Coffee Break

If I were in Columbia tomorrow, I would head to Lakota and order a Fall flavored beverage "for here!" Far too often, people grab a cup of jo and head back to their busy lives.  A great friend of mine changed this mindset for me.  We would always meet for coffee and chat, usually for at least an hour.  It was our time to chill out, reflect and catch up on each other's lives.  We spent so much time comparing plans of moving, scheduling our True/False weekend, sharing stories of our adventures out of the country and discussing generic life goals! I have so many great memories from our therapeutic coffee talks and quite frankly is why I am where I am today :)

Flat Branch Pumpkin

That's right... Yesterday and today is the day of Pumpkin Beer at Flat Branch! They usually run out within a couples of days so make sure you get some.  I cannot believe I'm missing it.  I have yet to find a pumpkin beer as yummy out west.  Obviously I'm not trying hard enough because I'm sure it's around.  But Flat Branch is a solid!

Also, if you want to buy a growler and keep it unopened in your fridge for a month, I will be forever thankful! I feel like pumpkin season always catches me off guard and is gone far too soon.  I may just have to splurge on a few lattes before it's too late.

STRFKR

If I were in Columbia tomorrow night... I'd go to Starfucker at The Blue Note! It's not a big deal, but I was in this room last week while volunteering at KEXP.  This fun fact makes me feel much cooler than I really am but I'm still pumped I can say it!

Hope you have a lovely Tuesday... I, however, will be in Traffic Court standing my ground and fighting my parking tickets.  Total BS and I deserve to win... Let's hope the judge thinks so too.  Fingers crossed!

Homecoming in Columbia

Sorry Bess, but SKIP THE PARADE! It's a big waste of prime morning drinking time.  Lots open at 6 so be there, be square!

Fact: Few things make me happier than tailgating! When else is it...
A) Easy to get out of bed at 5am?
B) Acceptable to wash your poptarts down with a beer?
C) Not that bad to wander around for hours looking for different groups of friends who have spread out and at least a 1 mile radius?




Rookie mistake that always seems like a good idea but never is: Post-Game Nap and Rally.  Maybe this works for other people, but not for me! The key to all day entertainment is not the race, it's the pace :)

Why should we pace ourselves tomorrow, you ask! Well let me tell you... IF I WERE IN COLUMBIA TOMORROW, I would start early but make sure you last through the night because Frontier Ruckus is playing at Mojos and it will be a good, good time! I saw them here a last year during the cicada outbreak and loved it.  They even sang their last few songs unplugged in the crowd.  I am such a sucker for bands who do this!

If I were in Columbia...

Ok. So, I had this idea today because I often think of what I cannot have.  However, I would like to share my cannots with the people who can... AKA my wonderful, lovelies in good ol' Columbia, MO.  Does that make sense?

Minus the first eighteen years of my life and the last three and a half month, I lived in Columbia, Missouri.  I originally moved there in 2004 to start my Freshman year at the University of Missouri (*Up High!) My first year, I lived in the dorms with my friend Lauren.  We were a really good pair.  Never any fights that I can remember! I also met Betsy, who, back then, she was just the girl down the hall but we quickly became inseparable.  These girls were my first "branches." I started meeting other people and therefore, my web of friends began to grow.  (Up to this point, I don't think I every really had to meet to friends... they all just naturally grew into my life and I don't remember it any other way.)

Sophomore year I joined a business fraternity.  To this day, I still think it was the best thing I ever did.  To pull it back to my web-o-friends example, lets just say it added an entire galaxy of friends, many of which started a whole new web for me.  Maybe a tree would be a better example here? Anyway, in some form or another, 95% of my friends (web/branches/whatever) came from my joining AKSpi and the people I met here.  To be honest, I bet I spent my sophomore, junior, senior and even the following 2 years with these people.  They are my backbone, for sure.

 Oh my god... I wanted to put one up from each year but I was way too dependable in the picture department back then and have too many to choose from.

  

Around this time, we all had jobs and I was introduced to friends of friends of friends and my web began to grow even more.  There are definitely people who have played a bigger role in my branching out than others, but basically what I'm getting at is that I love Columbia.  I love the people there and all there is to do in it! Even now that I'm 2000 miles away, I find myself thinking about what I could/would be doing if I were still there. (Hence, the title of the blog!) I have come up with a TON of ideas but instead of making a list, I'm hoping to do a quick daily entry (this may also hold me accountable to blog regularly) about what I would, AKA what YOU should do in Columbia tomorrow (that way you have time to make it happen!)

