Like a Stonewall

Yes, I am referring to Stonewall Jackson. Two weeks ago a couple of my friends and I headed out to the Loveless Barn to catch a music show called Music City Roots. It is a weekly concert and live radio show (hippie radio 94.5) at the Loveless Cafe Barn. The best part, tickets are 10 bucks, 5 with a student ID!

It is mostly bluegrass and folk music with lot of local talent, fried chicken and beer. I was mostly excited about Steep Canyon Rangers, but was introduced to some great acts such as Westbound Rangers who sing a song called “Stonewall’, Ben Sollee, Ashley Monroe, and Joy Kills Sorrow.

Ben Sollee

I immediately came home and downloaded the Westbound Rangers albums off iTunes.

Here’s some Steep Canyon Rangers for you – Stand and Deliver

Last, but not least, Ben Sollee with The Healer

Just another reason I love Nashville. Get ready, the next post involves trying to find the musical genius in me.

Until next time.

New Year, New Beginnings

I am a little late on the whole new year, new you deal. So, a happy belated New Years to my short list of readers. It has been a busy past couple of months with work and school, and honestly not really wanting to write any blog posts because I was down in the dumps. Thanksgiving came and went, and then December arrived and it hit me that I was supposed to be leaving to head to Fiji. Actually, I would be there at this very moment. Yes, I am still a little bitter about the vents that occurred, even though you can’t control mother nature.

Honestly, it was a blessing in disguise. As most of you know I have rheumatoid arthritis. It is not something I talk a lot about on the web because I do not like to complain about it. It is a pain though, and for a while I was in remission, but as of August not anymore. I have gone through three rounds of infusions and finally after this last one it is helping. I have my next one in a few weeks and have started to notice the pain coming back. Cold weather also makes it worse. See, complaining.

I have also come to the realization that Nashville doesn’t  feel like home anymore. It feels like a stepping stone to wherever I end up next. Who knows where that will be, currently I am thinking out west. That could change next month, and it probably will. Because of the weird emotions I have been having I up and decided to delete Facebook this past Sunday, along with Tinder and OK Cupid. New year, new beginnings as I said.

There were some great times though. My family spent Thanksgiving and Christmas together for the first time in two years. My brother could not be here this year since he is doing the grown up internship year of his residency program. Family is amazing. Friends are amazing and when the blues hit you, they are what keeps you going, well for me at least.

I rang in the New Year with my best friend, Amber at the Old Crow Medicine Show Concert. Duh.

We have also enjoyed going to Predators games and planning our spring break! Hooray for being a student!

Speaking of hockey games, I also got to see one of my great friends who no longer lives here, the one and only Josh.

The spring semester started today and I am taking a full load of classes and working. I am still working on my 101 in 1001 list as well, along with wanting to travel and get outside more.

Things might be changing around the blog, but please do not leave me. I feel that I am discovering the person I want to be. Things could get interesting.

Unti next time.

Winter Blues

It’s not even technically winter here in Nashville, but it sure feels like it. I lost my toughness for cold weather. Savannah and San Diego spoiled me big time. Needless to say, I am struggling. I broke out my bean boots, puffy jacket, gloves and winter hat today just to drive 10 minutes to work and walk into my job. I do not care if I looked ridiculous, I was cold! I am still cold and it is going to be a long, very long winter for me. So in the words of Jimmy Buffett, “I gotta go where its warm!”

Now a list of warm songs by the master parrothead himself.

Holiday
“The weather channel girl
with her perfect weather curl
is talking cold, cold, cold
You can’t get out of bed
you can’t remember what you’ve said
you’re feeling old, old, old”

My Lovely Lady
“Well, we’re sailing in those warm December breezes
Sendin’ picture post cards back to Tennessee.”

Migration
“Yeah, I got a Caribbean soul I can barely control
and some Texas (or Tennessee) hidden here in my heart.”

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Atitudes
“And so many nights I just dream of the ocean.
God, I wish I was sailin’ again.”

Banana Republics
“Down to the Banana Republics
Down to the tropical sun
Go the expatriated American
Hopin’ to find some fun”

“I know I should be leaving this climate.
I got a verse but can’t rhyme it.
I gotta go where it’s warm.”

My knees are seriously shivering.

