Two Days of Pure Joy

I have been a very lucky girl lately. It's very unlike me to be so lucky.

I got to see Needtobreathe play two shows two nights in a row. Talk about luck. We (the roommate, Chelsey and I) had bought tickets to see them play in Little Rock back in May. But the roommate entered a contest to win tickets to see them in Oklahoma City, and she won.

Oklahoma City was ridiculous. Standing room only. And we were so close to the stage. I could have touched Bo if he had reached out to the crowd.

I mean seriously. I could have touched him. It was an amazing night. The opening bands were so good, and the energy was crazy.

Leaving OKC and driving the 5.5 hours back to Little Rock was a true test of character. About three hours into the drive home, I was ready to be out of the car. And by the time we got home, we had just enough time to get ready to go eat before the show.

Round 2 was just as awesome as Round 1.

They played "Cops" from their new EP that came out a few weeks ago. I was ridiculous. Jumping. Singing. Screaming. Laughing. You get the idea.

I can't tell you how much I love Needtobreathe. I just can't do it.

I am a music lover. And I have been since as far back as I can remember. My family was always in awe of my ability to memorize song lyrics and melodies at such a young age. And there was a period of time (1998-2000) where I wanted to be a "pop star."

Needtobreathe became my favorite band my senior year of college. All it took was one song. One song started the whole thing. Once I got all their music, I was hooked. Ridiculously amazing melodies. Thoughtful lyrics. And every single album that comes out is just different enough and even more genius than the last. And I like all of the old stuff just as much as the new stuff....and that's not something I say very often.

I have now seen them play live six times. And each time is more amazing the the first time. They are like a fine wine...just keeps getting better with time. Songs become more thought-provoking. Melodies become more ridiculous.

The roommate took some video that I have to share with you. I want you to have the opportunity to see what I saw. To experience the awesomeness that I experienced.

This first video is from OKC. "The Outsiders" is a song off the album The Outsiders. And there is a point in this song where my brain exploded. If you listen carefully around 1:15 you can hear me freak out because of the ridiculousness.

The second video is a new song called "Difference Maker." I had never heard it before they played it in OKC. But the roommate recorded the whole thing in Little Rock. I think we were both in shock and awe mode in OKC because of how awesome it is. And when I watched this exact version in Little Rock, I totally cried. The sounds and lyrics were just too much to handle.

I hope you enjoy. If you are new to Needtobreathe, you should definitely check them out. I can say without a doubt they are my favorite band ever. And those are big words for me.

What is your favorite band/song?

Who was the last band you saw play live? Where did you go to see them?

Fun Day Friday: Funnies

Every time I write a blog post, I e-mail pictures from my phone to myself so I can post them. In the subject line, I just type random letters so I don't get the dreaded there-is-no-subject-do-you-want-to-send-it pop-up. And sometimes the random letters are autocorrected into something awesome.

That was the case today. kdhaldjhdl turned into Highballing. #perfect

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I went on a winter squash buying rampage yesterday. And I have to tell you I had a butternut squash before I got all this. It's fall, y'all. Get some squash. Roast it and love it.

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I stole this photo from Arkansas Outside. I laughed a lot when I saw it so I had to share it.

I also found this on Pinterest and sent it to the roommate.

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I'm prepping to see Needtobreathe next Tuesday. We all know how much I love them. And they are coming to Little Rock to play a show. We have fourth row tickets. HOLLLLLLAAAAA!!!!

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While eating burrito bowls on the patio of Chipotle's, a little girl, no more than two years old, tried numerous times to climb the metal fence and run out in the street. Her parents were trying to eat dinner while her older sister was shaking the umbrella attached to the table.

As they were getting ready to leave, the pregnant mother was carousing the umbrella shaker and the dad was going after the fence climber. I made a comment to the dad about how she was trying to break out of jail.

He said, "Don't have kids til you get a Taser." I, of course, laughed out loud. Then he threw in "...and ear plugs." as an afterthought.

Best advice ever. Taser and ear plugs.

The Chorus Sings. This is Home.

Y'all. I absolutely cannot handle Needtobreathe. Absolutely cannot handle it.