I know I left out a lot of years and people, but this was a nice trip down memory lane.  I will leave you with one final statement... the point of this WHOLE blog!

Since it's Homecoming weekend, IF I WERE IN COLUMBIA, MO I would go to Happy Hour somewhere to grab a table before downtown erupts into an over-crowded, over-rated college bar scene and hope Marching Mizzou plays somewhere I can hear them.  Then, I'd go home and get some sleep before the 6am tailgates start! 









Of course, if I were really in Columbia, I'd meet up with my brother, sister-in-law and her folks because they always come visit this weekend! Probably grab dinner at Agave, because it's the only place we'd have a chance at a table and it's absolutely delicious!

Bostonian Weekend

Well, this much anticipated weekend has come and gone.  Thankfully, I lived to tell about it, so here goes...

Thursday was a pretty long day! I woke up early enough to drop Rome off at the boarders and be back before traffic.  He stayed at A Dog's Life over in Columbia City, which is about a 20-30 min away but the people seem really great and he would get to play with the doggy daycare all day.  I forgot how much he likes car rides!!! After dropping him off, I had to park my car as far away from my apartment as possible, hoping not to get a ticket from leaving it there for 7 days.  It was about a 10 min walk away but successful nonetheless! Got home to get ready for my flight aaannnddd NO HOT WATER.  Awesome time for a sponge bath and I was ready about 30 minutes early.  Took the bus to Westlake, hopped on the Link and Vacation. Was. On! I really enjoy the Link because it's a straight shot from downtown to the airport and I don't have to pay attention to stops because SEA/TAC is the last one.  Thankfully with my old age, I have gained a love for reading and a stomach strong enough to read while riding.  Got to the airport with tons of time to spare, which just means MORE reading!

Flights are flights.  We all know how that goes.  I met Blake (I know I've never mentioned him on here, but lets face it, no strangers are reading this blog.  Just to shout it from the roof tops, he is pretty darn special to me and I could rave on and on about him, but let's not get off track) in Chicago to catch our connector to Boston.  My first time flying with a partner and lets just say, we are adorable and move on... blah blah and we land in Boston around 11pm.  Bus to South Station, train JFK and a walk to the hotel, check-in and FREE COOKIES!  Thursday, done!

Friday, Blake and I went to meet my parents at their hotel downtown.  We got lunch, walked around, shopped a little and went back to the hotel to get ready for the rehearsal.  Around 3:30, we all met in the lobby and headed out to the venue.  Rehearsals always seem pointless to me but I guess it's because I just understand what's going to happen.  Anyway, we ran through the ceremony and headed back to the hotel.  Once we got back to the hotel, we hung out in the hotel bar for a drink before heading over to Maggianos* for the rehearsal dinner.  It was so wonderful for see Sarah's family, who I'd grown up with and have known my whole life! Such an exciting time and a great pasta bar, drink bar and great, great faces.  Blake and I were back and forth to the TV to catch the Cardinals game (who ended up winning much later that night.) At the end of the night, Blake took Mom and Dad's car down to his mom's house to spend the weekend with her while I did wedding jazz.  Once he was gone, I met up with Sarah and Molly in the bridal suite, reminisced about old times, bleached our teeth and went to bed.  Friday, thumbs up!

Saturday morning was spent in the suite.  We got our hair done, some girls got their make-up done, watched Bridesmaids, gathered our stuff and headed to the venue.  Funny that it took about 30 seconds to type and about 5hrs in real time.  Anywho, off to the venue we go.  It was a beautiful outdoor setting, fall colors, fountain and lots of sunlight... if only the sun had kept us warm! We were all pretty chilly but the ceremony was short and sweet.  Sarah was even gracious enough to cut the pictures short because we were so cold.  What a rockstar bride! 

Cocktail hour and the reception were fantastic.  It was so great to see the high school crew who could come out.  Drinks were great, dinner was great, dancing was great... all together a great evening with family and friends.  After gathering up the leftover booze and treats, the buses took everyone back to the hotel.  Sam, Mikey, Cassie and I continued on to the after party at a bar down the street.  Too crowded for our liking but we had to stay out for awhile.  Once Cassie and Sam left, Mikey and I decided to embark on a search for street meat and failed MISERABLY! After wandering and asking around, we ended up at 7-Eleven.  Great taquitos but terrible sausage.  We had one bite and tossed the rest! That night, I was designated spacer between Trey and Mikey in a double bed, but I can't complain.  Saturday, BAM!

