Ordered Chaos

dierks bentley

For "Sideways"...."Every Mile a Memory"..."What Was I Thinking"...."So So Long"...."Lot of Leavin' Left to Do"..."Domestic, Light and Cold"...and for "Feel That Fire." But especially for "Come a Little Closer," mostly for "Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)" and because it's Friday, Dierks Bentley gets my blog love today. Find the songs above, below:

Dierks.

barefoot and crazy

If you listen to the lyrics, it shouldn't surprise you that I've got Jack Ingram's most recent single playing on repeat non-stop these days. It's a pretty perfect glimpse into a big part of my ideal relationships:

Listen/watch here and read along:

The clouds are partin', the summer suns startin'
To burn down on that river
My baby's waitin', I got the Chevy shakin'
I'm blazin' a trail to get her, there she is

She's got her shades on and man, she's lookin' strong
Mine all mine for the weekend
The coolers loaded down, we're headed outta town
Jumpin' off the deep end

Goin' barefoot and crazy, me and my baby
Back flip off the flip right bridge
Double dog, dare me and I will
Meet me at the bottom with a cool wet kiss

She's rockin' that bikini top
My hearts skippin' like a rock across that water
Don't ever wanna stop
Goin' barefoot and crazy

The sun is droppin', we got the fire poppin'
And it's lightin' up her blue eyes
With a little bit of luck it'll heat things up
And we'll be lovin' in the moonlight

Break out my old guitar, sing Fishin' in the Dark
Baby, get ready
We'll take a little sip, we'll take a little dip
And sleep in the bed of my Chevy

Goin' barefoot and crazy, me and my baby
Just me and her and the man in the moon
Drinkin' on a cold bud brew
Mornin's gonna come way too soon

We'll wake up and do it all again
Wishin' it would never end
Anybody asks where we've been
Tell 'em barefoot and crazy

Barefoot and crazy, me and my baby
I did a back flip off the flip right bridge
Double dog dared me and I did
Met me at the bottom with a cool wet kiss

She's rockin' that bikini top
My hearts skippin' like a rock across that water
Don't ever wanna stop

Goin' barefoot and crazy
Don't ever wanna stop, don't ever wanna stop
Goin' barefoot and crazy (x2)

Unrelated: Came across quality writing, great photography and the thread of a good life story on a stranger's blog this morning. I'm passing on the awesomeness ... and not because I'm generous, but because I'm selfish — I'm hoping you'll take a look at his camping/hiking pictures and get inclined to join me in the woods one of these days. Check it.

Currently playing: "American Saturday Night" by Brad Paisley (my other song on repeat)

Currently reading: Lewis' George MacDonald anthology

time for a good time?

I haven't been to Cowboys in a couple of months. Right about now that fact is workin' it's way up under my ribs. Highly uncomfortable. Unbearable, really.

So, until I get some relief, I created a playlist worthy of my favorite honky tonk to tide me over:

Cowboys Country

It's danceable country. It's probably what you should listen to at your desk today. Or while you're weeding the backyard flower beds this weekend. Or while you're making your way toward the beach....or, even better, toward me.

I'm just sayin'. Catch it all above or by clicking this link.

Don't like country? Try it out anyway. And by "try" I mean listen to it all through twice and then tell me you still hate it...

Unrelated: I ate 13 blue crabs last weekend — the feast was glorious and over far too fast. Saw Harry Potter 6 at midnight Tuesday night — it's the best of the bunch, but the books are still 80 times better than the movies. I picked a bedroom. Water parks are dirty. I got a PARKING ticket for having an expired tag — that was two days ago and I still haven't put the tag on my car. Oops. We up mileage to eight this weekend — I'm not quite ready. Boo. Oh, and umm, you're awesome.

Currently playing: Tim McGraw's "Everywhere" album
Currently reading: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
Currently watching: So You Think You Can Dance (the top 10 are incredible!!)

quit tagging me in your 25 random things list

Now that that's been said, let's move on...

I let some cranked up Girl Talk put me through my paces last night on the spinning bike...

Talk about music that makes for a great ride and a wear-you-out workout. I don't know what it is about the length of the songs and the varying cadence, but you instinctively know when to do a seated climb, when to get out of the seat and when to knuckle down and let it out.

It's the music that's been reigning over the majority of my workouts since August. Incredible mash-up of songs*. I totally want to choreograph a cheerleading routine to it. For reals.

Get the music here (you name your price) and go get your run/bike/dance on...

*it ain't all clean, fyi.

a life in my dreams

Rascal Flatts' "Fast Cars and Freedom" just came on my iTunes. And I instantly fell in love with the idea of falling in love. For the length of a song, I lost my friggin' "I like being single" mind.

Sometimes I think that maybe all it's going to take for me to fall in love is for some cute guy to be looking me in the eye when the right song comes on.

