MMXVI

Oh Hello 2016. You're going to be a good one, I'm going to speak that one into motion. Into truth.

Last year was a meditative year. A year of figuring out what I really want in life, where I want to be, and who I want to be. I spent more time outside and created more, and I know I will continue to do that in the coming months, but with more passion. I've learned how freeing it is to know that many things just do not matter. And that what does matter the most makes life so simple. This past year, I started my journey of learning the importance of alignment, dominion, and that joy is a mindful choice.

Now 2016.

Long lost are the days of solemn introspection. Instead, I am trading it in by taking the year by its horns. I know this year has a lot of responsibilities ahead, thanks to a new title at my day job and just general growing up, and a lot of change of scenery. The latter is my main focus. I'm trading in my little slice of Bucks County for a place that stole my heart a little over a year ago: the Pacific Northwest. I am both excited and terrified for that move later this year, but there is much else I would like to get done. I don't do resolutions because it sounds so finite, so here are some intentions I'm setting for 2016.

MMXVI INTENTIONS

MOVE TO PORTLAND

DEVOTE MORE TIME TO MORNINGS

GET BACK INTO PHOTOGRAPHY

START LEARNING FRENCH

SPEAK LESS, DO MORE

SHOP SMALL OR SUSTAINABLE ONLY

HIKE A BIT OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

VISIT ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

CLIFF DIVE OFF PEACE ROCK

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

READ DAILY
 

ANTHRACITE

I don't know what it was about this Holiday season that's got me feeling weird. Maybe it's the fact that it has been a WARM December here in Pennyslvania. Or maybe it's exactly how Daria says it is:

Either way, Christmas Week is upon us. And now that the Star Wars craze is over (Who am I kidding? That was ridiculous and I'm still obsessed...), It's time for non-stop Christmas carols courtesy of August Burns Red and Emery, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Disney's Christmas Carol. All that good Christmas cheer. But there is a song that got me gut this year: The Killers "Joel, The Lump of Coal". I know it sounds like an odd song to hit you in the feels, but hear me out.

I first heard the song last year. Thought nothing of it, but a cute song with a new character that had a great agenda behind it. But another once over, it just reminds me of what Christmas is all about. You know. That baby in the manger. Jesus. Ring a bell?

Now this is a VERY LOOSE and probably not at all accurate interpretation of the song. But this is mine, and it got me freaking out.

So Joel is this lump of coal, that no one really likes. He gets made fun of by the other pieces of anthracite, like a little reindeer we know. Oh and like Jesus. Everyone is after the guy since before he was born. Rough Life. Then, Joel finds out he drew the short straw and is sent to a boy on the naughty list. Kinda like how Jesus was sent to our sinning lot. Now Joel gets to the kid, and the kid knows he's been bad so he kinda comes to term with whatever happens to him. BUT THEN Joel realizes (after crying a bit) why he was sent to this naughty kid, to sacrifice himself and give the boy something that he did not deserve. DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?!?! Like how do you not have the feels. Oh and did I mention that the name "Joel" comes from the Hebrew that means "YAHWEH is God".

Jesus, man, Happy Birthday.

In honor of the birthday boy, enjoy a nice plate of anthracite.

XXVI

Birthdays. They come and go. Another alter moment of another year passed. Usually this is a time of reflection; of where you've been, how you got here, and where you plan to be in the coming year. So here I am, getting deep in a coffee shop over a glass of La Colombe's New Fashioned.

TO LIVE IS THE RAREST THING IN THE WORLD.
MOST PEOPLE EXIST, THAT IS ALL.

- OSCAR WILDE -

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This quote by Oscar Wilde has been weighing on my heart these past few days, so let this be my anthem for the coming year. I swear to not coast through my day to day. Instead, ever action and decision I choose will be a conscious and purposeful one to not only live, but to be fully alive. From something as extensive as a big change of scenery in the coming year. To other aspects that are so simple like paring down my physical "stuff" that is weighing me down and creating a more curated wardrobe filled with pieces that either tell a story or are responsibly made (of course I will be sharing my trials and tribulations that come with that with you).

The coming year is going to be good, I can feel it in my bones.

VICTIM

So really. Where did this summer go? I lack Vitamin D due to a shoebox closet office space and constantly running under the forest canopy, but it's okay I prefer autumn anyway. Usually summertime calls for going to AT LEAST one music festival, but not this year. As much as I would have died and gone to heaven to go to Osheaga this year, I have a wedding to attend in Pittsburgh.

On a brighter note, I was able to see two bands that I have been looking into seeing. One is a summer staple: San Cisco. If you never have heard of these Aussie wonders, stop reading this and go on Spotify. I dare for you to try not dancing in your underwear to Fred Astaire (been there, done that).

The other is a newer flame, and not just because of the dreamy eyed Lonely Boy from Brooklyn frontman, but because their music is just so different from all the "new" music you hear these days. MOTHXR is like a seductive phantom in the dark corner of hidden jazz bar. Their song "Victim" has been a personal go to late night candle lit yoga flows.

But yeah, it was a weird combination. But I like weird. It was my first time at the Johnny Brenda's venue after a failed attempt to go see GOASTT. And because I found out about this show super last minute, the fact that I was able to see these two super cool bands was kinda kismet. As the rest of the girls were fawning over Penn Badgley, because they didn't know it was his band opening for San Cisco, I'm just happy to have scored a 7" vinyl. Because you know, priorities.

XOXO