The Metaphorical Magpie

Have you me met Melody yet?

I wrote about Melody Gardot last year when I first discovered her music and was totally captivated by her voice and her story. CBS Sunday Morning did a piece on her last week that I think is worth sharing.

Her record is definitely worth owning, too.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Kicking the closet addiction

I have a major closet clear out on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I've definitely chipped away at my towering collection of coats and other wearables but there is much more editing to be done.

Over at 3191 Miles Apart, MAV posted a great list of rules she follows when she does a clearout of her closet. 

Now, MAV, proclaims she is "addicted to giving things away." I and some of my closest friends are addicted keeping everything and anything for a future use.

Finding a nice balance, a flow if you will, between bringing new things in and allowing them to flow back out into the world is something I am striving towards. Often when I begin to clear out, I get gripped with this weird hoard-y impulse and never cut close enough to the bone. When I open my packed dresser and realize there isn't much in there that I actually want to wear, I feel frustrated. And then when tempted to buy something new, I feel guilty because I don't "need" anything new, knowing I have tons of so-so items at home to choose from.

If you too are struggling with too much crammed into your drawers and closets that you have a uninspiring relationship with, I encourage you to visit MAV's post and ponder the insightful questions she asks when going through her belongings. Reading them made me realize, many of the clothes I have stored away are of no use to me or make me feel weird, fat or dumpy.

Wouldn't having only items I love in turn help me feel more love about myself? 

Last month, I was getting ready to go somewhere and moaning about my lack of clothes I love. Sweets , someone who has a rating system for everything, made this astute observation -"based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being pajamas and stuff you wear around the house, 2 the chef clothes you work in, 3 things you wear to go out in and 5 special occasion- you have alot of 1-2 and some 5's but you really need some more 3-4 items."

So... basically my husband is telling me "hey, you're basically shlubby most of the time unless we're going out someplace fancy, can you kick it up a notch?

In the dope rhymes of A Tribe Called Quest, I answer the query, "Can I Kick It? Yes You Can!"

This rhythm really fits like a snug glove
Like a box of positives is a plus, love
As the Tribe flies high like a dove .......

Can I kick it? (Yes, you can!) *7X*
Well, I'm gone (Go on then!).....

Boy this track really has a lot of flavor
When it comes to rhythms, Quest is your savior
Follow us for the funky behavior
Make a note on the rhythm we gave ya
Feel free, drop your pants, check your ha-ir
Do you like the garments that we wear?
I instruct you to be the obeyer
A rhythm recipe that you'll savor
Doesn't matter if you're minor or major  ...

Stepping out into the light

I've been a bit trapped inside my own brain for the last few months. My blog has suffered. My friends haven't seen me. I've become a total cookbook reading, menu planning, pot stirring, passing out soon after recluse since the opening of A Better World Cafe took over all my might.

Last weekend, I traveled to New Orleans for a conference on community cafes. I represented A Better World along with two other members of our organization. We networked with the other community cafes that currently exist and a great group of people from all over the country that want to join the movement by opening their own cafes in the future. It was a great experience. I was asked to lead some sessions on cooking seasonally. I came back with some great food for thought from other summit participants.

By getting away for a few days, most importantly realizing I can leave the cafe for a few days without any glitches, I've been able to finally shake myself out of my head.

Hoorah!

Sweets bought me a nifty Canon G10 camera for Christmas and I put it through some testing on the trip. The hotel we stayed at was bursting with color, I happily shot away when I had free moments. Just doing something creative (non-food related) again felt really good. I happily edited photos for hours today and it's been a long, long time since I walked away from editing photos professionally that I've wanted to do that. It's funny that when photography was my job, food was my hobby. Now that food is my job, photography wants to be my hobby. Flippity flop goes the world I live in.

Here's to more creative adventures in 2010.

And perhaps some trips- near and far.

Now that's I've stepped out the door in my brain, you can expect to see more of me around here.

Friday Dance Party: You Say Party! We Say Die!

It's been a while since I busted with a posty here let alone a Friday dance party, so I figured better go for a dramatic post title. Coincidentally, it is the name of a cool Canadian band that just came to my attention when KEXP chose this song, Laura Palmer's Prom! as their song of the day earlier this week.

I love it.

Besides loving this lyric (already getting revved for Valentine's Day) "My heart needs a love dance... could your heart need some romance?... cause my heart needs a love dance," I give props to any song that busts out the word attest in a lyric. Doesn't come up often. Just sayin'.

Unfortunately, this singer is not much of a dancer but... I'll let her slide cause my heart needs a love dance today.

Doesn't yours?

More tracks available from them for your listening pleasure on their MySpace page. 

Their new record, XXXX on Paperbag Records will be available in the U.S. on Feb. 9th. They'll be touring the U.S. in March.