It's cliche, but I'm not completely sure when it became the middle of April. I've been letting writing fall by the wayside a bit, and I don't like it. I find myself thinking of tons of ideas for blog posts (some involve dressing up the Chihuahua or baking, of course) and just not having the time or energy to write them. However, some of that is for April. Let's talk about last month.
March did it's typical lion-lamb thing, but it definitely leaned over the lion side of the line a little more. Between that and finding myself stuck on a bus and train for over two hours each day, I found that my music in March was more of an escape than usual. Instead of using music as my background noise last month, I needed it to surround me and transport my mind.
A lot of these songs did just that. This is a huge departure from the fun and upbeat tunes of February. And honestly, April will be a departure from this. That's why I make monthly playlists, after all.
In My Train Space Take Me to Church - Hozier Young & Beautiful - Lana Del Ray Technicolour Beat - Oh Wonder Shine - Benjamin Francis Leftwich Globes & Maps - Something Corporate
I'm a pagan of the good times. My lover's the sunlight. - Hozier
Having a job is good, since I wasn't really enjoying the lack of income that unemployed lifestyle tends to bring. But the commute is nothing short of awful. Walk-bus-train-190 foot escalator and then the whole thing in reverse 8 hours later. These tunes took my head somewhere else. I'd turn them up loud, and the crowds would just fade away into blurs.
Work Day Jams Dream a Little Crazy - Architecture in Helsinki Celeste - Ezra Vine Cecilia and the Satellite - Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness Lightning Bolt - Jake Bugg Heaven Sent - Best Coast
For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you - Andrew McMahon
At work, I don't listen to music all day, but sometimes when I'm doing tedious tasks, I need it. While those fantasy-inducing slow tunes are good for disappearing on the train, at work I need to stay awake, but still get that transported effect. These songs are a bit more on the upbeat side, but still bring me into my own little world.
New Favorites Roll Up Your Sleeves - Meg Mac Lover of the Light - Mumford & Sons Jesus Christ - Brand New
Do you believe you're missing out? That everything good is happening somewhere else? - Brand New
Sometimes, a song just gets me. These are the ones you just need to listen to. You are truly missing out if you don't. Trust me.
As always, there are many more on the playlist. Enjoy!
Each month, I make a Spotify playlist with songs that I'm feeling for the month. Follow me on Spotify to see these lists as they are made. At the end of the month, I'll post the playlist here, with some explanation for the songs that have been filling my speakers, and how they relate to my life.
Wake up, it's March! This year is one sixth over; this is no time to be slacking. February was a short month, which means it's so much more motivating to set February goals than New Year's resolutions. For me, the second month of the year is when I set my goals. You saw my post about my blog goals, and I had also been trying to get a job like a madwoman. So my music needs to help me out -- by pumping me up and making me sing out loud.
Let's have some fun this month with my February playlist!
Hitting That High Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons - Stay Misterwives - Reflections Borns - Electric Love
Baby you're like lightning in a bottle. I can't let you go now that I've got it. - Borns
Hitting super high notes is kind of a challenge, but these songs are just way to much fun to not sing along to. Singing gets my mind off whatever challenges I'm facing, and this month these songs definitely distracted me from my job hunt and a rough ground delay before flying to Florida.
Girl Power Kelly Clarkson - Heartbeat Song Katy Perry - Firework Florence and the Machine - Shake it Out
I can feel it rising, temperature inside of me. Haven't felt for a long time. - Kelly Clarkson
Motivation! This month was all about buckling down and really setting my mind to getting things done when it came to job searching. And guess what? It paid off! I start a new job next week. What better place for that motivation to come from than some fellow women who are really showing us all how it's done?
Get Up & Dance Mark Ronson - Uptown Funk Simon & Garfunkel - Cecilia Michael Franti & Spearhead - I'm Alive (Life Sound Like) New Politics - Harlem
Everybody wants me to who they want me to be except you. All I wanna do is be with you. - Michael Franti
Most of the time, I listen to songs that I like to sing along to. This month, with the chilling temperatures and crazy cabin fever, I picked some songs that really made me want to grab my puppy's little paws and dance with her! So put these tunes on and really jam out.
Lighthearted Love Us the Duo - No Matter Where You Are Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One Betty Who - Somebody Loves You
Somebody misses you when you're away. They want to wake up with you everyday. - Betty Who
The relationship between me and The Boy has been taking a slight hit with my unemployment. We're not sure how my new job is going to affect things, especially with his weird hours. In February, these songs reminded me of The Boy when he was out of the house working or we were traveling separately. However, the happy and upbeat nature of these particular love songs kept my head in a good mood, even when we had to be apart.