Here's hoping common sense kicks in :)

Currently playing: "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney

did you know? #5

I'm not married. Not dating. Not even sure it's in the cards. Not even really inclined to care much anymore.  Still, like most girls, I know what I want to name my non-existent kids. The girl? Cailin.

Her name comes from an Unwritten Law song of the same name (check it out here). I have this ludicrous hope that the husband of my dreams will play it on his guitar and sing her to sleep with it...And while he's at it, maybe he'll cook like Bobby Flay, win triathlons every weekend, buy me a boat, and find my ability to "water a small plant with my sweat" remarkably attractive?!?!

I think turning 27 may have turned me into a big mushy ball of girly. I even watched a Lifetime movie for like fifteen minutes the other day. Gross. Excuse me as I go burn lizards or something.

Currently playing: "Better As a Memory" by Kenny Chesney. Nicole chats about the song here.

i just want to fly.

"Fly" by Sugar Ray just came on my iTunes.

Man, when I was in high school, I LOVED that song.

Sometimes I think I'm a totally different girl than I was back then...but yea, not so much.  The difference is that back then I couldn't nail down why I was so attracted to the song......and now I can:

I crave experience. I just want to fly. To see what's to be seen. To circle you 'til you join the flight. I'm addicted to sampling life. And I can't seem to kick the habit....

Currently playing: "Tennessee River Run" by Darryl Worley. The epitome of a perfect summer day.

more music

I hope I get to see Flogging Molly live one day.

Thanks to co-worker Nathan for the introduction. How was I not a fan prior to today? Lots of string instruments. Pretty much Irish drinking songs gone punk. A little ska-ish. It's the kind of stuff that makes me hyper and happy. Makes me want to go to hang out with friends at Fiddler's...or Scruffy Murphys....and laugh a lot at each other's idiosyncrasies.

Unrelated: Scott's got cancer. He's a local radio personality and while he sounds optimistic, he needs your prayers. Just an FYI.

Currently playing: "Requiem for a Dying Song" by Flogging Molly

because my vice is trashy music

I'm not really a Kid Rock fan. Not because I dislike him, but more because I haven't listened to much of his stuff. Which explains why I hadn't heard anything from last year's Rock n Roll Jesus album.

But Real Rock played his "All Summer Long" while I was driving home this evening...and well, I've got a new song addiciton.

It's dirty. It's southern rock. It's about a carefree summer. It's pretty much Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" without the poliitcal point. So, all things considered, I love it.

Check it.

would it be weird

if I walked down the aisle to Huey Lewis & the News' "The Power of Love" when/if I get married?

:)

Kidding.

Sorta. It'll at least be played at the reception.

I'm pretty sure my reception is going to be ridiculous. Ridiculously fun. Possibly absurd. Even if I'm 40.

Unrelated: Moustache May has started. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.

Currently playing: Time Flies: The Best of.. album by Huey Lewis & the News

i'm just sayin'...

If your only real vice is trashy music and you have a penchant for listening to massive quantities of its hip hop and rap variations on days when you're just plugging away at production work — dead set on getting red tape out of the way so that you can get creative again, AND you happen to work in the administrative wing of a church....

Umm, you may want to consider downloading the edited radio verions....and keeping the volume to a minor decibel level.

Otherwise, your boss' boss may poke his head in the door with a questioning look on his face just as Lil' Jon describes what happens when his ghetto-self sweats on a dance floor.

I'm just sayin'....

Last Five Played on the radio station:
"I Am Not Locked Down" by Treal
"Get Low" by Lil' Jon & The East Side Boyz
"Shake Your Rump" by The Beastie Boys
"Low" by Flo-Rida
"Sexy Can I" by Ray J

good times

I've been looking forward to tomorrow. The promise of days where a couple of things won't hurt so bad or bother me so much. I've been taking it one day at a time but still wishing I could just jump forward four months — knowing that time lessens the sting and that tomorrow might hold better things...

But I was listening to some beloved country radio this morning when Trace Adkins' current number one song came on. It's called "You're Gonna Miss This" and God just friggin' (insert bad word here)-slapped me upside my head with it.

you're gonna miss this
you're gonna want this back
you're gonna wish these days
hadn't gone by so fast
these are some good times
so take a good look around
you may not know it now
but you're gonna miss this

It's like He was calling me back into the present. Reminding me that I've got to put my all into today. That I have to see what He's doing in the moment. Not only that, but I have to embrace it. Because where I'm at is intentional on His part. And considering my greatest fear (beyond spiders) is missing out on what God has for me...maybe it's about time I took a good look around and made sure I'm not avoiding what He's got for me while it's here and now.

Because here's the thing: I don't want to miss it now, because I really do want to [miss what was] later.

Currently playing: "Trying to Stop Your Leaving" by Dierks Bentley (hottest man in country music. period.)

cause we're all a little emo.

