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Tag: holidays
#243; speaking of new musical obsessions
Seriously, speaking of New Musical Obsessions, how have I never known Fitz & The Tantrums? I recognized Moneygrabber, but this is just awesome music. It makes me feel cooler just listening to it. You should do the same.
What music are you totally crushing on as 2011 comes to a close?
#242; never let me go – the best of 2011
I’m going to start this right off with an unpopular opinion. I do not think that Bon Iver, Bon Iver is the best album of 2011. As a matter of fact, I liked For Emma, Forever Ago more, even if I do think Justin Vernon is one of the most talented people making music right now and his sophomore effort was certainly one of the best of year, it was not the best. There. I said it. I feel like a weight has been lifted.
Oh yeah, my pick also isn’t Adele’s 21. Though I do love 21 more than I loved 19, so, yeah, kudos to Adele. And there is no Amy Winehouse or Michael Jackson on my list, as much as their music will be missed, I never really felt the whole ‘posthumous release’ thing.
No, I won’t keep you in suspense. My favorite album, hands down without flinching, of 2011 is Ceremonials by Florence + The Machine. I went into listening without any real expectations, to be honest. I hadn’t liked Lungs that much, except the reaching-for-operatic “Cosmic Love”. I figured Florence Welch was one of those hipster indie music queens (ala Zooey Deschanel, Imogen Heap, and Feist) that I just want nothing to do with. The world has enough whimsy without them forcing it upon us, not to mention that as a Manic gal, I really can’t stand anything to with the Manic Pixie Dream Girl syndrome that has infected our society. But I digress, I didn’t have great hopes, right?
#239; To sleep, perchance to dream.
This hasn’t been a good week for my sleep cycle. Post-Thanksgiving saw work rather forcefully punch me in the gut, holiday parties to be planned, a conference demanding my attention 24-hours a day, my surviving grandparent very suddenly in the hospital, and so many friendship/personal conflicts pop up that my head is spinning from the sheer volume. Needless to say, even with the help of more than one cocktail Tuesday night, I haven’t had a solid nights’ sleep since South Carolina.
When I lack sleep, the consequences are immediate and obvious. My mood turns sour no matter who I’m near, any concentration and memory retention (which I have problems anyway) disappear entirely, I feel aggressive and angry at the drop of a hat, and I have no balance in my battle with Bipolar Disorder. Fighting such a disorder on a daily basis requires concentration, energy, and calm. I have none of those things, and so I tend to throw my hands up in defeat and tell the BP “Okay, have fun, run free for a few days, I give up for now.” I continue to do my work (both at my job and outside of it in my volunteer roles) to the best of my ability, I get out of bed in the morning (which is an extreme challenge with those Chemicals running amok), I try to be supportive of friends and family, and I put what little energy I have leftover into my attitude, because if I break down and yell at my boss in frustration and exhaustion, I’m in deep trouble!
#237; the first roadtrip
Happy Thanksgiving, inhabitants of Limbo! I hope the weather around here treated you well for the holiday, and all your turkey-cravings, family-traditions, and Black Friday-binges were fulfilled!
I spent most of my time off on the road, braving the east coast storms to drive from Boston to my parents’ place in Myrtle Beach. I hadn’t seen my parents in 8 months, which had to have been some sort of family record. The drive was long but I went in hopeful. The first big road trip as a couple, 8 months into our re-kindled relationship, was a nerve-wracking thing. Would we be able to put up with each other’s taste in music? Would he mind when I sang along while driving? Who would drive? Who would rent the car or pay for the gas each time we stopped? Where would we stop, how often? Would we stay glued to our phones and email like we do when we’re in the city? How would the first holiday with my family go?
So I was hopeful, and nervous, and excited, and scared. All before I even picked up the rental car.
#229; friday I’m in love!
I love this time of the week! It’s like everyone wakes up in a better mood no matter the weather, the day ahead, or the sleep the night before. And so, it’s Friday, and I’m in love.
- Obama’s jobs plan – I’m not the best Democrat in the world, especially when it comes to money & social programs spending, but I think the bill announced last night really is a good combination of both Parties’ ideals and goals and will actually do something to create progress in our industrial economy. Woohoo!
- The community here at theluckiest.net and on twitter at #theluckiest! In a week of big change and total exhaustion, a month full of grey days, missed opportunities, and cold rain, you have kept me going, inspired me, and made me smile. I’m an incredibly lucky girl!
- I’m loving all of the media and reflection on Sunday’s anniversary. Yes, I’ll be writing about it here, but there are those out there who bemoan “over-saturation” and claim the media are just sounding off or using the anniversary to gain ratings or make money. Poppycock. All of it. In my opinion what good came from 9/11 was our coming together as a country, as a people, and around the world. This public mourning process in the media is part of that, so let me have all the over-saturation those guys don’t want. I’ll read every article and take a moment for every photo.
- Everyone and everything on #mhsm on twitter. What an amazing group of people, companies, and non-profits focusing on mental health and Stopping the Stigma!
- And to leave this on a lighter note: The hypocritical world of the hipster barista. Needs no explanation.
Tell me, this Friday, what are you in love with?
