The Whole Thing
Posted on | October 25, 2012 | 15 Comments
Remember a long time ago when I wrote about wanting a record player? Well, I finally got one and it only took me eight months (so maybe I have some commitment issues, what of it?). And after some hellish technical AV issues it’s finally hooked up and working. And it sounds effing fantastic. Quick side note: about the only time I miss my ex is when I am faced with a huge electrical/technical project with lots of cords and plugs and stuff. I hate it! That’s men’s work! I’m always half-tempted to call him and ask “now, where does this one go?” But, I am pleased to let you know that I figured out my new stereo equipment all on my own. That’s right – no man needed. Boom. Anywho, this new owning a record player portion of my life is all very exciting. I have a total of four records!
{The new Mumford & Sons which is PHENOMENAL btw, a lil’ Gladys because I need it in my life, some Marvin for good measure and the lovely Bon Iver. And I’m delighted to announce that the very first song I played on my record player was none other than “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Ain’t that nice and fitting?}
My new hobby is leisurely browsing record shops. It’s been so long since I’ve bought music in any form other than an mp3 and it’s so refreshing to hold something physical in your hands. Tactilely pleasing with liner notes, to boot. Long live records, I say.
I was never one of those whole album purists. You know the ones, who insist that you listen to a record in it’s entirety, start to finish. Some of the really extreme ones don’t even believe in greatest hits compilations. Now, I think that’s a bunch of crazy talk. But owning a record player means paying attention to whole albums and there’s something nice and pure about that. It’s listening to the songs as the artists intended rather than shuffling all over the place like I usually do with Pandora or my iTunes playlists.
I’ve always found that it’s somewhat rare to find an album that you love all the way through. I guess that’s what makes them so special. Here’s some of my absolute favorites from my younger years although they mostly stand up to the test of time. And here’s to discovering some new gems. Any suggestions, my lovely and smart pals?
Something To Do
Posted on | October 23, 2012 | 2 Comments
If you can, try to go on a trip with your mom sometime. I’d highly recommend it. Yesterday I returned from a little excursion to Portland with my own lovely mom. We had a great time and Portland sure is a nice town. We explored and relaxed and ate. Yes, we ate a lot. But you’re supposed to eat with reckless abandon on vacation, right? It’s an unwritten rule that you have to follow. And follow it we did. I’ll tell you ALL about the life changing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that we had very soon. And no, “life changing” is not an overstatement. They really were that good.
I feel so grateful to have been able to go on such a fun trip with just my mom. And the specialness of this is not lost on me. I mean moms are the best, after all. And that goes double for mine.
Did y’all have a good weekend?
Chalkboard Quote 03
Posted on | October 15, 2012 | 9 Comments
Hi friends. I chose a travel themed quote this week for two reasons. One, I love to travel but then again who doesn’t? And, more specifically, I am heading out of town to Portland tomorrow. Oregon that is. I’ve never been so I’m taking my mom on a belated birthday trip. I love the idea of picking a cool, new town and just going and exploring. That’s our plan, anyways. I’m not a very scheduled traveller. I’m really not a very scheduled person, I guess. But I believe strongly that trips should be loose and relaxed and fun and leave plenty of time for wandering and resting and just enjoying the location and the people you’re with.
Seeing as it’s my first time there, though, if you have any recommendations I would absolutely love to hear them.
Seeing Stars
Posted on | October 10, 2012 | 6 Comments
{photo via}
I often wish I had started a long list of all my NYC celebrity sightings. I think by now (eight years later) it would be a pretty impressive collection of names. There have been some really legit ones. Leonardo DiCaprio, Sarah Jessica Parker and Will Ferrell to name a few. And I just had a lovely exchange with Brooke Shields at my neighborhood bodega. She couldn’t have been any sweeter. But there’s an unspoken rule in NYC regarding celebrity sightings: you have to act like it’s no big deal. Sure, steal a couple glances but don’t stare. And you definitely can’t talk to them. New Yorkers don’t make a big deal out of celebrities – it’s just part of the deal. Actually, I was having this exact conversation with a date recently and he asked me if there were some celebrities that I would have to break these rules for, celebrities I loved so much that I would screw protocol and go up and talk to them. A few came to mind; Conan, Tom Hanks, The Indigo Girls.
After that very date I hopped on the 3 train in Prospect Heights to take me back to the West Village. About two stops into my ride, Ira Glass got on the train and stood right in front of me. He was basically straddling me and our knees even touched a few times. I kept my cool, obviously but inside, I was freaking out. This was a perfect example of the type of celebrity my date had just asked me about! This was totally a celebrity that I would break all the rules for! And I had just had this conversation so clearly the Universe was telling me “Yes, Amy! Talk to Ira!” But, how would I do it? And what would I say? Would I say hello randomly during the ride and then have to sit here afterwards in a cloud of my own awkwardness. Like when you say goodbye to someone only to realize you’re still walking next to each other. I practiced what I would say. I didn’t want to make a huge production of it, I was going to simply say “hello there, I’m a huge fan.” Short and sweet. I decided waiting to talk to him when one of us got off the train made the most sense. I was watching his body movements like a hawk to try and predict when he would be getting off. Chambers? Canal? But then, before I knew it we were at my stop. I gathered my things and stood up, I positioned myself so I’d be facing Ira ready to deliver my loving hello.
But out of nowhere two old people squeezed between us in an attempt to get the much coveted seat I had just vacated. Oh I hated them so much at that moment. I was pushed away from Ira and he stepped back to give the terrible old couple room. And then, in the blink of an eye, the doors were closing. I dashed out onto the platform and Ira rode off, uptown and out of my life. I missed my opportunity to tell him how much I love his work and how amazing I think he is.
It’s kind of a sad story. But, I’ve learned a valuable lesson. If I’m ever faced with another opportunity to talk to one of my break-the-rules celebrities, I better take it. In New York people ride in and out of your life at an alarming speed so you have to be ready. Because you never know when a stupid old couple will ruin your one and only chance.
Do you have any celebrities that you would break the rules for?
And if you’re reading this Ira: hello there, I’m a big fan.
Chalkboard Quote 02
Posted on | October 8, 2012 | 2 Comments
Greetings from Atlanta. I popped down here for a quick long weekend. I usually get the ol’ Georgia itch every 2-3 months so I was due up. Had to see my Bravos lose in a heartbreaking single elimination game on Friday night. But the sting of that loss is slowly fading. And the truth is, a trip home does wonders for my soul. That’s my my quote of the week is this lil’ gem from Margaret Elizabeth Sangster.
Hope you found something good for your soul this weekend. And here’s to a marvelous week.
xo
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