Shelia Taylor

Johnny Cash Redesigned

2012-02-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

So my friend Melany and I are going on this Monsters of Rock Cruise this weekend and she asked me to rock out a t-shirt for her. I had rocked out a shirt for her before, but we were intentionally trying to look 80s hair metal glam with fringe shirts. Though I knew she would wear it in pride this weekend, I wanted to rock her out, but keep her looking 2012.

So here is her shirt.

BEFORE..
Front & Back...classic Johnny!

AFTER
I removed the neck, shortened the length, and removed sleeves and added pink ribbons. That was a dig at her because we are far from girly pink.
On the back, the neck has also been removed and I slit the back up and braided them.

And here you can see the braid up close

Melany can rock out and I can stand beside her proudly as her friend!

Key West 2012 Part One

2012-02-21T07:28:00.001-05:00

One island...two visits...Key West 2012.

Yes, I am beyond excited! You can read all previous Key West posts and maybe understand, how much I love this island. And every time someone asks me what's so great out about, I tell them 2 things:

1. My soul feels at peace the moment I step on that island.

2. It is Disney World for the adults, minus the rides.

I will be in Key West on Sunday, February 26th and every inch of my soul is craving it. I am excited to see that 4 mile by 2 mile island, even if it's only a port of call for a few hours. It's a few hours that will be well worth the 12 hour drive to Fort Lauderdale.

The first place I'm visiting is Pepe's for fresh squeezed margaritas. From there, I want to stroll along Caroline Street and hit Duvall. I want to take my picture at the Southern Most Point AGAIN. I want to have rum drunks at Capt Tony's and I want to let the magic that fills the air on that tiny island, fill my soul.

It will keep me fueled until I can make a proper visit in August.

Listeining to "Back to the Island" by Jimmy Buffett
And as Jimmy sings..."Well, I hope you understand, I just had to go back to the island."
I hope you kind of understand my love for Key West

Inspiration

2012-02-20T20:17:00.001-05:00

Being inspired...the muse that is mine comes in the oddest moments in life. Dreams. Visions. Thoughts. Over heard conversations. Etc.

I had the weirdest dream on Friday night which is inspiring a new story I'm plotting out in my head and on paper. It's not something I'd normally write, but the idea intrigues me. It could be a masterpiece or it could be bird cage liner. We shall see.

Then today, while figuring out how to finally load PDF files to my Kindle, I stumbled over a title of a novel that sounded interesting and though the story description itself didn't make me want to further investigate or get involved with the novel, the title kept singing in my head and reminded me of a novel I had started years ago. The cat of characters chatted with me on my way home and I need to figure out a way to tighten their story and get their words on paper.

Also, today, my co-worker Boomer, gave me a book by Seth Godin and while I do know who Seth is, I haven't read a lot by him, but it made me find an email of links I had sent myself on articles he had written that I wanted to read. While reading one, I had an AHA moment on something that is completely unrelated to the dream and to cast of characters.

So inspiration...wow...all up in my grill today. Now, I have to make the time for the creative me, the work me, and the hockey me to all get along and get everything in my head out...

Muse...I thank you...let's do this.

Listening to "Safe & Sound" by Gareth Asher

Kick Failure in the Nuts

2012-02-20T18:40:00.001-05:00

"If we write our dreams and goals down, we dramatically increase our odds of realization. If we share them with others, they become potent and alive." ~Kristin Armstrong

My dear friend, Amy, sent me the above quote several weeks ago with the words "Timely...don't ya think? And don't worry - I will keep you accountable." Seriously, how great of a friend is she?

The thing is, Amy is such an inspiration to me. She actually accomplishes her goals that she sets out to do. I get defeated about three days into working towards said goal. Over the weekend, as I prayed for the black angel of death to come take me because of the stupid partying I had done, Amy was running a marathon.

I'm proud of her. I'm envious of her.

Which motivates me.

As I read her blog today about her marathon, I thought I could do that.

Wait. Before you roll your eyes, you should know...I do not want to run a marathon. I, in fact, have no desire whatsoever to run one, walk one, or crawl in one.

But I could use Amy as my motivation to do the other healthy things I want to do in life. Like drop that extra 30 lbs.

I let January and February get the best of me. I allowed excuse after excuse and set myself up for failure. Well guess what failure, fuck you! You may have scored the first two months, but I've got the other 10. I hope you're ready for a battle of epic proportions.

Somewhere as I laid on the bathroom floor wishing for death, I found a new lease on life. And as I tweeted on Friday, "And somewhere along the yellow brick road...I fell off the path, but I'm all right and the journey is AMAZING!!!"

The journey is amazing and it's about to be even more amazing. I can't wait to kick failure in the nuts.

Listening to "Kid Again" by Peter Searcy

I Want to Watch the Stars Instead

2012-02-19T20:52:00.000-05:00

"Living large was once the deal, now I watch the stars instead. They are timeless and predictable unlike most things that I do..." ~Jimmy Buffett

The music of Jimmy Buffett always, always, sets me right. If I'm sad or in a mental dark place, it brings me back to the light. If I have life questions, I often find a lyric that holds a path to an answer. Several weeks ago, as I walked my dog and stared at the stars, I passed 2 girls, in barely there dresses, and a group of friends heading out to party the rest of Friday off. I of course, huffed in disgust, but then I realized I was once like that.

Once...

Now...

I'm content, as Jimmy sings, to watch the stars instead.

I don't need to go out every night of the week. I don't need to be seen or heard. I don't need to be in the thick of it all. I am content sitting at my favorite bar in the corner next to the video crack machine and have a few cocktails. I am more than content to watch hockey with Holly as we discuss the game and who's hot or not on the team. I am content to sit and laugh hysterically as Todd, Keith, & Shorty tell ridiculously funny stories about farting, Mad Dog, and talk in British accents about nothing in particular. I am content to sit on my couch with my dog curled up at my feet while I listen to Jimmy Buffett, edit a novel, and drink Jameson spiked apple cider. I am content to drive 3 hours just to see my favorite band and drive home.

I am 36 years old. I am not 26 years old. My priorities at 26 are no where near my priorities are at 36.

At 26, I wanted to party until the sun came up. At 36, I want to to watch the sun come up because it's the dawn of a new day that I get to live.

I still like to have a cocktail or four, party, and have a good time, but I don't have to do it every night of the week. In fact, in the year 2012, I've done less of it that I ever had, and I am okay with that.

Honestly, going to see a band I like or a hockey game is good enough for me or even sitting on my patio with a glass of wine and a good book is good enough for me.

The last two days kicked my ass. I was living like I was 26 and I realized that I no longer want to do that.

This good time activist wants to watch the stars instead...

2012 Song of the Day Recap

2012-02-19T20:08:00.002-05:00

I've decided to stop the song of the day. It was the only thing I was posting which defeats the, I want to write a post every day and posting a song was not writing every day.

So here were the songs of the day...

01.01 - ---
01.02 - ---
01.03 - ---
01.04 - ---
01.05 - A New Beginning by 26
01.06 - Fresh Green Freedom by Xavier Rudd
01.07 - Family Affair by Mary J Blige
01.08 - Day Dreamer by Donavon Frankenreiter
01.09 - Southern Cross by Jimmy Buffett
01.10 - Rewind by Stereophonics
01.11 - Days Like This by Van Morrison
01.12 - Shake Senora by Pitbull
01.13 - You're My Best Friend by Queen
01.14 - American Honey by Lady Antebellum
01.15 - Pizza and Wine by Marvelous 3
01.16 - Take It Easy by The Eagles
01.17 - Doin' My Thing by Luke Bryan
01.18 - Get it Right by Gareth Asher featuring
01.19 - Uku by Dengue Fever
01.20 - Scheibe by Lady GaGa
01.21 - He Wants to Cha Cha (She Just Wants to Twist) by Andrew Michael and Swingerhead
01.22 - Simple Things by Gareth Asher
01.23 - Lip Service by Jimmy Buffett
01.24 - Move By Yourself by Donavon Frankenreiter
01.25 - ---
01.26 - I Remember by Grace Askew
01.27 - ---
01.28 - Never Gonna Come Back Down by BT
01.29 - Levels by Avicil
01.30 - Kmag Yoyo by Hayes Carll
01.31 - Follow the Sun by Xavier Rudd
02.01 - Walk Away by Cool for August
02.02 - ---
02.03 - ---
02.04 - ---
02.05 - Rainin' by Sponge
02.06 - Side by Side by The Constellations
02.07 - Lady with the Spinning Head by U2
02.08 - Sick and Beautiful by Artificial Joy Club
02.09 - ---
02.10 - Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Muse
02.11 - ---
02.12 - Why Does It Always Rain on Me by Muse
02.13 - 16 Days by Whiskeytown
02.14 - Cover Girl by Saints of Valory
02.15 - Acid Annie by Natalia Kills

Crazy Delight

2012-02-15T22:11:00.000-05:00

I've been sitting here, staring at a blinking cursor, trying to put into words what is in my head and I am failing miserably. I'm not frustrated about it. I just can't word it like I'd like. I can't make it cohesive. It would be a round about way to get from point A to point B.

Ain't mad about it though...

My "lil" sistah, Tracy, and I have been talking a lot the last few days about changing things in our life and a lot of it is changing the negative to positivity. Taking what you can control and living your life like you want instead of how others make you feel you should be. Since Monday's epiphany in Bitters Be Damned, I honestly have had the best 2 days. Yes, I'm slammed at work. Yes, I'm stressed. Yes, I can't get past the 42 emails in my inbox, but it actually has been a delight to experience it all.

DELIGHT!

Crazy. I. Know.

Yet, I'm not dreading going to work with a To Do List that grew by 10 items in the last five minutes of work. I know I can get it done. I just have to take a deep breath and jump right in.

I want this crazy feeling of wonderment and awe to stick with me for the rest of the life. I want the need to continue to try new things to stay.

As I told Tracy, Life is too short. Bitter be damned.

02.15.12 - Song of the Day: "Acid Annie"

2012-02-15T21:01:00.000-05:00

By Natalia Kills

I love the lyric "Acid Annie, don't be bitter for the rest of your life. He can hurt you, don't deserve you, but can't make it right."

I think girls sometimes forget that. They let things especially love turn them into bitter women. They just can't let go.

Sometimes....it's best to let go.

02.14.12 - Song of the Day: "Cover Girl"

2012-02-14T09:08:00.000-05:00

"When life gets crazy, shake it baby..."

Don't need to say anything else about this song...

Well, besides it's fun, catchy, and infectious. Watch/listen and love it!

Saints of Valory: website | Facebook | Twitter

Happy Early Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T22:28:00.001-05:00

For those that don't have Valentine here's one for you.

Source: thecraftmonkey.blogspot.com via Adrienne on Pinterest

SERIOUSLY, HOW COULD YOU SAY NO TO NOAH!?!?!

Ah, Valentine's Day...often despised by singles and loved by couples.

To me, tomorrow is just the 14th of February and I'm sure it's someone's birthday (so Happy Birthday!)

The day doesn't suck for me even though I'm single. I don't wish for flowers or candy. I don't wish for a secret admirer.

I did get a text message from my absolutely wonderful friend, Josh, with a Valentine's Day picture text that made me laugh out loud. I let him know he was my first Valentine and I wished him an awesome day as well. That picture text was the perfect Valentine. If he does have a girl in his life, I hope she appreciates him.

I am looking forward to spending tomorrow evening with my fabulous friend, Ronnie, catching up on our lives and sharing music.

To me, this is what is the best about Valentine's Day.

Bitters Be Damned

2012-02-13T21:56:00.000-05:00

I was discussing with co-workers today Facebook and Twitter and how everything we do at work or even as humans usually comes under the fire of your followers, friends, or fans.

Yes, I know putting something out into the world wide web will garnish likes/dislikes or negative comments.

But where is the humanity?

I think Jack said it best today in regards to Whitney Houston passing and how some of our listeners were "she sucks," "she's a drug addict," etc. He said, "Yes, she did have a problem with drugs, but she didn't deserve to die."

No one deserves to die.

And you can bring up criminals and people who slaughter millions to me, and I will still stand by the fact, that no one deserves to die. Yes, there are heinous people on the earth who do atrocious things, but who am I to say, they deserve to die. Who are you to say they deserve to die. And yes, you can call me two faced when I say it is a woman's choice to have a child or not. In my opinion, and I'm allowed to have one even if you don't like it, is that life does not begin at conception because I know a baby doesn't even form a heart until around week 5. I learned that when I took child development because I wanted to be a school teacher and I wanted to know at what age do children start learning.

As we sat discussed the comments of people and how we had grown intolerant of the of the intolerance of people, I realized not only had I grown intolerant of the ignorance of people, I have also grown intolerant of the the self righteous, the holier than thous, the negative Nancys, the Debbie downers, the complainers, the naysayers, and so on. Yes, all of those people are allowed their opinions even if I don't like it, but what I don't have to do is put up with having it in my life.

And when I realized that, I felt this little beam of light open up inside me.

I want to put positivity out into the Universe. I want to put Universal healing vibes of goodness, creativity, love, and positivity out into the Universe.

I can do so by not responding to the negative, not letting it show up in my social feeds, in my life, or let it get the best of me...and let's face it, we all have those moments where we do let the bitters get you down.

In those moments, you have to keep your head up.

Today and the rest of my life, I'm keeping my head up by choice.

02.13.12 - Song of the Day: "16 Days"

2012-02-13T20:25:00.000-05:00

I have a slight obsession with Ryan Adams.

Cameron Crowe used his song "Come Pick Me Up" in his movie Elizabethtown and I became a fan. I didn't jump on board Ryan's New York, New York was the favorite after 911. It's actually my least favorite. Other Ryan fans probably just gasped in disgust.

Any who...Whiskeytown was Ryan's band before he went solo and "16 Days" is my favorite Whiskeytown song. I heard it on WNCW on the way home and new instantly it was going to be the song of the day.

How could it not be with lyrics like "...Fifteen of those are nightsCan't sleep when the bed sheet fightsIt's way back to your side...the ghost has got me running, away from you...Got sixteen days, got a bottle and a rosary..."

Making a Difference

2012-02-12T18:31:00.000-05:00

Some people have these dreams to be superstars and world famous for something.

I wasn't put on this earth to become the next sensation. I knew I was put on this earth to make a difference in at least one persons life. I didn't have to be aware of it, but I knew I would make a difference in one persons life.

It didn't have to be a million or fifty or five, just one.

I found the Xmas card from my nieces and I remember it bringing me to my knees in tears. Tears of joy and love. It reminded me that I was put on this earth to make a difference in one life, but now it was two. My two nieces. Whatever I do, as long as they can look up to me and be inspired by me, then I don't care about anyone else's opinion of me and I don't care if anyone else loves me as long they do.

I think people try so hard to please others that they forget that the only person that really matters is the one that looks you in the mirror everyday. If you please and respect yourself, then others will respect you and be pleased by you.

Maybe it's just the cold meds talking, but I know that moving forward with the time I have left in this wonderful Universe that I want to make a difference in my own life. Love myself a little more and respect myself a whole lot more.

When my nieces are my age and sharing stories with their family and friends, I want their inspiration from me to inspire someone else.

My mark on the world would be complete...

02.12.12 - Song of the Day: "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?"

