A Small, Black Fly

It was a nice day, so I opened the window.

I saw him come in through the corner of my eye, the smallest of my periphery.By the time I could see him clearly, it was too late.

He flew around the room, careful not to get too close, and I pretended not to notice. I just assumed he would leave, but he stayed all winter long.

When spring came, I got distracted by a spider, and I don't know what became of him. He may have been in the corner, or he may have flown away, but by the time the spider had left, he was sitting on my wall as if he had been there the whole time. When the moth showed up to distract me while my body got rid of the venom, he flew around the room. He once tried to land on my foot, but I quickly brushed him off.

When the moth left, he began to make more noise. He landed on my hand, but this time I held still. We stared at each other, afraid to move, and he eventually flew away. Whether I left my hand in the same place or not, he always came back, but only for short visits.

He started to tease me, flying around the room, buzzing in my ear for a split second now and again. He zipped away before I could turn my head, not staying long enough or getting close enough to be caught. So I left the window open, but he wouldn't leave. I quickly grew tired of this.

I have terrible aim, so I only got his wing or maybe his leg. Now he sits, wounded but proud, in the windowsill. I hope he flies away.

But then what would I think about?

"Poison and Wine"--The Civil Wars

SOUND Article: 7/3/12


http://www.soundmagonline.com/poison-and-wine-the-civil-wars/


Sometimes you have to listen to a song because it hurts.

A friend showed me “Poison and Wine” a few months ago, and when it got to the chorus he said, “I mean, duh.” With perfect harmony, the Civil Wars simply, beautifully and perfectly explain a specific kind of heartache. Everyone has been there — and it always hurts — but you always get through it, marching on like the steady drum beat in this song.

"Heartbeat"--The New Electric Sound

SOUND Article: 6/19/12

http://www.soundmagonline.com/heartbeat-the-new-electric-sound/

Have you been looking for “a surf-rock/oldies-inspired band with a new twist and shout?” One that sounds “like a hydro-electric Surfaris Mothra rising from the ashes of an African village burned to the ground by minotaurs from Buddy Holly’s personally shaded zoo garden in the sky”?

Well, according to The New Electric Sound’s Facebook description, you are in luck. This up-and-coming band, formed last August, knows how to kick it old school and pump up the whammy to create a sound that is both new and electric. NES is offering a free download of their new song, “Heartbeat,” to get listeners excited for their album release show on June 22 in Provo, UT. Download the single for free here and listen to some of the group’s other great songs so you can get pumped for a great summer on the beach.

"Blindsided"--Bon Iver

SOUND Article: 5/16/12

http://www.soundmagonline.com/blindsided-bon-iver/


In preparation for a nine and a half hour road trip, I decided to buy some new albums to make the solo-drive more bearable. Some were new, some were old, some were suggestions from friends and some were suggestions from the guy at the store. Having completed the drive there and back (almost 20 hours total), I now consider myself an expert on good driving music.

I particularly enjoyed listening to Bon Iver’s album, For Emma, Forever Ago. Everything about his music is soothing and enchanting. The fifth song on the album, “Blindsided,” was definitely my favorite. As I drove through northern Idaho — green, mountainous and insanely beautiful — this song played and I was entranced by the rhythmic, sweet sadness. I thought to myself, “Everything about this moment is perfect.” Have a listen.

"I Wanna Be Your Man"--Willy Moon

SOUND Article: 3/20/12

http://www.soundmagonline.com/i-wanna-be-your-man-willy-moon/

Standing in the spotlight in a sharp, well-tailored suit, Willy Moon will take you back to the 1950s (or at least how you imagine the 1950s based on the many times you’ve seen the movie Grease) with his song “I Wanna Be Your Man.” He’s not afraid of talkin’ jive or shaking his hips — and you can’t go wrong with a name like Willy Moon.

