twilaparis.com

New site I just finished and uploaded yesterday. I think it's lovely and girlie. Hope you like it.

twilaparis.com

message in a barrel

Really cool. Check this out. I found him on Flickr b/c one of the photos had some cool clouds in the background. I clicked on it and voila...found a cool guy with a cool job. He's hand delivering postcards to people around the world. It's really neat and you can get involved too. Go to the link and scroll down to his book intro and it will explain things more. FUN!

http://messageinabarrel.blogspot.com/

in love with these words

"When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world."

-- Mary Oliver

Got this from an email from my FAVORITE artist/poet/woman, Sabrina Ward-Harrison. Go to her site here.

halloweeeeeen

Check out the day's activities at the following locations:

me flickr
DD flickr
Pinkster flickr

this week

Chilly air, autumn sunsets, Halloween costume shopping :) , pink wool sweater, butternut squash soup, Mad Hot Ballroom, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Twila Ray, faux finishing, funky new work chair, clear blue skies, Memphis town wedding, dancing sans shoes, the Vanlowski's, mom and g-dad's bdays, new shoes, R&S World Market (my new favorite store!), coffee in the headphones, red kimono, driving think time, fall = change.

new approach to life

This past week there has been the following: reconciliation, relief, knitting, LOST, design-her gals, Earl Grey poundcake with lemon curd and fresh whipped cream (double-yum!), good conversation, wine, new furniture, Cocoa Pebbles, new music, tears, laughter, new iTunes playlists, new friends, sweet potato biscuits, coffee, Elizabethtown, sad songs say so much, Gilmore Girls, Gold Digger, chair surfing, Beach Boys afternoon, an invite, new myspace best friend (Holly!), new t-shirt ideas, skirt from Target, reinstatement of the FREE MARTHA shirt, and lots of pondering. :) It's been a great week. I hope yours was good too.

I heart fall.

I watched Garden State tonight. Just got it in the mail today. Why have I not bought it before now? I don't really know. It's just such a real movie, I know that's an oxymoron...Anyway, it was set in the fall and it's kinda finally fall here in Nashvegas and it's such an amazing time of year. It always seems to coincide with me going through a changing period for some reason. It's something about the heat fading away and the coolness moving in. I don't know and as much as it sometimes sucks because it's rainy and bleary, it's still so cool because the colors against the grey sky are so warm and reassuring. It's beautiful. Please stick around a long time this year, fall. Please.

I don't want to be somebody's learning experience.

I bought the Best of the Waitresses today. What a great band that people really need to rediscover, like me. It's awesome. This is a quote from one of their songs. It seems to be exactly how I'm feeling these days. We all learn from each other, but the way this is worded makes it ring so true...a person, a heart, shouldn't have to be someone else's chance to learn something. I feel like I was someone's learning experience, but they maybe haven't even learned anything from it yet. How sad is that? If I'm gonna go through all this, I hope they at least become a better person from it. I know I've learned from this, but I didn't use anyone in the process. I'm not doing a good job of explaining myself, but just remember the quote and think about it and post what you will in the comments section. I'd appreciate elaborations on this topic. It interests me. Happy October by the way.

fun questionnaire - play along!

Using only songs from ONE artist, cleverly answer these questions.

Name: Laura
Pick an Artist: U2

1.) are you a male or female? Party Girl
2.) describe yourself: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
3.) how do you feel about yourself? Even Better Than the Real Thing
4.) describe your ex boyfriend / girlfriend: Running to Stand Still
5.) describe your current boy / girl situation: Another Time, Another Place
6.) describe your current location: Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
7.) describe where you want to be: The Ocean
8.) your best friend is: Grace
9.) your favorite color is: Bullet the Blue Sky
10.) you know that: Some Days are Better Than Others
11.) what's the weather like? So Cruel
12.) if your life was a television show, what would it be called? Stranger in a Strange Land
13.) what is life to you? Trying to Throw Your Arms Around the World
14.) what is the best advice you have to give? Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
15.) if you could change your name, what would you change it to? Scarlet

growing

So...your life changes over the course of 2 hours Where are you then? Stuck figuring out what the heck happened here??? You're with someone you think you know and you think you're going to spend your life with, and BAM! they do a 180 on you and throw you completely for a loop. So, hence, last week sucked big time.

