Don't worry about it.

Today I'm going to stray from the typical posts I do on this blog.

On Wednesday night I found that a friend had been found dead after being declared a missing person in the Chicago area on Tuesday.

I don't want to talk about the details of his death, but really want to use this space to discuss the triumphs of his life. I first met Jay through a mutual friend: his roommate. He knew me as the girl who wanted to shave his friend's beard for a movie we were filming that week and quickly let me know what he thought about it. When we were introduced he immediatley announced to me: "IT'S BEARD-GROWING SEASON. YOU CANNOT SHAVE THIS" as he slowly stroked my friend's face.

I remember thinking to myself: "Who IS this guy?!"

Jay would walk into a room and demand your attention just because of the energy he carried with him. It really didn't matter how bad of a day I was having, he was the one person who I would see and instantly smile. Jay was hilarious and had a humor that was so rare, honest, and witty. After meeting him, I immediately took notice that his most used phrase was "Don't worry about it" and was a response he used in almost any semi-stressful situation. I used to think it was just a funny quirk about his personality, but now, looking back on my relationship with him, it really embodied his entire outlook on life. He was open-minded, accepting, and saw life as one big opportunity to meet new people, have fun, and express ourselves creatively. I have a natural tendency to be a fast-paced, stressed out type of person, but Jay was always someone who inspired me to sit back, take my time, smile, and enjoy the ride.

I had never met anyone like Jay before being introduced to him this year and I know that I will never meet another person like him ever again...this one's for you, Jay.

Rave on.

Valentine's Day.

Chinese New Year.

Mardi Gras.

President's Day.

I felt no need to celebrate much of anything lately, until today. My roommate got a callback, I got a new internship, the sun was shining, aaand A B & the Sea released a new single!

Now I've never been one to get too excited about holidays, but today seemed liked a good day to do a little shimmy & sport some pigtails. Thankfully, I was provided with the perfect soundtrack to do exactly that with a lovely Buddy Holly cover and a light-hearted original:

Houses by Navid Baraty

Spector's Wall of Sound

I first heard of The Morning Benders back in 2007. They were on a bill with some other local San Francisco bands that I liked, The Mumlers and The Botticellis, at my favorite music venue of all time: Bottom of the Hill. Since then, they have grown, their sound has matured, and their national fanbase has undoubtedly increased, but they seemed to have maintained the same goal this entire time and that is to make music that is simple, honest, and never loses its retro, melodic pop sense. Please take a moment to enjoy a look behind the recording of the newest song from their new album Big Echo called "Excuses". You can also download their first single off of the album,"Promises", at their website: www.themorningbenders.com

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

miller, henry

'flowerhead' by ethos

"Things will happen elsewhere. Things are always happening. It seems wherever I go there is drama. People are like lice--they get under your skin and bury themselves there. You scratch and scratch until the blood comes, but you can't get permanently deloused. Everywhere I go people are making a mess of their lives. Everyone has his private tragedy. It's in the blood now--misfortune, ennui, grief, suicide. The atmosphere is saturated with disaster, frustration, futility. Scratch and scratch--until there's no skin left. However, the effect upon me is exhilarating. Instead of being discouraged, or depressed, I enjoy it. I am crying for more and more disasters, for bigger calamities, for grander failures. I want the whole world to be out of whack, I want everyone to scratch himself to death."

No excuses.

I promised to myself when I started this little blog that I would keep up with it, maintain it, bathe it, brush it, etc. But I guess I've become distracted as I do all too often and days went by, then weeks, and then before I even blinked five months were gone.

Last time I wrote in this quadrant of the cyberspace universe I was laying on my father's bed next to the only fan in the house during a hot, summer afternoon in the east Bay Area. Tonight I write from my dorm room in Chicago on a bitterly cold and unforgiving February night. But, after a recent development of less than desirable events in my personal life, I am making a personal vow to spend more time doing things for myself...and this is going to be on the list of those things to do.

So let's start fresh.
Dear acrobatics, falsettos, & saddlebags,
I'm so, so sorry that I let you go. I have realized during our time apart that I need you in my life and desperately want you to exist in MY world wide web. Please, please, please tell me that you can find it in your pixelized heart to forgive me?

All my love,
Janell H.



Any who, let us get back to what this page is all about:
Please take a moment to take a look at my friend's sweet fashion blog, fresh influence, for a little collaboration with yours truly and plenty of other goodies that will not disappoint.


Also, I would like to make a quick introduction.
Dear reader, please meet Justin Townes Earle.




Here's hopin'.