I know I've said this before, but I don't think you understand just how incredible they are. I mean the music, melodies, voices, drums, piano, lyrics. All of it is too good. But before I regale you with stories of the band's musical genius, I must tell you about my day yesterday and why Needtobreathe can cure whatever is ailing you.

Yesterday was all around weird. I felt bad, as in sickly. And to top it off, I was a bottomless pit. I could never get full. Salads just don't do it for me. After work, I met the roommate for coffee at the favorite Starbucks. I got a little pick-me-up with the coffee and because I asked them to put it in a mug. Look at me reducing waste.

The whole way to Searcy I was in a funk. I didn't feel good. I was coughing all the time, or it seemed like it. And I found out one of my favorite people of all times is moving to Illinois for her job.

But by the time I sat down in my seat in row W, I felt more like myself. Ben Rector played, and he was amazing. But we all know the real reason I went. Needtobreathe.

I started out in the back with the roommate, Chelsey and her sister. It was good. I was singing. But the crowd was just stiff. Not interactive. Quiet. So Bear told people who couldn't see to move up to the front...

So basically we moved from the back to the third row. So close I could see the sweat on their faces. So close I could see all Bear's facial expressions in detail.

He sang with all this heart and soul. It's truly something amazing to be in the presence of such an amazing talent. The music in itself was incredible. Just crazy good melodies. And they changed up the arrangements to make it just different enough to completely blow your mind.

I can't tell you exactly how I felt. It's not like any other feeling. It's like being overcome by complete sensory overload. I've seen Needtobreathe live four times now. And each time has been different and better than the last. That's how I know they are doing something outrageously awesome.

I truly wish everyone will have at least one experience where they are completely overcome by the music. If you've already had one, keep enjoying the music to its fullest.

If you haven't, I challenge you to let yourself be open to the opportunity to feel the music deep down in your soul.

If you're wondering how to even begin to do that, start with a song that catches your attention either by the melody, lyrics or both. Think about what caught your attention, and why it caught your attention. And then listen to the song again. And feel the music. Feel the beat. Let the lyrics roll through your head. And find a place in your life to put the words and sounds. And just let it be. Allow yourself to feel the musical genius. Just allow yourself to have that moment.

I hope you have that special moment. But if you don't, I'm just happy you'd allow yourself to try. It's a foreign concept to most people, but it's something so special it should be shared with everyone.

I leave you with this.

It gets me every time.

A Slow Pace Weekend

Happy Tuesday! After a weekend that was far too short (aren't they always), I'm back and ready to take on this week. The only bad news is I'm a tad bit sickly. I have a ridiculous cough I can't seem to shake.

I spent the weekend in the hometown visiting the parents. My cousin turned 13 on Sunday so I attended her birthday party. Crazy that she's already 13. A teenager. Wow. I'm getting old faster than I thought I was.

Friday when I got home, I went for a little run around town.

 

Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 33:22
Best Pace: 9:11
Average Pace: N/A (I guess I didn't take a picture of it.)
Calories: 400

Overall it was a pretty good run, despite the fact that I ate Pei Wei two hours before it. By the way, don't do that. It was not a good idea. I did catch cramps and had major stomach pains during the entire run. But I definitely needed it to clear my head.

Good ole Katie Dog was happy to see me. The roommate is going to paint this picture of her sometime. I happen to think it will be a great addition to her growing animal art portfolio. If you want to see her work or commission a piece, check it out here.

As I said, I've been kinda sickly. Cough and cold type of thing. Not fun. I've been self medicating with Zrytec-D and cough medicine. Why does cough medicine taste so bad? I mean seriously. I'm already sick. Can't they at least make something that doesn't taste like dirty feet water?

I tried to cheer myself up with my "Life is good." mug I got in Destin this summer. But the cough prevailed and continues to do so.

On a different note, I get to see Needtobreathe tonight live in Searcy. So excited. So so excited.

How was your weekend?

 

To Make It Count

Lots of really great things happened yesterday. To keep everyone sane and to help me not ramble on, I'm going to group the happenings into three different sections. Get. Ready.

