experience music.

This past weekend, I was in New Orleans at Jazzfest for Lindsey's bachelorette party.

And when Phoenix came out on stage, I was overcome with emotion, excitement.

I turned to Lindsey & said, They are here, all the way from Paris, France, to play for us.

And as they played, & we swayed back & forth, sang the words we knew, I was able to just experience it all, bottle it up, & bring it home with me.

And that is a very valuable experience.

Today, Jenni prompts us to give a piece of advice to someone, as part of Blog Every Day in May. My advice to you all is this: experience music. Really, truly experience it. Let it wash over you, let it take you somewhere else. It's worth it.

photos: jazzfest day \ Instagram

the unmentionables. nope, not underwear.

According to Jenni's blog, today is supposed to be the day I tell you all of the things I'm most afraid of. And, well, here's the funny thing about that: I am scared to say the things I'm scared of, because of some irrational fear that if I say them - or write them - they will come true. Can this count as the thing I'm most afraid of, so we can just move on from this post into happier territory?

 

No? Ok, well, here we go...

 

I am afraid of snakes. Like, deathly afraid. Something about them FREAKS.ME.OUT. One time, I was watching one of those Jackass movies, & Bam Margera is really afraid of snakes, & they pranked him by throwing him into a pit of them. And he was really mad about it for a while, but he stayed friends with the guys who did that to him. If someone ever did that to me, I would consider it grounds to terminate the friendship. And I'm not kidding.

 

I am afraid of flying. I have yet to tell her yet, but when I read Nadine's expose' of her fear, I was relieved, because it's the closest thing I've ever read, to what I feel when I have to fly. My fear has gotten a little bit better, but I still experience major anxiety when I have to get on an airplane.

 

I am afraid of elevators. The doors closing on me. Being stuck on one. Having one open between two floors. Being trapped with a creeper on one, all by myself. The lights going out while I'm on one. Having one get to the bottom floor and bounce. Almost all of these fears have some rational [well, kinda] explanation. The elevators at a place I used to work, used to get stuck. Frequently. And one time, a person was trapped in there, helpless, for a really long time. The elevators in some of the high rise dorm rooms at Tech would open between two floors, & they would bounce at the bottom floor. The amount that I would not have been okay with an elevator bouncing with me inside it is not even express-able in words. And one time at Tech, I was in the library by myself, really late. I got into the elevator by myself, pushed a button that I thought was the correct one, then looked on in horror as the doors opened, a wrought iron gate separating me from the complete darkness of the floor to which I had just arrived. My fear of being trapped inside with a creeper? I think this came from a dream I once had when I was little, when I was trapped in an elevator with an Egyptian mummy. This stuff can't be made up, folks.

 

I am afraid of skeleton buildings. What's a skeleton building, you ask? Well, it's a building that is being built, but has yet to undergo that process in which they acquire walls, which means you can see right through it. This most frequently happens at the beach, where large condominiums are being built. And I don't like it.

 

I am afraid of deep water. Especially deep lake water. You never know what could be lurking in the depths: cars, tires, scary creatures, & other unmentionables. If you know what I mean. I'm even afraid of deep water in pools. I wish I was kidding, because I love swimming. As long as there is another person in the pool with me.

 

Ok, I think that's enough for today, don't you? There is a lot more where that came from, but just reference the first paragraph of this post, & you'll know why this is going to be the end of today's lesson.

 

What are you afraid of? Go make us all feel better by sharing on Jenni's blog. Misery loves company.

photo: how i feel about sharing things i'm scared of \ iphone

 

what exactly it is that i do.

Today's Blog Every Day In May prompt reads as follows: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do?' And because this post is going to be about me, I thought it was appropriate to lead with a large photo of my head. I'm not scared of a good selfie. Most of the time, anyways.

 

So, here's what I do, folks...

 

I worry. About everything. Seriously. If there is something to be worried about, I am going to worry about it.

I take unapologetic selfies. And somehow ironically apologize for them, by calling them unapologetic.

I tend to overthink everything I do on this blog. And that is something I am trying to power through to the other side. Because I think the blogs that are the best, are the ones that are the most natural. And overthinking doesn't necessarily produce natural things. Part of the reason I'm doing this challenge, is to conquer that part of my blogging experience.

I read. A lot, but not consistently. When my reading switch is on, my face is buried in a book almost 24/7. But when the switch is off? Well, I don't like it.