Been listening to Further Seems Forever most of the day. And even though Chris Carrabba had deserted the band by then, I think How to Start a Fire wins as their best album. Anyone care to disagree?

And guys? Burn "On Legendary" to CD and hand it to your woman on your wedding day:

but here you come
with a smile that'd send any man to his knees...
and I feel like I've begun now,
now that we're one now

I promise you'll have a good night.

:)

Currently playing: "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" by Kenny Chesney (because I do)

we wait for the sun

I couldn't sleep last night. So, I sat on the balcony, legs dangling between the rails, and stared at the silence. Big moon, the white noise of the dark, and little 'ol me. Memories of two intense conversations becoming breezy in the night air. The stars catching my eye, and mesmerizing my body into loosening up. God wrapping me in the cloak of night and reminding me that I don't have to know to do. To dream. Or to hope. To accept with poise and grace what's handed to me.

Get up, Get up
Dance on the ceiling
Get up, Get up
Boy you must be dreaming
Rock on young savior
Don't give up your hopes

Currently playing: "Big Casino" by Jimmy Eat World

The 4th of July

I've got a great job. It's not so much a job, as it is me getting to do what I'm good at in a place that I think's doing a great thing in and through (and because of) Christ. I enjoy it. I really do.

And today is a great day at work. I'm working on fun projects. I've got a lot on the plate, but I'm not feeling very pressured. I'm in jeans. My hair is a mess. My eyes are bright. My music is loud. I'm chillin' with God and feeling intentional and all purpose-driven. In ministry. (sorry, couldn't resist). It's quite the ideal situation.

But I still want to be out. Driving. Down back roads. Fast and at a crawl. Sunroof letting the heat in, open windows letting the music out. Discovering new places and getting out of the car to explore them. Staking a claim on what's out there waiting to be found....

And the song I'm listening to doesn't help the situation. I've posted about it before, but this song messes me up ("4th of July" by Shooter Jennings) anytime I listen to it. I mean, if you want to get inside my head on any given day....visiting this URL/blog is step one. Listening to that song is step two. It just makes me wanna grab somebody and just go. Gets me hopeful. Makes it super hard to remember that I've got stuff to get done here first. That it's not time yet.

Currently playing: "Fast Cars and Freedom" by Rascal Flatts

is it in you now?

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you 
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; 
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, 
But make allowance for their doubting too; 
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, 
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, 
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, 
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; 
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; 
If you can meet with triumph and disaster 
And treat those two imposters just the same; 
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken 
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, 
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, 
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings 
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, 
And lose, and start again at your beginnings 
And never breath a word about your loss; 
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew 
To serve your turn long after they are gone, 
And so hold on when there is nothing in you 
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, 
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; 
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; 
If all men count with you, but none too much; 
If you can fill the unforgiving minute 
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - 
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, 
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Currently playing (and completely related): "Sowing Season" by Brand New

Unrelated: Seems everything is trying to tell me I should see the movie Once.

Sing It Back

Jimmy Eat World. One of my top three favorite bands. Their Bleed American CD still has a weekly home in my CD player. And Futures pretty much was the soundtrack to my exit from college and entrance into the "real world".

With the drop of the first beat of any one of their songs, I'm back with the OD boys, kickin' it with Nicole at Cowboys, talking to Jon on the stairs of The Lodge, jumping with a crowd of like-minded kids at STATUS, and being energized by the possibility of it all.

They still resonate with me — their newest CD, Chase This Light, has gradually (and finally, completely) won me over. "Always Be" is where I'm at.

Since 2004, I've written fifteen posts that revolve around or involve their music. That's absurd.

I still write the lyrics of "The Middle" in the front of every new bible I get (the video rocks).

And "Praise Chorus" may have finally surpassed Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Fishin' in the Dark" as my favorite song, ever.

For everything they say and how it all makes me feel each and every time their noise is music to my ears — it's a Jimmy Eat World day.

just a number

I'm having an emo day.

I'm not emotional. But the music is. All teenage and angsty. Pure perfection, really.

My age is just a number. I kid myself when I begin to think that I'm not still just one of those kids. Because I am.

And from the ballroom floor we are in celebration
One good stretch before our hibernation
Our dreams assured and we all, will sleep well

Currently playing: Dashboard Confessional's A Mark, A Mission, A Brand, A Scar album
Currently watching: The Hawaii Chair infomercial. Pretty much amazing is what it is. (thx Kaci)

it's a wonderful feeling...

I'm totally listening to *NSYNC singing "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" on my iTunes right now.

Thought you should know.

Related: Gnarls Barkley's "Run" video is fun (album releases in April). Check it.

Proof that I'm caucasian.

Because I'm sure it was up for debate?? (HA!)

The Top 10 Rap Songs White People Love.

(link courtesy of the Stuff White People Like blog)

Can I get an "Amen"!?

Currently playing: "Gin and Juice" by Snoop D-o-double "G"