Early Autumn

Before Winter arrives in full force, let's take some time to remember what it was like in early autumn when roses bloomed in October, the last touch of summer still clung to the breeze.

Fall in really quite lovely if you ask me!

~Enjoy the last weeks of it~

Sustainable Saturday #1

With the world population at 

over 7,000,000,000 

(that's over 7 billion people!)

it only makes sense that we should be incorporating ways of living less extravagantly into our daily lives.

You might think the statement "extravagant living" doesn't apply to you, but if you take a step back to examine you life, it might surprise you.

Our lives are now filled with so many unnecessary items that use up resources and power, but we don't even realize it because they have become routine, habitual, and essential in our daily lives.

So why not clean up your act?  It's easy, fun, and a few simple acts can make a world of difference.
What if:
1.) You spent half of the free time you normally occupy on the computer doing something non-energy related?
"The internet releases around 300m tones (british measurement, it's no spelled wrong) of CO2 a year – as much as all the coal, oil and gas burned in Turkey or Poland, or more than half of the fossil fuels burned in the UK" 
- http://www.guardian.co.uk
Go outside, read a book, talk with friends, make art, practice your handstands, play a game, clean, go troll hunting, write a story, pretend the floor is lava, the options are endless!

2.) You used cloth napkins instead of paper ones
Not only are they WAY more attractive, but you can re-use them multiple times before throwing them in with a full load of laundry!

3.) You dried every other (or every single) load of laundry via the air!

It's as simple as some twine and clothes pins!  Plus you can turn your bathroom into a jungle if you feel adventurous...

use the toilet...if you don't get snared by the man-eating clothing vines!

4.) You curled your hair via le air! 
No heat curling is better for your hair, and the world - two birds with one stone!
My favorite method is using socks.  Simple section your hair into chunks, fold the sock lengthwise over the very end of your hair to keep it in place, and roll it up!
Bonus points: think socks aren't stylish...THINK AGAIN!  I wore them around for a whole day, and everyone just though I had an awesome headscarf going on.
(you can also opt to sleep in them if you feel to silly)

 The results:

So, happy Saturday!  I Hope it can be the start to many sustainable ones to come!

Re-wind and Re-view

Do you ever base your day around a song?

if not, you should try it sometime...

One fine day (known as October 2nd) I finally got around to listening to the entire album

Push and Shove released this September by No Doubt.  Their first album to hit stores in over ten years!

In case you were wondering, this is what it looks like if I listen to this album while getting dressed:

only maybe not that face the entire time.

I have been wildly excited for this album to come out since - let's see - LAST YEAR!...

In the last two years or so No Doubt has occupied this special place in my heart of 90s nostalgia, summer vibes, and girl power of sorts.  Yes, I am aware that 75% of the group is male, but there's just something about Gwen's boundless energy, ability to do push-ups, and older style that make me want to jump around in a bellyshirt and while being a little bit punk.

I digress.  Back to the album:

Overall, I'm actually pretty happy with the album.  I mean there are times when I feel all hipster while I whine inside my head "but I just want the old No Doubt back!"

Here's the thing head: things change!

(and that's okay)

I think the biggest change is in the instrumentals.  I feel like it used to literally be Gwen + the boys, 

now I feel like it's Gwen + computers + some cameo appearances by Tony, Adrian, and Tom.

I guess what I feel is lacking the most in today's music is the existence of intelligent instrumentals.  I mean "accompaniment" that isn't just synth loops ect.  I mean "accompaniment" that is really a whole musical line of it's own, and get it's moment of glory apart from just the singer(s).

Anyone else feel that way?

~ So here's my ultra-simplfied review of Push and Shove (as I was listening to it) ~

Let's break it down:

Settle Down

Wasn't too hyped when I first heard it on the radio this summer, but after awhile it grew on me, and I was singing along every time it came on the radio.  It also gave me immense pleasure to hear No Doubt on the radio again!

- good summer groove

- nice ska influences

- interesting/contrasting sections

- liked the "middle-east-ish" synths (very à la tragic kingdom)

- sounded pretty old school (yep. I'm going to use that word.)

Looking Hot:

- okay on first impression

- early 2000s feel

- lyrics..meh? (Gwen you're in your 40s...but hey - she can pull it off!)

- loved brass cut-time break

- some good drum breaks & hints of guitar here n' there

One More Summer:

- well, at least we know Tony/Adrian/Tom still exist!

- not my favorite

- maybe I just wan't in a down-tempo mood, also it was the end of the summer, so not really what I wanted to hear...

Push and Shove:

- you know, I'm okay with this one

- ska time again!

- the whole cut-time break in frickin' awesome

- seriously though..."hustler" references in more than one song?

Easy:

- weird synth opening

- "I'm a hustler baby"...again, seriously?

- whole robin hood pun = meh.

- I don't have patience for this one...wait maybe it's okay.

Gravity:

- good start

- this is for sure a classic sound for them

- reminds me of tragic kingdom

Undercover:

- sounds like no doubt in the beginning, then...

WHY DID GWEN TURN INTO KATY PERRY?!?

- auto tune or what?!

- lyrics even sound like Katy Perry "trying to connect the dots" (K.P Last Friday Night)

- ack! gross!

Undone:

- guitar, that's nice

- ballad time...

- wait...are we playing country music now?

- taylor swift?

- I might be ok with the middle after awhile, I'll get back to you on that.

Sparkle:

- YES!

- right from the start I'm feeling old-school No Doubt

- easy ska groove

- wow, this one is good

- awesome brass solo

Heaven:

- well it's okay

- kind of "life is a bit of a butt" song

Dreaming the Same Dream:

- this sounds pretty classic

- also like an 80s pop ballad...

And that's the finale!

So hopefully that wasn't ridiculously boring to read, but instead academically tantalizing, as  you pondered and debated your own reactions to the album!

(well maybe not that either.)

REGARDLESS - what did you think of the album?

Amazed?

Disappointed?

Bored?

Super-mega-awesome-hyped?

Until next time - Get in line and settle down!