Goodbye To You.

sadbeach

“I learned that unbelievably awful things can and do happen. In truth, they are not so rare, isolated events. Each of us has a story that would break someone’s heart. Despite the grief and unfairness of it all, we keep going. There are chores to be done. There are people who need our care. There is a life to be led. The real lesson was found…I realized that, regardless of the heartache, we may choose the moments in which we live. On that day, I learned that love creates a tremendous capacity for grace. And perhaps it is that grace that keeps us moving forward.”

So my friend, J, she had a heartbreak recently. She is so sad, and we are all sad for her, and we are doing lots of cuddling, loving, and snuggling in an attempt to forget sadness and focus on the purple and love.

I made her a mixed tape, or CD I guess, for those moments when she hurts so bad she thinks her chest might bust. That way, she can get it out on her own time.

If you’re looking for a good cry, or if you just like melancholy tunes, here’s a mix for you:

  1. In Your Atmosphere – John Mayer
  2. Gravity – Sara Barielles
  3. Good, Better Than Ezra
  4. Walking Off The Buzz- Blessed Union of Souls
  5. San Francisco – Brett Dennen
  6. Let Your Troubles Roll By – Carbon Leaf
  7. As I’m Leaving – David Gray
  8. Bitter End – Dixie Chicks
  9. Almost Lover – A Fine Frenzy
  10. Real Life – Fortune’s Fool
  11. Cigarette – Graham Colton Band
  12. The Guy Who Says Goodbye to You – Griffin House
  13. I’ve Been Down Live Acoustic – Hanson
  14. Get Out of My Mind – Hootie and the Blowfish
  15. Sunday Morning Song – Howie Day
  16. Never Die Young – James Taylor
  17. Doublin’ Back – Jason Mraz (non live) OR “You and I”
  18. You Are a Part of Everything – Josh Kelley
  19. Walking Away – Lifehouse
  20. Let Me Leave – Marc Broussard
  21. Where We Going to Go From Here – Mat Kearney
  22. Gone – Matt Nathanson
  23. Where I Stood – Missy Higgins
  24. If I Am – Nine Days
  25. Last Request – Paolo Nutini
  26. Maybe Its Time – Pat McGee
  27. Wounded – Third Eye Blind
  28. New Soul – Yael Naim

Happy St. Paddy's Day

southieoldman

Being in Los Angeles this St. Patrick’s makes me homesick for the East, and for South Boston. Usually my St. Paddy’s day involves some form of a one Miss Katie and her fabulous Leprechaun boyfriend. And all the Irish friends that live about those parts.

I miss the cold, the layers, the Irish being proud of themselves (more so on this day than others) and the bars that are so clearly Irish. Oh, Solas, a night without you is sad this March 17.

Things I miss about the East, and St. Paddy’s day:

1. People calling you “lass”

2. “Top of the morning to ya” (“and the rest of the day to yourself,” which is the proper response.)

3. The Irish Blessing heard about the city (I am listening to bag pipes outside my window at work, so that’s OK.)

4. Green everwhere, signifying the beginning of Spring

5. Parades

6. Everyone discussing how they are Irish

7. Red Sox shirts everywhere (with a shamrock, or without, we’re pretty lenient)

8. Green dyed food (such as donuts at DD)

9. The word “wicked” thrown into every sentence (St. Paddy’s day, or not)

10. People who actually go to church on the Saints’ days.

run1 and run2 – Mixes for beginning runners.

Well, I just finished 30 minutes of “10 Minute Solutions” dance mix, which kicked my butt. I liked that better than my originally training plan of “walk for 30 minutes.” That seemed boring.

Meanwhile, I figured I’d share my first two mixes with you. Since my workout is only a half hour, they are short, but wonderful. Here goes.

run1

Carry me Through – Dave Barnes
Light My Candle – Rent Film Cast
Leavin’ – Jesse McCartney
Industry – Jon McLaughlin
Runaway Run – Hanson
American Boy – Estelle and Kanye
If I Am – Nine Days
Narcolepsy – Third Eye Blind

run2

Live Your Life – T.I. featuring Rihanna
Stronger – Kanye West
Pop Game – Josh Kelley
Love Song – Sara Bareilles
Home – Marc Broussard
Less Than Four – Tokyo Rose
She Moves in Her Own Way – The Kooks
Caught Up – Usher

Things I've learned about myself.

lo2

I have friends in town this week. And I have learned the following things:

1. I need 8 hours of sleep a night, and if I don’t get it, I am exhausted and tired and cranky.

2. I love to rock climb, beach or no beach.

3. I love the ocean, and sandwiches with chick peas and avocado.

4. I want to live on a street called Citrus.

5. I love yoga.

6. Nature is my soul.

lo

Mid-90s Monday music love.

I got eight new albums yesterday at Amoeba music. And because I am obsessed with mid-90s tunes, I could find a lot.

On the list:

1.  Barenaked Ladies Are Me, Barenaked Ladies
2. Deluxe, Better Than Ezra
3. Milk the Bee, The Break and Repair Method
4. Keep Coming Back, Marc Broussard
5. Must Be the Water EP, Marc Broussard
6. The Promise in Compromise, Tokyo Rose
7. Have You Seen Me Lately?, Carly Simon
8. 20 Frank Sinatra Love Songs, Frank Sinatra

It was a good Monday.