Imagine

Gives me chills everytime. He sang this the day after the election. I love the cheers from the crowd when he says "I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one" and yells "CELEBRATE" at the end. What an amazing moment.

Gossip In The Grain

I've had the month of October to listen to Gossip In The Grain and am finally ready (as ready as I CAN be) to put these songs in some sort of order. Why I do this to myself I dont know because it is so difficult for me. But fun nonetheless. This order takes nothing away from these songs because this is probably the most difficult album to pick favorites from. I love the entire thing with all my heart. With that said...

10- Gossip in the grain- I love the images in this song and how poignant it is. I think is beautiful, just not my favorite.

9- Meg White- The first time I heard this song I was weirded out. Didnt know what to think but it's definitely grown on me. So catchy and unlike him.

8- Winter Birds- Another great song full of crisp clear images. Beautiful live.

7- Hey Me, Hey Mama- I love this song. I liked the first version 'Amy' but this one is much more fun. And I love the giggle at the beginning.

6- I Still Care For You - Beautiful lyrics. Reminds me of "Band of Horses". This was also lovely live.

5- Henry Nearly Killed Me- The absolute shit live. I really didn't think it would be one of my favorite the first few times I saw it but it was in my top 3 favorite to see live.

4-Sarah - I was real excited to hear this song for obvious reasons and it made me a lil teary when I did. Lovely

3- You Are The Best Thing- Yeah! Love this jam! So different from his other stuff. Bout time he sang something happy! I can definitely break it down to this song.

2- Let it be me - This was my absolute favorite until I heard 'a falling through'. So beautiful and so Ray.

1- A Falling Through- From the very first time I heard it I was in love.

I've had the pleasure of seeing Ray live twice and there is absolutely nothing like it. I wish I could buy everyone I've ever known a ticket to his show. This past time I was third row center and it just blew me away. I never wanted it to end. This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.

I think being content is one of the best feelings in the world. Looking around..it's a pretty rare and lucky thing to be content these days and today I'm thankful for it. Alot of times my anxiety puts alot of negative thoughts in my head and I struggle to remove them but today I'm thankful for the peacefulness. The older I get the more I'm convinced that the secret to being happy is being totally happy with what you have. I find more solace and peace in knowing that I'm exactly where I should be than anything else. It puts me at such ease to know that I'm loved and appreciated and that I show the people I love the same. It just goes to show that everything happens for a reason whether we understand at the time or not. Eventually, it will lead us where we need to be.

Still stealing things

Since it's been about 5 months since the release of We Sing We Dance We Steal things I thouht it'd be fun to see how my opinion has changed. This is the old list...

12- Coyotes -
11- Butterfly
10- Only Human
9- Make It Mine
8- Lucky
7- I'm Yours
6- Dynamo Of Volition
5- Live High
4- Details In The Fabric
3-Beautiful Mess
2- Love For A Child
1- If It Kills

This is the new order

12-Coyotes
11- Lucky
10- Only Human
9- Butterfly
8- Im Yours
7- Details In The Fabric
6- Dynamo
5- Live High
4- Make It Mine
3- Love For A Child
2- Beautiful Mess
1- If It Kills Me

Its 2 months till the Nashville show. Im sooo ecstatic! This video is amazing. He never ceases to amaze me.

little slice of heaven

here on earth...

Inspiration

I love inspiration. When something excites you and moves you and makes you feel so many emotions at once! It always amazes me how inspiring music is. Hearing one note of a song can take me to so many places and different times at any given moment and I absolutely love it. Pictures can do the same thing. Here's a couple pictures of my little inspiration.

The Green Gentleman - Julia

Love this kid! This song has been on repeat quite a bit at work the last week or so. I love a new favorite!

