The Star-Crossed Lovers

return of the pink rose... =)

From across the room, he gazed at her like a lioness stalking its prey. He wanted to consume her, devour her every last inch, tasting her like the pretty little gazelle she was. How he wanted to lick every morsel of her!



Alas, he could not have her.



She was accompanied by her husband, a man of great influence, of great stature and old money. She could never leave him. To leave him would mean certain destruction, not only for her, but for the man who desired her. She was intrigued by him, no doubt, but they could never be together. She couldn't be allowed to love him; it would equal certain death!



They could only exchanges glances, an occasional smile with their eyes at each other, a knowing glance but only observable by those keen to such small details. Their love would only live within their fantasy, impossible and unobtainable, smoldering deep within the flame of a lifetime, until perhaps, in another life, it could be realized.

The Movie That Moved Me

It's a heartbreaking tale with many injustices but hope perseveres in the end. I love the strong female characters and it always reminds me of great friends.

Mystery Beside Me

Antoine de Caunes

Is it meth or is it crack

that causes you to awake us

at 5 a.m. in the morning

with bad Eurotrash house music?



Alas, one cannot unlock your mysteries.



As we pound on your door, as we push the ringer to your bell,

you answer not.



We can only leave a note.

Purty Pictures

I posted new photos on my Flickr account today, from my trip to the Denver Botanic Gardens. Go check them out and enjoy!

What Keeps Me Up at Night

The neighbors upstairs, shuffling around, opening and closing things, walking loudly...sometimes fighting...but most times, just being too loud.



The hungry cat or dog.



The snoring of my husband.



The thought of work for the next day, things to do, how much I need to rest before so much...lol.



Dreams about past grievances, although not so much lately as I think I'm finally letting go of past things that caused such dreams.



Random thoughts. Weird, random thoughts.



Being horny.



Heartburn.



The thought of how much fun I'm going to have if I'm going on a trip or just planning a nice outing.



Being compulsively obsessed by the thought of how little sleep I'm going to get since I'm still up!



A great film or book.



Bom-chicka-wow-wow!

My Favorite Comfort Food

Macaroni and Cheese With Chicken May 14, 20101

Definitely mac and cheese...I adore noodles and I am a complete cheese addict! I had some recently up in Idaho Springs at the Tommyknocker Brewery/Restaurant and it was pure heaven--baked with smoked gouda and some bacon!!! Oh god, it's a heart attack on a plate for sure, but how can you resist, especially after a soak in some hot springs and a long work week? It was amazing.

Friend Numero Uno

My husband is my best friend. We have been through lots of good times and lots of bad times and he has been a great teacher, confidante, encourager, lover and supporter. I can't imagine my life without him and I am so lucky to have him. He is sweet and patient with me and I adore him!

The Worst Teacher I Ever Had

math professor x 4 = pure excitement

I had an anthropology professor in my early college days who ended up giving me a less-than-stellar evaluation on my final project for a women's studies class I was taking with her. While we'd meet on a regular basis to go over my work, during which she'd give generally positive feedback, the evaluation seemed to go completely against this earlier feedback. I wasn't sure if it was something I did, but I felt pretty taken aback by the 360 she did on me, and it just really made me feel stupid.



In addition to this professor, I had a writing professor whose creative writing workshops were somewhat competitive to enter. I was allowed in and again, I had regular advisor meetings with him about the work I was doing, but my final project evaluation, while not bad, was not as great as I'd like.



I feel like the behavior of these professors made it difficult for me to feel okay as a capable, creative-thinking adult. I am now determined to remove these blocks!

My Question In Need of an Honest Answer

booty

Does my butt look fat in this dress? ;)

Would I Survive No Internet for a Whole Month?

I wouldn't be able to do this unless I was traveling in remote locations. I doubt there are many who can as it's such an integral part of our lives. Even if I was traveling, I'd want to be able to have access so I could blog as I traveled! If I couldn't, I'd maintain. I'd just have to have enough paper at hand to record my travels. ;)

My Weirdest Pet Peeve

No doubt, we've all had incompetent bosses...

Wishy-washy bosses who can't make decisions and who are influenced by the douche bags in the office. They also hold long-ass meetings (4+ hours for a weekly staff meeting) and give wishy-washy political replies, patronizing you by telling you what you want to hear, acting like they empathize. These spineless, limp "leaders" have no direction and set a new standard for incompetence!

The Mind-Blowing Debut CD from Grant Gordy

Colorado-based guitarist Grant Gordy released his self-titled debut CD this past May and it is absolutely mind-blowing. Filled with some of the best up-and-coming acoustic musicians on today's scene, I have listened to it over and over again, and I could continue doing so! I've been an avid fan of Grant's for some time now and I am so thrilled to help promote this CD to the best of my abilities, including his upcoming official release party at Dazzle Jazz Club, right in the heart of Denver on 9th Avenue and Lincoln Streets, on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m.

