Awkward Truths

My bangs oft resemble a bowl cut. OFT.

While driving home from the airport with my windows down, I was sprayed by a skunk. While driving. In a car. As politely as she could, my Grandma demanded I go take a shower.

I walk around with my skirt tucked up in my pantyhose, like...a lot. It should be noted that my coworkers are typically male and awkward and blush when i so much as put on mascara in the car. i expect they'll let me walk around with my skirt all up all day, so long as they don't have to make eye contact.

Finding earwax in your earbuds. You know.

In a heroic effort to stand up during a particularly rigorous 2 minutes of spin class, my knees buckled and i fell down, clinging to the handlebars of my stationary bike.

Unfortunately yoga didn't go much better - where running = yoga: 

via running is impossible

just a lot of laying around and trying to ignore the stupid teacher who won't stop teaching and wants even the most hopeless of cases to succeed when all Hopeless Case wants to do is nap and good lord if the 74 year old man next to me can do a half-crescent moon then what am i doing with my life

I am mad obsessed with the Cosby Show. It's kind of all-consuming right now. I find myself constantly wanting to tweet things like, "Isn't Sandra like the most annoying person on earth??" but i know everyone would be too busy live tweeting GoT to care and also half of you don't even appreciate my twitter gold like i think you should.

Side note: I named my fish Cosby. Because he's so funny and definitely a people fish.

Second side note: It is probably an awkward truth that i am also mad obsessed with my twitter account and am on the verge of constantly being offended that you guys never retweet me or anything but hey who's counting.

She says it best:

My coworker came up whisperasked me if I heard our other coworker passing gas. Um, wasn't listening, weirdo.

This gross old lady crush I've been nursing on Hunter Hayes: 

Also of course I'm old enough to have an old lady crush. OF COURSE.

stay true, stay awkward, DONT LET ANYONE DULL YOUR SPARKLE,

bRob

Boot Scootin'

Note: This song has an expletive in it. 

a few summers back, i lived a couple of blocks behind campus in the jankiest basement of a duplex on Van Dyke. i used to gun my little 5-speed light blue sentra up the death-trap driveway, and then i'd whip around corners and back roads, windows down, and blare this song out my speakers, which were probably also janky.

this monday morning Air Traffic Controller came up on my spotify, and just in the nick of time.

Before 8:00 am ...

i discovered my favorite white blouse's armpit stains

i had big beef (30 minutes worth) with Microsoft's online support

...and then ran late

my pants were being awkward and poochy. typical.

i woke up

So imagine how happy my little heart was when my old jam popped up.

muy happy. ganz happy. i was boot scootin' all over the bathroom while brushing my teeth and very decidedly not putting on makeup.

I hope you scoot a little too.

happy wednesday.

-bRob

Sweet Beer Music

It's been a while, InterWebs.

But recently I found some material which I think would make a lovely technicolor post. Maybe. I've become somewhat of a sketchy person recently so I'm not guaranteeing follow-through on that one. Full disclosure.

Regardless, it made me think about dusting off the little old blog. And when I heard this commercial, I knew it was certainly time for another commercials with music post. Wham bam, thank-you Sam. Adams.

Overwhelmed by Tim Morris

Enjoy. Also, Sam Adams makes a good Oktoberfest. Free nugget for you.

Merry Autumn,
bRob

P.S. I hope this is exactly what you were expecting when you clicked on a post titled, 'Sweet Beer Music'.

Used to Know

Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye

Have you seen this tune running round the Webs? 

I'd seen a couple of people post it, but I never gave it much of a shot because the first 30 seconds bored me 

[...I know, I know, that's lame.]

 I finally bucked up and listened all the way through, and I love it. Where they sing at one another? wonderful.

Is it totally off-base to say that his voice reminds me the eensiest  bit of Phil Collins'?

I think one of the reasons I like the song so much [aside from his sweet phil-ish voice] is because I identify so keenly with his sentiment. It is rough, those breakups. Somebody that you used to know.

Man - whatta song, whatta gem, whatta find.

