a Must Listen: FRAGILE

Hi all.

So I guess this is somewhat of a plug I'm posting for a friend's band, Fragile.  But whatever, even if they weren't fabulous people and friends, I would still publish this post.  They are an incredibly talented group of guys who will release their debut album "This Land Will Be Civilized" in May (which is fantastic, by the way).

Side note: I'm going to see them perform at First Ave in Minneapolis tomorrow night and simply cannot wait.

So everyone! Check them out at www.fragilemusic.com or www.myspace.com/fragilewi
...or at least just admire how good looking they are.  Either way.

& enjoy this:

___________________________________

Album du Moment: "This Land Will Be Civilized" by Fragile

Love.

Harmless Sparks

Well, the Bazan show was incredible.  Just incredible.  Great performance by the entire band (+ Dave of course).  He played a lot of old Pedro The Lion tracks which R.M. and I were thrilled with.  And the Turf Club turned out to be a very cool venue.  We were accompanied by great friends, and the night was just a beautiful success!

Image via www.davidbazan.com

Although the Monday night extravaganza left me a bit tired -- I ended up missing both of my classes on Tuesday and napping instead.  And even this morning, I embarrassed myself pretty bad in pilates class.  Oh well.  Well worth it.

Okay.  That's enough already.  I am rambling on...... and on.  Happy Wednesday evening, all.

Track du Moment: "I Do" by Pedro The Lion

Everything In Its Right Place

Things I look forward to:

1.  Closing the bar tonight with two of my favorite co-workers.  (This means free Ketel One and sodas, American Spirits, giggles, and a fair amount of complaining.)

2.  Celebrating Easter tomorrow with the family +1 handsome boyfriend (hopefully).

3.  Seeing David Bazan + Headlights Monday night at the Turf Club with beautiful people.

4.  Saturday night in Minneapolis with dear friends who are scattered about the Midwest (!).

"Have you ever seen a mini with such large hands?"

Let's have T-F fly by, please.

Track du Moment: "Magazine" by Pedro The Lion

Untitled II

BABES

Since when did my friends start getting pregnant?!  Does this mean that I really am getting old?  Kidding.  I am but 22 ....but seriously.

A wonderful friend from middle school (and so on) is expecting near the end of May!  How exciting it must be to be a pregnant woman.  I mean, despite your vagina being on display regularly at doctor appointments, the fact that you are carrying a living being in your own bod (!), the whole water breaking when you aren't expecting it thing, the strange cravings you endure (I had a friend crave styrofoam, and another sidewalk chalk!) -- BUT, despite those few things, it truly is a beautiful thing.  I mean it.  Pregnant women are gorgeous creatures.

The beautifully pregnant Rochelle had her baby shower this past Sunday.  It was wonderful to be surrounded by old friends and especially the old friend that has gained over 40 pounds in her stomach ONLY.  Hehe, don't kill me for this, Ro ....photos:

James, me (must stop weird head cocking thing in photographs), and the pregnant lady (with Baby Harlow)!

James, Whitney, me, a severed deer head.

Look at this gorgeous mother-to-be holding up her favorite gift of the day. ;) Which was obviously from me.  "The Hippie Aunt".  How adorable though?  A silk embroidered dress with little baby mocosain-like sandals.  I was seriously scouring the other side of Gap for this outfit in my size ...to no avail.

James, me, love.

___________________________________

Speaking of exciting baby news .....I am going to be an aunt again!  Have I mentioned that on this blog yet?  Hmmm ...My sister, Kim, found out just this morning that she is having a little baby girl.  I am beyond thrilled and absolutely cannot wait until August 27 (her due date).  

What a blessed whirlwind this life can be.

Track du Moment: "Lost Someone" by Cat Power

Oh just dah-ling

I have had such a wonderful week.  Great friends visited La Crosse and fun times were had by all.  I have such beautiful/creepy friends.  A perfect combination.  See here:

Lovely, eh?

Have a fabulous weekend everybody!

Track du Moment: "Zebra" by Beach House

Bizarre-oh

I had the strangest dreams last night.  Maybe it was the PBR.  Maybe it was the embarrassing numbers of hours spent dancing like an idiot to bad karaoke at a bad bar.  I guess no one will ever really know.

Either way, the following creatures were involved:

Bizarre, no?

So.  I think I may be a little out of my head this afternoon.  Must nap before dinner with the girls.  Jesus.

Happy Thursday, all.

Track du Moment: "Lost My Shape" by David Bazan

I'm back!

That's right, I'm back.  After a rather long blogging hiatus.  I am sure everyone is just elated.

These past two weeks have been a safe mix of fun, relaxing, tumultuous, and some other adjective I can't think of right now.

