"The saddest part of a broken heart isn't the end so much as the start"

The next album on my list is by Leslie Feist, one of the former yet still dating Kevin Drew so still participates from time to time, members of BSS. Feist as you know her became famous with the release of her album "The Reminder" even though she has been on the scene for awhile now. I would like to choose - surprise, surprise - my first listen to Feist which is her album "Let It Die". This album is delightful from start to finish. It has a lovely French flair since she recorded it while living in Paris. It also has a 70s feel to it which makes me want to wear go-go boots, which I have never owned, and dance around with a disco ball. Back when I used to own cds I use to spin this in my cd player and sign along. It is an album that stays with me and I like to hum when it floats through my head.

Favorite track: "Mushaboom" - "And we'll collect the moments one by one I guess that's how the future's done"

Broken Social Scene

So I have enjoyed blogging about music I love so I have decided to continue. Well at least for one more week. I had an idea of a theme that has gotten me excited. I was originally thinking that I would blog about Canadian artists I love but there were waaaaaaay too many to choose from. Then I realized I could do an entire week on just my favorite band and as the title suggests they are Broken Social Scene (BSS). BSS is not just one band but many all in one beautiful, glorious group. Out of BSS you have:
1. Kevin Drew who released a solo album that I will later feature
2. Brendan Canning who also did a solo album
3. Feist - awesome!
4. Metric - danceable
5. Apostle of Hustle - nice Cuban flavor
6. Stars - another of my favs
7. Amy Millan - also a member of Stars that has some delightful solo material
8. Jason Collett - adorable and he has some of his own terrific albums

Now I am sure there are even more I don't even know about.

The album I have selected to feature today is my first BSS exposure thanks to my brother Ben who also adores this band. At the time the BSS was 10 members strong and even had 5 other guest artist contribute to "You Forgot it in People". If I were to create my top 10 favorite albums, which maybe I will someday, this would be on it hands down. I have listened to it countless times and have never tired of its brillance. For such a large group their cohesion is amazing. I think it is awesome to have so many creative people, so many with song writing abilities to come together and make some this perfect and not have one person stand out more than another. They all share vocals and yes most songs are written by Drew but there is no showboating allowed is BSS. I also must say I love an indie rock band that includes lots of strings on an album, so delightful. So there you are my favorite band.

Favorite track: "Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl" park that car, drop that phone, sleep on the floor, dream about me

Saved the best for last

Okay so I am writing this post before the week is done but have decided to save it to the end. Not only does Radiohead fit perfectly into my list but they are also one of my favorite bands of all time. Each album I purchase I end up loving - even something as strange as "Kid A". It is hard to explain how or why I love them so much but it is mainly Thom Yorke. It is great when a band can have staying power like Radiohead and still produce amazing music. I never get bored of them and even their latest "In Rainbows" is brilliant.
So I debated about which album I would select for my list because there are many to choose from but I decided on "OK Computer". Unfortunately, I didn't discover Radiohead until I was in university so I missed out on "The Bends" until later so "OK Computer" was my first exposure to Radiohead and has left the most lasting impression on me. I know this sounds strange but if one day I meet a guy and I feel like I felt when I first heard Radiohead that will be a pretty good sign that he will be someone I want to get to know better. So yes music is my boyfriend - what can I say. I think The Hidden Cameras say it best in there song appropriately titled "Music is My Boyfriend" - "I found music and he found me."

"To be alone with me you went up on the tree"

I changed my mind a few times on this post. I had a few albums that I was choosing between and wasn't sure what was going to make the cut. I actually had selected a different album and started writing about it but I needed to include Sufjan Stevens on my list. Even thought his music doesn't exactly fit in with my list so much of his music does move me in the same way as the rest of the music included on this list. I adore his voice and his lyrics and how he builds his songs with such grace and ease.
The album I am selecting is "Seven Swans" because it was my first introduction to Sufjan. As you may have noticed on many occasions the first album I hear of an artist is often my favorite. If it is someone I really enjoy it becomes imprinted on me and is always a tough act to follow. I am very loyal.
I remember listening to "To Be Alone With You" and realizing that I could worship God even when the music wasn't overtly Christian. I grew up learning that there was a clear line between Christian and non-Christian music and I always felt guilty for my deep love of secular music. I listened to that song and God spoke to me and I felt love and now every time I hear it I hear God singing it to me. It is quite possible that Miranda you are the only one reading these and you are already familiar with Sufjan but the word has to get out there - he is amazing.

