It has been one year since a new chapter in the book of me began. As I was approaching this significant one year anniversay, it dawned on me that never has there been a one year period in my almost 31 years of life that I recall more. I can recite back the details of Oct, 1 2010 to perfection. I will get into that in moment - but, I want to explain more of how this blog came to be - there are a few parts to this recipe and one common denoninator.
part one: I love words. story telling. reporting. I have been a writer and an admiror of the power words have ever since I was able to read and write. I kept journals upon journals of poems and short stories. I attended several open-mics sessions. I remember the first time I participated in an open mic poetry slam. It was 1994- I was 14. I had fire engine red hair and the sass to match it. I was published in my high school literacy magazine. I got my college degree in Journalism. THEN: my envision of being the next Rolling Stone music journalist was killed when I was paid $25 bucks for an article that I freelanced. This was a few weeks before college graduation. After graduation, I interviewed at several community newspapers. The starting salary would have me living at home longer than desired - say til 40 at the earliest. It was quickly resonating what my instructors meant when they said - "don't go into Journalism for money!" I LOVED all the elements that made a good reporter. Being curious. Asking questions. Being courageous Thinking objectively. Being quick. BEING HONEST. But, I NEEDED money. So, I started working at Starbucks. :-) Three months later I had landed my first PR job all thanks to working at Starbucks.
Writing was a huge part of my life, but the more I got into my career the less my involvment was with the literacy community. Yeah, I wrote press releases, media pitches and talking points for clients, but I wasn't doing the creative writing and sharing as I once was.
I do want to note - the series of events that lead to my career were defining "ah-ha" moments for me. Confirming my belief that the universe does bring things into our life for a reason. I am now five years into my career as a publicist. In any job, there is a laundry list of gripes, but in general I love it.
Common denominator: I love music.
Part two: What happened a year ago Oct, 1 2010? It was the day that my ex moved out. I was with him for a little over 3 years. He was - at first and to his credit a wonderful person. (for the most part). We had several great times/memories. We had seriously talked about marriage. We had the meeting of the parents. We co-parented cats! We had a great apartment in the city. Though, a darker side of him came to light and I knew he wasn't my plus one. It was a hard decision and not one made lightly. I communicated the major issues with him. We tried working on it. I gave him almost a year of my tolerance. He never changed. I broke up with him. That "ah-ha" moment was at a concert. In June. I bought the tickets in Jauary. I was VERY much looking forward to this gig. It was ruined.
Common denominator: I love music.
Part three: Takes this back to Januray 2006 when I did a Journalism study abroad program at a college in Dublin, Ireland. At the risk of sounding like a cliche -It changed my life. No, really - it changed my life. The most important life changing event to share with you all is my meeting Yellowbird. His real name most of you who are reading this already know. Yellowbird is his given nickname from me . It comes from several Bright Eyes songs - which he and I both share a profound love for all things Conor Oberst. Those of you who don't know is the front man for the band Bright Eyes. He's a musical genuis. Sorry, I digress.
I met Yellowbird at a music venue/bar in Dublin called Whelans fours days after arriving in Dublin. We talked the night away and into the morning. From that moment - we both knew we would never live life without each other. Several months later my program ended and I had to return back home to finish my last year in college. He and I kept in touch. He came to visit me. Our entire story is a rollercoaster of events. It was August 2007 that it was decided we wouldn't be able to really make our transatlantic relationship work unless one of us relocated. Neither of us were able to do that. It was tragic for us. The perfect person isn't available, because of location/visa logistics. I met my aforementioned ex in Novemeber 2007. Yellowbird never stopped contacting me - emails/random calls. In my heart, I knew he was my plus one, but I was giving this other new relationship a real chance. I cut off commuication with Yellowbird despite his attemps at contact. Until... June 2010- this was a few weeks after the perviously mentioned ruined concert.
I had just finished listening to the debut album from Broken Bells. It is from start to finish A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I e-mailed Yellowbird. something plain and simple...along the lines of - hey, hope you're doing well. I just listened to the album James Mercer did with Dangermouse- they're called Broken Bell. Here' s link - check them out. I think you'll love. sidenote: Yelllowbird shares my passion for music. He plays. He sings. He appreciates. He understands! :-)
While I was e-mailing this to him - he was attending a funeral of a person taken of this earth way too early.
He wrote back.. something like - what the hell are we doing? let's talk. Now a year later. We are officially attempting to make "US" work.
Common Denominator: I love music.
Conclusion: Alot has happened in my life in the past year. I miss writing. Music is a huge part of my life. A blog needs a theme - I go to a alot of shows, try to introduce myself to a band I haven't ever heard of or listened to before daily. I read music magazines and blogs. At best humans are "plus 1" - friends, lovers, family - what-have-you we are a society of people who like company. My good friend works for a music agent and often says to me "wanta be my plus one?" And, that is how this blog came to me. I hope all who read enjoy being my plus one while I chirp.
xoxo - erin.
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