Another Night at the Opry

Starting in November, the Grand Ole Opry moves to the mother church of country music, the Ryman. I once again attended a showing there on Friday night with my Dad and friends. You might know who was playing; Old Crow Medicine Show! Surprise, surprise. There were other performers, but there was a special guest by the name of Winston Marshall, a member of Mumford and Sons. Yup! He has been in town for a while and you can catch him on Lightning 100 tonight, well it might be over now.

I am just a little excited.

Until next time, Old Crow, and maybe Winston.

Beer is Proof the God Loves Us

And wants us to be happy. – Benjamin Franklin. However, after some research it seems the quote had wine instead of beer. That would make more sense, but still.

This past weekend a few friends and I headed downtown to the Nashville Beer Fest.  Over 100 beers, mostly craft to try all for 35 bucks! I wish I had wrote down some of my favorites because I do not remember the names of most of them. Darn beer. There were lots of local brewers around, like Yazoo, Jackalope, Blackstone,  Mayday, Turtle Anarchy and not so locals such as Abita, Sweetwater, and Duck Rabbit. Pumpkin beer was very popular to sample with it being the first weekend in October and all. Unfortunately it was not a nice fall day, it was more like a summer day in early August. It might have gone up to 80. Hooters and others were selling pretzel necklaces and I went through two of them. I got hungry, what can I say. This festival benefited the Nashville Humane Association so it was really okay by me to keep buying them. My friends and I had a great time and ran into some people along the way and also made some new friends. After we left around 5, we went over to Soulshine Pizza and chowed down. Now for some pictures.

The one and only Jamie Clayton. He is kind of a big deal.

The night ended early for me since I had to work the next day. Oh yes, I finally have a part time job. More on that later.

Until next time.

A Night at the Opry

There was a reason I had to be back in Nashville on the date that I picked. There is aways a reason, and it normally involves music. The next night Old Crow Medicine Shoe was going to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Being the huge fan that I am, I had to go. Thanks to having a wonderful father, he made it happen. It was quite the line up. There were tons of people backstage, as most of Old Crow’s family joined them for this special night. Little Jimmy Dickens made an appearance. It was his first time after some time away due to him being sick. Dustin Lynch sang a couple of songs, as well as the little Hunter Hayes. He is so tiny! One of my favorites, Dierks Bentley sang, although Bourbon in Kentucky was not on the set list. Maybe next time. My friend and I wondered around behind the stage and heard Ketch from Old Crow practicing in a room all by himself for their set. It was really cool to hear that. The whole night was awesome. To be there with one of my favorite acts, and to see their reaction on that special night, it is something I will never forget. All the members are so kind and do not mind talking to their fans. My dad shared a special connection with a few being as they are from the same area of New England, and one of them is from the same hometown as my dad’s mom. The accents came flowing out. It came time for Old Crow to hit the stage and they sang five songs. A little film was shown about their journey to that very night. Mumford and Sons even left them a congratulations. This was a night I will truly remember, for a long, long time.

Now some pictures from the evening.

Little Jimmy

Teddy, from the TV show Nashville

Dierks Bentley

Marty

Awkward shot

Behind the scenes

Old Crow watching the film

After it was all over.

Welcome to the family

 

From 30,000 Feet

I am sitting on the plane headed back to San Diego at the moment. Wifi on the long trip is amazing. The trip home was a great one. I could finally stay in the house, and on the houseboat! Mom is doing great, as well as Dad. I just missed my dog terribly. Abbie is at doggie camp, and from the email updates I have been getting she is having a blast. \

My arthritis is stil in remission, so that deserves a woohoo! My hearing not so much. The test I had in November was a fluke, and I am back to not so perfect hearing anymore. So no diving at the moment. This leads me to another thing….

I am no longer going to Fiji. Due to circumstances out of my control, mostly mother nature, I will be staying in the wonderful city of Nashville. I won’t get into all the issues on here, but I have come to terms with this and am happy. Everything happens for some kind of reason. Along the same lines, I applied for my first big girl job Monday. We will see what happens. I have one month left here in San Diego, so I intend to get the very best out of it. Maybe I will finally learn, or attempt to learn to surf. Might as well. My brother is hopefully going to be visiting me next weekend, then one of my best friends for Labor Day weekend, and finally my wonderful little is going to make the drive back with me to Nashville in September! We are planning on going to the Grand Canyon, so excited.

The lady sitting next to me is snoring, and it is only an hour into the flight.

Until next time.