The Avett Brothers - GGAAAHHH!

SQUEEEEE! (to borrow from my friend Hairyshoefairy). The new Avett Brothers album dropped today and I can't tell you how happy I am. I think it is on rotation 6 already, it is all I listened to on the way to, at and way home from work.

Needless to say I LOVE it! It is definitely a slight departure from their past releases only because this is a cleaned up "big label studio album" which some super fans are griping at, but I don't care it is still amazing.

Music Memory

It's getting late and I have had a long yet fulfilling day and should probably start winding down. It's dangerous for me to start a post before bed. Once my brain starts in this mode I won't be able to shut it off.

I have a lot of posting to do however I will start with one.

Most memories are triggered by something, a smell, seeing something, a sound, event or a person. For instance when I smell Cinnamon Rolls I instantly think of my Mom who with 6 kids running around insisted on making everything from scratch. Now that is true love and I still crave hers over anyone else's.

I smell bread baking it takes me back to my Aunt Kae's kitchen, standing on a step stool and learning from the master. Oh how I loved just to be near her.

The sound of Crickets and Locust instantly throw me back to Missouri nights. At the time I hated the screeching locusts, however when we moved away I was not able to fall asleep for weeks.

The one sense however that seems to bring memories most to the forefront for me is sound. Music has always been apart of me, not in the sense that I studied it or am into the technicality of it. I know what music moves me and I am on a constant search to find more.

For instance when I hear Emmy Lou Harris, it immediately reminds me of my Dad and a road trip our family went on. He wanted so bad to listen to a tape he brought and my mother insisted on not playing country in the car. Side note it also reminds me that I want her hair and to look like her when I am older.

When I hear Let It Be by the Beatles, it reminds me of being in the station wagon with my Mom and realizing for the first time that Sesame Street did not write the song (they had "Letter B" sung to the same tune) and in fact it was the Beatles.

A few months ago I was talking to some friends about a particular day when my iPod seemed to shuffle to several songs that resonated different memories and I decided what an interesting way I can share songs I love and what they remind me of.

I am not going to post them all now, but from time to time I will post a song and the memory associated. It may be interesting for some of you and not so much for others, for me it will be cathartic.

So to start it off, I will begin with the band that possibly sent me in a new and exciting direction, The Smiths. I know they are a bit "depressing" however if it wasn't for them I may be listening to adult contemporary pop (not that there is anything wrong with that) and think it's good.

When I was fourteen I attended early morning seminary with all of the other 14-18 yr olds at church. One particular morning at 6 am Greg handed over his Walkman and said "you must hear this". Between Morrissey's voice and Marr's guitar playing I was smitten. I will never forget that morning sitting on the arm of a chair soaking it in. It was also the moment I realized that I couldn't rely on the radio to feed my appetite, I had to search it out myself.

So here is the song that started my love for all things Morrissey and Marr, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

Dr. Horrible at the 2009 Emmys takes over tv

I love Dr. Horrible and I heart NPH. The only other thing that could possibly top this was Ricky Gervais.

Sweet Sounds

This morning my alarm went off and I heard a familiar voice streaming thru the waves. As I gathered my head together I realized it was my lovely and super talented friend Julie. It was such a nice way to make myself crawl out of bed.

She has such an amazing voice and is perfect for NPR. The story was of another politician and his philandering ways and I am sure she gets tired of reporting on the same 'ole thing, tho she is fantastic at it.

There was a time that we did all things together, she was my food, movie and music buddy. We now live on opposite sides of the country, rarely get to see each other, but happy are the times when we are lucky enough to cross paths.

If you want to hear yourself how talented she is go here. I am sure she is embarrassed that I am gloating about her but she is my friend and I am allowed.

Fredrik - '11 Years'

I heart Swedes. Really I do. Collectively they seem to put out great music...that is on the indie side.
Fredrik's Na Na Ni album has been on repeat for a few days now and I still can't get enough.

