Coming To An End

I have the whole house to myself right now. It's great but so weird. Unfortunately I'm feeling sick so I can't really live it up.
How was your Christmas? The week before Christmas was awful for me (hence my lack of posts) but things picked up and Christmas was a success. My aunt an uncle came and it was Travis' first Christmas. He seemed a little overwhelmed by all the chaos of flying wrapping paper and the intense excitement of getting a much wanted item. My uncle got my family a 42in HD flat screen TV. I never wanted one really bad but now that we have one it's so great! I got simple things like sheets, pj's, dvd's but it was fun to help mom set up her new ipod touch we got her. It makes me want an iphone so bad! Some sad new though, my last day at Macy's was the day after x-mas if you can believe it. We are still employed until Jan. 22 but we have no hours, unless we get called in, and then we go in and do an "exit interview." I would rather not be let go on my birthday but, whatever, some things are just the way they are. (I'm still super excited for my birthday!)
Some amazing news: Delta Spirit announced the release of their sophomore album "History From Below" and they will be coming to SF on March 8th!!! Who's going with me?!
I see all these top 10 lists for the decade or for 09 and for the first time I'm going to participate. I think I was slacking this year on new music but out of what I did get, here is at least my Top 5 albums of 2009:

5.) Dawes "North Hills" -I was introduced to this band earlier this year and was impressed by their live show. It's not a cd I would just play anytime but there is so much underlying talent packed onto this disc it had to be included!

4.) Silversun Pickups "Swoon" -You can't love these guys on one listen because there are too many layers. They are a little harder than I usually go for but sooo talented and I really grew to love all the sounds this album had to offer.

3.) Paramore "Brand New Eyes" -I have to admit I haven't given this one the attention I gave to RIOT because I don't think it's as strong but it's really close. It's nice to hear them slow down for a few songs on this one. And again Haley's vocals are flippin' amazing!

2.) MuteMath "Armistice" -This album wouldn't come out soon enough for me and when it did I was all over it. It has a much different sound from their first album but that isn't a bad thing. I was lucky enough to even see them live, true performers.

1.) White Rabbits "It's Frightning" -Easily my best discovery of the year! Found them shortly after their sophomore album came out and quickly fell in love. Saw them twice (really nice guys), and still can't get enough!

*Honorable Mention: All-American Rejects "When The World Falls Down" -It took me a couple of listens to really enjoy this album but then "Gives You Hell" got crazy overplayed. There are still some really great moments on here.
*Looking forward to:
New Delta Spirit, Local Natives first release, some things I missed from 09 ;)

Have a happy new year!

Planning Ahead

Yay! Just bought my ticket for the White Rabbits on Wednesday. I got my shift switched the other day with this girl I had just met. She was cool about it so yay for me. I hate doing stuff like that, but for a show, I'll do a lot. Until then I've been trying to get things for Christmas. I need to get something for my mom and sister but I think everyone else is good. Things need to be wrapped and cooked and shipped but besides that most everything is at least purchased and/or planned out. It's going to be nice because things are getting busy. I was just checking my work schedule and our hours have been extended so much. I'm not sure who will be shopping at 11:30pm on some of the days during the week but hey, we'll be open! I kind of feel like this post is repeating a lot of stuff I've mentioned before but oh well. December is a week in and there is no time to be lazy! ;)
Stay warm!

Cold Day in the Sun

Today was a hard day.
There is a chill in the air that I can't quite seem to overcome. Each person I come in contact with today has been hardened by it. It's December now but it came hard and fast...just something to get used to now.
I don't work tomorrow so I think I'm going to try and do some Christmas shopping. I can tell it's going to basically be here tomorrow so I figured I would try to not wait until the last minute. What do you want for Christmas? Why was that question so much easier to answer like 10-15 years ago? I made a little list, but to be honest I really want an iPhone. I know they are probably way over hyped but seriously, I really want one. I think I will treat myself for my birthday and get one...depending on the job situation. They're super expensive!
Ok, so I want to leave you with a song but I'm not sure which one tonight. I probably showed you this already but in honor of me possibly going to see the White Rabbits a week from tonight, I leave you with a clip of them performing at Slim's about a month ago. (By the way you can totally go to the show too, if your interested!) Enjoy this alternate version of "The Lady Vanishes" with a slide right into "The Salesman."

