Tomorrow I'll know by the rubies in your voice

It's been quiet around here as of late. Almost silent. I feel as if these words are tip-toeing across the screen. While my hiatus from blogging began unintentionally, it has been refreshing. I have missed the frequent connection with all of you, but I may stay away a bit longer. I'll be careful today not to disrupt the calm that has settled here, but know that I'll be back soon with words to say and things to share.

Before I go, I'll tell you that my days have been filled with reading books off my current ''to-read" list, wearing pretty new floral dresses now that Spring is finally here, unearthing fabulous finds at my favorite treasure trove thrift store, and laughing over episodes of Freaks and Geeks and Flight of the Conchords.

The most memorable thing I've done to pass my time recently involved the enjoyment of live music. The best kind of music, wouldn't you agree? This past Thursday night a friend and I drove out to Northampton, Massachusetts to see Basia Bulat. I had been looking forward to the opportunity to see her play live for a few years and couldn't let this one pass me by. I have no photos or video to revisit the performance with. Just perfect memories. Accompanied by guitar, autoharp and hammered harp, Basia played a delightful array of songs from her two albums. Her brother, Bobby, provided pulsating percussion rhythms and friend, Allison Stewart, played beautifully on viola. When the evening came to an unfortunate end, I shook Basia's hand and thanked her for a wonderful performance. Walking down the sidewalk after leaving the venue, I turned to my friend and said "I am so happy right now."

Here is the music video that first introduced me to Basia Bulat. And yes, she played this song during her set just like I hoped she would.

Basia Bulat - The Pilgriming Vine



Video from Myspace Music Videos

'S' is for Snapshot

Today I took my camera with me while running some errands in Albany. I was in one of those photo-taking moods, but didn't see anything that intrigued me enough to have a second look, either on foot or while driving, until I was back in my hometown around sunset. On a moment's notice, I pulled my car into an old cemetery intent on capturing the burning orange light sinking behind the treeline and the shadows cast by the weathered headstones. The latter didn't happen as I had planned as the light was fading too quickly. Within the short time frame it took me to get out of my car and take the lens cap off the camera the whole scene differed greatly from what I had seen from the road. Maybe I'll get there a little earlier tomorrow to try again.

While I'm on the subject of taking photos, here are a couple more from some rolls of film developed this past autumn.


Camera: Nikon FM 10
Lenses: Vivitar Soft II 52mm, Vivitar 52 mm Cross Screen VI
Film: Fujicolor Superia X-tra 400
Click photos for an enlarged view

Heart of My Own

The first newly released album for 2010 I've listened to is "Heart of My Own" by Canadian singer-songwriter Basia Bulat. The follow up to her 2007 debut, "Oh, My Darling," "Heart of My Own" has been the perfect album to commence the new year music-wise. Basia's rich voice and sweet, thoughtful lyrics really make for a superb listening experience. Plus, she plays the autoharp. Sigh. I need to get my hands on one of those. But, back to Basia. Her music makes me so happy. I always feel that little flutter from deep within as soon as the first chords are struck and the song unfolds.

I recently came across an In Studio video from Toronto's National Post newspaper featuring Basia playing two songs ("Heart of My Own" and "Run") from the new album and talking about her writing/recording process. It's fun, check it out!



Photo source: amazon.com

In good company

The day these photos were taken was spent in the company of my older sister. We giggled at the wind that sent shivers down our spines with each howling blow and the comical shapes my shadow made against the outdoor brick wall (better seen here). Our visits tend to be few and far between, but she's by far one of my most favorite people to spend time with. Familial bond aside, she's one rad gal. Maybe I'll coax her into making an appearance here on my blog one of these days.

