sometimes, my life down here feels like I'm in a movie...

Tunes:random Bluegrass band that just set up & started playing


I swear, if I didn't know any better, I'd say Virginia was a land of enchantment sometimes. If it weren't for the smell of the chicken processing plants, the sound of sirens everywhere, and the vast amount of pretentious, uptight college kids, I would tell everyone I know that this place is the ideal place to be. I'm beginning to understand how strong the traditions of Virginians are-- particularly in this little city nicknamed Rocktown. The 'burg is such a weird mix of people. The ones who make the place really exciting, vibrant and comfortable are the ones who are tied to the land, the ideals and overwhelmingly, the spirit and MUSIC of the area. I'm amazed at how much I still have to learn about Bluegrass music, but I feel like there isn't a week that goes by where I am not educated a bit about the roots, the foundations and the traditions of a music that continues to serve locals who need a way to forget about the week's trials and tribulations. They come 'round for a "fiddle and a dance," and they pluck their upright bass', banjos and mandolins hauntingly and in perfect syncopation. I am always a little awestruck when I am able to sit transfixed on a Bluegrass band playing live.

Like right now.

I've been working on my resume, and agonizing over the portfolio I haven't started, at this little tea shop called the Earth & Tea Cafe.



It's got this super warm, earthy (ha) vibe and it's filled with Indian tapestries and Chinese lanterns and old tea kettles. I don't come here too often- as I am sort of still in the honeymoon phase with my relationship with coffee, I tend to opt for caffination over relaxation. Tonight, this just seemed right. As I've been sipping Chamomile (much like Gwen Stefani would say), a group of older men and women slowly trickled in with musical instrument cases. I gather they're a Bluegrass band-- or maybe something more a kin to a group of friends jamming on a Friday night.

Either way, there's a short woman with long, flowing gray and white hair, who's wrapped in a wool sweater, and a pink strap fastening her acoustic guitar to her front. She's got these lazy braids holding back pieces of her hair, and there's this certain air of dreamy, knowingness about her-- especially as she sings, beautifully, about coal mines, cowboys and mountains.

There's another woman- choppy bangs cover her forehead giving her youth and playfulness in her face. She is sitting while harmonizing and playing the washboard. It's hypnotizing and sorrowful, the song they sing-- fiddle whispering beneath the steady strums of the banjo man. And so I sit here, squeezing honey from the honey bear into my tea cup and think about how I am on the brink, the cusp, the beginning of the end or end of beginning or...I'm just about to begin a new chapter? And it just feels like a scene from a movie. Weary girl's about to go out there and live life, or find life to live...something like that. And this band comes in and reminds her what her true love is- musica!

[edit: I found out these people call themselves the Keezletones, since they are from Keezletown-- which is a town away]

Last night was a reminder of this. I spent the evening (as I usually do on Thursdays) at the Little Grill Collective along with my usual LGC crew- and also Natalie, a friend from undergrad who recently got an internship down here (it was so nice to have a little taste of home). We took up this huge table and as open mic started, the place was just chaos and music and laughter and...sing a longs! And jaw harps, harmonicas, pancakes, bagels, maple syrup, lots of tea, inside jokes, crazy poems, some beatniks, some hippies and some beer. I wish I could have filmed last night, it would serve as the perfect illustration to what I love about being down here and why I hold LGC so close to my heart.



One thing for sure is this town and its music has seeped into me more than I ever thought it would. I will for sure move out of the 'burg, and I'll find my way elsewhere in the world, but I've definitely got a soft spot for this place now and I think I always will.

On a fairly unrelated note, my hair is getting long and it makes me tremendously happy about it. I can wear a bandana around my hair like a headband now without the hair sticking up all weird in the back! It's little things, everyday, that make us happy and keeps us going.

Now- it's time to celebrate Bianca's birthday!
Much love from the valley!
-Leigh

Inauguration 2009: I was there!

[taken from the LA times]

Somewhere in that sea of a million or so people is my friend Erin and myself-- bundled in knit hats and fleece scarfs, wavin' a flag and chanting "yes we DID!" for the 20th time that day. I can honestly say that despite the cold, the wind, the long lines, the slow trains, the long walk, the half-frozen ground, the sore back, the runny nose, the numb toes, the tired eyes...despite all of that, yesterday was easily one of the most memorable days of my life. Not only was I a part of a campaign- a movement- that rejuvenated young Americans and their passion in their citizenship, but I was able to be a part of the culmination of all the time, effort and energy (and faith) put in by countless others like me-- standing on the mall, watching the sunrise over the Capitol and celebrating the end of one political era and the beginning of another. I WAS THERE!


