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?

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!

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…

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.

It’s a driving day, people. You know what that means? I am rocking, for the first time ever, a book on tape. Or more appropriately named these days, an audio book. I have never successfully listened to one before. But I figure driving 14 hours on my own is a perfect time to start. It’ll be like reading with my ears instead of my eyes. How awesome does that sound?? (no pun intended, teehee…)

Do you want to know which book I picked? It’s ridiculous really, because I’ve never read a book by this author, and I usually think the movies are kind of mushy. But I wanted something with substance (unlike my normal teen fiction reads), I wanted it to last through the many hours of driving, and I didn’t want to listen to something I’ve already read or or seen the movie.

I present to you…  The  Last Song.

I hope it is good and not just sappy, because heaven knows it will be sappy. But perhaps it will still be good. And if I like it, I can see the movie when it comes out. Because I know it will.

I expect a full report by Tuesday.

She says to herself.

Wait….

Happy Road Trip Monday.

New Month!

It’s like a clean slate. A fresh start. I feel like I need that these days…

I’m headed to my final destination today. Well, at least starting in that direction. I’ll finally arrive in Dallas on Tuesday, and I am so ready for it. While I’ve had a great time with friends and family in the last few weeks, this nomadic lifestyle takes its toll. I think now, especially, I am longing for consistency and a schedule, a solid plan I can execute, a routine, and perhaps a little more time for reflection.

If you were reading with me pre CD release and pre big move, you’ll remember I was stressed and scared for everything ahead of me. I’m happy to report that I have felt more at ease recently, but even 3 weeks out of Anchorage has taught me some things. I have felt a little bit like I’m shooting in the dark – and I don’t want that. I am a calculated, strategic planner. I’m going to feel much more relaxed when my day to day activity reflects some of that.

I’m ready to get settled and find what lies ahead for me. I’m ready for Texas. Do you think it’s ready for me??

Have I mentioned recently that John Eldredge is one of my favorite authors? Well he is. He writes in a way that speaks directly to me.

I read a blog post he wrote today regarding motives, and I am humbled by the truth in what he says.

He reveals the heart of the matter, which really spoke to me today – and to some of the questions bubbling around my brain. His words may reach you in a totally different way, but I highly recommend you read them.

I’ve been thinking about something ever since my show last Saturday night. The event went well enough, though I could certainly stand to work on my presentation. I’m not always sure how to engage the crowd in a coffee shop style setting, but that’s kind of what got me thinking.

I love to sing, I do. But what I love most about singing is truly sharing my heart behind the songs. I write with purpose, and a lot of who I am goes into those songs. Last Saturday night I was  playing my set, and a friend in the audience asked me to share the story behind a song, and I felt like I couldn’t.

I felt like I couldn’t say, in a very public, casual atmosphere, what was really behind the next song. Because there wasn’t a story or event I could tell, it was just about God – how I come to him (and sometimes don’t) and about how he draws me anyway.

Now you might think this means I am afraid to give a public testimony. I’m not. But I’m cautious when I call a venue and ask if I can come and play, that what I say fits into what they are expecting in allowing me to be there. I’m not into bait and switch evangelism.

But the fact that I didn’t feel comfortable to share my heart made me really evaluate what I want in performing. I don’t want to play a ton of shows that are just music and performance – no substance. Somehow, I need to narrow my focus. Either I choose to find venues to play that will be, up front, open to my message. Or I learn to be a little more bold in my approach – even if it alienates some.

I’m not totally sure how this is going to change things. But I know that I don’t want to waste my time or my money this year playing music that doesn’t matter. Because the message does matter. And that’s why I’m here.

It snowed all day here in Colorado. I love snow. Seriously. Amie and I took the opportunity to spend the day baking and doing all kinds of fall-y/winter-y things…  We baked SO much. Firstly, our ingredients:

We made a pumpkin pie, caramel apples, and toasted pumpkin seeds. (For some reason the toasted seeds are the “bad seed” of the picture world today, cause I didn’t get a photo of them pre-baking, and the picture I have of them post-baking is all squashed and upside down. Hmmmm….)

And bonus? We carved pumpkins as well. Mine’s the one on the left.

The only three books on the music business in the whole of Barnes and Noble, Grand Junction: