Ponderings on my Wanderings

Modernize Cheap Furniture: DIY Bookshelf and Furniture Redo with Fabric

2012-01-28T13:01:00.000-06:00

When it comes to furniture I'm extremely picky. I've lived in my house for 3 years now and still don't own a Sofa. It's not because I'm dirt poor, I have saved money for one. It's not because there are no sofas for sale in my town, there are thousands. I just don't like any of them. I hate most traditional items unless its sacasum or painted a bright color. The Southern Country middle class that every furniture store seems to showcase is off putting. And don't get me started on Micro suede. Gross!!! I'd rather wait and slowly buy things I love then have a house full of cheap crap. =P

That being said I have a few pieces of cheap crap bought out of necessity. One being a cabinet from Target to put my CD's in. I've yet to jump on the download bandwagon. I like my music in disc form with a case and a slip of lyrics and pictures that the musicians can autograph.

I think the cabinet was $29.99 on sale and came in a flat box and you put it together yourself. It's pressed board...another cringe worthy phrase for me. It came in Black and Espresso. Espresso is a name given to dark brown furniture to get women to buy it. It's a beautiful marketing ploy. We love the word even if we don't drink coffee.

I went to Joann’s Fabrics with my 20% percent off coupon I printed from the Internet. Always check for these before you go. Most of the Fabric was already 30% to 60% off so double score. I was also covering some bookshelves...more about those a little later. I only found two fabrics I liked in the whole store (there's that pickiness again) so luckily I only needed two for my projects.

The Fabric I choose for the cabinet was in the Upholstery section and a bit thicker than the other. It was a bit loud but I wanted a print with teal and brown in it that wasn't a stripe, polka dot or floral and once you eliminate those there's not a whole lot left. Pink is not in my living room color scheme but it's a lead actress in my kitchen and bedroom. A little pink in the living room never hurt anyone.

I also bought a can of Medium spray adhesive since I was using a coupon. This stuff is amazing. I normally wouldn't blow $9.99 on a can of anything but I splurged when it was 20% off. =P

First I took the doors off the cabinet and measured the fabric to cover the front of the doors and wrap the edges. It's basically like wrapping a giant schoolbook. I heavily sprayed the fabric down and laid it on top of the door. I then quickly smoothed out from edge to edge so there weren't any air bubbles. I made holes where the handles attached simply buy pushing the screw in...then reattached the handles. Easy Peasy.

When I cut the fabric I did have the pattern continuously wrap the doors but somehow I ended up with one piece upside down. I was sure I triple checked this so was quite bummed to see that I'd somehow screwed it up. Oh well.

In my office I have two $12.99 Target bookshelves that I loathe. They were left here by my old roommate. Since I have so much craft supplies though I need them or else all that stuff would be in a pile in the floor. This was the original reason I thought about covering the furniture. Once again they are the "Espresso" color.

I wanted a Fabric in a graphic print and preferably had turquoise in it. My style preference for the Office keeps shifting from Mad Men to India and back again. I lucked out and found a print that would work for either so I can put off that stressing me out decision again.

Since I was covering exposed edges I decided it would be cleanest to hem the fabric all the way around. This was very time consuming without a sewing machine. I used Fabric glue which has become a staple in my life. (OMG fixed all my work pant hems in about 5 minutes and its washable...genius)

I have my electric outlets on the outside of my walls since my house is cement. It's kind of a cool industrial look but it makes it hard to find a place for the bookshelves as there's only one place in the office that they can be flesh with the wall. That place is very inconvenient for the placement of my other office decor and computer. To solve this problem I removed the backs of the shelves so the outlet could just come through.

I used the fabric glue and the spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the bookshelves just like the cabinet. For now I'm leaving some of the "Espresso" and decided not to cover the whole thing. I haven't decided if I want to paint the exposed "wood" or leave it as is. Next I need to cover some of the shelving accessories. =)

Let it Snow...after you turn it upside down.

2012-01-28T11:00:00.000-06:00

I wanted to post this DIY before Christmas but alas I was making them as Christmas presents and couldn't risk that the lucky recipients might see them. ...and thus ruining Christmas for everyone...in the world.

But really, snowg lobes don't have to be only for Christmas. Falling snow does work better with a winter theme then say...a tropical scene but glitter works with all holidays and ALL themes. =)

Beforehand save your glass jars...you can buy them but why, when your refrigerator is probably full of glass jars and how many of those food items have expired? Clean them out and save them for this project. My favorite jar shape and size were from Trader Joe's Apple Butter (same jar for the equally as yummy Pumpkin Butter or tropical Mango Butter).

Next find some trinkets around the house...or find some at your hobby or toy store. The best place for tiny items are the places that carry dollhouse stuff. I found the christmas trees in this section of the hobby store. The Mooses were plastic toys in a misc. animal package and the words were Christmas ornaments made for a tiny tree.

Next you need to paint and seal or just seal your items. Remember they will be living in water and oil from this point on.

Here are the supplies I used for this project.

Next is optional but recommended as glitter almost always is...
I HIGHLY recommend "Glue for Glitter". It's sensational and very easy. Just spray the item you'd like to glitterfy, then roll or shower in glitter.

After it's covered in a adequate amount of glitter then spray another coat to seal it. Let it dry then spray it again.

Next you need to create your scene. Grab the lid of your jar...make sure it screws on good and doesn't leak by filling it with water and testing it out. Now you will be gluing your trinkets to the inside of the lid. Be careful not to let your items get too close to the edges or you won't be able to put the jar back on...I found this out after I'd already created my scene and had to start over so learn from my mistakes people.
I found glass or plastic aquarim rocks to be perfect for the base.

A base is very important. If you simply glue your item to the lid then depending on the shape of your jar a lot of your item will be hidden by the sides of the lid. Another gem of wisdom I pass on to you. =)

After you have crafted your scene and everything is in place....spray the whole thing down with a waterproof sealant. Let it dry then spray it again, let it dry then do it again.

Next you will create your snow globe. There are different "water" substances you can use. After reading about all the different concoctions and measurements, I threw them all out the window and just used Baby Oil. Its thick and clear and works perfectly. Fill the jar up almost all the way and pour in your glitter or fake snow.

I poured baby oil over my scene before I put it in the jar to get rid of any hidden air. When you put in your scene into the jar there will be overflow so make sure you have it one a surface in the bathroom or kitchen. If there isn't spillage you may not have enough oil in your jar. If it isn't filled up all the way you will have air bubbles. After you are sure there is enough oil you can then seal the lid if you wish.

Since I took these to my friends right after the last step for some reason I don't have a great picture of the finished one. haha. This is embarrassing...so just image this scene in glitter snow.

Ideas: Did you save your cake topper from your wedding? Put it in a snowglobe! =)

BRAINS!!! Living Dead in Zombieland

2012-01-22T20:54:00.002-06:00

Halloween fell on a Monday, so for the weekday, "A" and I were Batman and Robin. But on the weekend we were the undead. Every year our little town puts on Pumpkinfest and about 5,000 people flood the closed streets of downtown Franklin. We hope that most will be in costume but unfortunately its closer to 35% and 25% of those are children...and dogs.

Did their parents not read the part about the "poison" apple? Or perhaps they are being ironic...if so, nice.

Who doesn't love a labrodoodle...who doesn't love to say the word, Labrodoodle? But a Labrodoodle in a tux..its almost so cute its obnoxious.

Our thrift and closet shopping experience for superheroes was so fruitful we went back for Zombie attire. "A" was going to be a Prom Queen Zombie and me a Catholic schoolgirl Zombie. "Our Thrift Store" provided me with an authentic catholic schoolgirl skort for $0.25 and I found a tie in the matching colors for $1.99. I also found a navy cableknit sweater there too. I'd wanted a cardigan but when I didn't find one in the color I wanted I decided I could just cut down the middle of a regular sweater. I had an old white button shirt I was about to donate to Goodwill so I fished it out of the box in my trunk. The white knee-highs were $1.99 at target and I already had the Mary Janes...once again...a girl shoe staple.

Being almost as pale as a Zombie I already owned pale makeup and I had even paler makeup from trial and error makeup shopping. All I needed was fake blood. And Red food coloring worked just fine.

"A" came over to my house early so we could get zombiefied together. I poured red food coloring on my hands and grabbed at my white shirt and socks while yelling "brains!!". I ripped up my sweater and skirt. I hoped no one driving by saw some of what was going on and called the police. Taken out of contence I guess it was a little gruesome.

After our makeup deadified us a little and enough blood was shed, we posied for pictures.

We walked to Pumpkinfest and decided to get chili at the chili cook-off first before it was all gone. Normally Zombies only eat brains but a little known fact...Zombies also love Chili...and Fritos.

A stop at the Catholic Church's chili booth and one of the Fathers commented that I looked so familiar. =P I love when religious people say something humorous and totally unexpected. Their chili however needed some work. The Holy water was not a great secrete ingredient.

After walking the loop a few times and checking out other peoples lame and or store bought costumes we decided it was time for a Zombie photo shoot and headed over to the cemetery.

"You're a great friend, but if the Zombies attack, I'm tripping you."

"Zombies were people too."

"Zombies HATE fast food"

Back to school...to get a big brain.

Death LOVED us.

Holy DIY Batman!

2012-01-22T17:13:00.004-06:00

Halloween and the workplace is a very tricky thing. It almost requires a DIY costume as anything store bought requires a stripper pole accessory...and those are sometimes a pain to carry around the office.
My office partner in crime who sits in the cubicle next to me shared my dilemma and we decided to go with a theme. We threw around various ideas before deciding on Superheroes. What's nice about Superheroes is there's a multitude of choices and variations...comic book, movie, cartoons. "A" decided to be Batman and I was going to be Catwoman but wanted to wear bright colors. I'm so over Black. I'd already been Poison Ivy one year back when I had bright red hair...hmmmm....what about Robin?

And what about 1960's Batman and Robin? ZAP! BAM!
Same Bat time same Bat channel.
We decided to raid our closets and thrift stores to make upcycled costumes...that and we're both flat broke.
We scoured the racks of Our Thrift Store in Franklin and Goodwill.

A" managed to find her Batman pieces for under $15.

I found a bright yellow tab top curtain at Goodwill for $3, which provided the perfect cape. A red sweater vest also a steal at $1.99.

Off to the CRaft store I found stiff felt and cut out a R and oval then hot glued them together. I made a small one for my vest and a large one for the back of my cape.

I already owned a bright green tennis skirt and like every woman, a pair of tall black boots was housed in my closet.
Masks are not allowed at work so I faked it with green eyeshadow and a black eye liner and attempted a DIY on the Black Swan's makeup that I watched on YouTube.

Work was a blast, I was convinced costumes should be wore at least once a month. Sure there were occasional people who asked who I was…I decided they had a sad childhood and not to take it personally. Cops loved it. I asked if they needed any help fighting crime today. One laughed and said, “well…actually, Yes we do!”. For the day we took down our real name tags and made some for our Alter Egos..

After work I set my camera on a tripod. set the timer and we saved the downtown area from the threat of evil. Sometimes the photo shoot is the best part.

Just try to break into this vault would be criminals!

Sometimes even the Batmobile breaks down. Thank Holy Trusted Local Transit System!

Robin: "That's an impossible shot, Batman."
Batman: "That's a negative attitude, Robin."

"Holy strawberries Batman! We're in a jam!" Robin

Robin: "Ghoti" is "fish"?
Batman: See here. English phonetics. GH becomes F, as in "tough" or "laugh". O becomes I as in "women". TI becomes SH as in "ration" or the word "nation".
Robin: Holy semantics, Batman. You never cease to amaze me!
Batman: No time for compliments, Robin. We must thwart some criminals. To the Batmobile!

Robin: "Boy! That was our closest call ever! I have to admit that I was pretty scared!"
Batman: "I wasn't scared in the least."
Robin: "Not at all?"
Batman: "Haven't you noticed how we always escape the vicious ensnarements of our enemies?"
Robin: "Yeah, because we're smarter than they are!"
Batman: "I like to think it's because our hearts are pure."

"Whatever is fair in love and war is also fair in crimefighting." - Batman

Bliss

2011-06-05T14:31:00.000-05:00

Bliss's evil twin Misery lurks in the shadows unable to give us time alone without his creepy vibe. I ignore his beady red eyes and the smell of death on his breathe. He waits for me to fall, to be left unprotected, to utter the phrase that will be my downfall. He can't touch me in ignorance but he knows that I know now and he displays his wicked grin each time I bite my lip. I remain silent, no one will hear my confessions if I only say them in my head. If I could only be implicit and stay on this Island of Euphoria. But the current of words escaping the heart is powerful and so many times they break hard against the back of my teeth. I clench my jaw, purse my lips, and swallow the crazy.

Langhorne Slim likes to dance

2011-04-02T22:42:00.002-05:00

Concert: Langhorne Slim
Day: Wednesday, March 30th
Place: Mercy Lounge, Nashville
Cost: $10 (awesome)
Temp: 43 degrees (not awesome)

The lovely thing about working a 8-5 is not having to ask off for a concert in Nashville. It gets a little tricky when it a late concert…as the closer to 9pm it is the more likely I will have pajamas on. Normally once the comfy pants go on, they tend to hug my legs in a sweet embrace for the remainder of the evening, and changing into something I would want to meet other humans in takes real commitment.

Mercy lounge is about 25 minutes from my house if I take the slow backroads way and I always do. I'm not a fan of the highway, its full of Bullies with zero patience.

I arrived before the parking attendant and thus I parked for free. =) Langhorne Slim was hanging out in the parking lot when I pulled up. Did I walk up and say Hello? No, of course not..that would require balls and just so we are on the same page...I am a girl.

I brought my lead weight with me. There are pros and cons to bringing your lead weight to a concert. A pro of course is the photo documenting of the evening. Another, that Strangers will come up to you and strike up a conversation who probably wouldn't have even smiled at you otherwise. Other photographers flock to you and assume you know the secret handshake and begin speaking in photog. We're only slightly cooler than Trekkers…and its a hardly noticeable difference.

The cons began when you want to dance. Its a careful balance of holding this Cannon ball so there is minimal shaking of your life investment but optimal shaking of your ass.

I met a nice couple from one of the Carolinas whom I shared a table with, and we chatted about the best brunch in Nashville and concerts until the show started. I met a drunk guy who assumed I would know how to work the settings on his camera and kept asking me to "make it brighter"…which I really wasn't sure what that meant. I do wish I could have just made him brighter though.

Another photographer approached me ever so slyly and fell into the character of my nemesis for a few moments. He was actually kind of cute which let me just say, is as rare as a cute Trekker. He wanted me to know that he wouldn't be afraid to elbow me to get his shot. I conceded and added that I was okay with elbowing if we could agree to avoid the face. He then said we should probably agree to no hair pulling then too.

I should probably talk about the actual concert…it was dynamite and you should have been there. =)
Enjoy some pictures.

I kind of heart the Banjo...but mainly because of Steve Martin.

Its obviously not so much about the sound at this point but the passion....plus it looks cool and it causes a audience response of some type of hollering.

He was standing on a speaker here where I tried to shoot his tonsils.

The regular bass seems so lame when you see the stand up bass...not as travel friendly though.

The hat trick was attempted and failed throughout the night. The first time was uncomfortable for the audience but the more he failed at it the more endearing it was. By the time the hat actually landed on his head it was like the end of Rudy. =P

Sometimes you need a Tutu...

2011-03-10T23:46:00.004-06:00

I've always wanted to be a dancer. It claimed the top spot on my list….next to singer/songwriter and Princess (secret princess of course and some day someone would reveal this truth to me…I'm still waiting). I was a Ballet dancer in grade school but I was also a little lazy in grade school and shit at sticking with something….I'm talking to you Guitar and Piano…and foreign languages. When I approached my parents about dancing again years later…my father very appropriately replied with, "most dancers end up dancing on tables", and that was the end of the discussion. I don't mention this to say that had it not been for my father I would have been a Prima Ballerina in some prestige ballet company dancing Swan lake and quite honestly perhaps retired by now because I'm no spring chicken by Ballet standards…no…I'm not stupid, I say this because every time I dance I think about that statement…every time some stranger says to me, "are you a ballerina?" it crosses my mind and nearly escapes my lips. When I was in junior high, I thought about dancing again, but much like my singer/songwriter dream it seemed quite the long shot. Being the realistic kid that I was, I decided that a Accountant would be a safer dream choice. Yes, I did think this in Junior High. I was a very mature child and also quite good at math and organization…and perhaps a little weird.

My Belly dancing instructor has been trying to break me of my Ballerina habits still engrained in me after 20 years. When I walk into a dance school, I still hold my body as if going through the positions. Doing a turnout without even realizing it. I crave the plié and the petit jeté. Belly dancing is more relaxed…they love to tell you "just let the fat jiggle!!". Ballerinas have no fat! =P I weigh 106 for Pete's sake...what is there to jiggle?
After watching "The Adjustment Bureau" on Tuesday I couldn't take the longing anymore. I was a little dramatic when I got home, as I was also wanting a true love soul mate who was damning the authority to be with me. Still being the smart realistic kid that I am, I choose to go with the dance option.

I went online today to look for classes. I'd looked in the past with no luck. Adults don't seem to interested in taking Ballet. And yet there seems to be a almost disturbing amount interested in Hip Hop. Landing on the Nashville Ballet website I noticed a small link that said…."Adult Classes". I am now filling out registration papers. I plan to take all the classes I can until I progress to the more advanced classes.

I sprained the ligament on my right foot last week. Its wrapped in a ace bandage and I can't walk normally. Was I hiking? Was I jumping down from a tree or running the track in the backyard?…no…I was doing something really strenuous ….casual walking then dancing around my house. My class starts in 2 weeks so hopefully my foot will be usable by then. Foot, don't ruin my dream!!

I've taken classes here and there over the years but most of the dance magic happens nearly every night at my house. I have the New York Ballet workout book. There's no barre…or teacher, or tutu but none of that is needed when the music starts and you can feel the moves in your soul before your muscles form them. OKay, sometimes you need the tutu…

If I was from Paris....Grace Potter and more in Concert

2011-02-26T19:44:00.008-06:00

Steve Martin once said, "Talking about music is like Dancing about Architecture." Music reviews are quite honestly useless now when it takes only seconds to pull up an artist online and listen for yourself. Yet articles that read simply, "LISTEN TO…….(fill in the blank)…TRUST ME" hardly sells records either. So reviews, discussions and blogs about music continue and I continue to dance about architecture.

I attended two concerts this week…6 if you count each band individually. =) On Monday at Exit/IN I saw, in order of performance, "The Kicks" and "The Old Ceremony," opening for "Eisley" and "Rooney". I didn't bring my camera to this show having forgot to ask in advance the camera policy of the venue. Not having that noose around my neck can be quite freeing sometimes, but some photographic evidence would have been nice too. A certain someone I've mentioned before also attended this concert which could have possibly been why I deemed it so unforgettable. My 4 star rating might be a tad tainted. And I tell you this part only to further exemplify just how cool and smooth I am, I literally fell on to him when I missed a step walking over to him. God must love a good awkward comedy, because I feel like I'm always in one.

"The Kicks" were a local Nashville band and fun enough to warrant my email being added to their mailing list for future concerts. Or perhaps it was the cutie guitarist asking me so sweetly...which I replied, "Okay, but its my junkmail one..." which got a few laughs. Their cd has been added to the listening station in my car…an awesome nod by the way. I noticed today it was recorded at Sputnik Sound which was that cool Christmas party I attended last year…such a small world this Nashville.

"Eisley" was having mic issues but still clearly ensured their new album would be added to my collection. If you love "Sixpence None the Richer," you will probably enjoy Eisley as well. "Rooney" brought the energy and made me sweat out any toxins that were left hiding in my body. I couldn't understand fans who just stood there…staring blankly as if listening to poetry night at the local cafe. I hope they weren't rating the music on its ability to move them. I got home around 1am from this concert and was so full of excitement I couldn't sleep. I ended up making dinner among a slew of other things and working the next day on 4 hours of sleep. It was like being an irresponsible 20 year old again. =P

On Thursday I saw at Cannery Ballroom "Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights" opening for "Grace Potter and the Nocturnals". And this concert is what I will go on and on about….with pictures anyway.

Jonathan Tyler I hadn't listened to previously so I went in completely and pleasantly surprised. It was a 1970s explosion. At first almost comically done by their threads but halfway through the first song you realized it was quite authentic. We'd gone back in time..and that pencil thin 'stach was stretched across a mouth that could wail.

If I still had photoshop I could remove the bald man who ruined a lot of my shots. lol

It's taken me a couple of days to talk about the Grace Potter concert. It rocked my world and my socks off simultaneously. It left me speechless and even now I am having a hard time saying more than it was the best concert I've ever been too. So just enjoy the pictures, play the cd and pretend you were there.

Every band needs at least two guitarists. Scott and Benny were so awesome.
The setlist included songs from the last 3 albums and a few covers.

Above: Grace covering a "My Morning Jacket" song.
During the show, a woman leans over to me and informs me that she is a 911 operator and that there are tornadoes touching down in Franklin. So I guess I will forgive her for texting during the show. And unbeknownst to those of us rocking out, there were also Tornado sirens waling outside in Nashville.

Grace's voice oozes so much sex appeal that even the non smokers were craving cigarettes, that the ladies in the audience had a collective thought, "Hmmm…do I really like guys?" and everyone was mentally preparing with whom they were going to get busy with as soon she hit the last note.

The music…oh my….the music…..every song seem to be the rock out closer…but then another would begin. A continuing cycle of musical awesomeness.

Every band should have two girls in it. It's just better that way.

Oh Benny....

Eventually "Paris" ended the show followed by two encores…a cover of "Crazy on you" and their song "Medicine"…..which ended with everyone playing the drums at the same time. lol

When the show was over, I waited for the cluster to break apart and thin out before heading for the doors. But at the second set of doors the same cluster seemed to be waiting, as there was quite the down pour happening outside. So in the waiting crowd I removed my fish nets and stilettos (Hot..I know), put my camera in a plastic bag I'd brought just in case (God, I'm smart) and ran through the parking lot barefoot and soaked to the bone by the time I reached my car. I know what you're thinking, "where's that picture?". Yea, I thought about it but the logistics were just too crazy.

Turning onto Franklin Road there was something odd about the drive home. It took me a second to realize just what it was…the absence of light. The traffic and street lights were out. It was pitch black nearly the whole drive home which quite frankly was scary as hell. But as I got closer to Franklin there was light at the end of the tunnel and besides a few neighbors trash cans blown into my driveway and a few tree branches all was serene. I'd been in Paris in the 1970s and missed the whole damn thing.

P.S.
Comments are appreciated. I know everyone likes to send me personal messages but it makes it look like no one reads this thing but me. =P

Taking care of myself...My love/hate relationship with doctors.

2011-02-21T16:10:00.009-06:00

For most of the last 20 years I have been at war with my body. If its not my skin, its the muscles, if its not the muscles its my organs, if its not the organs its the spine…and so on and so on. I'm captivated by Science and yet modern medicine pisses me off. Saddled with the worst pain of my life in my 20's and given drug after drug and procedure after procedure with no positive outcome does that to you. I came to loathe doctors. I've been diagnosed with Gastric Reflux, Migraine Headaches, Endometriosis, Eczema and a slew of others. It was one big guessing game and I was the guinea pig they poked and prodded.

The worst of the worst Doctor story was a day back in 2001.
I sat in a doctors office with severe abdominal pain. He was treating me for a bad car accident in which I was driving home around 11 or so at night, when a car slammed into the side of my car throwing it over the median and into upcoming traffic. It was a old car, no airbags. I was actually about a foot short of hitting a metal utility pole so it could have been worse. The driver had just left a Bar and pleaded with me that he'd had 2 DUI's and couldn't risk a third. Why on earth he thought I'd take pity on him was beyond me, he asked if he could just give me some money and have his friend fix my car. I had managed to climb out of my smashed up car, dazed and in shock and saw one of my wheels rolling down the street. I remember saying, "Your friend can't fix this! My car is twisted!" As he tried to leave the scene, the cops pulled up.
My lawyer had hired this doctor…this should have been the first tip off. This man was a real tool. Day after day, week after week, my pain levels never lowered. It wasn't just my back and neck but my abdominals. I was originally told my stomach was bruised by the seatbelt and the pain would go away soon. But it never went away, it got worse. Here I sat in a cold room gripping my stomach, on the verge of tears and waiting for Dr. IHaveNoTimeSeeYou see me. I waited for what seemed like hours shivering and longing for a heating pad and a baseball bat to knock myself out with. Then I heard the nurse say my name in the hallway. The Doctor started yelling at her that he didn't have time to see me…that I was fine..and that I was making up the pain for pain meds. At that point I don't know what was stronger, the pain in my gut or the rage building in my head.

The door flew open and he walked in immediately accusing me of not really being in pain. I was crying now and this only infuriated him. He insisted I needed to go to another doctor because this was probably a "family doctor" kind of thing and had nothing to do with my car accident which was the only treatment he was being paid to treat me for. I explained this all started from the car accident and he said the pain would go away. "Fine, I'll do a pelvic exam, I don't know who is going to pay for this!" he yelled. I should have walked out right then but being shy and 21 years old I didn't know that I could. So this monster proceeded with doing a pelvic exam. I don't know that you've ever had a pelvic by someone who is not only enraged but also holds a special loathe for you but I don't recommend it. Its just short of sexual assault. I got dressed after, left the building crying and never went back. I didn't even sign out.

1 year later I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis. I had been in and out of the hospital with the same pain I'd been enduring since the car accident. I had great insurance and as long as I had no answers I kept seeing new specialists. At this point, I couldn't even wear pants, it hurt for anything to touch my stomach, even the elastic band of my underwear was painful. I wore loose dresses and spent my evenings in a hot bathtub drugged to high heaven. The only reason someone caught this diagnosis was because I collapsed at work. I gripped my stomach and fell to the floor in the middle of the lunch rush at the Bank I worked at. It felt like burning hot liquid was rushing over my insides. I remember thinking my appendix was rupturing and I was about to die. I wasn't ready to die and not at this stupid Bank! At the hospital watching them rub the ultrasound on my belly, they said a cyst on my ovary had ruptured and there were 3 more about a quarter size, 2 on one ovary and 1 on the other. The scar tissue in my abdomen was everywhere and pulling and tearing then healing and wrapping around my insides. It was no wonder I was in so much pain. It was like a bomb went off in there. They scheduled a laparoscopic surgery to remove some scar tissue and as much as the disease that they could. I felt a relief to know what was finally wrong with me but the relief was only temporary. The doctor had very few answers for me. They didn't know much about it at all other than it might be a new autoimmune disease. They could only offer me two possible treatments…surgery, possibly every other year, or go on the Pill which might help by regulating my hormones. I explained the Pill wasn't a possibility because I'd had horrible side effects with it 3 years prior and I'd tried all the different kinds and doses and so that was a no go. He almost showed concern in his eyes now as he said then they could only treat me with pain medication. I then asked the question I really didn't want the answer too, "What about children, can I have children?" He looked at the floor. He took a long sigh then said, "You can always try, but…."and he trailed off.
It took months to heal from the surgery. No way I was having this every other year. I wasn't able to lift anything over 10 pounds so I always had to call my male co-workers to come over when we had boxes of change come in. Laughing was the worst! I had to roll out of bed in the morning…things you forget your abs do for you. When I was healed from that, the original pain had lessened. Sex was still horribly uncomfortable. I don't know how I endured it really. It was like jabbing a giant bruise.

A few years later I saw a Naturopathic Physician. My dad had paid for the appointment thinking that maybe they could help me. I thought what the hell, I've tried everything else, and went. We talked for hours about everything I'd been through, what I'd been diagnosed with, what I was eating, my emotional state, my marriage, work, exercise…everything.
She did some realignments which was pretty much every part of my body…from a tilted pelvis to my hip being out…to my shoulders, and several ribs. I'd never been been to a Chiropractor either, with all the physical therapy I'd had from 2 car accidents in my life and this was the first time? This was all very new to me the fact that I was walking funny and everything was out of place for God knows how long. I felt about 6 inches taller when I left. =P Hmmm, perhaps this was why I couldn't sit in a chair for longer than say 15 minutes.

But the best suggestion that day was this…."ya know Sarah, Soy is a natural Estrogen and Estrogen fuels your endometriosis. Why don't you cut out the soy and lets see what happens."

I went home and studied Soy for days. It was a natural Estrogen. In fact if my Endometriosis was a Gremlin, then Soy was the giant swimming pool of water. I was drinking a Chocolate Soy milkshake everyday before my Tennis lesson…I was eating Edamame with every meal. But it wasn't just the obvious…Soy was in EVERYTHING. It was hiding in Chocolate bars, in cans of soup, in anything packaged and processed. This was going to be harder than I thought. During my research I also discovered a chartroom where a woman mentioned that anytime her husband ate something with soy in it he complained of a migraine soon after. WHAT?? Could this be the blame for my migraines as well? So I went cold turkey. I'd been getting debilitating Migraines at least 3 times and week. The first week I went without soy, they stopped. I think it was 6 months before I got another migraine. The abdominal pain also went away. I don't know that my endometriosis is cured as I haven't had another ultrasound and examination but I've only experienced that kind of pain a few times in the last 10 years! After Soy, I gave up Wheat, Red meat, fast food and refined sugar. With those went the Eczema, the gastric reflux and every other discomfort I'd been enduring my whole life.

<-----"Eggplant Sandwich"

I go in and out of my severities…I will occasionally have some bread at a restaurant and I let sugar back in after a little over a year of cold turkey. I now only buy organic raw sugar or honey. I've also made the decision to only buy from the health food store and the farmers market. Its not always organic but I try to the best of my ability with my budget. I know organic can be pricey but would you rather give your money to the massively wealthy chemical companies or the local farmer?

Because all that cheap food has a very steep price and its your health. I have never felt better in my life. When my whole Branch at work got the flu this year and I mean every last one of them and they had everything from fever, to infections, to vomiting and were out from 3 days to 12 days…I was sick for about 24 hours. My body fought it off with the help of a lot of Vitamin C and Echinacea and I was exhausted after but I healed very quickly.

On a side note….my dogs have the same diet. They used to suffer from skin conditions, arthritis, stomach issues, fleas and their hair falling out. They now eat natural wheat, soy and sugar free food that I top with Flax seed oil. I stopped all chemicals treatments they tell you to put on your dogs skin but tell YOU to wear gloves while doing it. My dogs problems have all stopped. They have full healthy coats and at 12 and 7 years old, they act like puppies again and are super soft!

Fortress of Solitude

2011-02-20T23:33:00.000-06:00

I recently finished reading, "He's just not that into you.", the day after Valentines day of all days. I was so inspired and delighted by this book that I read it all the way through in a space of 4 hours in between customers at work. I also read passages out loud to my co-workers if I found one that they needed to hear..which was a lot of them. Had I read this in my 20's, I probably would have made some smarter choices. So much time wasted on bullshit and listening to bad advice. I don't know about you but I'm sick of it. This perhaps is not what most people get from this book but for me, I thought, "Screw it, if I can't find someone sweet, honest and kind then I'll be alone". A guy that can only be these things from time to time isn't good enough. I'm worth more than having to endure the pain and strife of drug addicts, alcoholics, manipulators, liars and verbal abusers. I'm over it! Step it up or stand down. I'm not saying I'm the dream girl that always gets shit on, I have issues too but I'm working on that. At least I'm recognizing things now that could lead to potential weapons of mass destruction.

I've had revelations left and right since I hit my 30's. At least I know why I'm crazy now. =) I even have a title for it, "traumatic dissociation". Basically, my brain was protecting my heart with a fortress. I used to get so depressed not being able to connect and not knowing why. I could feel so close to my friends but with lovers it was like there was a brick wall between us at all times. And that's not very sexy. I guess I thought that maybe I just had to get used to it when really it was never going to be what I wanted and I needed to change myself first.
So there's hope! This isn't just the way I am, I can heal and feel love. =) oh Happy day.

Smile...It's Valentines Day

2011-02-14T20:57:00.004-06:00

Most mornings as of late I've woken up happy. Even more so when the sun is creeping through my blinds and the alarm hasn't gone off yet. The puppies wait eagerly on the floor below for me to make the slightest move. My bed is very high off the floor…3.5 feet actually, so you want to make sure all the cylinders are running before you get out of bed. There's a large mirror against the wall so I see my skinny pale legs every morning as I climb down.

I have a little crush. And this tiny wild seed grows a European garden of happiness. Something that makes me grin when no one is around is a new one for me. I find myself skipping the sad songs and putting the happy ones on repeat. With the slightest glance, this man can light me like a firecracker. Not to be overly dramatic but I think of him to be the most beautiful man I've ever seen in real life. I'm sure I read like a freakin' idiot but since I feel like I'm from another planet most of the time anyway, I don't embarrass too easily anymore. I've become more comfortable with myself enough to say, "that's how I feel, take it or leave it".

