Keith Harkin 2017.

So its been a hot minute since I’ve done any sort of blog post…I am sorry. Weddings, travel, back injuries galore, ya its been a tad hectic around here. But for those of you who have stuck with me I have one seriously fun post!

I had the pleasure of getting to see Keith Harkin in concert yet again. Basically if the guy is in town I am trying my darnedest to go see him. Essentially the only time I’m not there in the audience blown away by his talent is if I absolutely could not miss work. That’s just about the only thing that’ll keep me away.

I never tire of seeing Keith, because he is the musical equivalent of fine wine, he gets better with age. I had a particularly wonderful time at his last concert in Dallas at the historic Poor David’s Pub. Keith has really honed his style and is uniquely himself, a true artist’s artist. He cares about his music, he’s not out to please people and do what’s popular at the moment. His evolution of art is not to keep up with others but to nurture his own individual voice both literally and figuratively.

Please tell me I’m not the only one getting serious Stevie Ray Vaughn vibes here.

I cannot encourage you enough to check out this class act. Keith is by far one of my favorite artists out there. He manages to bring all demographics together with his art, music that everyone from the grandest babies to the greatest grandparents can enjoy. True art is timeless and knows no boundaries, this is something Mr Harkin truly exhibits. You can find more info, buy merch, etc through his website and be sure to follow him through his twitter and instagram

Learning from Oscar Wilde

One of my favorite quotes of all time is from the Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest, that quote is “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance”. At first glance most people merely find this quote humorous and rather vain, but in all honesty its rather smart. I know I joke a lot about being single, find that one of my most used hashtags on twitter is #ForeverAlone, and I would very much like to be done with the weeding out the terrible guys and find The One already, but even with these these slight annoyances in my life I’m actually quite happy, don’t get me wrong I still have my moments, but for the most part I am a pretty happy person.  I think the main reason I am happy even though I am all “alone” is that I honestly do love myself. Some people cringe to say things like that, I was one of those people just a couple of years ago, I had scarcely any self-esteem and was so eager to have a relationship. During the time I had zip confidence just so happens to be the same time I attracted some really awful guys, talk about heartbreak, having no confidence and have someone who you thought was wonderful treat you with no concern certainly can damage you further. But I learned from my mistakes and have essentially been uninterested in guys since then, of course there is the random cute cashier, jogger, etc that catches my eye, but no one has captured my interest. I am good deal more discriminating and a heck of a lot more confident. Keep in mind it wasn’t an overnight transformation, but everyone can learn to love themselves better. I didn’t like my body (too fat) and since I could change it I did, nothing like a bit of yoga and healthy eating to change your shape, I also used to hate my nose, thought it was too big, then I thought what could I do about it? I could have surgery to change it as drastic as that may seem, but then I thought even if I could change it to a perfect little nose would it suit me? No it wouldn’t, God knew what he was doing so I should leave well enough alone. Then began the real work, dealing with the internal issues, we all have baggage and we all need to learn to let go of what’s hurting us. Most of my baggage was self inflicted, for the most part people were kind to me, my lack of confidence came from me tearing myself down, I was my own worst “mean girl”. Learning to love myself was not quick but it was definitely worth it. Remember to be kind and to extend grace to yourself, because if you’re not even kind to you can you really expect anyone else to? I know this post is beyond sappy but I felt as though I should write it regardless of me sounding like a preachy life coach. So all of you singles who are reading my blog let’s start our lifelong romance with ourselves, Valentines is coming up so be your own valentine. Do you want flowers? Buy some for yourself? Want a steak dinner? Make it happen! Been wanting a certain gift? What better day than Valentines to buy it? You’re unattached so it’s not as though you need to buy something for boyfriend or girlfriend, so splurge and buy yourself that camera, shoes, tv, or whatever it is you’ve been eyeballing! Honestly this is even good advice for those of you who are in relationships, by loving yourself better you also love those around you better. So let us all be little kinder hmmm? You guys are the best, and I hope you all enjoyed this post. Happy Monday and wish you all a Happy Valentines too.

Seriously its 2013?

Ya I’m way behind, most everyone had their “year in review” blogs posted new years day, but I’m a procrastinator *shoulder shrug of indifference* 2012 was quite a year, but I’ll just share the things that stick out the most.

Last year (February) I celebrated the fact I was no longer a teen, and like the sophisticated adult I am 😉 I threw my very first dinner party, complete with appetizers, boeuf bourguignon for the main course, and a three tiered birthday cake. It was by far the best birthday I ever had. Not because of what I did, but of who I spent it with, being surrounded by your closest friends and having them all talk about how you met, why you get a long, and any funny anecdote they feel the need to share about you has a surprising ability to turn someone as goofy as I into a sentimental sap. I honestly cried with my best friend of about 12 years because of a vintage necklace she bought me. Talk about softening with age!

I also managed to go to some pretty awesome concerts last year, not a bunch of concerts but its quality not quantity. One of my first concerts of the year (March I think) was seeing Keith Harkin. Man does he put on a great show! His guitar playing is unmatched, and his vocals are so strong! Most musicians are not as good live but I must say Keith consistently rocks the house.Another highlight of the year was the fact Keith retweeted my blog about this concert! Consequently I had quite a rise in views on my blog, and met some other really fabulous people through twitter who had the same taste in music as I did.