I write. Again, a lot, but not consistently. I have big plans for this part of my life.

I dream up new careers, then talk myself out of them. Well, I'm hoping this part of my life is in the past. But for the years since I've graduated college, I have obsessed over my career & what I should be doing with my life.

I let music take me to a different place. It is my comfort zone. And lately, I've been letting the Mates of State Pandora station whisk me away, especially on rainy afternoons in my parents' dining room.

I dye my hair. Don't believe me? See here. It's legitimately one of my favorite things to do.

I procrastinate. And I'm trying to fix this horrible, horrible trait. It is the source of so much of my stress. But, unfortunately, it is also the source of most of my best work. It's so hard for me to work on something ahead of time, that a long time ago, I just stopped doing it. Seven-page papers were written at seven in the morning the day they were due in the high school years. The only time this has really worked against me, was senior year of college, when I procrastinated writing a paper for both a Shakespeare class & - the hardest class I took in college - Advanced Composition. That night, I had my first full-fledged panic attack, & even after I made the executive decision to drop Shakespeare in the morning, I still couldn't slow my heart rate, much less sleep.

 

There are a lot of other things that I do, but I think I'll save them for a rainy day here on siddathornton. Truthfully, these are some of my favorite posts to read around the blogosphere, so I will gladly post more in the days to come.

 

What exactly is it that you do? Go share on Jenni's blog.

 

 



the sunday currently, volume 33.

Greetings from the road back to Shreveport! By the time you're reading this, I'll either be on the road or about to be, headed back from Lindsey's bachelorette festivities in The Big Easy. That's New Orleans, folks.

By now, I'm sure we've all enjoyed delicious Southern Louisiana food, drinks, laughs, & music at Jazz Fest to our hearts' content. And now we're trekking it back north to the mother ship. And when I get there, I'm willing to bet I'll be ready to laze around & recover, preparing for a week of solid productivity!

reading two books, because I couldn't wait to start The Kite Runner, even though I'm still very slowly chugging along at Little Women. All in good time, folks. All in good time.

writing a lot of emails lately, getting things in order to return to school.

listening to a LOT of Mates of State recently. And the Mates of State Pandora station? Pure gold.

thinking that I'm getting really excited about all the upcoming events. Now that we're past Lindsey's bachelorette party, that means her wedding is RIGHT around the corner. And there's Kelsey's graduation. And Mother's Day. And a little trek to Dallas is probably happening soon. And, after all the festivities, I'll finally get to see Justin again, back in Wilmington.

smelling tons of perfumes lately, searching for a new signature scent. I'm always on the lookout - or smellout? - for a new favorite. I'm going to have to dive back into Warm & Cozy from Victoria's Secret soon. I've been thinking about that scent a lot lately.

wishing Justin could be in Shreveport with me. It's so strange to be away from him for so long, after being in the same place for almost half a year.

hoping my diet & exercise regimen can bounce back fast after the onslaught of delicious food I've been experiencing down South.

wearing my grandpa's watch lately. It's very special to me.

loving my family & friends for being so excited that I'm home. I've been having such a great time, & there are still more people I want to see before I head back to Wilmington. Also loving Justin for the frequent phone calls & texts, so we don't feel quite so far apart.

wanting a tall glass of water & a nap, I'm sure.

needing to get home quickly today, so that I can see my sister! She's back in town from college for the summer, & I'm so excited to hang out with her this week.

feeling like the idea to darken my hair up a little bit was a good one - I wanted my hair to be a little richer & warmer, & that's exactly what happened.

clicking PostSecret when I get home. I've forgotten to read the secrets for the past couple of weeks, & I hate that! I'll also be clicking though all of my favorite blogs this evening. I need to catch up!

photo: my sweet little lindsey, at our coffee date at rhino this past week \ instagram

sidda just loves books.

I don't widely advertise the existence of my Tumblr*, mainly because I use it only to catalogue Instagram photos. Why do I need to catalogue Instagram photos, you ask? Because doesn't Instagram do that for you? Well, I suppose I do it just for the sake of having a Tumblr. Back in 2010, when Tumblr was the thing, I used to go on there & re-blog what I called inspiration photos. However, after Pinterest got going & the issue of proper sourcing came up, I ditched that form of blogging & hung tight with creating my own content, so I would know I was sourcing properly.

