ransom note

you know who you are . . .

the white stripes

i can't think of anyone cooler.

december

Well, this being the first weekend of December, Shauna and I decided to go purchase our Christmas tree. Sticking with last year's tradition, we made it our goal to find the saddest, little tree possible, and I think we succeeded. This tree is so sparse that the salesman gave it to us for $10, and it fit in the backseat of Shauna's car. We like it.

Here are some photos from our Christmas tree conquest:






























Also, this weekend, we celebrated the redemption of the Buckeyes -- getting to play in the BCS national championship game. Rusty let me borrow this fantastic hat that he purchased at one of the games this year:

photos from the cinque terre

I posted my photos from the cinque terre here.

Check it out!

italia

Just a few shots I took with my little digital . . .

Florence

The Colosseum under a full moon
An illegal shot I snapped of David's backside

Florence

the joys of watercolor pencils and song lyrics

Recently, I discovered watercolor pencils. You just draw something or add some color to watercolor paper and then brush over it with water, and like magic, you have what looks like a cool watercolor painting.

Combine this technique with typewriter stamps and some of your favorite song lyrics/thoughts inspired by your friends, and this is what you get:

a wild night

I'll be the first to admit that tonight I jumped on a bandwagon--and had a lot of fun doing it. Last night, I was offered a ticket to the Rockies/Padres game, and though I'll always be a Reds fan at heart, decided to go and support my new hometown team. My baseball-obsessed friend Ashlyn, (who coincidentally happens to be the daughter of a former Astros player) scored 10 tickets to this NL wildcard game.

I won't even attempt to summarize the entire game for you (Sports Illustrated and ESPN do a much better job of describing what happened), but I will tell you that it was the best baseball game I have ever seen. The Rockies won in the 13th inning, 9-8. It was crazy exciting, and because of this I have a bruise on my knee (from accidentally kneeing the seats in front of me while jumping up and down) and no voice (from screaming so loudly).

It was a good night for a wild ride on the bandwagon.

kayla's wedding

Last week, I went home to Ohio to see my friend Kayla get married. It was a gorgeous ceremony, and I was privileged to stand up with her as she transitioned from Miss Kayla Ruggles to Mrs. Kayla Edwards.Click here to see more photos from the wedding.

jen

My friend and coworker Jen is heading to California in a couple of weeks. Friday was her last day, so our team went out on the town on Friday night for one last hoorah. You can see more photos here!

lately . . .

It's been awhile, and a lot has been going on, so here's a little update.

1. Ryan Adams -- I love him. Really, I do. Maybe I'll write about his shows someday. Maybe I won't. But here's what you need to know: He did speak to me, after I couldn't help but grab his arm as he was walking away from me. Oops. If you want to know the whole story, ask. (Also, see the sweet poster I got from the red rocks show!)

2. Shauna's birthday -- A good time was had by all, and Samira made a surprise appearance on her way to Portland!

3. Italy -- I'm going with my mom! In October, we'll be flying to Chicago, then to London, then to Milan. There, we'll hop on a train and to go the Cinque Terre, then Florence, and then Rome. Then we have a day-long layover in Dublin, Ireland! I've been working hard on booking hotels (3 down, 1 more to go), and learning all I can about Italian history. Also, I'm thinking I should learn how to ask where the bathroom is.

4. Kayla -- One of my best friends is getting married in a couple of weeks, and I'm flying home to be her maid of honor! Very exciting!

5. Shauna -- Shauna is now my coworker as well as my roommate! And she not only lives in the room next door, but she also sits at the desk next to mine. Yippee!

6. Lyons Folks Festival -- Shauna and I drove up to Lyons last weekend for the Folks Festival to see Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Brett Dennen, Judy Collins, and Ray Lamontagne. Though it rained and we nearly froze to death, we had a good time!

7. Vegas -- I won a trip to Las Vegas last week. I'm still trying to figure out if it's a scam, but I think it's actually real. I can go any weekend (free airfare and hotel) in the next year.

8. Ashlyn's 21st Birthday Party -- Ashlyn didn't have a very good 21st birthday experience, so on Friday night, we took her out to celebrate it (though she's 26).

9. The Avett Brothers -- Check them out. And if at all possible, check them out in concert. You will never see two men rock harder to bluegrass (i.e. "Hard Worker,). And they write some great, sad, sentimental songs too (i.e. "Salina," "Swept Away," and "When I Drink.")