EWWW!!!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Heart attack anyone? I am sure this will be a big seller. Thanks to Melissa who manages to find new ways to make my day. Warning you may just want to throw up and or rush out to Omaha and get yourself one.
Oh yeah if you can't view it, go here .

Gathering

Recently I drove, yes stupidly by myself, from Oakland to Idaho. I must admit when I crossed the border into Idaho from Nevada I was so ecstatic to see the golden wheat fields. Not only because the landscape in Nevada leaves something to be desired but the fact that I had only 2 more hours left of the 13 hour drive.

I promptly set my iPod to play "Idaho" by Gregory Alan Iskakov, a song I had been playing in heavy rotation prior to the trip (it is a gorgeous song, check it out).

The reason for this drive was for a Family Reunion. My immediate family has a hard time getting together, there is always someone missing and it usually takes a wedding (one of the siblings only) to get us in the same place.

It was a fabulous time filled with laughter, a lot of food, hiking, floating down a river, and very little sleep. I loved every moment reconnecting with everyone. I really LOVE my Family, I am a lucky girl to have the best Parents and Siblings.

The clouds on Saturday were heavy and gorgeous. A view from my Sisters deck.

My Niece C and Sis-in Law L. C is such a girlie girl. Rearranging her room daily to weekly (something I did when I was young) and making/selling her own hair accessories, coordinating outfits. She is so much fun to be around.

Sis in Law B with Baby I. Look at the blue eyes.

The Kids. They are all so different but get along so well. Love them!

A and I. She is becoming quite an amazing young lady.

Road block, we were sitting in stopped traffic on our way to Island Park, this pond was full of Lilly pads, it was a pretty view.

Nothing like a mid morning hike. There were plenty of wild raspberries, so yummy.

Half the family, floating down the river. My Sister was determined it was a race. We weren't racing (OK only occasionally to catch up). I could have spent all day doing this. It was so relaxing!

N is obsessed with slides, princesses and long hair. She told me that when I finally grow my hair long that I would be pretty. Oh the logic of a little girl.

The trampoline a favorite pass time for all of us.

After spending time with the family I drove down to Utah to meet up with a some cousins and a couple of friends. I ate so much in 2 1/2 days that I thought I was going to explode.

An amusing thing happened when I was meeting my friend Deborah. The place we planned on meeting closed so we decided instead of getting in our cars (a UT thing to do) and drive across the street, that we would walk. Once we got to the other place it was closed also, so we walked back. There was this man and woman sitting on the patio of the first place that were freaked out by this. He was worried that we had left a "bomb" because of our "suspicious" activity. We got a kick out of it. Oh Murray UT you make me giggle sometimes.

Amazing Amber flew up from St. George to meet up with Brooke and I. She suggested that we go to Beehive Tearoom, it is such and great place and is a fun place to gather with friends. We were even able to drag Melissa along. It was a little refinement before the Soccer game. Brooke and Amber had never been to a MLS game, I think they are fans now, only because of the hot men. Afterwards we had to eat again. I think at that moment I was done eating for a while.

All in all it was a fun trip and I wish that I had more time to see even more of my friends. Maybe next trip.

Favorite moments:

*Listening to Baby I giggle

*N explains what playing "PG-7 is"... "Well it's like PG-13 but for 7 year olds". Still confused on how to play. He is obsessed with the fact he can't watch any of the super hero movies because they are PG-13.

*Family photo time

*Thai food with the sisters

*Dropping in on Aunt Kae and Uncle Duane unannounced and getting the best hugs next to my parents. I love those two!

*Pulled Pork Tacos...can you say YUMMY.

*Laughing, Laughing and more Laughing until your sides hurt

Oh and a nice gift that mother nature gave. Some sort of rash, I woke up Friday morning with it. I think it is heat rash. Yes my legs are slowly recovering, for now I am dealing with it, but I would love to shave my legs.