My next artist/album is Sigur Ros. His music is so beautiful and if you have never heard of him I am sure you have heard his music and just not realized it. His music is often in the background and has made many soundtracks. His mix of English, Icelandic and some unknown language makes an amazing landscape for the cacophony of sound. He is an acquired taste and definitely not for everyone but when you take the time to listen I am sure you would not be disappointed.
I enjoy all of his music and his latest "Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust" is more upbeat than his usual and more accessible than his older albums. Iin sticking with my theme my choice for this list is "Takk" because it falls somewhere in the middle of the musical spectrum. It is a pretty album and somewhat simpler than some of his others. The tracks are a "normal" length and have a lighter quality to them.
With Sigur Ros you have to listen to love it and I love it.

It's time for mercy, pretty please

This next album is one that I know my friend Miranda will appreciate. We have been long time Jann Arden fans and she even more hardcore than myself. She has sat in front row at her concert on more than one occasion. The album I have chosen is "Time for Mercy". It is actually Jann Arden's first album and I confess has always been my favorite. She has made many more great music since and even music that is more popular and familiar to others but "Time for Mercy" is always my fall back album. Jann is always someone I will play when I want to feel sad and especially Mercy. The only track that trumps these songs for me is on her "Happy?" album "Hangin' By A Thread" - oh I have cried many a tear listening over and over to "Hangin' By a Thread." Now this was quite a few years ago and I honesty don't use Jann Arden as a tool for my sorrow but I am listening to "Time for Mercy" as I write this and I am smiling. Even though it is emensly sad it is full of hope at times and honest which anyone can appreciate.
So there you have it. An oldy but a goody.

Needle in the Hay

This post is not about one album but instead one song. It's author is Elliot Smith who's music is generally brooding and melancholy so would fall into my list very nicely but I don't know Elliot Smith enough to be able to include one of his albums in my list. But this one song I love and it kills me every time I hear it. It does have a lot to do with the fact that it accompanies the saddest scene I have every witnessed in a movie. It is in The Royal Tenenbaums just after Luke Wilson's character finds out the truth about Margot's past. He is in the bathroom and cuts his hair and shaves his face looks in the mirror and says "I am going to kill myself tomorrow." It breaks my heart but I LOVE that movie. I have seen it several times and that scene always gets me and it is largely because of the song "Needle in the Hay."
So there you are not an album but an artist who knows how to write a good tear-jerking ballad.

"You told me to be patient you told me to be kind"

So Miranda inspired me to share more music that I love. I have decided to write about one album a day for the next week. Now most of you who know me and bother to read my blog know the music I like and have probably heard all of this already but oh well. For this week I decided to choose a theme and these are all albums that fall under what I like to call the "lovely and sad" category. They each have a melancholy tone but I adore them. The second album on my list is by Bon Iver and is entitled "For Emma, Forever Ago". I still remember driving in my friend's car and she had it playing. There were a few of us in the vehicle and we were chatting during the trip but this album caught my ear as we drifted in and out of conversation. I found the disc at the Edmonton Public Library and instantly I knew the album would be one I would enjoy and by the third track I was in love. It has quickly become one of the albums that I often play over and over. When I am trying to decide what to listen on my iPod on more than one occasion I don't scroll past the B's.
This album was written like Hospice during a period of isolation. Justin Vernon went away to a cabin in the woods during winter to write and record the songs. As I listen I often imagine the cabin and wrap a blanket around me and sit back and enjoy.
So give it a spin if you haven't already. The EP Blood Bank is also good.

Sorrow and beauty

I have been in love with the album Hospice by The Antlers these days. It is a very sorrowful album full of angst and describes a man who meets and falls in love with a woman in the hospital who is dying of cancer. I listen to it and it is so haunting and my eyes will often well up with tears. I love music.
It is the weekend and I plan to be lazy. I finished my first knitting project, it was a very satisfying feeling, and I have begun another. I should say goodnight I was just listening to Hospice for about the millionth time and was overcome yet again and felt like blogging about it.

