I love Owl City's sound. Lead singer, Adam Young's voice and style of vocals reminds me of Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 (if they did electro pop!) and the upbeat sounds tend to simply make me happy. I also love the fact that he simply started making music in his basement and is just another newer artist who got his break via myspace music.
Fireflies
Alligator Sky
Good Time
Shooting Star
Dementia - ft. Mark Hoppus (from Blink-182!)
While I enjoy the above songs, it was stumbling across this that made me decide to do an Owl City post. Turns out Adam is a Christian and recorded this simple, heartfelt version of "In Christ Alone (I Stand)" which I love.
My sister, Mom, me and Dad. Could we be more 80's? ;)
When asked what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday, they are the first thing that comes to mind. But my gratitude and love for them isn't any stronger on the third Thursday in November (or the 25th of December!) than it is any other day of the year.
I love them every day.
Me and my sissy
I think that Thanksgiving is a gift. It helps us look beyond the day to day humdrum and take the time to reflect on what blessings we have in our lives.
I've been lucky enough to have a large family on both the maternal and paternal sides.
Me, Grammy and Laura on the famous couch
Me and my sister with Uncle Cy and Aunt Marlys (essentially our third set of grandparents - lucky kids!)
Ritchie family Thanksgivings tend to be very full. Full of good food, full of laughter, full of lots of family (usually 20+) and always full of love.
The Ritchie cousins
I'm thankful, so very thankful and very, very blessed.
While I realize there will always be some who cannot and will not ever accept the LGBT community as complete equals (cause if you deny them marriage you deny them equality, plain and simple) there will also be those of us who will always, no matter how much you quote the very few words from the Bible about the subject to state your case, support equal (or in this case, gay) rights.
I do not feel that my personal relationship with Christ is threatened by someone loving another of the same sex. Nor do I feel that the future of the "traditional family" is at risk because we allow two men or two women to enter a committed relationship with each other, protected by the same laws that protect straight couples.
I can support the idea of changing the legal term of "marriage" into "civil union" for all people, straight and gay alike - the civil union term would refer to their law bound rights and, if they are a believer in the religious sacrament of marriage, then a "marriage certificate" would be issued by their religious organization of choice. It would be a choice of the religious institution to offer the option of marriage certificates to just heterosexual couples or, if they are accepting of the gay community, they can choose to extend this to homosexual couples as well.
This would not take away from the sanctity of marriage, in fact it would increase it because the term would only be used by those who believe in the religious aspect of the commitment versus being used as a blanket term to essentially mean a civil union.
Well, these are my thoughts on the matter - you are free to disagree (or agree!) as you choose. If you choose to comment, my only request is that you are thoughtful in your reply and that you be polite. :)
I have always wished that I would have been blessed with a really fantastic singing voice. There is a feeling of freedom when I really allow myself to let go and sing out, a peace in that moment. While I can carry a tune, I know that I just was not physically gifted with one of 'those' voices, even if I had extensive training.
Carrie Underwood is one of those people blessed with a natural talent. While I know she had a lot of training to get as good as she is now, there was an innate gift that she had which allowed her to be able to mold her voice into the powerhouse she is today. What a rush it must be to know your voice is bringing such joy to others. Carrie's newest album, "Blown Away" is by far her best yet in my opinion. The songs range from fun "One Way Ticket" which sounds like a Kenny Chesney tribute, to heartbreaking on "Forever Changed", and powerful and poignant in "Blown Away" and "Two Black Cadillacs." "Blown Away" reminds me so much of Martina McBride's "Independence Day" in the fact that it is a crazy powerful ballad about a young woman who feels like she has no options in life due to domestic issues and the decision she makes to change that. While I could never condone the actions that these women take in these songs, my heart hurts for the real women in situations like these everyday. Domestic and child abuse is a sickness in our society and I have always felt a real calling to help women in these types of situations. It was one of the reasons I originally went back to school for my psych degree and even if I do not end up in that specific field it will always be one that is close to my heart.
"Two Black Cadillacs" is along the same vein as "Blown Away" (for someone who appears to be as happily married as Carrie is, she sure has a lot of songs about guys being jerks... i.e. "Before He Cheats" - Lol). I just think is a musically haunting and beautiful song, a more serious version of the Dixie Chick's "Good-bye Earl." I love the visuals created by lyrics, I hope Carrie releases this one because I would love to see this video!
The final one I will share here (although I highly suggest checking out the entire album!) will be "Forever Changed." This one is a heart-breaker, have some tissues ready. As someone who has a loved one they are slowly losing to Alzheimer's (my paternal Grandma) and who has already lost another person who was like a Grandpa to dementia, this one hits home.
Life is a journey and the experiences we have inevitably change us, for good or bad...
