Book On Tape

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.

 

Final Destination

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??

On Motives

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.

Focusing Perspective

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.

A Pumpkin Kind Of Day

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.

Less Than Impressed

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

Mountain Envy

It’s official, I am going to miss the mountains.

I spent the last weekend in Colorado Springs, and it was great. It snowed! And can I tell you how excited I was about that? I LOVE snow. Probably the only winter I’m legitimately going to get this year.

Amie and I went walking downtown, got coffee and perused the shops.

Here’s the thing – I had a good time. And I loved the views of the mountains and the wintery feel in the air. While I am stoked about the community I believe waits for me in Texas, I am seriously concerned that the geography is going to feel a little not right to me. I did just move from Alaska after all!

Perhaps a regular visit to the mountains will be required.

iBlog From My iPhone

Y’all. This week I got an iPhone. It is awesome. So awesome in fact, that I am blogging on a wordpress app as we speak. Forgive me if my punctuation is off kilter.

The best thing about the iPhone so far? Losing all my contacts when I synced it to my iTunes.

Oh wait, that was the lamest part.

Back On the Wagon

I’m happy to report that tomorrow, only 2 weeks after leaving Alaska, I am playing my first show. How exciting, right? I am actually doing this. And in the next 9 days I am playing 3 times!!

Do you want to know something? I’m nervous. I always am…

In the morning I’m headed down to Colorado Springs for a couple of days with my good friend Amie, her husband Nick, and their daughter Lorelei. [Okay, how cute and crazy is it that they have a daughter name Lorelei Honor...  Do I have any Gilmore Girls fans in the house?? So funny and awesome. I thought they were joking when they first told me.]

Amie and I were roommates when I lived in Dallas 7 years ago, and she was the best kind of roommate. We haven’t seen each other that often in the last few years, but it has been great to catch up with her. I’m thankful to have so many good friends in my life, new and old (and across the country).

When I finally get to Dallas a week and a half from now, it’s going to be a happy homecoming. I can’t wait to get settled a little bit, get into a routine, and figure out what things are going to look like – for a solid 6 weeks, at least…

And you know, I’m always on the lookout for places to play. I’m planning a trip to MN and surrounding area in the late spring, and a trip out East is in order as well. I’ve got friends in NY, VA, DC, and CT.

Anywhere you are, my friends, that’s where I’ll be.

Happy music making.

They’re Playing My Song

You know what’s great about pop music?

Nothing.

Okay, I seriously take that back, because I totally love pop music.

But think about it, pop music is like the antithesis of the river of life. And here’s why… Have you ever heard that old church song, “Deep and Wide?”

Deep and wide, deep and wide, there’s a fountain flowing deep and wide…

Well I’ll tell you what pop music is not: Deep OR Wide.

I mean, I don’t know exactly how music would be wide, but still. IT IS NOT.

Though it is some dang catchy music. It’s the annoying kind of catchy where you think if you hear the song you’ll get it out of your head, except then you don’t. You scan the satellite radio stations just hoping you’ll hear it, because, let’s be honest, if you heard it once you will hear it again. And then when you hear it, the catchiness is only reinforced until you reach the point that you find yourself purchasing the stupid song on iTunes for $1.29 even though you know you’re going to be sick of it in a week.

But until that week is over, oh it’s pure bliss, it is.  Let me tell you, driving in the car, nodding your head like ‘yeah,’ never gets old.

At least not yet, anyway.