Like Fake Blood in Crisp October

Listen to this:

Eat this: 

http://pinchofyum.com/stir-fried-singapore-noodles-with-garlic-ginger-sauce

Read this: 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33600.Shantaram

Watch this on Halloween: 

Friday On My Mind

Is there anybody out there? 

I'm listening to the latest album by The Budos Band, Burnt Offerings.  I'm tapping my toes to the beats and enjoying the first three tracks immensley, especially "Into the Fog." 

I also can't get "Gangsta" by Tune-Yards out of my head.  "What's a girl to do if she'll never be a rasta?  Singing from her heart, but she'll never be a rasta." 

I will leave you with an oldie but a goodie...Happy Friday everyone!

Ophelia, Where Have You Gone?

I must have an old soul because I like a lot of music from the 60's and 70's.  I listen to and know more about bands from that era than bands of today.  I love The Band.  Every now and again I watch The Last Waltz.  It always puts a smile on my face.  My favorite part is watching a very intoxicated Van Morrison perform "Caravan."  Towards the end of the song, Van just doesn't give a shit and walks off stage.  No big deal.  I'm Van Morrison. 

 

I have also been into The Band and Bob Dylan's The Basement Tapes...good stuff. 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

 

The Band-Ophelia

School's IN For Summer

 

My girl started school today.  I know, I know, it's summer, but she was ready to go!  And I cried.  I cried like a baby and she didn't.  Kids grow up so fast.  I can't wait to talk to her later about her first day. 

 

 

Mouthful of Diamonds

"It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul"

 

-William Ernest Henley

 

Read this today.  Liked it.  Thought I would share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phantogram-KEXP performance

Summer Lovin'

It's that time of year again folks.  June 1st is one of the best days of the year.  It is when my vacation time renews and I get 15 whole days of fun to enjoy.  Unfortunately, half of these vacation days came and went because I have already started planning some getaways.  San Francisco, New Orleans, and Galveston are on the agenda for this summer.  I am ready for some new adventures and to explore some new cities. 

What are your travel plans this summer? 

The Zombies-Summertime

I Still Want A Little More

I spent a lovely Friday evening at the Stateside Theater, which is attached to the Paramount Theater, here in Austin.  It's a very small theater, only holding about 300 people.  Regardless of where you sit, you know you have a good seat.  I prefer smaller, more intimate concerts over a huge stadium show any day of the week.  The Milk Carton Kids performance was no exception.  Their music is absolutely beautiful and they are quite the comedic duo. 

Tom Brosseau opened for the Kids and played for about 45 minutes.  He played solo with just a harmonica and acoustic guitar.  His songs were heartbreaking but beautiful nonetheless.  No one needed to pull my arm to purchase his latest record at the merch stand. 

The Milk Carton Kids are considered a contemporary folk duo, which is not my normal choice of music.  I tend to gravitate away from slow, sad songs.  I first heard these guys after seeing "Another Day, Another Time," a concert on Showtime, and the Kids were featured performers.  I was mesmerized.  I saw they were coming to town not long after and snatched up some tickets.  Thank goodness I did because it was a sold out show and they ended up playing two nights. 

While listening to a magical, two hour performance, I sat in awe and listened to two beautiful guitars from the 1950's and two men harmonizing perfectly.  Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale work so well together on stage and there was not one song that I didn't like.  They even played two new songs that they plan to include on their next album.  Some of my favorite songs included "Snake Eyes" and "Maybe It's Time."  "Memphis" closed the show during their two song encore and it left me wanting more.  The witty banter between Joey and Kenneth onstage left me in stitches throughout the performance.  Even though their songs tend to be rather sad, their humor lightens the mood a bit.  Give me music AND humor and I will be sure to swoon. 

Well, I am back on Earth now.  My head was in the clouds for a few days.  I'm going to finish this amazing peach/blueberry cobbler I made last night.  Hope everyone had a peachy weekend!

 

 

 

NPR Tiny Desk Concert:  The Milk Carton Kids

Valerie June, gone too soon

 

It's Thirsty Thursday!  This week is flying by thanks to having some extra time off.  I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend, I know I did.  I didn't get to spend too much time outside this past weekend because it stormed quite a bit, but the rain is always needed here in Texas.  I got to do some foodie shopping at one of my favorite stores in Austin, Central Market.  I got some herbs to plant in my garden, which desperately needs a makeover.  I had family over on Monday, so of course there was more food than we really needed.  And beer.  There is always beer. 

 

Tuesday I had dinner at Stubb's BBQ and visited with some friends that were in town and on tour with Valerie June.  She played a small, solo, acoustic set at Stubb's and I was glad I got to see her play in an intimate setting.  She is quite the character.  She is gorgeous, has the cutest twang in her voice and is quite the storyteller.  She made me laugh several times throughout the performance talking about how she got caught stealing gum as a child and also a Barbie doll from a friend when she was 5.  During some songs, she even growled and referred to her guitars as her children.  She played ACL Live the following night which I'm sure she rocked.  Check her out, she's a doll!

