Music Monday: Andrew Bird

I have been having a hard time finding motivation to photograph. I can't say I have an excuse, it's just I haven't gotten into the swing of it when I never really photographed before. I felt more I was snapping photos so that I had something up on this blog, rather than shooting when I find something interesting to shoot.

So, I decided to dedicate Mondays to some type of music (at least until Rich and I get our music blog up...) that inspires me. And that inspiration is Mr. Andrew Bird.

His latest album, Noble Beast, I picked up a few weeks ago and I am loving it. The A.V. Club Interview pretty much nails it on the head. His persona is amiable but not striking. But damn his voice is lovely.

My current favorite tunes are 'Effigy' and 'Anoanimal'. Check it out.

you make me happy when skies are gray.

The weatherman had said yesterday morning that we haven't been above the freezing mark since January 15. It's amazing how that week was horrible, but I sort of got used to it. Used to it enough that when I walked outside yesterday after work, that burst of cold air didn't hit. I thought, wow, do I need my 3 scarves? Maybe just one will do. And, wow, there isn't frost on the inside of my car this morning.

The top photo was taken a week ago, the bottom was taken this morning. It always helps, even when it's still cold, to get a break in the clouds with a little sunlight.

01.20.2009

01.20.2009, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

Very proud to be an American today.

'Hope' seemed to be one of the taglines used during Obama's campaign - hope for change, hope for a United America.

My hopes are that he does well, that his moving words are backed with his actions. I know he isn't a saint, as he is human, and makes mistakes. But there's something for a man who says he will admit it, not barking that he is 'the decider'. I hope he can sway the nonbelievers over the next 4 years. The negativity towards this man seemed so much stronger and personal than others. Maybe it's because I was a lot more involved in this campaign than past ones, as I can't say I was 100% Kerry fan, but it wasn't Bush, so that's how I voted.

I love that he has reached out to McCain. I love how he is getting America involved. He is listening and learning.

I cannot wait to hear his speech. I cannot wait for the next 4 years.

And, if he rides around on a unicorn, that won't be half bad either.

a bit of green in this bleak weather.

08, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

This is downstairs in a small sun room area between the house and the back porch. I'm not sure if sun room is the right word, but I've enjoyed coming down and sitting in here on the weekends from time to time just because the light is so nice. And if I squint enough, I can picture green grass and the sunlight being warming the lake.

I can't type '#2' without laughing. Potty humor never gets old.

The other day at work I noticed we had a huge supply of unsharpened #2 pencils. "Do we even have a pencil sharpener?" I asked one of my coworkers. "They are just SITTING here not being used. The potential!"

This morning said coworker brought in an electric pencil sharpener. There's something so nostalgic about sharpening pencils, even using them. It's not the old cranking sharpener, but it still gets the childlike excitement in me going.

harumph.

I had high hopes for 2009, and so far things haven't been going as planned. I don't expect things to go swimmingly, nor do I think 2008 was the worst year I will have. It's hard to summarize a year being either good or bad. I'm not totally ruling out 2009 yet... obviously, as it's a whopping 2 weeks into it, but come ON. These have been a rough two weeks.

I hate January. I hate the start of a year. After the holidays and good cheer, it's buckling down and budgeting and watching the weight and is it spring yet?

One of the 'positive' things I am focusing on this year (besides saving money, dieting, working out, blah blah) is updating my clothing. Actually getting a style. In no way am I saying what I'm wearing today is "stylish"... but I like when I put some effort into it besides jeans and a top of some sort. But I guess this is what i would normally wear except it's a corduroy skirt instead of jeans. Baby steps.

How's your 2009 going so far?

Note to self.

07, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

There are multiple reasons to posting this photo, and they are listed as follows: 1) I want to start buying more local foods, fresh foods, etc. 2) holy god, clean your refrigerator.

Where I live, there are no close grocery stores, so I try to get all my shopping done on the weekends. The Boy and I are beginning a ritual on Sundays of driving to First Watch in Cleveland Heights then getting groceries either at Whole Foods or Giant Eagle, depending on how hipster we dressed that day.

This past Sunday we stopped into Whole Foods and were picking up the minimum: veggies/meat for a quick dinner, some spices, and a gallon of milk for our nightly cereal meal (no lie, we go through 2 gallons a week I would say. The Boy is a cereal disposal.) I had barely touched whatever the cheap gallon of skim milk was when a spritely little voice chimed in over my shoulder. "You should buy local! Here try some it's SO much better and raised by cows down by Athens! It's cheaper than all the other organic milks you are buying!" I've got to give it to her, she was very adamant. I looked at the Boy, who sort of shrugged, and so I put back the gallon and told the girl thank you, but she was almost skipping down the aisle towards another couple grabbing for the 2%.

It is really good milk. I didn't have the heart to break it to her we would be pouring it over Special K flakes.

2009! 2009!

06, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

The one thing I love about the beginning of the year is NEW! CALENDAR! I just got mine from Orange Beautiful. She's out of calendars but her other stuff is lovely.

Tilt-shift Maker

Cavs game tilt shift, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

My attempt at using the tilt-shift maker. Not too bad.

There are some cool ones in the flickr pool.

I think my house could be the setting of Clue.

05, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

I would totally murder someone with a wrench in this room.

Snowy Weekend.

So... 3 photos in and I fell off the wagon. This is probably why my other hobby is not finishing books and crossword puzzles.





We had about 10" of snow this weekend, and the Boy and I headed out to see the lake starting to freeze over. Hope this makes up for my slacker updates. :)

why yes, I *AM* overqualified.

03, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

01.08.2009: Christmas gift from a coworker. I laugh every time I look at them.

Working by lamplight AND sunlight. SO! MUCH! LIGHT!

02, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

01.07.2009: Looking up from my seat in my office.

I have a huge window above my head that does a nice job of keeping me warm in the summer. It used to have a horrible glare but my boss put the sheets over it. It's nice to have sunlight in the office. However, just a reminder that it is still dreary out.

Traffic jams are no fun; unlike Strawberry jams, which are delicious.

01, originally uploaded by courtneypurdum.

01.06.2009: Sitting in traffic from an accident on I-90. This icy rain thing is lame. Rain or snow. Pick one.

Now that the holidays are over, I cannot wait until summer. I heard Cleveland laugh out loud after reading that sentence, informing me that I will just have to sit tight until late May. Sigh.

Dailies

So I think I will use this where I post my daily photo. I do it on flickr, but it gets mixed in with my other photos.

Hi.

I don't write a lot. I don't think I am good at it. I usually just post things I find interesting online over here.

I listen to music here.

My BF and I post funny (to us) recreations of the Family Circus comic here. Disclaimer: Odd sense of humor here.

And I'm currently pending a music blog with my good music friend from home. Will keep you updated.


Anyway, hope you enjoy. Have a good day.