10. Labor Day Weekend -- My friends Jenny and Jason are getting married on Flagstaff Mountain!

11. Babies -- Mark and Karin welcomed Joshua Max into the world. And Andy and Betsy did the same with Eden Joelle! Here's a photo of Eden on her birthday!

I think that's about it. If anyone can think of anything else I'm leaving out, let me know. Life has become very busy and hectic lately (in a good way!). I'll try to keep you all updated!

"i touched him" or "seeing ryan adams and the cardinals"

I'm still working on my synopsis of the rest of my big week. But yes, I saw Ryan Adams and the Cardinals twice this past week.

And yes, he may have spoken to me after I grabbed his arm.

And yes, my mind may have been blown by his epic performance at Red Rocks.

And yes, I may have gotten set lists from not one, but both shows.

Listen to the entire Fox show here.

Watch a video and read a review here.

Read Rusty's review here.

See Rusty's photos here.

(Photos of Ryan stolen from Rusty.)

Day 3 of the Big Week: Fionn Regan and Willy Mason

My intention was to write each day this week but due to the craziness, I haven't been able to do so . . . so let's go back in time to Wednesday, day 3.

My good friend Bubba (Chris), has been talking non-stop about Fionn Regan, an Irish folk musician, and I have been listening to Willy Mason, who just might be a reincarnation of Johnny Cash. Fortunately, because of the AAA Radio Summit taking place in Boulder, the two of them were taking the same stage just down the street from us at Albums Bistro. For $10, I couldn't pass up the chance to see these guys.

Both men are incredibly talented; however, Willy was a little more my style. Really, the most interesting thing about this show was that we were 2 of possibly 10 fans. The rest of the crowd was made up of people in the music business. As I watched them mingling (I hate that word) and running back and forth between sets to watch Fionn and Willy and Over the Rhine and another guy (can't remember who) at The Fox Theater across the street, I began to think about my decision to pursue an English Lit degree instead of Music Business, which I had seriously considered doing after my freshman year of college. I mean, wouldn't it be cool to get paid to go to concerts? But my friend Sarah, who manages Greg, offered some great words of wisdom: "Now don't go shoulding all over yourself." And that, my friends, certainly made the show worth the $10.

Day 2 of the Big Week: Hallucination Begins

Tuesday: I walk into a coffee shop and swear I spot Ryan Adams sitting at a table, reading a book. Alas, it is not him.

But seriously, this guy had the same haircut, same build, but was most likely lacking the lyrical talent.

Here's a photo from the Vancouver show a few nights ago. Oh, how I love him.

Day 1 of the Big Week: Free Tickets to Patty

Today, we began what I have been anticipating to be an epic week (see below for details). After working all day and taking a short nap, about 8 girls and I hiked up to Chautauqua Park, which is at the base of the Flatirons -- just a few blocks from my house. We got there early, claimed our spot on the grass (it's free if you sit outside the amphitheater), and waited for Patty Griffin to charm us with her class and sweet, sweet songs. Just minutes before she took the stage, I spotted my dear friends Gregory (one of my most favorite musicians and people, in general), Orien, and Sarah. Greg, being the kind soul that he is, offered two extra tickets to me -- both of which were for seats in the 8th row, center. Since it's Shauna's birthday week, the two of us took the tickets and ran in.

The show was fantastic -- even better than the first time I saw her at the Boulder Theater. She played most of my favorite songs -- Long Ride Home, Trapeze, Be Careful, and Wishing Well, and many others as well.

Strangely, in the seat next to me was an adorable three-year-old little boy named Tig, who thoroughly enjoyed the show but informed me that he wished it was louder and faster. Also, he periodically rubbed my arm (guess he thought my shirt felt soft) and entertained me with his mad air drum and guitar skills. Not sure that I've ever seen a child this young at a concert--especially one like Patty's--but I thought it was fantastic that his mother wanted to expose him to great music at such a young age.

So thanks to Greg for the free tickets! If we keep going at this rate, Ryan and I will definitely be making silly faces for the camera on Thursday!

big week ahead

This is the week I've been waiting for. Finally, after years of patiently awaiting his arrival in my general vicinity, Ryan Adams will play not one, but two shows within an hour of me. Actually, one show is just three blocks away from my house. The other is at Red Rocks. How incredibly cool is that?

