So March was full of unexpected stresses that I handled oddly well, but it bit into my typical goals a great deal and in that manner I didn’t handle it well. I know that life sneaks up on you at times and you have to just accept it for what it is, but this month it made me sad that I wasn’t able to juggle it all.
Reading
I started several books this month, but my desire to read died as my stress level increased. Any time I tried to pick up and finish any of the books I’d started, I’d quickly put them back down feeling meh about them as a whole. I’m not sure if it just says they’re not good books or whether my mood just made them feel that way. Hopefully my urge to finish them will return in April and they won’t still have that boring feel to them.
Anyway, since it’d look too lonely being photographed alone, I’ll just link to the review for the only book I did manage to complete this month: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce.
Writing
Considering how successful I was writing last month, this is the most disappointing thing to report this month. I’d like to say that I tried hard and failed, but in most cases when I should have been trying, my brain was too fried with stress to even open my books documents. As a result my official word count for March is only 1669, and I’m pretty positive that almost 1000 of those words are total crap, likely to be deleted. I really, really hope I can come out of April with something more worthy of reporting because this month’s number is making me feel pretty pathetic right now.
Music: On Repeat
Since everything else hasn’t really been worth mentioning, I will let music get a little more shine because it certainly didn’t let me down this month!
The Black Keys – “Hell of a Season”
I kept forgetting to buy this album and finally caved at the start of March. Overall, it is a fantastic record. Every bit of it is easy to listen to; it’s music that feels like summer. I highly suggest giving it a shot.
Alex Clare – “Too Close”
I’m still not sure how I feel about dubstep. Sometimes I think I like it because it makes me want to dance and you must know how much I love to dance, but overall I can’t really see myself just listening to it to listen to it. This song isn’t completely dubstep though so I was able to just listen to it without feeling the urge to pop wherever I was. I blame Internet Explorer’s recent commercial for this song being purchased and played so many times this month.
White Rabbits – “Danny Come Inside”
The much anticipated “Milk Famous” came out at the beginning of the month and previous posts should have made you guess I’d be snatching that up right away. The album definitely has a different feel than its predecessors, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. My favorite track so far is one I’d heard them perform back in December at the show I attended. I’m still feeling the album out for other favorites.
Chantal Claret – “Bite Your Tongue”
While I’m sad to discover that Chantal’s previous band Morningwood is officially dead, I’m excited that she’s making music on her own now, music that’s being released on an EP in April and a full album in June! As a way to lure listeners in, two songs from the upcoming album have been released, one of which, “Bite Your Tongue,” was released for free download. Because I can’t find an actual video to show you, “Bite Your Tongue,” I’m going to share the video for the other released track, which is equally as awesome anyway (I just have no way of recording how many times I've watched it – ha!).
“Pop Pop Bang Bang” *Warning: Video is a little morbid.
Alice Anna – “Standing in the Rain”
This is a local Baltimore band I stumbled upon this month and part of me wanted to love them solely for being from my home town, but even if they hadn't been I couldn’t deny their amazing talent. I bought every bit of music they’ve released and have been telling anyone I can to check them out. It’s a piano based rock band, with a lead singer with such a smooth voice. What’s not to love?
Blouse – “Time Travel”
A track that somehow slipped in at the very end of the month, suggested by a friend from tumblr. I’m not sure how much I’ll love the entire album, but there’s this great 80’s feel to this track that’s impossible not to bob your head to and step back into time with.
Photography
As always, Gideon is a nearly perfect subject for our photo shoots. I think I've trained him pretty well. There were lots of great shots this month, but I think this one is the sweetest because it captured both his dimple and bottom teeth! He is such a happy baby.
Hopefully life is finished toying with me and April will be a little more rewarding. It is my birthday month after all. That means the universe must play nice with me, right? *fingers crossed*
How successful (or not) was your March?
—————–