Tomato Fest

I promised. I am following through. I said I'd let you know how it was. The Tomato Festival in East Nashville was FANTASTIC. I hate to say it but I kinda felt like I was in Kansas City. KC always has these wonderful events like the Plaza Art Fair and the Westport one...and the First Friday events....and I was so proud of Nashville for the Tomato Fest. It made me feel like home. Turns out it was less about tomatoes and more about supporting local visual artists and music and restaurants and all things organic (not that I care too much about organic stuff). I had a KILLER hot dog. Next time you're in East Nashville you should stop at "I Dream of Weenie." You won't be disappointed. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in an earlier blog, but ever since I went to Tampa this past June I have been obsessed with hot dogs. I love them. Why have I deprived myself of this pleasure for so long? I had hot dogs again for dinner tonight (Hebrew National 97% Fat Free All Beef Hot Dog...it has all the goodness of a regular one). Yummy!

Another treat from the Tomato Festival - the Pied Piper Creamery. It's a local East Nashville ice cream shop. They have the most creative flavors. I am not usually a fan of chocolate ice cream, but they had a flavor called "hot chocolate," and it was chocolate ice cream with cayenne pepper. Love it. Love cayenne pepper. Maybe I'll start putting that on my hot dogs.

I will leave you with two last thoughts:

1. Honesty is so freeing.
2. Do not go see "The Ugly Truth." This is NOT a chick flick. NOT a chick flick. The previews are deceptive. Save your money. Or actually, spend it. Just go see "Julie and Julia" instead.

Julia & Julie & Nicole

Yesterday I went with my amazing friends, Sam and Jess Tinnesz to see "Julia & Julie." Or maybe it's called "Julie & Julia." I can't remember. I do remember thinking that whichever the order of the names in the title goes, I thought it should have been the other way around. And now they both sound fine to me. So I can't remember. Regardless, I would like to highly recommend this movie. It was written and either produced or directed by Nora Ephron, who actually just wrote a book that I just finished reading ("I Feel Bad About My Neck"), so I'm realizing that I'm a big Nora Ephron fan. She is also responsible for "When Harry Met Sally" and "Sleepless In Seattle." But men, don't be worried...I don't think this is a chick flick.

I found myself really relating to the Julie character. There's this scene in the beginning of the movie where she's sitting at a table with a few of her girlfriends and it is so clear that her life has not gone the way she's intended it to. You need to go see the movie for yourself, but I'm not giving it away when I say that she finally finds something she's passionate about, which is cooking her way through a Julia Child cookbook. So the entire movie I kind of found myself thinking I should do the same thing. Which is not gonna happen. Twelve hours later I've come to my senses and realized that this could not and should not be where I focus myself. But it was nice to think about for awhile. And actually, Jess and I talked about maybe cooking our way through a cookbook together...but just once a week. Wouldn't that be fun? Am I old? I feel like that's something that old people do. My mom (who is NOT old) and her friend Shawn are taking two cooking classes next week and I am jealous. Maybe I need to hop on the bandwagon.

But this was my favorite part of last night's entertainment (besides the good company of my friends): Nicole Kidman. She sat right in front of us at the movie. I mean, this lady could have gone to the premier if she'd wanted to. But she chose to see it with me instead. I see country stars all the time...I've even seen Keith Urban...and I'm just not that impressed anymore. But I've always wanted to see a movie star. And my dream came true and it totally lived up to my expectations. She was everything I thought she'd be and more. You know how sometimes in pictures her skin looks so tight that she looks full of botox? She doesn't look like that in person - she looks absolutely gorgeous and youthful. And normal. I'm happy to report that Nashville must be an awesome place for a star to live because not ONE person stopped her during the movie or on her way out to her car for an autograph. I would know because I followed her out.

Nicole and I should really be friends. We have a lot in common. We're both really pale. We're both over Tom Cruise. We've both been to Australia. I like people with Australian accents. And we've both had an insane crush on Keith Urban at one point or another (I'm sorry to say she won). Maybe I'll talk to her the next time I see her and just pretend I don't know who she is :)

Well I'm off for the day. This should be a beautiful Saturday with friends. I think I'm going to the Tomato Festival. And if you're wondering what that is, I'm not sure, so I'll let you know.

