Fresh air, Monarch butterflies, fruitless hunting trips, corn field forts, art projects, giant hay bails, late nights spent around a bonfire, endless debates, tears, laughter, love, understanding and a sky full of stars. This place and the friends that live here have given me some of my most cherished memories. Though there isn't much more than snow this time of year, here are a few of the pictures my sister and I took at the farm this weekend.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Farm
Fresh air, Monarch butterflies, fruitless hunting trips, corn field forts, art projects, giant hay bails, late nights spent around a bonfire, endless debates, tears, laughter, love, understanding and a sky full of stars. This place and the friends that live here have given me some of my most cherished memories. Though there isn't much more than snow this time of year, here are a few of the pictures my sister and I took at the farm this weekend.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
I Can't Help Myself
The mind is a powerful thing and for the past few days I've chosen to relinquish my control and allow it to wander free. But now I'm driving myself mad with thoughts of you. Endless daydreams of romantic, and entirely unrealistic scenarios, fading in and out like a series of short films interrupted by brief intermissions of sobriety when my abandoned logic scolds me for wasting time. And for a moment I begin to snap out of the trance, but I quickly slip back into fairytale land, drunk and distracted with you. It feels too good to leave. And I could stay here forever if i didn't have reality rearing its ugly head, pulling me back into a lonely existence and reminding me that you haven't called, or written, or returned so much as a text message since I saw you last.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Gift of Giving
Taylor and I spent the day shopping for our parents and man did we stretch our little bit of money! The gifts we chose may not be the most expensive, but we did our best to be thoughtful : ) Now I'm way more excited about watching them open their gifts on Christmas day than I am about getting anything. Oprah is right, to give is the most rewarding gift of all — and don't be fooled, EVERYONE can do it! I know of a few people who have said they don't have the means to give this year. That's total crap! Giving and being thoughtful doesn't have to cost any money at all, so no excuses! Whether it's the gift of time, a thoughtful handwritten card, a poem, or a song, try a little tenderness this season.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Just checking in...
I've been home for a couple days now and I can't believe I thought it was freezing in NY before I left — it's unbearable here!
But the snow is beautiful.
My little sister is grown all of a sudden! Feels like it happened overnight.
Our relationship is changing and, while I'm happy we are starting to understand each other better, it's definitely taking some getting used to. I've been watching her interact with friends and I must say it's funny seeing how similar we are and, yet, she's developed her own special brand of sass ; )
I remember thinking I had it all figured out at her age, and I wouldn't believe anyone who told me otherwise. Now I know better (sort of), but no matter how much I wish she could learn from my experiences, she has to make her own choices and face obstacles on her own two feet. Sometimes I don't think parents can remember back that far, and they've forgotten how important it is to have the freedom to make mistakes during your adolescence.
I also realize I may change my tune after having kids of my own...
Anyhoo, this afternoon is family gym day — off to yoga!
I've been home for a couple days now and I can't believe I thought it was freezing in NY before I left — it's unbearable here!
But the snow is beautiful.
My little sister is grown all of a sudden! Feels like it happened overnight.
Our relationship is changing and, while I'm happy we are starting to understand each other better, it's definitely taking some getting used to. I've been watching her interact with friends and I must say it's funny seeing how similar we are and, yet, she's developed her own special brand of sass ; )
I remember thinking I had it all figured out at her age, and I wouldn't believe anyone who told me otherwise. Now I know better (sort of), but no matter how much I wish she could learn from my experiences, she has to make her own choices and face obstacles on her own two feet. Sometimes I don't think parents can remember back that far, and they've forgotten how important it is to have the freedom to make mistakes during your adolescence.
I also realize I may change my tune after having kids of my own...
Anyhoo, this afternoon is family gym day — off to yoga!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A short poem
The time is nearly here
less than 14 hours to go
Now I'm rushing like a madman
folding and packing dirty clothes...do the laundry for free when I get home!
lol. the things I do to entertain myself.
Monday, December 15, 2008
"holiday party with wrapped figs and mulled wine"
What a difference a day makes!
