This is my second Christmas in Sacramento, first time ever decorating the porch. It is pretty wonderful in the black of night.
Courtney and I picked this tree from hundreds on a tree farm in Placerville. It's about ten feet tall and it smells just the way Christmas should.
This is what I get to see as I walk to work in the morning.I forgot my camera cord on my desk at the office so I can't share with you the lovely photos of my home which was decorated only a few hours ago. Lame. Tomorrow for sure.
It's just after midnight and it is raining in Sacramento. The Fall leaves have coated the streets and sidewalks and it is gorgeous. I forgot about this time of year, one minute the sidewalks are clear and you go inside to grab a hammer and poof, leaves all around. I love it!
My tummy is growling. Annoying.
Courtney and I drove up to Apple Hill for the afternoon on Saturday to pick out and chop down our Christmas tree. After stopping for apple cider donuts we were directed to a cute little tree farm just up the road, it was there that we met John. John was a charming fellow who with his brute strength (whatever, a chainsaw) tore down our ten foot tall tree. One of the glorious things about living in an old Victorian is the high ceilings and therefore enormous Christmas tree. The tree is lovely, glowing and fragrant.
When I got home from work/church today Courtney and I finished up the house by adding lights to the front porch...it looks just perfect. I can't wait to show you pictures.
In other news, here is the quick haps for my life:
1. If I have to hear anymore Eric Hutchinson or Jason Mraz I am going to freak out! I might throw something at the television, I might stick a pen in my ear, I might curse-loudly who knows. It is as if MTV, VH1 and any pop radio want me to be miserable. Why do people make bad bad bad music? If you have an answer please, share it with me. Anything to ease the sting that is caused by the sound of the bad music. Please. If you know what is good for you you'll go buy The Welcome Wagon CD and listen to that instead of taking your chances with music that will cause violent outbursts.
2. Butter Pecan ice cream from Gunthers is as close to heaven on a cold spoon as you will get. Come see me in Sacramento and I will purchase a scoop for you, any flavor, I am sure they are all good.
3. Elf is a superb Christmas film.
4. The United States Postal Service is amazing.
5. Cuties are the most delicious of winter fruits.
6. I just finished a pretty good book, I am in need of a new one, can you help me?
I love listening to rain fall.
And it is pretty good.
We had the 2nd Annual City Life Church Christmas Party. We were to wear ugly sweaters. I did. It was horrific. Bad. Suffice it to say that I felt like a frump. I don't have a photo available...yet. The party was potluck style. Highlights: Lil' Smokies IN A POOL of bbq sauce (thank you Dirksens), KFC bucket-o-chicken (muchas gracias Rich) and Lagunitas IPA secret stash (thank you to me). I ate many a smokey.
Also, I have a really great quote from the Rev. the but I can't remember it right now...lame. I will search my notes from the staff meeting, I know I wrote it down. It was so good.
I am back in Sacramento! Flew in last night after a week in sunny and warm Long Beach. I was thrilled to be able to wear a beanie and many layers however, sad to have left my family and friends...again.
I was so busy hanging out that I didnt get even one picture...bummer!
As life gets back to normal here in Sacramento I am sure that I will have lots to share. For now I am so sleepy and a little overwhelmed with having to catch up on so much.
xo.
Remember how I said a post a day...well things got busy, I got lazy.
Lame.
I know.
After going to Bed Bath and Beyond and eating dinner at the Plum Blossom the 5 of us gathered at Joshua's to hang out. We watch old recordings of Damien Jurado and Pedro the Lion, it was a great night. It had been a long time since the five of us hung out so the night seemed just right. Life has been so busy that I had forgotten how much I love hanging out with my good friends, I was saddened to think about all the space that I have allowed to gather between us for no better reason than laziness. Lame.
...so many 'that's what she said moments' during the staff meeting today. Next week I am keeping a tally!
Stay tuned.
I decided that I need to be better about posting things on this blog of mine so until I leave for Long Beach...A POST A DAY! This could be annoying or highly productive.
