Viva Las Vegas

Long time no chat! I've been horrible about this blog since I moved. Speaking of my move, let me give you the rundown. I was going to move the weekend of my birthday but the weather had a different plan. After almost no rain all winter, it poured that weekend but I managed to get in by the 1st of February. I live with Lindsey and Kenny in Cotati. the commute sucks only because the mileage that tacks on so quick now. It takes me about 30 minutes to get to work and I always miss the traffic. It's different having roommates and I'm not super fond of having animals but all is good.
Work on the other hand has been a bit more crazy. Nicole (who has worked there as long as me) left at the end of January. Jessica (the girl who works part time) suggested a guy named Leo. He was great but unfortunately got an amazing job offer after about two weeks with us. Next was a guy named Charlie. I can usually get along with just about anyone but there was something about this kid that just wouldn't jive. After about a month+ we were again looking for someone new. Now we have Nancy and she is great. It's only been a week but I can tell this is going to work. Her whole attitude and approach is so much better.
I was lucky enough to go to Vegas at the end of April!!! I went with Katie for about 3 days. We got a really great deal on the flight and hotel so it didn't eat up my entire savings ;) We flew first thing in the morning and spent the first day mostly checking out all the casinos including the new Aria center and the Cosmopolitan. Gorgeous!! The first night we went to this club called LAX. It was a lot of fun mostly because I didn't spend a dime on drinks. Again all the places are just visually stunning and people watching is always fun. That first day I think I was up for 22 hours. The next day was a big day for me because we had purchased tickets to see The Beatles LOVE by Cirque Du Soleil. It was one of the greatest live shows I've seen. You don't even need to be a huge fan of The Beatles to really appreciate it. After the show we went to a club called The Bank which was also very cool but the dance floor was a bit small. I know I'm a bit spoiled living here in California but the smoking indoors thing really started to get to me in this club. It was packed tight on the dance floor and some chick lights up right next to me. What little air I had was soon overtaken by cigarette smoke. Bummer... Overall it was a great trip and the weather couldn't have been better. I'm not a big party girl so Vegas isn't my scene but it is still a lot of fun to indulge once in a while.
My favorite thing to share of all is the music so I have to tell you about the MUTEMATH show Matt and I went to February 7th. OMG, these guys put on a show! It was my first time at the Regency Ballroom. That place was the perfect size, big enough but still felt pretty intimate. MuteMath played the entire new album along with old favorites from the first two. The lighting on the stage was brilliant,  they ventured into the audience a few times with confetti and had an illuminated air mattress for crowd surfing. See some great clips of all of the above HERE!
I've seen some good stuff so far this year: Yellow Ostrich at Bottom of the Hill, White Rabbits at The Independent... The other night I saw Delta Spirit. It's been a while and man I've missed them. Their live show just gets better and better. I miss the days when they were playing small places like Bottom of the Hill but they definitely deserved their sold out show at The Fillmore. Friday I will get to see PAPA and Milo Greene at the Rickshaw Stop and then Harriet at Brick and Mortar on Saturday. Cory Chisel will be coming around at the beginning of August but no word on Dawes.
So there are the highlights of the first half of 2012. I'll try and update you again before 2013.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a nice holiday season! Pretty quite around here, but quite was good.
Last minute, New Year's Eve, I asked Matt if he wanted to go to San Francisco and see the fireworks. The fireworks were done by the same people who do them for KFOG Kaboom! We went and got the perfect view just south of the Ferry Building. The vibe was really good. I didn't see one fight and people weren't being all weird. After the fireworks we jumped into the crowd and walked around the city for a while.

I have a good feeling about this year. Some things are going to change. To start, I'm moving off the Ranch and into Lindsey and Kenny's. It's a downsize for sure but I'll be gaining a lot of amenities. I'm excited to have people to cook for/with. My water won't be shit and I'll be closer to my city.
It's also birthday season around here. I took Ashley to Berkeley yesterday for her 23rd. Her actual birthday was Friday and she went skydiving. She LOVED it! Lindsey's is a week from today and we are going out to dinner. My dad's is less than two weeks away and then mine is exactly two weeks away. Busy month but it will be fun!
Now I just need some good shows to go to. Anyone want to play Northern CA the weekend of the 20th?! Blake Mills will be in Napa that Friday. I would absolutely go except he is playing with Lucinda Williams and tickets are about $130 for two.
I just want to see him so bad... ;) I did enjoy this article on him though. Couldn't agree more!
Blake Mills: Off the Radar? Or the First Great Revelation of 2012?

Well, here's to 2012

Hello 2011

Hello new year! Sorry that I let things go for so long. The last little bit of 2010 absolutely flew by and being sooo busy didn't help things. Where do I start?!...the beginning seems like a good place...short & sweet

November:

Consisted mostly of work, babysitting and promoting the Dawes show. I got super lucky and got free tickets for working so hard on promotional stuff. The Romany Rye were supposed to open the show but their van broke down and they didn't make it. :( But I did find this little gem on The Romany Rye's tumblr...