The year is new

I am learning how to knit. Yes I know totally cliche. But this time I am determined. It is my third attempt but this time I am investing time and persistence and I stated an actual project instead of the many rhombuses that have been created out of my lack of skill. I have had fun being crafty lately. I have always stated that I am not crafty and I am sticking to my guns because it does not come naturally to me. But I do enjoy a creative outlet and I am thankful that I am okay with not being perfect at it.

So it is 2010 but I do not make resolutions because of the disappointment that inevitable follows. So instead I will say that I aspire to be less complacent - this translates to different aspects of my life which I will not get into.

My week in review:
Highlight: Appliance shopping with Sarah. We bought 2 appliance within 7 minutes at Home Depot and celebrated our skill with a high-5.
Low light: My favorite client died over the holidays and I am devastated. I will miss him and hope I get to see him in heaven some day.

Happy New Year to you.

The photo on the left is my most recent craft project and the one on the right is proof that I am learning to knit.

I know that I grew up here so I should really be tired of the snow but today was beautiful. Everything was white and the temperature was mild - it was magical. I love days like today and I take delight in a white Christmas. I love this season and I cannot wait until I get to go to my parent's house and I get to be taken care of for 5 days, be with family, eat too much and open a new pair of pajamas on Christmas eve.
We had a Christmas party for our clients this past Thursday and it was a riot. I brought the came Guesstures and it was FUNNY. It was great watching everyone play charades and to just hangout. I love my job for stuff like that. I asked everyone to share what the best Christmas gift they ever got was and it was great because everyone had an answer. They all shared about something they were given when they were a kid and then we gave away some pretty wacky handmade slippers and I almost had eggnog come out of my nose. So all and all a pretty good time.
This weekend I get to be lazy and that makes me happy. I got to sew and bake - two of my favorite things and I am about to go to bed another favorite. Happy Saturday everyone and Merry Christmas.

Life is precious

I was reminded on Saturday of life's delicate balance. I received two phone calls in the morning about 15 minutes apart. The first was informing me that one of my clients had died the night before. He had lived a hard life but still his death was sudden and unexpected. I was shocked and thought to myself "what could I have done?" but the soft voice in my head spoke to me saying "you could not have changed anything." Shortly following that call I received another from a good friend of mine informing me that she had had her baby. I was thrilled and so excited for her but my heart did not know what to feel. There I stood suspended between sorrow and celebration and somehow I felt both at the same time. It is amazing how complex we are as humans. In that moment God felt very close to me. We are breath - the bible tells us our lives are like dust. Even though I could not help but feel insignificant in that moment, knowing He was present I felt valued. He is infinite and He knows me.

The war is over

Well something must have worked because today it was just as if nothing had happened. They are ignoring each other - no more fights. Peace. I got hugs today from both of them. This is why I do what I do.

Play nice

I have a job that I love. Sometimes it drives me crazy but for the most part I am happy to be there and think I am good at what I do. Today was one of those days when I shake my head and say to myself "I can't believe this is what I do." I have two clients right now who are having trouble cohabiting. One is very paranoid and is convinced the other is stealing from him. The accused has a quick temper and is threatening to punch the accuser out. My day mainly consisted of listening to them fight, separating them, listening to each of them complain about the other, restating rules and establishing boundaries, negotiating compromise, consoling as many tears were shed, counselling sessions when one of them claimed he was triggered to start "using" again...sigh. I know all you parents out there are probably use to these shenanigans but I tell you it is hard work being the mediator - why can't they just play nice? So I am hoping when I arrive at work tomorrow morning they will both still be in one piece and I will not have to deal with any more drama. Honestly, I never thought this was were I would end up - would I change it? No.

I went to Peru a month and a half ago. It was an incredible trip yet oddly enough it seems so far away and so long ago. Peru is another world and one so different from the world I live in. Everything there seems so backwards to home. In Canada we have so many rules, we move really fast and we have everything we need and could ever want.
I had never thought about going to Peru before and it was not one of those places I knew I wanted to visit. One night I woke up after an intense dream and in my half wake and half sleep state God took the opportunity to speak to my heart and tell me "I'm inviting you to Peru." So 6 months later I was on a boat in the amazon providing medical care to people who have no access to health care. It was truly incredible. The children were beautiful and the people were strong and lived simple lives with absolutely nothing but for the most part seemed pretty happy. It was not an easy trip but I was so thankful that I was obedient. I think of all the missed opportunities that God has presented to me. I encourage you to always keep you heart and ears open. It may turn out to be a trip of a lifetime.