This short, catchy song is heavy on the whammy and reminiscent of the days of early rock n’ roll that makes me nostalgic for a time period I didn’t get to experience. The black and white music video and side part help, too. If you listen closely, however, it sounds like some of the instrumentals are being played in reverse alongside some breathy percussion, making this song more interesting and addicting. It’s over before you know it, so enjoy it while you can.

Listen to “I Wanna Be Your Man” by Willy Moon below:

Call me Aunt Kathy

I have a good excuse for not writing in a while.

In my first blog post I mentioned several nicknames I have been given over the years, including Aunt Kathy. This became a joke because frequently, when I introduce myself, people say "I have an aunt named Kathy."

The nickname is no longer just a joke.

My little sister, Lisa, had a healthy little boy last week. Ryan William Marchand (marsh-and) was 6 pounds 13 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long and is doing his best to keep growing. He is the cutest baby that has ever been born. But you don't want to read about it. I'll just show you.

Ryan was born May 1.

He looks good in hats, too.

Ryan is getting to know his grandma.

They must be related.

Nicki demanded that I show that she does actually have a normal face.

Ryan likes to cuddle with his mom. He also likes to eat.

Sometimes he sticks his tongue out.

We like to squeeze Ryan's cheeks.

Young at heart

On my way to work the other day I stopped for a little girl who was marching across the street through the rain on her way to school. She was wearing big black rain boots, a pink poncho, and a silver dress that barely reached her skinny knees. I looked at her, laughed out loud, and thought I remember when my coat and shoes didn't have to match my outfit.

I remember when…

Fifteen minutes felt like an hour and an hour felt like all day.

Going to my room was a punishment.

My hands would smell like grass and gravel from the playground.

My backpack was bigger than my torso and smelled like crayons and glue.

I rubbed my eyes without worrying about smearing any makeup (or seasonal allergies).

Getting up in the morning was easy.

Going to bed was hard.

Ordering off of the kid's menu wasn't something I did to save money.

I liked things that sparkled or lit up.

I would get callouses from the monkey bars.

Roller coasters were scary and spinning didn't make me sick.

Saying "and a half" after my age or height was really important.

I would ask my mom to "bring me a treat" from the grocery store.

My dad could pick me up and swing me around.

My teeth were crooked and too big for my face.

People could see the freckles on my cheeks and nose.

I thought my babysitters were old.

I could wrap myself in a towel after swimming and be mostly covered.

I never regretted anything that I ate.

I watched the Disney channel and Saturday morning cartoons.

I could sleep on the floor.

I thought I wanted to carry a purse.

Any set of furniture was a potential playground.

A handful of change was wealth.

Arguing with my siblings for "shotgun" was something that happened every time we left the house.

I was put “in charge” of my little sisters.

I never used the phone or the computer.

Naps were weird.

I liked pink.

I met a girl at the park who had the same birthday as me and I wondered if we were long lost twins.

I was really good at Chinese jump rope.

I had a crush on some of my older brother's friends.

A messy room didn't bother me.

It was never too hot outside.

I would practice my handwriting and thought cursive would be important someday.

I could do the splits and a front handspring.

The primary songs weren't too high to sing and I could remember the words.

I was shorter than the refrigerator.

Being super ticklish was normal.

There were ribbons on my bike.

I looked like a bean when I wore a swimsuit.

I hated it when people called me cute because I thought I was too mature.

I couldn't jump and touch the ceiling.

I didn't understand deodorant.

I learned how to use the VCR.

I wanted posters to hang on my wall.

I picked up roly-polies.

I could swim in the bathtub.

I wanted to climb everything.

All of my stuffed animals had names.

Grown ups were always right and always taller than me.

I didn't understand dirty jokes.

I got stickers on my homework.

I owned and used rollerblades.

I had no use for bobby pins.

I said "nu-uh" and "yeah-huh."

I went on field trips.

Playing house was a game, not real life.

Collecting things was fun.

I had to ask for permission.

I was a good speller for my age.

I prayed for my cats.

I memorized phone numbers.

And it doesn't feel like that long ago.