BUT, this is a new week and a new era in my life. I am realizing things I should have noticed before. I need to be with someone more like myself. Not exactly like me, but more similar, so we can understand each other. I need someone positive and goofy and who enjoys life. Because that's me. I have been blessed (at least I look at it this way) with chronic optimism. I KNOW things will work out fine and be ok. I get stressed like we all do, but I have an absolute deep down gut feeling everytime that things will work out in the end. I need someone that believes that also.

I know few people read this, but if you're reading this, PLEASE realize that you need to be true to yourself before you can give your life to someone else. You have to be grounded in who you are and know that you can stand on your own before you can be good at standing beside someone else. Above all, this is what I've learned over the past year. Love God, love your neighbor, LOVE YOURSELF...and then you'll be ready to love your soul mate, life long friend, partner. It has to work that way or it won't work. I realize that now.

"Can I be used to help others find truth..."

?

life and people change fast. thank God that we can be grounded in Him.

me and frank black!

me and frank black!
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Yesterday was the best ever! I got to meet Frank Black, of the Pixies, one of my favoritest bands ever! He even has my business card b/c my friend Scott Rouse said he's gotta get hooked up with our company, so I said "I think I have a card." :) Anyhoo, then he played last night at the Cannery Ballroom and it was incredible. Very talented, unique man. Charles, you ARE the coolest!

Emma Catherine Adams

Emma Catherine Adams
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Here's Amanda and Brent's new little addition to the family! Isn't she adorable? She was born on Monday, August 29th at noon. 8lbs and 7oz. She and mom are healthy and dad is still on cloud 9 :) Congrats and God bless little dear!

Mr. Burger

We were talking about vanilla Dr. Peppers today at lunch and I was reminded of a funny story:

In college, we used to go to Mr. Burger at least weekly to get vanilla Dr. Peppers. One night, Jaime, Jason, and myself were in the drive-thru awaiting someone to take our order. We were enthusiastically jamming to "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. We heard no one on the speaker to take our order, so we continued to sing along to our song. All of the sudden, we heard a strange sound from the speaker. We quickly realized that it was the sound of applause. :) The restaurant was clapping for us over the drive-thru speaker. We ordered our drinks and drove around to pick them up. The clever little buggers at Mr. Burger had turned a styrofoam cup upside down, duct taped a kid's meal toy truck to the top, and had written "Mr. Burger Drive-Thru Music Award" on the cup. We felt so honored. The trophy sat proudly on my TV for many months after that. What a great time it was. Have any funny college memories? Feel free to post them here.

read this

Believe it or not, you can read this.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg.The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig! huh?

Craft Night

So, the first installation of Craft Night was a success, although the batteries in my camera went out, so I have no proof :) For our first night though, we decided to do embroidery. We found really cool patterns at sublimestitching.com. Everyone should check it out. They have updated patterns in various themes. They come in iron-on transfers that you can put on many different items, like pillow cases, tea towels, baby bibs, etc. There are some funky patterns on the site. We ordered the Tatoos, Flowers, Western, and Mexican patterns. Mary did a lovely flower on a towel and so did Anna. I did a couple of cherries and a banner reading "Buenas suenos" on a pillow case. I'll provide pictures on Flickr once I finish and once I get some batteries. So, stay tuned for those and stay tuned for the next Craft Night! We might do knitted flowers :)

The Kings

Ok, just saw Kings of Leon at the Ryman and they freaking ROCK! I know I'm probably too old to say that and still sound cool, but I don't really care. They are really absolutely awesome in concert and everyone that slightly likes rock music should see them. Please. Buy the tickets now. They are fun. Although, they didn't play one of my favorites, Day Old Blues. Oh well, I think they played every other song off of their new album as well as most of the songs off of their previous album. Very fun. I think I'll also decide not to see any bands anywhere else but the Ryman and smaller places. It makes such a difference. Well, I guess I have to go back on my word when I see U2 in November at the Phillips Arena in Hotlanta, but OTHER than that, nowhere else will I pay to see bands :) It's just too freaking great of a show at the lovely Ryman Auditorium. Beautiful. Love the history. Love the sound. The Pixies, Coldplay, and now KOL are the best shows I've seen there. Wish you coulda been there :) Sorry bout ya. Peace.

My Next Project

My Next Project
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

My first full-fleged sweater ( i don't know how to spell fledged???) I'm so very excited. It's very pretty and PINK! The color of yarn I bought is very similar to this one, a little more lilac-ish, but still PINK! And girlie. Hard to believe I'll EVER get to wear this in the South as it is about 99 degrees outside right now!

please send books

Ok, so i know like only 3 people ever look at my blog, but if you're here, please leave book titles. I'm in need of some new reading. Thanks. Over and out.

