Minutes, Moments & Decades

Well folks, it's been a while. As most of you know, a lot has changed in my little world in the past few months. Christian and I decided that it was time to take separate paths and I moved out in the beginning of December. To say that it has been an adjustment is an understatement and there are days, like today, where life itself and the responsibilities of my job seem insurmountable, and well quite frankly, fucking overwhelming. 

Besides the actual split, it's been the little things in life like having wi-fi/cable at home, toe nail clippers, a dining room table & chairs, tools to put together said dining room table and chairs, couches that fit into my new apartment, etc. that have really taken a toll on my nerves. When I moved out, I moved into a temporary apartment that was generously offered to me--which I will be forever grateful for the space! However, moving twice in six weeks, dealing with everything else, well, I'm only human and well, as I've been told recently, have made me slightly bitchy and moody at times. Yeah, I'll own it. I'm sure I have had moments of complete snappishness and insanity, but wait, there will be more to come. But really, it's starting all over again at almost 39 and the adjustments, emotionally and physically, and the financial fear of having no backup that keep me up at night. 

So, I have turned to my dear friends, old and new, some that I didn't expect and others that I knew would be there and have been through every other life altering event with me. I also have an awesome roommate, 2 of the world's greatest best friends and a community of family, friends and work family--all of whom tolerate my roller coaster, kick me in the ass when needed and make me laugh. I have also, as always, wrapped myself in music. I have to admit that right now you never know whether you're going to hear Dr. Dre or Civil Wars or Elvis Costello, but I embrace all of it and need to lean on each and every beat and lyric. 

Really, I can't wait to be able to slow down enough to read again--I miss my books! or get caught up on all of my addictive HBO series and Downtown Abbey; I just don't have the patience at this moment, but I'm looking forward to that day soon. As much as my ass loves a bar stool, I'm looking forward to staying home and making dinner again. In other words, I just want to breathe.

So in typical JHC style, here are my Top 10 artists that have been on my playlists for the past few months:

1.) The Lumineers: This album has been a crutch for almost a year and I cannot wait to see them in concert this week. 

2.) Carbon Leaf: Every album, all of the time, no matter where I'm at in life, these guys get it. 

3.) Blue October: Great listens when I want to slam someone's head through a wall or cry myself to sleep. There is so much raw emotion & passion and gorgeous arrangements that happen all at once.

4.) Dr. Dre/ Snooop: Chronic 2001...nuff said

5.) Ray Lamontagne: amazing voice and amazing lyrics--each and every album

6.) Dawes: they just get better with each listen. Amazing lyrics and perspectives on life and each minute situation.

7.) Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin: few things make me smile like listening to Frank on a Saturday morning.

8.)Beatles: I grew up with them and still keep them on my ipod. 

9.) JD McPherson: love the throwback, rockabilly sound and they are amazing live. It's the rawness of "Signs and Signifiers" that made me love them back at XPoNential Fest in July.

10.)Guster: the sarcasm, the simplicity, the dreams

So kids, there you go. A Readers Digest update and my trivial venting. It'll be ok; it always is. Just takes some time and patience, neither of which I'm good at handling. I hope to catch up with all of you soon and now that I again have internet at home (thank fucking god!) I hope to write more and find that off- center centeredness that is my usual home.