-bRob

Whirlwind Surreality

Webs,

My weekend jaunt was surreal. I landed in a flat, wide state covered in more snow than I'd ever seen in my entire life. I saw friends I hadn't seen in four years. We relived lots and lots of tales from our time as camp counselors in the Colorado mountains. I went to my first ever bachelorette party. I attended a wedding. I rode home in a tiny plane with someone with serious gastrointestinal issues, which meant I spent a good majority of the flight gagging and looking around to spot the gassy culprit [no luck].

I took lots of photos.

I also left my camera in Colorado.

No photos for you, Webs.

Another day, I suppose. Whenever my camera makes its way back home.

In lieu of photos, here's the "first dance" song. I'd never heard it before, but it fits the style of the couple well. 

I would apologize for how lame this photo-less post is, but then I remembered that it's my blogumentary, and blogumentaries are honest, not necessarily interesting. Right? yeah.


-bRob

Endless Loop

I'm currently studying for an exam I couldn't take this morning because of a late night emergency room run. Don't worry, I'm fine - just a real wimp when it comes to ear infections. That stuff is sick-nasty. I couldn't sleep last night, even after the meds. I think part of the problem may be that my ibuprofen expired in 2010 but I like to think it works anyways...maybe it just doesn't. Remedied - bought new ibuprofen today while fulfilling a prescription for more drugs.

If you didn't know me any better, these might sound like things an adult would do. Prescriptions, using drugs that aren't expired...

Found this little nugget on the youtube [I love it when people say 'the' first] and have been listening to it on endless loop:

Fun fact, I once had a computer science class with this guy. I didn't realize til a year later that he was a member of the band Bombadil. Cool, eh?

This song makes me feel weepy.

and also i'm having a giant pity party. That makes me feel weepy too.

Off to study some more.

Longer letter later,

bRob

How Are You Feeling?

Hey guys.

I'm in such a charitable mood today, and also I have a paper due later this afternoon, so I decided the best thing I could do right now was to come up with a song to make your day.

I don't actually know how you're feeling, though, so I've picked a song for every mood I can think of.

Are you feeling:

Sad?

Slighted?

Like you're in a really cheerful movie montage?

Heartbroken?

Ok, when I'm heartsick, I'm kind of a wallower. I just like to wallow in emooootion. I'm pretty sure I listened to this song 70 times during my last breakup while shoving Bojangles french fries in my mouth and not chewing.

Hungry?

You ate too much?

Ok...only the first five seconds might be applicable.

Gassy?

Going to the cupcake shoppe?

Show-offy?

Ready for Finals?

Beautiful?

NO ONE saw that coming...

Misunderstood?

Downtrodden but carrying on?

Strolling in a sunny Tennessee Town?

Cool?

Like you're watching Cheers?

Overambitious?

Self-Satisfied? 

Like telling your local blogger that she has the coolest blog on the block?

I feel like I've adequately addressed all of the important feelings.

-bRob

Much Too Young

I went through an extensive country music phase in middle school, sandwiched between my oldies and Stevie Wonder phases. While there is a large portion of country music I find veritably unnerving, I appreciate what a music connoisseur such as myself would consider “classic country.” This is one of those classics. I will never remember the name or the artist or that this song even exists, but whenever it pops up on the radio I find myself singing the chorus, missing nary a word.

At the age of young twenty-something, I find myself relating entirely too much to this song. Granted, part of it may be the cold that is robbing me of every ounce of energy, coupled with the fact that I ran [read: jogged] for the first time in months [read: a year] and my shins and quads are exacting revenge, but as this song twanged [?] from the radio, I felt so weary. Also I found another juicy gray hair today. At the age of young twenty-something.

I sat there and pondered what to do when you already feel old and tired at the age of young twenty-something. When you feel exhausted and weary and you’re not even old enough to rent a car. And then I thought about restoration and renewal and how the LORD promises to renew our youth like the eagle's (Psalm 103:5). 

“but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.”

Isaiah 40:31 

Some days I think we all feel old, weary, and sapped, no matter the state of our physical bodies. On those days, remember that hope, renewal, restoration, rejuvenation, [these words make me feel like I’m at a spa] – in their purest state – they came from the Lord.

-bRob 

Southern Comfort

I had turnips for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and I'm crazy about them.