 

That was my weekend in a nutshell.  Any fun stories to share?!  Until next time.... 

 

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

My birthday is October 30th which means I am a Scorpio.  A known trait of Scorpios is they can be obsessive-compulsive.  I do think this is true to a certain extent (and no, not in the crazy way).  I can be OC about music, food, nutrition, quotes, books, movies, etc.  It got me thinking about some of my go to favorites at the moment.

1.  Himilayan Sea Salt-I recently read that regular old table salt depletes the body of nutrients and is quite processed.  Sea salt is minimally processed and retains trace levels of minerals.  Sodium levels are pretty similar in either so still be careful!

2.  Now Solutions-they have products that range from natural oils, essential oils, skin care, and vitamins.  I love their clay powder for facial masks and afterwards, I slather my skin with almond oil.  This is quite an obsession lately. 

3.  80's movies-anything from The Breakfast Club to Better Off Dead to Lucas.  I can't get enough of the quirky comedies and cheesy romances. 

4.  Bruce Springsteen-The Boss is still entertaining people today, but his Born in the USA album (another 80's favorite) is my summer soundtrack.  Some of my favorite tracks are Cover Me, I'm on Fire, No Surrender, and Dancing in the Dark. 

5.  Smoothies-I can't get enough smoothies lately, I usually have one for breakfast and have been trying new combinations.  My current favorite is banana, greens, almond butter, cinnamon, almond milk, and blueberries. 

 

Bruce Springsteen-I'm On Fire

In My Neighborhood

 

In my neighborhood, at the end of my street, is a lovely little park.  This week the weather has been perfect so getting outside is a must.  I love being outside when the grass is soft and green, the sun is not too hot, and there is still a cool breeze in the air.  Soon enough, Texas will be scorched and the only thing I will be searching for outside is the nearest pool.  It's kind of hard not finding some beauty in nature.  I hope everyone goes exploring this weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arcade Fire-Neighborhood 1 (Tunnels)

Give Me A Break

It's break time around the office.  15 minutes goes by rather quickly, which is probably why most of my blog posts are quick and to the point.  Time to finish my smoothie! 

 

 

Talking Heads-This Must Be The Place

Fu Manchu

 

Even if you are not a fan of the Foo Fighters, Nirvana, or Dave Grohl himself...his SXSW 2013 Keynote Speech sucked me in. 

 

 

 

 

 

Song of the day:  The Kinks-Powerman

 

Happy Wednesday!

Silver Dreams

"Ceilings"

I haven't stopped your smoking yet
So I'll share your cigarette
Just to feel it in my fingers

Walk around 'til 3 a.m.
Tell me what I know again
To keep myself from second guessing

All my silver dreams bring me to you

Hold the summer in your hands
'Til the summer turns to sand
We were staring at our ceilings

Thinking of what we'd give
To have one more day of sun
One day of sun

Silver dreams bring me to you
Silver dreams bring me to you
Silver dreams bring me to you

 

 

Local Natives-Ceilings

Sweetest Kill

I had to post one more song because it is so so good.  I love Broken Social Scene and haven't listened to them in a while.  It's time to catch up with an old friend. 

Broken Social Scene-Sweetest Kill

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

Monday To-Do:
*Get Up-Check!
*Drink Coffee-Check!
*Dress to Impress-Check!
*Smile More-Check!
*Conquer the World-Work in progress

Random thoughts:
If I ruled the world, I would make work weeks 2 days and weekends 5 days.  That sounds so much better doesn't it?  Since that won't be happening any time soon, I guess I will make the best of the time I do have off and try to still have fun while at work.  If you have any suggestions, let me know. 

I sure did have fun dancing in my kitchen most of Sunday morning.  Sunday morning breakfast is kinda my thing and putting music on and dancing while cooking makes me happy. 

Quote of the Day:
"I remember awakening one morning and finding everything smeared with the color of forgotten love."  Charles Bukowski

They Pixies-Hey

Sleep Perchance to Dream

I could not sleep last night.  I fell asleep around midnight and then was awake at 4 due to crazy dreams.  It is the weirdest feeling to wake up from a deep sleep while dreaming.  Ray Charles once said, "Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy."  Well this was about scorpions, which are awful.  I have this fear that I am going to wake up some day and one will be crawling on me.  I tend to dream about them a lot, I wonder what it means? 

Needless to say, I am tired this morning, but at least it is Friday.  I am looking forward to the month of May when I don't have to be at work until 10:30am.  It will be a nice change, not having to rush out the door in the morning.  I can take my time, make breakfast, and have a quiet moment. 

What do I do when I can't sleep?  Listen to music of course.  Last night consisted of Modest Mouse and Radiohead.  Happy Friday and hope the weekend treats you well!