Today I have a few things to share:
1. Yesterday there were two moles on my hand side by side, one a little lighter than the other but there were two. Today...
2. I CANNOT find a book worth anything. I am annoyed. I love to read. I have nothing that is captivating. So I decided to try this....
3. Best thrift store find EVER...
Premature aging? Too much spacing out? So Many pots of coffee everyday? Not enough exercise? One too many powdered donettes? Vegging out in front of the TV watching Weeds for 3 hours?
All of these things could be the reason why I can't think of anything exciting to share with you tonight.
I am losing my mind.
I am severely homesick right now, I say that more often than I would like. I just miss so many people and so many things. Being that things in Sacramento are a little complicated right now I long even more for the comfort that is the familiarity of home. Work is good and annoying and frustrating but good, really good. Home is not the same without Sally but really great with Merril. I miss hanging out daily with Kevin and Carol but I am too socially retarded and sleepy to just stop in. I haven't gone to Temple in over a week....OH MY GOODNESS. Could it be that I have not had the proper cup of coffee? Maybe I will go to Temple tomorrow and get back to you.
Whatever the case, I miss home.
I went to see the boys play last night at Old Ironsides and it was excellent! Chad fixed up Joshua's amp and it sounded so beautiful. The boys were in a spectacular mood, surrounded by friends and doing what they love. It was, dare I say it...the best show yet.
Because of that article in the SN&R about my church/job we have had an influx of people, so church this morning after being up until 3a was a little difficult. I struggle still to find my place but the struggle is a welcome one.
I look forward to seeing so many faces, so soon. I am sorry that I am sleepy and therefore lacking creativity.
xo.
Sally's bachelorette party was a bachelorette day.
I am exploring my facial expressions.
Angry Annie's is my new favorite small town restaurant....but for now that is not as important as the first step to changing this world! Today I am far too distracted by the beauty and hope and encouragement that is President ELECT Barack OBAMA!!!!
I love pushing daisies. I watch it every week and I know that at the very same time my Dad is watching it so that, for whatever weird reason, makes me happy. Today, I got an email from him only minutes before the start. It made my otherwise lame day pretty good.
I know who I am voting for. I am excited. Voting makes me happy, I get excited when I get to do it. I tend to stress out until the day of the election because generally I am still reading up on stuff and I can't make a decision. This year I'm ready, well kind of. I love Barack Obama.
The youtube don't vote video made me laugh.
I am going to Half Moon Bay for Sally's bachelorette weekend...it is supposed to pour in Half Moon Bay...I am bummed.
Our new room mate will be moving in on the 10th, the 10th!
I am severely homesick.
I love honey crisp apples. The Trader Joe's has a 1.5lb bag for so few dollars.
I love Temple. Come hang out with me in Sacramento and I will take you there, probably more than once.
I love Ned and Chuck.
3 ply toilet paper is amazing. Thank you Charmin.
There is a tiny part of me that wants to do what is good for my body and cut back on coffee but the majority is winning, I go through about 1.5 lbs of coffee a week.
Tis the effing season.
Our church was reviewed in the local News & Review...it bummed me out.
Pumpkin beer makes me want to vomit.
Lagunitas IPA Maximus is amazing.
Talking to Kate on the phone, if even for a moment, reminds me that everything is ok.
Webcams are good.
I love buffalo sauce.
And salt & vinegar chips.
I have found another nest of grey hairs on my head. One step closer to Emmylou Harris hair. I have come to terms with premature aging and I am sort of into it.
I will be in Long Beach from Nov. 23rd - Dec. 2nd. Wanna hang out? email me, facebook me, myspace me, call me, write me...whatevs. I want to hang out with you.
So I just unpacked the web cam my mom gave me when I moved to Sacramento, downloaded Skype and I'm ready to chat: shan.littlemicrophones
Kay?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPsNi1k8Df4
Let it load and forward to 2:16, it is so good. HILARIOUS!
I learned that Eric is unable to be productive for more than ten minutes without food or coffee.
Marc thought a solution to the no fridge in the office problem would be to fill the microwave with ice instead.