I have broken my 20-something-year vegetable fast and eat these all the time now.

I made myself a nice dinner of turnip greens with salted pork and some sweet tea the other night.

Sometimes I fancy myself a southern girl.

And in that spirit, here's one of my favorite Loretta Lynn classics:

I want to be her best friend so badly. She's so saucy.

Do you have any old school country favorites?

-bRob

Sweet Songs and Snow Days

November was a very sad month for Conversations, and I hope you'll kindly pardon me. I don't have any legitimate excuses, other than the usual I'm so busy, blah blah blah, nonsense.

It's been a while since I've done a commercial with music post [...or any post], and I knew as soon as I saw this commercial that I wanted to share it with you. 

Snow Day by Matt Pond PA

This song makes me want a snow day, and I don't even like the cold. 

My winter music is always slower and much more melancholy than my spring and summer music. Winter mellows me, I suppose. 

What's your winter music?

-bRob

Monday Morning Jams

Happy Monday, InterWebs!

Go conquer lots of things!

Such as:
Finishing [starting?] a data structures project

Getting recommendation letters from professors

Starting a personal statement

Buying groceries so that there is more to eat in the house than ice cream

Figuring out why the commode keeps making weird noises

Lots of other stuff

-bRob

Post-Sunday Jams

Sunday Jams kind of fell apart, but I've got this song running through my brain grapes.

I think there are really two takes on the Proclaimers:
a) weird bordering on creepy

b) all kindsa awesome

What do you think?

-bRob

Discussion: Can Music Ever Go Too Far?

Since we've got a few more readers [Hey guys! Glad you're here!], and because I'd really love to interact with you all a bit more, I wanted to start a little discussion about something I wonder:

When do you think music, artists, and lyrics go too far?

brown dress with white dots

Are there certain artists or songs you won't listen to? Why? Are there things that are simply too offensive? 

I'm not merely talking about the gratuitously explicit stuff

.

How do you feel about songs that talk about suicide or dwell on death? 

Songs that have misogynistic undertones? 

Songs that speak casually about drugs?

(even my future husband, Ray Lamontagne, mentions cocaine in one of his songs.)

Would there ever be an artist you wouldn't listen to simply based on his or her beliefs/actions, like when  people boycotted the Dixie Chicks after they openly criticized Bush? 

Or do you consider it all noise?

What are your thoughts? Do the meanings of songs or the actions of their artists ever prompt you to change the station?

No judgement here, just curious!

-bRob

Sunday[ish] Jams

Better late than never, ja?

My favorite road trip song:

Seger makes me want to get in my car and just drive west. 

well, Seger and the mounds of work looming before me. Not to be super dramatic or anything, but I'm probably going to die either of boredom or papercuts this semester.

happy post-Sunday & pre-Monday/

-bRob

ps - i did NOT make this video. just so we're all clear.

Sunday Jams

This might be a recurring sort of post, depending on how inspired I am to do it again next week.

I like the idea of having a "jam" on Sunday, so you can get pumped up and beast Monday. You know what I mean? Mondays, ugh, they're the worst, amIrite?

If ever I were forced on stage to sing karaoke, I would of course protest vociferously for a little bit, but then I would rock this song out. You would probably be very impressed, truth be told.

Hope you had a great weekend, and get pumped!

-bRob

Longer Letter Later

One of these days I will find the time to write a legitimate post.

Today is not that day. 

This song and video is wonderful, though, so props to me for putting it here for you. [Is it obnoxious to give myself props?] 

I love his hair.

You’ve the strength of the Greeks
You are God’s masterpiece
You are every triumph, every victory
I believe in every breath you breathe.

Thanks for stopping by today, readers. I love that you're here - feel free to say hello!

-bRob

Tuesday Morning

What I'm about to tell you is slightly embarrassing, but what's a blog for if not for full disclosure?

When I took A.P. Economics my senior year of high school, I might have had a little bit of a massive crush on my teacher. And, like the crazed high school stalker I was, I knew he liked The Pogues. I spent a solid chunk of time trying my hardest to like The Pogues and somehow have something in common with my teacher, other than that 10:15-11:05 chunk of time on MWF.

