The "It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want To" Edition

I think I've heard it said that when inspiration hits, you must write. That would explain why I'm currently typing this out on my Blackberry. It's a slower process than usual, that's for sure.

I've been nostalgic lately. There have been countless times in the past weeks that I've uttered the phrase, "Remember when..." I understand that this is likely because of my impending birthday. And I know it's cliche, but I really can't believe that it's been a whole year.

On one hand, I don't feel like I really embraced 26. So many people told me that it would be a great year - and in retrospect, I see that it was. But I feel like I spent a lot of time looking for that greatness.

Which leads me to the other hand. I remember this time last year. Looking back, I realize how unsettled and unsure I was in a lot of areas. I wasn't satisfied with my job, many of my relationships were new and I was often frustrated about aspects of where my life was headed.

And what's funny in this whole situation, is that not many things have changed. I have the same job - but I've learned to appreciate and enjoy it. My relationships are pretty much the same - except they are no longer new and have settled into something really comfortable.

So if I've learned anything for the next year - it's that instead of searching and anticipating the next step in life, I just need to embrace it and experience it as it comes. Bring it on, 27.

Sleep Walking, Sleep Talking

Apparently my thought life is unoriginal because my dream life is getting all the action. For the past two months or so, I've had the MOST interesting and kind of exciting dreams. Sometimes they come out of left field such as last night's Jonas Brother's related dream, but a lot of the time they are related to what I've been watching on TV. Which would account for the multiple American Idol and Edward Cullen dreams. (It seems that I'm giving myself away here. You caught me. I'm into things that are probably lame.)

Look, here's the truth. I LOVE me some pop-culture. I'm never not going to be interested in what's going on with the girls over at The Hills. I will always Tivo awards shows - sometimes even the Espy's. (Well, that's not exactly true.) And I completely buy in to the dream that is American Idol. But you know what, I think that's okay. I'm also very much in touch with the real things going on in and around my life. So, I feel like that's an okay balance.

By the way, who were all the people shocked that Scott got voted off? He was clearly the one that needed to go.

Blog Woes.

The other day I read an article on blogging. It said that in order to be a good blogger, you must update regularly. Awesome.

I used to be really consistent with blogging (or journaling online, as we called it back then.) I'm talking 3, 4 times a day. But now? It's like a hassle to even think of a topic. And when I finally DO think of something, I sit down to write about it and get halfway through it, realize it's either extremely boring or too similar to the last thing I wrote. So, I just erase it and forget about it for another month or so. I'm beginning to wonder if my thought life is completely unoriginal.

(I just re-read that and almost deleted it all, because who really wants to read about someone that has lost the will to blog? But I am pressing on. Bear with me. I'll get better at this.)

Top 10 Experiences of 2008...

...including, but not limited to television, music and travel.

We're obviously a few weeks into the new year and most reflection blogs have probably already been written. But you know me - I like to do things differently. I've been thinking about 2008 a lot this week. I truly cannot believe how quickly the year passed. In retrospect, it turned out to be a pretty amazing year across the board. Of course, there were times that I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel, but ultimately it ended as a win.

I'd like to share with you some of the events that led to a satisfying 2008 (in no particular order):

1. Ray LaMontagne, Kings of Leon, Panic! at the Disco, Jon Foreman
These artists pretty much define the last month of 2008. Ray's new album Gossip in the Grain is so beautiful it makes me want to cry. And don't even get me started on what the Kings of Leon album makes me want to do. Panic! was a surprise to me. I had NO idea that I would like it as much as I did and Jon Foreman is infinitely better as a solo artist. (Sorry, Switchfoot fans.)

2. Coldplay
I believe I've already covered this experience. But let me just reiterate that this was such an amazing night. Everything about it was perfect - but if it hadn't been, the music itself would have been enough. There are not enough words for how brilliant it was.

3. New York, New York
I can't believe that I never wrote about NYC. This was my fourth trip to the Big Apple and for a couple of reasons it was one of the best. First of all, I got to go with three of my closest friends, two of whom had never been. There's just something about being with someone when they experience New York for the first time. Secondly, I was able to enjoy parts of New York that were less touristy and more real-life. Although some of the touristy things were my faves - i.e. Conan! The night tour! The Empire State Building!

4. Larissa, Nathan and LOST nights
I thorougly enjoyed and anticipated spending Thursday nights at The Westerfield Compound. Not only did I get to watch Lost with good friends, but it was such a safe place to spend the evening. I am still looking forward to Wednesday nights this season, but Thursday nights in 2008 will always hold a special place.

5. Bruce Springsteen, The Swell Season
Two concerts that I do not regret. I saw The Boss with my dad - and that was actually one of my favorite parts of the show. Of course I really, really enjoyed the music (because it was GOOD), but seeing my dad love it was pretty fun. And The Swell Season. Let me just say, if you ever get a chance to see them live - DO IT. It will change your life.

6. Colorado, St. Louis, Boston
This was the year of the trip! I'm glad my family likes to travel. I'm even more glad they like for me to come along. In March, my family and some friends went skiing in Winter Park. In April, my dad took me to St. Louis for my birthday to see a couple of Cardinals games. Finally, in June, I met Mom, Dad and Grafton in Boston for a weekend trip. I'd never been to Boston and it was an amazing city. We also got to see the Cardinals play the Red Sox at Fenway. I don't think I could say enough about these mini-vacations to explain what it means to me to be able to go places with my family. They are the most fun people to be around.

Where to this year, fam?

7. Barack Obama and the election
I'd just like to say that it was very exciting to be part of such an electrifying and history-making election. You can find other thoughts on the election year here.