My Latest And Greatest Thing

Hi! Ok, so I realize it's been awhile since I've blogged. And this is why: July was pretty tame. I was so busy this past spring that I didn't have a ton of time to book any shows and as a result my adventures were few. Not that it was completely unblogworthy. Yes, I just made that word up.

I know I haven't blogged in awhile because I've been told by SEVERAL people that I need to step it up. What I don't understand is why I didn't even know these people read my blog in the first place. I've been under the impression that I only had 7 followers and no one would care (though I now see I have 11) if I got a little lax with the updates. SO I'm asking you to step it up now. If you read. Commit. Follow me!

For some reason, and I have no idea why, all this typing has made me think about someplace I really meant to go this past week. Blanc Burgers. I am craving a delicious peppercorn burger. Shoot! I have been to Kansas City twice in the past two weeks and I would have to say Blanc was a major highlight of the first trip. To all you Kansans I would highly recommend this joint. I was determined to make it there again on the second trip. But, alas, I forgot. My loss.

I really love food, you guys. I'm just sitting here thinking about all the great food I consumed in KC. And when people come to Nashville I get so excited to take them to my favorite restaurants here. Meals can be such an event. I just love it. And I love the friends and family that I get to share these experiences with. I'm so full of love right now :) Or should I say I'm full on love? Haha. Get it? Yes, I am aware that I'm not very funny.

Everytime I go to KC I feel such a pull to stay. It is home. I think it will always be home. I can't imagine it any other way. I wish it were possible to split my time between two cities. Do you think if I moved to KC that I'd feel the same way about Nashville? My mom told me this week that I really remind her of the latest Bachelorette, Jillian Harris, which is the ULTIMATE complement for me because I truly believe that Jillian and I could be best friends. And one of my mom's reasons is that Jillian is completely ruled by her emotions. Yes, that is me. 100% me. I can't seem to separate the truth from the way I feel about the truth. And there is a difference :) But if being the way I am finds me a hunk like Ed (Jillian's new fiance), then I will be ok. All that to say...that right now, at this exact moment, if I'd allow myself to follow my emotions I would have my things already packed and I'd be 1/2 way back to Kansas City right now. But I know Nashvegas is the place for me.

Well, that's enough about Kansas. I could go on for days.

This is my LATEST AND GREATEST THING. My good friend Eric Vinson and I have been writing together for awhile now and everytime we write we come up with something fantastic. It's impossible for us to do otherwise. So we decided to release a 3 song EP of our music. We are calling ourselves "This and That," and you can download this EP for FREE (YES FREE!!!!) at www.thisandthatmusic.com - What are you waiting for? Go now! This link will send you to a site called "noisetrade," which was started by Derek Webb. All you have to do to get it for free is to give 5 friends' email addresses...but I promise you that these friends will get ONE email saying "I downloaded this EP and you should too." And that is it. They will not be added to a mailing list and they will not start getting annoying spam emails. I pinky promise. If you don't want to do that, you can pay what you want for the music. So I'm pretty sure you could pay $1.00. Whatever. Just get it. 'Cause I really think you will love it. Go to:

www.thisandthatmusic.com

Well, that's all for now. I hope to have an amazing revelation for you all soon.

Oh, but I will leave you with this thought. I am going to help you avoid a mistake I made this morning. If you're thinking about going to the airport in a cute outfit that involves a large belt (that is not only nice to look at but is also necessary for holding things in place), think again. The security guard will make you take it off and everyone will have to wait for you to squeeze it through the belt loops that were much too small for such a large belt to begin with...and then you will realize that everyone can see your underwear and you will be praying very hard that you can make it past the metal detector without your pants falling. Please think about this the next time you go to the airport. It will save you a lot of stress and a lot of embarrassment. Just a suggestion.

