Here's what I'm up too...

Today is my one day off during the school week hence I love Thursdays more than I ever have. It's almost the perfect day to have off because I'm usually sick of classes by Wednesday, then I get a day off...and then only have to go back one more before getting two more days off. It works. I've spent most of today working though. Laundry, cleaning, reading, homework...it's not really much of a break, but I can do it in my pajamas while sipping on my coffee, so it's definitely a step up. :)

So I've made a decision, one that if you know me, is a big one. I've decided to fast alcohol for the next month. I think it's going to be tough because honestly, I like to go out and drink. & I have a few parties, and concerts coming up that will place me right in the middle of the "party crowd". But that's good...because that's the best way to fight temptation, to be surrounded by it and fight it. It might seem a crazy thing for me to do, but I've just got to a point where I can't go out and have one drink, and drunkin' nights have become to familiar. Here lately, alcohol has been a demon. I need this. Pray that I can be strong and do this. It may not seem a hard task for some, but for me it will be a battle. One that I have every intention of beating.

I sat down today and wrote this song (well, partially). It's the first song I've wrote that has just gave me this feeling of...i don't know how to explain it...'aweness'. It's one of those songs that you always hear someone talk about that almost "wrote itself". I sat down and one line turned into an almost complete song. It's a very therapuetic song for me. As cheesy as it may sound, it was a spirtual experience to develop it. I'm getting together with my friend Josh Boyles this weekend and we're going to work on putting the right music, chords/ melodies all that good stuff to it (for the first time i'm actually going to try to be a part of the music making process, bring my guitar in and atleast play a little role in that). That's exciting for me, I'm really trying to develop as a songwriter...and I think I'm really growing into it. Makes me happy. :) I'm gonna try and get a rough cut of it done this weekend and then I'll post a link so you guys can hear it and tell me what you think.

As I write this I'm listening to a stream of Terri Clark's new album : Taking the Long Way. It is amazing. I'm not just saying that because I love Terri either. This album is a collection of songs that she has wrote, some years ago, that the labels would never let her cut because they weren't 'commercial' enough. They're honest, raw, real...it's a fresh, beautiful, music masterpiece. Please buy it when you can. Terri went out and made this album with money from her own pocket...and it' something she's really proud of. Support a musician, get a heart-wrenching, honest, real, rare album...you can't lose. :)



What else is new, hmm.
Oh, I'm planning my next trip to Nashville. The way it looks I'll be back either Oct 15-17th over my fall break, or the week before the 9th-11th so that I can do the Susan G. Komen walk...I'm leaning towards that one, just because that's something I really want to be a part of. It's such a good foundation, I'm doing the walk here on September 19th.

I have a few good shows lined up for the next month here too. Merle Haggard is coming and playing a free show, so i'm sooooo excited about that! Then I have Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Hanson & then the Bluegrass and Chili Festival with Ricky Scaggs, Rhonda Vincent, and ...oddly Luke Bryan. The best part about it is, a couple of these are freeeeee. :)

Still searching for a job...hopefully get that settled within the next week or so...otherwise they'll be no TN trip, haha.

Anyway...that's it. I need to get off of here and go help Nan do some things at the office, and get back to some more reading.

Love all you guys. :)

OKIE love,
Allyssa