My fortune from Plum Blossom: The Chinese ancient civilization attracts you.
That is not a fortune...what happened to fortunes?
Marc ended the meeting with the 'whats up dog' joke.
I still have no peach rings.
I was feeling a little bummed this eve then Joshua played the song and it helped. I think Bonnie Prince Billy can heal.
Have you bought the album yet?
I guess I am not really opposed to being old. i am not even really opposed to being grey. The truth is that my dream is to have Emmylou Harris grey hair when I am up there.
I am not sure why my heart jumps when I walk into the bathroom to put on my face and instead of day old mascara on my face I find a patch o grey. A EFFING PATCH. They are taking over.
I'm not old.
25 is young.
Stress?
I decided a few weeks ago that I should stop carrying massive tote bags as purses. You see, I like to have so many things with me on my daily travels a book, journal, calendar, mini make up bag, lotion, wallet, iPod, etc...things I love but do not need when at a show or running to the market. SO, I switched it up. Forked out $18.99 for a lil purse big enough to hold a wallet, mini journal and lip gloss. I still stuff it tight so when I need that piece of paper that I wrote a friends number on a week ago I need to empty out the entire lil satchel....TODAY at the bottom of my purse I found 2 buttons. Owl buttons. I like owls. In fact I love them. How can I not? I mean, they swivel their crazy heads all the way around, they have massive wing spans, they eat things whole, they like hanging out all night and they are real pretty. Whatever. The buttons made my life, in the midst of a day of painting they were little jewels at the bottom of my crap. I am still trying to figure out who put them there. HELP!
The lame thing is this:
I am writing on my porch right now. Mosquitoes are eating me. Isn't mosquito season over? These effers are massive, fat, massive hungry jerks.
xo.
Today: 60 degrees...I wore a cardigan and scarf all day. My cheeks were ever so chilly as I left the house for church this morning. I was happy and excited. It was good.
THEN...
The effing news tells me this:
Monday: 81
Tuesday: 83
Wednesday: 83
I can't go on....
...fetal position weeping is in my future.
Have you ever had a moment that was so good you wanted to share it with the world? I have, I did. Today.
The gloom that we call Fall is here and I have been in a pretty amazing mood because of it. I was sitting outside at Temple the other day as little droplets began to fall from the sky...that moment was perfect. The wind was blowing my hair into my face and the sky was grey, my americano was the perfect temperature so I sat back for a second and allowed the water to hit my face. In the moment I remembered that life is good.
Today I walked to the corner market to get some half anf half for Joshua's coffee. You see, today we decided was the perfect day to welcome back Saturday morning winter breakfast...this too was so good. As I walked back from the market a breeze reminded me that the season for bundling is just around the corner. I watched a man throw a ball for his dog to fetch, a group of folks wearing tye dye shirts were marching for some cause that holds a place in their heart and I was happy. I was walking back to a house that would be warm in temperature and ambiance, it would be full of people who have taught me that it will be ok and coffee would be ready to warm my insides. All in all my home as been warm today.
I miss Southern California but I do not miss it's indefinable seasons. I miss the people who love me even though I am crazy and idealistic and indecisive. I miss it's warmth.
Also, this video changed my life:
I just got home from the boys show in Davis....my house is empty. My roomates have abandoned me 1 for New York and the other for Cabo.
So here I sit, alone with my glass of water and popsicle.
I hate being alone.
In brighter news: The office should be done tomorrow! I worked at Temple for 4 hours today, I will miss hanging out there everyday! That place is amazing.
This isn't my favorite song off of the album however, it is in the top 3.
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy
Lie Down in the Light
BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!
1. Why did Jim & Pam get engaged? This bums me out. I committed to 4 weeks without casting final judgement but I will have you know that I am sad. In other news: I love Andy Bernard and I am glad that Dwight is back to AWESOME.
2. If I move to Baltimore will Geof from Ace of Cakes marry me? I love him.
3. Why is The Shack such a bummer? I am on chapter 15 now and I kind of want to freak out. I mean all the hype screwed me up. I was expecting it to be awesome. It is taking me soooo long to finish it.