Sunday, I slept until 9:30, peaced out of the "kid room" and headed back up to Mom and Dad's.  Nothing like riding up in an elevator, shoes in hand, hair did and your dress from the night before.  I was one, classy hot-mess! Sam joined us around 11:30, when she and I ventured out for breakfast and a bloody mary.  We ended up with bloody mary made with cocktail sauce instead of tomato juice.  Needless to say, it was no good but at least we didn't have to pay for it! Anyway, back to the hotel we went to pick up Mom for a day of Boston sightseeing!

First, we walked through Boston Commons and got some great pictures of the willow trees and the little lakes in park.  We were hoping to see the swan boats but we must have missed the season.  But we saw these cute little ducks!  We followed the Freedom trail around town, which led us to some really old cemeteries.  Of course I can't remember who was buried there but it was really neat to see something so old.  We walked through Feneuil Hall and the market which goes along next to it.  We stopped at the place of the Boston Massacre.  

Mom, Samantha and I walked along the water and around the aquarium where we actually ran it some of the family from the wedding.  We tried Legal Seafood, which a wise man once told me is severed in the Obama household, that afternoon and I was not impressed.  After that, we headed up to the North End to see Paul Revere's house, the North Church, and, of course, canollis from Mike's Pastry.  Little Italy (I know, I know...I'm not supposed to say that) was exactly as I had imagined Boston.  And it smelled fantastic! To finish off our day, we stopped at Bell in Hand Tavern, which is the oldest tavern in the US.  Here we got to watch the Seahawks beat the Patriots... Whoop! Sunday night, Mom and I ate downstairs with Sarah's family.  My first lobster of the weekend!

Monday, Monday, Monday... Blake came back to the city! After checking into our hotel, we had lunch one last time with my parents in Beacon Hill and walked around the neighborhood before sending them on their way to Rhode Island.  Once they left, Blake and I headed to Cambridge to walk around Harvard and see the other side of the water.  We visited a few shops, walked around campus and out to the Charles River.

 Still on the Cambridge side, we walked over to MIT to see some buildings by Blake's favorite architect.  Then got Chinese and headed back to downtown.  From here, we diced to walk to Harpoon Brewery, so we walked, and walked AND WALKED.  We ended up crossing some bridge and walking a an industrial/warehouse part of town only to find some manufacturing plant that didn't eve look welcoming.  People had to have know we were lost, out there wandering around.  Eventually we found it, only to be closed.  SO, we kept walking and found a little sports bar overlooking the water, and grabbed a quick drink, more to rest our legs than anything.  The we cabbed it back to the North End to get dinner at Union Oyster House.  My friend Nikki had recommended it, so we waited at the bar for about 45 min for a table.  Some business men in town from Chicago stuck up a conversation with us while we waited.  After wishing us luck and reminding Blake that I'm a keeper (we knew that already! :) we got our table.  Dinner was great, even though we weren't supper hungry at this point.  We'd split an order of mussels at the bar, but we orders scallops and lobster ravioli entrees anyway.  Back to the hotel we went after dinner!

 

Tuesday, we got to sleep in! We'd decided to Yelp! a breakfast joint in the neighborhood around our hotel, which was south of the crazy downtown.  After walking to our first choice, which was packed, we decided on a diner we'd passed on our way there called Mike's City Diner.  Once again, we ordered WAY too much food.  Nonetheless, it was delicioso and we got to walk it off afterward, which felt great.  Above is a picture of the Prudential Tower, which is where we headed next.  There are a ton of high end shopping, of course we just browsed, but after asking the security guard, we found the restaurant up on the 52nd floor.  We had drinks with a pretty great view!!

After drinks, we headed back to the hotel for a quick nap before our massages at the spa next to the hotel.  I have no kind words about mine but maybe I'm just spoiled by my girl in Columbia... Whom I immediately scheduled an appointment with once I knew I'd be home in December! After that, we got ready for our last night out and decided once again seafood.  We headed to the North End once more and got drinks and a sushi roll for an appetizer.  Then we walked around until we were hungry enough for a "real dinner" which we decided would be as Neptune Oyster.  We ordered 6 oysters and a lobster cocktail, which was the perfect amount of food! We grabbed cannolis one more time and headed back to our hotel!

