Shows Update List for Shows 4-6

I am just going to list my shows update for now.

1: lydia Loveless

2: Howl at the moon

3:Uh Huh Her

Show #4: M and M's

Show #5: The Naked and The Famous

Show #6: The Mirows (Grand Lake Accoustic Festival-Daven Haven)

#7: Ingrid Michaelson

#8-#10: phish at Dicks

#11: blues band in Taos at the Taos Inn

#12: Wonderlic

#13: the California Honeydrops

#14: Grace Potter

# 15: Big gigantic

#16: Joe Russo's Almost Dead

#17: Wonderlic

#18:  American Authors

#19 Magic Gravy

#20 Speedtrap Single musician -Name?

#21 Musical-How the Grinch stole Christmas

Show 3: Uh Huh Her

Ok, I will start out by saying, this is not my preference for music. I prefer less house and more jam. I went to see Leisha Haley.  And, for that, this show delivered.  It was in a tiny venue (The Walnut Room-which by the way-your remodel sucks). The band had a DJ opening and she was actually entertaining. She danced behind her equipment (I am not even cool enough to know what it is called) and interacted with the crowd.  Uh Huh Her had very little interaction with the crowd. Their playing was just so-so.  The drummer was pretty awesome.

But, what they did that obviously takes skill is lay down tracks before songs on their keyboards, etc. For two people and drums, they actually accomplished a pretty "full" sound.

Next up: M & M. 

Show 2: Howl at the Moon

This is not a "show"-in the typical definition of "show"... but I am including it because the talent of the musicians was pretty shocking. First, there was a girl who rapped. Oh, and second, a white boy that could rap. Their transitions between songs were legit. I am pretty sure they end the evening on a Friday or Saturday night with house music that they play over because it seemed to be pretty typical club fare rather than things that people would actually request.  I also heard instruments that no one on stage was actually playing.  However, the raw portion of the evening was authentic and fun. I think it is worth a thumb up (not two), as it did give me a post-show glow. (Ask my partner-after a show I usually have a ton of energy)

Show 1: Lydia Loveless at Hi-Dive

My goal for my 36th trip around the earth is to see 26 shows. Lydia Loveless was my first April Show. I took my 12 year old daughter to a dive bar to see her.

My first impression-which started with the opening acts- is that the sound in this place is horrible.  It is so loud and lead guitar heavy.  You couldn't hear the vocals of any of the bands. I was a little frustrated with this because Lydia Loveless can really belt them out.

Then, Lydia came on stage-she is so small but she makes up for it in attitude. That chick is ROCK. She threw a Fender on the stage with a thug, she made a few jokes-called her lead guitar player a socialite and bitched about not being able to leave the stage between the set and the encore.

Her husband looks like a long haired Will-Ferrell.  Not kidding. But, he was also a rockstar. Probably one of the more talented bass players I have seen in a while. Can't say a "long" time because I saw Phish in the last year.

Anyway, great first show for my 36th trip around the sun.

February Happiness Project

I decided that February my focus would be on relationships and my own personal commandments. I was going to force myself to sit down and write my commandments (which I have done and will share at a later day). Then, I would start some research on some of my more nagging relationship issues. The premise of the happiness project is that you cannot change someone else, you must only work on yourself.  I decided that I would act "as if"... I am going to act as if my relationship is absolutely perfect. The response was amazing.  I heard "I feel like we are doing so good and I am so happy" from my partner.  I guess one person becoming happy really does impact the other person.

The other thing I decided to do was to stop looking at the facebook page of someone who has been hurting me. I don't think it is intentional on this person's part, and it isn't even really directed at me, it's just a lack of consideration for my feelings that has got me upset.  This reminded me of a book I once read called "The Four Agreements." In the Four Agreements, one of the cornerstones is to not take anything personally. Things that people do towards you are not about you (good or bad), it's about them. 

I decided that this would be one of my own personal commandments.  I am going to live with as much integrity and love as I can and then if people hurt me or are disrespectful then it is about them and not about me. 

'til next time, live a bella life,

jadi

My Personal Commandments

This is my picture.  It's who I am working on. It's not that I am unhappy. I just think that I am not realizing my full authentic life.  Therefore, I am writing my personal commandments.  I am going to say that for now, this list of commandments is a work in progress.

* Be Jadi
 Jadi loves music and needs some alone time with music to rejuvenate her soul.  I am a teacher.  As frustrating and exhausting as that job is, for now it is who I am- even though it doesn't pay enough-it makes me happy.

* Enjoy your home
Declutter, organize, clean and make shrines

* Enjoy your body
Eat good food, Exercise, and buy clothes that fit.

* Don't take things personally.
I am going to live my life with integrity and then I can know that if I acted with dignity and kindness then the way that other people behave is a statement about them not me.  If it does happen to "be me" that did something wrong, I will apologize-sincerely.

* Trust
Have faith that my partner will stay. Have faith that my partner is closest to me, and believe the positive evaluations of the other person.  I am going to act "as if" I already trust. Honestly this is not my partner's fault-I was given this pattern as a small child and I am working on it. Which brings me to my next commandment

*change
Life is about change.  I need to make sure that I give life the intention of positive direction.

* Compassion for me
I am going to forgive my mistakes, excuse my negative thoughts, ask those thoughts to leave, and quit negative self-talk.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

-Dali Lama

Relationship Happiness

I am continuing to work on my January happiness project-making my house more comfortable and organized-but, I am also beginning February's project which is doing things (not expecting things from others) that make me happier in my relationship.

First, I am doing 20 second hugs. Daily.  I read an article that after 20 seconds of a hug, a dose of oxytocin is released in the brain.  That makes me happier.

So far, this part of my project is well-received.  The response from my partner was: "why do we have to limit it to 20 seconds?"

We have always done warm hellos and goodbyes.  I am still thinking about some more things to add to my relationship portion of my project.

Here is a link for an article about 20 second hugs:

http://www.tydknow.com/did-you-know-that-a-hug-that-lasts-for-20-seconds-releases-oxytocin-which-can-make/