Florence + the Machine

I bought Florence's new Ceremonials album several months ago and I'm finally listening to it enough to really know it and love it. The band is coming to DC again in September. It's crazy to think that just over two years ago I saw them perform in the small 9:30 Club here in DC. It was their second performance in the U.S. Then all of a sudden they were opening for U2 and now they're the headliner for their own tour. It's fantastic.

I'm especially liking this song from the album.


beck

Word on the Street

As I walked my usual walk from the metro to work this morning, I ran into some of the usual characters. The same "homeless" people day-to-day manning their spot. This morning I saw a new face and he had a fresh new message.

"I love all y'all. Hang in there. Not just for yourselves, but for the robot." True story.

I've expressed more frequently lately my burnout with DC. Perhaps it's just a new phase that needs to begin. Now I know the city pretty well. It's not really new and fresh. It's like an old friend and we've run out of things to say to each other. Crazy, right? For some reason, I feel a need to have a love affair with the city I'm in. Perhaps in this new phase, I can embrace the city as a home and a place of comfort as opposed to a place to do lots of things. I've still got some things to do on my bucket list here, but I've done most of what I really want to do. Now I just need to live fully.

I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The last bit I've read has focused on mindfulness and living in the present. It brings peace and clarity of mind. So I'm working on it... BUT I might still talk about moving to NYC or some other place--finding the next best thing for me. 

beck

Photos Please

Technology is failing me. My wifi connection at home is slow. My camera is falling apart (and I never remember to charge it anymore). And my phone is on its last...signal? Needless to say I haven't been documenting my travels very well this summer. Here's a picture update.

First stop: Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky for Bailey's Baby Blessing

"Right dere Bailey."

This girl got a bat at the Louisville Slugger Museum. It was a lil dangerous. 

Next stop: Salt Lake City, Utah for work

Tried to see the Spiral Jetty (failed) and only got a couple of shots in before the camera died. Also went to the Golden Spike Museum. Woot!

It was windy and freezing and try as I might I couldn't get myself and the locomotive in the shot. Meh

The Great Salt Lake. My pictures don't do justice to how incredible and awesome it was to see such magnificent and untouched space. 

Next stop: Orange, Virginia to visit James and Dolley Madison's house

Next stop: Virginia Beach, Virginia to visit Boris (not pictured) It's so great to catch up with longtime friends. 

Next stop: Charlottesville, Virginia to visit Monticello

Yet another stop: Fresno! But I only managed to get pictures on our trip to San Francisco

Pictures are from our ride on the Rocket Boat and a little outing to the Marin Headlands. Sooo much fun with my family!

Last stop: Niagara Falls and Palmyra, NY

I actually got back today! So this is all mostly up-to-date now. Woot! I don't have any photos of Palmyra so I'm hoping some will surface on facebook soon. 

beck

Nay Nay

So I'm in Fresno. Tonight I got my family to watch some of John Pinette's stand-up routine. I've probably watched this a dozen times in the last week since I rediscovered it. I love watching it and I loved laughing like crazy with my family.

You can watch one of the best parts of it here: http://comedians.jokes.com/john-pinette/videos/john-pinette---water-park  It's also all on Netflix instant.

Enjoy!

beck