-the elletrain

books please

Hey all. Wanted to post another top 10-ish thing. I need a new good book to read. I'm considering "Love in the Time of Cholera" (it was in Serendipity). Here's the list though and I'm hoping you'll at least post a few good books so I can get some new ideas:

(in no particular order)
1. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
2. Bridget Jones' books - Helen Fielding
3. Harry Potter books - Ms. Rowling
4. Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
5. The Time Traveler's Wife - Rebecca Neffenejslkgjh (i can't spell it)
6. A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L'Engle
7. Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller
8. Tuck Everlasting - Natalie Babbit
9. Spilling Open AND Brave on the Rocks- Sabrina Ward Harrison
10. Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer

Please post and check some of these out if you haven't read them!

thanks!

on a lighter note

Okay, so Brad Paisley launched this weekend! www.bradpaisley.com. It was stressful and crazy, but it's exciting to get to work on a site like that. Mr. Paisley is quite talented...he designed teh album package himself and that's what I used for the header of the site. Please check it out.

So, I've also been reading a bit about star signs this weekend and while I don't put a lot of stock in them, they are REALLY interesting and fit pretty well. My take on this is that God could have totally designed us to share similar personalities if we're born around the same time. That's the Aquarian in me talking...always open to different ideas. The realist with her head in the clouds, apparently. I guess I'm quite the oxymoron, really. It's quite entertaining though and you learn a lot about yourself. I'm totally into categorizing myself right now. As a friend of mine said, it really does make you feel better about yourself, that you're not insane or something, that you know there are other people that act and think like you do.

Anyhoo, that's the news of the weekend. Don is great and thinking about a job switch possibly. Got some painting done on the den this weekend and I started a new sweater. Just chilling out tonight after Mass and dinner at Bosco's (our Sunday ritual...we're Mug Club members and receive discounts on their fine brews). Mattie got a new toy today that she's enjoy and beginning to devour. I don't know what her deal is, but she doesn't get many toys because she winds up ingesting them. Weird. Happy Monday everyone :) Hope you had a good weekend!

life and love

So we go on everyday thinking things are fine and real. Then something has to happen to let you know you need to be really real again. Why do we hide so much even from the people who love us most? Is it an innate defense mechanism in all of us that we have to overcome? Or is it specific to our personalities? I'm glad we're not on this earth alone, that we do have people to love us and that we can love in return. I'm glad of the difficult times because it's then that we see the real person, the true love or true pain or true hope. When someone you really care about is hurting, at least you know they're being honest with you. Then the healing process can begin. It's nice to be able to be strong for someone when they can't be strong for themselves because we all know we've had times where we've had to lean on someone else. A man with a beautiful voice sings:

"The greatest thing
you'll ever learn
is just to love
and be loved
in return."

where was I?

Well kids, guess this has been a busy week because I haven't posted in a while. BUT, this post includes muy exciting stuff...celebrities, beer, more celebrities, and humidity. :)

Ok, so we attended the Music City Brewer's Fest on Saturday and it was a great event for all who enjoy adult beverages with hops and what not. We tasted a Sweetwater Brewing Co. Blueberry beer that I definitely recommend. We also scored a free Amstel Light tent! Very exciting. BUT, the highlight of the night was seeing Kid Rock. Check out the Don's page on elletrain.com to see the Don and the Kid in a lovely picture together. Oh, and Don ALSO won a cool acoustic guitar from the Sam Ash Music tent. It was his lucky day!

So, the rest of the "celebrities" I promised includes my web design for Brad Paisley's new site was approved! Yea! I'll be sure to post a link when the site is live...don't worry, you won't have to wait too long because I found out today that it has to launch Friday!!!! CRazyness abounds at echomusic, but it's pretty fun to get to work on a site like Brad Paisley's. Very cool. Just hope I don't blow a gasket before Friday :) That could be ugly.

Happy August my friends...

Lesley Patterson-Marx

Hey kids...check out the latest site I designed at the above link. She does amazing printmaking art. I was lucky enough to get one of her pieces of work in trade for making her a website. It is very cool being able to trade art for art. I am a big fan of these type of deals, especially for people like Lesley who has incredible stuff!

