Destination Information

I was tagged by Lyndsay to do this short but informative survey. Deep Breath here goes!

What’s the last thing you read or are currently reading?

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - still haven’t finished it (and its TEENSY). I’ve been sick lately so I’ve opted for DVDs which I can tune out from occasionally.

Do you nap a lot?

I really enjoy napping and nap whenever possible!

Who was the last person you hugged?

Prob my roomies – its the first time in weeks that we’ve all been in the same house!

What’s your current obsession/addiction?

I realise that this obsession is not a new one – but my mum just got me the ten season Friends boxset. Let the viewing begin…

What are you wearing right now?

My Jim-Jams

What was for dinner?

Chicken and waffles… did I mention I’m sick? It means I think, act and cook like a kid.

What have you been listening to lately?

Random stuff actually. I’m all into my podcasts at the mo – loving Radiolabs old stuff and Conversations with Eamon Dunphy. They’re simple but revealing interviews.

If you could have any super power,what would it be?

Super immune system girl! my tonsils are sooo sore

What is your favorite weather, and why?

I love warm and sunny weather. Think April/May time in New York! Warm enough to wear jeans and flip flops

What was the last thing you bought?

Emm technically a trip to the docs and some medicine – but if we’re talking something I actually wanted to pay for, then a cup of tea to take away from starbucks last night. Subsequently that tea was consumed in the sun in St. Stephens Green.

Say something about the person who tagged you :

I really don’t think I can top Catherine’s answer for this one! ha! However, I will say that Lyndsay is the best person for adventures, tea and parody song writing EVER.

If you could have a house- totally paid for, fully furnished- anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be?

DUBLIN. Hello? Poor student about to be finished a Masters course anyone?

Favorite vacation spot?

Italy. I was watching Kathryn Thomas on No Frontiers reviewing Rome the other night and I was brought back to one of the best holidays I’d ever been on. The food, the wine, the sights – Italy has it all!

Favorite pair of shoes you keep going back to over and over, even though your closet is overflowing with a zillion others?

My ballet pump aerosoles. Not the prettiest pair in the wardrobe but by far the comfiest!

Name one thing you cannot live without :

Music – it gets me through most things

If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

Back in Italy – with my bedroom right over an amazing traditional restaurant. I’d love to wake to the sounds on the cobblestones and smell the fresh bread baking.

*Photos from the last time I was in Italy  with my sister, Carolyn- 2005

I fell in love with the sound, oh I love to sing along with you.

The above photo is of one of my absolute favourite artists: Josh Ritter. For anyone who hasn’t heard of him, here’s his website!

I first came across the song stylings of Josh when an ex boyfriend of mine gave me a mix CD with one of his songs on it. I fell completely in love with his soft vocals, enchanting guitar and magical lyrics. I had never been a fan of the “folk sound” – but with Josh it was different; I was hooked.

In fact, his album “Hello Starling” was played on repeat for the duration of my Leaving Cert.

I’ve seen Josh in concert four times now. He never fails to impress me onstage – not just musically – but as a person. He’s always so happy to be onstage and reacts so modestly to the excited crowd and how they sing all the words along with him. I’ve also met Josh a couple of times. He’s just one of those artists who takes the time to speak to every fan he can.

Once, I was in work and he was signing copies of his latest album in HMV. My boss told me I could take a quick break to run up to get my copy signed. Soon enough, a little break turned into an hour and a half and I knew I was in complete doody! I told Josh all about this and he took down a poster off the wall of the shop and signed it “To the lovely and patient staff of Karen Millen, I love you and Susan loves you too. Please be good to her. Love, Josh Ritter and Susan.” It didn’t get me out of trouble, but it didnt hurt either!

Last Friday night I saw Josh play a monumental, career making, sold out gig in Dublin’s Vicar Street. He was joined onstage by a full 24 piece orchestra and conductor – in addition to his band. The music sounded the way it was supposed to sound – and was given completely fresh life. Each song was better than the next – but my favourites were “The Temptaion of Adam” and “Rumours” where Josh crooned, “my orchestra is gigantic, this thing could sink the Titanic” – very true, Mr. Ritter.

I sang, I danced and I felt every note and lyric along the way. He just has that effect.

Here are some of my favourite lyrics:

We walked up in the fields alone
And the silence fell just like a stone
That got lost in the wild blue and the gravel grey

- Come and Find Me

And at last we saw some people huddled up against
The rain that was descending like railroad spikes and hammers
They were headed for the border—walking and then running
Then they were gone into the fog but Anne said underneath their jackets she saw wings

- Wings

Then one night you found me in my army issue cot
And you told me of your flash of inspiration
You said fusion was the broken heart that’s lonely’s only thought
And all night long you drove me wild with your equations

- The Temptation of Adam

You put a finger to my lips and then you kissed me once and once again
The crickets all leapt up and met the moon with a standing ovation

- Right Moves

The title quote is from a song entitled, “Good Man”.

Josh Ritter plays the Marquee in Cork – again with a full orchestra on July 4th, 2008. His most recent album “The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter” is absolutely gorgeous – but for a real introduction to Josh’s music, I’d reccommend “Hello Starling”. It had me at “hello”.