A Few of My Favorite Things: Sufjan Stevens

There are just some of those things that you love. Things that bring a smile to your face when you think about them or just brighten your day a bit. Those things you look for when you're in a bad mood or sick-your comfort things. I've been thinking recently about these favorite things and trying to recognize those favorite things as they come up and this week one of them did: Sufjan Stevens.

Sufjan is a Detroit native working with a variety of styles and love to use his banjo, sitar and vibraphone to create a crazy sort of electronica. I first heard Sufjan Stevens in his well known song "Chicago" which blew me away with its cacophony of sounds and instruments all at once. His musical style is a little bit all over the place, but it is something wonderful. He tends to build up his songs with a huge crescendo of sound that flows through your ears and tickles each synopsis in your brain, transcending you to a whole new plane of musical enjoyment.

I was reminded of how much I love Sufjan when I came across his song, "Vesuvius". I still haven't researched Vesuvius to find out who or what he is, but the song sticks in my head. My favorite line is "Sufjan, follow your heart". Such a beautiful sentiment!

Besides all his wonedrfulness, Sufjan also has five volumes of Christmas songs containing some of my favorite tunes like "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming" and "Once in Royal David's City" that sound twangy and beautiful. I highly suggest it for great Christmas cheer :-)

If you haven't yet, por favor check out some Sufjan and let your mind wander.

Just Try It!

People give me suggestions whether I want them or not-it's probably the same for you. Usually these suggestions come from my family, but sometimes you run into those type of people who have everything figured out, are just BURSTING to share their wisdom with the world and shove suggestions and advice in your face. As you may gather, I'm not such a fan of this particular form of suggestion and advice giving, but what would happen if you did take all the advice you got no matter who you got it from or what it was for? What would happen if you just tried it?

It might sound a little insane, but I think a little insanity is just the ticket right now. I'm starting small, just watching a few movies I've been told I "just HAVE to watch" hundreds of times, but I'm feeling like it might be a good idea to keep going, I'll take book suggestions, exercise, hobbies, clothing, recipes and on and on just trying something new! A little spontaneity. A little something different. A little something new!

I'm starting out with "Funny Face" and "Some Like it Hot", two classics I've been advised to watch over and over. It may not make my life better, but it won't make it worse! And I'll get to see Jack Lemon in drag.

I Seriously Don't Have Time for This

Ever have "one of those days"? I usually don't. I usually look beyond the worst and see that there was something good. But, two days ago I had that day. Well, that HALF day to be exact. It came about after reheating coffee to the point of boiling over and subsequently allowing it to boil onto my hand and uncontrollable sobbing. For whatever cosmic reason, this brought to mind all the pressures, stresses and impossibilities in life. Essentially a break down.

Ok so break down is a bit dramatic (and maybe I do have a LITTLE flair for drama at times) but it was a breaking point of some kind. It all just seemed like too much!I'm 24, living at home and spending my days working at the first and only job that came around. I could see myself working to barely pay bills and then dying. Again with the drama.

What do I do with all of this? Out of a random suggestion, here I am. Maybe no one will read it. Maybe everyone will read it. Maybe it'll be like that woman who cooked her way through Julia Child. Or maybe not. No matter what, I know one thing:

I seriously don't have time for this.

But I need it. It might weird me out but I need it.

I promise lighter posts to come!

Good night, internet.