Things I Love: "Black Friday" by Tom Odell

Photo credit to Tom Odell and his team

Every now and then, a song comes along that completely knocks me out.And yet, that barely does justice to the beauty that is Tom Odell's new song, "Black Friday."

It's almost too special a song to me to share, but here I am. This song just reaches down into the deepest, gooeiest, most desperate parts of myself and makes me just feel. It makes me miss childhood, my father, and those early days when I used to listen to Tom's music, back when my sister and I were just discovering records and his first album was on constant rotation in some corner of the house.

I don't know what it is about this song, but it makes me want to get connected with things I used to love. To go back to simplicity, to delight in the beauty of a sunrise or pen on paper, rather than constantly looking to entertain myself online.

I love how art can inspire so many different things in as many different listeners. There's something just so beautiful and powerful about music. It's also nostalgic to, 10 years later, come back to Tom's music after a time away. Hello, old friend!

Take my hand and hold it gently

up against your cheek,

30

Today, I turn 30.

It feels odd to be embarking on the start of a new decade on a ho-hum Tuesday morning. 29 was easily the hardest year of my life and I'm hoping 30 will bring some much-needed peace. It's weird to be celebrating my birthday in the midst of a season of grief, but at least this year marks a new beginning.

I hope this next year, this next decade, is full of laughter, friendship, gardening, writing, creating, and Jesus. Also, music!

You can find all of my old birthday posts that I've been compiling since I was 21 here. (I can't believe I've kept the Birthday Post™ a tradition for so long!)

Till next year,

Tiny Joys: July 2023

Today I am introducing a new segment on the blog: Tiny Joys!

Tiny Joys are just what they sound like: little things that have sparked joy or a smile for me recently that, when life gets tough, can really make a difference in my day. Like pizza. 🍕

Tiny Joys: July 2023 Edition

Women supporting women: A great start to the weekend looks like putting together an alternative outfit just to go to the coffee shop and receiving a compliment from a very sweet customer. It was basically this.

Lavender lattes: The reason I was in the coffee shop in the first place was to get an iced lavender latte. This has been my beverage of choice at the moment and I'm sad I didn't discover it sooner.

"Fast Car": I'm probably VERY late to the party on this one, and I normally don't listen to country music, but this weekend I can't get "Fast Car" out of my head. The popular version right now is the cover by Luke Combs (very good) but it's the original by Tracy Chapman that is even more raw and authentic. It's heartbreaking but beautiful. Give it a listen!

"Adult Drama" by Natalie Beach: If you're a contented little introvert like me, there is nothing better than picking up a long-awaited held item at the library. This week, it's "Adult Drama" by Natalie Beach. I'm obsessed with essays, memoirs and funny/insightful non-fiction collections, so I've been devouring this book this week. 

Writing: This week I was assigned four new articles to write at work and in a joyous burst of inspiration, I wrote and wrote and wrote nonstop until I had the first piece done within a few hours. After a season of grief, I feel like my creativity is finally starting to surface again, and it was one of those moments where I felt so elated to be able to write for a living. 

And now, for the...

• I bought ridiculous bat-themed creepers/stompy boots because why not?

• Looking forward to watching "Asteroid City" with my mom later this week.

• This song blew my mind.

• I recently subscribed to the Downtime newsletter and it's always a fun read. 

What about you? What are your tiny joys this July?

I had a feeling I could be someone,