Doodlebird

Top Ten (ok really 11) Albums of 2009

So it is december 1st... I've checked the upcoming album releases and there is nothing that strikes my fancy between now and the end of the year so HAPPY DECEMBER EVERYONE! Here are the albums of 2009 that made my year a little happier. This year seems to have taken a turn for the more old country/blues/folk route. BUT.... There are a few surprises even to me (yes yes kids that is who you think at number ten despite all the shit that i give my friends for listening to them) 


10. Is a tie between 

Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures 
This is the supergroup of people who music i only like in passing. (dave grohl, and Josh Homme) But this album has been rocking me threw traffic for the last week or so. 

Favorite tracks: No One Loves Me & Neither Do I, New Fang 
+


Muse- The Resistance 
OK OK OK, I know i give everyone of my friend shit for listening to muse. Here is why, the albums NEVER deliver for me. I kind of feel like they can be a bad interpol rip-off... This album sounds like a statement, I love how driving this album is comparatively. So, here is me eatting crow... muse isn't bad... I still think there is a fuck-ton of asshats who listen to this band.

Favorite Tracks: Unnatural Selection, I belong to you/Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Toi


9. 

The builders and the Butchers - Salvation Is A Deep Dark Well
This band blows me away the more and more i listen to it. the simplicity of it's recording and the complexity of the instrumentation make this albums one of those where you find a new thing to love each time you listen to it. 

Favorite Tracks: Devil Town, Down In The Hole 


8.

The Dead Weather- Horehound
I have a huge love for Jack White, i think he can be genius when he wants to be. Combine this with the explosive Alison Mosshart (of the kills) and what is there not to like. This album is the kind of album that oozes sex... Love love love it. 

Favorite Tracks: Cut Like a buffalo, Treat Me Like Your Mother

7.

Danielle Ate The Sandwich- Things People Do
This girl and her Uke make some of the cutest sweetest songs I've ever heard. I built a uke this year and so this album has some warm fuzzy memories of that attached to it. 

Favorite Tracks: Handsome Girl, Goodbye Frankie 

6.

Death Cab For Cutie- The Open Door EP.
I normally do not put EP on this list... but OMG finally something that sounds like the old DCFC. As much as I love Plans and have grown to love Narrow Stairs. I will always pine for things that sound like they came of We Have The Facts and We Are Voting Yes and Photo Album... Death Cab has aged well, and this is some of their finest work to date. 

Favorite Tracks: Little Bribes, My Mirror Speaks 

5.

The Avett Brothers- I And Love And You
I've been holding my breath and wishing on a star that the major label debut of these fine gentlemen was not clean and clinical like some other major label debuts of bands who's sound is a bit different than the mainstream. (Decemberists i am looking at you) They HIT IT OUT OF THE PARK. I have listened to this album in whole or part almost everyday since its release. Seriously if you haven't listen to this album what are you waiting for? 

Favorite tracks: Head Full Of Doubt/Road Full Of Promise, Kick Drum Heart 


4.


Dusty Rhodes And The River Band
Ok it isn't well known but..  I love The Band... You know that late 60s and 70s Canadian rock band.  Apparently so does this quintet from Anaheim. When it is late and I cannot sleep, I put on The Band (self titled) on vinyl, or this album. The modern take on that old country/rock blend makes me a bit less mad while i waste away the hours that most people sleep away. 

Favorite Tracks: Andy, Blind Lead The Blind, All One 


3.


The Devil Makes Three- Do Wrong Right
I love this trio, I've had the pleasure of not only seeing them live a few times this year. I also got the joy of seeing them perform in a parking lot with another great band at 2 in the morning. This album seems to take them to the next level. It really shows of the talent more so then their self titled album. 
Favorite Tracks: All Hail, Help Yourself, Aces And Twos 

2.


The Good Old War- Only Way To Be Alone
This trio bring a new meaning to harmony. They sing beautiful songs with amazing harmonies. The music is sad, yet up beat, full of longing, and hope. It is just great! Nothing is over produced, or pushed to hard, it is simple and flat out amazing. 

Favorite Tracks: Just Another Day, Looking For Shelter We've Come A Long Way


1. *if you know me this should be NO shock at all. 


The Decemberists- The Hazards Of Love
Ok people LOVE this album, Or HATE this album... From the very first listening of this album. I was in love, deep, passionate, lustful, geeky love. First, it should be said that I had kind of written off The Decemberists The Crane Wife was Clinical, Clean and didn't take very many risk. All of the B-sides and alternate recordings that came out from that album over shadowed it in my mind. (remember i when I was talking about unusual bands and bad major label debuts?) The first time I listened to HoL I about jumped out of my skin! The Story of this concept album is SOLID, The Music is SOLID, The live performances of this album from front to back SOLID (and i should know i saw it 4 times this summer). Not only does this show off the depths of Mr. Meloy's Songwriting abilities, it also shows his ear for talent in picking the WONDERFUL  Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond to voice the queen. (such a HUGE voice from such a little person) This album also holds a special place in my heart because it has the distinct pleasure of containing my favorite song OF ALL TIME, The finale track "The Hazards Of Love 4" (The Drowned). Seriously Chris Funk's petal steel solo is heart breaking and some of the best petal steel playing I've ever heard.  Seriously, I plunked down 600 dollars  for a semi-broken down pedal steel, and gave up the idea of ever having nicely manicured hands to learn how to play said pedal steel after hearing this song. Go listen to this album, listen to it's romantic and tragic story and forget about the world for an hr. 
 Favorite Tracks: Hazards Of Love 4 (the Drowning), Hazards Of Love 2 (Wager All), The Wanting Comes In Waves/Repaid, Annan Water. 
 