Hello Again

Well hi there blog I am sorry I forgot you existed. I know you think I had given up on you but I am still here. I haven't been reading blogs lately except for cake wrecks of course.
Life is good. I have lived in my new home for one year and loving it. It is so nice living near work, having a yard and friends all around. Last weekend was our 7th Annual Airband Party and it was great getting to host it in our house. We have a huge living room that makes for a great dance floor. I did air guitar yet again and honestly I don't know what comes over me when I air guitar. I am never quite sure what I am going to do but it happens, I feel a little sheepish after, the next day have a sore neck but I love it. It is fun to pretend to be someone else for a little while. I do have a performer inside of me that occasional enjoys being the center of attention. I value people thinking I am funny. I was having a conversation today with a couple of friends and was remembering how a crush I had on someone ended when I realized that he didn't think I was funny.
I am turning 30 tomorrow. I am not thrilled to be leaving my 20s but I have had time to adjust and I have decided to embrace it. I am happy with the place I am at in my life. Thrilled to be past many of my insecurities and now comfortable in my own skin. My life looks a little different then I had imagined when I was younger but I am so grateful that God knew me better than I knew myself. I wouldn't trade where I am at right now for anything. It is a good place to be.
So there it is. Not sure if anyone out there still checks my blog. Don't worry I won't be offended if you don't. Goodnight.

Full time blues

So I went on vacation recently and it was great. I haven't gone away - besides Vermilion or Sexsmith - for a couple of years and I was excited to have a break. My sister and I went to the west coast and it was awesome. I love Vancouver island - if I were to live anywhere else it would be there.
I got back on Tuesday and Wednesday morning I was back at work. I worked three days and then took Monday off. I miss working part-time so much. I really do enjoy my job and I don't regret taking full-time but I don't know why we need to work full-time. Many people do like it and it is almost seen as shameful if you don't work full-time. When I used to work part-time I would get a lot of raised eyebrows and I remember my uncle asking me once why I did that and asked if I was having a hard time finding work. No uncle I just prefer it. I was part time for a year and a half and I loved it - I eventually got over worrying about what other people thought of me and I embraced my life, my freedom, my ability to do things of my choosing. It was great and I think that if I am in the place in my life again where I have the opportunity to work less I will definatly take it.
So I respect all of you who are able to manage full-time jobs and families and everything that life might throw at you. I don't know how you do it but my hat is off to you.

Things I Love

Okay focusing on the good. Here are things that I love.

10. Fridays
9. Chocolate
8. Sunshine
7. When my clients make good choices
6. The Office
5. Living in community
4. The cute faces my niece makes and everything else about her
3. My peeps
2. My family
1. J.C.

Spring is here early

It is beautiful outside. The sun is shining and I am back wearing my spring jacket. How I wish that winter could be over already. I try not to complain too much about winter because I find the summer heat unbearable and I save up my whining for then. But this weather I love - this I can handle. I know I am blogging about the weather and that is boring but I just had to mention how awesome it is.
Come to an open house this Saturday at our new digs! Open house 2-6pm, dance party 8pm. I sure hope I can get my place organized before then.

Long time no see

Okay so it has been two months since my last post - I told you I wasn't very good at this right? I feel like I am getting my life back. For a few months I was feeling out of control. I was stressed, probably unnecessarily so, but I tell you buying a house is stressful. Moving is stressful. So now I am in my new home and really enjoying it. We have had our share of problems since move in day but I am trying not to let if phase me. I really didn't like my life for those few months ever since the day I hit that deer and I don't want to let myself become consumed like that.

So please forgive me friends if I have ignored you as of late. I have missed you all along with my sanity. Sorry God once again for not seeking you in the times when I know I need you most. I have been returning to the things I like lately - friends, God, books, sewing, watching tv with my sister - it is great because it is like when their is this food you really like, you know the dish you get at a restaurant that you loved, then you go back and order it again one day and it is even better than you remember. This sense of relief feels pretty great too. My condo still is on the market and each day seems grimmer in that department but honestly not even that is killing my buzz right now. I am full, I am satisfied, I missed my life.