obamaniac mixtape

there are so many reasons to love Obama. you might love him for his great humility, his considerable experience, his honorable associates.

i love Obama for his tunes.


"This song was born when Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for President. Hope is alive! Ordinary people count!! Big money will finally meet its match!!! Thank you, Senator (and President!) Obama!!!!"
-Written, performed and recorded by Peter Armetta in Portland, Oregon.










Obama will help us turn off the dark, so we might see. yes, we can repair this world! vote for Obama or the end is near! will you help America make it to the promised land? have you found "the ONE?"

september emusic downloads

emusic added a bunch of barsuk record releases in september, so I had to grab a few of their albums. visit the band websites by clicking on the band names. once again, click on the album to go to the album page on emusic to listen to samples and read reviews.

John Vanderslice - Emerald City

The Long Winters - Putting The Days To Bed

Nada Surf - The Weight Is a Gift

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Starlight Mints - Drowaton

Damien Jurado - Caught In The Trees

The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

Jennifer O'Connor - Here With Me

Nati Cano's Mariachi Los Camperos - Llegaron Los Camperos!: Nati Cano's Mariachi Los Camperos

Okkervil River - The Stand Ins

The Uglysuit - The Uglysuit

august emusic downloads

here are my august music downloads from emusic.com. click on the album covers to listen to samples and read reviews.

Thao - We Brave Bee Stings and All

Ólöf Arnalds - Við og við

Marching Band - Spark Large

Juliana Hatfield - How To Walk Away

Conor Oberst - Conor Oberst

Broken Social Scene Presents: Brendan Canning - Something For All Of Us...

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?

The Avett Brothers - The Second Gleam

Greg Laswell - Through Toledo

Isaac Hayes - The Isaac Hayes Movement

The Coral Sea - Firelight

As you may know, I was in TX for my cousin's funeral. His name was Aaron. He died unexpectedly on December 5, 2007. He was only 24 years old, has a wife and 3 children. It's been an awful experience for the whole family obviously. The grieving process is complicated with a sudden death such as this. Joe and I were able to be with family and attend the memorial services and I'm so thankful for that.

I have so many memories of Aaron. He had a wonderful smile, would give the greatest bear hugs and was very protective of the women in the family. He was really loved although I think sometimes he questioned that. We get so carried away with the business of life and allow superficiality to permeate our schedules and relationships. We forget to slow down and articulate our care and concern for those around us. We don't realize that loving another person does not stop with just knowing we love them or having a warm fuzzy feeling. It's about living out that love relentlessly. How does that person know we care about them? When was the last time we told them? What do our actions or lack of actions say about our love, care and concern for another? Is it at all incongruent with our claim that we love and care for that individual? I'm not sure at all if you relate to this, I'm exposing more of my internal dialogue through this grieving process than anything else.
A few lessons/reminders I've had:
1) We are here to love others the way that He first loved us.
2) People will still make poor choices and people will still feel unloved despite our efforts to love them.
3) I have grown too comfortable in focusing on what's best for me instead of how can I bring comfort to those closest to my heart emotionally, physically, spiritually.
4) You never know what's around the corner in the streets of life.
5) "Too Late" comes quicker than you could ever imagine.
6) The incredible pain that is felt in times of loss is a ear-piercing reminder that we were not created for this broken and aching world and that we should be forever grateful for the grace, mercy, forgiveness, comfort and love that we are blessed with and looking forward to the time when the tears will dry and hurts will fade only to be replaced by pure joy and peace.

long time-no post.

i knew when we started this blog thing that i would probably not keep up with posting as diligently as i intend. i can search for endless excuses including i've been busy with a new job, adjusting to living in a new place, haven't been feeling well lately but despite all of those wonderful excuses, the truth is that sometimes the motivation just isn't there. BUT i have to take advantage of the present time when my shame is enough to motivate me to add another post.

so much has happened here in lanky. i started a new job as a "child and adolescent therapist" at a mental health agency in the area. with that, i'm working more with the amish population than i expected and i'm seeing a range of clients from age 6 to 55. sometimes it's just good to roll with it. i'm not so sure the original job title still fits but i am enjoying what i'm doing anyway. here's a few pics of my office although things have been improved since these were taken:







not the greatest pictures but you get the idea. it's nice to have a lot of space to work with and the kids seem to like it. i feel lucky to be where i am at right now. co-workers seem to be really encouraging and supportive. working with people is challenging and difficult but there have already been rewarding times that encourage me to keep moving forward. it's nice to work for a faith-based agency as well. there is a different feel from other settings i've been in.

outside of working, this summer we helped pick a TON of tomatoes from the garden in the backyard. we've made it to philly a few times since we moved (a couple times to see Nate and Sabi -we miss you! and another time to see The National play at the TLA). See The National if you can. It's a great show--as is Peter Bjorn and John. Fabulous! Now that fall is here, Joe is back in school, I'm just working, we're watching Netflix movies, loving emusic and going to shows when we can. later.

the headliner: club 8

the headliner returns after a lengthy absence and a flood of emails and phone calls begging for its return. i'm truly touched by the outpour of support and i'm bringing you a good band in return. club 8 delivers some fine dreamy pop all the way from sweden and is set to release their 6th album next week. have a listen to the new album right here:




enjoy!

i'm so glad i'm a jayhawk!!!

don't forget your power towel!
embarrassing on so many levels.