Now that we've gotten that little spiel out of the way,  I can get to the point of today's Blog Every Day In May prompt: a favorite quote. 

I mentioned my Tumblr page, because my Tumblr page happens to house one of my all-time favorite quotes in its header:

Sidda can't help herself. She just loves books. Loves the way they feel, the way they smell, loves the black letters marching across the white pages...

The quote comes from one of my all-time favorite books - Little Altars Everywhere - by one of my all-time favorite authors - Rebecca Wells.

And while you're reading this, you might be noticing some things. Like, for instance, that my blog is called siddathornton... & my Tumblr is called siddalee. And that the character in the quote is named Sidda. Obviously, these aren't mere coincidences. 

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a couple of my blog friends, why my blog is called siddathornton, & I felt that this was as appropriate a time as any - considering my sharing of this particular quote - to explain. And the explanation is simple, really: I am in complete & utter love with Rebecca Wells' books that focus on the relationship between Vivi & Sidda. Thus, when faced - years ago - with the problem of creating a Twitter handle I was certain no one would be able to decode as myself**, I quickly - almost subconsciously - typed out the word siddathornton. Sidda, for Siddalee, my favorite character in Wells' books; and Thornton, the Louisiana town where the story takes place.

And that's that. If you haven't read Wells' books, I suggest you give them a try. They aren't for everyone, as they do tend to be a little dark, but you may just find yourself falling into the sisterhood, devouring each of the little black letters, marching across the white pages.

*well, i guess now i do
**that went out the window a long time ago

 

friday's fancies #68: a southern bachelorette weekend.

Today we shove off for my dear friend Lindsey's bachelorette party! While we won't be spending time in the French Quarter pictured above - we'll be celebrating in its Louisiana namesake - I know there are lots of laughs & adventure in store for us. Below is what I'd be rocking, budgets aside. And even though my dream outfit isn't in the cards for this weekend's festivities, I have a little black dress in my suitcase that I know won't disappoint.

top | skirt | earrings | clutch | heels

Here's to a weekend full of laughs, drinks, friends, food, & music. Happy Bachelorette Party, Lindsey!

link-up: friday's fancies \ {long distance loving}

photo: taken in charleston, south carolina \ nikon

a loved one's achievement.

Recently, my mom was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society of nursing. I was thrilled to be able to attend: not only am I proud of her, but as I sat in the audience, & when I stood to take the above photos, I found myself reflecting on the fact that the achievements of others - especially those you love - are infectious. As I watched her walk across the stage, my feeling of happiness & pride was overwhelming, as if I were up there myself. My mom has worked hard over the years in her career as a nurse: working weekends, working holidays, & even working nights. I feel like her recent achievements have made it all worth it, & the lesson rings loud & true for me: hard work pays off.

 

Congratulations, Mom.

a condensed autobiography.

This month,  I am taking part in Blog Every Day In May, which is a blogging challenge hosted by Jenni. While I won't be using her prompts every single day, there will indeed be something posted in this space for each of May's thirty-one days. I'm looking forward to the blogging reset this exercise will hopefully bring about for me, & I can't wait to see what everyone else will be writing about.

climbing walls with friends in college; highly indicative of the whole experience

 

Now, for a little bit about me, & where  I came from.

My name is Lauren, & I was born on a Friday evening in August of 1986. I'm convinced that my evening-time arrival is the reason it's impossible for me to be the highly-sought-after morning person that I wish I could be. Instead, I've got night owl status on lock. I attended a private, Catholic school for eight years, where I got a good education, but where people weren't very nice. That was hard for a shy gal who only wanted to be in gymnastics class. I talked briefly about my gymnastics experience here. When I went to public school for the first time as a high school freshman, I was overwhelmed by the fact that everyone could be friends with everyone. All the kids were so accepting & nice, & I felt like I had finally found my place. It turns out that this place was where I'd have my first boyfriend, a very cute but very controlling lad. In the end, I met my husband in college, at the fraternity house I'd eventually become sweetheart of. We migrated from Shreveport, Louisiana to Wilmington, North Carolina, where we currently live. I am about to return to school & go in a direction I've been wanting to go in for a while. Though I'm going in an admittedly different direction, I will always consider myself a writer & intend to write both novels & children's books in the future.

 

Whew! 250 words exactly! Go share your life story over on Jenni's blog.

 

Want to know more about me? I wrote a little something here & here, too.