So there it is. the last 365 days or so captured in the music i listened to and loved the most. 

It's BAAAAACCCCCCCKKKKKK!!!!

The Insomnia is back... and with a vengeance... and not for all the normal reasons. (stress,worry,over worked) Not even sweet Nathan can cure it this time. (seriously he is like a human version of a narcotic, usually I cuddle up next to him and it's "say goodnight Gracie".) Much to his frustration i might add. I cleaned out my google reader. I've knit on my shawl till my hands hurt. I am now currently watching QVC. there is nothing else on. I even made a few more Poladroids. Soon i am gonna start editing pictures for FUN. I just want to sleep... maybe some toast... some passion tea. :( 

waiting for this little beauty....

So, While nate was going threw boxes he found 3 packs of 600 polaroid film he had bought for an ex-girlfriend and broke up with her before he got to give it to her. (her loss is my gain in SO MANY WAYS) So, when i was little I remember getting one of these beauties for my birthday! 

found
It was SO COOL! i also had one of those fun cam that made stickers in the late 90s. Polaroids became more important to me once i fell for the charm of 4x5 photography.  I love the look and the funny little bottles of fix you use to make the image stable (this is built into consumer Polaroid film.) I loved type 55.. it came with a negative... that you could print such amazing fun pictures from... I was sorta in the i hate photography mind set when it was announced that the film production was going to be stopped. What did i care, as far as I was concerned i had snapped my last shot. Well, photography runs in my blood.. i could only be mad at it for so long. So, hopefully my mother finds where she stuck this amazing pink camera. So it can be on it's way to me in LA. So i can uses the boxes of film... While i wait i will use poladroid this fun little program that let's you create Polaroid pictures from your digital pictures (but only 10 at a time like a cartridge of Polaroid film) here is some of my favorites from my first two "cartridges" 

sheep in Oregon!

Russian Rye Bread from the farmers market! 


There is a subway in LA
 

Beautiful Downtown Portland, Oregon. 


My favorite seat at the intelligentsia coffee in Sliverlake. 

The most beautiful cupcake from one of my favorite married couple's wedding! 


Green River YUM!!! 
Ok lovelies I am off to knit on my final shawl for the pattern picture shoot! I am almost to the lace panel! WOO! 

Happy Thanksgiving, taking a class, and working on the move

HELLO,

First of Happy thanksgiving to all of my American friends! Currently i am snuggling with Nate watching the national dog show, while he grades papers and works on inputting grades into his computer. IT is so cute when he is all teacher like with his glasses and his red pen! I am so thankful this year that this year there have been more Ups then Downs and that i have loving and supportive family and friends!!!

I am also thankful for nathan's generous offer of buying the food for the next few weeks so i could spare a few clams to take Style School  he is seriously so sweet! I have so many ideas and so so many craft supplies that I am hoping this help me learn a work flow and plus there are so many cute crafty projects that this January is gonna be a blast! Set me up to get the style i want for the new house as well.

Speaking of the new house, I got an e-mail yesterday that was asking me if i could move my interview (the one i REALLY REALLY WANT) to friday the 18th. EEK! Thank goodness i was going to set all my plans up this weekend! So now i have to e-mail the other recruiter and see i can do the inteview that saturday instead of the saturday before. While all of this is an issue, Jon was gonna go hiking on the 18th with his best friend for christmas, but his best friend has N1H1 and cannot go. he had booked a sub for that day so, (the last day of classes for him) He can go with me if I can get the other interview moved! So cross your fingers!!!

PS. Late late tonight I plan on change the look of the blog for christmas!! YAY!

Happyness is all the rage.

There are a million things about him that i missed while we were apart.... but this picture does a good job of showing one of the biggest things. he would bring me flowers... this week at the farmers market he wondered off and came back with 2 dozen spray roses, some that are in a milk jar on the mantel, these lovely ones by my desk and a few in a bud vase on my nightstand.. hee hee. Also he made that lovely cup of coffee... that re-charged my batteries this afternoon to help me finally finish the pioneer courthouse shawl! MY FIRST PATTERN PROTOTYPE IS DONE! FINISHED and now is blocking on my floor with a fan in hopes that it will be drier quicker. So with out further ado... 

more pics when i get proper pictures taken

Quirky love is the best kind

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Knitting, Knitters, and a surefire reason that i may be a little crazy

So, I've been knitting my fingers off. I am a few rows from being finally done with the prototype of my VERY FIRST shawl design. The process was way easier then i thought. Taking notes and thinking threw each piece of it came to me way easier then i thought it would.  in fact have 3 more sketches of things i would like to make. (a hat, a stole and another shawl.)The design process has me knitting WAY more then i would if i was working on someone else pattern. My brain gets so anty to see the outcome, so I knit way more then i would. I also have been knitting other projects more while thinking about my next move on the shawl. Hopefully after i hit publish i will finish up and get it soaking and blocked. 