[the end of the oath, and crowd reaction]

When my kids read about the first African-American, Bi-Racial President, they'll be able to ask me what it was like to be a part of that moment in history and I'll not only have an answer, but a story. Isn't that one of the biggest parts of life? Having a story to tell to others?

That being said, at the moment I have no idea where to start. So, instead of jumbling a bunch of words on the page here, I'm going to share the link to all my photos (and their descriptions) and encourage anyone who's curious about the experience of being at the inauguration to click through them and see what I saw... Operation Hope & Change

Also, it needs to be said that I am so happy to be lucky enough to have a friend like Erin to share the experience with. I feel like few people I know would have stuck it out like she did yesterday with me.



Happy Day One, everybody!
<3 Leigh

late night with conan o'brien!

Tunes:




For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that there are a few things that I really, really adore. Lilacs, my mom's Chocolate Chip cookies, reading the comics first in a news paper, John Cusack movies, 80's music-- the list goes on. One of the main things on my list of things I really, really adore would also be staying up late to watch Late Night with Conan O'Brien on NBC. He's a red head, which is another favorite thing, plus he's a lover of all things Boston and totally liberal, ridiculous and hilarious. I have always wanted to see his show live, and as some of you may know, he recently was asked to take over the Tonight Show for Jay Leno. This involves him moving out to California and no longer taping in New York...limiting my chances of ever going to a live taping.

Until now! I emailed NBC tickets to be in the running to get tickets to his final 2 weeks of filming in NY and ACTUALLY GOT SELECTED to get tickets. I'M GOING TO SEE A LIVE TAPING OF LATE NIGHT!! AT 30 ROCKAFELLER CENTER!!!! February 13th! Over 10,000 people requested tickets...AND I GOT SELECTED.

Needless to say I am ecstatic.
Conan, here I come! Hooray!

I'm not buying what you are selling...

Tunes:"Drink Deep"// HV

A brief recap in pictures of what my last few weeks have been...

[if you watch The Office, you understand how sweet this gift from Ricker is]

[my brother and I made home made pretzels!]


[my brother and I played Jenga!]


[my brother and I goofed off in the back seat of the car!]


[my brother and I shopped at Old Navy!]

[I enjoyed random photo-op's with Bou & Nin]

[I remembered why I've loved these chicks since I was 14]

[I was in a Jacq sandwich...while hanging with Raymond's finest]

[I got to be Jukebox Hero along with Mr. Hayes here, ha]

[I enjoyed the 'burg for a bit...sans students]

[I BOUGHT PINSONNEAULT POTATOES!]

[I hung out at Greenberry's...my most favorite of the coffee shops I frequent]

Lately I've been doodling a lot of owls. Heck if I know why. Some girl friends of mine from home have started a crafting swap with the intentions of having monthly crafting themes and swaps amongst us involved. I think this month's theme of woodland creatures has led to my unusual, new found love for doodling things such as owls, trees and fauna.

Being back on air this Monday made my week start off fantastically.
Listen if you can next week, and every week until May!
Monday's 12-2, "The Sounds Caught In Mason Jars" with me! Leigh
on WXJM Harrisonburg- 88.7 fm/ WXJM.org

Around noon today my cousin Candace called me while I was poking around Mercy House-- my favorite local thrift store. I haven't heard from her in months, and to be honest, I was so happy to hear from her I just got in my car and drove in circles around town for 2 hours while catching up. There is so much about her that inspires me to strive to be a better, more compassionate, giving and joyous human being. How lucky am I to have her as a part of my life. I look forward to a day or two this summer in the company of her and her amazing, beautiful kids.

It's like I'm attempting to find a balance. Lots of advice has been given to me lately...lots of things I can/should/better be doing. I just want to fly by the seat of my pants until I get somewhere interesting and full of enough life to keep me interested in staying for a while. The job search is daunting, but I am so ready. THIS moment in time-- where I can send out my resume, apply for jobs, interview and make big decisions-- is one I have been waiting for. 2 years in the making. Now it's time. We'll see where it all takes me...