4. Why would anyone want to quit drinking coffee? I feel that that decision is lame.
5. Why is Bonnie 'Prince' Billy so awesome and how might I trap him in my home to sing me songs all the live long day? I went to his show in Big Sur this last weekend and it was life changing. BUY HIS NEW ALBUM NOW! Listen to #4 (?, the mole song) and tell me what you think. It changed my life.
6. Have you read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close yet? I am reading it again (I think this is going on 12ish times) and it is realy phenomenal. READ IT IMMEDIATELY!
That is all for now.
Fall is here! Last night my knees pained me, I was uncomfortable and achy and annoyed until I realized what that pained meant...FALL! Cold, cozy, rainy, lets-drink-hot-drinks Fall is here. My knees are super at letting me know when the seasons are changing to cold.
I just got back from a really great show in Davis. The boys played on campus and it was super. Sounded good, felt good! They are doing so well and my heart is warmed at the thought of their sucess.
Things have been really busy lately. When I get home from a day of work I just want to curl up in bed and sleep for so many hours. We recently rented an office and I took on the job of making it into a worakble environment. This means painting and shopping and setting up and in the end-10 hour days. It also means that I neglect my friends and family, I havent talked to my Dad since I was home 3 weeks ago and that makes me sad.
Of all the people in Long Beach it is my dad that I miss the most. The truth is that I talk to everyone else, I stay in the loop but with my Dad its a little different. Our greatest and most valuable moments happen in eachothers presence over a meal or in the yard during the race or just in silence and the world happens around us. I used to think that long moments of silence are weird but as I have grown older I realize that there is something special between people when periods of silence are a blessing. I was recently asked about my family by a newcomer in town...that is such a great topic for me. When asked by a stranger what my family is like I am reminded of what great people they are, I mean you never tell a stranger about the things that annoy you. Instead all the great things come out and this is what I had to say:
The truth that my Dad is the most honorable man that I know. He is selfless and quiet but strong. My Dad is an amazing person and I think of that just about everyday and I am in awe. He is much like his father and his father was an incredible man.
My mom is the most generous person in my life, it is from her that I learned the joy of giving.
My brother is a jerk...just kidding. Truly JM is my favorite, he is young (not that I am at all old or wise) and he is a boy so he does stupid stuff, he makes stupid choices and those things make me crazy but he is amazing. He loves me even if I am lame. He is my guardian. I feel safe and loved and okay knowing that he is just a phone call away.
My uncle Dave is the kindest person that I know. He carries with him a peace that I love, he is the shirt off of his back kind of man. My Poppy left with Dave the spirit of kindness and gentleness.
I talk about my Memo often, about how she changed my life. How if I am just a tiny speck of who she was I think I am ok. If I endeavor to be like any one person, it is she. She is my hero and I am lucky to have known my hero so well.
Family is important to me and I am sad to be so far away from them. I miss them terribly but my life here is good. These people take care of me. Things are good right now...
but I am eager to be home for the holidays!
I decided (with a little push and shove from Lisa) to open an etsy account. Etsy.com is a website that crafters can use to post their handiwork. Lately I have had a little extra time so I have decided to make various patches and journal covers and ipod cases and etc etc. I only have 3 items on the site now because I get ultra bored during the posting process but I swear to get more up there soon!
www.littlemicrophones.etsy.com
If you are a friend and want any items just let me know and I will hook you up with cheaper shipping costs if at all possible.
xoxo.
I am still trying to recover from the crazy experiment of The Timothy Project. Pulling an all nighter is tough...especially when responsible for 25 high school students who are either hopped up on sugar or making out with their new love. It was long, it was exhausting but in the end I think it was good.
Once I am fully recouped I will tell all.
Kate came up to Sacramento last week it was a birthday gift to herself and a life saver for me. I has been pretty busy with things, preparing for camp and getting things together for work all following a busy few weeks before the wedding so by the time she came into town I was ready to hang out. Although we stayed really active the whole time it was really relaxing to just be. Having her around really makes my life, I am so incredibly blessed by our friendship I love being able to just hang out without any expectation of anything.
