A Refreshing Discovery

This evening I was kidnapped by my cousin and whisked away to Queen Anne for a living room concert by a guy named Jon Troast. She had heard him play this summer and called me immediately after the performance, raving about his music and how I would love him and how I needed to be at the next concert he gave. She was in LOVE with this guy's music, who apparently sounded like a mix between Jack Johnson and Damien Rice. Hmm. I believed her, she has good taste in music, but I was thinking to myself that the last thing the indie music scene needs is another person who sounds just like Jack Johnson.

Anyways, after months of "Jon Troast, oh man, you'll love him, please come see him," I grabbed the opportunity tonight. And. Was. Blown. The eff. Away. Ok, this guy is awesome. He hails from Wisconsin and after some experience playing in coffee shops, parties, and bars decided that he was craving a relationship with his audience--one where his music was appreciated by people he could get to know in an intimate setting. Thus began his living room tour, where he plays in people's living rooms for 100 dollars a pop and basically couch hops his way down the West Coast. He's really personable and funny and invites the audience to partake in the performance, which is really honest and beautiful. He reminded me a lot of James Taylor with his throaty voice and he played very beautiful guitar and piano. I loved it. His lyrics are clever and relate-able and the hour went by so, so fast. Next time he comes through town, he's playing in my living room and I'm inviting everyone I know.

So, check out his website. If you sign up for his email list, you can download one of his cd's for free so that's pretty snappy incentive to give him some of your time. It'll be a moment well spent.

Enjoying the view from the "second story,"
R-

Come on Down!

Well hey there.

Since we've last chatted, I've become famous.

That's right. Monday at 10 am, I sported a lime green shirt and dazzled excitement on the Price is Right. A group of four of us went to LA in early September and made it on a taping of PIR. We got in line at 5:30 am and didn't make it inside the building until 1:30 am, but after a series of "this doesn't guarantee you entrance" threats, various grouping and regroupings of the line, a brief interview, and eight hours without food we made it in! None of us were chosen to go onstage, but we were fortunate enough to be only a few rows behind the contestants so we made it on tv multiple times! Drew Carey was great and chatted to the audience during commercial breaks, mentioning the Seattle Sounders which solicited huge cheers from our group. I couldn't believe how small the studio was and how many people were onstage during the filming. There was a guy whose only job was to pump us up and yell "alllllrrriiiiiggght" in a throaty voice. We couldn't really tell what was going on half the time because we were yelling and dancing so much, but it was really fun and really exciting to watch people we recognized from line go onstage. Ah, overall it was hilarious and fun and I'm really glad I went.

Watch the episode here and look out for the green shirts,
R-

Election Day

Now is a wonderful time to be alive.

I have restored energy towards being a part of this community and having pride in my country. I am empowered and impassioned to figure out how I can best be a part of this world, to find a place where I am happy and can extend that happiness, serve, and learn from those around me. This was not merely an election, this is the beginning of a movement. One that took a single man to kickstart and will take an entire nation to uphold; however, I think we can do it. What a bundle of emotions! I didn't realize how moved I would be until my eyes were brimming with tears when the presidential results were announced. Barack Obama!! I'm so proud of this step forward, words can't contain the energy and hope I have for our country. I hope this victorious moment is captured tonight and held in hearts over the next few years as we see ourselves become distanced from the last eight. He is the catalyst for change and I hope that after tonight, people are feeling the same empowerment to make this renewed community great.

Off to enjoy the fireworks in the street,
R-

Rock the Vote

In light of the upcoming election, I thought I'd share this picture and article. With any luck it will strike a chord with voters who dislike Palin but are fence sitters in the gubernatorial race. Should Mr. Rossi win, the word will be revamped to "goobernatorial." That's my witticism of the day, folks.

Gobama,
Go Gregoire,
Go Vote,
R-