Much to my dismay and the ruination of my future with Mr. M., I didn't like them. 

Except for this one song, which I blared out my windows while driving on this sunny and warm fall day.

enjoy.

-bRob

On a School Night

Last week, one of my favorites, Ray Lamontagne, came into town with one of my other favorites, Brandi Carlile, as his opening act. In other words, this was a concert I could not miss.

I don't often go to concerts, curmudgeon that I am - I feel so overwhelmed in crowds, I hate long drawn-out instrumental interludes, I can't stand it when the band is so loud that you can't make sense of the vocals. But this concert was golden! It was so mellow and chill, and everyone sat in the grass swaying sweetly to the music.

snack time

One of us [ahem] may have forgotten the blanket to sit on, but the couple beside us had a spare and was kind enough to loan it out. Jessica brought me my favorite candy, Swedish Fish! She sure knows how to treat me right...

I'm the lame one who brought a banana. Seriously. 

I'll also be handing out raisins and gospel tracks for Halloween, if you're interested.

Our "date night"
ahah

The Secret Sisters were the first opening act - I only recognized them because they had a song that was free on iTunes once. They are a sweet and adorable sister duo that sings songs with old country and 1950's influences - Jessica was in heaven.

"Secret Sister Sandwich"

The Secret Sisters about took Jessica home with them when she told them how much she loves the Everyly Brothers

I promise you that Brandi Carlile is on that stage, you just can't see her.

I could kick myself for not bringing my camera - we were told they weren't allowed. Only everyone but me had a camera, and I  just had my phone.

Ray Lamontagne is a little bit eccentric - he doesn't talk hardly at all between songs. Regardless, I was so glad we got to hear him perform. I told Jessica that one of his songs made me feel weepy, and she wouldn't stop making fun of me. Hah. Next time I'll weep just to make her feel uncomfortable.

Anyways - this concert was beautiful. Everyone reclining in the grass rocking to the mellow music...I loved it. 

-bRob

TechniColor: Back Again

Tucson Weekly

aaaaand we're back!

Payton Turner & Brian Kaspr via the jealous curator

handmade sticker wallpaper

falcon via a mad tea party with alis

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.
- William Penn

a cup of jo
tutorial for galaxy nails

Have you heard about the failed Biodome experiment?

a fascinating project - more here.

via

almost makes me want to watch baseball. almost.

Life's little things that we can all relate to.
i appreciate those people.

bakerella

cherry pie pops

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they will always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.
- Marcel Pagnol

via buzzfeed
a shark swims down the streets of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene

Tor Weeks via colossal

unruly things
make your own hand printed fabric gift wrap here

Gloria Marigo via my modern met
I can't stop looking at this girl's flickr - it's beautiful.

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.
-Kahlil Gibran

Magdalena Szurek via colossal

Read about  a creative railroad renovation project [my modern met]. NYC opens the High Line Park - a park built on old elevated railroad tracks. 

  I would love to visit this park one day.

pretty bitter via apartment therapy
if i feel like it

How to Make Your Own Evil Plan





someone's a square...

free pictures for you
kind of a neat idea.

tommy hilfiger via black*eiffel


and that road rolls out like a welcome mat,
i don't know where it goes, but it beats where we're at
- lonestar





aquarium art  via my modern met



Waldosia:
 n. [Brit. wallesia] a condition characterized by scanning faces in a crowd looking for a specific person who would have no reason to be there, which is your brain’s way of checking to see whether they’re still in your life, subconsciously patting its emotional pockets before it leaves for the day.
dictionary of obscure sorrows

Jiang Pengyi creates miniature urban desolation. [via colossal]

Luciana Val & Franco Musso via my modern met

via a cup of jo
Dinner in the Sky hosts dinners by hoisting tables, chefs, and customers up into the air on a giant crane. Would you do it?

connect design via hello, friend
cross stitch your own iPhone case

hither & thither

enjoy!

-bRob

counting and dwelling

I never learned to count my blessings,

I choose instead to dwell in my disasters.

-Ray Lamontagne

Me too, today.

Coincidentally, guess who I'm going to see in concert?

-bRob