and most importantly people read my blog! What's that popular saying? Life is Good. I think it should be life is GREAT! So this year, is the first year in a really long time that I have been reminded of my life so far and thought ...

"I wouldn't change it." And that's the most amazing feeling.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention

I have been trying to catch one of these shows since it started a month ago. This weekend is the last chance I have. It seems really interesting, a bit different than your everyday activity. What I understand of this production is they have large paper puppets perform to live music. I must witness this before it is over. Friday and Saturday it will be in Raleigh. I am excited about going!

Yo La Tengo

Show!!! Can't Freakin Wait! I have listened to them since I was 15 and still love em. I will be seeing them live in Durham on the 18th. It is a sit down show, which is weird but they totally rock my world so I am sure it will be fine. Since it is a sit down show, I bought two tickets when they first went on sale thinking "by then I surely will know someone who likes them also that will go with me" hmmmm I have a week to meet and then invite this person. I better go to plan B. I went to She & Him solo at a sit down concert and thought "I don't want to do that again" but if I have to -so be it. I will not miss one of my favorite bands because I don't have a concert buddy. Here is a great write up of how awesome they are... way better then I could ever express in words. And then nothing turned itself inside out

If you haven't listened to Yo La Tengo .. DO. They have a new album out that I haven't heard yet but if you want to pick up "I can hear the heart beating as one" Its on my top 5 favorite albums.

HUZZAH!

I am dusting off my bloomers, bodice, and all my wrench gear on the 19th. I am flying into KC to meet Leah for a weekend of tomfoolery. We will be attending, in costume, the KC Renaissance Festival. I haven't been for a few years and am itching to go. I love dressing up and this gives me a perfect excuse to. Yes, people think it is nerdy but I don't care. I have soooo much fun. I plan on getting a new costume this year. You will have to wait for my posting of pics to see what I decided on.

HOME

I will be Des Moines 6 whole days. I haven't had a full week back in awhile. The last few trips have been short ones. This trip will be a mix of work for Aqui Estamos Records and seeing people. But MOST EXCITING is Cashes Rivers headlines The DogTown Fest. This is his first festival that he is the main act. I have been told the set is going to rocking/amazing/make you poo your pants better bring a change of clothes. I not only get to see family, friends, go to my favorite eateries and drinkeries ... I get to rock out!

Whew...that takes me to the end of September. WOW! I can't wait!

Just Cook This!

I have found a new cooking show that not only has awesome healthy dishes but I am IN LOVE with Sam. Sam is crazy... he is real, makes corny jokes and uses a lot of gestures. Most of all makes me laugh. Seriously, every show I have seen so far I have wholehearted giggled at least once. Did I mention his dishes are AMAZING! tasty and easy. I found the man of my dreams and he cooks! (ok so he's not the man of my dreams but he is very entertaining to watch)

Check out Sam on FitTV Just Cook This.

"After all this is Discovery Health. This is not Discovery (Not) Health or Discovery Candy bar" HA!

I want

this book real bad. Our Noise The Story of Merge Records
It comes out in a few weeks. I can't wait.

Lyrics and Me part 1M

I always analyze lyrics, always. They are the most important thing to me in a song. Some listen for voice, guitar.. beat... etc. I, lyrics. A voice can be less than desirable but if the lyrics are solid I can see past that and the beauty of it all emerges. I was cleaning today with my iTunes on random when a few songs came on that I have not heard in a while. I found myself not only analyzing the lyrics but myself today .. all while cleaning the dishes by hand (dishwasher broke)I I find my mind wonders a lot these days. Reader's what do we have behind door number 1 : It's self reflection time!!! Oh well, heck, why not!?

Rachel's - Last Things Last
This band is remarkable. I have 3 of their albums, in fact, Waters From the Same Source is on my top 5, all time favorite songs. IT might just be number 1. This song stuck out today mainly because I have not actually taken time to listen to the lyrics before today. "Last things last is not enough, You can't accept this, Don't give in just yet" The lyrics are pretty simple but I found a bit of truth in them. Maybe it is because of my own personal experiences and the changing within but instead of hearing this song today and feeling sad, I felt a glow. This song is tender and extremely moving at the same time strong. "to hold on so you don't break" I think everyone applies songs differently depending on when they hear them. I used to cry to this song not realizing what it was actually saying to me. It's a good thing I had friends and family saying the same thing. They were right... just hold on and time will heal. I have a few cuts and bruises still but those are fading fast.




Bright Eyes- Bowl of Oranges
Enough said , Right! Come on it's Bright Eyes and until recently the kid could not write a bad song if he tried. This song is definitely my theme song for 2009. Here is how I apply it to me. "Everything seemed different and completely new to me" It's weird how this just happens. It really is as if one day POOF you are different. This actually took place towards the end of 2008, but the feeling of walking around in life with a care free smile without the weight of hurt/sadness on your chest, noticing things, people, places you hadn't before has really come to fruition this year. Think 500 Days of Summer.

Now, I know better then to think this transformation took place overnight."So that is how I learned the lesson that everyone is alone. And your eyes must do some raining if you are ever going to grow."I have come through some pretty deep stuff. Thinking it would NEVER get better, I would NEVER be happy, I would NEVER be in love again (again), I will always be alone. I know now for certain you should NEVER say NEVER. Show me one person that at one time or another has not felt alone. I only feel alone now because of choice. I did my fair share of watering my face over the last few years. It's been such a long time since I have cried, I actually can't recall. I do have a more positive outlook on life, me and the future. It's going to okay, it always was, I just had to let it.

"But if the world could remain within a frame like a painting on a wall. Then I think we would see the beauty then. We would stand staring in awe at our still lives posed like a bowl of oranges, like a story told by the fault lines and the soil." Yes, there are some things I wish I hadn't done but in the big picture, looking back at my life's still- It's BEAUTIFUL even with its uneven lines and cracks in the paint. I wouldn't be me today if ...it hadn't been for yesterday and I can't wait until tomorrow.