Calm & Happy The Avett Brothers - Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise Corinne Bailey Rae - Put Your Records On Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox - Shake it Off
If you're loved by someone you're never rejected. Decide whatt to be and go be it. - The Avett Brothers
After long days of job searching, cover letters, resume editing, and interviews, I just wanted to relax and unwind. These slower jams definitely helped me do that, but their positive nature sent me some good vibes. Now, I don't know if it was the music, but I did get offered that job, so it certainly didn't hurt!
Each month, I make a Spotify playlist with songs that I'm feeling for the month. Follow me on Spotify to see these lists as they are made. At the end of the month, I'll post the playlist here, with some explanation for the songs that have been filling my speakers, and how they relate to my life.
Oh January. To most people, you symbolize a fresh start. In musical terms, you represent finally getting The First Noel unstuck from my head. Between the Holiday Season recovery, winter weather warnings, and going into hibernation mode with far too many carbs, I like my January music to be relaxed, but not so much that it makes me want to crawl back into my cozy bed.
Only You - The Platters Such Great Heights - The Postal Service 5 Years Time - Noah and the Whale "I'm always pretty happy when I'm just kicking back with you"
This year, the first month has represented a bit of a change for me, but not exactly in the resolution sense. For the first time, my boyfriend and I are actually living together, without traveling every other weekend for holidays, family, and sporting events with friends.
We are trying to mesh our lifestyles together, and sometimes that's harder than we make it look. We grew up in very different families, and it's time for us each to decide what aspects of our childhoods we want our lives to include. And we're also making those decisions together. It's easy to forget why, so a few love songs can put my mind back in place.
Super Rad - The Aquabats Get Ready 2 Rokk - Freezepop Hand in My Pocket - Alanis Morisette "And what it all comes down to, is everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine"
Finances are a big part of our lives right now, along with budgeting. While I'm unemployed, we don't want to spend any unnecessary money. One paycheck in this part of the country is just not enough for luxuries. However, we find ways to treat ourselves when we have to.
During my job search, motivation is extremely important. It's easy to get distracted by the internet, and it's tough to face rejections. I'm finding motivation in my music, either by listening to the words, or singing along. When it comes to these songs, I'm not looking for something that will get me up and moving, like a workout playlist, but just some tunes that get my mind into the right frame
The World Spins Madly On - The Weepies New Slang - The Shins 1,2,3,4 - Feist "I watch the stars from my window sill, the whole world is moving and I'm standing still"
I spend a lot of time with myself out here. Days when the Boy works, it's mostly just me, Tessa, and my computer. I find myself with a lot of time to think, write, and work on projects. I also find that there are times when I don't want to do any of those things, and I am just trapped in my own head.
These relaxed, and somewhat sad, songs give me company. They exist on a plane that is the same as mine, and in that moment that I am listening, they are a friend. And really, isn't that what music is supposed to be overall?
But wait, there's more ...
That's not the entire playlist, just the songs that are really resonating with me. I'm always listening just for the sake of good music as well. And I'm constantly trying to expand my musical horizons. Check out the entire playlist below:
Please leave me music suggestions: What have you been listening to this month? Any particular reason?
Fourth of July, huh. Yesterday, we passed the halfway point of 2013. Actually the Boy and I calculated it out and determined that halftime occurred at exactly 1 pm (local time) on July 3.
My Dooney & Burke bag in Disney Cruise Line print!
Or if you live in one of those places that makes sense like Arizona where's there's no Daylight Saving Time, noon on July 3. Anyway, in honor of the holiday I did a pretty traditional patriotic manicure. At first I was thinking fireworks, but I actually own red, white, and blue nail polish now so I had to honor the flag.
1. Wait, hold on. Is June already almost over? Wow! I hope the rest of this summer goes by that fast. Summer's not exactly my favorite seasons, but I've been keeping myself super busy with blogging and online classes and obviously adventures. There are more adventures to come: I'm going to California, down to DC, and maybe I'll finally learn to drive. (Yeah, yeah, I know).
However, I kind of love my guitar. I got it when I was 16 for Christmas, and even though I never took lessons, I sort of taught myself a little bit. Recently though, my guitar has been babysat by my sister M, which means I don't get to see it much.
1. I moved out of the basement of my apartment (where I lived with the guy I used to date) and into my own room upstairs. I've loved decorating my new space to really make it all my own - by covering the walls in paint chip art, old pictures and postcards, and pages ripped out of magazines. I hung up some of my scarves as more wall art and window treatments. It's amazing how a few sentimental items can turn any room into a haven.
On Tuesday, I said that when I'm happy I have trouble writing. When that happens, I usually turn to music to fill the empty space that my has trouble filling with words of it's own.
Now, normally, I think a lot. I've been know to walk miles without headphones just listening to my own thoughts. However, I've been having trouble putting thoughts together the way I want to. I figured I'd let some of my favorite musicians do it for me, and hey, make a couple graphics too. Enjoy!