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, I know my birthday isn't for another few weeks, but my mom kinda surprised me with tickets to see Needtobreathe in Searcy. I say kinda because she told me had tried to get them, and then she sent me an e-mail confirmation saying the tickets have been purchased. If I could scream, I'd still be screaming with excitement.

She not only got me a ticket, but she also got the roommate a ticket. It's not a birthday celebration unless the best friend is there. In six long short weeks, I will in a room with Needtobreathe yet again. Let's all take some time to remember how I got to meet them and see them twice in one week. 

In other news, I ran yesterday with the roommate for the first time since what seems like October. It was a cold run because we started out running into the wind, but I knew once we warmed up and turned around out of the wind it would be flaming hot. And it definitely was.

Yesterday's run was a lot better for me than the last one. I felt strong. Like I could have gone for miles and miles. And I was just shy of my 33 minute goal time. I will get there soon. I'm determined. 11-minute-miles here I come. Here are the stats:

Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 34:22
Best Pace: 8:56
Average Pace: 11:27
Calories: 356

I felt really good after the run minus the fact that I freeze to death if I can't change clothes right after a run. Literally freeze to death. I did have some sharp knee pains after I quit running, just another sign for saying I need new shoes. More on that later.

I've been working on a Mother's Day art assignment for work. Basically, I have kids draw a picture for their moms, and I have to send them in to headquarters in Kansas City for some massive project. Out of what seems like millions of drawings, two stood out to me for different reasons. Now keep in mind the assignment was suppose to be a cheery drawing for their moms.

I am completely in love with this little girl's drawing. It is so sweet and colorful. Exactly what I want to send to Kansas City.

Now, this little boy needs to see a therapist. But I can totally relate. For the majority of my childhood whenever I could get in trouble, my mom would go from the fun, sweet, loving mother to "Dragon Momma" in about 4.25 seconds. So I can see why this kid might think it's appropriate to draw a dragon in a forest. In all honesty, I love this drawing just as much as the first one, but I can't send this to Kansas City for review.

One day, a long, long, long time from now, I hope I have a kid who blesses me with such creative artworks.

What are you excited about this week?

Which artwork do you like best?

Let Us Love Like We Were Children

Good Mornting Blog Friends. I hope you guys had a spectacular weekend. Friday night the roommate and I went to Fayetteville to watch Needtobreathe for the second time in one week. Of course, it was life changing.

We were very happy campers. So much closer to the stage than the last time. And the acoustics of that tent thing we were in were out of this world amazing.

They totally sang my favorite song on their new CD. "The Reckoning" was one of their encore songs. So of course I acted like a total freak when I heard the first cords being played. Go listen to "The Reckoning" the song right now. Do it. Listen to the drums and piano sound after the first verse. #cannothandleit

While at the concert, I did a lot of people watching, which brings me to the next talking point.

New Relationships
Everyone knows the feelings you get when you start a new relationship with someone. I can really only speak about this from a girl's perspective, but I think I can get it right. It's that rush of intense emotion. It makes you nervous and excited and terrified all at the same time.

As I was people watching, I noticed a lot of young couples and the way they acted toward one another. Boyfriends would take their girlfriends hands and lead them through the crowded narrow aisles.

Boys placing their hand on the small of a girl's back while talking to other people. Such a small gesture, but probably one of my most favorites.

There are lots of little gestures boys can do that can cause serious heart palpitations for us girls: Brushing the hair out of our face, the lean in for the hair smell, the whisper in the ear in a crowded room, simply holding hands, the hand on the small of the back (I swoon), cheek kisses, thoughtful text messages or phone calls....I mean the list can go on and on when it's someone you really like.

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with all this. But I think I just needed to tell everyone who has this already to cherish those moments. Those little moments are the ones that build a relationship. I've seen it happen time and time again with my friends, and I've experienced a few of those moments myself.

But after a while, we all tend to take those little gestures from our boyfriend or girlfriend for granted. It becomes something you expect the other to do. And that's where the beauty of the relationship gets lost.

You can call me a hopeless romantic, and I would say that is accurate. Do I believe everyone deserves those little moments and happy gestures? Yes, of course I do.