A week from today is Inauguration Day! Assuming my supervisor gives me the okay to not be at staff meeting, I will be in the thick of all of it. Erin is hoping to drive down from Lowell and meet me in Springfield where we can stay with some family she has there. I am beyond excited at the prospect of such an epic adventure. I'll keep you all posted!

I think instead of staying up too late, munching on bad-for-me-food and being unproductive, I will head to bed.
Much love from the 'burg!
-Leigh

the last 5 minutes...

Tunes:WNRN (the best independent radio station ever)

I feel very compelled to quickly update. I have some paperwork to complete, and instead of sitting in my apartment to do so, I decided to come to Old Dominion Coffee downtown.

As I waited in line at the counter, the women in front of me said-- while paying for her beverage-- that it was too cold for her outside. Mind you, it is about 38 degrees out right now which, granted, is chilly. But c'mon lady, this is nothing. Anyways. She goes on to say that she has just gotten back from Florida and she was not ready for this kind of a change in temperature. I chimed into the conversation as the boy at the counter chuckled and agreed with her observation. "I just came from New Hampshire," I say, "This isn't bad at all- it could be much worse." The lady had a semi-sheepish look on her face as she laughed and walked over to the cream and sugar, "Well, I guess I should stop whining, huh? Haha."
I order my coffee and head over to the cream & sugar as well. While fixing up my drink, she looks up at me and asks if I'm from NH. I explain to her yes, and how snowy and cold it had been the last month. She asks me as our small talk is ending if I had ever gone "to see [her] before." I was sort of confused by this, and my face showed it. She went on to say, "I'm the psychic from across the street. Haven't you come to see me before?" "No, I swear- I haven't" I reply. "Huh," she says, "Well- you have a twin in this town! And you really should come and see me sometime. Take care, sweetheart."

I was perplexed. I don't understand psychics. But all I kept thinking was, "isn't she supposed to know whether or not she's met me before? She's a psychic!"

In anycase, I'm thinking I may go see her sometime. Maybe it'll be interesting.
I'll bring a friend. Haha.

<3

So much for updating during break....

Tunes:"Foreign Home"// Horny Vampyre

Well, my winter break is pretty much over. It's amazing to me how fast this break got away from me. However, I am so ready to get the show on the road. 16 weeks stand between me and my Master's degree and I am just really antsy and sick of waiting to get a move on with all this.

To get everyone up to speed, Christmas was good, hanging out with family & friends was great and New Years was ridiculous. See video below...



I saw Horny Vampyre on New Years, what'd YOU do? haha.
It was good seeing people I haven't seen in years- literally. All break I have been running into people that I honestly had sort of forgotten existed, or maybe more accurately, I forgot they were really a part of my life. Strange how distance and time doesn't remove the past from our lives.

Some times at the new year I don't make resolutions. Other years I make a ton of them and don't really keep them. This time around, I feel that since 2008 was less than great (haha) I need for 2009 to be awesome. I have a lot to accomplish this year, here's a few things I'm striving for:

1. Volunteer more. Life is too short, quit wasting it on making plans and preparing only for the future. Live in the moment more and do things for others right NOW because it's the only real thing that matters.
2. Stop worrying about things I can't control.
3. Put real effort into things I want to happen.
4. Be more organized with all facets of my life in the 'burg.
5. Procrastinate less.
6. Make my job a priority again, but also make doing meaningful things a high priority. I don't want to just sit around on a Friday nights because of how stressed everything that needs to get done makes me feel. Instead, I want to start being more productive in those moments because stressing doesn't get anything done.
7. Keep meeting people. New people make life interesting.
8. GRADUATE. and get a job-- but don't freak out if it's not the job you want right away. I'm going to apply to different things, attempt new things and will NOT underestimate myself.
9. Sew more!! Get a head start on certain projects that need to get done for certain friends' wedding showers that are fast approaching.
10. Keep the polaroid dream alive!
11. VEGETARIANISM!
12. Save money so living in Boston is actually possible...financially.
13. TRAVEL A LITTLE BIT! I know people in far away places...I should be taking advantage of them in the nicest way possible. haha.
14. Pretend that this is my last year on earth, so it's the best it could possibly be.

Speaking of resolutions- I need to get a move on one of them (not procrastinating as much) and get home for dinner.

Bonne Annee!
<3 Leigh