Modest Mouse-3rd Planet

 

 



Modest Mouse-Gravity Rides Everything 

Head Over Heels

Tears for Fears-Head Over Heels

Daydream Believer

"An average daydream is about fourteen seconds long and we have about two thousand of them per day. In other words, we spend about half of our waking hours — one-third of our lives on earth — spinning fantasies. We daydream about the past: things we should have said or done, working through our victories and failures. We daydream about mundane stuff such as imagining different ways of handling conflict at work. But we also daydream in a much more intense, storylike way. We screen films with happy endings in our minds, where all our wishes — vain, aggressive, dirty — come true. And we screen little horror films, too, in which our worst fears are realized."  The Storytelling Animal

If I could collect all my thoughts and memories in a jar.....


Pink Floyd is on the agenda today...And Atom Heart Mother Suite is pretty epic. 

ACL 2014 Lineup

The ACL lineup is officially here!  Even if I don't always agree with the lineup, it is still a great event and worth going to, even just once.  I am glad they brought day passes back this year as well as a second weekend.  I might actually make it this year.  Who else plans on going? 

ACL Festival Lineup 2014

Manic Monday

It's just another manic Monday, but the weekend was a good one.  For those that celebrate Easter, I hope it was a good one.  My idea of Easter is heading to brunch at Roaring Fork and that is exactly what I did.  Grapefruit mimosas, green chili pork enchiladas, creme brulee french toast, fried chicken, prime rib....I could go on and on. 

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out with good friends and spending some quality time with mom.  As busy as the weekend was, I still got some rest & relaxation, now bring on this week!

Current read:  American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

Movies recently watched:  Philomena and The Book Thief (I really need to start reading the books first)

Song of the day:

A Band of Bees-Listening Man....Happy Monday!

This is the day...

....and the day is Friday.  At 4:30 it will be my favorite day of the week.  Peter Cottontail is on his way Sunday, but I will be headed to brunch.  I hope to see him there. 

It's a beautiful day today.  The sun is out and I get to see a good friend tonight.  I often think about the friends I have held onto throughout the years.  I also think about the ones I've lost and wonder where they are now in life.  It's funny what life does and where it takes you.  At the end of the day, I'd rather have 5 good friends than 50 acquaintances. 

So I will sit and ponder life for a bit while I listen to this....

The The-This is the Day

It's Your Thing

I'm having a day where I need to hear a good joke or be told a funny story.  Just one of those days.  A case  of the Mondays.

I could also go for a bowl of soup...

The sun is shining, which is an improvement from the weekend, which was cold and rainy.  I'm ready to get outside in the coming weeks and get some vitamin D, work on the backyard and garden, and just spend time outside before it gets too hot.  It's amazing what a little sunshine can do!

So for my feel good song of the day...How about a little Isley Brothers-It's Your Thing

Quote of the Day

"Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day."

Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet

Dream On

I have recently come across an artist based in Austin.  Her name is Sophie Roach and her website can be found here.

I just love her playful, colorful designs.  Some of her pieces include little phrases, which might be my favorite. 

Song of the day:  Pelican-Aurora Borealis.  I could never tire of this song.  It's beautiful.  Hope everyone's Thursday is going well! 

Hold Up, Wait a Minute...

I have decided that next year, or possibly the year after, I will either volunteer or purchase a music badge for SXSW.  I better start saving my pennies now because we all know those cost an arm and a leg.  This was just my random thought of the day after scoping out the free shows at SXSW this year.  So far it is Foster The People, and some hip hop artists.  One of the nights is still waiting to be determined.  I may just brave the masses, I love a little chaos. 

I missed Dr. Dog at Stubb's this past Friday because I have had the plague and no speaking voice.  A concert would not have helped that matter so I sold my tickets.  It always amuses me placing an ad on Craigslist for a sold out show.  I got hit afer hit until I finally sealed the deal with the one person that actually responded back within a matter of minutes.  Sorry to the person who responded back 3 hours later expecting there to still be tickets.  You snooze, you lose.  This time it happened to be a lovely lad and his lady friend.  Plus I made a few bucks.  Despite a few minutes of worrying that this person was a serial killer (my name, address, and phone number were printed on the tickets), it was a win/win in my opinion. 

I leave you with my song of the day:  Night Moves-Horses.  Enjoy!

A Change is Gonna Come

The time has come to retire my old blog Love, Food, and Rock 'N Roll.  I decided to have two separate blogs, one for food and one for my own personal rants.  Thanks for sticking with me during my time of transition and be sure to follow me here as well as at It's So Gouda!

I'd like to use this space for my personal stories, adventures, music favorites, and whatever else I feel like talking about on a given day.  I am always open to new music so if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment! 

Today's song of the day:  Heart it Races-As Played by Dr. Dog (Architecture In Helsinki is the original artist).  I am going to see Dr. Dog on Friday so I'll report back about the show.  Have a good day y'all!