Andie is a Girl

Journey @ art.com

“Success is a journey, not a destination” ~ Ben Sweetland

 A little refresher to keep the high spirit of the New Year going!

Also, as I was looking for a nice picture to go with this quote, I found this poster on art.com with its own inspirational note.  Enjoy the journey!

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end."

~ Ursula K. LeGun

Audio: Share a song you could listen to all day on repeat.

This is an interesting question.. because I can listen to a song on repeat for immense periods of time without twitching.  Those around me... not so much.  Til this day I am teased by my college roommates about having an obsessive music habit.  I was delivered to my collegial years with a freshly packed suitcase of heartache and tears stemming from the break-up with my high school sweetheart, who of course I could not live without.  I would have been lost if it wasn't for my good friend Mariah Carey and my boom box that had the 1-repeat function.

No I can't forget this evening or your face as you were leaving, but I guess that's just the way the story goes..

I can't liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive if living is without you-ooooooo. I can't live, I can't give anymooore.  Can't liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive if living is without you-oooooo. Can't giiiiiiiiiiiiiiveeee, can't give anymooooore

Yet here I am. Still living... Still giving... and Good God, rid of my Mariah Carey collection.  Although that painful little music habit... not so much.  :)

I am always on the hunt for that one heart-aching, soul-soothing, tear-jerking song that I can add to my collection of Songs that Never Get Old.  In 1996 I was introduced to Jeff Buckley, who has become (for me) the quintessential white-boy soul sound that I will forever use to compare any artist that comes close to his ethereal sounding voice.

Lover, You Should've Come Over by Jeff Buckley

Funny enough, that's still not the song I meant to share, although awesome within itself.  My new "White Boy Soul" song of the moment is by The Cinematic Orchestra featuring Patrick Watson... its called To Build a Home.  I have not quite found the words to describe it as it is just as instrumentally majestic as the lyrics are emotionally soul-stroking.  I read once that it was a synopsis about life, how we have to feel pain in order to know happiness.  I know why it is important to me, but I leave further intrepretation up to you - to help you along that path, I include lyrics below.  Enjoy!

Cinematic Orchestra featuring Patrick Wilson / Live at the Barbican, London 2007

There is a house built out of stone

Wooden floors, walls and window sills

Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust

This is a place that I don't feel alone

This is a place that I call my home

And I built a home... For You.. For Me

Until it disappeared... From Me... From You

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust

Out in the garden where we planted the seeds

There is a tree as old as me

By the cracks of his skin I climbed to the top

I climbed the tree to see the world

When the gusts came around to blow me down

I held on as tightly as you held onto me
I held on as tightly as you held onto me

And I built a home... For You.. For Me

Until it disappeared... From You... From Me

And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust

(Instrumental)

What makes your best friend so special? 
Submitted by Jessmiloo.

She always knows what I mean without ever saying a word. She is always honest without being hurtful. We are total opposites but always the same.  Even after 18 years, whether we speak everyday or once every few months, she is always with me and our friendship never withers.  As beautiful inside as she is out, even through the endearing attitude. She's special because she's mine. :)