Courtney and I decided to take some self portraits whilest walking to the ceremony site.
I have never been part of a wedding party so I had no clue just how time consuming all the pre wedding photos are...it was SO SO SO hot and we were trying our best not to sweat and ruin our newly done hair and makeup.
The entire wedding party including the newly named Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Florence.
I have not been to many weddings however, this will top them all I am sure. Kevin and Carol had such a beautiful ceremony! They chose the vows out of Ruth Chapter 1, it was truly amazing. I am so so so happy for them!
Meet the pygmy owl...where might I purchase one?
Also, one of these...the pygmy African hedgehog...
...and last but certianly not least, the pygmy teeny tiny monkey.Purchase (immediately) Tostitos brand multigrain tortilla chips, also your favorite salsa.
Sit on the couch and enjoy!
I made a meal out of this the other night, I have a problem.
...the boys are featured in another article. It is definitely worth reading!
http://www.209vibe.com/articles/view/269
I just realized that my life has become a series of glorious events. Everyday is full of so many things that I love to do, full of people that I love to see. I am almost constantly in the presence of one or more people that I love with every speckle of my being. As of late the presence of the boys and ladies has been so frequent that all I can do is glow. The intense Sacramento heat has made our home a prime location for marinating in the warmth of family, it is for this reason that I wonder if I truly hate the heat. Do I really want summer to end?
I love the company of my friends however, I also love to have moments of time that belong just to me. I value little sprinkles of solitude through out my day, this is the time I use to gather my thoughts, the time that is spent being grateful and excited for what is and what will be. My favorite moments of solitude generally happen on my porch at the end of my work day. From the comfort of a ten dollar Adirondack chair I position myself in such a way that the railing doubles as an ottoman. I often bring along with me a beer, my journal and my current read. 
Relaxing as my music plays and the cool summer breeze blows in the evening is fantastic. Recently I have had company, a dove decided to build her nest only steps from where I sit. For whatever reason her presence is calming, she sits very quietly warming her babies as I await the arrival of one of the boys or ladies. 
Life is good right now.
Today we had the pleasure of hanging out as ladies with Carol and her family...bridal shower style. We decided to fancy up a bit for the event...
Courtney, Me, Carol and Sally.
I never wear dresses so I felt rather awkward but wedding season has arrived so I better get used to it. More on all of that later.
Good night.
xo.
Coming home for the boys CD release show! This makes my life. Also, it is no longer 100 degrees in Sacramento so things are looking up.
I just realized that I am going to be in Long Beach for The Timothy Project when the boys play thier CD release show with DAMIEN JURADO!! I am freaking out, seriously. There is absolutely nothing that I can do to get home early enough to be here...nothing! The last plane takes off at 4:20 and the chapel service is not done until that time-ish. Crying, so sad I have welled up. Ugh! I am bummed...so so bummed.
So Marc was ok to preach. I was pretty glad that I didn't have to run around like a mad woman organizing a last minute worship service but mildly bummed that I had stayed up until 2am preparing everything just in case.
In other news...
The pod that I have been leading for 19 weeks now is over next week and that is kind of exciting. We have spent what will be the last 20 weeks reading through Blue Like Jazz, a book that has stretched me and taught me quite a bit about myself and my relationship with Christ. Our small group (5: Elizabeth, Tim, Jason, Lori and I) started out as strangers and now we are friends, concerned with what happens to one another, eager to hang out and excited to have a common thread on Sunday mornings. We will likely take a break for a couple weeks before we get started on the new book (Henri Nouwen's Reaching Out)...I am excited for what lies ahead.
I just finished reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne for what I think must be the fifth time and once again I am all twisted up. The book is so good. It has me thinking quite a bit about what my role in the Body is. Why is it that God has me in Sacramento? I am so full of ideas and questions and excitement about what could be but at the same time I am frustrated that City Life Church isn't really at a place that allows me to minister in the ways that I am most passionate about. Then again I am no longer in North Long Beach so the issues are very different and maybe if I searched and prayed long enough I would be lead to another passion...Midtown/Downtown is not void of its issues.