I love this new band, I started listening to their EP on Spotify a few months ago before the song "It's Time" started getting more airplay. Their full length album called Night Visions was just released September 4th and it is excellent! Imagine Dragons is a Nevada based alternative rock band that came together in 2008. They will be touring with Awolnation this fall and are on the line up at many alt rock festivals including SXSW.
I love new artists, while I am saving one of my very favorite new bands (literally brand new, their first full length album dropped this week!) for tomorrow's High Fidelity, I thought it would be fun to share three new(ish) artists who are playing quite frequently on my headphones at work.
The first is a new Indie rock group from South Australia called Atlas Genius, this group has only released an EP - they are brand new and I think they have the potential to be really big.
The second group is another Indie rock band called Walk the Moon, I just love their happy sound. Walk the Moon's self titled debut album was released in 2012.
The third selection is playing all over the radio right now, it is French electronic music band M83's song "Midnight City." While the band has been together, in some form, since 2001, they have just recently really started making a name for themselves on the US charts. They have toured over the past few years with some amazing bands including the Kings of Leon, The Killers and Depeche Mode. On a side note, I love how the "Midnight City" video starts a story line... their follow-up single, "Reunion"continues the story. I'll be curious to see if future singles do the same. Very cool idea!
My newest musical obsession is a country/folk group called The Civil Wars which is composed of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The duo won the 2012 Grammy for Best Folk Album and Best Country Due/Group Performance. I love their haunting sound and amazing harmonies, I have included a few of my favorites below, including the song that introduced me to them (Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars "Safe & Sound") and a fantastic remake of "Billie Jean"... hope you enjoy them!
A friend sent this email to me today, while I've seen things
like this before, it really struck a chord with me today. Too many times
we think we know what is right for our life and when things don't go our way we
question why... sometimes we just need to trust that there is a reason why
things happen the way they do. It's all about how you look at things.
Me: Promise you won't get mad.
God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Hmmm.
Me: On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet
in my new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!! Nothing
went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had
to send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep
through that.
Me: (humbled): OH...
God: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on
your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't
want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok...
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going
to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you
talk to them so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see, God.
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to
throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to
be in the dark.
Me: I'm sorry God.
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good
and the bad.
Me: I will trust you.
God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than
your plan.
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything
today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I
love looking after my children.
I frequently think I was born in the wrong decade... the music, fashion, art, design, etc. from the mid to late 50's thru the 60's majorly appeals to me. Women were feminine and curvy. Men were dapper and oh, so smooth. :D Yes, I realize this is a romanticized, "Mad Men" era view of the time however I do think it was a prosperous and culturally (by this I mean art & music) rich era in the our history where family was still super important, cars were big and finned, the music was smooth, sexy and super melodic and the Rat Pack ruled Vegas.
I LOVE the Ultra-Lounge series released from Capitol Records - there are now 20 compilations in the series and they are full of kitschy, bongo and saxophone filled grooves that are perfect to mambo, mix martinis to or enjoy while snuggled up with your sweetheart in front of a cozy fire (hot toddy in hand, of course). Here are just a few of my favorites...
(Do any fellow Dexter fans recognize this from the show?)
I've been on a country kick lately. A couple of my current favorites are Little Big Town's "Pontoon" and Hunter Hayes' "Wanted" and "Storm Warning."
"Pontoon" just makes me think of summer - who would have thought a song about a floating apparatus would be so catchy? ;)
Hunter Hayes is an amazing 20 year old musician/songwriter - he plays the accordion, guitar, mandolin, keyboard, bass guitar, piano and drums on his debut album released in 2011. I love both songs that have been released so far...
Happy Birthday America! Whether we're black or white, gay or straight,
conservative or liberal we all have something in common today - we're
all a part of this awesome place we call home. God Bless America and
all her quirks! :)
"Home"
West, on a plane bound west
I see her stretching out below
Land, blessed mother land
The place where I was born
Scars, yeah she’s got her scars
Sometimes it starts to worry me
Cause lose, I don’t wanna lose
Sight of who we are
From the mountains high
To the wave crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days I know
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
Free, nothing feels like free
Though it sometimes means we don’t get along
Cause same, no we're not the same
But that’s what makes us strong
From the mountains high
To the wave crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days I know
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
Brave, gotta call it brave
To chase that dream across the sea
Names, and they signed their names
For something they believed
Red, how the blood ran red
And we laid our dead in sacred ground
Just think, wonder what they think
If they could see us now
It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home
It’s been a long hard ride
And I won’t lose hope
This is still the place
That we all call home
Lyrics to Dierks Bentley's song "Home" are property and copyright of their owners.
U2 is one of those bands who changed the music industry, not only are they amazing musicians and lyricists, they are advocates for numerous charities and are outspoken against AIDS/HIV, poverty and hunger in our world. They are also deeply spiritual and many of their songs clearly speak to the struggle of man dealing with the world around him and faith - be it in a Heavenly being or simply in mankind. U2 started the ONE campaign and Bono is currently the ambassador for the Millennium Development Goals (part of the United Nations)
One of my favorite U2 songs is "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - it speaks to my constant struggle with knowing God's plan for me and that feeling of knowing there is something more out there... (how fitting that the video was filmed in "Sin City"!)
