Random Thoughts

Good Morning lovelies.

Writing this post from my bed, snuggled with my cat Zoey, drinking coffee and looking out the window at the already winter wonderland of Minneapolis and listening to the Barr Brothers. 

I went to see the Barr Brothers last night at the Cedar and honestly, it was one of the most soul feeding shows that I've been to in quite some time. The musicianship was incredible. The music was just beautiful, the lyrics, the sound filled up the space and I think everyone in the crowd was completely wow'ed. I won't hesitate to see them again anytime that I can. 
Favorite Song from the entire set was: How the Heroine Dies 

Oh! I do have to mention that I saw the New Pornographers earlier in the week which was also an inspired show but in a different way. Neko Case and the set was perfection. Super high energy show, fun crowd, great time. Favorite Song from the Set: Adventures in Solitude. 

Winter arrived in Minnesota in a hurry this past week. Its so easy to forget the magnificent Autumn that we had when the snow and cold temps come. There was so little transition time this year between the seasons. I can't deny that I was a bit crabby this week - I feel like it always takes me a week or two to embrace the cold. Hopefully I am nearing the tipping point between crabby and embracing - feels like it is close. 

Not much else new - lots of shows this week: Bleachers with Wild Cub, Stars, First Aid Kit. Looking most forward to First Aid Kit in the mainroom at First Avenue. Will try to remember to post a review. 

Relationship status: Disappointed. Winter weather meant no visit from Nebraska special someone this weekend. Hopeful for a visit next weekend but he hasn't committed to that yet and I'm not going to beg for a visit. Logistics of living 6 hours away are causing a strain I think. Not seeing each other for weeks is causing a strain. That being said, I have no interest in dating at the moment - just no energy for it. We will see what happens - the best course of action is to let the universe dictate what happens next. 

All that being said, after all the annoyances and gripes, Life is ultimately good and I am blessed and I need to make sure I focus on that fact on a daily basis. 

Cheers to a new week! Lets make it a fabulous one! 

First Avenue Heartbreak

I experienced my first show at First Avenue last night that I didn't love. 

The artist was Banks. I love her album and was super excited for the show especially because I love that venue. 

She was nervous - that was obvious from the start. Understandably I felt. About 10 minutes into the show though it became obvious that she was lip synching. How disappointing. I don't know that I've ever been to a show where the artist lip synched before. 

The crowd was also something to be desired. All sorority girls and bros from the U. All obnoxious and rude. I just really hate it when people get there when the show is starting and push their way up to the front. And don't get me started on the couple basically having sex right next to me. 

All in all - not the best show and definitely a let down. 

I'm Baaaaaaack!

I was talking to someone the other day that I know only from social media (never met in person) and they mentioned that they had read one of my blog posts and I thought to myself.......oh, that's right, I have a blog! 

I am officially a Minneapolis resident as of August 8th or thereabouts. The place that I had mentioned in my previous blog post did not work out but it led to finding an even better place that I absolutely adore in the Longfellow area. Getting unpacked has proven to be a challenge - as I have been traveling so much the past couple months for business and pleasure that I have barely been home long enough to unpack much. I am making progress though. 

Took my first trip to the Badlands and the Black Hills at the beginning of August. I didn't really know what to expect and was absolutely blown away by the beauty and energy. The Badlands definitely has an other worldly feel to it. Will definitely not be my last trip to South Dakota. 

Let's see.....been going to lots of really great shows lately. War on Drugs, CHVRCHES, Ty Segall, to name a few. Caroline Smith and Lizzo absolutely blew my mind. I have huge lady crushes on both of them - so talented and beautiful. 

Oh - it was my birthday since the last post! I am now officially 37 years of age - well as of today, 37 years and 2 months. Birthdays are great - its a nice time to recognize that I am blessed to have lived this long and experienced what I've been able to experience...too many people don't have that opportunity. I am also not ashamed to admit my age or lie about my age - why would I do that? Every year gets better and better anyway. 

Current love life status: Hiatus for the month of October with the exception of a special someone that lives in Nebraska. Currently occupying my mind is the logistics of really liking someone that lives 6 hours away. 

Looking forward to this week: Banks at First Ave, Dirty Dancing Musical, and the big event of the week....The Twin Cities Book Festival on Saturday. 

Well....thats probably enough for this blog post.
Cheers! 

Moving to Minneapolis!