I have found myself being quite frustrated with the body at large lately. Much like the frustrations that I had when I left New City. I am at a place where I am annoyed with the people who leave the community to worship, move to a more comfortable place to live, ignore the injustice on the street. Yet at the same time I am convicted of my laziness and my passivity, I haven't been completely active in making a difference. I have my friends that I pass on the street everyday Reggie who needs a meal once in a while or Rebecca who I hang out with at the gym and the coffee shop but that seems like so little. In moving to Sacramento I think that I lost my spunk for speaking out against the laziness of the church; I have become far to passive. I am annoyed with myself and with the churches desire to help only when it is comfortable....sounds like I am back to where I was a few years ago. I think that it is a good place to be, it is a place that causes me to think and draw nearer to the heart of God but it is also a lonely place as I feel quite misunderstood.
Today I long for what will be...
xo.
I am feeling quite guilty for neglecting this space. It is not that I don't have anything to share, there are plenty of little things that make me happy every day. I suppose it is just that I have lost a bit of creative energy...not that I had any to begin with. So, I will turn my life into a bullet pointed list:
I visited the VerWys family blog tonight to find some lovely photos of thier beautiful boys AND a playlist...I stole that idea and made my own, hopefully you are listening to it right now.
Tonight I had my first visit to a wine bar. You see, I have decided recently that I should branch out into the wide wide world of alcohol. I like wine very much I am just terrible at knowing what to buy and how to drink it so this trip was very helpful.
The boys are recording thier album so soon and I am so excited for them. Friends, the new songs are so wonderful!!! I can't wait for you to hear them. (In the meantime you should probably buy thier EP off of iTunes or CD Baby! It is guaranteed to melt your heart and if it doesnt I will eat a chocolate bar.)
I hate blue (or is it bleu) cheese. Tonight I ate blue cheese and it wasn't so bad...WHAT?!
The video of the 3 year old explaining start wars (on you tube) makes my life. Charlie but my finger is the cherry on top!
I miss my Dad.
with LOST! I want to watch it every every every moment of every day. I want to help Jack see that everything is ok, or at least it will be when we live happily ever after. I want to save Jin. I want to get "high-ya!"-karate-I'll-break-your-face-with-my-pinky lessons from Sayid. I want to punch Ben in the face.
Whatever so what if I need an intervention?!
I thought I might have something exciting to say, something to make you laugh or smile...
...I don't.
I am in Long Beach.
The Heyboer's were in town for the UYWI conference and it was amazing! Saying goodbye broke my heart.
I am back in Sacramento on Wednesday night.
Sorry I am dry.
you have sucked the life out of me.
because of you my curls have fallen.
I have dark circles under my eyes.
I put too much bronzer on one cheek.
I'm on my 4th americano and i cant feel a thing.
I realize that I have been horrible at sharing my life, no guilt trip needed thanks.
I dont really have an excuse, not a good one anyway. I spend most of my days either working on church things or walking around my town, drinking an iced americano, stopping at random corners or patches of grass to write down things that I am thinking.
Did I tell you that I dont get NASCAR at my house anymore? What's the use of free cable if I can't get nascar? I am bummed.
My community pod moved from Wednesday nights to Monday nights. I invited the pod to live on my pie farm...Kevin might be bummed at that...they are living in cup pies anyway so he need not worry.
My mom was in town for a couple days, we hung out and it was good.
Turns out that my brother hates me because he keeps promising me that he will come visit and he never does...whatever man.
April is here so Silver Darling will be playing some amazing shows, this makes me happy.
I am in a mild funk because I miss my Dad and my brother (mom too for sure, but she was just here and they weren't) and my uncle and g'ma and anthony and kate and everyone in the LBC...I get to see them in May so that will be super.
The student store restocked the peach rings that have been missing for so many weeks...going to school is worth it again :)
xo.
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