Audio Expansion

For a musician, I have a ridiculously small musical library. I listen to what I listen to; I sometimes purchase a random song or album, but I have not traditionally invested in a collection. I don’t know why.

When I was in elementary school, I remember somebody asking me what radio station I listened to, and I told them, 102.9 Lite FM. At which point a friend of mine came to my rescue, said I was joking (which I wasn’t), and promptly told the inquiring individual that I listened to the local pop station.

What? 5th graders aren’t allowed to like easy listening?

Needless to say, I’ve never really been on the forefront of the music scene (which I’ve always found a little ironic, being I’m a songwriter and all). In any case, I am aware of the fact that expanding my musical tastes might be a valuable investment; I find I’m often inspired when I listen to new and different music I enjoy.

Recently I acquired four new albums. The first, recommended to me by my friend, Sally. The latter three, songs and albums I overheard while hanging out with friends. (By the way, two of the artists were lucky recipients of a spot on a recent “Road Trip Mix – 2009,” given to me by my friend Ruthie.)

The lesson here? Be my friend, and I might just listen to the music you like.

Most of this music isn’t new, it’s just new to me. And while I am just learning what these albums are all about, and might not recommend every song as the very best EVER, thus far I have heard beautiful and wonderful things in all of them.

So without further ado (and linked to the requisite iTunes description) I bring you my current playlist:

• Erin McCarley – Love, Save the Empty
  
• Marc Broussard – Carencro
• Imogen Heap – Speak for Yourself
• Eric Hutchinson – Sounds Like This

I can’t wait until I start sounding really keyboardy, bluesy, edgy, folk rocky. You know… when the influence of these albums fuses to how I write.

And as soon as my bank account can accommodate such growth? My next investment will be country. 

 

Epiphany

I’m at the post office so often these days, sometimes I forget I can just put a stamp on a letter and stick it in the mailbox.

Ode To My Show

I started to write a poem about how I’m playing at a coffee shop tonight, but when I was half way through (thinking it was genius at first pen, of course) I realized that it had absolutely no structure. Or rhyme. So basically, it was like:

I like coffee.

I like  music.

Come see me play music and drink coffee.

Alright, so it wasn’t quite that bad. But it was bad enough that it caused me to delete the whole thing and start from scratch.

If by ’start from scratch’ you mean state explicitly what I’d tried to say poetically? Then Yes. That’s what this “from scratch” blog post is.

 

I bet you like music and coffee.

You should come hear me play music while you drink coffee.

The Pearl Cup

Downtown Dallas  

11/12/2009

6:30 pm

One Day At A Time

But seriously, folks? Sometimes an unpredictable life really is a challenge.

I woke up yesterday in a funk. Just a plain old, ‘I can’t muster the courage to try very hard today’ funk. Was it because I stayed up too late again? I don’t know. All I know is…  I had only one choice.

I stayed in my pajamas. I drank coffee. I worked on my bible study and I told God exactly how I was feeling. And in that process, do you want to know what words came out of my mouth?

“Life is so much easier when I don’t have to be so dependent on you.”

How’s that for profundity?

I’ve been saying that I need to take this one day at a time, and it has never been more true. I can’t predict my courage from one day to the next. I don’t understand my anxiety or peace from hour to hour. I just know that I’m still figuring out the balance between being diligent and trusting God for the rest. Am I doing enough? How could I ever know? But I’ll know I am doing too much when I feel the stress of trying to control situations that can only be left in God’s hands.

He has called me to this. Only He can make it happen.

And every time I turn around I am encouraged by the supportive words of others. Friends who are sharing my music with those around them, family who raves about what they hear, a mother who reminds of the truth of God’s care for my life.

Yesterday was about trusting in God and His plans for me, and not in my own ability. And that was enough for one day.

Letter To My Investors: A Farce

Dear you, 

Recently I quit my job and became a musician. And though this might seem like a desirable lifestyle, doing whatever you want whenever you want has its drawbacks. For instance, it isn’t always easy to know what you want – and this can bring stress into an already haphazard unpredictable life. Additionally, when wanted things are decided upon, it is a fact that many of these ‘desirables’ cost money.

In light of this, I have devised a plan that is called ‘My Plan,’ and it involves me finding a way to make money from home. The plan goes a little something like this: I ask you if you know of any way for me to make money from home, and then you tell me if you know of any way for me to make money from home.

And then, hopefully, I make money from home.

Your input, dear reader, is wildly appreciated.

Steadfastily on, 
MJ

A Simultaneous High and Low

Well, folks, I’m happy to report that The Last Song has now officially been read listened to by me. Completely.