My homage to Beau

Beau
Originally uploaded by elletrain.

Sadly, today, we had to put my dad's precious dog Beau to sleep. He was an awesome boy. May he rest in peace. Love you Beau.

new pics on elletrain

Check out some new pics on elletrain. You'll want to head to the knitting page. Hopefully there will be even more additions soon, but am awaiting some honky tonkin' pictures from our friend adam menter. TGIF everybody!

You're so Nashville if...

You've already tried to call ahead and put your name on the list for the new Cheesecake Factory.

Here are a few of my other favorites:

You play in four bands made up of different combinations of the same six people.

The word "Wang" just isn't funny anymore.

You cock your neck slightly to the right and repeat, "Darian Trotter, Channel 4 News."

You speak along with the U-Scan at Kroger.

You bought Dave Ramsey's book with a credit card.

Your new guilty pleasure is circling the new Hustler Hollywood in your car because the Musica statue just isn't doing it for you anymore.(okay, so it's tacky, but funny!)

You go to Faith Night at the Nashville Sounds because the beer line is short.

It's easier to buy alcohol than antihistamines.

Okay, my only beef is that there should be a limit as to how many entries you can make. Some people have too much time on their hands, seriously. But, it's still fun, so check out this week's Scene. -click here-

My dearest Johnny

Okay, so I DON'T get star struck and think it's silly when people go crazy over famous people, but Johnny Depp is a genius and a lovely man. He'd have to be to still be attractive as Willy Wonka. Please go see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It's brilliantly creative. I would recommend seeing it at the IMAX if you are able. Funny, quirky and so imaginative. It is totally worth the trip. I LOVE the old version of the movie, but this one tops it by leaps and bounds. Gotta give props to good ol' Tim B. too. He's also a genius and a weirdo, of the highest caliber. Have fun and enjoy the Harry Potter trailer too!

Top 10 Movies, of the moment

Here it is. The next installation of The Top 10. I'm hoping people will get into this top 10 movies thing. These don't have to be of all time, because that's too hard. Just movies you're into right now. Here goes:
(in no particular order...i don't have THAT much time!)

1. Amelie...Just got the soundtrack and this will probably ALWAYS be on my top 10 movies list!

2. Napoleon Dynamite..."do the chickens have large talons?"

3. Batman Begins...yes, I love super hero movies and this one probably tops them all. It's worth it kids!

4. Rushmore...will probably accompany Amelie in all of my top 10 movie lists. "It's a.... jellyfish!"

5. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants...oh so girlie and much much better than it looks.

6. Finding Neverland...So incredibly imaginative and great. Love Johnny.

7. Love Actually...a girlie, feel-good movie that even The Don likes!

8. Harry Potter movies...not as good as the books, but still quite entertaining.

9. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory...Ok, so I haven't seen this YET, but I know it will make the list!

10. Caddy Shack..."So, I, uh, got that goin' for me. Which is nice."

Okay, so please post your list. Then, we'll all be reminded of movies we like and can rent them while Dennis rains us out of pool time this week. Hasta!

Dale Hollow Lake

Fun weekend at the lake! Lots of relaxing, playing "cornhole" (think washers, but with bean bags full of corn), hot tub, Smoky Mountains, ski boat, sun, and friends. It was a grand time. I will post a picture of the sunset soon. As usual, I didn't remember to take many pics, but the sunset on Saturday night was gorgeous. If you live in Tennessee, Dale Hollow is a beautiful lake. Very clean and Drew (whose family is from there) said there have been no dead bodies found there! Always nice to know.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. Please check back soon for the top 10 movies list, to follow the CD list. Not too many participated in that, but thanks to those who did. Happy Monday!

totally hilarious site

Please go here and check this thing out:
click here

no more boring blogs

Okay, so I was told recently that 1. i don't make enough entries, and 2. they are boring. So, um, most people's blogs are kind of boring right? I think so, but who cares! At least some of my friends can keep up with what's going on around here. Sorry I don't have anything very exciting at the moment, but do any of us really? Okay, so I'm going to make this blog about my current favorite music, in hopes that it will be exciting to someone out there somewhere.

Favorite CD's of the Spring/Summer:

1. Beck - Guero
this is one of the best CD's I've heard this year. PLEASE hear it and buy it.

2. Madeleine Peyroux - Careless Love
any of you Billie Holiday fans will really enjoy this one - a beautiful voice and a song in French!

3. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane
this is my guilty pleasure. i know it's kinda old, but it's fun, OK!

4. Feist - One Evening
she's a bit hard to find, but kinda 70's sound and muy cool

5. Ben Folds - Songs for Silverman
a very good summer album, kinda mellow and great piano, as always

6. Josh Rouse - Nashville
very good album...not as good as Home, but still worth a listen

7. Butterfly Boucher - Flutterby
this is a great album all around and I promise you won't get tired of it ever!

8. Matt Wertz - Twenty-three Places
Very good, easy, fun, and what a nice guy he is!

9. The Features - Exhibit A
Totally fun and rockin' - love these guys

10. Stephanie Dosen - Ghosts, Mice, and Vagabonds
oh so lovely voice, this is a friend of mine - very folkish and gorgeous. visit her website here

Okay, so there you have it. A more interesting blog. Next I will list some good movies, so check back!!!
Happy 4th of July...hopefully I'll have some entertaining photos of the doggies after tomorrow. My boss' dogs have found out how to slide down a creek into the pond and are supposed to show Mattie tomorrow. Should be a blast. Have a good one all!

hasta.
laurita

Summer in the South

SO, it's pretty hoat. Jes, it's hoat. But, what would we do all summer in Nashvegas if we couldn't sweat our feet off? Well, I don't know. Things are good though, finally graduated (again) and am working like a real person I guess. No more summer vacations and all that jazz. Just plugging along but enjoying the freedom from escuela.

...relaxing by the pool on the weekends and knitting at night after work. I've made some fun stuff lately like a scarf out of Vogue Knitting's latest magazine and a top from a Rowan Cotton Tape book. I will hopefully get around to updating the knitting portion of my site soon. I did however update the current events page tonight. Check it out here.

Wow, so I guess after the whole graduation craziness semester, things are pretty boring these days. I was blessed enough to already have found a job. Glad that stress was taken care of. Here's a site I just finished at work: julielee.org. She's a cool artist with some lovely collages.

Check out our graduating class's site here: watkins.edu.

So, yeah, muy exciting, but wanted to update this bloggidy blogger. I hope someone comes to read it, but really, I'm just a computer nerd and really enjoy typing on my new PowerBook keyboard, so, it's all for selfish reasons that I'm making this post :) Tenga una buena noche amigos!

27 and not feeling it ;)

Okay kids, so I'm 27 today. Crazy! I have been on earth for 27 years. I know people always say it goes fast, but, man! it does! Anyhoo, enough of that. I'm having a fun day... nice calls and cards and e-mails from friends. Thanks everyone. I love you all and am glad to be here because I got to meet all of you wonderful people.



Don is taking me out to dinner tonight. Not sure where we're going, but I'm very excited. He's great and I wish more people from home could meet him. He's lovely. :) Well, gee, what an exciting post. Sorry...I guess 27 isn't very inspiring, but last year was a difficult, learn alot about myself year. SO, I'm thinking this year can only be better. I think you change more in your mid 20's than you do anytime during your teens. It's a great time of your life, but it's weird too. You finish school (or go back) and then you're REALLY on your own. You move off, maybe get married, maybe live by yourself, find a job, try to figure out what you REALLY want to do, not just what you want to major in. I think it's a HUGE deal and people underestimate the amount of change you go through.



Anyways, just thoughts on this. Let me know what you think! If anyone ever visits this page!

Visit my website!

Hey friends...not many visit this page, but if you do, please check out my new website. www.elletrain.com. I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season. Jaime and Jason and Milton, sorry I missed you guys in NWA. I know it's a busy time of year. I hope 2005 is proving to be very exciting new year. Things are great in Nashville. FINALLY, I'm in my last semester of school. I'll graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design in May. Yes, the day is soon approaching. Not sure I'm going to know how to not be in school, but I'm welcoming the chance to try.



Don has been making some lovely changes to his house. I think there will eventually be a page on the website for pics of his house. He and his dad tiled the bathroom floor this past weekend. Black and white checkered tiles...it looks awesome! Anyhoo, not much else going on. Knitting alot as usual.



And here's a big congrats to my best friend Amanda Adams...and to her tall husband Brent...they are having a baby Adams!!! She/he is due in September. They just found out last week. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Love you guys and best wishes to you both. Now I can knit baby stuff :)



Okay, well, that's it for now. Be sure to visit the site for fun pics and stuff. Thanks for reading...Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!