Well, I found a place.
Its pretty much perfect in every way except that it does not have an AC unit.
Old mansion. Lyndale and Franklin. Stained glass but modern updates to kitchen and bath.

I'm super excited. Its the first place I looked at - is that crazy that I haven't even looked at anywhere else?
I'm definitely ready to move to that side of the cities.

Sigh. Big life decisions take energy out of me.

Now to start the decluttering process at my current place!

Cheers to Tuesday!

Ms. Lauryn Hill

Three words - Ms. Lauryn Hill 

What a dynamic performance last night! Really incredible. The crowd was fantastic at First Avenue as per usual. She didn't start until almost 10:15pm but it didn't matter. I can't recall the setlist - mostly stuff from the 1998 album and some Bob Marley tunes. But it was truly spectacular. 

Headed to the Guthrie tonight for their production of My Fair Lady - pretty excited to see what they do with the show. 

For those keeping track I ended up making it to barre class 4 times last week - so I'm taking that as an accomplishment! I also did a 5k last weekend.....which was supposed to be a 10k but I had a little too much fun the night before and couldn't hack running 6 miles. 

Can't really believe its July 1st already - where has the summer gone? Time is flying and its almost time for my birthday month! Yes thats right folks - I celebrate my birthday for the entire month of August because, why not? 

Thats all for now - cheers to Team USA playing Belgium today in the World Cup! 

New Post Wednesday!

Trying to get in one post a week - trying to do better! 

Life is crazy as usual. 
I continue to commit to not running myself ragged but then somehow my calendar fills up! 

Northern Spark weekend was incredibly rainy (I'm talking monsoon-like weather!) but it was fantastic! 
We ran around all night - we visited MCAD, Weisman, Northrup Auditorium, Walker - and then finished up the night with a pancake breakfast at Uptown Diner. Even though the weather was horrendous, it was awesome to see so many people enjoying art in the middle of the night. 
Thankfully I had nothing to do all day on Sunday because it took me the whole day (and Monday) to recover from staying up all night - I'm definitely too old for that on a regular basis! 

My working on myself initiative continues - started barre class a week ago and am loving it! Barre combines pilates and ballet and even though I've only gone three times so far, I can already tell a different in my posture and core strength. 
I also tried Stand Up Paddleboarding for the first time! What fun! I actually stood up on the board - I would post a pic but.....no. I promise you I did stand up and also I did not fall off once! (Which is saying something because I'm a huge klutz) I'm definitely going to try to do more SUP this summer. 

Oh.....big news. I have a date on Sunday. My first date (as far as I can recall) since the break-up with the dude. I'm ending my hiatus. It is time to get back on the wagon and put myself out there again. We will see what happens. My only concern with this guy is he LOVES the suburbs and I have pretty much the opposite feeling about the suburbs. But, he seems nice and so, here we go! 

Oh.....other big news! I'm moving to Minneapolis! I've lived in the Twin Cities since 2000 and have never lived West of the River - so its time! Notice has been given to landlord that I am vacating as of 8/31 - let the apartment hunting commence! I have no clue where I want to live yet but I'm heavily leaning towards trying to find something in Northeast Minneapolis - I love the area and the vibe. 

This weekend coming up is crazy busy - Rare Book Show on Friday night, MPLS Blogger and Adam Turman garage sales, Lake Street Taco Tour on Saturday and Pride fest on Sunday! 
Watch for pics on my IG feed (rachel_651) from all my weekend adventures! 

Cheers to a wonderful Wednesday! 

Long Overdue Blog Post! 

Writing this post today from 32,000 feet - headed home from another week of work out of town in Phoenix. I have to admit, even though I love a change of scenery, being for weeks at a time is exhausting. 

I shouldn't complain - I realize this. 
Many people would be happy to travel for work. 
I am fortunate. But its still tiring. 

Anyhow, dating hiatus continues - working on myself continues. Still need to get in more runs. Starting barre class this week and also getting a SUP lesson which should be fun. 

Oh, grand news! My new niece, Hamilton Rose Laird, was born on 6/11. 
8lbs 3 oz of pure loveliness. 
She is all things wonderful and perfect and I love her and I haven't even met her yet. 

Upcoming weekend looks to be rainy and dreary but Northern Spark art festival beckons and hopefully the Stone Arch fest as well - or I might hibernate. 

That's all for now. I'm committing to one post a week at a minimum. 

Cheers!