Le Flaneur

In case you haven't noticed, I'm obsessed with Paris right now. A friend shared this amazing video of Paris at night that is composed of 2,000 still images and set to video with a soundtrack courtesy of The XX. Love it!

Le Flâneur (music by The XX) from Luke Shepard on Vimeo.

You can read more about the artist here.

My Song Is Love

Tragedy has consumed the world in recent days. Sitting in a safe and comfortable place, it's hard to see and understand that these images are a reality for so many people in Haiti right now. It's all I can do to restrain myself from adopting a Haitian child.

I took some time tonight to catch up on the "Hope For Haiti Now" celebrity telethon that aired this past weekend. The images are nothing short of gut-wrenching, but there are tremendous stories of faith, survival, hope and perseverance. One of the stories they featured was of a Haitian man who stood outside of the building, where he knew his wife was trapped, for days on end, never giving up hope that she was alive. On day 6, he found her; and she came out singing.

There are so many great organizations that are gathering funds and aiding in the relief and rebuilding efforts. But this Hope For Haiti album is a new way to give and further your passion. Some of the most incredible artists of our time have gathered and added their spin on old classics. 100% of proceeds go to support the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF, United Nations World Food Programme, and Yele Haiti Foundation.

If you need a little more convincing, listen to Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris's version of Hallelujah or Jennifer Hudson's Let It Be, or Coldplay's acoustic medley of The Message. "Stranded (Haiti Mom Amour)" features powerhouse musicians like Bono, Rhianna, Jay-Z and The Edge. I assure you, you'll never get this many names on an album for this price, for a cause as great as this.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

When autumn comes, it doesn't ask
It just walks in where it left you last
You never know, when it starts
Until then there's fog inside the glass around your summer heart
- JM

8. Anticipation

I'm wrapping up my favorite summer things because the weather started changing and I'm already in a fall state of mind. There are so many great things that only take place in the summer, but about this time of year I am always anticipating the fall. The boots; the jackets; the football; the colors – I just can’t get enough. But, since God didn’t think Texas needed anything but a hot summer and a mild winter, I’m forced to look elsewhere for my autumn enthusiasm. These are the things I just can’t wait for!

Battle Studies

The last time I was this giddy was September of 2006…anyone know the significance of that month? Yep – that was when John Mayer’s last album, Continuum was released. I consider myself to be a person who is excited by the simple things in life, so when the big things come along – I tend to lose my grip. The day he twittered the official date for his new album, I quickly installed a countdown widget on my blog – which proved to be dysfunctional and ugly. So you’ll just all have to mark your own calendars, or stick with me and I’ll send out a group text from whatever store I’m standing in at midnight. I kid. Seriously though: November 17, 2009. Write it down, it’s gonna be a good day. He recently twittered "the end of my experience is the beginning of your's..." it's about time.

Glee

Tell me you caught the teaser pilot episode following the American Idol finale in May…or at least jumped in on the season premiere last week. This show was made for someone like me (and probably you too if you’re reading my blog). Dancing, singing, high school drama, sarcasm, awkwardness! You can sigh a deep breath of relief that Fox TV producers have heard our cry. You can also check out the cast’s newly released single on iTunes, On My Own. As if I didn’t already love this show enough, they go and release possibly the greatest Broadway tune of all time – also the only song I’ve ever publicly auditioned with on a stage, solo. (Hallelujah, that’s one thing that can’t be found on YouTube!)

New York

My heart has had an Empire State shaped hole since I left the Big Apple in April. Unemployment left me destitute for the summer, but fall has arrived alongside a steady paycheck…New York City here I come! I’m going up for a 4-day Fall Fest that involves lots of shopping, friends, fall clothes wearing, brunching and a girls trip to Philly to watch Meg run her first half-marathon! My New York coffee cup runeth over…

Vegas, Baby

I spent last week in Las Vegas for my sister's birthday, which was a blast! We laid by the pool for 3 straight days and soaked up the desert sun while the DJ entertained us with endless tunes that ranged from Rhianna and Journey, to a sweet mix of Coldplay's Clocks with a latin flair. (Speaking of Coldplay...did you know that they are offering their latest live album as a free download? Check out LeftRightLeftRightLeft here.)

For all the goofiness of Vegas, one thing they get right is the music. Everywhere you go, there are DJs and booming speakers! My absolute favorite thing to do there is just stand and watch the Fountains of the Bellagio at night - it's such a romantic experience! We caught several shows throughout the week, each time with our fingers crossed that the next would be Celine...but, no dice. We did get to see one choreographed to Elton John's Your Song, which was equally incredible and one of my favorite Elton songs!
We spent our last night at the Beatles' LOVE show at the Mirage. I actually saw this for the first time 2 summers ago and then subsequently became obsessed with the soundtrack. (Are you really surprised?) I would have never considered myself a huge Beatles fan beforehand, but how could you not be?! I highly suggest it.

California Dreamin'

Monday night I watched the sun set in Los Angeles and then watched it rise again in New York City; I’m back and making my way to a full recovery. They don’t call them red-eyes for nothin’! Thankfully, it’s Wednesday night so I’m already nearing another weekend. I had such a fantastic time in California…the sun, the beach, riding around with the sunroof open, I loved it all. In fact, within the first night, we had a whole alternate life planned out for me on the West Coast! I think I’ll stick to what I know…for now.

However, I did pick up some great new tunes with a California vibe. For the full effect, I recommend you read this posting while listening to Carolina Liar’s California Bound…at least that’s what I'll hear playing when I think about my trip! Others that have since been updated to my playlist are MGMT’s Kids and some new Greg Laswell. I had a recent song of Greg’s, but AJ provided me with some more information on his San Diego background (as well as copies of both his albums), so I’m adding him to my ipod as we speak – I’ll get back to you with my favorites.

Some things never change and I’m glad to say that Jordan and I’s friendship is one of them. She picked me up at the airport, flowers and candy in hand, and we instantly picked up the same comfortable feeling we’ve had since middle school. We rode around laughing about the days when we would put Celine Dion’s To Love You More on repeat and sing at the top of our lungs. (You know the one, #14 from the same cd as the Titanic song…which I actually heard in a pizza joint tonight) Hey, we grew up in Paris, Texas – give us a little credit for turning out as well as we did.


Anyway, they sent me packing with a DVD full of new music, a box of See’s Candies and a few more freckles on my face…and I am grateful for all of it! I’ve (shamefully) managed to take a bite out of each truffle in the box and my tan is already fading, but fortunately, friends are forever. Until next time, Cali…


"Chase the sun back to the west coast…" - Carolina Liar