I'm such a blogging slacker. I feel a little guilty. I lost my blogging motivation. I'm trying to find it again. Hope all is well!

 

Just a thought.

I posted a quote earlier, and I haven't been able to let it go since.
"Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
I'm not sure where this quote originated, but I know I didn't make it up.

Everyone has struggles and hardships. The worst of them are generally kept to ourselves. But I think what really amplifies out struggles is feeling like you have to go through them alone. People tend to judge others and their situations without even attempting to understand them. Everyone has gone through something that they felt no one would understand or accept. That's the problem. We have to be there for each other because we're all we have. So many of our problems would be resolved if we would just be there for each other. Listen. Be open minded. Is it really that difficult?

Think of the lowest point of your life. How much would it have helped if just one person would have heard you out, with NO judgment, and would have just been there for you? Probably tremendously, right?

Bottom line, you don't really know what others are going through. Be there for each other. We're all we have. People can't turn their backs on others simply because they don't understand their situations. I would hate to be a person that anyone could ever say gave up on them when they needed me to be there the most.

Baby steps

In a quest to acquire a healthy lifestyle, I've obviously had to make drastic changes to my maintained unhealthy lifestyle. However, I am attempting a different approach to this. A slower, more prolonged approach, but what I believe will be a long term, and successful approach. Let me explain.

Instead of taking the drastic approach. You know, cutting out absolutely everything enjoyable, tedious exercise, and being a maniac. This approach has been attempted, and failed miserably. I go crazy. I can't take the insanity, and I fail. What's the point of that?

This time I am taking a slower approach. Making slight changes at a time that will eventually build to a lot of changes. For instance, the first thing I did was cut out soda. That doesn't sound like a big change, but it really is. I also immediately stopped late night eating, which has probably been the most challenging for me. Just these two things really do add up. I've started smoothies for breakfast. A concoction of frozen berries, banana, spinach, avocado, orange juice, and greek yogurt. It's pretty fantastic, and wicked healthy. I've also started taking Vitamin D capsules at night, and that has really helped my overall mood improve. Next step? I'm not sure yet.

Almeria!

The time has come. The beloved Lifehouse has finally released their SIXTH studio album, "Almeria". This album is full of catchy, fun, heartfelt, and beautifully crafted songs.Is it different? Yes. Does it sound anything like their first album, "No Name Face"? No. But if you listen to all of their albums, none sound anything alike. Every album is an entity of its own, and each album has its own feel. I love that about Lifehouse. No two albums sound the same. There's an album for every mood that i'm ever in. "Almeria" just happens to have a more country, or western vibe. It works for them, though. I really like it. Some songs are a bit redundant, and I feel like they could have taken them farther lyrically, but they're still great songs. The major standout song for me is "Aftermath". It is absolutely breathtaking. If you're familiar with the Lifehouse power ballads like "Everything" and "Storm", than this song won't disappoint you. A captivating piano ballad filled with beautiful lyrics, raw vocals, and a powerful climax, this song is just perfect. The first verse grabbed my attention with the lyrics  "...Now i'm shooting arrows across your night sky, trying to land in your atmosphere", and completely sold me during the chorus. "If we can make it through the storm, become who we were before, promise me we'll never look back. The worst is far behind us now. We'll make it out of here somehow. Meet me in the aftermath". Just beautiful.

Other immediate favorites are, "Only You're The One", "Move On Day", "Pins And Needles", "Barricade", "Always Somewhere Close, "Where I Come From", and "Gotta Be Tonight".

Don't listen to this album expecting another "No Name Face" or "Who We Are", just take it for what it is, and throw out all expectations.

Everyone should definitely check out this album, and make sure you get the deluxe version!

5/5 stars!

Where'd 2012 go?

I can not believe it is already December. 2012 flew by. All in all, this was the best year I have yet to experience.

- After years of whining (yes, I admit it) about never getting to see or meet SafetySuit, I had not one, but two incredible experiences with them. More incredible than I could ever dream of. They went out of their way to make it worth the wait, and I love them even more now than I did at this time last year. (I blogged very thoroughly about both experiences, so refer to those if you have no idea what I am talking about. There's no way I could sum them up in this post.) These will always be some of the very best memories that I will cherish forever.

- I went to Canada! I've always wanted to see Vancouver, BC, and what made it even better, I saw Lifehouse! This was the most laid back Lifehouse show I have been to. Ok, ALL of the other ones could  have been laid back too, but I was too nervous at those to enjoy the potential. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous at this one too, but I managed to mostly hide it. Eventually. I spoke with half the band for quite awhile, and it was so chill and relaxed. I had my little freak out, and then I managed to compose myself and hold a decently normal conversation with them. I spoke to the other half from the stage, and the whole thing was just perfect! And Canada has way nicer people to deal with. Haha!

- There were no "traumatic" or life halting events. Sure, there were some less-than-awesome moments, but it could have been so much worse.

- I finally met Daughtry! I fell in love with Chris immediately during his first American Idol audition, and it was SO cool to actually meet him! I love the rest of the band so much too, and they were so sweet! Never thought I would meet them, but they were very accessible this tour!

- I saw Aerosmith! What a cool experience. There's no way they'll be around too much longer, so it's so awesome that I saw them while I could! Now I'll always be able to say the I witnessed "Dream On" live and in person! They were amazing!

- My brother, Justin, became a daddy! Baby Molly looks identical to him, and I can't imagine life without her now!

- My Sister In-law, Jennifer, is pregnant with a BOY, finally! Baby Emmett will be here soon!

SO many GREAT things happened this year. Music/concert wise, family wise, and everything in between wise. I am so thankful for 2012.

Very recently, I realized that some things in my life feel like history repeating. Almost identical situations are re-happening. Maybe it's a test. Maybe I failed it the first time, so i'm being tested again. And instead of doing things differently the second time around, i'm catching myself screwing the same things up, and repeating the same dumb mistakes. Irony?

Lifehouse is back.

Yes, that's right folks. My Lifehouse is back. Their new album, "Almeria", will be released on December 11th, 2012. I have a really great feeling about this album. The guys seem to be in a really good place right now, and I can't wait to see what this next year brings for them.

Pre order "Almeria" here: http://lifehouse.shop.bravadousa.com/Product.aspx?cp=39741_58618&pc=BGCDL802