Our flight was out at 7:45am so we caught the 6am shuttle from our hotel and headed out.  We both slept most of the flight to Chicago, but luckily there was enough time for me to get off the plane and hang out in the food-court before shipping off back to Seattle.  Hooray for sharing special, heartfelt moments in the airport!

I got back to Seattle around 1:30, I slept most of this flight as well.  Plenty of time to clean my mess of an apartment that the window guys left for me.  But, I can't complain about new windows! I went to pick up Rome, who didn't seem too happy to see me.  I'm sure he prefers playing with dogs all day to sleeping on the couch, but I'm not rich! 
I had a fabulous time seeing Boston, seeing my parents, seeing my friends and seeing my boyfriend.  Kinda makes me wish I'd stayed in Columbia so I'd have more time and money to take trips like this.  I cannot express how happy I am for my best friend and her lucky husband! I'm glad I now have an excuse to return to Boston, hopefully sooner than later.

Love Me Some Grouplove

Here is Now and Now is Where I Wanna Be...

 
OK.  Let's be honest... I have been to a disgustingly awesome number of shows since I've been in Seattle including two legit festivals, several smaller fests and a handful of plain ol' concerts! A few sparks really jump started my heart (Passion Pit comes to mind) making me want to call any and everyone to tell them about the show.  (Luckily, I have a very patient yet sleep deprived boyfriend who gets the first ring!) Tonight was much like that... 

Bold Statement of the Year: 
Grouplove is the best live show I have ever seen!

I know, I know... "But Patricia, you have seen HUNDREDS of shows in the past couple of years." True! But the stage presence and genre range of Grouplove blew the others out of the water.  Their energy, Hannah's dancing, their crowd interaction, their sincerity and most of all, their lackadaisical wardrobe! Sean in a cowboy hat, Andrew found a Christian was wearing a bathrobe over ripped jeans and a t-shirt while Ryan, the drummer, came out in an old, stripey pair of torn long-johns!
  

It was a flawless, heartfelt performance! Ryan dedicated their song Slow to his grandmother who just passed away.  He actually flew into Seattle from her funeral in South Africa.  Lucky for you, the guy in front of me caught it on video and I had him email it to me: Here is the link to his video! He only caught the end but below is a live to the full song!

Also, I would like to proudly state that I have their debut album, Never Trust a Happy Song, on my Top 10 Albums of 2011... I guess I should be working on another Top 10 for 2012.  Please send me your suggestions.  Living in Seattle, I feel much more behind on the music scene than I did in Columbia.

Seattlite Status Aquired

Wow... Why I didn't work on this blog during my 3 months of unemployment, I'm not sure. Looks like I'll be playing catch up!! After quitting my job at Columbia College, spending two weeks in Thailand and moving 2,000 miles away from home... Here I am, living in Seattle. I promise to come back to all that, but for now, I will talk about today. My last day of unemployment!! That's right... after over 3 months of sleeping in, coffee-shop internet dates, playing outside, traveling and watching entire seasons of HIMYM in a day, I start my job tomorrow.

This building is Garrand and the home of SU College of Nursing.  I will be the Doctoral Nursing Practice Program Coordinator at Seattle University! This is the first year for the program and there are only 10 students to start. I get to work with students, staff and faculty from several departments on campus and am really excited to meet new people. Another great thing, it's only 2 blocks away from my apartment! Just like old times, I will be able to walk to work and even come home for lunch to Rome out! What a lucky boy :)

I will try my best to catch everyone up on these last few months.  Travel, music, moving, family, friends and so much more to come! But as of now, I am officially a Seattlite!!!

Cheers!

A Lull

After 6 hours of work, 40 minutes of looking for my keys, and 7 HOURS of cleaning, I was able to make it down to good 'ol Mojo's for yet another stellar performance (and a bad-ass Modest Mouse cover!) A Lull opened for The Cold War Kids about a year ago at The Blue Note. Songs from their current EP can be downloaded from their website. I suggest you check 'em out... Tons of percussion and plenty of chaotic magnificence to tickle your ears! According to Twitter, they are doing a DayTrotter Session here soon, so keep up!