You need to understand that I've become downright obsessed with the man. I absolutely cannot stop listening to his music, and a few nights ago, my obsession reached an entirely new level when he showed up in a dream.

Here's what happened:

I was at his show at The Fox (the theater near my house). Suddenly, he makes some comment to me, and addresses me by my full name. Shocked but flattered by his recognition of me, I start talking to him. After a few moments of conversation, he addresses the crowd, notifying them that he will be taking a five-minute break so he can talk to me. He gives me a hug, and then I ask if we can get a photo together. He kindly obliges, and then I ask him, "Can we make silly faces?"

I woke up really happy and amused -- but a little embarrassed. (I'm guessing that this dream was prompted by this incident.)

As for the rest of the week . . . here's the schedule:
Monday: Watch Patty Griffin perform live at Chautauqua Park -- also just a few blocks fro me.
Tuesday: Recover from an amazing show at Chautauqua.
Wednesday: Practice making silly faces in front of the mirror for my photo with Ryan.
Thursday: Ryan Adams at The Fox.
Friday: Ryan Adams and Lucinda Williams at Red Rocks.
Saturday: Shauna's birthday party!

Should be a great one!

we got stars though

On nights like this, I think of a couple of lines from one of my favorite movies, Elizabethtown:

Drew Baylor: Beautiful night. Does it ever cool off?
Jesse Baylor: No, this time of year it's hotter than the hinges of hell . . .we got stars though.

Okay, so lately, it has been cooling off at night -- but not in my apartment. I swear it's over 100 degrees up there. You know it's too hot when you find yourself taking cold showers before bed and periodically dumping glasses of water over yourself while lying in bed in the middle of the night. Basically, until I absolutely have to melt into bed, I sit on my front porch and try to dwell on the joy of staring at the beautiful starry sky and the glow of the moon -- and that I don't have to wear a jacket to do so. I'm seriously considering sleeping in our hammock or purchasing a tent and making it my evening home.

Tonight I'm enjoying the gorgeous harmonies of husband and wife duo, Buddy and Julie Miller. Really amazing stuff. Over the past couple of years, while living in Colorado, music has been such a prevalent source of inspiration, comfort, and really, life, for me. I've tried to put my finger on what it is about music that I actually love so much, and I haven't been able to do so. Maybe I never will. But I often think about David playing for Saul and how it calmed his soul, and I find solace in knowing that I'm not the only one in the history of the world to be mystified by this phenomenon.

Last week, I had the pleasure of seeing one of the most epic shows in the history of rock and roll (or at least I like to think it must have been): My Morning Jacket and Bob Dylan at Red Rocks. Pretty sure The Jacket caused those gigantic boulders to move at least a few inches out of pure shock and amazement, and Dylan . . . What can I say? It's Bob Dylan! The man is 66 years old and still exudes coolness. Though Aubrea and I could make out only 5% of his words because of his notorious mumbling, we were still in awe of the mere presence of the man.

The venue was full, the rain poured on us--for just a little while (pretty sure Bob called it off), and there was quite an amazing lightning show off in the distance in between the two sets. Dylan hadn't played at the historic venue in over 20 years. Apparently, the last time, Tom Petty opened for him. What a show that would have been! Really, I'm not sure what else to say about it, except that it was an incredible experience to see one of the few living rock and roll legends rock out in such a beautiful setting with one of my best friends. MMJ mostly played songs from their album Z, and Dylan played the following songs (in case you were wondering):

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. When I Paint My Masterpiece
3. Watching the River Flow
4. Workingman's Blues #2
5. Rollin' and Tumblin'
6. Every Grain of Sand
7. Cry A While
8. Spirit on the Water
9. Friend of the Devil (Grateful Dead cover)
10. Highway 61 Revisited
11. Shooting Star
12. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
13. Nettie Moore
14. Summer Days
15. Masters of Wars

(encore)
16. Thunder on the Mountain
17. Blowin' in the Wind

You can read another review by clicking here.

once

See this movie:



And listen to its soundtrack: click.

photo booth fun

What happens when Shauna and I find a photo booth . . .

lomography

A few months ago, I bought a Lomographic fisheye camera, and then for my birthday last month, Shauna bought me the Lomo action sampler.

Here are some photos that I've taken with the two::
(click to enlarge)