I hope I'll see some of my fellow music fans out there and I hope you'll all go buy a copy, if not at the party itself (I will be selling them there!), then through Grant's website at www.grantgordy.com. Don't forget to buy several copies so you can give them to your friends!

This week's Westword has Grant Gordy as their lead Beatback feature--check it out here--and you can also hear his appearance on the recent "Roots & Branches" show on KGNU here (about 1:35 into the program).

See you Wednesday at Dazzle!

Exciting, Anxiety-Ridden Times

The only constant is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.
— Isaac Asimov

When I reflect on my personal beliefs, I become ever more aware of how much I view life as a series of never-ending transitions. Think about it: how many times do you see (now that we live in an online, social-networked world) people putting out there all the changes they're going through? Do we ever NOT experience challenges or growth, or periods of ups and downs?

"...inevitable change..."

We can't control it and we can't even think in terms of where we presently are. While we live in the present, we must think in terms of possibilities, the future. That's not to be taken as to worry about the future, but to open us up for thinking big, of dreaming, of aspiring. It's all very exciting, if we can look at our life changes and futures as pregnant with possibilities.

I recently met with a new client, a psychic, or should I say an intuitive artist. She, of course, gave me a reading, and in this reading, I chose three cards. The first two cards centered around parenting and children, and positive expectations. It was an allegory for exactly how I feel as I continue to freelance and build my own self as a brand and business. I have all these ideas and possibilities and interest and it's all very exciting, and I'm approaching it with as much positivity and enthusiasm as I can. But I'm not sure, quite clearly and exactly with clear, uninhibited confidence, of how to give birth, so to speak. Both the cards were dark and signaled my conundrum of happiness but anxiety, much like an expectant parent.

The third card was creative expression--bright and light, with a fairy leaning against a beautiful piece of stonework. The intuitive artist pointed out this stone, that it signals everything I'm working towards will be concrete, will take shape, will become firm and solid. I am on the right track and everything I'm putting energy into will come to life. I may be sick of being pregnant and my baby may feel like it's late, but it will come!

I honestly don't go to psychics nor intuitives nor anyone like that. I went through a period earlier in my life where I explored it, as I often have explored many ways of thinking or experiencing life. I have definite opinions and beliefs but I don't proclaim to have any definitive answers to "life, the universe and everything" as Douglas Adams wrote. But hearing this reading made me feel pretty good, and it was nice to feel that way, because I've been experiencing as much anxiety at times as joy.

To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
— Emily Dickinson

These are pulsing, crazy, painful, beautiful times. I hope you're enjoying your roller coaster ride of life!

Spunky presents show this FRIDAY!

Hi friends,

I just wanted to remind all of you about the upcoming Spunky presents show this FRIDAY, April 23 at the DNote, 7:30 p.m.

We're gonna have a slammin' party. I'm serious. I cannot WAIT to see all of you and your friends, and to hear this great music with you. The Hi-Beams, I dare say, are the best country band in the Front Range today. I can't wait to ask Bret Billings what it was like to share the stage with Willie Nelson. Or ask the whole crew what it was like to perform for "A Prairie Home Companion."

Hillbilly Inferno played a show this past Saturday at the Snake River Saloon in Keystone and the band is really coming together. They now have a bass player and the sound is really taking shape. They have some amazing originals and they play some awesome covers, like "Chocolate Jesus," one of my all-time favorite songs. The mountain kids really enjoyed them and there was some hot dancin' as well as hard drinkin', so it was quite the time.

And the band is giving away free stuff at EVERY show--never know what it might be--but this past show a lady in the audience was celebrating a birthday so she was awarded the prize of a humping dog. And she really loved it. LOL. Yeah, it was a offbeat, fun time.

Robert Eldridge is someone I've known and loved for several years now. He has a great band, Zeut, and I really enjoy his versatility and eclectic performances. I am so happy that he is going to set the tone for this evening. It's a real treat to have someone of such caliber and integrity on the stage first, to get it heated up right for everyone to follow.

I am very honored that all three of these highly polished, professional acts--true artists with deep craft and talent--are playing my first Spunky presents show at the DNote. If you know them or not, I guarantee, you will love them, for everyone loves good-quality music, and all of them deliver.

See you Friday!
Spunky

After a While...

So I'm getting rid of my MySpace as I never, ever use it, and I had posted this poem on there because I had come across it while unpacking from a move. I can't remember who wrote it and that information wasn't with what I found, but I just really love it, particularly from the stance of being a woman and what that means and can mean, and I want to post it here to share it with anyone out there who's reading. Hope you get something out of it, too.

After A While

After a while you learn the subtle difference
between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security

And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead

with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers

And you learn that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
with every goodbye you learn...

Honky Tonk MAGIC!

Now that it's April 1, I'm feeling *foolishly* giddy about the upcoming Spunky presents show on Friday, April 23 at the DNote.

Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams are headlining the show, and the April issue of Marquee Magazine wrote about them being part of the upcoming Ft. Collins event, FoCoMX. I couldn't have said it better than their writer, Jordan Bleckner:

Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams’ throwback and stylish take on the honky tonk genre is a breath of fresh air amidst other wannabe retro acts. With some of the choicest players on the Front Range and a professionalism that is bar-none, the Hi Beams landed themselves on the famed NPR show “A Prairie Home Companion” in recent years and Wofford’s distinct vocals continue to garner the band well-earned attention.

There's something about honky tonk that is especially appealing to me. I think it's a mixture of growing up in Kentucky, exposed nonstop to Hank Williams.


In fact, a lot about this show reflects a certain nostalgia in my music tastes. I have an unusually high tolerance for banjo, I like to joke, as bluegrass and old-time styles were always surrounding me, too. Keith Frankel of Hillbilly Inferno, one of the support acts for the evening, is certainly a gem that is to be discovered by a wider audience through this and future shows and recordings. The band has an amazing repertoire and mixture of experience and talent--truly unique, new and exciting.

And what a treat to have Robert Eldridge be the one to set the tone for the evening. I have a great affinity for masterful guitar playing, and Robert is an amazing performer whose level of diversity and musicianship really sets him apart from the pack.

And of course I'm trying to persuade you to come to this show--it's in my blood and what I do--but that's only one aspect to writing this for me. I'm very grateful for the musicians and the venue to allow me to bring all of them together, and for their help in making it a spectacular evening for the greater community. I get very passionate about good music and talented performers, so I can't stop myself from talking about it! I am excited.

I hope you'll be part of the honky tonk magic and more...see you on April 23! The music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Welcome to 2010!

I can't believe it's 2010!

It's already passing by like a flash. So far it's been pretty busy for me, but all good stuff.

Tomorrow I'll be distributing a press release on behalf of Tequila Mockingbird, for the CD release party that will be on Feb. 12 at the Toad Tavern. This CD is their third, Luck and Trouble. It's a really great rock/roots album with bits of other stuff, like alt.country. Working with them has been really fun, and I'm always happy to be working with a local band.

The stable job hunt has been improving. Before the holidays ensued, I had three interviews. I got a call back for one of them, going in today for a second interview. The gig is for a business that produces online video and other content for clients, as well as SEO and other online marketing. They started out with primarily real estate clients but are branching out. They've also been so busy generating content for others that they find themselves without what they need for branding, so I'd be the one to help make all that happen.

It's a contract job to start, with an hourly wage that's decent enough. Anything will pay more than my last job did, pretty much!

I should hear from them very soon so I'm anxious to know. It might be very good in certain respects and the dudes seem pretty cool enough. I'd probably get along with them well, and that's a very important aspect for me at this point.

Then I received an email to set up an interview with a consulting firm that provides software, marketing, web and tech solutions for legal professionals. They're down in LoDo, are casual, dog-friendly offices, and the salary range is very good. They're looking for a writer--a content creator and social media person. SO perfect, really. I have an interview set for Tuesday afternoon with this firm.

This is a conundrum for me in 2010--what will happen on this front? I would really prefer the latter job, but can I afford to even think about turning down #1 in this economy? Would I have a chance at #2 at all? Or would #1 be an even better opportunity, given the positioning of both of these businesses and their growth. I really don't know. It kills me. But if this is the worst problem I have in 2010, then I can't wait for the rest of the year!

My husband is in the living room, I have to say, with other musicians, working on a new roots project/act. I'm really excited about it and can't say much about it--but you should join my husband's mailing list, Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for news on that tip. It will be kick-ass, I swear.

One of my resolutions this year is to do more volunteer work, so I'm going to be undergoing training for hospice. Soup, my dog, will be joining me as a therapy dog, and will have a vet visit Friday morning and training of her own to complete. By February or so, we will be making weekly visits to someone who is transitioning beyond life as we know it. I'm very excited to be able to do this, especially with Soup as she is such a loving, wonderful dog for something like this. But I would be lying if I didn't admit some fear.

Hospice helped take care of my father before his passing with cancer, more than a decade ago, so it means a lot for me to do this in his memory. I loved him dearly and it's still hard to think about his loss at times. I do worry that it might trigger emotional outbursts. I feel I should be spending a great deal of time practicing holding back tears, mixed with moments of making myself cry in hopes of getting the urge out. It may sound a little silly, and it probably is, but it's on my mind a lot. I am so prone to tears at times, never good for a woman who is ambitious on the career tip. But perhaps connecting to this volunteer work will make me tougher, yet more compassionate. It will definitely put things in perspective.

So...the resolutions are starting to unfold and I'm making progress. Really I only had two--volunteering and getting a job (or really, just stable income) to pay off all this debt I still have. I just have to keep one foot out in front of the other.

Welcome to 2010, everyone! May it be wondrous.