Everyone needs to know what it feels like to have their breathe taken away by having their hand held by their special someone. For their heart to race when opening a text message that simply says "Have a great day!"

On a more personal note: I've been praying a lot about this recently. Not asking God to give me the perfect man with the perfect life. More like asking God to give me opportunities to meet new people. Reconnect with old friends. Help someone I don't know. Give back to the community. Just praying for opportunities in general.

I felt like my prayers were too specific. Too much to ask for. I found myself getting frustrated when God didn't answer my specific prayers. For almost 24 years, I've been praying these specific prayers.

And then I realized that I had been doing it all wrong. I shouldn't be asking God to make things happen for me. I should be thanking Him for the opportunities He provides me every single day. I've been taking the opportunities for granted. Beautiful, small gestures for granted. God-given opportunities for granted.

So I work on this every day. I pray that God will provide me with opportunities and give me the strenght and understanding to take those opportunities. I'm a work in progress. We all are. And it's a beautiful thing when you think about it that way. He's making me a better person for the man He has chosen for me. #excitingrealization

I thank you so much for reading about this little part of me and where I am in my life. Sometimes I need to just put it out there and see what happens. And it's been a post that was a long time coming. God has been telling me for a while to be more open about where I am in my life so I'm taking that opportunity. Only He knows where it will take me.

Be loving you guys.

You'll Never Make It to the Great Unknown

Last night was amazing. If you have a true love of music, you will understand when I say I can't put into words exactly how I felt last night to watch my favorite band ever play on a huge stage and know I would get to meet them after the show was over.

I'm going to do my best with my descriptions, but I can't promise I will be eloquent and charming with my words today. Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

After an hour of sitting at our favorite Starbucks, the roommate and I decided to head toward Verizon Arena. As a avid Needtobreathe Twitter follower, I know they always tweet about buying the CD at a certain merchandise stand and getting a pass to meet them after the show.

As we turned by the baseball field, I saw this.

Yet we did not have the tickets with us. My mom had them in the car with her. So we had to wait. And while we waited, we prayed a lot. I mean who wouldn't want to see this face up close.

After what seemed like an eternity, the tickets were in our hand. We made it through the gates. And we were standing right in front of the merchandise stand outside section 115. We waited in line. A very long, slow-moving line. I was shaking. And praying.

And then it was my turn. I showed the man the tweet and asked if I was in the right place for the meet and greet pass. He said yes. He turned and came back with two CDs and two passes. And that was the moment the roommate and I exploded for the first time last night. I'm not even going to try to lie and say I didn't cry. Because I did let a few tears of excitement go.

Then the show started. I'm pretty sure the girls sitting behind us were pissed because we didn't sit down or stop screaming until Needtobreathe was over.

The playlist was: Keep Your Eyes Open, A Girl Named Tennessee, Drive All Night, Something Beautiful, Lay Em Down and Let Us Love.

Hearing Bear's voice live and the melodies of songs I love was what made my brain explode for the second time. Again, if you are a true lover of music, you will understand what I mean by that. There is something so precious about the moments between one song and another. Like the anticipation and joy collide to make something completely and outrageously wonderful.

Then T. Swift did her hair flipping, hand waving, crowd hugging thing.

And then it was over. And the moment I have waited for, yet never thought would actually happen happened. I was in a room with Needtobreathe. Just a few feet away. I got so close I could have touched their faces, but I didn't so I wouldn't get arrested and ruin the moment.

I snuck these pictures before the Rent-A-Cop saw me. And then it was my turn. I had to think of something meaningful to say to my most favorite band. All I could think of was the way the drums and piano sound in the song "The Reckoning," and I had to tell them. So I did just that.

I told them I loved what they were doing. And that nobody understands it (in a good way). They said thank you numerous times. And Joe the drummer told me the drums in that song were made up by him, Seth and Bo.

I made eye contact with Bear and forgot how to think and speak. Seth was very quite, and Bo looked me in the eye and thanked me for coming. It was one of the best moments in my life thus far.

I got to listen to Needtobreathe live and meet them and get their autographs and tell them a very small bit of my great love of their music. Be still my heart.

