Hello Goodbye

Well would you look at that?  I haven't posted since February and the year is almost over.  The reason for my MIA status?

New baby.

Hmm.. I suppose he's not actually "new" anymore.  It has been ten months after all.  Bah.  I don't need to explain.  Any parent out there understands that when a new bugaboo is added to the mix there is less and less and less time for mommy (and daddy).  Thus, the blog (and many other interests) gets pushed to the waaaay back corner of the broom closet.

I ain't complaining though.  My little guy's smile is the best hobby I've ever had.  The blog will always be there.  But that angel face will one day turn sour with middle school attitude and hoard itself in a bedroom listening to gangster rap.

Oy.

Despite having practically zero time to myself I managed to hold on tight to my two favorite escapes: music and books.  That's all I need to keep rolling.

So without further ado ... my BEST OF 2014!

An interesting playlist.  I noticed a few things: 

• There are almost no women on my list (minus the vintage crooning of Kate Davis).  This kind of irks me but whatever.  I like what I like. 
• Mostly new artists.
• Some heavy hitting back-to-basics rock songs (the world needs more of these).
• A lot of these tracks were released within the latter part of the year so they're still very fresh.
• Any song that has the lyric, "Gonna take you to the sugar shack" has me SOLD.  Come on.  You know that's so dang good. (*listen to Electric Man above*)

Okay.  Now books.

I need to preface this portion by sharing that I had lofty reading ambitions back in January.  I declared through Goodreads that I would read 25 books this year.  I guess I forgot to factor in the reality of having two kids and that lounging with a book in the middle of the afternoon was simply a thing of the past.  Regardless, I refuse to give up on books.  I just can't.  But my pace is considerably s-l-o-w-e-r.  

I only read 11 books.  But damn.  That's pretty good considering my reading window is from 10:45 p.m. to whenever-my-lids-droop-and-I jerk-awake-sending-my-book-flying-onto-the-floor.  I swear that happens every night.  It's quite sad.

Here's what I loved: (oh and by the way, this is not a Best of 2014 list because most of these books are older)

This Life is in Your Hands by Melissa Coleman

A haunting (I still think about it) memoir of Coleman's unorthodox upbringing on a homestead during the 1970's.  Compelling, poetic, sad, beautiful.

Bloom by Kelle Hampton

Love her blog.  Love her book.  Love her voice.

Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

Stupid, dry humor but deliciously funny and naughty.

The Martian by Andy Weir

The sci-fi book for NON sci-fi people (like me).  I'm so glad I branched out of my comfort zone for this one.  It was superb.  I smell movie rights...

One Summer: America, 1927 by Bill Bryson

This is my non-fiction pick.  I'm actually still reading it and if I finish it before the year ends then that makes my total 12 books, not 11 - YEAH!  I'm turning into a history geek as I get older and I find this time in America fascinating.  Bill Bryson could write about galvanized steel pipe and I would read it.  He's that good.

Okay.  I think that's enough nerd talk for one post.  I don't want to overdo it or anything.

P.S. What made YOUR lists this year?  Share.  I'll talk to ya.

Delivery Room Tunes

I'm not a big regrets person.  I try not to go there.  I think it's a bit useless to dwell on all the ways you could have changed your past.  It's much more empowering to focus on ways you can change your future.  

Getting too deep?  Must be the maternal hormones talking.

Anyhoo, the reason I bring this up is that I do have a tiny regret regarding the birth of our first baby.  It's not so much a regret but an "Oops!  We totally forgot about that!" moment.  Why we did not think to incorporate music into the birth of our baby girl is so very strange.  Strange because anyone who knows us knows that music is a big part of our lives.  No, a huge part of our lives.  Music is a daily pulse that runs through our house, our souls, and yes, our babies.  I won't even begin to discuss the lyrics my 3-year-old knows by heart that are older than me.  We dig retro.

(photo courtesy of Google Images)

So here I sit, awaiting the imminent arrival of our second child, our little boy, and I immediately think, "This kid is SO gonna have a life soundtrack."  I'm not "missing a beat" ... this time.

