Ryan write me in!

(click on picture to make bigger if you can't read)

talks between coffee pots

Today I got the pleasure of working with some higher management directors at einsteins. I say "pleasure" because, though they chose rush hours to not remember how to make anything, during our downtime I got to really know them. to get on their level and find out what makes them tick and what brings genuine interest to their usually stern eyes. for example, i discovered one manager loves history, we talked about parallels in the development of history for a solid hour before the brunch rush. the tone and inflection he employed was so foreign coming from his lips. another manager majored in music. we lost ourselves in several conversations about broadway, artists who stay true to themselves, and the beauty of lyrics. closing time came way too soon today.

the last conversation i had was with a manager who was telling me how he came to value hard work and as a result money. you're always preoccupied by money, whether by choice or by necessity. it's how our world works. we need money to get the things we need, or want, in life. even when we've racked up a bit to hold our own keep, you're still thinking about the next step to making more money. you can choose to use what extra money you earn on material things or experiences. when it comes to material things, when you're down to the wire, you really gotta think if this ten hours you just worked equates to the clothes or what have you that you want to spend money on. when it comes to experiences, is the amount worth it? this summer has taught me to really evaluate what i need and do not need to spend money on. i'm getting by on barely enough but am learning how to cut back on the things that aren't necessary. by cutting out these things, im that much closer to the bigger things i need money for, like the experiences you wouldn't trade for anything or the that special gift for that special someone.

on a lighter note, here's a lil vid i made when i had some time after work today to make my piggy bank spill its guts so that i could get gas money haha. i realize ive put up a ton of videos as of late, but hey, in the absence of cable and internet i gotta do something i enjoy that's FREE =P

i miss you, you know

For those of you who don't know, my mom is a cancer survivor. Following successful surgery she went on a mini-vacation to Norway to stay with our family there, a much needed time to recuperate and savor that which is life. The few weeks leading up to her departure, it became a family tradition at nights to chill in my room while I messed around with my guitar and dad, feeling that he could match the sultry tones of Michael Buble, sang along. Buble's rendition of "home" became a huge favorite. Watching dad and I perform that song together made mom incandescently happy. We've had our rough patches, like most families do, and these moments reminded us that we are a family. We had been through and survived so much that we couldn't thank God enough for the blessings He has rained upon us. This song became a strong reminder of that feeling for us. Mom even made it her ringtone.

While Mom was enjoying the streets of Norway without us, she took a moment to miss us just as a lone guitar player, an open guitar case filled with what few coins people had to offer, began playing, yes, you guessed it, "home." Mom immediately called us describing what a beautiful moment that was for her. To this day, everytime I hear that song, a subtle smile can't help but spread across my face.

Lately I have been swept away by my busy life and I haven't had time to return home to my parents who miss me so very much. So I decided to surprise them and come home this weekend. This is a video I've made for them.



Disclaimer: I know my cover of the song isn't pretty, but I figured it would mean more to mom if I did it.

It's Taylor Jackson's Birthday Week!

In celebration I'd like to display my impeccable, and surely irreproducible, interpretive dance and classic ribbon dancing skills. Try not to be jealous.

Sayin What's Up to My Pup!

Turns out I was able to crank this out sooner than expected. =]

So I changed the lyrics to Glee's "My Cup" a little to be about ellie, the pup im dogsitting for the summer.

Timing's a bit off in both guitar and vocals but i didn't feel like layin down another track with Garageband.

Thanks to Melissa for helpin me with this! And no worries, you are not in the track being broadcasted to, oh you know, the general public....eeeek!

So this post is dedicated to Ms Brittany Amber Parker, from your kids up at Clemson. We clearly have no lives.

"Pull up, put the car in park,

And I love what I come home to,

So glad to hear that bark,

Hear that bark.

Cant wait till I get to play,

Wanna play with ms ellie mae

She's so precious my little baby,

In every way.

She's so cute, cocks her head when she doesn't know.

Does tricks like rolls over for treats or for show.

And she follows me everywhere,

I go.

She's the only one I wanna come home to.

My pup, my pup,

Sayin what's to my pup,

My pup,

She's my best friend, like a soulmate yup, my pup

You know what it is

Sayin what's up to my pup,

Sayin what's up to my pup,

Sayin what's up to my pup."

she's beauty and she's grace

something to hold you over till next post/vid =]

shalom

dear readers,

all 2.5 of you. I'm baaaaaack! Unfortunately my other blog has been deleted. ::moment of silence:: it had a good run. but i'm all sorts of new for you now! new laptop (baby macbook pro since the stinkpad finally breathed its last), new blog, new vid, new outlooks. hope you're ready. it will be a slow progression into my usual blog habits as I am currently being driven slowly, methodically, and i swear intentionally, certifiably insane by my schedule right now in Clemson. so sit tight honey bunches of oats.

question of the day that was prompted by a random customer at einsteins tuesday morning:

"if you could go back to any age, what would it be?"

given that it was only 7:30AM at the time my eyes were still slightly glazed over and i had honestly stopped listening at initial eye contact. i want him to come back so that i can ask if i would know what i know now at said age.

i leave you with a vid. don't judge, don't hate, do forgive our antics.