It's Valentine's Day and I'm single. I haven't been single on Valentine's day since 2000. I called my single girlfriends who seem to just want to get past this dreadful day. But none of that even accrued to me this morning because I have a semi-permanent smile across my face. I bought lavender roses for my female co-workers…I bought a flowerless chocolate cake and decorated it with purple sugar and strawberries. I painted my toenails pink and my fingernails purple with little pink hearts. I put on my red sparkly heels and a short skirt and smiled all day long at work wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. And I meant it…

Disclaimer: I did get a little snarky with a few guys…asking them if today was everything they dreamed it would be. Or asking an older woman if her husband had planned anything exciting like a hot air balloon ride. =P (Which really isn't so uncommon in Franklin, I see hot air balloons all the time.)

Joshua Radin concert in Nashville: To Swoon or not to Swoon

2011-02-05T13:13:00.008-06:00

I've been in love with live music since the first concerts attended in my youth when flannel reigned. Coffee shops, amphitheaters, churches… doesn't matter. Living in Hawaii seemed to squash this long standing affair. So excited was I to move to music city where any night of the week there's a concert somewhere. Where on a regular basis I talk, see, listen too or walk by known, semi-known or longing to be known musical talent. It's planet melody, land of the free concert, and brave baring of the souls.

But living in well tuned Nirvana, one can sometimes forget to take advantage. I've compared it to living in Hawaii. Someone asks you if you go to the beach every day and you suddenly can't remember the last time you jumped in the salt water.
I've only lived here 2 years. Is the honeymoon already over? Someone asked me in December what the next concert I was going to was…I had no answer. Shamed, I went online that day and within minutes I had bought tickets to Joshua Radin on the Feb. 4th and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals on Feb. 24th.

Last night was Joshua Radin. My familiarity composed of only Zach Braff recommendations from a few years ago, and a couple of purchased movie soundtracks containing his name. "Star Mile" always made my heart quicken in an almost need for purpose and a longing for completion. I can't hear it and not think of why I'm not more proactive in my life…why most days are just to get to the next. This of course is just me and has nothing really to do with the lyrics which are mostly about love lost.

What I was not aware of was the lust and swooning that is a Joshua Radin concert. While standing in line waiting for the doors to open I surveyed the line…the nearly all female line. It was comprised of mostly college girls and 30 and 40 somethings. They were also in groups. The only men I spotted where quite obviously also wanting to be alone with Joshua Radin or keeping their girlfriends warm in hopes going through this experience with them would get them laid.
Even the merch tables seemed to be comprised of Tiny girly Tees. I felt very out of my element…like I was attending a Justin Bieber show filled with tweens.

The Cannery Ballroom is a cool venue, brick walls…long bar, mood lighting, standing room only.
The opening band, a 3 piece from Canada, Andrew Allan brought me right back to Hawaii with a reggae beat that unfortunately is nails on a chalkboard for me. The rest of his set got better though, very sweet and happy go lucky. More Jason Mraz with a hint of Jack Johnson. He also sang a Sublime cover if that helps with a musician style description. Beyond that I would say three words, Bongos and Beanies.

Anya Marina was the second act, petite and blonde with a electric guitar a third her size. She starts to tell a story that every girl shares…Remember back in high school when you were in love with that guy, that really cute guy. But he was a vampire and….which preludes to "Satellite Heart" which was featured in one of the Twilight movies. Anya is just cool. She's rock with one eye winking. Her lyrics are quirky, fun and sexy.

When the main act came on close to 10pm, he seemed to be bursting with sincerity, trying desperately to get the crowd to participate in songs. He even brought out 3 local gradeschool kids to play "Brand New Day" with him on their acoustic guitars. Joshua is partnered with "Little Kids Rock" which he works along with teachers to incorporate his songs into music lessons, and in each city a new group of school kids gets to play a song with him on stage. Upping the ante of females who now wanted to bare his children and a collective eye roll from their boyfriends.

I feel this venue will be better suited for the Grace Potter show than Joshua Radin who was often very soft spoken and monotone in his long story telling between songs. He was barely autible over the chatter of the hen house. At one point he stood away from the microphone and sang to the crowd which actually quieted some to hear him. The only song that seemed to turn everyone's volume down was "I'd Rather Be with you" showing just how many people were there just for the hits.

His guitar player was the splitting image of Zach Galifianakis and his Bass/Keyboard player looked like a young Paul McCartney. Joshua was almost too old school hollywood to be holding a guitar. His looks almost distracting from his beautiful and soulful voice. I have to admit though, he was very genuine. But watching the 3 of them play together was just bizarre. A strange threesome of look a likes.

The room was packed, as in most people were shoulder to shoulder. The body heat stifling. If you should sway or lean you would be against the someone next to you in a very personal way. A tipsy blonde and her boyfriend getting handsy and consistently wanting to change standing positions and talk through every song…had me agitated and at one point up against the person next to me while they continued to push so I had to squeeze through the crowd for better real estate. Having gotten there early though I was pretty close to the stage and the crowd was packed to the back. I found myself over by the bar by the time the opening acts were over and somewhat of a good stage viewing spot. That was until this unusually tall girl in a big red coat seemed to always move her head just so. I wanted to give her the $3 for the coat check just so she's leave her position for a minute and I could establish mine. Another tipsy blonde taps me on the shoulder, "umm I have to ask you….what is your favorite Joshua Radin song…because I'm here with my boyfriend and he doesn't care". I look over at her boyfriend who is busy texting as if following her around at the mall. On the other side of me a group of girls discussed how they would get back stage and what strategies worked at other concerts they'd attended. Such a meeting of the minds.
By mid concert red coat girl had moved and there was now only 2 couples standing between me and a pillar to stand next too. I could soon enjoy the rest of the show next to a non-texting, non-speaking, not drunk giant piece of building. I waited with anticipation.

The couple in front of me turn to leave. They are facing me now and suddenly the girls head falls back. She faints right then and there (either picturing Joshua naked, too much to drink or heat exhaustion…it was never established) and somehow very skillfully slings her drink AND her boyfriends onto me then falls to the floor. The crowd moved like a wave and a circle of floor space opened up around the girl and her boyfriend. People and water where called over and they carried her out through the crowd in a very dramatic way. The ice and some unknown alcohol hurled at me was almost a blessing on my lower half as it was 1000 degrees in the room. I kept thinking if I was in my underwear, I might be comfortable but even my tissue T felt like a wool coat. A few minutes later the other couple left and I was able to watch the rest of the show from a great spot. And Me and the Pillar swooned a little, but just a little.

For the last song of the night he jumped down into the crowd and sang and played unplugged. The crowd formed a circle and camera phones eliminated the room. Had the chatter ceased maybe I could have heard what song it was but alas people had things they needed to talk about during this performance. When he walked back stage he passed within a few feet of me. I managed to stay conscious. =P

The opening acts waited at their merch tables to sign autographs and take pictures after the show. They were giving out wrist bands to meet Joshua Radin but I declined the lust fest. I bought a Anya Marina cd "Slow and Steady Seduction: Phase II" instead (I need to learn a few things..lol). Waiting for autographs I knew would mean less time in the parking lot waiting to get out. Standing at the Anya end of the tables the girl in front of me was none other than the red coat girl…geez, really?!!?! I waited and I waited. "Thank you, you have been so patient!" Anya says as I hand her the CD. I listened to it on my 20 minute drive home and its one of my new favorites.

Great show Joshua Radin but I wish I'd seen you in a quiet coffee shop.

http://us.joshuaradin.com/
http://www.anyamarina.com/
http://www.myspace.com/andrewallenlive

Lighting of the Franklin Theatre Marquee

2011-01-29T18:54:00.029-06:00

The now historic Franklin Theatre was built in 1937.
The Heritage Foundation has been working since 2007 with millions in donations, planning the restoration and reopening of the Theatre. We were told the Grand Opening will be June 3rd, 2011 and it will be the very first LEED-certified restoration in the city of Franklin. The theatre will be able to hold 400 people, and will also be used for live music and special events. (click on pictures to enlarge)

The lighting of the marquee took place tonight with thousands of onlookers cheering the countdown. The last time it was lit was over 40 years ago. Merchants served chamgapne and dressed in 30's attire.

Kay from Serendipity Skincare was all set for the event in her finger curls and pearls.

Aww, the vintage and the modern. =P

Me in front of the Theatre. A gracious customer from the Bank I work at took this picture after I flagged him down. I, very excited to dress up. Old guy and Abercrombie teen...not so much. Though one of them could had been there for the first marquee ceremony and deemed this no big deal.

The New sign created by Joslin and Son Signs, took over 3 months to create and features blown glass neon.
It weighs just under 4 tons and was installed by two cranes 10 days before the lighting.

Donations are still needed to complete the Theatre. You can find out more on their website.
http://www.savethefranklintheatre.org/

Raw

2011-01-29T11:41:00.005-06:00

my response to being prayed for in November...

"I am not forsaken…He has not forsaken me."
This is simultaneously a grace that washes over me and line that falls on deaf ears.
I know it and dismiss it. I welcome it and rebel it.
"Your story is not over, your purpose isn’t lost."
Though you constantly stumble, I am always there to pick you up.
The barren womb…..ah, my Achilles heel. The part kept secret and safe behind years of armor.
Through the Spirit, one by one strangers read me like a book and strip away the distance.
There are no strangers here.

Heartbreaker

2011-01-22T12:17:00.008-06:00

I always considered myself a very positive person. Everything happens for a reason, look on the bright side…there are no regrets…yadda yadda. But you know what? There's not always a reason and I do have some regrets…quite large ones actually..whole years of my life in fact. We, as human beings, make mad horrible mistakes and they can and do ruin our lives. Sure you can learn, make better decisions, and wounds eventually heal but not without some serious scar tissue. Thinking and truly believing that I am a nice person perhaps warped my judgement of myself when it comes to men in particular. The fact of the matter is, i'm toxic. I'm a heartbreaker. In all fairness to my own heart, it always breaks first. Or at least I believe that it does. Given my little involvement in the dating scene perhaps in a blessing to the world..less collateral damage. But in the serious relationship category I'm 3 for 3. Buyers beware.
I have very good intentions for longevity…its the forever that rattles me. Its the question, "are you sure?". No, I'm not sure. I'm never sure. You are a giant question mark to me!

A benefit of the doubt, trust is given at first in all my relationships. But I invoke the right to pull it out from under your feet. Once my walls go up its 80% over. It's really not fair to you because with my walls constructed how can you get in again. You can't. I've emotionally blocked you.

This was a very rude awakening for me this morning…bringing about a flood of tears and a hasty single inspired shout out about keeping myself away from the opposite sex. I'm not delusional enough to believe this will happen so lets just say I will remind myself of my lack of good decision making in the past. Along with these gems of "aw ha" moments I've had this year.

Just because its emotionally charged doesn't make it a positive. Wrong feelings can be just as passionate.
Stop making him 1000 times better than he is! The bubble is going to burst after the first fight and you'll have no idea who you are with.
No one is perfect for you. That person doesn't exist.
The opposites attract theory only works for some people.
and finally...I'm just as fucked up as he is.

and I would drive 900 miles...

