Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tuesday Tunes


I think Levon would be very pleased with this rendition.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tuesday Tunes


What you resist persists, nuance makes heat
To counteract distance








Mutual Core - Bjork (Most people know who Bjork is, but you probably don't know how stunning her website is, so go check it out)

I shuffle around the tectonic plates in my chest.

You know I gave it all,
Try to match our continents
To change seasonal shift,
To form a mutual core.

As fast as your fingernail grows,
The Atlantic ridge drifts
To counteract distance.

You know I gave it all,
Can you hear the effort of the magnetic strife?
Shuffling of columns
To form a mutual core.

This eruption undoes stagnation.
You didn't know I had it in me,
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule.
I didn't know you had it in you,
You hid the key to our continuity.
I didn't know you had it in you.
This eruption undoes stagnation.
You didn't know, you didn't know.

What you resist persists, nuance makes heat
To counteract distance
I know you gave it all,
Offered me harmony if things were done your way.
My Eurasian plate subsumed,
Forming a mutual core

This eruption undoes stagnation.
You didn't know I had it in me,
Withheld your love, an unspent capsule.
I didn't know you had it in you.
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know I had it in me
This eruption undoes stagnation
You didn't know, you didn't know.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A Case for Stadium Pal

Syda has convinced me that going to the bathroom alone is over-rated. She will now being taking mandatory field trips to the bathroom with me whenever I go. Why the harsh sentence?  I present Exhibits A and B for your consideration.  *Let the record show that is colored SHARPIE marker she has drawn on herself.  Please note the excessive coloring around her mouth and the fact that she has speech therapy tomorrow afternoon.  I'm looking forward to explaining that to a trained professional.





You'd think three years in, I'd know to watch her more closely.  To remember that when it's quiet, it's TOO quiet.  But I guess I keep having hope that she's outgrown this.  Clearly my optimism is being wasted in this aspect of life.

I'm really hoping someone gets me a Stadium Pal for Yule.  It IS real, you can order it online.  Please leave a comment if you need an address to send it to.




Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tuesday Tunes




All Night Like A Child
I Stay Up To Prove
I Can Keep Up
All Night Like A Fool
I Stay Up To Prove 
I Can Keep Up
With You


It really doesn't get much better than Metric these days.  I included a live version as well, although the sound quality isn't great, but watching Emily live is worth it. Maybe it's just my inner rock-girl, but she makes me want to start a band.  









The Void - Metric

All night, like a child
I stayed up to prove
I could keep up
All night, like a fool
I stayed up to prove
I could keep up with you

All night
All night (sing along with the band, losing my voice)
All night (? my choice)
All night (sing along with the band it was steeling my voice)

What can I say
I stayed up to prove
I can keep up
I stayed up to prove
I can keep up with you

All night
All night (sing along with the band, losing my voice)
All night (? my choice)
All night (sing along with the band it was steeling my voice)

(All night, all night)

What can I say
I stay up to prove
I can keep up with you

All night
All night (sing along with the band, losing my voice)
All night (? my choice)
All night (sing along with the band it was steeling my voice)

All night (sing along with the band it was steeling my voice)

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Boo!

A little round up of Halloween Happiness.  Enjoy!


The Mash (of course)




Dracula Has Feelings Y'all!













 

"Matty!  Matty it's Thriller!"

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Tuesday Tunes


You can feel it in your mind 
Oh you can do it all the time 
Plug it in and change the world 
You are my electric girl







Electric Feel - MGMT
All along the western front 
People line up to receive.  
She got the power in her hand  
To shock you like you won't believe.  

Saw her in the amazon  
With the voltage running through her skin  
Standing there with nothing on 
She gonna teach me how to swim
 
I said ooh girl 

Shock me like an electric eel 
Baby girl  
Turn me on with your electric feel
 
I said ooh girl  

Shock me like an electric eel  
Baby girl  
Turn me on with your electric feel
 
All along the eastern shore  

Put your circuits in the sea  
This is what the world is for  
Making electricity 
You can feel it in your mind 
Oh you can do it all the time 
Plug it in and change the world 
You are my electric girl.
 
