Gratitude challenge

These past few weeks I've had a lot to be thankful for.  

Developing relationships with new friends, treasured time with old friends, outdoor adventures, good times with family, signs of love, thoughtful and generous gifts and a new found sense of hope for the future.  

I feel inspired to share a little of my gratitude with the world around me. I found this 30 day Gratitude challenge and I love what it could become.  I will be doing the challenge via Instagram (SaraAnnR81) but will share them here as well.  

Stay tuned...

High Fidelity - The 1975

I am currently enthralled with this band. They are a Manchester, England based alternative rock band and are relatively new to the US charts (heck, they only hit the UK charts starting in 2012).  You might be familiar with the song "Chocolate" if you scored the free download that was available a couple of weeks ago on iTunes. 

I hope the US market embraces them like how they latched on, almost overnight, to the Imagine Dragons (see High Fidelity post about them before they hit it big here).  

The 1975's debut album is scheduled to drop on September 2, 2013 - I can't wait to hear it. 

 

Chocolate (Music For Cars EP)

The City (IV EP)

You (Sex EP)

 

Me (Music For Cars EP)

The 1975

Parenting - you're doing it right

Love this!  All the kids are awesome, but there is something about the little freckled girl in the turquoise dress that I just love.  

To the parents of these awesome kids - kudos for raising such conscientious, caring and open-minded children.  Nice to see a bit of positivity after the past few days!

Moments

30 Photos That Capture the Best Moment's of People's Lives (clicky)


These are wonderful.  Joy in picture form. And I love how so many of them aren't necessarily all about them (meaning the person who tweeted them) but about the people they love.  

If I were choosing my top moments (so far) they would be meeting my precious niece seven years ago and the day this past December when I (FINALLY) graduated from college.  

Isn't she adorable?

 

 

Finally got that B.A.!

Here's hoping there are more moments like those people posted.  Proposal, marriage, babies, graduating kids, time spent with grandchildren...


What would be your best moment?

High Fidelity - Ray LaMontagne

This man's voice is pure magic. No more words necessary, his music speaks for itself.

Let It Be Me

I Still Care For You

If I ever get married, I would be a very, very tempted to use this next song for our first dance.  

You Are The Best Thing

And this one just touches my soul. No other way to describe it really, other than in typical Sara-speak... it makes me *squishy*.

Be Here Now (Live)

Ray LaMontagne

The Burning Man project

So last night I found myself wasting a couple of hours fascinated by the Burning Man website and watching subsequent videos on YouTube of the event.  Why?  I don't know, cause it was there and interesting?  But really, when I think about it, I recognize that it intrigues me so much because it represents the epitome of an 'adventure' to me.  It's mysterious, overwhelming, awe-inspiring and a bit uncomfortable - all things that I think are necessary for an experience to be an adventure.

Fire dancer in Black Rock City

Now, I'm not even contemplating going to Burning Man.  The thought of me at Burning Man is ludicrous - I mean really, I never go outside the house without at least mascara on, I hate being hot and the festival is in the Nevada desert in August, I don't do well with not being able to take a shower at the very least every other day, I hate porta-potties, I have an intense phobia of drunk puking (well, other people barfing in general) and I certainly wouldn't have the physical stamina to walk and ride a bike around a vehicle less town (well, except for the DMV - Department of Mutant Vehicles roaming the grounds - google image search them for entertainment, seriously).  And yes, I realize that last sentence was the stuff grammar police have nightmares about.

Duck mutant vehicle, revelers at night

But all that aside, reading about Burning Man has awoken a burning need in me for change.  For the need to add more excitement to my life and explore the world and people around me.  Hauling a weeks worth of water, supplies, food, bikes, tents, etc. across an arid desert to indulge in 6 days of uninhibited craziness and community may not be the best choice for me but that doesn't mean that I can't be inspired by the spirit of the festival.

Black Rock City at night - amazing that all of this is brought in and created on the site and when it is broken down at the end of the festival they leave no trace behind. 50,000 people leave no trace.  At all. 

My version of Burning Man will be exploring more of this fabulous city (and state) I call home.  There are so many things to do here in Portland and I've done approximately three of them in my past 31 years.  Boring. So while I may not be up for a crazy adventure, I look forward to the new things I will experience right here in my awesome hometown. Stay tuned for posts as I experience new things!

Burning Man!

High Fidelity - Daft Punk

I'm one of the millions who LOVE the new French electronic duo Daft Punk's song "Get Lucky."  I just think it's so darn catchy and obviously I'm not alone as the popularity of this song has majorly jumped over the past few weeks (it was just released mid-April) and it is now #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 List.  Pretty awesome! 

What is even more awesome is my discovery today of this gem.  While I love the song by itself, it is infinitely better when paired with the dance stylings of classic Soul Train clips.  

The dancing, the clothes - epic awesomeness.