Turns out there are lots of miles to drive in Dallas, and some unpacking I needed to do, so between that and the 20 minutes I sat in my car after arriving home one afternoon, the audio book is over.

I think I’ve said this before, but I’m always a little sad when I finish a book. I’m a character person. I like learning the stories of others. [Incidentally, I think this might be what I like most about meeting new people.]

So, the book is over. And for the most part I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t suspenseful. There was no mystery, really. But it drew me in well enough. There is only one regrettable item to this whole affair.

Yesterday, after finishing the book, I researched the movie (due out in January) and realized the main character is going to be played by Miley Cyrus.

And I am so not pleased.

The book-turned-movie has now lost all credibility – turns out it’s being produced by Disney. No surprise there. As a wise old songwriter once said, 

“If that’s what it is, then that’s what it is.  At least until Disney can rewrite it…”

 

 

Why’d it have to all end this way, huh??

Affected

What is it, do you suppose, that gives other people the power to make us feel a certain way? Is it us? Is it them?

And why is it sometimes so hard to walk away (literally or metaphorically) unaffected?

I, for one, am very affected by others. I hate for anyone to ever be displeased with me. But I have found this sometimes makes it difficult to live a life centered on the truth.

And though I want to be free from judging myself by anyone’s standards but God’s, I don’t want to be reckless with another person, either. I must learn to see the difference between displeasing and wrongdoing.

I think it mightn’t always be a clearly defined line.

Do you?

I Blog

Guess What?? I’m a featured blogger today over at Annie Blogs! I like to think it’s something special, because the blog community is just that – community. People who read blogs are people who write blogs, and it’s so fun to be connected to that. Thanks, Annie, for bringing us all together…  :)

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Two blog links in two days? Two Annies in two days??

No, this is not the twilight zone. Just two different people I know kind of know, and a little extra blog love to be spread around. 

Enjoy!

Wish That I Was (In Nashville To Congratulate Her Personally)

I started reading Annie Parsons‘ blog in early 2007 – long before I was a “serious” blogger myself. In fact, I’d actually creeped onto her myspace page through some mutual friends, started reading her posts there, and, well..  you know the rest. She’s the only blogger turned real-life friend I’ve ever met (so far). 

I like to think of her posts as my “bloggy breakfast.” She tells the stories of life, music, and adventure in an easy-going, coffee table, conversational kind of way. And I think that’s what makes her blog so well loved. You read her blog and you feel like you know her. She invites you into her living room (or driveway at the very least), tells you a story, and you’re not the least bit surprised when you leave knowing you’d like to visit again.

She, like me, is a songwriter and musician. And she, like me, has recently released a recording. (Yay!) I’m no country music expert, but I’m pretty sure I know her writing enough to know that these song are going to be interesting and fun, catchy, and easy to listen to. I’ve heard a couple of the tracks already via her blog – and I’m already proud of the triumph I know this is for her. 

I recommend you visit her blog to read all about the release – she’s featuring it throughout the week. You won’t be disappointed…

The Eagle Has Landed (And Other Assorted TidBits)

Ya’ll (I can officially start using that more often now), I have arrived in Texas. Here are some things you should know:

1. It is hotter than I remember. Which kind of doesn’t seem possible because, obviously, who forgets that it’s hot here? But I guess I wasn’t expecting it to be QUITE so balmy in November. I mean, it’s on par with the summer we had this year in Anchorage – at least during the day. Who am I to complain, however? I believe they’re experiencing single digit temperatures back in AK.
2. No. I did not finish my audio book – which is, I suppose, the disadvantage of buying an audio book you know will last at least your entire trip. I have 9 chapters left, and I’m trying to imagine a scenario in which I would be sitting around my living room, listening to an audio book contentedly (as though it were a completely normal thing to do). I mean, isn’t it like a requirement that audio books be listened to only while driving? When the whole point is that your eyes aren’t free to read? In any case, all I’m saying is that I may or may not be finished with the story before I head back to visit family over Thanksgiving. But I’ll keep you posted on this, you can be sure.
3. I joined Twitter today. It happened. I was sitting at dinner saying I was thinking about joining, and the next thing I know Christina is downloading the application on my iphone. Though I didn’t protest, I’m not really sure I’m ready for this kind of internet-y commitment. The WWW is such a time taker as it is, and I am marginally opposed to letting the tweets of this world rule my life. But I suppose it will have its rewards. For now, let me just say that I feel like a foreigner in a foreign, unfamiliar, totally un-native land. Because I don’t know how to work the thing.
4. I live in Texas now.