    Yesterday I got the pleasure of meeting Jared Flood. If you've not checked out Jared's blog, Brooklyn tweed, you should take a few minutes and check out the drool worthy photography and knitwear he takes/designs. The lovely knitting store Loop & Leaf in Santa Barbara CA hosted the book signing last night. So with out further ado. I horrible picture of me... and the dreamy Mr. Flood. 

Yes that is my textured shawl if you are wondering. 

     So now we get to the crazy part...  2010, marks my tenth anniversary of when I learned to knit. To celebrate this EPIC EVENT. I am throwing down a challenge to myself. Ala Juile and Juila, I am gonna knit my way threw a whole book, IN ONE YEAR. The book, should be no surprise to anyone who knows me in real life. The book is Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin.


     I love this book more than words can say!  I have in-fact knit a bunch of patterns from it. BUT NOW i start from scratch, to knit all 24 patterns from this book in the span of 2010. Considering there are only 3 sweaters in this book I think that this is a manageable goal. (infact one of them is going to be my November sweater for next year) 

I couldn't decribe this week in words if i tried....

  So I won't I will do it threw this music and this mix.... 




http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/35335058




PS. We are moving to Portland... I'm going up this winter... he'll be following me in at the end of the school year... for those in the loop, we are not getting engaged... right now. 

Portland Part 2:

Sorry guys, I totally suck. Last week got filled by Knit group and more kntting and i also was sick. I didn't get my big crafting project up and running yet. Feeling a little bit more human I am back to share more pictures from my trip to portland. I also have been busy putting out resumes and looking for housing in the Seattle and Portland areas. My goal is to be out of LA by spring. I also will be taking a trip to Seattle with a stop in Portland the second weekend of December. I am so excited that i honestly cannot wait. I even ordered a new lens for the DSLR for the trip! ANYWAY on with the pictures. 




mmm wool mill.... yarn... mmmm... 



NW portland... soon to be my home... not this buliding but this area...
 

Portland, Oregon Part 1: The Coast Starlight

The next few days will have picture heavy post. I hope you enjoy the pictures I took as much as I enjoyed taking them. My fine art photos have always for the most part involved lots of lines. Portland provides a brain like mine with LOTS and LOTS of lines. But let's start this trip out in correct order. 


Union Station: Los Angeles CA, 


From there I got on The Coast Starlight, I loved riding the train up. It was great to unwind talk to new people and have a good time. My one thing would be HEY AMTRAK hook up with Starbucks... then the train would be heaven! Our First stop was only 20 minutes away in Van Nuys. 



Next came the rocky peaks around Simi Valley....
 

I spent most of my Northbound trip in the observation car. 


Also have piddleloop bag will travel with my knitting!
 


I love farm houses and fences. I am sure it has something to do with growing up in Indiana! 



The one thing i love about the west.. The SKY is HUGE! 


I am not a fan of pictures of the coast. BUT this was taken where only the amtrak goes. SO... i made an exception... 
Shortly after we left SLO the sun started to set. I ate some pizza for dinner and went to sleep... When I woke up... I was 20 miles from Oregon.... 


The view from a very foggy Klamath Falls OR. 


A beautiful oregon farm, Somewhere i could see myself someday. 

MMM blurry train forest.. the photographer in me hates this... but I really like it for some reason.. may use it to do some digital art with. 

With this blurry picture of me bundled up on the train... I will leave you... Stay tune for part two and three.... 

A quick peek at my portland trip

Just hopping on to say HELLO, I am home safe and sound. I've come back from portland re-charge re-vitalized and ready to make some BIG changes in my life. One of them may even be moving. There is some big news in my crafting life. I will share with you later in the week. BUT FRIDAY is gonna be a big day. 

Top fifteen moments of my 48hrs in portland. 

1. Best Vegetarian "fish" sticks ever
2. Blistered feet
3. Getting Caught in sudden and violent downpours
4. Bookstore Heaven
5. THE BEST IDEA EVER: White chocolate Pumpkin Latte
6. Magical, non-puking, make less drunk donuts
7. Beer that tastes like a chocolate Malt
8. Hanging out with some of the coolest people I have the pleasure of knowing. 
9. How Bright the Blue sky can be. 
10. How Beautiful the architecture is.. 
11. Saturday Market 
12. The Waterfront at night
13  the MAX.... 
14. Henry's brewery on 12th 
15. The Roxy

I hope this gets you excited... there will most likely be three days of Portland posts and pictures to match! Have a great Monday morning see you later this afternoon.