2012-02-12T17:18:00.000-05:00

Why is it, I always run into the hot Great Dane owner looking like death warmed over? It happened today. After being on the couch for 2.5 days, my eyes look as if they have cried every tear in my body and my nose looks like Rudolph. In other words, I look like a hot mess from being sick.

So today's song is how I feel, "Why Does It Always Rain on Me?" by Travis

02.10.12 - Song of the Day: "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"

2012-02-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is one of my favorite "oldies." I remember the first time I heard it and I remember my engineer walking through the lobby as I covered the front desk, trying to hit the high notes of the song. It's such a great song.

Muse does a freaking wonderful cover of this song!

&lt;p&gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;gt;You&lt;/p&gt;

You can buy it HERE

Nothing New

2012-02-09T21:06:00.000-05:00

No song of the day. I'm under the weather. I'm tired and I don't feel good.

So today, I give you my youngest niece. She was schedule to have eye surgery on Wednesday but it now has been rescheduled.

Despite the obstacles life has thrown at her, she is always smiling and always has the best outlook. This picture reminds me to always smile and always look for that messy cookie!

02.08.12 - Song of the Day: "Sick and Beautiful"

2012-02-08T19:41:00.000-05:00

Because I feel like crap, today's song is a description of how I feel "sick" and how I wish I felt "beautiful."

I hate being sick.

02.07.12 - Song of the Day: "Lady with the Spinning Head"

2012-02-07T22:11:00.000-05:00

This is kind of how I felt today after 5 hours worth of meetings and trying to catch up on a new station I am now working for.

Mentally draining.

Head spinning.

02.06.12 - Song of the Day: "Side by SIde"

2012-02-06T21:10:00.001-05:00

I so want this band to bigger than Bieber. They are just fantastic.

When I find a band I adore, I try to get everyone I know turned onto them. I don't push a lot of bands music but The Constellations are an exception. Yes, they're just that good.

As Matt wrote, "Listening to them is a true treat, because their choruses get stuck in your head, and lead-singer Elijah's voice hangs out like on old friend." He's so spot on about all of that and I'm pissed I didn't write that!!

But this song, I've been singing all day so it is the song of the day. I hope it's on their new album. It's beautiful, poetically sad, and heart breaking yet strong.

The Constellations: website | Twitter | Facebook

Amor Fati

2012-02-06T20:57:00.000-05:00

Latin phrase that means "love of fate" or "love of one's fate"...It is used to describe an attitude in which one sees everything that happens in one's life, including suffering and loss, as good. Moreover, it is characterized by an acceptance of the events or situations that occur in one's life

Do you ever have that moment when something clicks in your head and then suddenly your eyes or your ears seem alive? Or maybe it's just a part of your soul or spirit just awakens, stretches its sleepy body, and you find the you have been searching for all along has been staring right back at you in the mirror?

No?

I did.

Somewhere along the road of life last week and today, while revisiting my past and listening to music bits and pieces of each song struck a chord with me.

I spent the better part of the weekend free. Friday, I went to see Sponge with four of my good friends. 3 who had never seen Sponge and 1 who had never really been to rock show. Saturday, I had a long and leisure lunch with friends and then drove to Raleigh to see the same band. Sunday, I spent it it with my dog being lazy.

I wasn't worried about anything. I didn't stay glued to social media. I didn't check my email 1000 times. I honestly disconnected. The people who were with me at that exact moment were the only ones that mattered.

The paths in my life I had chosen and the events that had taken place among them have lead me to this very moment in my life.

This very moment in life is great.

The lives I have crossed. The lives that have touched me. The ones who have walked away or moved along. The ones that have been born or those who have died. The ones I see, speak, text, email, Twitter, Facebook, etc daily or just occasionally.

Those are the names that would roll across the movie credits of my life it were a movie.

But right now, at this very moment, I am where I'm suppose to be.

