Shake it out

It's always darkest before the dawn...
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
So shake it out

Thank you Florence for once again putting my life to music.  The last couple of weeks have been rough, with ups and downs that I could not control.  But a little time with family, old friends, and new friends helped me to shake it out and become re-energized about my life.  I'm taking control and moving forward.

Rolling in Adele

I love Adele. She's my girl. I have loved her since her album 19. But I have had her newest album, 21, on repeat in my headphones, car, and computer for a month. I can't turn it up loud enough and, despite my horrible voice, sing at the top of my lungs.

Adele is a beautiful girl with one of the most soulful voices I have ever heard come from a white girl. Her music rings true to my experience and I identify with her sentiment. "Rolling in the Deep" is a fantastic song that highlights her commanding voice and I always clap-stomp to it (even in the car!).

This is an anthem for every girl who needs to chin up and move on.

"Chasing Pavements" was the first song that I heard by her and I still belt it when I hear it. This put her on my radar as an artist to watch for.

United State of Happy New Year!

Happy New Year townies! I'm off to Mac's New Year's Eve Carrburrito party before heading downtown to party like it's... well... 2010. I hope everyone has a safe and celebration and helps ring in 2011 with sequins and glitter!

You obviously know my love of music videos and my secret love of the top 40 (shout out to my fellow love Toewsy!). This is the culmination of 2010's best music in a mashup by DJ Earworm called "Don't Stop the Pop".



New Year's cheers to all those friends in different time zones who aren't celebrating on Eastern Standard Time: Costa Rica, Tanzania, Hawaii, and somewhere in middle America road trip.

Bring it on 2011!

Rains in Africa

The short rainy season has begun. The dusty streets are now soggy with a mud that cakes to the bottoms of your shoes. The potholes in the road are filled with an orange water that splashes me when cars drive by. Thankfully it mostly rains at night, but it can continue into the morning hours which makes walking to work a tricky task... like today.



Someone lifted my bag in clinic today. It's not a big deal, but the principle of stealing from a volunteer stinks. It was a bag that I had sewn several years ago, but inside my bag was an umbrella and my raincoat. I was super bummed. But my spirits lifted when I realized I had brought an umbrella to give as a gift that I will keep instead. Then I was super bummed again when I realized it had a Dook symbol on it and I will have to carry it around for the next month.

Here's to General Johnson and his Carolina Girls!

This is one of the anthems of my childhood and obviously the theme song of my university years. General Johnson, age 67, has ended an era in Carolina beach music with his passing, but he will be long remembered. One last shag for The General tonight at the last Friday on the Front Porch!

Song of the week

From the wonderful influence of one of my favorite hipster townies, I have been loving Florence + the Machine and got clued into this video. It is thousands of photos of London by a Cornell student put to "You've Got the Love". Love it.

Song of the week

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq-nBujdb4I
Cooler Than Me~ Mike Posner
This guy is a Duke alum and it couldn't be a funnier song! There's no need to think-- Carolina girls are cooler than you.

Keep a heads up for upcoming GKbTE! post