keep on pluckin'...

i know this is all about not breaking hearts, but it's not all that easy. i don't want to get too much into my personal life, so i won't, but i'm afraid that following your own heart and feeling and doing what you truly feel is right is the most important thing to do, and along the way others may get hurt. it's not fun to realize or accept.
but good things do come out of these circumstances. one thing, for me, is the banjo.
it's kind of odd how it fits in, but the banjo is love. man, it is. i realized where my heart belongs, has always belonged. i don't know how to express it, other than with the banjo.
i don't know how many are familiar with the banjo, or like it, but i love it. it's the one instrument that when plucked makes my toes tingle (in a good way) and makes my heart sing. it makes me so happy i almost can't stand it.
and yeah, this may be muppets, but it's also steve martin (who is funny as shit, so watch it), and banjo. (bet you didn't know he was a plucker did ya?!)

and for those not so into the bluegrass... some good ol' folky banjo goodness everyone can enjoy!
this song, "i could be nothing" is by one of my favorite bands, great lake swimmers, and in my opinion, is the very embodiment of love. a love song at it's loveliest. so full of emotion, respect, heart, and joy it almost makes me break down. definitely a song to breathe for. to hope for. love love love!

ah. i am afraid my heart feels a tad broken today. it shouldn't, but i have let my feelings get the best of me. what can you do? that's life. but obviously i need to start to practice what i preach. look for the good things in life, don't think about the bad. so good things... good things. music is wonderful. friends. nature. the warm breeze on a hot sunshiney summer day. the grass beneath your feet. the smells of a summer day... like the freshly cut grass, flowers, trees, dirt, camp fire... there are so many! summer is so wonderful. you can just walk outside and go. don't have to worry about being too cold or there being snow... even the rain can be wonderful. feeling the earth beneath your feet, the sun beating down on you, listening to the wonderful sounds, either it be kids playing, water splashing, music being blasted from cars with their windows down, birds chirping, people actually outside and laughing, not going as quickly as they can with their head down to get inside asap because of freezing cold snow and wind. people walking their dogs, eating icecream downtown, riding bikes, kayaking in the river, the sound of the geese and the flow of the river, rustling of leaves, the way the leaves flip and it gets that yellowish light outside and the wind picks up just before a perfect storm, thunder and lightning with rain that goes straight down in thick fast drops that hurt but feel so good while jumping in the puddles. sitting outside and reading a good book in the sunshine. hiking in flip flops... the beach with the warm sand that feels so nice and refreshing to dig your feet down into. the sound of sea gulls! picnics. sitting on rocks. concerts! wow i feel so much better!

this is the best friend i have! we were at a concert and found somewhere to toke :)
what a wonderful day!

oh how i miss it! i spent a wonderful summer here! these are from hartwick college's env. campus pine lake, in west davenport, ny

who knew i would stumble across something good so soon. search for one thing, find something else. but it's a good thing! such beauty. respect for a culture that is on its' way out. respect in general . imagination and creation can not possibly lead to anything but good. it's a wonder. so isolated. the lucky few who get to experience this in person. the way it should be. something as remarkable and beautiful as greek and roman statues, which are locked away in museums (you wouldn't believe how much isn't even on display for people to enjoy!), in their natural environment. could you imagine if people actually had to travel to see these great works of art and beauty?! i've always taken museums for granted (how i love them!). but i think we should all take advantage while we can, before people wise up and realize, "hey, our history is in someone else's country! when did that happen?"

discover

i don't really enjoy talking about myself. i've never been a fan of the 'blog'. maybe simply because i didn't quite get what it was about. i'm not using this as a way to promote myself in any way, or to show you how fabulous (or horrendous) my life may be. honestly, i'm not quite sure EXACTLY what i'm gonna do with this thing. i just know i don't want there to be any broken hearts. there have been much too many, for anyone's good. so i just want to share good things. there are so many good people. good feelings. good thoughts. good actions. giving for the sake of giving. loving for loving. friends, the most amazing people in this world, i don't want to break your hearts, just as i don't want you to break mine.

first good thing - discovering new music with family. (more specifically awesome younger brothers).