Another Quote

I love this.

"If you're really listening, if you're awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold ever-more wonders." —Andrew Harvey

Taney County for Obama

Hello friends and agents of change.

If you're like me (and I know many of you are) you have good intentions, but often get caught in neutral. The next two weeks are critical in deciding the future of our country's leadership.

If you really want change, let it begin with you. Get out of neutral and start volunteering with your local Obama headquarters. There is a lot that needs to be done, including phone banks, canvassing and putting in office hours.

Taney county has two organizers, Dante and Sherri -- write back if you would like their information. The Branson headquarters is located across from the Hollywood Wax Museum in the HCW building. Office hours are from 9am to 9pm.

If you live somewhere else but want to be involved, visit the campaign website and find a local group near you: http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Peace,
Mandy

Pumpkins and Such

Every Monday, I pick Bailey up from school and we spend the day together. Yesterday, we went out to Branson West to get pumpkins for Halloween. We went to Danna's for dinner and ate pulled-pork sandwiches before heading over to the Shepherd of the Hills Inspiration Tower. After that, we went home to paint pumpkins and eat ice cream. A lovely day, here are some photos.

Bailey Devo :)

Here's a couple of pics from last Monday with Bailey -- we just hung out at the house, made Hamburger Helper (her favorite) and Rice Krispy Treats and put up some Halloween decorations. I wasn't feeling well, so we didn't have a big outdoor adventure like the week before, but she still had a blast. She quite enjoyed my Devo hat from Meghan's costume party. I don't know what we're going to do today, I'm going to leave that up to her. I need to leave in 15 minutes to go pick her up from school, but for now, here's pics from last week.

Much Belated KC Post...

Here are the pics from Meghan's Costumed Birthday Bash in KC two weekends ago. The theme was: "Come dressed in the fashion of the year YOU were born..." I was born in 1980, so I came as Devo from the Whip It video. I won third place in the costume contest--Cassie/Madonna came in first and Kendra/Farrah Fawcett came in second. My prize was a Pound Puppy. I really wanted that Monchichi, but alas, Cassie won it. At least it rests in good monkey-lovin' hands. Enjoy!

Honey, I Was Just a Kid...

Bubblegum on my shoe.

Up late listening to Ryan Adams, pouting because I have gorgeous VIP 7th row tickets to his show in St. Louis tomorrow and am not going. I couldn't even sell the tickets, so they are simply going to waste. Money is tight and I can't afford to drive to St. Louis and back right now, so I figure it's better to waste $70 than spend cash I don't have on gas and meals.

Damn, Sam.

It's probably all for the best because Ryan Adams makes me weepy and nostalgic for people who don't exist anymore. His music is so sad. I should probably stop listening, but I'm a glutton for punishment and harmonicas.

On his album HEARTBREAKER, there are four consecutive songs that might be my favorite four consecutive songs on any album ever.

They are:
Track7--Call Me On Your Way Back Home
Track8--Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains)
Track9--Come Pick Me Up
Track10--To Be The One

Now I sort of want to drink copious amounts of wine and pass out with headphones on. This is generally not a good idea, but in the spirit of pouting, brooding and remarkably quiet tantrums, I may indulge.

I think I'm going to listen to all the albums in chronological order. Just the full-lengths. Not including the Whiskeytown stuff, EPs or B-sides. Just Heartbreaker, Gold, Demolition, Rock & Roll, Love Is Hell, Cold Roses, Jacksonville City Nights, 29 and Easy Tiger. But that's like, nine hours of listening, so perhaps I will start tonight and continue it tomorrow during the day. I mean, it's not like I'd say up all night obsessing if I let myself. Not at all. Because that's totally crazy. Yeah. Crazy. Really crazy. Don't do that.