Sun Flowers

I love buying fresh flowers. These Sun Flowers are currently brightening up the dining nook. It was fun to test out the new camera and take a few pictures.

Dracena my Love

Dracena Park is one of the most beautiful and serene parks in the area. I clearly remember the first day I stumbled upon it. It was gorgeous spring morning and I was just finishing up my jog/walk, when I decided to turn down a road I had not been before. Through the sound of Muse piping into my ears I could faintly hear the sounds of birds. I quickly removed my earphones and absorbed the sounds of nature.

I quickly became envious of those who live on Dracena Rd, to be across from such a gem, I vowed that one day, just maybe, they would let me join their club.

For now it is my reward, to sit and relax with a book or to just pass through, sets all of my senses to bliss.

We did have a minor falling out a while ago. This is where I fell, yes right there on the road. It mocked me, took a piece of me and I took a piece of it (really should have that bump looked at). We have made up however and now it is love all over again.

Spellbound

For the next little while this is what I will be obsessing about, isn't it so pretty...

Finally I made a decision, largely based on a really great price on Amazon, and bought a new camera. Just in time for my Family Reunion, oh my nieces and nephews are going to hate me by the end.

I am so excited to get to know all of the great things it will do for me. My vocabulary will improve substantially since I will no longer be conduced to swearing fits every time I attempt to take a photo.

For now I patiently wait for the battery to charge and then I get to play.

This is also officially the last photo I will take with my Olympus, it has treated my well until a year ago, which is fine it's about 7 years old. Rest in peace little camera.

**Alert** Vanity Post

"I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk" I'm Too Sexy, Right Said Fred.

Oh yeah I did bring that jewel of a song to your subconscious and now you will have it on repeat all day. You can thank me later.

A couple of weeks ago my friend Masha needed to take photos of people for her photography class and since I fit in the "people" category I offered to be a "model". Considering that I am not always comfortable in front of the lens it took a while to get me to relax. You can see it in the progression of photos.

She did make me look good and now I have a myriad of profile pictures.

Some of my favorites below.

Mt. View Cemetery

One of my most favorite places to be in Oakland is Mt. View Cemetery. In fact I love it so much that when people come to visit I take them there. It is beautiful and rather large. I can roam around for hours. I usually gravitate to my favorite Angel and then move on from there. I love to read the headstones, peruse the mausoleums, walk the windy roads or just sit and read a book.

Playing Dress Up

The other day the Christensen girls came over to play. When I asked AC what she wanted to do, she promptly and quietly said "I want to dress up like you". I was taken aback a bit, asked "You mean wear my clothes?" and then led her to my closet.

She pulled out her favorite pair of shoes, grabbed a necklace that she noticed I wear a lot, pulled down a scarf and raided the bracelets. KC came in found her favorite pair of shoes, suggested the sunglasses and the look was on.

It kills me that my shoes fit KC...I am going to have to find a lock for my closet.

I have to admit I was touched. I think we all have a sense of style and when a little girl wants to emulate how you dress (hopefully it is appropriate) it is a sincere form of flattery. I was more than happy to throw open my closet door and let them have at it. It certainly was one of the many highlights of what turned out to be a very busy yet fulfilling day.

By the way I think the tie dye shirts add a little something, considering the proximity of Berkeley. They had just made them a few days before.

Oh look a food post...

Granted this may be one of those filler posts and just plain boring to read. I mean come on who wants to read about what I eat or don't?

I have a tendency to think I am not going to eat out as much and stay home and cook. I also think that I will eat just a bit healthier. I buy a lot of produce and I also throw away a lot of produce. I know, a crime, considering that I have access to amazing produce.

As you can see the broccolini below even started to flower a bit, that is when I decided instead of throwing it away to get off my lazy butt and do something about it.

It made a lovely salad that I enjoyed every day for a week. Maybe next time I won't wait until it is almost bad and use the produce immediately.