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...
Other favorites include "Beautiful Day", "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "Walk On".
One of the coolest video's is "Where The Streets Have No Name." U2 filmed their video on top of liquor store in downtown LA freaking the police out and drawing fans in to watch by the hundreds. :)
U2
Lyrics to U2's song "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" are the property and copyright of their owners.
U2 music as a way to celebrate Christ's love? Sure, why not? On Saturday, June 23rd I attended a special "U2charist" service (spirituality+justice+rock and roll) that was brought to Resurrection Lutheran by our fantastic intern, Vicar Ray McKechnie, who will be leaving us in a few weeks after a year of awesome service... sad :(
Vicar Ray McKechnie - photo credit: Pam Hogeweide
The service was an inspiring combination of U2 music performed by our enthusiastic Resurrection Praise Team and messages about equality, justice, humanity and faith. It was a service based around the Eucharist (hence the clever name) which is also known as the Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and had a very thought provoking message shared by the Reverend Dr. Dan Brunner, professor of Christian History, Formation, and Earthkeeping at George Fox Evangelical Seminary.
The message from Rev. Dr. Dan Brunner and an audio clip of the Praise Team performing "Pride (In The Name of Love)" are available here for a limited time.
Please also check out Resurrection Lutheran Church's webpage as well for additional information about our ELCA based Lutheran church, our stewardship, ministries and events.
It's incredibly dangerous to peruse this site "just for fun." My "just for fun" jaunt has now developed into a full-fledged obsession with an adorable little townhouse nearby. I NEED it. (Okay, so I don't need it but tell that to the little devilish redhead on my shoulder.)
The price is fantastic, its in a great location and would be a super starter home, especially for a single woman. That is also where the problem comes in. As a single woman who is racking up student loans as we speak and is still trying to unearth herself from some poor monetary decisions while she was in her 20's and clinically depressed (retail therapy anyone?), I have found that qualifying for a loan on my own is not a possibility right now until I have enough money to eliminate some bills. It would be different with a second income coming in but alas you need another in your household to bring that money in the door and that does not appear to be in the cards any time soon (the cat's a lazy cuss and refuses to go to work). It's funny how people always dream of winning millions in the lottery but in reality winning $25,000 would make one of my biggest dreams possible. Oh how your perspective can change as you become more and more adult like... :)
So here are a few pics of the house - its not super fancy, it certainly isn't my dream house but it is my dream "right now" house...
$ 109,900
3 bed
2.5 bath
Front of town home
Bar and fireplace
Bar and open kitchen
Kitchen, dining nook and deck
Kitchen, nook and view!
Deck off the master bedroom, yes please!
View toward the Columbia river - would be super pretty on a clear day
So cute, sad it's not feasible...
What I have to keep on telling myself is that there are plenty of other people my age who aren't able to buy a home either, that I have a nice rental right now and that I am most likely in a better position financially than some my age... these self-affirmations however don't equate a home of my own or a nice deduction on my taxes. Alas, patience is a virtue Sara... remember this.
I do admit, however, that I look forward to the possibility of marriage someday - not only for the companionship and love but also the possibility to purchase a place of my own (or, our own). I am also reminding myself on a daily basis that the right guy will come along some day and that it must be God's plan that I have yet to meet a man who is capable of loving me just the way I am. Surely there's someone out there, right?
This verse was shared with me at my confirmation as an "adult" in the Lutheran church, it has always held a truly special meaning for me.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make you straight in your paths.
-Proverbs 3:5-6
Another that brings hope:
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
I love Eric Church's unique sound (which, I admit, took me awhile to like at first) and I'm really digging this song right now. Doesn't hurt that he's perty to look at as well. ;)
I took a cue from the title of the previous song, "Springsteen" and have included a couple of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. :)
While I'm not a big fan of 'the boss' in general there are a few songs of his that have a special place in my heart.
The first two were released in my formative music years - middle school. The first is "Streets of Philadelphia" which was from the Tom Hanks movie "Philadelphia" released in 1993.
The
second is "Secret Garden" which was the theme to "Jerry Maguire"
starring Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger released in 1995.
While both songs were indeed from movies that isn't why I like them (heck, I didn't see them until I was in college!). I enjoy these songs because whenever I hear them they take me back to that feeling of being 11 to 13
and so at awe with the world, so hopeful for the future, for love. I love how certain songs can take you right back to specific moments in time - there are a lot of early 90's songs that do that to me.
The third I just personally discovered a couple of years ago even though it is from the mid-1980's. It just happened to pop up on a Pandora station one day and I immediately took note. I love how the percussion sounds like a train, the song just sounds like it comes from a raw place. Love, love.