2010-10-26T20:04:00.098-05:00

Thinking that a vacation would just present itself after my original plans had been dashed…I started going over road trip ideas. Canada was my first choice and though the 14 hour drive didn’t stop me in my tracks, the 40 degree daytime high made me rethink it. Perhaps during slightly warmer weather would be a better time to visit.

One of my buddies at work’s last day was my last day of work before my vaca so it was an emotional day. I started feeling sorry for myself and my pity party in my head was saying just stay home and be miserable and alone. The knee jerk reaction to this was to make a quick decision and just drive somewhere. I had looked into Ashville, North Carolina. Their website screamed, “you’ll have a wonderful time” and boasted about “Pet Friendly town” and quaintness. It was basically Awesometown. Wanting to see some Fall colors and mountains on my vaca, I decided to go. I borrowed a tent, bought a sleeping bag (drove to 2 different Targets to get a dark pink one) and packed a bag for myself and one for the dogs.

The dogs were very excited to be in the car. Zoe was wearing her new pink sweater. We stopped at every rest stop to adequately mark the new territory. I must say all the rest stops looked brand new and weren’t at all scary, shady or reminders of every horror movie nightmare situation. Judging by the people at the rest stops, apparently me, Fall Foliage tours and Bikers are the only people who vacation in October.

As I got closer to North Carolina the mountains appeared in the distance. The display of oranges, yellows, and reds covered the landscape. I was getting more and more excited about my hasty vacation decision.

When I got to Ashville a couple of hours later however, everything kind of lost its luster.
I’m usually pretty good with direction and rarely get lost. I didn’t have a map except for getting there and back which was basically just 1-40 the whole way. There were 6 exits for Ashville. Hmmm…..I took the 2nd or 3rd choice after almost killing myself when my lane (the left lane mind you) ended suddenly and I swerved just missing the concrete divider. Heart racing I took the next exit which happened to be the downtown area I was looking for anyway. Score!

I saw a sign for “art district” and “farmers market” so I took that turn. This was my first mistake…I ended up in the projects and it dead ended with a community college a few miles down. Hmm….I drove back the way I came getting scary looks from people standing in the street wondering what the hell I was doing there. Please don’t let the car break down, please don’t let the car break down. I was getting flashbacks of my scary drive through Memphis when I took a wrong turn.

I later found the streets where all the restaurants and art galleries were from the website. Yes, it was dog friendly as everyone seemed to be walking a dog BUT it was very crowded and the streets were packed with cars, it was kind of dirty, and there were a lot of homeless people…also walking little dogs. More research would have convinced me that it was actually a major city and not a small town as the website pictures made it out to be. The hotel areas were far from picturesque. I had to get out of the city.

Seeing a sign for Blue Ridge Parkway I decided to forget the hotels and look for campsites. As soon as I left the city area it got really pretty again. I drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped at the Park info and got a map for places to camp in the area.

The drive was beautiful. People were pulled over at every stop taking pictures of the fall leaves and having picnics. This was more like it. It was serene.

But as it got later in the afternoon I got worried about getting a tent set up. The campsites were farther then they appeared simply because the speed limit was 35 and when I finally started reaching them, they were full. Ugh!

I hadn’t eaten lunch yet, wanting to wait for a cool local place so my mind was starting to go a little on the crazy side. “I wonder if one of these people would share their campsite….I wonder if one of these farmers would let me camp in their yard…I wonder just how serious is that bear warning.”

I decided to go back towards town but the next exit was pretty far down the road. It was going to be dark soon. I gave up on setting up before dark and enjoyed the last moments of daylight, stopping to take pictures at every scenic overlook.

When I got to the next exit off the parkway there was a choice…a town in either 17 mile direction. I sat there until another car came up behind me and decided to go right. To say it was a curvy road was putting it mildly. I would take my steering wheel in one complete direction only to spin it back in the other direction then back in the previous direction. It was the road to Holualoa times 100 and I was about to hurl.

As I reached the bottom I saw Campsite signs and perked up a little…that was until I saw it. How would I describe it….hmmm…it was as if the apocalypse had happened and all the people were killed but all their crap was left and the forest had started to take it all back. There was a half filled fishing pond and RV’s that looked to live there permanently. I didn’t see a soul but obviously it was a full campsite. Deciding this place was a big no way hose, I quickly turned around and got back on the road. The endless, dark, winding road into nothingness where towns consist of a Dollar Tree (or 3) and a Farm and Garden Store.

Half starved and going mad I decided to drive back towards Ashville and just crash at a hotel. I had coupons for $54.99 at major chains but would spend up to $100 at this point if it was clean and I could take a bath. This, as it turned out, was a pipe dream. An example of my stop in and checking adventure went like this…”Do you have any rooms available and are you pet friendly”…”Yes, we have one room left…its $199 plus $20 pet fee”. Oh, and this example was a Best Western. I almost laughed out loud remembering that Nathan and I had stayed at the Hilton in Hawaii for $199 a night and that was a 4 star hotel. Best Western off the highway in North Carolina was not getting $200 from me. I was not that crazy yet.

No vacancy signs or just comparable Best Western prices, who strangely also had only one room left, only upset me further. Now, I was saying no on principle. I left town thinking maybe the next town over would be more reasonable. No such luck. Even Red Roof Inn was full. At one point I was getting into the turning lane to make an exit and there was a sign, “painting the road, be prepared to stop”. I slowed down and waited to turn, but where the painting machine was at that point was right in front of the exit so people started getting confused and slamming on their breaks. The car behind me I guess didn’t see the sign at all, slammed on their breaks and slide completely sideways, inches from wiping me off the earth. I started to get a migraine and ended up at a truck stop buying Excedrin, and a granola bar. I got into the back seat of the car, curled up in the sleeping bag with the dogs and slept for 2 hours in the parking lot.

Migraine knocked out and now 10pm I decided to head for a rest area. 30 miles down the road I saw smoke and light. As it passed over the highway I thought it must be a forest fire but I saw no fire trucks and nothing about it on the radio. I got off at the next exit really curious about it. I drove closer to the pillars of smoke. It was over a massive area and the town seemed to be deserted. Had they been evacuated by the fire? As I got closer the smell was horrible so I turned off my car vents. I was about to turn around as it got unbearable when I saw where the smoke was coming from. It was a paper mill. I was horrified. I wanted to get out my camera but a lone security car started to drive towards me. Being the coward that I am, I quickly turned around and headed back towards the highway. I would not make a great investigative reporter.

Almost back to the Tennessee/North Carolina line I saw one of the nice Rest Stops I’d passed. Back in the back with my sleeping bag and dogs I fell asleep. Waking up to a cool 43 degrees I got back on the road and decided to spend the day at Chimney Rock park. This day was going to be better than yesterday….or at least it better be.

Wanting a little local breakfast and coffee I did make a few stops only to be let down by closed signs. The only thing open was Star Bucks and McDonalds so I got back on my way towards the Park hoping for something along the way.

Beautiful rolling hills of sunset inspired trees and horse ranches and apple orchards lifted my spirits. Getting better…..

Reaching the town of Chimney Rock put a quick smile on my face. There was a river between two mountains and all along the river were little shops and cabins. I stopped at a local coffee shop and had the best Pumpkin Latte of my life.

The place was adorable. You could get coffee and an old fashion photo of you and your dog. I got the latte but passed on the photo.

The dogs were ecstatic about walking along the river…new smells everywhere. I will remember next time not to carry hot coffee and two leashes though. I spilled hot coffee on myself but the coffee shop was happy to let me change clothes in their bathroom. The shower was filled with old timey clothes for the photo shoots. I was tempted to come out in a 3 piece suit and top hat but I resisted. When I left they sent me on my way with dog treats for the road.

The Chimney Rock park entrance was two stores down from the coffee shop. The park ranger at the entrance was a very nice old man who also sent me on my way with dog treats.

It was still pretty early so it hadn’t gotten crowed yet. The views were unbelievable.

No longer needing flannel, I wore jeans and a Tshirt. I packed my camera and a bottle of water in a backpack and the dogs and I started our walk.

I didn’t know the trail was mostly stairs. I guess I should have figured this out sooner. During the first flight up, Zoe was pretty hesitant. I started to think this wasn’t gong to happen but then they both started to pick up the pace so we continued. There would be a few flights then a little lookout area so I made sure we stopped each time, drank some water, took some pictures and rested a little.

There were a lot of dogs and so far they dogs were doing great and being friendly to everyone four legged and 2 legged. Patrick however was quite hurt that not everyone was stopping to pet him. Every time someone would pass us and acknowledge him but not pet him he was let out a little cry. It was pitiful. Soon he was just crying all the time. I picked him up and he stopped. Oh no, I had a two year old!

During the last flight by the big lookout, the stairs were tiny and wedged between two big boulders. They even freaked me out and the dogs were in a no way hosey stance. I had to carry them through while ducking through the opening. The lookout was very cool but I hadn’t thought about Zoe’s reaction which was why are we standing next to a 2200 foot drop. Humans are crazy! People kept walking by and telling them how brave they were and congratulating them for making it.

Going down all the stairs were a little easier and soon we were close to the bottom where there was a 1.5 mile trail to a waterfall. The Last of the Mohicans waterfall was at the end or so I was told. Later I learned that waterfall was fake but they did film in the park. The dogs started out having to pee on every shrub and tree but soon realized this was a colossal feat in a forest and there just wasn’t enough pee in the world to mark this territory.

It was a perfect day in the woods. It was 72 degrees in late October, just madness. Just as I started to wonder just how much farther was this falls, I heard it in the distance. Excited I picked up the pace. I turned the corner and there it was…and I was underwhelmed. It looked as though at one time it was a massive waterfall…but on this day it was more of a water trickle. I had seen more water coming out of Patrick.

We sat and took pictures of the giant wet rock. It was comical to watch peoples faces as they came around the corner and their first words. “How disappointing….”….”Well its pretty but I wouldn’t call that a waterfall”….”We walked all that way for this?”….”Well, I’m underwhelmed”.

After the walk back to the car the dogs were barely able to jump in, they were so tired. When I glanced in the backseat after we got to the park entrance, both dogs were out cold.

I decided to drive along the road some more. I wanted to see what was after the town of Chimney Rock. There was a place that was pet friendly along the river but it was one step up from sleeping outside but a little dirtier. I was going to stay there anyway and I started to walk up to the front desk when a bunch of bikers passed me holding amplifiers. I looked up and saw a sign, “Live music tonight, come and party with us”. Hmmm….I had 50% decided to not stay there when I read their pet policy about not leaving the pets alone in the room. I wanted to shop a little and eat dinner so if I couldn’t even do this I decided to keep driving.

I came to the town of Lake Lure which was also beautiful and full of fall colors and roadside fruit stands. At one of those fruit stands I ate the best apple of my life.

I was picking out some granny smith when the owner asked me if I’d tried, I can’t remember the name, apple. I said I had not, so he picked one up and proceeded to twist it open. I’d never seen a man twist an apple open and my eyes popped and I even jumped back upon seeing it done. I almost went and got my camera and asked him to do it again. He claimed it was the best eating apple. I thought, ‘eating apple??” what else would you be doing with it? I guess he meant eating alone or baking with.