Then during the middle of summer I got to be in a Family Force 5 music video. It was pure madness, we met in some rather sketch looking warehouse in Arlington, there was no air conditioning, just a few fans here and there, a bunch of other “5ers” and myself. I went by my lonesome because none of my friends could make it. I was so freaked out by that fact. I was a homeschooler so I never really experienced the whole walk into a group and not know a single soul thing. But I managed to meet some really great people and make new friends! I have a feeling I will remember that day for many years to come, I mean how could I forget dripping with sweat (sexy right?), dancing like a madwoman, and meeting so many wonderful people? By far one of my favorite memories of 2012

Me and the guitarist of Family Force 5!

Then in November I got to see Keith Harkin again, yes I know one of his concerts was already a highlight, but this one was so excellent it managed to become another highpoint for me. On top of Keith putting on an amazing show, I also got to meet one of my twitter friends who went to the concert too, so that night was doubly wonderful.

Keith also retweeted my blog about that concert too, so yet another highlight to whole experience.

I could go on sharing wonderful things that happened in 2012, but honestly I don’t really care to, I’m just getting back into the swing of blogging after all 😉 2012 was an exciting year and I’m looking forward to seeing what 2013 has in-store for me. Just in the next few months I have quite a lot to look forward to, turning 21, my baby sister becoming a teenager, being a bridesmaid for a close friend, and welcoming a nephew into this crazy world. I have a pretty good feeling that 2013 will be even more incredible than 2012 don’t you?

What are some of your highlights from 2012? Do you have any big events in 2013? I would love to hear some feedback from you guys! I hope you all enjoyed this post and that you’re having a happy Wednesday and 2013!

Beauty Bashing!

It has been said “That beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I honestly find the statement to be quite true…how else would you explain the art scene, music scene, or even people’s taste in partners? But there seems to be something that occurs during every generation. There is the beauty standard of the day. During the 50’s Marilyn Monroe was the beauty icon, full lips, curly hair, bedroom eyes, and serious curves. Then a mere ten years later and “Twiggy” hit the scene… short pixie cut hair, giant bird like eyes, tall, and very thin. A complete turn around from the years before.

We would like to think that nowadays we have it right, after all we are the generation of understanding (more like apathy if you ask me). But I mean do we really have it right? I am going to have to say no.

How many of you have been on facebook, twitter, or some other social media site and have seen something like this. A young woman with the caption of “No makeup, bragging about how secure in herself she is, and how girls who only posts pictures of themselves in makeup are totally fake! and natural beauty is the only beauty”? Well your self righteous attitude is not only annoying, it is seriously unattractive. The belief that just because someone wears makeup, whether its a little, or if it looks like they were mugged by Sephora does not make them fake. If they wore makeup and lied about it that makes them fake, not the fact that they have pigment on their face. Some of us (myself included) were not born with great skin. Or some of us (still included) enjoy makeup and express ourselves through it, just because it isn’t on canvas does not mean that it isn’t art.

Makeup vs. no makeup is not only place we are getting catty and ridiculous. Body shape is still just as prejudice as ever. How many times have you heard “Real women have curves”? Well I have heard it more than I would care to. I myself am quite curvy, but I am no more woman than my thin best friend or thin little sister! We’re women because God made us that way.

One is not more woman than the other. We come in all shapes and sizes, what is a healthy weight for one person may not be healthy for the next. Being crazy thin is not healthy, and neither is being fat. Take care of yourself and love the figure you have whether it’s a healthy curvy, thin, or even muscular.

Guys I don’t want to be preachy and obnoxious, cause let’s face it preachy people are rather tiresome to be around. But I felt compelled to write this post, after seeing so much catty behavior on facebook. I hope you all enjoyed this post, and if you have anything you would like to add feel free. Hearing from you all is a highlight of my day. May you all have a Happy Healthy Thursday.

Is Social Media Making Us Anti-Social?

Uh hold on a sec…I’ll start this blog in a minute I’m talking to someone.

Ok I’m back sorry 😉 What were we talking about? Oh ya, is social media making us anti-social? I mean as I sit here writing this I am practically shunning my own family, people who I could literally reach out and touch, just so I can talk to people, must of whom I will never meet.

How many times have you been out with a friend, and heard a buzz, beep, ring, or clip of a song, only to have them whip out their precious phone like an asthmatic whips out their inhaler during an attack?

I believe it was Jerry Seinfeld that said talking on your phone while with someone, was the equivalent to opening a magazine in front of their face and reading it. I must say I agree, of course I have been guilty of this (not anymore though cause I haven’t a cell phone). But I just find it so rude, I mean here I am a person who has made time in their day to specifically spend time with you, and you are going to ignore me to talk to someone who has made no more effort than it takes to pop popcorn in a microwave? Seriously do I have to push buttons in order to get your undivided attention?

Oh the wonder that is Facebook. Don’t get me wrong, I really love Facebook, it’s a great way to get more clients, talk to faraway friends, and find old friends who I had lost touch with. But I feel as though it can convenience you right out of a social life, oh well I don’t need to pick up the phone, or go see said person, I can just talk to them on Facebook. Not to mention if you live with anyone you tend to alienate them to be on the computer.

Then there is twitter and instagram, hey I know how about I tell/show everyone what I am up to right now, that way they’ll think I’m cool, and the next time I see them they wont have to even ask what I’ve been up to, cause they will have seen all of have done lately.

If I am starting to sound like an old fogey I’m sorry, I just felt like it’s something I should write about. I really do enjoy social media, I just happen to love spending real time with people more. I feel as though I should challenge myself to be more sociable, and for others to do the same. How horrible is it going to be when our children ask us what we did in our hayday, and all we can respond with is I spent a lot of time on the computer and phone? Get out go party and talk to people in front of you! You need to make friends not add them! I really hope you all enjoyed this post, and that this didn’t come across too preachy. I love you guys and wish you have a very happy Wednesday.