Quote Today

When you're feeling down, you can pull him out of your pocket, and he will say, "I want to return to my country and help. Music changes lives." - and this is yet another reason as to why I am positive I'm at the right place. 

Quote courtesy of Jason Mraz

"It takes no time to fall in love, but it takes you years to know what love is"

Chris' Jazz Cafe

Not the best photo, I'm aware. Still. Get here.

LISTEN TO THIS. JUST DO IT. <----(click on the link here to listen to "Destiny")
I can't say anything negative about this place. Ever. I love when people say to me "so have you ever been to that Jazz place in the city? Chris'?" My response: "That's my spot!" This either is or should be anyone and everyone's place for a fancy date, a lazy night just listening to jazz munching on some sweet potato fries, or just somewhere to enjoy time with close friends, amazing food, and even better music.  The cover price in my experience has been between $5-$15 and usually on the cheaper end of things if you bring your college ID along. 
 If you're a Philly native or merely passing through, a visit to this locale (what appears to just be a hole in the wall from the outside) on Sansom street is a must. But please, look presentable. The performers are pouring out their heart and soul for you, so the least we can do as an audience is be tolerable to look at. Advocate for the arts. This is one of the last places to see live jazz on a regular basis in Philadelphia - a city that used to be filled with this soulful music on nearly every corner.
 In a crazy city, Chris' place makes my life feel a little more homey amidst the chaos of sirens, the subways screeching metal against metal, and blocks out the "city smell" of subway, urine, fresh cigarettes, and stale weed that has permeated any porous surface it could come into contact with. Beautiful, isn't it?

Lawrence Jones - The Flute Player from Friday Night at Chris'  - check out his website. He does this awesome thing when he switches between vocals and flute and sax. Give it a listen.It was so good I bought a CD. I don't do CDs usually, so this should be a good sign.

A Day in the Life

Sir John - Blue Mitchell

My life.

Surprise!

headin' home

As a surprise to my mom and dad, I caught the early train for home Monday morning. Waking up early on any given Monday morning is hard. Getting out of bed Monday morning after not sleeping a wink? Darn near impossible. If for no other reason, this should show anyone how much I love my family. My wonderful neighbor and her little boy picked me up at the platform. I have never seen a kid so excited to see me - but I was just as happy to see him. His third birthday is in a week or so. Keep in mind, the only person who knew I was coming home was my neighbor picking me up.
After a short drive home, I slid my key into the lock on my door and pushed it open with a "Hello!". I heard my dad's voice, filled with a culmination of confusion and the silent thought of "fuck-someone-is-here-and-I-need-to-go-to-work" As he walked out of his shop, I saw my mom at the top of the stairs. They just couldn't believe I was there. Gotta love that feeling.
Brief catching up, mom and dad headed down to the restaurant, and I...napped. Nothing like a solid five hours of day sleeping.
Eventually I headed down to the restaurant, where I was nearly jumped upon my arrival by a dear friend. Literally, she threw down the ice cream she was eating onto the dish table and did sort of a leaping hug thing.
The night was full of the best surprises for everybody. My grandparents were shocked to see me, especially at work on a day that should have been vacation for me. Not 10 minutes after I donned my apron, my tennis coach (perhaps more accurately one of my closest and longest friends) stepped up to the counter to order our signature sundae, the Jigger. I could have cried, I was so happy with the coincidence and the many that followed.
After closing and some hard goodbyes, we commenced with our end of season tradition - champagne and fresh donuts on the deck, under the green and yellow lights - with a few family friends. A toast to Bruce Sensenig, a good friend and volunteer firefighter, who died on his way to save lives.

Front Porch Thing - Little Big Town

I've come to realize that your family is the people who surround and love you - regardless of blood relation. If home is where family is, and you are surrounded by those who love and care about you, you could never be far from it.

Words to Live by

This. This is my goal. Learning shouldn't take place entirely in the classroom.