My New Obsession

I was recently introduced to Hannah Hart a few weeks ago by a friend who has helped me out in my drunkin, cooking time of need... OVERREACTING! You'll have to ask Nikki or Matt the story because my memories of the day do not do it justice. Let's just say I was in charge of the Thanksgiving turkey, which is too much responsibility to tailgate before the event! Not only did I make a mess of the bird, but the dressing, my kitchen, and my trunk! It was pretty awesome!

OK... Back to Hannah. After falling in love with her videos, I've found her on twitter @Harto and a few other interviews. Her first My Drunk Kitchen episode entitled 'Butter Yo Shit' was first made from a recorded Skype conversation after she had just moved to NYC. Anyway, she is really freaking hip and makes me laugh so I wanted to share!



My favorites are "Omelette You Finish" and "Not Easy, Bake Oven" but you should watch as many as you please!

Finally Some Snow!

Ok! It is January 12 and it's only our second snow of the season. Because of the retched winter Columbia had last year and the craptastic inability for my car to start and stop on the smallest amount of snow and ice, I moved downtown. Not only am I in walking distance to everything (other than a grocery store,) I can walk to work. Talk about the BEST decision I've ever made. It's a shame it took me this long to do it. Oh... And did I mention that I'm fostering a puppy? He's not technically a puppy, he's probably 2-3 yrs old and is about as perfect as they come! Romeo is crate trained, potty trained, sits, and snuggles like the best of 'em. We are currently working on leash etiquette, so any advice you can throw my way would be helpful and appreciated!


Oh, and here is a lovely clip of The Head and the Heart singing in their underwear! I am fortunate enough to have tickets to their St. Louis show this March and cannot wait!

Cheers!

A Bit O Blues

Honestly, I hadn't heard about this band until late last year. During one of the many NPR countdowns, Alabama Shakes were mentioned several times and I had to look them up! They will be live on KEXP today at 3:00 CT if you're at a computer! Since the Columbia Roots N Blues fest this past summer, I've been a lot more interested in the genre and the amount of heart that goes into each song is just incredible!

Allen Stone is another gem I stumbled across around the same time. He is a mix of Amos Lee and Brett Dennen and is guaranteed to rock your socks off! So enjoy!

Mumford Monday

Here is a group who has blown up this past year... and for good reason! Shout out to my friend Katy R. for posting this video on thefacebook! Mumford & Sons have yet to let me down so hopefully this is a new one for you.

My Top 10 Albums of 2011

To spare the details, let's just say this year has had hellatial ups and a few downs! After the Marathon in Nov. of 2010, which was definitely a success, I haven't done much running. I keep meaning to but now that I've stopped, I can't understand how I used to make time for it. Hopefully that will all change in 2012 because I'd like to start it back up.

2011 has been full of traveling and concerts! Spoiler Alert: Future blog entries



The end of the year is my new favorite time. Not because of the tacky decorations or holiday cheer, not even for the paid days off work for 2 four-day weekends in a row. 'Tis ('Twas) the season for music countdowns and "Top XXs" of the year.

This isn't going to be as friendly as I hope to someday make it but I had to get it out there before the time had passed. Several organizations, NPR, KEXP & Pitchfork being my favorite and most relate-able. I read all the lists! Top Songs, Top Albums, Top Artist of said Genre...

It's a time to double check my Subpop culture, discover the bands I have somehow over looked, and reinstate my enthusiasm for the ones I cannot take off repeat. Instead of bombarding you with lists of listeners favorites (which I encourage you to view through the links above and explore for yourself,) I wanted to make my own list. I decided to do My Top Albums of 2011.

10) The War on Drugs - Slave Ambient
9) Givers - In Light
8) Tapes N Tapes - Outside
7) Deer Tick - Divine Providence
6) Pearl and the Beard - Killing the Darlings
5) GroupLove - Never Trust A Happy Song
4) The Head and the Heart - The Head and the Heart
3) tUnE-yArDs - W H O K I L L
2) The Lonely Forest - Arrows
1) Pickwick - Myths

Honorable Mentions:
Of Monsters and Men - My Head is an Animal
Foster the People - Torches (album is awesome but Pumped up Kicks is my nightmare)
Beirut - The Rip Tide

Also, my most played song of the year is Lost Coastlines by Okkervil River and my favorite cover is Ellie Gouldings version of Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap. Both have been played on repeat a hundred times this year and I could listen at least a hundred more!