I said ooh girl 

Shock me like an electric eel  
Baby girl  
Turn me on with your electric feel
 
I said ooh girl 

Shock me like an electric eel  
Baby girl 
Turn me on with your electric feel
 
Do what you feel now 

Electric feel now 
Do what you feel now  
Electric feel now  
Do what you feel now 
Electric feel now  
Do what you feel now 
Electric feel now  
Do what you feel now Electric feel now

Friday, October 26, 2012

Same Love



Borrowed via Dooce's Friday collection of excellent things on the internet. 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

*I've been slacking on the posting for a while. September is a crazy month with three family birthdays in our little home, plus a job change, new family members (of the furry variety) and a new sleep schedule for one child who shall remain nameless.  I'll do my best to catch up at some point, but in the meantime, enjoy the tunes!*


You've got the story all made up inside your head
You write me out of it and use your words instead
You hold me just out of reach, but you keep me pounding the beat
To take all the soul you can get



Change - Churchill


To make you want me I can fabricate the truth
I'll give you easy it'll keep me destitute
You hang me up on the line, hang me out to dry
And you got nothing to lose

You've got the story all made up inside your head
You write me out of it and use your words instead
You hold me just out of reach, but you keep me pounding the beat
To take all the soul you can get

You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change
You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change

You take no chances and you give no other choice
You fill your pockets and you empty out my voice
You use the shallow and old, trade the heart for the gold
You sell the song for the noise

You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change
You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change

You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change
You want me to change, change, change
You want me to change





Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

Live my life without
Station wagon rides
Fumbling around the back
Not one seat belt on
Wait for summertime
Coming up for air
Now it's all a wash




I'd like to introduce you all to my newest crush, (lead singer of Walk the Moon) Nicholas Petricca. He won me over with his dance routine at the 2 minute mark. Enjoy.


Anna Sun - Walk The Moon
Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges
My feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
We tore up the walls we slept on couches
We lifted this house we lifted this house

Fire-crackers in the east my car parked south
Your hands on my cheeks your shoulder in my mouth
I was up against the wall on the west mezzanine
We rattle this town we rattle this scene

O, Anna Sun!
O, Anna Sun!

What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart

Screen falling off the door door hanging off the hinges
My feet are still sore my back is on the fringes
We were up against the wall on the west mezzanine
We rattle this town we rattle this scene

O, Anna Sun!
O, Anna Sun!

What do you know? this house is falling apart
What can I say? this house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart

Live my life without
Station wagon rides
Fumbling around the back
Not one seat belt on
Wait for summertime
Coming up for air
Now it's all a wash
Now it's all a wash

Live my life without
Coming up for air
Now it's all a wash
I want everyone
Racing down the hill
I am faster than you
Wait for summertime
Wait for summertime

O, Anna Sun!


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Tuesday Tunes



If you like what you see and happen to live in the area, check out The Duhks live tomorrow night at the Prescott Park Arts Festival

Fast Paced World - The Duhks

We've forgotten what is sacred,
We've forgotten what is sacred,
Not love, not culture, not family or nature

Everybody follow me, I will show you the way,
I know all the ins and outs,
Of how this world should be turning
With God as my leader, I'll feed you all kinds of lies,
And you'll believe me,
'Cause even God has lost his name with time

Time after time, his name has been misused,
Manipulation through fear,
To get you to adhere
Empty threats without proof, will only lead to paranoia,
If we don't think for ourselves, well then what do we got?

We've forgotten what is sacred
In this fast-paced world,
We take and keep taking,
Without thinking of what we're giving

Oh, nothing is sacred in this fast-paced world
Not love, not culture, not family or nature

Suburbia land, where everything is made easy
Don't worry, we'll wipe you clean of your identity
Supermarkets and box malls for your convenience
All the Ma and Pop stores, no longer have your allegiance

With cookie cutter houses, cars and jobs
We'll all be the same, we won't have to think anymore
About our neighbors gossiping, about our freaky differences
We won't have to worry, won't have to take any chances

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Just Beachy


I didn't post at all in July.  Days like this are the main reason why.
 




















  











Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Tuesday Tunes






I'd normally post lyrics here, but I don't see the sense in that with this video.  Redundancy is not my style.

Trojans - Atlas Genius   

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

 Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces,
Now that we're lonely, now that there's nowhere to go.
Watching from both sides, these clock towers burning up,
I lost my time here, I lost my patience with it all.