It was a bold statement, “best”, but he was right it was the best apple I had ever eaten. I was so mesmerized by this apple I filled a $5 bag with them and forgot the name of the apple. I remembered however the second best apple I tried that day but only because it was called “Pink lady”. Why couldn’t the best apple be called that…it was so fitting for me. I love pink.

I took another way back and passed this, having to turn around and go back. It was a small fence in front of a storefront that had the biggest array of Dahlias I had ever seen.

Every bush was a different kind and color or Dahlia. I’d wished someone had been there so I could tell them how beautiful their garden was.

I devilishly wished I could dig them all up and take them home with me. I wanted to live here and have bouquets of multi-colored dahlias in every room.

Back on the highway I was exhausted. I wanted to be at home in my bed or eating at Chipotle. There was one other town, the artist town of Black Mountain, that I wanted to see. Me, the dogs and my camera walked around and took pictures. We were about to fall over with tiredness. I think even Zoe wanted to be carried at this point.

A couple of hours into my drive back home, I decided to stop at a rest stop for a quick sleeping bag nap. Driving at night is not my favorite. I was just about to snuggle up in my bag when I noticed a man walking to his trunk about 10 parking stalls down. Curious I wanted to know what was in that trunk. He was a typical serial killer looking guy...long stringy hair, slight pot belly…acid washed jean jacket. I half expected a body in the trunk. He got something out but I couldn’t tell what. I watched him as he walked into the picnic area and then….he began to practice his Kung Foo moves.

The man had what were either actual nunchucks or possibly imaginary ones. If I could have taken a picture without him knowing I would have and that picture would have been priceless. Perhaps even enlarged and framed in my bathroom. It was one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever witnessed and it was not a short show.

The drive after Knoxville was the drive from Hell. The wind picked up and I thought I would get blown off the road. The only thing I hate more than driving at night is perhaps driving in severe wind...at night. Eight wheelers swerving in their lanes crossing the double yellow only made me dig my nails further into the steering wheel. Then the rain started. It wasn’t a light shower but a torrential down pour. The only thing I hate worse than driving at night in severe wind is perhaps adding a little rain. I couldn’t see anything but the little light reflectors on the middle lane so I stuck to that. Pulling over seemed even more dangerous so I kept trucking on.

It seemed to be the end times outside my car. I searched the radio for weather alerts…but I got the end of a Tornado warning which had already said the location of the Tornado. Frantic I checked more stations and kept getting the end of the warning. AHHHH!!! The only thing I hate more than driving at night in serve wind and rain is driving at night in severe wind and rain during a Tornado. I kept thinking it would let up…I had 100 miles to go until I was home. Alas, I learned later that I was basically moving with the storm so even when I got home it was still raining. I arrived home safe and sound and was able to peel my hands off the steering wheel. I’d driven 900 miles. After a hot shower I went to bed and slept for 12 hours.

Shhhhhhhhh!!!!

2010-09-01T21:11:00.011-05:00

My new favorite hobby is quiet time outside. This may sound a little unexciting, perhaps causing the response of, “And……?”. This new obsession started one day after work when the triple digits gave up their fascist reign of sauna like conditions over our town and a crisp cool day came in like much needed grace and turned all our frowns up side down. The Spring had been beautiful and the start of summer still found me out in the yard pulling weeds and planting anything that bloomed in shades of pink or purple. But when the rain stuck around and temperatures soared to 98 (with a feels like 106), I surrendered and remained indoors.

But something like 6 weeks of uncomfortable stickiness was over and the air felt so soft and comforting. I ran home, turned off the a/c and opened all my windows. The hardback of “Eat Pray Love” had come in the mail that I’d ordered from Amazon after I saw the movie. (I do things backwards). And I was dying to read it outside. I grabbed an outdoor picnic blanket I’d bought after seeing it in “Real Simple” magazine that had been sitting in my car for about 2 months wondering why the hell I bought it.

Incidentally my co-worker friend has the same blanket and on most of her lunch breaks she goes to the park or to her car and reads and takes a nap. I could never adjust after napping in the middle of the day so this never interested me but the picnic blanket at the park seemed very serene. People do that in movies don’t they?

There’s an 80 acre park behind my house that no one seems to know about as 90 percent of the time I’m the only one out there. I take the dogs, my blanket, my book, a tie down stake for Patrick and we’re off. Depending on variables sometimes other things come with us like string cheese or a bottle of water but we keep it pretty simple. Zoe will run the fields with a giant doggie smile while Patrick content with his 25 feet will dig and sniff out invisible creatures in the grass fanning the clouds with his constant waving tail. The only sound my mind focuses on is the occasional bird. It’s so peaceful that you can’t imagine why people talk so much.

After the first few days unwinding after work I was hooked and needed more. So some days on my lunch break I come home take off my work clothes, throw on a cotton sun dress and off I’d go with a blanket, book and puppies in hand. Why did my friend not stress to me more just how awesome this little break in the day is. 20 minutes later I am more relaxed and hopeful that the rest of the day will be better. I venture back to the faster pace of life filled with voices asking questions and complaining about anything they can think to mention. Its quickly evident these people all need a quiet lunch break with a book, a blanket and if they are really lucky, puppies and string cheese. So I pass this idea on to persuade you to try it and try it immediately.

Awakened from a Knapp

2010-01-03T20:10:00.056-06:00

“Jennifer Knapp is Back” (click on pics to enlarge-all photos subject to copyright-S.Bello'09)

One of the things I love about my new home in Franklin Tennessee is its proximity to great music. You can’t throw a cowboy boot without hitting a Grammy winner…or at the very least a nominee.

But much like living in Hawaii and never going to the beach, I seldom make a point to go to the concerts I hear about. I miss my favorite acts quite frequently actually.

While updating the Facebook world on my much anticipated status, an ad on the side caught my eye, “Knapp is Back” concert at Bellcourt Theater. Fully accepting the fact that my computer could be filled with viruses, I clicked the ad. Miraculously I wasn’t taken to an Adult site or anything with a flashing banner. The ad was true! I bought tickets for the show asap as the Ingrid Michaelson show at the same venue sold out before I could nab seats and I still bring that story up when I want to feel lame.

I hadn’t seen Jennifer Knapp in concert since “Kansas”. I was living in Hawaii at the time of the last two albums and no one comes to Hawaii unless they were a hit in the 70’s or 80’s and some moron talks them into a comeback tour. My friend Jenna and I had made the mistake of attending the Jefferson Starship concert. We thought we'd be building this city on Rock and Roll and instead it was new awful acoustic folk songs leaving everyone confused that wasn’t just there to smoke pot, wear their old hippy clothes and relive their youth. Those people were confused already.

I took my boyfriend to the concert and tried to bring him up to speed on who Jennifer Knapp was on our 45 minute car ride while listening to “The Way I Am”.
Even with the winter weather, there was a line out front of the Theater over an hour before the doors opened. My crowd ice breaker was the suggestion that we should all huddle together for body heat. This followed with “where ya froms” Knapp Q and A with fun facts and some very detailed info from a man in the back whom led us all to believe that he may in fact be a stalker of some sort. A super fan that drove here from Georgia was behind me. She’d got there when there was no one around and popped over to the Pub for a beer. She returned with a few expletives to the sight of the line. She was very friendly and/or tipsy and quickly introduced herself to everyone within hand shaking distance then introduced those people to each other. Once inside, our new little group of line friends (except the stalker guy) decided to all sit together. We ran down front and nabbed the third row, which was actually the first row as the 1st and 2nd row were folding chairs that had been brought in. I looked behind me and mentioned how full the place got when someone told me the show was sold out.

The hour before the show gave us plenty of getting to know each other time. Georgia had introduced the second row to the third and forth row and we were all chatting. No newbies among us, we’d all been fans since the first album. We were comprised of mostly 30-somethings talking about their high school and early college years of going to Christian concerts. We’d all since moved off our Islands and lived the lives that would have made those teenagers gasp. This brought one man to say, “this is the best Christian concert I’ve ever been too and it hasn’t even started yet!”. =P

When Knapp took the stage everyone stood up with applause and shouts of joy. We’d missed the music and were excited for its return. To this day there has been nothing like it. Nothing remotely close to fill the void. Her lyrics had such a brutal truth and her albums always missing one element….fluff. Knapp’s voice showed no signs of the long absence from the stage and she’d brought a steller band with her.

Paul Moak (stage right Guitar and also plays for Over the Rhine, Sixpence None the Richer, Mat Kearney, Matt Redman, Toby Mac, Plumb etc)

Tony Lucido (bass and also plays with Toby Mac, Ginny Owens, Francesca Battistelli)

Jeremy Lutito (drummer also drums for Jars of Clay, Mat Kearney etc) Drummers are the hardest to photograph. 1) their arms and head move a lot and 2) other musicians are always standing in front of them. This was the best one, sorry Jeremy.

Nathan Dugger (stage left Guitar) sorry Nathan, I googled you but no luck.

I can’t remember if “A little More” or “The Way I am” started the show. (This is why blogs should be written no later than 24 hours after…not 2 months later when your memory is foggy at best) But they were both amazing and I’m convinced everyone in the crowd was singing along. I know I was.

The set list was a mix of old and new with the full band and a small acoustic set in the middle of the show which she brought Amy Court on stage to harmonize on songs like Usher me Down, Martyrs & Thieves, Fall down, etc. “Fall down” being one of my favorite Knapp songs and tears me up every time I hear it, so I was very happy for its inclusion. Knapp explained how Amy was a musician and fan who contacted her on Myspace. There’s a longer story to that of course but I didn’t take notes so I’ll leave it at that. My brain would butcher the story at this point.

The new songs were worth the wait bringing about the edgier rock side of her music. A few in particular like “Dive In” I wanted to listen too again right away. And when there is no album to buy in the lobby afterwards it can be very confusing to your soul, “you mean I have to be patient??”. What?!?! Patience is so un-American.

It was a great show that left the masses satisfied. And knowing that most of us had been waiting 4 or 5 years for it, that’s saying a lot.

Between songs someone yelled out, “when’s the new album coming out?” at which she replied in a raspy voice, “When I’m good and ready”. =)

Knapp throws a pick to "Georgia" who called out for one. Afterwards someone else in the audience said, "I hope you brought enough for everyone". =P

Me and gutsy "Georgia" by the stage.

Knapp has been in the studio and there was mention of a 2010 release but no promises. Here’s hoping! Welcome back Knapp, we missed you!
Check out Jen's Website and Myspace page for new songs and upcoming news. She's also scheduled for Lilith Fair this summer. I plan on attending, its just a matter of what city. =)
http://www.jenniferknapp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jenniferknapp
http://www.lilithfair.com/

Time After Time... Attending “LOVE (as it turns out) is a Battlefield” benefit concert for Blood: Water Mission

2009-07-25T20:00:00.026-05:00

While checking out the “what’s happening” collage wall at Portland Brew I saw a poster up advertising a free benefit concert “Love (as it turns out) is a Battlefield”. The only name that was familiar at first was Sarah Masen, then the cause “Blood: Water Mission”. Being an almost rabid fan of Jars of Clay, I had heard about it many times through the magical world of Myspace bulletins. If Sarah Masen is playing then I’ll probably like the other artists I thought. Later at Ugly Mugs, I saw the same poster and was reminded I shouldn’t miss it. FYI, I didn’t have coffee at both places…I do have a Mocha addiction but it’s under control. =)

In my house growing up, my parents “preferred” that I listen to music I could buy at the local Christian book store. I’d spend a lot of time at the listening stations searching for something that moved me and not in a vomiting from too much cheese kind of way. While my friends were listening to the likes of Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, and Beck…I had Sixpence None the Richer, Hoi Polloi, Amy Grant and Jars of Clay.