that time of year

My favorite time of year is quickly approaching and I am oh so excited. I hope September flys by cause I wanna land smack bad into October! All the fall decorations the stores are putting out are making me so giddy! There's a pumpkin farm on the way to my parents house and the pumpkins are already growing big and fat. I love driving by there. There are certain movies that I love watching this time of year and this Friday night is movie night. I love to get take out and lay around in pjs and watch movies. Apple cider will soon be on the shelf in stores. Mums are already for sale at the local farmers market that i love going to. I cant wait to plant some! I bought some great light up pumpkins at a yard sale not long ago for 75 cents each and they work fantastic! Cant beat that. My son got a carving kit of all his favorite wrestlers yesterday he is beyond excited to make a rey mysterio pumpkin. We having camping reservations for the first weekend in October. We always carve pumpkins while we're camping in October to light up at the campground. So fun! There's a yard in my neighborhood that's already filled with leaves! I am so ready! It makes me all warm and fuzzy. So many things to look forward to in the upcoming months! The Foothills Fall Festival, Ray LaMontagne show, Halloween, Ray LaMontagnes new cd, Thanksgiving, day after thanksgiving shopping, then Nashville and Jason Mraz show the weekend after Thanksgiving. Woohoo! And, the fair is in town this weekend and we're taking Dakota Saturday night. Should be a great weekend!

dont worry....be happy

I found this has helped me some...

How To Be Happy With What You Have:

1- Think about what you DO have, not what you dont. Make a gratitude journal, adding things you're thankful for.

2- Set goals. Making a list of things you want to achieve and then checking them off can be very fulfilling.

3- Surround yourself with things that make you happy.

4- Let go of the past. Live in there here and now. Your future is what you make of it. If you dont want to spend the rest of your life looking back, then dont!

5- Have fun. Make time for things you enjoy. It'll make a happier you!

Jason Mraz - You and I Both (Live - April 16, 2008)

I was there, second row center and it was amazing. This song just takes my breath away. I love when he sings it by himself like this. Lovely. November 30th I'll be seeing him again! Cant wait!

days in the sun

I was talking to an old friend today about the past and it dawned on me what a wonderful life I've had so far. I'll be thirty my next birthday and I hope I make the most of my 30's as I have my 20's. Say yes more than no. Splurge on things that make us happy. See the beauty in everything and take the time to stop and notice. Show the people I love that they mean everything to me. Take care of myself and my family and the earth. Get up early and stay up late.
I have had the most wonderful childhood and the most wonderful Mother. I've had so many great times with great friends. Been to some amazing, life chaning concerts. Found things in life that I absolutely love and that are just 'me'. I have been blessed with a healthy, happy, amazing son. I see so much of myself in him and its so amazing to watch him grow and change into who he's gonna be. I had him when I was 19 so I sort of feel like we did alot of growing up together. He's the most important thing to me and I'm so proud of the little man he is. Nothing makes me happier than to see or hear him being kind. He's turning into such a compassionte little guy. On his own, he loves picking up trash in our neighborhood and hanging up flyers about recylcing and he'll do anything to save a bugs life. He loves music just as much as I do and I love the sunny days when I look at him in the rearview mirror and he's in the backseat singing right along with me at the top of his lungs, every word. I can't imagine where I'd be without him or who I'd be and I'm so thankful he's here with me.
I've loved and lost and learned from it every time. I'm so lucky and I hope I never take it for granted.

worry wort

NOT worrying has never been my forte. I'm very very great at worrying. I've had quite a bit of anxiety this month. Being sick for the past 7 weeks has been alot to deal with. My white blood cells and my platelets are continuing to get lower. I'm now being sent to a Hematologist. I have to wait over 2 weeks for that appointment. Waiting is not my forte either. Waiting for test results is the worst thing in the world. Its cruel actually. I've taken antibiotics twice, steroids, been seen by the ENT, had a whole upper GI ultrasound and now I'm being sent to a specialist. How could I not worry? Everyone keeps telling me not to worry until I have something to worry about. Well to me, I DO have something. My neck still hurts, I still have fevers, still get tired, still feel like doody, AND my blood work isnt normal. Um hello...somethings not right! It's wearing me out, my imagination goes into overdrive and I think the worst always. I know I know.... Two month ago I was all talk about positive-ness and change and optimism. But when something scary happens it's not as easy as it looks. I've ordered a book to try and keep myself calm. Not read too much into things. Hopefully that will help. I'm also changing doctors, mine never tells me crap. He's a good doctor, just not right for me. I need lots more explanations and communication. So... Im hanging in there. Trying to stay positive.

I found Payton

I was doing a google search for something today and came upon a blog of a mother of two children, one who has Williams Syndrome. It took me most of the day to read the entire thing and I was in tears several times. I know that I take for granted so often how lucky I am to have a healthy, normal child. It really puts in perspective for me what things are important and what things arent. It reminds me to lighten up and let him have fun. Not to worry so much about the carpet and what's on tv and to make the most of our time. I'm sure the woman that I read about has no idea how strong and wonderful she is. Reading that blog it was obvious that she was given that beautiful little girl because she was put on this earth to love her and grow right along with her. I admire her so much. A co-worker just found out that her son has Williams Syndrome also. I am so glad I found this blog and learned about little Payton. I hope great and wonderful things for her and her family!

Weezer Keep Fishin

I am really lovin this girl. What a dang cutie.

loose ends

I love when new music just appears and makes my whole day/week/month. I love how some songs just envelope you and you kinda get lost in them for the day. Rachael Yamagata has released a 3 song EP called Loose Ends and it is beyond wonderful. Just as I knew it would be. I'm in love. I've had The Other Side on repeat all day today. I hope everyone can find music that makes them feel something. Music that you dont just listen to. Go out and find it!

We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

So I am completely in love with We Sing We Dance We Steal Things. Such wonderful songs that fit my life perfectly. I thought I'd put them in my least favorites to most favorites. Usually, this is impossible for me. Granted, this order might change later but at this point in time this is how it goes..

12- Coyotes - Although I do like this song and it is growing on me I would say it's my least favorite just because it has such a produced sound. I love his voice in the beginning.

11- Butterfly - So fun! He sounds great in this song. I think this version is perfect.

(this is where it gets hard 10-6)
10- Only Human - Love the lyrics to this song.

9- Make It Mine - Love everything about this song. Especially the way he says tour haha. So catchy.

8- Lucky - Aw. So sweet. Love the lyrics, love his voice and love the melody. I'm not a huge Colbie fan but I do think she is perfect for this song.

7- I'm Yours - This is a huge song for this album and for Jason. It's such a feel good song and so important I think. There have been many version and I think this one is abslutely perfect. Love the video. I've converted quite a few new Jason fans with this song.

6- Dynamo Of Volition God I love this song. Makes me dance no matter what. How could anyone not dance when they hear this song? This song oozes awesomeness.

5- Live High - When I first heard this song it was immediately a favorite. I've listened to it over and over this past year and its basically been the anthem of my life ever since. It's just a happy, feel good, good mood song and every single time I hear it it just makes me feel good. I have to admit I like the EP version better, but it's still a stellar song.

4- Details In The Fabric - This is a classic, great, moving song. I love that he finally recorded it. It couldn't have been more perfect I'm very happy with the album version. Beauitful!

3- A Beautiful Mess - Such a lovely version of this song. I've been listening to this song forever and have found so many lovely version and I'm so glad the album version did them all justice. This is one of my favorite Mraz songs of all time.

2- Love For A Child - I had heard every other song on this album a long time ago except for this one. The very first time I heard it I knew it was something really special and beautiful. It's sad but at the same time it's so hopeful. It puts things in such perspective for me. I'm really bummed he didnt sing it live at either show last month but the videos I've seen are so emotional. Love it.

1- If It Kills Me - This is one of my most favorite Mraz songs ever. It grabbed me the very firt time I heard it and I've been in love since. I am dissapointed in how the album version turned out. A little too rushed and produced compared to the amazing version on the EP. This was THE most amazing part of the shows I recently went to.


I'll admit, that was a little harder than I thought. I hope everyone else is enjoying this album as much as I am. My 9 year old loves it just as much as I do I think. He knows all the songs. I am so thankful for this cd and what excites me the most is that.. I've been a Jason fan forever and ever and I thought that his old stuff would always be my favorite. This record definitely changed that. I've found my most favorite songs and they couldnt have came at a better time. So thanks to Mr Mraz for making my life so wonderful!

43 Things

http://www.43things.com/person/sunnyshine579

Jason Mraz Love for a Child

One thing I love, maybe what I love most about Jason is every song on his cd will be my favorite at one time or another and then i'll find my most favorite out of them all. This song is my current favorite.

struggles

The more time goes by and the older I get the more I realize so many things about my life that have changed because of things that happened years ago, choices I made, people I met. I’ve undergone so many changes in the past few years it’s hard to remember who I was then and why I made those choices. Thing is...it doesn’t matter why. I know that my life could and probably would be a lot different right now if I had thought things through and not been so selfish. But...things have a wonderful way of working themselves out.