The show was AMAZING and I'm seriously considering seeing Dawes again in February. Thanksgiving was nice with the family. Last but not least, I rented the trailer on the DuVander Ranch. Affordable and all mine, no roommates!

December:

A fantastic Delta Spirit show (The Fling opened),

family drama, and spending money like crazy on my new place and on Christmas. I went from my little bedroom to a full house. I need so much stuff. That got put on the back burner the closer Christmas came.  Work was so busy! I was totally impressed by the generosity of our customers though. I got all kinds of candy, wine and Starbucks gift cards. Thanks again everyone! I got some overtime but had no time to shop for Christmas. It doesn't help that I'm a horrible shopper and got sick a few days before Christmas. I whipped it out though, and we had a really nice weekend at my parents. Uncle John, Sandra and Aunt Regina all came over. Dillon got some rockin' stuff and I got a lot of things for my new place. John built the new computer that I am thoroughly enjoying since my place doesn't have internet. Hopefully that will change soon.

So now here we are in 2011. Pretty exciting but hard to believe. Time is absolutely flying. I'm hoping to have a Housewarming/Birthday party on Sat the 22nd. Your all invited! Today is Ashley's birthday though. She is out, while I watch my crazy nephew Travis. OMG he is getting so big and we are definitely getting into the terrible two's. It's so much fun though ;) Here he is on the new bike he got for Christmas.

Here's to a happy and exciting new year!

A New Place To Live

Today I went and looked at a little apartment/unit in Santa Rosa. I was pretty excited by the thought that this could be my new place. It's a one bedroom off Slater Rd. in downtown. Excitement quickly turned into anxiety because the sheer cost of living on my own is overwhelming. I figure it's not impossible and moving out is something I really want to do so I'll make it work and it will be good.
The place is really small, which is to be expected. The kitchen is really small. That was kind of a bummer but overall the place isn't bad. I'm going to apply just to see if they'll consider me. Having almost non-existent credit and no tenant history isn't going to help but we'll see.
A year ago I said I hope to be moved out by Aug. 2010. I can't believe that's almost a reality?!

Time to go to sleep so I can start another busy day...

Summertime Flies

Happy summer! Hope everyone had a great 4th! Mine was pretty good. Saw fireworks Saturday in Windsor after work. Then on Sunday I went to the river with Crystal and that whole crew. Then I went to Lindsey's and we BBQ'd and saw Santa Rosa's fireworks from some hill-top. They had a much better show than Windsor, which is understandable.

I've been working a lot. Trying to save a lot...so hard. I seriously don't know how I did it when I was younger. Granted I didn't drive or have bills...but anyways, I'm getting closer to being able to move-out. Without roommates would be the best case scenario but that is going to be so expensive. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Oh man and tonight made me want to leave Windsor all together. I went to the farmers market with Crystal, Anthony, and Matt. It was fun but Applebee's after was a little ridiculous. My entire graduating class seemed to walk through the doors. I know it's summer so a lot of people are back home but seriously, I need to get out and explore other places and other people in this world.
Things have been pretty quiet and pretty uneventful around here. I'll leave you with some new tunes worth hearing!
Music to check out:
"Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine -> Great vocals and I love how it goes from soft to intense.
"Hey Lover" by Blake Mills -> New album this week (Break Mirrors)! He's a quiet force of guitar skills to be reckoned with.
"Fire Away" by Dawes -> Fell in love the first time I heard it. It's has been refined a bit but at lest there is an accessible version.

What Next?

Why hello there...

Man oh man, I'm in a weird mood. My days are tough lately and I'm not sure how to fix things. Everything feels like it takes so much effort and I'm getting tired. My only answer is to move out. Move out of my house and away from my comfort zone. Logically moving out would only bring on more stress and costs into my already impacted account but I need something to give. I think this time of year has a little something to do with it. Everyone is graduating from their respective schools, where, I got my AA last year. A lot of my friends are moving out or are actively looking. 22 and living at home with a house full of people is not where I thought I would be. I feel like I've got nothing really to show for since high school. Work is good, I can't complain but I wish I was more involved in other things.
Lots of thoughts bugging me tonight.

There is something I can brag about, I saw Dawes again. I heard about a performance at some little restaurant in Davis. Hoping that I could get off work at a fairly decent time, I decided to drive myself over there and check things out. Matt came too. Things didn't really go quite as planned but we got there and saw an amazing performance by three great acts. Everyone was cozy on a small porch of this bar/restaurant. It was sooo great.

I was awkwardly close which I didn't intend on doing because the place was so small, but it worked.
Also, Delta Spirit is coming up and coming up fast. By some miracle tickets are still available so get them now. It's going to be amazing!
Summer is here even though many would argue that. The forecast says rain for the next few days but Dillon gets out of school day after tomorrow and people are making plans. I'm going to be working a lot but hopefully I can get away a little too. This weather is weird but it makes working all day a little easier.

Well, I hope the music gets louder, the weather warmer, and the day longer for me and for you ;)

I Got by Young The Giant from Big Ugly Yellow Couch on Vimeo.



Goodnight