Sarah Masen was a fav. Her first album I adored. She was only 4 years older than me and I gravitated towards singer songwriters that seem to do it all. And when I was nineteen I cut my hair like her….it turned out to be a hideous mistake. Being petite, you’d think I could pull off a Pixie…but you’d be wrong. So very very wrong. I remember my boss at the mall store I worked at saying I looked very “butch”. Umm, that wasn’t the look I was going for.

I’m in the process of purchasing a motor vehicle and so the ride situation I had not thought through. Thankfully after airing a distress call in the form of a Facebook status, one of my friends from the Art Fair circuit, that wanted to go too, offered to pick me up. Horray for Facebook!
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My friend L, turns out, lives about a second away from me in East Nash. She drove us to the Downtown Prepaterian Church, a historical landmark and still functioning church, where the concert was being held. The structure has actually been rebuilt 3 times after two fires. The last fire burning it to the ground in 1848…but you can’t stop the church! Ha, take that fire, we’ll just rebuild!

Not being aptly prepared, I only had my MACRO lens with me so here is a picture from the Church’s website.

Interesting enough, when the inside was being designed, America was going through an Egyptian Revival Style period. L and I couldn’t figure out if it had been designed then added too or if someone actually thought it all through…but apparently they did…or thought they did. That Keith Green song “So you wanna go back to Egypt” kept playing in my head. =P

Sarah Masen’s husband, author David Dark was the Host for the evening. He described the meaning of the title of the concert and how the 80’s were very relevant. In keeping with the theme, a lot of the artists would be covering their favorite 80’s songs as well as some originals.

I can’t seem to escape 80’s music.

Sarah was first. She played the guitar and sang the REM song “Fall on Me” with her daughter on backup vocals. Familiar with the song, I don’t think I’d ever listened to the lyrics. What a beautiful song. Sarah sang two other covers before the next artist Justin Caldwell came up.

Justin Caldwell, I had never heard before but he had a great voice. It was very earthy, slightly jazzy voice with great melodies to his originals. I should have kept track on the 80’s titles people were playing. Perhaps someone will chime in on what he sang.

Between the mini sets, they played 80’s commercials on the movie screen next to the stage. Everything from the boom box cassette player that will change your life to car commercials to Arcade Games. It was quite enjoyable.

Up next was Sandra McCracken. She covered “Time after Time” which had much audience participation. I forgot to mention that the church was full to the brim and L and I were sitting in the second row on the right. =)

Sandra McCraken also played some originals and I knew immediately I would be visiting her CD table after the show. Her husband came to play the guitar with her, who was none other than Derek Webb, formally of Caedmon’s Call…another favorite of mine. The night just keeps getting better! I heart Nashville.

The final musician was Matthew Perryman Jones. He covered a few 80’s songs…one was a favorite and I can’t for the life of me remember which one it was…lol. I just remembered a Sting song but it could have been Justin who’d sung it.

Sarah Masen came up and sang backup.

The speaker for the night was “Blue Like Jazz” author Donald Miller. He and David talked about Blood: Water Mission and how the public viewed global consciousness and awareness in the 80’s and how they do now. Donald was saying that we’ve gotten very good with the awareness part…it’s the doing that we need to work on. As in, everyone likes to wear the T-shirt…but who is going to Africa and getting dirty?

Speaking of T-shirts, I bought one and I love it. I guess I have to go to Africa now so I’m not a hypocrite. =) The art is blood and water tricking down and turning into birds that fly. It super soft cotton too…I’m very impressed with whoever choose the design and fabric choice. I’d like to give at shout out to that person…it’s like totally awesome.

A little info about Blood: water mission from their website:
Blood:Water Mission (founded by the band “Jars of Clay”) is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. They exist to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa, tangibly reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression. Blood:Water Mission is building clean water wells, supporting medical facilities, and focusing on community and worldview transformation, both here in America and in Africa.

Everyone came up at the end to sing an Elvis Costello song.

As L and I wandered out of our pews, I stopped to tell Sarah Masen the last time I saw her in concert I was about 15 and she replied, “I probably was too!”. =P I treated myself to a Sandra McCraken cd “Red Balloon” on my way out. It’s very good! I think you need to order it on my recommendation. If you don’t trust my taste…fine…check out her Myspace first than wussies.

L dropped me by “Decades” on Broadway after the show as “Bob” was playing in a 80’s cover band there, so the 80’s night continued and it Shook Me All Night Long.

http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
http://www.sarahmasen.com/
http://www.sandramccracken.com/

Radnor Lake Hike just outside of Nashville

2009-07-20T20:09:00.012-05:00

It’s been a long time coming but I finally got to explore a little bit of Nature in Nashville.

Located a mere 8 miles from the downtown area is a oasis in the lush Overton Hills (when I think of hills, I think of something you ride a bike down…these are small mountains) sits 85 acre Radnor Lake. Once we got off the highway we headed down Harding Place which led to the incredible Forrest Hills area. Forrest Hills is so beautiful it could be a life goal to own a home there. A girl needs a goal!!

Otter Road leads to the parking (one of two ways to get there) for Radnor Lake.
The trail map boasts of different trails you can take from easy to moderate to difficult. We decided to take the Lake Trail (easy) which goes around the lake then switch to the South Lake Trail (moderate) that goes up the mountain a little then back down to the Lake Trail to get back around the lake. There is also Ganier Ridge Trail and South Cove Trail that are labeled difficult. Both are a little over a mile and look to go across the top of the “hill”.

Not even ¼ of a mile into the hike we saw dear. They were very close to the trail and the 3 adults had a fawn with them. I of course was not prepared for wildlife so quickly and was fumbling with getting my camera out and missed them. Luckily just around the bend I heard the rustling of leaves.

The lake itself was a tad bit algaefied. It was bright green and with the bright blue sky was actually quite beautiful but I’d never want to swim in it. Besides, I’m sure its full of snakes or leaches…or shrieking eels.

The trail along side the lake was wonderful and clean with occasional walker mommies with their strollers going by. Besides a few spots where the sun beamed between branches, the trail was almost completely shaded. At one point I looked out at the algae that looked to be a lime jello mould across part of the lake, and I saw a small pink Croc sitting on the algae. It looked to be walking across the lake. How it got there…my guess would be an older brother threw it…just a guess. In my opinion it was a fashion choice and he did the world a favor.

The trail leading up the “hill” was lovely and serene. For most of the trail it was just us.

Just us and the squirrels, the turtles, the dear, the lizards, the chipmunks and the birds.

Anytime I heard the leaves I’d look for creatures. For the most part it was squirrels or Robins but a couple of times it was very fast moving chipmunks or another dear. The trees reached high above us and shaded our footsteps.

Half way into our trip around the lake we noticed this sign. They really are serious about it being a “walking” trail only. There is no mention of skipping however. And how exactly did they come up with the fine amount?

We stopped at a small deck with benches to snack on strawberries and cherries from “Trader Joe’s”. They were sweet, large and awesome by the way.

While sitting in this amazing setting and watching the lake, we saw a dear swimming across. How weird…I guess he is taking the shortcut. Watch out for snakes buddy!!

Another dear sighting a little closer this time.

It was a perfect day for a great walk. In all it was about a 3.5 mile trip. We took our time, walking, talking, looking for animals and of course stopping for pictures. =)

Bryan Adams and Kelly Clarkson at Wild Horse Saloon…well people singing their songs.

2009-07-17T10:49:00.059-05:00

Downtown Nashville is a Mecca of honky tonk bars, cowboy boots and street corner guys with a guitar and a story to tell. I’ve lived in Nashville now for 5 months and have yet to really explore Broadway. I’ve been to a couple of places when friends have a gig but that’s about it. My friend’s friend Thomas Youngblood from the band Kamelot was on a little vaca with his wife and daughter and gave us a ring. Meet us at the Wild Horse Saloon! A man I’ve been dating…let’s call him Bob since I don’t like to use real names of my inner circle. Bob was reluctant about going to a tourist filled bar with over priced chicken fingers but we got in the metal horse and headed out west…err East.

There was a line to get in, a ID checking security guard then a toll booth. They were charging a $6 cover….Bob asked the ticket girl…”so…it’s a $6 cover to eat at the restaurant??” Yup. That’s the perks of the big city. =) He made sure our out of towners where there first as the sign plainly stated “NO REFUNDS!”.

The place was HUGE! 2 or maybe it was 3…stories high, 3+ bars and a enormous dance floor complete with a line dancing instructor. 50+ eager boot scootin boogiers were following the steps and getting their inner cowgirl on.

After a few dances the band for the night took the stage. It was a cover band that covered 70’s, 80’s 90’s and current favorites. The female singer started with Heart, followed by Kelly Clarkson, Pink…etc. She was awesome and the band sounded great. I recognized the guitarist as someone “Bob” had played with before in the 80’s cover band “Bueller”.

About one set in, they announced the live Karaoke would be starting soon. WHAT!?!?! Live Karaoke!?!?!?! Being an avid watcher of American Idol and regular karaoke…live was just too exciting for words. But seeing as I can’t let you watch a video now, I’ll try.

Apparently “contestants” were supposed to sign up online as there was a $100 prize…(sheesh, that’s good for Nashville…I bet that’s as much as the band is making) then later in the night they would take 12 or so people from the audience. They called up the first 7.

Now be warned, if you are a fun lovin’ karaoke singer from your home town singing “Friends in Low Places” or “Delta Dawn”…this isn’t the Karaoke for you. This is Nashville and 95% of the singers are professionals. They came here to make it big and they play gigs like this to get noticed, and to get live audience experience.
The first 7 were all awesome…singing songs from Heart to the Wreakers to Travis Tritt to Martina Mcbride. They were all amazing show stoppers, some even better than the artist they were borrowing songs from. A stand out was the girl covering Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb”. Wow…

After two sets of “Professionals” (some with guitars even) left the stage it was time for the audience sign ups…ut oh. Amazing enough it was still awesome…that was until two teenage young girls got up to sing… together…. “Desperado”. It was obvious they were far to young to know this song and more obvious when they just stood there and fumbled through the words. The backup singers sang more of the song then they did. And we’re back to family living room karaoke. All and all only about 2 or 3 audience members didn’t get the “real singer” memo. An older woman visiting from Switzerland with crazy wild hair got up to sing a little Janis Joplin “Me and Bobbie Mcgee” and had the audience hollering in amazement. Bob explained “she is Janis Joplin!”.
Mr. Youngblood’s daughter, lets call her “Youngone”, was a very outgoing 6 year old getting up and learning to line dance, telling us who to vote for (real singers only) and very much wanting “Bob” to sign up to sing. Now Bob has been singing for more years than he would want me to mention and has a natural talent. He sings on stage nearly every week. However, Bob has yet to sing Karaoke in my presence though we’ve been on numerous occasions to such nights of glory. They were only taking 5 more people and Bob was being pulled and wooed by the cutest little face in pulling and wooing history. How could you say no to this....
Still he refused. When it looked as though a lot of people had signed up he finally gave in hoping they would be full and turn him away. He reluctantly signed up and they said they would do a lottery type deal as they had enough contestants.