The past week or so I have been painstakingly adding and removing and adding again to this playlist.  I have to remind myself that it's really more for me than lil' babe.  And I'm being 100% selfish with the selections. If I invited my husband to add his preferences I would be grunting my way through a string of jazz fusion diddies lasting at least nine minutes apiece.  No thanks.

(Did I forget to mention that our "music pulses" vary greatly across the musical spectrum?)

Bottom line:  The pusher gets to be the picker.

I heeded two simple rules when creating my playlist:

1. I must genuinely love the track and feel something when listening to it.
2. Each track should have some sort of relevance to the occasion.  For instance, I love Stanglehold by Ted Nugent but something tells me that wouldn't be exactly appropriate for this event.  Wait ... on second thought...     

The one track that sums it all up and I have deemed as my favorite?  Mr. Sam Cooke, Bring It On Home To Me.  I think I will forever think of my son when I hear that beautiful, soulful tune.  

Smiling.

PS:  What was on your delivery playlist(s)?  Favorites?  Any special songs that remind you of your lil' bean(s)?  Please share!!

Just Can't Get Enough: Best of 2013

It was a great year for music.  In my humble little opinion, these are the best tracks released this year.

I cheated and chose six instead of five.  I just couldn't kick any of them to the curb.

1. I Love You by Said The Whale:  This song simply gets back to the basics of a great rock song.  The retro feel is always a bonus for me.  A+ all the way.

2. Closer by Tegan and Sara:  I adore these two sisters from Canada.  They really know how to keep it fresh.  A perfectly concocted track with memories of the 80's.  I can't say no to that.

3. Get Lucky by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell: It's about time someone grab Nile Rodgers and allow him to take everyone back to the delicious groovy sounds of Chic.  I'm a huge Chic fan and a huge Daft Punk fan so the marriage of the two is a slice of heaven.

4. Neon Eyes (Into the Deep) by Saints of Valory:  Moving melody.  Beautiful vocals.

5. Pompeii by Bastille: My daughter requests this song every time I cue up the music in our den.  She loves it and sings along.  She's only three and she seriously has an ear for great tunes.  The drums are killer and take center stage.

6. Follow My Feet by The Unlikely Candidates: Another moving track by a very promising new band.  Catchy with great lyrics and a haunting melody.

What are your favorite songs from 2013?
Do share!

Just Can't Get Enough: September

Yikes!  I skipped my August playlist and am barely making it for September.

This is totally a slack in blogging and NOT a slack in jamming.

I'm always jamming.

Take a listen to what's tickling my ears this month.

1. I Love You by Said The Whale:  I'm a new listener to this band but dang, how awesome is this retro-esque track?  So very, very awesome.  Gimme more.

2. Out of My League by Fitz and The Tantrums:  Still not sick of this song.

3. 365 Days by ZZ Ward: I could listen to Ward's voice all ding-dong-dandy day long!  She's brilliant.  Need to see her live

4. Hold On by Alabama Shakes:  This one's not getting old for me either and it's definitely filling up my monthly gritty soul requirement.

5. Hearts Like Ours by The Naked and Famous:  Recycled 80's pop/new wave elements = Happy Brookey (me).

Whatchya Listening To???  Don't be shy ... SHARE!!!

Just Can't Get Enough: July

My playlist this month is very soft and therapeutic.  I must be craving calm.  Have a listen if you will!

1. Modern Life by Little & Ashley:  Whenever I hear Little & Ashley I just want to go running through a meadow.  Yes, I just typed that.  

2. If I Loved You by Delta Rae:  Stop, turn up, and sing along.  Repeat.   

3. From a Window Seat by Dawes: GENIUS!  Seriously now.  Who the heck can recreate a classic 70's sound so flawlessly?  I am transported back to my favorite decade and it's so darn comforting.

4. Only Love by Ben Howard:  Mmmm... (that's all)

5. Skinny Love by Bon Iver:  This is by no means a new track but I am just now really discovering it.  Is it possible to physically curl up into a song?

Do you share my love for any of these mellow tracks?  What tunes are keeping you centered this month/week/day/lifetime? Please, please, do share!!!