Full of Fluff

This is long overdue, I know. My only excuse is that nothing exciting has been going on. Easter was good but low-key. It poured all day. The next Sunday was Travis' birthday. It rained again of course, but it was nice and Travis had fun.
In his Birthday outfit

Cupcake time

New Toys

This was taken tonight. Dillon cut holes in and painted this old cardboard box to make it look like a little house. Travis posed so perfectly while playing in it that I just had to throw it in.

I've been working a lot so I haven't had time to do too much fun extra stuff or I've just been too tired. I'm getting my car worked on tomorrow (cross your fingers they don't find anything weird.) That pretty much sums up my April so far.

Since this is a pretty boring post I'll try to jazz it up with some fun new music stuff that has had me all excited this month:
I heard about this song just last week. Now, I'm am not a hip-hop fan. There are good songs here and there but I usually pass. This song however features a Hayley Williams from Paramore. I'm pretty sure it is the only reason I like this song. Once again her vocals are amazing and this is a nice little chorus.

Ok, that was fun, now check this out. This is a little youtube clip that Hayley posted herself. Don't like Lady GaGa? Well, you will now!

I spent a huge chunk of money on concert tickets this month, let me elaborate...
First I'm going to see 30 Seconds to Mars w/ MuteMath on May 13. I can't believe how close it is already.
Then I bought tickets to a Local Natives show after I procrastinated on their first one and it sold out. Their new cd is in the mail, as we speak, on the way to my house. Enjoy this live version of "Camera Talk"

Another highly anticipated show isn't until October but it will be worth the wait. Jack Johnson is coming to the Greek and I'm going (for a pretty penny). Here is his new single "You & Your Heart." I think he directed the video which is cool but gets repetitive pretty quick.

And last but not least is my favorite guys Delta Spirit. This is off their new album and this clip is actually from the SF show I went to in early March.

This little gem is also off the new album. This is a stripped down version that I just cannot get enough of. His voice, the piano, just amazing! The full band version is great too but this is pretty special.

This post really took on a life of its own tonight. Fun stuff! Well, time for me to go to bed. Goodnight ;)

Exhausted

I have been working at The UPS Store for 2 1/2 weeks now. I work 5 days a week from 10-6. Mon-Wed I come straight home and babysit.
I am tired.
It's interesting work because things are always a little different. There is soooo much to know so I feel like it's taking me a while to catch on. We have a small little crew but it's nice. Good people. Overall, I like it. Now I have to save, save, save, so I can move out! I wish I had more time to dedicate to concerts, and possibly working in a venue, but for now I need an income.
Speaking of concerts... I get my first paycheck tomorrow so I'm buying tickets to see Local Natives and tickets to Delta Spirit who just announced a summer tour for their new album! (Have I talked about MG&V yet? Might have to save that for a later date.) There are a bunch of other little shows that I would love to catch, but we'll see how things go.
Nicole went back home today. She has been in Windsor since the very end of Feb. It would have been nice to have seen her more but that's how it goes sometimes. I hope it's not too rough to go back to DC life. Matt should be coming home soon too. I heard there was/is some crazy weather that's cutting their trip a little short. I can't wait to hear all about it! Unfortunately I completely missed Mike's visit, which is a bummer. I haven't seen him in a really long time.

Tomorrow is April 1st (April Fools)! Easter is Sunday and I'm not really sure what that's going to be like. Last Easter I became an aunt! This year it might rain. We might go to the park but that still might change. Travis' birthday is the following Sunday. I seriously cannot believe he is turning 1 already. The little boy is growing up. He is almost walking which is super exciting. Tonight I sat him on the counter and he threw little sauce packets on the ground. I made some explosion type sound effect when they would hit the floor, he thought it was the funniest thing. Reading that back, I guess you'd have to be there to get how cute it was.
So much work to be done, people to see, and events to plan. I'm officially warn out. It's a good tired though. I get this weekend off to relax (and catch up).
I don't really have a new song to share tonight so I thought it only fitting to leave you with a lullaby, goodnight!