Even though I lost the last button on my winter coat, I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy inside after the holiday party my roommates and I threw last night. A small crowd gathered in our kitchen and living room and we spent the evening sharing lots of laughs, more than a few bottles of wine and beer, homemade eggnog one described as "liquid pumpkin pie," a mountain of fudge chunks, Angela's experimental sweet AND savory chex mix and Kev's meticulously wrapped figs. Food and drinks led to a rousing game of taboo and a few late night rounds of charades with Josh, Harmon and I, the last remaining stragglers of the evening. Now I think I've finally got that holiday cheer! It's amazing what a few Christmas lights and a full house can do.
Enjoy the season : )
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bah, humbug!
It's freezing. I'm broke.
Too broke for Christmas shopping,
too broke to do my laundry,
too broke to eat anything besides spaghetti and prego.
And to top it off, I'm having writers block,
I can't find my holiday music
and I've lost all but one button on my winter coat!
Where is my holiday spirit, you ask?
I think it may have slipped through my numb fingertips last night
while I scoured my purse for quarters and dimes to pay for a single ride metrocard.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Re: Keep your head up
I know what you mean. We're all still so young, but it's like we're expected to have everything together, know who we are and make it happen. Things don't work out, we pursue things that we later discover we never wanted at all, and I know I've had my fair share of what-the-fuck-am-I-doing moments — maybe for different reasons than yours, maybe not. Sometimes we do need to toughen up, but sometimes we need to go with the flow and let life do the guiding for awhile. I don't know which one of those moments this is for you, but I am not worried about you finding your way. You are strong, beautiful, gifted, and one of the most grounded people I've ever known. I know it's hard to see the silver lining sometimes, but whenever I get really discouraged with my music, when I doubt myself, when I wonder if this is what I really want, if this is worth it, I have to remind myself that I'm alive and I'm living NOW. Right now. Not yesterday, not tomorrow, not an hour from now, but now. And now is the only thing that is real. Just yesterday a friend of mine said to me, "The time is ALWAYS now." Wise words. So I switch my focus and start seeing the beautiful things that are around me. And there are always sooo many. I may not be exactly where I want to be in my career, but I can still write a song and sing my heart out, and I don't need any label executive to validate my talent or my passion because they are simply truths of who I am. Find the truth in your situation and things may start looking a lot clearer.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Show Tues, December 2nd @ 7:00 pm - Rockwood Music Hall
I want to share my songs with you as they were written
Stripped down, without all the bells and whistles
and the Rockwood is as intimate as it gets
So if you can pencil me in, this should be a really cool show and I would love to see you there!
Dec. 2nd @ 6:45
Rockwood Music Hall (169 Allen St. btwn E. Houston & Stanton)
And it's free : )
Peace.
Charley
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
Here are some pictures from my first trip to Washington DC earlier this month. I'm not sure if it was the recent revival of my patriotism or my desperate need for a getaway, but I absolutely loved it there. I stayed with my friend Phil on the most charmingly quaint tree-lined street I have ever seen and, though my stay was short, the experience was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The following is an excerpt from my journal:
This city, whose old buildings still stand rooted and venerable, and whose streets and avenues have long existed both physically and symbolically as roads leading to revolution, equality and freedom, is also a final resting place for many. Memorials remind us in haunting beauty that, while we are beneficiaries of the glorious victories of our past, this nation rests upon sanguinary soil, and every American life that has been taken is equal in sacrifice and deserves to be honored. The feeling in the air is one of solidarity and responsibility, of being connected to history and being a part of it.
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Moral Paradox of Unclaimed Leftovers
Hunger strikes.
You don't have any food because it's the end of the month, you're broke
and you don't *ahem* CAN'T cook anything that requires more than
boiling water or heating a saucepan.
Still, like the conditioned machine you are,
you make your way to the kitchen
and open the refrigerator door.
Right away you see the delicious lasagna that has gone untouched
since one of your 'mates made it over a week ago.
You smell it...
it's still good!
And there's just enough left to assuage one hearty appetite.
You need it in your belly NOW
But you're no Hamburglar;
You wouldn't take someone's food without permission,
so you go to ask said roommate if she wouldn't mind you taking
the last of the leftovers.
But hold the phone.
Before you speak,
there's a dilemma:
If you ask to eat the leftovers,
you will be reminding her of the yummy food she has neglected,
causing her to crave it for herself and, in all likelihood, deny your request
(leaving your stomach empty and grumbling).
No bueno.
