The Write Stuff, Part I

For a long time, I aspired to be a writer.  This dream was pushed to the side, ignored, and replaced by new aspirations many, many times.  Recently, I've been inspired to write again (largely based on the influence of creatives around me, for whom I am so incredibly grateful.)  To get my brain in gear, I pulled out a book of writing prompts.

Write the lyrics of a rap song.  They must include a cop, a bad drug bust, and a dog.

All throughout my neighborhood/

People know it’s never good/

To bring crime unto these streets/

Because we’ve got more than cops walking beats.

She’s my little lady, a natural cuddler/

And my friends they always try to smuggle her/

Into their homes but she stays with me/

She’s my Shih Tzu queen, my dog Riley.

Chorus:

(You bring the crime. She’ll get you, she’s got you.  You’re doin’ the time.)

Those dealers bring their drugs to the corner/

“Don’t mess with them, Riley” I try to warn her/

But there’s nothing I can do to ever restrain her/

In her mind she’s built like Schwarzenegger.

When they bring out the meth, heroin, and coke/

They see Riley heading their way and think it’s joke/

Aw look, it’s furry and girly and she wears a sweater/

It’d be wiser to run but they must stop and pet her.

Chorus:

(You bring the crime. She’ll get you, she’s got you.  You’re doin’ the time.)

Those dealers they think what they do is so cool/

But they don’t know that Riley failed puppy school/

She’s bark and she’s bite, she’s rip and she’s tear/

Watch out if she gets a mouthful of your hair.

When the police need a citizen that they can trust/

To bring on the lead in the next drug bust/

They know who to call to keep the streets clean/

My dog, Riley. She’s our Shih Tzu queen.

(Some of) The Best of 2013 Music

After a lackluster (in my opinion) 2012 in music, 2013 swooped in and brought a ton of incredible tracks and albums.  It was the year I resolved to see at least 42 bands in 365 days and exceeded that quickly because too many awesome folks came through town.

Music is very much song-driven now and sometimes it's hard to come across a completely solid album. Again, though, 2013 really stood out and here are a few of my favorite albums:

1.)  Trouble Will Find Me, The National
No surprise here.  It's my favorite band.  I have listened to this album over and over and over (and then some more.)  I love how songs come together--audio engineering is a dream job--and I hear so much of the head and the heart of this album with every listen.

This was also hands-down the best show I saw in 2013.  It's been a while since I've been that engaged with the musicians and the crowd. The National interacted with the audience so much.  I got there early enough to get to the very front, had Matt Berninger go through the crowd right by me, held his hand while he climbed the security gate, and had the best time with strangers who were momentarily friends.  Incredible memories.

2.)  MCII, Mikal Cronin

This album needs more attention.  I ran like heck in 105 degree weather to see them play an in-store and get my album signed.  Great people and addicting album.  Listen to "Piano Mantra" en route to home from a long trip or at the end of a long day. Trust me.  

3.)  Pushin' Against a Stone, Valerie June

Strong and sexy album.  Different than your "usual" kind of voice and album but give this one an honest chance.  Get to know Valerie June.  I think she'll be around for a while.

4.)  Love's Crushing Diamond, Mutual Benefit

Listen to this album in order in its entirety.  It starts with a song titled "Strong River" and ends with one titled 'Strong Swimmer".  Storytelling.  

5.)  Modern Vampires of the City, Vampire Weekend

My least favorite review intro by a music critic ever was about this album: "I didn't want to like an album by Vampire Weekend but…" What? Stop the pretentious; this is an excellent album and Vampire Weekend deserves high reviews for it. And Ezra Koenig won social media with his Twitter and Instagram feeds.  

My favorite song of the album is a love song about…music:

Honorable Mentions:

1.  From the Sea to the Land Beyond, British Sea Power

2.  Days are Gone, Haim

3.  Cerulean Salt, Waxahatchee

What were some of your favorite 2013 albums?  

Looking Back on and Forward to Books!

I've been a voracious reader all my life.  Many of my childhood memories are of happily reading anything: novels, picture books, comic books, nonfiction, magazines, you name it.