Change is in the air

It's probably not the best time to be starting this (11:20pm) but now is when I know for sure I'm going to have the time! I have been so busy this week. It started on Monday with an amazing concert with Delta Spirit!!! It could have gone bad because around 1pm, the person that was supposed to go with me decided to bail. I really lucked out when I called my other buddy and she was totally available. It didn't rain the whole drive there and we got awesome parking for FREE. It's almost impossible in SF but I have managed a couple of times now. Anyways, we got there a little early and stayed warm in the car. We could hear everyone doing sound checks. Christina and I joke about opening a venue together so we were scoping out the place for things we liked and didn't like. The bands were getting food as everyone was coming in. I decided not to say hi for whatever reason. I always think how weird it must feel to have total strangers coming up to you and knowing all kinds of info about you, and saying how in love with you/your band they are. I guess it must not be that bad (unless the fan is a total creeper) because what is a concert without the screaming fans right? Wow, I keep going on little tangents. I will try to refrain.... The first act was a singer/songwriter with just an acoustic guitar. He called himself Elephant Micah. It was hard to really hear and enjoy what he was doing. Everyone was so amped and he was so mellow. I could totally see him in some little coffee shop like Aromas. The second act was We Barbarians.

Now a little fun trivia, We Barbarians are neighbors to Delta Spirit (when they are actually home) so naturally friends too. This little stint that Delta Spirit has been doing has been lacking Sean Walker. The lead singer of We Barbarians has been filling in, and doing a good job I might add. I sure do miss Walker though and have a bad feeling that he has taken off for good. I guess we'll find out when the album gets released on June 8th. But I digress... Finally, Delta Spirit took the stage. I can't tell you how awesome it is to see these people live in person. Besides being completely infatuated with Matt Vasquez

They opened with the familiar and great "Bleeding Bells." A lot of the other stuff was off the new album. A lot of that I have heard quite a bit already so I was singing along to some of the new stuff ;) They even did "Motivation" which was a huge treat! They were all just busting with energy and seemed to be really excited to play their new stuff. So, so much fun!
And that was just Monday...ha this is going to be longer than I though. It's now midnight and I've moved to my bed. Time springs forward in two hours and I'm going to loose another hour of sleep. Oh man...

Thursday I drove Ashley, Travis and myself to San Leandro/Oakland to meet with my grandparents for lunch and to go to the Oakland Zoo. I was so excited to take Travis to the zoo! I haven't been to the Oakland Zoo in a really long time and it was nice to see my grandparents as well. They live in Oakdale (near Modesto) so we don't get out to see them as much as we all would like. Travis slept the entire way there! He NEVER does that so I knew we were off to a really good start. I found the restaurant real easily and we got there on time. The zoo was fun. Pretty typical lions, tigers and bears...but seriously the little sun bear was sooo cute. He was rolling around on his back and playing on this little platform. We saw bats and lemurs, flamingos, and monkeys of all sorts. It ended with a little train ride, Travis' first train ride. Travis did so good the entire day. He got a little cranky around dinner time but that was expected. Then it was time to say goodbye and head home. Traffic was rough between Berkeley and Richmond basically, and Travis cried about 75% of the way home. I think he was just overly tired. It all worked out and I would totally do it again.
While we were gone I had gotten a call from my Aunt. When I called her the next day she told me a position at her store had opened up and asked if I wanted to come in. She owns the UPS store in Healdsburg. I am so thankful to be getting a job again. I go in first thing Monday morning. Wish me luck!
And finally, I am going camping next weekend with Crystal, Anthony and a few other people. It's a place in or near Duncans Mills. I think it will be fun. They are heading out Thursday but because of my new job I'll be going on Friday. So, things are really chugging along around here, thank god. Hopefully with some money coming in now I can do more fun stuff like camping, concerts, and fix my car and save for my own place. Geez, wouldn't that be awesome! That's another late night.

Plans and Reveries

Last night I couldn't fall asleep so I put on my iPod and hit shuffle. Around 1am a song called "Plans & Reveries" by Black Gold came on. I must have gotten it for free from one of my many sources. I've heard it maybe twice before and thought it was good but I think I really heard it last night. Seriously, I freaking love it. (There is a part when Brendon Urie from Panic! at the Disco does some backing vocals, amazing!) So I then went on a little rampage to find out more about the band. I've known about them but never really took the time I guess because I did recognized a few of their other songs. So, please check out this song because I know you won't be sorry!

"PLANS & REVERIES" BY BLACK GOLD

Unfortunately I'm not sure how to just embed an mp3 here and I really didn't want to post the music video so this will have to do.