On the other hand, leaving them untouched would be a loss for all parties
as forgotten leftovers always end up going bad and getting thrown out.
No bueno.
What to do?!
Well, behind door number three is the unethical, yet oh so satisfying alternative of eating the leftovers in secret, washing the incriminating evidence (tupperware), and retiring to your room before anyone knows the difference.
Ahhh, their ignorance is your carnal bliss.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Pics from The Knitting Factory!
"Just Act Natural"
Other times I've gotten frustrated, even angry, but tonight I just had to laugh. And it's not that I get all nervous and fidgety, it's like I actually become another person. And this new person, she's nice and friendly and answers questions thoughtfully — but she's not Charley! Fortunately, everyone in the room was really cool and Andrew, who interviewed me, actually ended up making me feel more "myself" than I've ever felt in that situation. At least tonight, I think I might have shaken it.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
November 5th: A New Beginning
Last night I stood among strangers and friends and felt the power of hope.
Together we watched as the results came in and the election was called;
We watched as the man we voted for spoke to us and for us.
Barack Obama.
The first African-American president-elect, and worthy of the title.
Proof that, while our dark past is not completely behind us,
we have come so far.
Last night, alongside countless others, I wept tears of joy and relief.
I saw the faces in the crowd around me and across the nation —
a true melting pot.
Today, my faith in the American people is renewed
and I am committed to the spirit of change that has brought us to this historic moment.
I am proud to be an American.
Monday, November 3, 2008
And It All Comes Down To This
You can show your support however you'd like —
remind your friends and family to get to the polls,
wear your campaign shirt
or say a prayer,
but let YOUR VOICE be heard.
I'll be holding my breath until a winner is declared.
OBAMA '08
Let's make history.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Another Great Halloween Parade
Tonight I'm going to support a fellow artist, John Eichleay, who will be performing at Arlene's Grocery. He's awesome. If you have a moment, definitely check him out! www.myspace.com/johneichleay
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloweeeeen
and trying to decide whether or not I want to get political tonight...
pics tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Update: 2:47 AM
is that gross?
because it was totally worth it.
Now I think I'll go to sleep and let it marinate : )
2:35 AM
I can't sleep
It's freezing in my roomand I've been eyeing a milk chocolate truffle bar for about an hour now.
Should I go for it?
yes
...
omg I wish you knew how amazing this tastes right now
sooooo good
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Beyonce is EVERYWHERE!
It was the most beautiful song.
I'd never given Beyonce much credit as a writer, but these lyrics were poignant and clever, the melody was beautiful, it was perfect. I started to cry, partially because I felt guilty for underestimating her, but mainly because the song was so moving. We arrived at our destination, she cut the engine and we just sat there in silence. Finally, she looked over at me and asked if she would see me the next day; I said yes, we hugged and that was it.
It's weird because this is the third dream I've had where Beyonce has made an appearance. In the first dream, she was observing me from a distance but we had no interaction. In the second dream, I was presented with an opportunity to work with her but I totally choked, and in this last dream we were like old friends. I'm not really sure what it means, but if Beyonce symbolizes success and/or my musical aspirations, maybe I'm getting closer...
Oh, and I spent all morning trying to remember the song. No luck.
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Broken Record
girl meets boy
girl falls in love and gives boy everything
boy wants to keep his options open
boy leaves girl
girl is blindsided
boy makes sincere attempt to appear concerned
girl is still in love with boy
(repeat)
boy is genius.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Where to Start
We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
The song is inspiring and these particular lines made me realize that although we are all on different paths, in many ways we are on the same journey. We are all dust but for the short time given to us on this earth and in our time we all make a tiny footprint, our contribution to the universe. Music is my path and contribution, but my journey, like so many, is a quest for purpose, love, happiness, and fulfillment. And when I thought about it that way, the intimidating gap between me-the-artist and you-the-audience narrowed to nil.
So I'm starting the blog... And however minuscule my footprint may be in the scope of time (or other footprints), this is one attempt to dig my heels in a little deeper while I can.
Here I will share my thoughts and recount the exciting, unfortunate and random events of my daily life. I suspect it will turn out to be more of a stream of consciousness than anything else. At the very least, I'm happy to entertain, but my real hope is that you will find we have something truly meaningful in common.
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