2015: Music Review

It's that time of year again....end of year lists!

Many of you know that I absolutely love music.  I listen to all kinds of genres, but I would say over the years that my taste centers around Adult Alternative and recently a bit of downtempo/deep house.

This year has been a great year for music and just recently, there are several songs that are getting serious playbacks on my MP3 player.

Here are my top albums/songs of 2015 (keep in mind that one of the albums was released in 2014) and they are in no particular order.

Enjoy!
Stacy



Lord Huron - Fool For Love (Strange Trails)

This Indie Folk band from Los Angeles released their second album Strange Trails on April 6, 2015. The band's name was inspired by Lake Huron, the lake which band founder, Ben Schneider grew up visiting, and would spend evenings playing music round the campfire.





Leon Bridges - Coming Home (Coming Home)

Leon Bridges is a soul/gospel singer from Ft. Worth, TX.  His debut album was released on June 23, 2015.

His style resembles 1960s R and B and the Wall Street Journal described him as a "throwback to Otis Redding and Sam Cooke"






Florence and the Machine - Ship to Wreck (How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful)

On June 2, 2015, Florence and the Machine released How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful. Formed in 2007 in London, this Indie Rock band consists of Florence Welch, Isabella Summers and a collaboration of other artists. Their sound has been described as a combination of rock and soul.





Hozier - Someone New (Hozier)

Hozier is the eponymous debut studio album from Irish recording artist Hozier.  It was released in September of 2014, but this track, Someone New was released as a single on May 11, 2015.

Happy 40th Birthday To Me!

In honor of my 40th Birthday, here are 40, fabulous things about me!

1. I’ve never been on a ferris wheel.
2. I get car sick if I read in a moving car, even if it’s to glance at a map.
3. I love to cook, but can’t master the art of baking (it’s too exact).
4. I had a cat named Tinker Bell, who lived for 22 years.
5. And a poodle name Anna who lived even longer!
6. Both are buried in my Dad's backyard (and I asked him to dig them up if they ever move).
7. I spent the day at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia in January 1995.
8. I lived in Australia for 2 years, 7 months.
9. I am a complete anglophile (a link just in case you thought it was something “dirty”).
10. In grade school I wanted to be a plant lady who worked in a plant shop.11. I wore braces on my teeth for 2 and 1/2 years.
12. I had 4 permanent teeth pulled prior to the braces.
13. I varsity-lettered in tennis as a high school freshman.
14. My favorite candy bar is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
15. I love to dip French fries into chocolate milk shakes.
16. I love celebrating my birthday (it usually lasts the whole month of April).
17. My favorite meal is anything my Dad cooked for me as a child, including fried oysters, fresh venison and liver with onions.
18. Strong winds frighten me (I usually sleep with a flashlight on stormy nights).
19. Thunder storms too, although we rarely experience them in Portland.
20. I can't whistle.21. I like taking naps.
22. I still watch General Hospital everyday and have for over 25 years (I love my DVR).
23. I like flat pillows for sleeping.
24. I love wearing perfume, but like to have several scents to choose from.
25. I can’t drive a stick shift.
26. I love pedicures, but can’t stand to have a manicure (I don't like anyone messing with my hands).
27. I’d love to have a tattoo on my lower back of a phoenix rising from the ashes.
28. I love to travel, but flying scares me (especially landing).
29. I am afraid of the water, but love to sail.
30. I am not a confident swimmer despite growing up with a swimming pool in my backyard.
31. I love making lists, especially grocery lists
32. I love grocery shopping, but hate to shop for just about everything else – especially clothes and shoes.
33. I love my name – first, middle and last.
34. I was named after my mother’s uncle.
35. I don’t like clowns – there is something evil about every one of them!
36. My favorite color is the color of the sky at night after the sun sets and before the first star appears (I think it's called Twilight).
37. One summer as a kid I ate so much corn on the cob that it gave me hives.
38. I'd rather have an evening at home than go out somewhere (anywhere).
39. I love the smell of fresh cut grass on that first spring afternoon when everyone cuts the grass for the first time (and it's warm enough to open your patio doors).
40. I’ll eat anything but lima beans.

Here is to 40 more fabulous years!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Rules to live by in today's uncivil world

I love to make lists. I love to read lists. Lists are incorporated into my life on a daily basis. Without them....I would be lost.

I came across this list in the Washington Post last Spring and have kept it on my desk all year. Whenever I am having one of "those" days....I look at the list, gather myself and find at least one of the 25 to live by for the remainder of the day.

Enjoy!
Stacy

It's a rude, rude world. Between screams, honks and nasty looks or gestures, it seem the whole planet has forgotten its manners. Here's how to do your part towards a more civil society.

1. Pay attention
2. Acknowledge others
3. Think the best
4. Listen
5. Be inclusive
6. Speak kindly
7. Don't speak ill.
8. Accept and give praise
9. Respect even a subtle "no"
10. Respect others' opinions
11. Mind your body
12. Be agreeable
13. Keep it down (rediscover silence)
14. Respect other people's time
15. Respect other people's space
16. Apologize earnestly
17. Assert yourself
18. Avoid personal questions
19. Care for your guests
20. Be a considerate guest
21. Think twice before asking for favors
22. Refrain from idle complaints
23. Accept and give constructive criticism
24. Respect the environment and be kind to animals
25. Don't shift responsibility and blame

The Washington Post