Still, chugging along on my job search. Not hearing back from anyone is always fun. I'm getting a tiny little baby tax return which should get me through the month. I am going to send out letters to a bunch of music venues basically asking for a job/experience. I sat down and wrote out this cover letter type thing in an email and attached my resume. I don't know how much of a response I'll get but I have to at least try!?
Delta Spirit is on Monday and I'm freaking out a little. It's now a sold out show!

I had lunch with Yesenia on Tuesday. I haven't seen her since her birthday. Well, big news...she is engaged! I got all the details and was asked to be a bridesmaid. The wedding is Feb. 5 2011. It will be my second time in a wedding which is funny because I haven't even attended many weddings. They are pretty special and fun so I'm happy to be a part of it. Congratulations Yesenia!!!

Well I have to go pick up Dillon from school! Bye-bye for now...

New Vampire Weekend!

I just bought Vampire Weekend's new cd "Contra " and I have to say I'm impressed! I've also been hearing some buzz about their new video for the single "Giving Up The Gun." Well it released this morning and it pretty great. (It was directed by Emmett Malloy!) Enjoy people!

P.S. They are coming to the Fox Theater on April 20 so let me know if you want to go!

Valentine's Day and Some Extras

Why, hello there!
I feel like I have lots to say but no patience to sit here and write about it.
I've been reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels a lot recently. (Thanks Crystal!) I got into the show True Blood last year and so I was really curious about how the books were the same/different. I just started book 8 out of 9. I haven't read this much in forever.
Sunday is Valentine's Day. I made Valentines this year for my family.

I was feeling creative until about half was through them. My V-day date is Nicole this year. She is here in Windsor while Anthony is in DC. I doubt he minds missing this holiday but me and Nicole will have a decent time. Unfortunately I have to babysit Travis that night so it's going to get cut a little short.
I saw Young the Giant in Santa Cruz on Jan. 29th. That was good times! It was kind of spur of the moment. I went with Matt and we drove down there but it was totally raining. There was this long line because some kind of rave was going on in another part of the place. We waited in line surround by a bunch of annoying kids in the pouring rain. Once we got inside, completely soaked, I quickly noticed we were one of the first people there. There was a group of guys standing around a pizza box and I realized those were the bands. I the Mighty opened and more people came. All in all there must have been like 30 people there. Young the Giant came on and did a ton of new stuff which all sounded so great. They are a talented bunch of guys and a ton of fun to watch live. I'm really excited for their first LP.

I've really been enjoying my new iphone (That's where these two photos came from). I thought it broke today but apparently I'm just not so smart sometimes. I wasn't paying attention and let the battery die I guess. I still think something else went wrong because I just charged it yesterday afternoon, so I'm going to keep an eye on it. Hopefully nothing else happens.

Well that's all for now. (This post only took me forever and a day to finish.) Happy Valentine's Day!

A Good Tired

I am so tired right now and I have no idea why. It's been a very mellow day.
Yesterday was my birthday! I am officially 22, which seems weird. ;) Christina, Matt and Crystal took me out to dinner at Johnny Garlic's. I haven't been there in such a long time and everything was really good.

We made art with our plate decorations.
Anyways, we headed back to Matt's and played with fireworks. I've never done fireworks in January. It worked out well except for when we did the big final firework, Matt's neighbor came home and had to wait for the firework to burn out. It wasn't that big of a deal...he got a free firework show!

 Today my family celebrated my dad's and my birthday (serious grammar check needed there). We went out to dinner and then did presents and cake. I've been saving up to get an iPhone and got a giftcard for the apple store. Tomorrow morning I'm going to get an iPhone...Happy Birthday to me!

That's pretty much the basics of my weekend. I might hang out with Lindsey a bit tomorrow also but we'll see. I re-read these sometimes and think "no one cares about a detailed break down of my day." Oh well, it helps me reflect on things and keeps me busy when I get bored sometimes.

Now for my recommendations: Check out this clip from Conan O'Brian's last show last night. His speech at the end is really something, and we can all take something from it. (You can skip to 3min in to hear his speech.)

And finally... last night on the Hope for Haiti special, Coldplay performed a song called "A Message." It was originally released on X&Y and I loved loved it. The version they did last night had a bit of a acoustic twist to it and I loved loved loved it. It took on a new meaning but on it's own it is still an amazing song!