I’ve learned what it means to truly know who you are. I’ve followed my own path regardless of what everyone else wanted and I finally stopped caring about who thought I was right or wrong for doing so. I’m finally proud of the person I am and I can honestly say that I’m happy with my life and the way things are.

I haven’t always been honest with myself. I wasn’t always honest with the people who mattered the most in my life as well. Why is that? Why do people lie to the ones they love the most? To save their own face? I guess we believe that it will lessen the blow and make things easier for them when in reality we are making things much worse. I’ve learned that the hard way. Today is my 29th birthday and the good thing about getting older is the lessons I’ve learned in my mistakes and knowing that I am better for it.

This year I decided to get healthy. Physically, mentally, spiritually. It is definitely harder than I thought but I am surprisingly doing a fine job. There are things that I’ve carried with me for a long time, that I still carry and it’s been rough letting them go. These last couple of weeks especially. It’s not easy training your mind to think a totally different way than it’s used to thinking. But it can be done. This has been the hardest part for me.

It’s not been hard to give up coke and dr pepper and cake and french fries and candy. It’s not been hard running and exercising and taking vitamins everyday. It’s not been hard to buy different foods so I get more fiber, flax, fish oils and calcium. It’s been easy rearranging my life to benefit the earth and do as much as I can to help our planet.

It has been hard however, to wash my mind, so to speak of all the unhealthy things I”ve been accustomed to. Actually I’m not doing all that well with this part. It’s much harder than I thought and since I’ve never really tried hard enough to actually do this, I’m not sure how. I have a really great support system and that makes it much easier but I struggle with it daily. I need some sort of closure and I’m afraid I’ll never get it. My mind plays tricks on me. I’ll go for quite a while thinking that something has been resolved within my own heart and then I will slowly realize it’s not gone at all. It was hiding. I’ve been that way for as long as I can remember and I hate it.

I am determined to change that about myself and be happy in this life. I need to focus on the things I can change and let the rest go. It’s a slow going process but I can do it. And I look forward to that day!

ch ch ch changes! mraz shows and enlightenment

This past week has been so amazing and exhausting and refreshing! Despite the fact that I drove almost 2000 miles I had the most amazing time! I was lucky enough to see Jason Mraz, Bushwalla and The Make Peace Brothers twice in one week. Every thing about this trip just worked out so perfect. Wake Forest University was absolutely beautiful! Toca Jason and Bush were all walking around taking pictures and talking to people like little tourists themselves. It was such a relaxing place.. we loved it. Davidson College was just as lovely. A little different atmosphere, we waited in line for about 4 hours with Bushwalla again and the Make Peace Brothers. Very nice guys, all of them. I was so enlightened this week and inspired I think I have damn rainbows coming outta my ears! It is impossible to be in a hurry, upset, aggravated, nervous or anything negative at all when you're anywhere near Jason Mraz. I swear he is the epitome of positive energy! Such a motivated and positive soul. I enjoyed both shows very much but I so loved hearing what he had to say. There was a situation and it would have turned out differently if it werent for something Jason said that completely changed my whole attitude about everything. I appreciate that.

I also traveled to Wilmington NC for a few days after the show which is always my favorite place. So lovely. I enjoyed every second of it but the positive change that has been made in my life is by far my favorite part. And its so easy! I wish more people would just open their eyes to how things could be.

It's good to be home!

Jason Mraz - Beautiful mess

I know I've posted this song like 3 times now, but i believe i found my favorite version. this is one of my favorite songs of all time. This video is so gorgeous.

new favorite

It seems like I've been sick for a whole month! I feel better today than I have in forever though, I just hope it stays that way.

I've found a new favorite song the past few days :) I love when that happens. It just feels good. I love a feel good song, and I love that the words dont even have to be happy to make it a feel good song. I kick myself in the ass every now and then for not seeing them in Nashville when I had the chance.



http://www.last.fm/music/Band+of+Horses/_/Window+Blues

Jason Mraz - Rainbow Connection

How could anyone not fall completely in love with him after they watch this video? Someone left a comment on the video that says "i think your camera got blurry because it started crying". I think they're right.

I'm Yours

I just adore this song. So simple and full of greatness :)

Jason Mraz - Not So Usual/Maneater

I just love this