Cardigan & shirt: J.Crew, Hat: H&M (borrowed from my sister. Thanks sweets!), Jeans: Old Navy, Shoes: American Eagle Outfitters

Gatekeeper, seasons wait for your nod

It's that time of year again where I'm sifting through my closet trying to decide on clothing items to donate and giveaway. Early spring cleaning, perhaps? While part of me is all gung ho about reducing the quantity of stuff I own another part of me is getting all materialistic and thinking about pending acquisitions. Sigh. I don't feel too guilty, though, as my current wants only total two...

I missed out on these flats last year, but this year I'm going to stalk H&M until they are mine.

Thanks to my friend, Erin, I'll be scoping out Old Navy for this green twill romper.

Is there anything particular that you'd like to bulk up your wardrobe with? Do share!

P.S. Would you like a not-so-interesting little tidbit? "Gatekeeper" by Feist is the 9th most played song in my iTunes library and the song from which today's post title comes from.

On pacts and patience

I made a vow a few months ago that I wouldn't grumble or complain about winter too much this year. I'm happy to report that I stayed true to my word and cannot recollect much recent animosity toward the aforementioned season. Good job, Emily. However, I am rejoicing in the fact that calendar winter is finally (FINALLY) drawing to a close. Just a little over a month and then it will be spring. *Insert enthusiastic exclamation here* Now comes waiting patiently for the temperatures to rise and the snow to melt. In the meantime, another storm is creeping in making me nervous about my drive in to work tomorrow morning. We've been fortunate to miss a few heavy storms this year, but it seems like when it does snow up here it's always in the early morning hours. I think I'll set my alarm a little earlier (yikes) just to be on the safe side...

Anyway, with my brain headed toward a one-track-spring-mindset, I've decided to share a few photos I found on my computer from early last spring (March, I think). I can't wait until the landscape looks like this again with the grass waking up from its winter slumber and the air smelling of new life. Oh, the handsome dude in the one photo with me is my younger brother. He's a goof.

Scarf and skirt: Gap, Jacket: Target, Cameo: $1 Store, Bracelet: Delia's

Creature of habit

Today, for some unknown reason, my mind has been preoccupied with my weekday morning routine. Seriously, I've been thinking about it all day. Perhaps its a result from waking up tired and not refreshed at all or from the fact that in my still-tired-stupor I managed to get ready and leave the house earlier than on a good day. That in itself left me baffled, but whatever the reason, I'm still perplexed. My only rational conclusion: the mind is a funny thing. So, with that said, what really goes on in the life of Emily at the crack of dawn?

• 5:00am. My alarm clock goes off. I groan and tell myself not to fall back asleep. After stumbling out of bed, I flip on the oil burner in order to heat water for the shower. While waiting (usually 10-15 minutes), I mosey into the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee (1o cups!) for everyone. Then, I go to the front door where through the window I squint to see 1) if it snowed overnight/is snowing and 2) what the temperature is. The verdict this morning: 1) yes/yes and 2) 6F (-14C).
• 5:30am. I've emerged from the shower and beeline it to the kitchen to make my cup of coffee. Mm, coffee. I return to the kitchen after getting dressed and rummage around for breakfast. Breakfast is usually any combination of the following: cereal, toast, banana. And, of course, more coffee.
• 6:00 - 6:15am. I'm probably still having breakfast because most mornings I operate at a snail's pace.
  
• 6:15am or later. Time to go outside to warm up my car and brush, scrape, or chip off anything that piled on it overnight. Upon returning inside, I quickly finish my coffee then brush my teeth.
  
• 6:20 (ideal) - 6:35am (panicked reality). I hit the road. It takes roughly 30 minutes to get to work. The first few minutes of my drive are spent fussing over radio stations as I have to wait about 5 minutes for my car's cd player to warm up. The poor thing doesn't like the cold weather! Once it's all set and wants to play nice, I pop in whatever cd I grabbed on my way out of the house. This morning it was "29" by Ryan Adams. His voice is always amazing, but I particularly love it in this song.
  

Tell me, what is your morning routine like? Do you operate in a semi-structured manner like I do? Or are you free from time constraints to lounge around as you please?