Listening to Apology by Our Lady Peace

I Can Do Anything Good

2012-02-06T10:50:00.001-05:00

I wish that everyone was as positive as Miss Jessica. If we all did, WE COULD DO ANYTHING
Still love this video

Music is my God, my Best Friend

2012-02-05T18:53:00.000-05:00

"Music is my God, my Best Friend." ~Ville Valo of H.I.M.

I have a piece of audio with Ville saying that and when it pops up in my iTunes I always smile. It reminds me of the way music has touched me in my life.

Music is my best friend. It has always been there for me in the best of times and the worst of times. When I'm feeling up or down, it knows exactly what it needs to play to keep my spirits lifted or to lift my spirits.

This week, I was reminded of why music is important to me. Where I've been and how I got here.

In 1994, Rotting Piñata from Sponge was released and it had the radio hits "Molly (16 Candles)" and "Plowed" on there but that album was so much more than those songs. That album saved my life. That band's music saved me from some of the darkest moments in my head and in my heart. To this day, I still get a lump in my throat when I hear "Drowin'."

If you had asked me as I sat in my room crying, would I have ever imagined working with a band that saved my life, I would have said no. Advance the years forward and ask me that same question, and I would answer it with, I am honored and still can't believe I get to work with some of the greatest guys on the planet. The band may never know how much their music and lyrics saved me, but I do all that I can do for them. If Billy, who drums for Sponge now, hadn't drummed for Peter Searcy, I wouldn't have had the chance to run Sponge's website for them. If I hadn't created a fan site for Peter, I wouldn't have gotten to meet Mosely (and his now wife Emilie). If I hadn't met Mosely, who worked with Peter, I wouldn't have met Nicole who gave me a list of people to connect with at 1065 The End. If I hadn't met Nicole, I wouldn't be going on my 11th year working with the station.

Crazy how life connects you.

I also read a post from my friend Rob entitled "Hope is Everything" this week. I was so moved by his post. He wrote of suicide and I sat thinking about how his former band's song "Big Western Sky" was my song of hope. It was a constant reminder to find that little something to hold on too. I don't even know if he knows about this even after all these years. That song also saved my life.

I will forever owe the music in my life for being there for me but more importantly, I will forever owe the artists I know as friends who have touched my life so deeply and personally. Without you, I would not be here.

SPONGE: website | Twitter | Facebook
ROB GRAD: website | Twitter | Facebook

Listen to Rotting Piñata, buy tunes below.

Big Western Sky by Kik Tracee

02.05.12 - Song of the Day: "Rainin'"

2012-02-05T17:27:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite songs from Rotting Piñata.

Sponge: website | Twitter | Facebook

This is Hockey!

2012-02-02T10:19:00.000-05:00

Only another hockey fan could understand my love for hockey.

If you're not a hockey fan, I can't explain what joy it gives me to watch a hockey game in person or even on TV or listen to it online.

So when Greg Wyshynski over at Yahoo's Puck Daddy posted a blog about this Budweiser commercial, I figured it was going to be another cheesy beer commercial.

But it wasn't. It captures the love of the sport by the people that play it. The smiles on the players faces when the crowd comes in, when they score, when they are rooting for their own team mates...that is hockey at it's finest.

As a hockey fan, I teared up watching this. It is pure joy and I love it.

THIS IS HOCKEY!

02.01.12 - Song of the Day: Walk Away

2012-02-01T21:55:00.001-05:00

Today's song of the day is an oldie but goodie. The band is Cool for August. The song is "Walk Away," and it is one of my favorite songs from the 90's.

In fact, as for 90's artist, if you put on Cool for August, Big Wreck, Sponge, Econoline Crush on, I'll be happy as a clam in sand!

But back to Cool for August...I always connected to the lyrics:
I will resolve the reason I'm stuck here
And I see the door and its all I ever needed
And the time that you hate to walk away
Because the time that you regret, you walk away

I think the first time I heard the song, I broke down town in tears. I had heard it at a moment where you realize that the relationship or situation you are in was leading to nowhere. Too scared to move. Too scared to leave...even though you needed to take just one step and walk away.