lost got lost

I don't really know where to start with this one because I basically want to rewrite the entire lost finale and that would take me a long time...

a friendly shout out

I read an idea for a blog topic recently entitled "the friends I can't wait to meet" and started thinking about what that might mean to me...or anyone. I tried to come up with the perfect friend in my mind. Perhaps they would be rich and/or famous. Or maybe they would be a mentor of sorts and teach me everything I need to know about what I am trying to do with my life right now. They could be the most encouraging person in the world or the funniest. Or maybe it would just be someone who is in the exact same place in life as me and would truly understand everything. As I tried to dream up these amazing people, my mind kept drifting to those I do know and I was reminded of what incredible friends I have. Fifteen years ago, if I would have found myself thinking the same thoughts, I would have never been able to dream up the friends I had not yet met. I suppose it is realistic that in another fifteen years, I will be looking back and seeing additional friends I did not know now, but today I was reminded of how blessed I am. None of my friends are very famous (no offense friends) and none of us are in exactly the same place in life, but they are perfect and I couldn't ask for more. So, as titled, this is just a shout out to all of my amazing friends. You are "the friends I couldn't wait to meet"! I am so thankful to have you, I love you and be reminded today of how special you are!

colorado came to visit

I've been excited to get out and enjoy the local music scene in Portland and finally went to a concert last weekend. Ironically, I went to see a band from Colorado I discovered last fall and am in LOVE with. I mentioned Elephant Revival in an earlier post, but didn't even have my camera with me at the last concert, so I wanted to finally share some of their sound.

I stepped into a unique venue, an old funeral home on SE Milwaukie, for this one and found a friendly atmosphere. With a glass of wine in my hand, I sat on a couch chatting until Bill Nershi took the stage. For those of you that don't know, "the nersh" is the founder of The String Cheese Incident", another great CO band. He played so much great music, I almost forgot there was still a band coming out until Bonnie joined him on stage with the washboard.

After a few more random collaborations, including Bridget joining in with her fiddle, the whole band finally took the stage and played a TON of music, including s couple songs from their new CD, which will be released in Colorado next month. Here are a couple highlights:

Just when it seemed like the concert would be over and the wee hours of the morning were sneaking in, Bill Nershi took the stage with the whole band and played a few more songs.

It was a great concert. Amazing music. Fun venue. Dancing people. I love Elephant Revival. They groove together on the stage, swap several instruments, take turns singing and create awesome music. Consider checking them out! Find their upcoming shows on their website.

where i am

well, i am here.

i am in this place where i have wanted to be.

it is sunny and rainy and busy and fun

every step i have taken along the way has filled me and traveled with me and is still with me here

destinations have collided into this one place

and i feel a longing to plant and to grow not to stop stepping or learning or looking but to stay and to go

my eyes are open and cast gaze on so many loves

my heart beats strongly

i will laugh i will cry i will love and i will be the person shaped as only me

here where i am

here comes v-day...

I knew I had something I wanted to say about v-day. Something about finding a different way to love this year. I typed and retyped and it wasn't seeming right. Then I read this blog. It was pretty much what I wanted to say. http://freshnessfactorfivethousand.blogspot.com/2010/02/being-love-has-never-been-easier.html

not even once

Some of you may recognize my title as the slogan from The Meth Project and if you already know what I'm talking about, then you have probably heard me go on about how awesome the project is. Montana just released it's fifth phase of advertising, which I wanted to share. There has been some talk that the ads are not as "in your face" as previous advertising has been, but I think the new ads are incredibly effective, reaching out to those who may not personally be using or trying meth, but to anyone who turns silent while friends or family turn to the drug. I think it reaches the same audience AND a new audience, supporting both the slogan and the idea that "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

So, what am I talking about? In 2005, the Montana Meth Project was founded by a Montana rancher and businessman. At that time, Montana ranked #5 in the nation for meth use. After much research and uprooting of more staggering statistics, the campaign launched a large-scale statewide prevention campaign that plastered almost every available media source with what I personally consider the most powerful advertising I have ever seen or heard.

Since 2005, meth use in Montana has decreased by 63% in teens and 72% in adults. Meth related crime has also decrased by 62%. These are signifigant changes and proof that the campaign is not only powerful, but effective.

The project has since launched campaigns in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Wyoming, Colorado and Hawaii. Having grown up in Montana, I have lived in Colorado, Illinois and Arizona since the launches and feel that the advertising there was not nearly as widespread as in Montana and hope that the campaigns in those states can reach a similar effectiveness that Montana has had.

Take a look at one of the latest ads, listen to one of the radio ads and then , if you'd like, check out all of the rest and get more info at http://www.montanameth.org/ or http://www.methproject.com/.

If you can't see this for some reason, here's a link: http://www.montanameth.org/View_Ads/tv/popupTV18.php

Check out some of the radio ads too: http://www.montanameth.org/View_Ads/radio.php#

free me

I've had this song on repeat for the last few weeks. Joss Stone rocks!

…Cuz there’s something deep inside of
Me I’ve got to be
And if you find it hard to follow me
If I lose you in my jet stream
Then you only got to raise your eyes
And see me fly
Don’t tell me that I wont I can
Don’t tell me that I’m not I am
Don’t tell me that my master plan
Aint coming through
Don’t tell me that I wont I will
Don’t tell me how to think I feel
Don’t tell me cuz I know what’s real
What I can do
Something that you don’t see everyday
A little girl ‘who’s finding’ her way
Through a world that’s designed to break
All of your dreams
And if there’s one thing I would say to you
It’s that there’s nothing that you can’t do
Cuz it’s all about your attitude don’t let
Them get to you
And we are singing in our own voice
We can make that choice to be
To be free…


I'm having a little trouble with the player, so here's a link to the song:
Free Me by Joss Stone on ilike

If you are not familiar with Joss Stone, check out her music...she is amazing!
http://www.jossstone.com/