Last year, I completed the Goodreads Reading Challenge by reading 52 books…phew!  Besides "regular adult books", this included a few children's books, cookbooks, and YA novels so it wasn't entirely daunting! My favorite 2013 book is The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

My 2014 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal is 20 books.  If it looks like I'll reach that with time to spare, then I'll raise it as the year progresses.  I'm also participating in Maria Vicente's Literary Merit Badge Challenge on I Believe in Story.  This is going to be so much fun!  If you love to read, join me in these challenges!

What did you enjoy reading in 2013?  What are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

Give it a Whirl: Make Fig Jam

Fig Jam

From a recipe for fig jam in a Dove body wash magazine ad (the body wash is fig-scented.)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. chopped figs, stems removed.  (I used purple figs.)
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• chopped walnuts, optional 

Directions:

1.  Bring figs, sugar, and vinegar to a simmer.

2.  Reduce heat and continue simmering until thick.

3.  Stir in lemon juice (and walnuts, if desired.)

4.  Refrigerate in jar up to a month.

Notes:
1.  Step #2 takes a while.  I didn't time it exactly but would estimate between 60-90 minutes.
2.  A more detailed recipe, including a tip on how to know when the jam is in the gel phase, is here.  I did not follow the boil-the-jars step since it is not in the original recipe I used (I'm trusting you Dove advertising department.)  It is, of course, up to you if you would like to do that.

Enjoy!

Fall in Love with Austin on a Budget: Hyde Park

Austin, The City that I Love, has found itself on several "Top 10 Best..." lists over the past several years. Some are for good reason:  we're a wonderful, diverse, fun, creative-focused, largely welcoming community. However, I am one of those people (Those People) who believe the influx of development is changing the city--in some ways for the worse.  That doesn't change my love for this city.  Nothing you love is ever perfect. That said, I feel it is fair to note--before you start packing your bags and loading your U-Haul--that we don't have the jobs some articles claim; or, those several jobs have salaries that don't match the rapidly increasing cost of living. Several friends and neighbors have already moved or are planning to move out of the city due to the cost. Traffic is also a mess. Blah.

Good news: I have spilled my negative guts and will not focus no more on the negatives here!  Instead, I'll periodically highlight some places and activities that are fun and free or cheap.  I believe that this city has a ton to offer and my sincere hope is that you experience as much of it as possible.  So, dear blog readers, embrace these ideas with an explorer's heart.  Follow them with the sense that, if you choose to see wonder in the small and great, then you will see the wonder in the small and great.

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Our first adventure will take us to one of my absolute favorite neighborhoods:  Hyde Park.  This north-central neighborhood is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. Get your quaint and gorgeous community mindset ready. I suggest simply wandering the streets to discover unique and sometimes historic homes, shops, and sites.  Here are just a few spots:

The Avenue B Grocery Store:

Stop in for emergency groceries, a tasty sandwich (the pimento cheese is particularly delicious), or some fine leather goods!

The Elisabet Ney Museum:

That flag is calling out to you, isn't it?  Texas Forevs.

And have I mentioned beautiful houses and unique sites like vintage cars?

There are several wonderful restaurants there. I highly recommend stopping by Quack's Bakery for a vanilla cupcake with cream cheese/coconut frosting, a mega eclair, or...

 ...an octopus cookie!

This is just the briefest of glimpses at Hyde Park that barely scratches its surface.

More food/coffee:

• Mrs. Johnson's Bakery (this might be classified as Hancock/Highland area but I'll still note it here.)
• Flightpath Coffee
• Sweet Ritual Ice Cream which is right next to...
• Juiceland

More fun:

• Shipe Park & Pool with its well-known mural (which I couldn't get a picture of without looking creepy.)
• Antonelli's Cheese Shop They sell cheese and offer cheese classes! That sounds like heaven to me.

What Hyde Park recommendations do you have?

This X Marks the Spot

New blog, new inspirations, new direction (creative direction, not the band New Direction).

More coming soon!

Check out my previous blog: Next Stop Wonderland

And please pardon the dust.  It takes some time to get these things up and moving.