As mentioned in a previous post, I flew down and visited my parents in Florida for 5 days.  It was a very nice, short and sweet getaway.  My mother and dad were staying in townhouse (with their dogs) and my sister and I stayed in the townhouse next door.  Falling asleep and waking up the ocean right outside the bedroom window was absolutely fantastic.  And makes me wonder why I am still living in the Midwest?  Anyway, it was nice to hang with the family each day and take the puppies for walks multiples times a day in the Florida sunshine.  My aunt and uncle were staying in a condo about a mile down from our townhouses, so we would walk the beach to go visit them as well.  It was all very nice.  ...Until the trip back home.  My sister and I endured so many delays with our flights and ended up traveling home for nearly 16 hours.  Gross.  I hate being delayed in airports.  Especially with my crabby sister who hates flying and hates being delayed more than anyone I have ever met.  While I am trying to make the long day tolerable and fun, she is complaining to pretty much anyone who will listen.  Oh well.  That is Kim, and how she has always been I guess.  I should be more used to it.

Once we finally made it back to my parents' house, I spent time with some good friends and visited R.M.'s family for a couple of days which was fantastic.  There is never a dull moment at R.M.'s parents' house.  With four boys, I guess there really shouldn't be.  Very fun.

Now, though, I am back in La Crosse which feels incredible.  I've missed my flat and not constantly being surrounded by people.  (Is that wrong to say?)  It is just nice to be home I guess.

Well that's all I got for this afternoon.  I am feel thoroughly exhausted for some reason.  I closed the bar last night with my friend/co-worker, TJ, which was very enjoyable but draining.  Willie Nelson played at the venue directly across the street from the hotel so we were insanely busy.  It felt good to get back into the swing of things, but now I am tired and have so much to do.  Missing a week of classes = endless amounts of make-up papers to complete.  Papers which I have not started (I refused to do anything academically-related in Florida, and I can never get anything done at my parents' house).  So, today, at some point, I must be incredibly productive and whip out a few papers I have been putting off for two weeks.  Should be a great day.

I will have to post a few photos from my getaway.  There are a couple good ones on my mother's camera if I remember correctly.  Stay tuned.

Track du Moment: "On The Weekend" by Neil Young

Pining for Yasmine

I have been pining over these Aquatalia by Marvin K. "Yasmine" shoes for nearly a week now.

Aren't they lovely?  Even more lovely when worn with tights and shorts.  Yes, I've tried them on from my favorite shoe store here in La Crosse (www.shopkickshoes.com).  But, they are $325.  A little much for my poor college student-like budget. 
*Sigh*  :)

Track du Moment: "Oh What A World" by Rufus Wainwright

Untitled

Life has a silly way of working itself out, don't you think?

(I hope so anyway).

(R.M., me & friends at a Bon Iver show last year)

Track du Moment: "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen

Dead Man's Bones

This is pretty neat.  I like Ryan Gosling.  After "Lars and The Real Girl" and "Half Nelson" (and now he can sing?!) what is there not to love?

Enjoy.

Track du Moment: See above

Totally Awesome

"Chicks think that cool when you caught clap before."

HA HA.

Track du Moment:  "Thieves" by She & Him

a Thursday Tradition

It is Thursday!  Classes are finished, naps have been had, coffee has been drunk, and now I am very much ready for this evening.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Thursday nights are reserved for cheap beer, my weirdo friends, and karaoke at The Cav.

LOVELY.

And what's more is that R.M.'s entire family (minus one brother) is coming up for the evening.


LOVELY.


Also, I finally booked my plane ticket to visit my parents in Florida the week prior to my spring break!  Florida sunshine, my mother and dad, my wonderful sister, and our dogs all packed into an ocean front condo for a week or so.

LOVELY!

Now, feast your eyes:

Well, this is a photo of my friends and me in the 

Dominican two years ago, but you know.
It's still an ocean.  It's still sunshine.

__________

One of the said dogs (Milo) and me.
__________

The other said dog (Madeline).
___________

They will take Florida by storm.

Cheers to all!

Track du Moment: "Evergreen" by Ryan Adams

The pleasure, the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight
where there's music and there's people
who are young and alive
driving in your car
I never never want to go home
because I haven't got one anymore

Take me out tonight
because I want to see people
and I want to see life
driving in your car
oh please don't drop me home
because it's not my home, it's their home
and I'm welcome no more

And if a double-decker bus
crashes in to us
to die by your side
is such a heavenly way to die
and if a ten ton truck
kills the both of us
to die by your side
well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

Take me out tonight
take me anywhere, I don't care
I don't care, I don't care
and in the darkened underpass
I thought Oh God, my chance has come at last
but then a strange fear gripped me
and I just couldn't ask

Take me out tonight
oh take me anywhere, I don't care
I don't care, I don't care
driving in your car
I never never want to go home
because I haven't got one
no, I haven't got one

And if a double-decker bus
crashes in to us
to die by your side
is such a heavenly way to die
and if a ten ton truck
kills the both of us
to die by your side
well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

There is a light that never goes out
There is a light that never goes out
There is a light that never goes out
There is a light that never goes out

 _______

I have been obsessed with The Smiths lately.

Track/Video du Moment:  See above