New blogs and holidays

I felt the need to write tonight....don't know why except maybe that it's been ages since I've written anything over a paragraph in length. Even this is cheating...there is no pen in hand. I wonder if in 3 years my handwriting will be really different....
I love those little dots of a trailing thought not totally finished but not worth a whole lot more.
The last hour of November is ticking by as I wait, and hope not to hear, a whine from Travis in a fuzzy baby monitor. I can't believe how fast time goes these days. It seems that everyday this month I looked at the calender and went "Really?!" Working full time now does not help the situation. Don't get me wrong I'm really happy to be working but it intensifies that drive for what's next in my life. I'm so ready to move out of this safety spot I have occupied for the last...well my lifetime so far. This house has brought many challenges these last few years but they weren't really mine. Wow, sappy sappy all ready... you would think I would have waited a bit longer to dive into that one, right. Ok, I'll focus on Thanksgiving weekend since it's all fresh in our minds. I worked the day before and then my Uncle John and Aunt Regina came Thanksgiving morning. It's always nice to see my Uncle, my Aunt too but that can be a bit more challenging for me these days. I was really happy for Dillon to have that time with her because I know it was all he was looking forward to all week. They day was really quiet, as usual. The cooking, the snacking, the video games, movies and the inevitable napping. Travis was super cute in his little Thanksgiving outfit I got for him. (I even got one for Christmas so he's all set!)


My Aunt and Uncle spent the night but my mom had to go to work so she napped with everyone else and then was off, which may sound weird but I'm pretty use to it these days. The next morning I was up at 4:50am for my shift for Black Friday. Seriously people, your insane! There are so many sales going on all the time I really don't see how it's worth it to fight the crowds and the early morning hours for a discount, you'll make up for, bargain shopping the rest of December. I guess electronics are good Black Friday buys but I just can't get into it. All the customers were really cool and I only had one jerk to deal with, which to be honest, was better than I expected. I've been lucky enough to have the rest of the weekend off and go back tomorrow. (Friends and Family sale starts Wednesday so if you want a coupon for 25% off almost everything, let me know because I have extras.) So, anyways my Aunt and Uncle left Friday night. Dillon had a hard time but that was to be expected. He recovered fairly quickly and we were all off to bed. Super boring, not sure why I feel the need to share all the details but now you know ;)
Anyone been to any good shows or discover any new bands? It's all I've been doing lately. Saw White Rabbits at Slims on Nov. 4th and was blown away. They are such nice guys too. I would love to catch them do a shorter set Dec. 9th at Bimbo's for Live 105's Not So Silent Night's pre-party week of shows. I work until 9:30 which might be a stretch to try and make it to SF in time, but I was considering switching a shift with someone so we'll see. Local Natives were a band that opened for them and I was so impressed. I just found out today that the US release of their album will be on Feb. 16th so that will be something to look forward to. See Aquarium Drunkard and Daytrotter for amazing sounds to make you smile. If you like, download the Daytrotter session for free! I think I got spoiled seeing them live first but that's not a bad thing. I think I'm going to try and be brave and write to some venues in SF this spring and see if I can get in anywhere. It all depends on how broke I am at the time but wouldn't that be the most rockin' thing?! (Pun intended...lame I know)
I seriously cannot believe how well Travis is sleeping tonight! Kind of bummed I, well he, ...we wasted a bottle tonight, but if it's because he wasn't waking up I'll take it. Trader Joe's moved to holiday hours so on Ashley's night shifts she works until 1am. Kind of a bummer but I'm usually falling asleep between 12 and 1am. Of course right as I was writing that sentence he makes some weird sounds making me think he was waking up....Good news: false alarm!
Hello December
Now the big question.....were do I post this thing? Do I really want to give the whole world access to my thoughts tonight? Live Journal was a bust for me....did I ever delete that account....? No one uses Myspace anymore, although I still think it has a better format over Facebook and is better for musicians. Facebook doesn't really have a good place to post these things and I hate trying to figure something new out on Facebook. Maybe I should start my own personal blog page that way it's out there but no one will know unless I tell them. Why don't I just get a notebook in that case?! Social Networking has become so crazy yet we are all so addicted. I guess it helps us feel more connected....
Ok I made a blog....the one you are looking at now....to house my little thoughts. It only took my 45min to set it up and edit this thing.

Goodnight and take care in these winter months, even if it is sunny all the way through.