They called up the final people and Bob’s name was not called. We were all simultaneously bummed and Bob was seriously relieved. They called the final singers up to the stage but one name turned out to be no show. Youngone ran up to the stage and told the organizers of her friend that wanted to sing…since there was an opening now. =P We laughed and laughed as it looked as though she was signing him up. Bob hung his head as he heard his name called. Youngone was ecstatic and pulled him to the stage. He waited in the singers corner for his turn.

When he was called to the mic we cheered as he started his song choice, Bryan Adams “Summer of 69”.

Bob comes to life on stage. As cliché of it sounds, he becomes another person. He’s confident, he’s the entertainer, he’s the front man. He’s amazing.

He was by far one of the best of the night that had signed up on the spot. Only shadowed slightly by the reincarnation of Janis Joplin.

When he left the stage people stopped him on the way back to our seats…”That was awesome man”, “You sounded just like Bryan Adams”, “great job dude”.
When the winners were announced not surprisingly someone from the first group won. People came up to Bob telling him how great he was.
Bob was starting to have a permanent grin on his face. A little more line dancing and our night was over. I think we got our $6 worth. =)

I don't want to hear that Chandeliers are out...

2009-07-07T18:29:00.008-05:00

Before my last craft fair I created a few new designs to sell. I really should be doing this every time but sometimes I get busy...or frustrated...or frustrated and busy. Alas, the fair wasn't so great (it seemed to only be a Bobby Pin crowd) so no one took one of these beauties home. =) Most of my earrings that I make with roses are posts...that seemed to be the easiest and simplest look. I personally like dangles best so I was set on finding something to attach the roses too. I found some little metal filigree triangles and they are the perfect size for the little roses. I love it when ideas work out!

I've made two so far, "Ivy" a dark green and black, and "Robin" a light turquoise.
I don't want to hear that chandeliers are out. They're classic, they've been in since the Victorian era. =P So put your hair up ladies and wear your dangle earrings.

Marche Artisan Foods in East Nashville

2009-06-23T14:14:00.023-05:00

For brunch today we decided to try Marche Artisan Foods in East Nashville. I only drive past this restaurant everyday and say to myself, “I should eat there”. It’s modern/Martha Stewart Country meets a place I normally can’t afford. We walked in for Saturday brunch around 1pm to a full restaurant. We only waited for about 5 minutes for a table. I felt special as the group a few minutes behind us was told 40 minutes. I wanted to say “na na na na” but I kept it inaudible.

As we waited we peeked (gawked and drooled) at the homemade breads and desserts. Mental note: I will be having one of each. The menu is a changing menu which for the safe orderer you are forced to try something new. Don’t be scared, its good for you.

The alcoholic choices were tempting but I decided on the Pomegranate Lemonade ($2.50) (fresh squeezed lemons).

It didn’t have a strong flavor but more on the light and refreshing side.

After perusing the menu I decided on the Quiche, the apple smoked bacon, roasted corn and goat cheese quiche. Oh my, you had me at apple bacon! Alas, it was sold out so with a suggestion from the waitress I decided on the Potato and Parmesan Frisco with Fried egg and Arugula Salad.

I died a little inside as I let the flavor of roasted corn and goat cheese leave my taste buds, but how can you go wrong with potato and parmesan. My friend ordered the Vegetable Curry with Green Tomatoes, Potato, Chickpeas and Basmati Rice. Our Entrees were $8 and $9.

The restaurant was full and quite loud. At times I could barely hear the conversation I was having but clearly could hear the table next to me. A group of 20 somethings overly excited to shout to the whole restaurant their experience at the Bonnaroo Festival. You sweated a lot, partied alot…got it. When their food arrived I noticed they each ordered something different and between our table and theirs was all the entrees on the menu. Briefly I wished I’d ordered the Croissant French Toast but I shook it away realizing why I didn’t order it in the first place.
1. I wanted dessert
2. It’s too “Me”.
I need to travel the flavor highway and explore the new.

I could smell my food arriving before it got to my table…I love that! The portions were “appropriate”. Though I’m not on board with America stuffing themselves into oblivion, I do like a full plate. True, I normally finish it no matter what the size and always have room for dessert, but sometimes I like a little take home portion option. It makes me feel like I got my money’s worth, even if it was well worth the price to begin with. Let’s be honest people…would you hunt for and buy all the ingredients and work in the kitchen for an hour when you can be served perfection and pay $10.

My food was delish, home cooking fused with fresh crunchy amazing. I would have never normally gone for something with a fried egg. Honestly I thought maybe it would have fried egg in it like they do with fried rice at a Chinese Restaurant but no…it was in fact a whole fried egg underneath the potato concoction. My Arugula salad looked to be an array of spinach with a sheen, but it tasted fantastic with a whole lot of flavor going on. I kept wondering where the flavor was coming from. It was an easter egg hunt, as if a leaf of spinach was hiding a chunk of cheese or bacon surprise and eventually I’d find it. I gobbled it up like a fat chicken. I stuck my forth in my friends food for the sake of the blog and it was delish as well. It was very Thai and the taste was very familiar, perhaps a soup I once had. Since both our plates were licked clean we opted for dessert as well.

I ordered the Cornmeal Blueberry Bunt Cake with Lemon icing ($4) and my friend the Flourless Pistachio Lime Meringue double cookie with a White Chocolate center ($1.75).

WOW! Both could be on my “I’ll eat that everyday, thank you” list. The Bunt cake was really moist. The ‘cake’ part was sweet like a good honey cornbread but the blueberries and lemon icing made it sweet like a cake.

The pistachio cookie could almost force me to cheat on my main sweety, the chocolate chip cookie. In a way it reminded me of a super moist oatmeal cookie. It took me to very high highs with it’s flavor of perfection. My mouth is watering just reliving the moment.

I left the restaurant full but not in an uncomfortable way. I was wearing a dress though and not pants. I will be back to try more on the menu.

What it lacks in atmosphere, is has in audible yum!

2009-06-20T21:13:00.006-05:00

I believe that when you move to a new area you should explore all it has to offer, especially food wise. Where you spend your dollars is who you want to stick around in your neighborhood. So many times when we pick a part of town we rarely venture out of our comfort zone. We normally pick a restaurant on something we heard or maybe we notice the parking lot is always full. If its pretty good, we keep going back. Why not write down all the restaurants in our area and when you want to eat out pick a new one each time. Some of the best and worst meals I ever ate were when I knew nothing about the restaurant. Sure, it’s a crap shoot, but it’s also an adventure. And an adventure in food is the best kind of adventure.

My comrad and I have tried to eat at a new place every time we go out. I will admit we sometimes fall on old faithful, Chicago Style Gyros No. 3 in East Nashville. They have the best chicken plate in the universe and at $6.39 with a full belly after, its hard to beat. It consists of grilled chicken, yellow rice, warm pita bread and a Greek salad but what makes this dish the kind you crave consistently is the special sauce. Something similar to a ranch made by Jesus Christ is the only way to describe it accurately. When all these flavors collide in your mouth, comes forth an audible yum!. My only bone to pick with Chicago Style Gyros No. 3 is what it highly lacks in romantic atmosphere. It’s hard to hide the fact that it was probably once a Long John Silvers. I long to move the food and entertaining thick accent employees to 5 points and put it all inside a cute indoor/outdoor café with a fabulous garden and real silverware.
Up Next: Brunch at Marche Artisan Foods!

I guess I had a Flea Collar on...

2009-05-29T15:12:00.007-05:00

As I’m still keeping an eye out for a fulltime job…or at least an almost fulltime job…or any job really, I still continue to show up at Art Fairs with my big recyclable grocery bags in hand. They are the perfect size to carry around my jewelry and displays with room for snacks.
Last weekend my new jewelry buddy and I split a booth at the Nashville Flea Market. Boasting thousands of visitors a month, we were stoked and also a bit nervous we wouldn’t have enough inventory. We spit the $110 fee which included 2, 8ft tables so I left my little 4 footer at home and my fellow crafter refrained from bringing her 6 foot folding table with the lumps in the middle from the Prehistoric Era.

We set up our tables at 6:45 AM on Friday amidst no one else in the building. I was beginning to think that the 7am start time was just a goal not a rule. They had just installed a new ac unit in our building after it went out last month and cooked all the vendors inside. I guess they were trying to freeze out the vendors this month as I could have stored all my refrigerated food under my table. My hot coffee seemed to turn to iced coffee almost instantly.
Here I am…you can’t see my cute outfit as I had to wear my emergency not cute velour jacket to keep the frost bite at bay.

Across from our table was the concession stand…not open of course. The hot dogs and pretzels were a great deal but the beer seemed a tad high.

It became an ungoing joke with me and the other vendors about the $27 beer. Later when the concession stand did open they realized someone had played a little joke and got a ladder to fix the numbers. The .50 cent hot dog became $4.00 and the beer came down to $7 and I became a non customer. =P

The Flea Market boasts 2,000 vendors…what they don’t mention is 1,995 of those vendors are selling the same crap. I saw the same Zebra print bag with a peace sign on it wherever I went. I thought it might be following me…like the ghost of bad fashion. It was a slew of Antique dealers and people with embroidery machines. It was actually a great place for antiques and I may go back when I have a house to furnish…the salt and pepper shaker selection alone….but as a vendor…never again. I counted about 3 booths were people sold hand made jewelry even though the organizer rolled her eyes when we told her our product and said, “oh gawd, everyone has jewelry”. Really? Everyone? The guy selling old mouthwash and Midol didn’t seem to have any.

The booths surrounding us were as follows: guys selling computers….also newbies and in the wrong venue, a man selling baby clothes and toys featuring Winnie the Pooh, and a man refinishing bathtubs. I became friends with all these guys. If it weren’t for these guys and their constant jokes and stories, I would have lost my mind. That and the big ass coffee I drank.

My new “Bee Love” bobby pin sets!! I made new packaging for the weekend that I thought was mighty cute, alas I only sold two. It wasn’t a “hair jewelry’ kind of clientele unless they were of the “scrunchy” variety.

My partner in over supplying the world in jewelry had to work on Friday so I was all by my lonesome. By Saturday, she had gotten really sick and had to come in late. I was fine, I had my constant joke factory around me. It was like hanging out with all my Uncles. I talked the computers guys into stacking their boxes like a Fort…they had nothing else to do. Oh….I didn’t take a picture of that. Rich came up for part of the day but was soon bored out of his mind and had to leave. When my jewelry Comrad arrived I walked around the Market…for research. I ended up buying a desk and matching chair for $25.

The guy was from Kentucky (or as my friend calls it “Kensucky”) and even loaded it up in my car for me, making me rethink my negative prior comments about the Flea Market. The Flea Market ROCKS!! I’ll be back when I’m I need of monogrammed baseball caps and dog clothes. ..which is often.