Cut Me a Break

I went to the game. I got to see some of my long lost friends. I stayed up too late. And it was all too good.

Who loves UCA's new gray and purple field? Not this girl. All my athletic fees down the drain. I mean green turf would have been a whole lot more pleasant to look at, but I guess the UCA Board of Directors thought purple and gray would be more appropriate. Now instead of grass stains, our players get plastic turf burn on their bare arms. Awesome.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm currently in a state of depression and mourning. I have to get another crown on my front tooth. While it's not directly in the front (it's two away from the center), I have to crown a perfectly good tooth without decay because I was dumb and made a poor decision when it came to eating a Jolly Rancher.

We all know I have serious dental anxiety. And we all know about my former gold tooth. So my immediate fear was that I would rock a gold front tooth for two weeks. Thankfully, that is not the case. My dentist doesn't hate me. But she is concerned that my tooth will split from the crack the Jolly Rancher made. So the crown is the only safe way to go.

Saturday I tried to self-medicate the throbbing with tequila.

And I continued self-medication with Bud Light Lime and a shot of tequila. Unfortunately, it didn't work too well.

Then I decided soup would be a safe bet for the whole chewing problem.

Cheesy potato soup was a good idea. Very delicious. The leftovers will be my lunch today. (If you want the recipe, leave a message in the comments section so I remember to do it tomorrow.)

I also tried retail therapy as a form of self-soothing, but that didn't work either. I did get a sweet pair of sunglasses and an awesome shirt from the new J. Crew. (I will show you these items tomorrow.)

Despite the mourning and break cutting, today will be wonderful for one major reason. It's the Taylor Swift and Needtobreathe concert tonight. I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. You may remember me purchasing tickets back in April. And on an even happier note, the week continues to get better because I will see Needtobreathe again on Friday in Fayetteville because they will be playing with Ben Rector. Be still my heart.

I also get my Garmin Forerunner my dad scored with reward points from roadrunnersports.com. Yet another slight victory on the road to recovery.

How was your weekend?

What do you have to look forward to this week?

Today's the Day

***Needtobreathe's new album "The Reckoning" is out. So go buy it. This morning I created a brilliant plan to go to Target on a work related errand to purchase batteries for my camera...and to pick up the CD. Brilliant right? Wrong. Target doesn't have it. So I'm still without it, but I will get it TODAY. (Needtobreathe did not ask me to promote their new album, and they do not know me in any way. I just love them and their music and want to share it with you.)***

Now that I got that out of my system, I can move on to The Freaking Weekend Recap.

I went to the movies a lot this weekend. I have a friend who is a manager of the theater, and she gives us the hook-up. (THANK YOU, C.) The roommate, Zach and I got to go in the projection room while C started some movies in other auditoriums, which people in the movie biz call houses. Here is the snapshot of what happened.

There are no reels. No ticker tape. Everything is digital, which sort of takes away from movie nostalgia. But that didn't stop us. Luckily for your viewing pleasure, there was a life-size movie poster thingy...because you know that is the technical term.

I was drawn to the fancy headdress. Clearly I should take up staring as a hobby. I mean that is true focus.

I had my first experience with 3D movies. Yep. The Lion King in 3D is something to see. Go. Do. That. Now. I mean it. Take off work. Skip school. Just go see the glory of classic Disney in 3D.

I don't think we could have been more excited. P.S. the glasses were made for children, but clearly work for us. They had Simba on them. #badass

Everyone in the movie was 20-35. Maybe a few kids, but mostly adults. Very excited adults.

Yesterday, I had a craving for macaroni and cheese. So I had to listen. Who would have thought I would submit to peer pressure from myself? Awesome.

HOLY COW. That crap is good good. Plus it was a reward for doing the homework and going to the library. I can prove that I was there.

Explain to me how the best microfilm machine is out of order. I realize there are three more for me to use, but how is the best one going to break?

I did start the gathering of information for the thesis. And I have to start working on my non-profit PR project this week. It has to happen. Welcome back to school.

How was your weekend?

Are you a procastinator? Or do you manage your time well?