The Wolves - Ben Howard

Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces,
Now that we're lonely, now that there's nowhere to go.
Watching from both sides, these clock towers burning up,
I lost my time here, I lost my patience with it all.

We lost faith, in the arms of love.

Where you been hiding lately, where you been hiding from the news?
Because we've been fighting lately, we've been fighting with the wolves.
With the wolves.
Red tongues and hands.

Falling from high places, falling through lost spaces,
Now that we're lonely, now that there's nowhere to go.
Watching from both sides, these towers been tumbling down,
I lost my mind here, I lost my patience with the lord.

We lost faith, oh in the arms of love

Where you been hiding lately, where you been hiding from the news?
Because we've been fighting lately, we've been fighting with the wolves.
With the wolves.
Red tongues and hands.

We lost faith, in the arms of love.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Fascinating Conversation


"Nate, did you enjoy our visit to the library this afternoon?"

"Why, yes I did Syda.  I'm most excited about the Summer Reading program.  Did you have a pleasant time as well?"

"Of course, I played with the colored frogs and the trains and the blocks and threw puzzle pieces on the floor."

"Marvelous!"

"Yes, quite."

"Shall we take a nap now so Mother is awake all night and groggy tomorrow?"

"Splendid idea! Let us commence napping."
(My kids are British when participating in any sort of plotting.)

This is clearly the conversation that happened during the 2 minute break I took this evening.  I kid you not, I was in the bathroom for maybe 45 seconds and then went to get a drink of water and came back to this. They look like they were deep in conversation don't they?  Evidently someone just came along and unplugged them and they shut down where they were.

Part of me is slightly annoyed, because they are now napping at 5pm which means they will wake by 8pm ready to take on the world, just as I'm ready to go to bed.  BUT cuteness like this overrides the annoyance factor.  Every time.

I do need to figure out how to put this pic on my phone though so I can get through work tomorrow.  It will likely be a long day, but it's worth it, for these sweet folks. (and the big one who is not napping)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up say goodnight . . . say goodnight






This Must Be The Place (Native Melody) - Talking Heads

Home is where I want to be
Pick me up and turn me round
I feel numb - born with a weak heart
(So I) guess I must be having fun
The less we say about it the better
Make it up as we go along
Feet on the ground
Head in the sky
It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing

Hi yo I got plenty of time
Hi yo you got light in your eyes
And you're standing here beside me
I love the passing of time
Never for money
Always for love
Cover up say goodnight . . . say goodnight

Home - is where I want to be
But I guess I'm already there
I come home she lifted up her wings
Guess that this must be the place
I can't tell one from the other
Did I find you, or you find me?
There was a time Before we were born
If someone asks, this where I'll be . . . where I'll be

Hi yo We drift in and out
Hi yo sing into my mouth
Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you love me till my heart stops
Love me till I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head
Ah ooh





*I will start posting regularly again soon - I hope!  There are some changes happening at home, positive ones, but all changes cause some adjustment.  I'm hoping to get back to posting more often once we figure out what our "New Normal" is.  There are some great pics from the past few weeks that I need to get up here, if for no other purpose than to revisit them years from now and smile.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Tuesday Tunes





I love covers.  LOVE!


Hey Ya (Cover) - Obadiah Parker

Friday, May 25, 2012

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Talk


We're venturing into more discussion about human anatomy and reproduction around here. Comes with the territory of having kiddos in general, but especially now as we get closer to the 'Tween years'.  I refuse to consider Ben a "tween" until he's at least 10. But, as with many parts of parenthood, my willing something a certain way that doesn't necessarily make it true.

Last night I stumbled upon Julia Sweeney's talk at TED.  She gives some really great pointers on how to discuss procreation with your child - most notably the useful and scary places YouTube can take you. I'd share the punch line, but it's so much better watching it for yourself.  Enjoy!








Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tuesday Tunes


 AND LOVE, WE NEED IT NOW
LET’S HOPE FOR SOME
CAUSE OH, WE’RE BLEEDING OUT






Hey Ho - The Lumineers

I’VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IT RIGHT
I’VE BEEN LIVING A LONELY LIFE
I’VE BEEN SLEEPING HERE INSTEAD
I’VE BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED,
I’VE BEEN SLEEPING IN MY BED

SO SHOW ME FAMILY
ALL THE BLOOD THAT I WILL BLEED
I DUNNO WHERE I BELONG
I DUNNO WHERE I WENT WRONG,
BUT I CAN WRITE A SONG


I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEETHEART
I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEET


I DON’T THINK YOU’RE RIGHT FOR HIM
THINK OF WHAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IF YOU
TOOK A BUS TO CHINATOWN
I’D BE STANDING ON CANAL, AND BOWERY
AND SHE’D BE STANDING NEXT TO ME

I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEETHEART
I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEETHEART

AND LOVE, WE NEED IT NOW
LET’S HOPE FOR SOME
CAUSE OH, WE’RE BLEEDING OUT

I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEETHEART
I BELONG WITH YOU, YOU BELONG WITH ME
YOU’RE MY SWEET

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Jamming

Yup, it's still raining up here.  I take that back - it's not raining right now, as I'm typing.  But it is overcast and everything outside is wet from the last two days of rain.  It got so dark earlier this morning that we thought for sure a huge storm was rolling in.  Those dark clouds ended up passing us by, but were soon followed by more.  So we hunker down inside and wait.  We're each entertaining ourselves in our own way.  Some by reading, drawing, playing with Legos, building with blocks, cooking, knitting, napping and jamming.  Tim and the boys had a little drum circle this morning and although this happens when it's nice out too, it felt like an especially good use of time on this rainy day.


*Nate's comment at the end:  "I like chocolate milk!" Which has nothing to do with anything except a 30 second clip of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends that we saw months ago.  Thank you YouTube.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

So, bless my heart.
Bless my mind.
I got so much to do, I ain't got much time
So, must be someone up above saying "Come on girl! You got to get back up!!"
"You got to hold on..."






Hold On - Alabama Shakes
Bless my heart.
Bless my soul.
Didn't think I'd make it to 22yrs old.
There must be someone up above sayin'
"Come on Brittany, you got to come on up."
"You got to Hold on..."

So, bless my heart and bless yours too.
I don't know where I'm gonna go don't what what I'm gonna do.

Must be somebody up above sayin' "Come on Brittany, You got to come on up!"
"You got to hold on..."

YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!
YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!
BUT, I DON'T WANNA WAIT!
I DON'T WANNA WAIT...

So, bless my heart.
Bless my mind.
I got so much to do, I ain't got much time
So, must be someone up above saying "Come on girl! You got to get back up!!"
"You got to hold on..."

"YEAH! YOU GOT TO WAIT!"
I DON'T WANNA WAIT!
WELL, I DON'T WANNA WAIT!
NO, I DON'T WANNA WAIT!

"You got to hold on..."

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

In honor of Bono's 52nd birthday this week and in memory of Levon, and MCA and all the greats featured here that we've lost.  Pretty sure 'love' is just another word for 'music' - although, it's not all that easy to separate the two, is it?  

To every broken heart
For every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

 



*Can you spot the guys in the crowd? All four are seen cheering on their favorite bands throughout the video. Also, Wilco is featured very early on, but only those with good eyes, and who remember John with long hair will catch it.


Window In The Skies  - U2
The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none

The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed, ooh

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
the soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees

the sky over our head
we can reach it from our bed
you let me in your heart
And out of my head, head...

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Oh, oh, oh, oh...
Oh, oh, oh, oh...
Please don't ever let me out of you

I've got no shame
oh no, oh no

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder but you and I

But love left a window in the skies
to every broken heart
for every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

When It Rains

We go out!  Well, ok that's not true.  When it's really raining, like it was yesterday, we stay inside and eat popcorn, nap and listen to Percy Jackson. (for the millionth time. I don't understand how they aren't sick of it yet.) When it's misting or just damp from last night's rain, we go outside!  Today we set out to explore the green in our backyard and see what treasures we could find after the rain.  I was hoping for some worms that we could re-home near our garden area, but no luck there.  We did find plenty of slugs though and even more wild blueberry bushes than we thought we had.  Best of all, both of our lilac trees have buds and are almost in bloom!  This means we'll have some beautiful smelling bouquets on the table soon.

Over the past few weeks, I've been watching the back yard slowly creep from a general pale brown to a bright, glowing green.  I love this part of Spring, before everything is really out in full bloom.  The little peaks of buds on trees, some small leaves already opening and waiting for the warm summer sun to wash over them.  Little patches of grass are starting to sprout in some parts of the yard, our seedlings are growing strong on the window sill inside - growing time is coming!











Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tuesday Tunes

I held the stars to light where you are
When your unfeigned heart called to me through the dark
Soaked in the sound that rose from the ground






To Be With You - The Honey Trees 

I climbed this hill watching so still
I took to the fears of all I held dear
But up on this height, a majestic sight
Flooded the skies
And how I could feel you near

Oh I could sail the world
Search through the darkest waters but
I'd never find
These golden eyes

I held the stars to light where you are
When your unfeigned heart called to me through the dark
Soaked in the sound that rose from the ground
There I could feel
I felt, I felt you near

Oh I could sail the world
Search through the darkest waters but
I'd never find
These golden eyes

Oh I'd wait for the seas to part
To be with you

Oh I could sail the world
Search through the darkest waters

Oh I could sail the world
Search through the darkest waters but
I'd never find
These golden eyes

Thursday, April 26, 2012

It's Getting Hot In Here

We've dreamt of the prospect of putting a wood stove in the house since we moved in last summer.  Tim & I both grew up with wood heat and have fond memories of the big wood stoves in our homes cranking out nice, comforting heat in the middle of winter.  The power outage on Halloween last fall reminded us that a wood stove would be a nice, almost necessary addition to our home.  Our first winter here, and the propane bill bumped the wood stove up to Home Improvement #1.

With some great help from the folks at The Stove Shop, generous recycling of unwanted tile from other friends, and Tim's DIY hearth tiling, we welcomed our wood stove this week.  Below is the chronicle of our wood stove installation.  Who knew some peace of mind could be this comforting and pretty?

Toddlers are really handy helpers.


 Goodbye Carpet!


 Laying the cement board.


 Tiling!!! 


 Grouting...I did not envy Tim at this point in the project.


 Almost finished hearth



  Our new chimney.  



Our woodstove!!! Nate calls it the Wood Oven, Syda calls it "HOT!"
(Yes, we are going to finish the hearth.  It needs a border around the edges and it'll be done)
























Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday Tunes




I Found A Body - Tan Vampires


This is a great song on its own, but I also picked it because it's from a local band. So, for those who can, get to Fury's on Saturday and check them out! Another bonus for me is that this video features our old haunts. See that big pile of scrap metal to the right of the bridge at about 1:07? Behind it you can see the river, we lived on the other side of it. I think our roof is probably in that shot somewhere.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Ostara

The earth is cool and dark,
and far below, new life begins.
May the soil be blessed with fertility and abundance,
with rains of life-giving water,
with the heat of the sun,
with the energy of the raw earth.
May the soil be blessed
as the womb of the land becomes full and fruitful
to bring forth the garden anew.
~ A Garden Blessing for Ostara



It certainly feels more like the Summer around here lately than the first day of Spring, but we'll welcome the sun in any way. We didn't do our traditional celebration today, it felt too rushed with Tim's work schedule and Ostara falling on a weekday (though it often does). We've put off our celebration with eggs, dinner, and such until this weekend, but we certainly did welcome Spring today.

We spent a lot of time outside, working on reclaiming our yard, pushing the dead sticks and trees into the woods and carving out some space for ourselves. We also started our first seedlings for our very first garden. We'll see how it all works out, I do not expect much success the first year or even the first few years, but it feels good to be starting. Those first few scratches into the Earth, rain boots covered in mud, the first glimpses of buds on the Lilac trees...all promising signs of what's to come.








Monday, March 19, 2012

Nine



I'm going to try not too much about Ben's birthday. It's starting to feel a little strange writing about him on here - since he's older and this blog gets shared via Facebook (that may change). I don't want to ramble on here and embarrass him and at the same time, I use this blog to mark the big milestones in our life. Hmm, the quandary.

For him, it's a birthday - a big deal, a fun day, an excuse to eat lots of sugar, the fun of receiving presents and everyone celebrating HIM for the day. I'm so thankful for Ben in many ways that I never expected to be. It's just a day for him, but for me, it's the day that marks the start of our family. The day is still all about him, but when it comes up every year I can't help but take a minute and look at all of us. Thank you for bringing us here Ben. Thank you so much!

Friday, March 2, 2012