8. Augusten Burroughs, Chuck Klosterman
These two guys write books that I like to read. I think you would like them as well. I mean, I say that - I don't really know if you would. You should, though.

9. 30 Rock
If you're not watching this television show, then shame on you. If you are a fan of The Office, it is pretty likely that you will also like this. Seasons One and Two are on DVD now - Netflix it. Speaking of which, Netflix wins.

10. Twilight
I don't think I should go into this, as it will likely set into motion a chain of events that will put me into a Twilight-coma. But man - these books, this movie, those vampires - I just can't help myself.

And a bonus, because it's just so darn special...

11. Finding out that I'm going to be an aunt
Best. News. Ever. I am positively sure that I will be the best aunt in the history of aunts. In all seriousness, I can't tell you how excited that I am about Heidi and Brad's news. I hear that being an aunt can really change your life - bring it on.

Cold!play

Last night some friends and I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia (the ATL, Hotlanta, etc.) to see Coldplay at the Phillips Arena. I'm going to take a page out of my good friend Lindsay's book (er, blog) and record the night for you in list form. So, here goes:

1. You might have met my friend Sarah (Sarah Mac, Sassafrass). If not, you are missing out. She is probably one of the funniest people I've had the pleasure of keeping company with - and lucky for me, she decided to drive our little fearsome foursome to Atlanta. The way there was mostly filled with conversation and near misses. (All I'm saying is that I can really get why the hands free device is a good option.) However, Sarah's shining moment came at the beginning of the end when she initiated a 4-hour long movie game. Which leads me to...

2. There really is only 3 degrees of separation between Melissa Joan Hart and Johnny Depp. Go ahead, try it.

3. Major, major, major kudos to Brad. If it weren't for him, we would not have made it back in time for me to...well...sleep late? Regardless, it was such a blessing to not have to drive the 4 hours back to Nashville that late at night. He is also pretty good for picking dinner locations. As Whit said, "This is stupid." (Stupid good.)

4. I am really glad to have a friend like Lindsay - she sympathizes with my need for caffeine and supports the idea that donuts late at night is a good idea.

5. I'm not smart at 1:30 a.m. I typicalIy pride myself on being pretty pop-culture savvy, extending to knowing a lot about movies. There must be a point where my brain just shuts down on that kind of stuff, because let's just say that I did not win a lot of rounds of the Movie game.

6. What's that you say? You want to actually hear about the concert? Let me say this - I was VERY excited about the show. Not so much about seeing them in Atlanta. One of the things that I love about seeing shows in Nashville is how much each artist really pays tribute to the city. I was afraid that if Coldplay did that in Atlanta, it would make me feel like an outsider. I was pleasantly surprised that they didn't spend so much time on honoring Atlanta as I had expected. Not that they weren't grateful to be there - it just wasn't the way they do it in Nashville.

7. Nothing makes me happier at a concert than when a band appreciates their fans. Way to go, Coldplay for traveling to the opposite side of the arena for a visit with those of us in the back.

8. I've seen Coldplay twice. Both times, I've been moved beyond words. They have sealed their place among my list of Very Favorite Bands Ever. But that is a list for another day.

Your blog is as good as mine.

So, I'm a little late getting in on this. Today (as in, yesterday) is/was Blog Action Day. This year's topic is none other than poverty. Relevant, I think.

Nashvillest, my very favorite Nashville-themed blog (which I found on my new favorite gadget - Google Reader; thanks Brad!) dedicated a post to it today. They offer suggestions to fighting poverty here in Nashville. I'll highlight one of my favorite options - it doesn't take much time, requires no money and you don't even have to walk away from your computer!

Campbell’s Chunky Soup Click for Cans - Mosey on over to the Chunky site, vote for the Titans, and if they win, Campbells will send 18,000 cans of soup to Second Harvest to be distributed around the Middle Tennessee. Even better, add the site as a bookmark and vote once a day!

And an option that wasn't mentioned in the Nashvillest blog:

Nashville Rescue Mission - It only costs $1.92 to feed one person a meal and they're accepting donations for Thanksgiving now. You can donate online as much or as little as you like.

I didn't intend to sound all activist-y, but you know. Peace on earth, goodwill to men, lending a helping hand, good causes, etc.

It's just like old times.

This weekend is the last one I am not working until after the holidays. I'll be honest - this blows. However, I am taking a long weekend so that I can go home. This does not blow. I am (of course) excited about seeing my family - but there are a couple of other reasons that I am REALLY excited about going to Mississippi this weekend:


1. The Mississippi State/Vandy game. Okay, so maybe we're not having the BEST season ever, but that fact has never stopped me from cheering on the Dawgs before. I love game day in Starkville. Tailgating, the bookstore, the Dawg Walk, cowbells, the Famous Maroon Band. But my absolute favorite part of the day is walking out of Davis Wade Stadium after a win, singing along with the crowd - "We just beat the hell out of you! Maroon, white, fight, fight, fight! Mississippi State. Whoo! Ya Damn Right!" (I know guys. Language. But it's okay because I used quotations.)


2. The Mississippi State Fair. Oh my goodness. Maybe you didn't grow up going to the fair, but I did. I'm pretty sure I haven't been since I was a freshman in college - and that's been oh, a good 8 years. Yikes. ANYway, I think we're going on Sunday night. I don't know that we'll ride many rides - except the Big Yellow Slide, that is! This is the most amazing slide ever. It's huge. It's fast. And I cannot wait.

(The picture is actually from the Minnesota State Fair - for some reason it's the only one that would come up on Google Images, but it's practically the same. Good to know the Minnesotans get to experience the joy of the slide.)