Songs of Love

If you've ever heard me say "I've gotta go write a Song of Love," hopefully you've known what I meant and didn't think I was going off to write some love song for no one or maybe someone :) But if you don't know about this organization, I want to take a minute to tell you about it because it is very dear to me. And there are ways you can help. There is nothing more special to me than getting a letter from a child or a parent thanking me for their son or daughter's song...and there is nothing more heartbreaking than getting a letter informing me that their child never made it to hear his/her song. Songs of Love is amazing - and if you can personally help or know of someone that might be in need of a song, please let me know!!!

Check out Songs of Love on the internet.

The Songs of Love Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates free personalized songs for ailing children. Professional songwriters from all over the country (and the world) write, perform and produce more than 250 original songs every month. Our songwriters perform songs in any style ranging from hip-hop to heavy metal, pop to classical, with lyrics based on the interests of each child and the loving people in that child’s life. Children of all ages (up to and including 21) who are currently battling a serious illness are eligible to receive a song, free of charge.

Every child is unique and so is every "song of love" composition. In 13 years, the Songs of Love Foundation has written songs for more than 19,000 children in hospitals throughout the country and the world. The songs alleviate pain and trauma during painful and scary hospital treatments. Song recipients play their "songs of love" in all kinds of situations and settings such as car trips to the hospital, show and tell at school, for family and friends, and even for the doctors and nurses.

There are many ways to help this unique and innovative children’s charity. Through its vehicle donation program, CARS (Children Are Receiving), folks across the country can donate their car, boat, or other vehicle in order to help further the organization’s mission of music. Donated vehicles are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.

For more information on donating your car, boat or other automobile, you can visit www.songsoflove.org/cardonation or call toll-free, 1-888-909-SONG (7664).

Each child’s “song of love” costs the charity approximately $250 to create, though the Songs of Love Foundation also accepts cash donations in any amount. The $250 covers the cost to produce the song, as well as all administrative and office tasks involved in delivering each song to the child it was written for.

To make a cash donation, you can visit www.songsoflove.org/donation or call toll-free, 1-800-960-SONG (7664).

To request a song, you can visit http://www.songsoflove.org/profilesheet.html or call 1-800-960-SONG (7664) to request a profile sheet in the mail.

Fifth Member of The Four Kicks

So. I am obsessed with the band called THE FOUR KICKS. If you read my blog regularly, you will recognize their name because I have mentioned them before. Anyway, they were in the studio today and I was, once again, amazed by their amazingness. So I asked if there would be any way I could join their band. They told me that if I'd grow a beard like Josh Smith (see below) that I could be the 5th member. So, I did it.

What do you think?????? Does it suit me?

You Can't Take Away

I have exciting news. My good friends, MIKESCHAIR, have just released their first cd with Curb Records TODAY (July 14, 2009). Everyone needs to buy it. You may have heard their first single on the radio. It is called "You Can't Take Away," which is also the name of the album - but really, you just need to buy the whole cd. I went to Target to buy it this afternoon and it was sold out! It is available on iTunes, but you can buy a hard copy at Target or Lifeway...or probably anywhere else that sells cds for that matter. It is an exciting day for my friends and I'm so happy. And they are so talented and sweet and deserving!


One more thing, you might want to listen to "Keep Changing The World." I may or may not be singing on that song. I'm just saying. (hint, hint)


If you don't want to take my word for it, you can check out this review:
http://www.ccmmagazine.com/reviews/music/11605980/

Can't Believe I Got Through The Week

If you happened to catch my status update this past Sunday it read, "bad day = need new tires on brand new car, took dog to vet for allergic reaction, spilled coffee on computer and now it doesn't work."

Let me explain. My sweet friends Rebekah and Laura and I decided to roadtrip to Dallas to try out for American Idol this past week. Eric really wanted me to get my tires rotated before I left and I also needed to get my oil changed, so I found a coupon for Goodyear tire that was for both of those things for $19.99. Good deal, I thought.

So Tuesday morning (and we left for Dallas Tuesday afternoon), I take my car in. My helper-guy is kind of sleezy and insists that I should buy new tires because mine are bald. Yeah right. I bought my car brand new 10 months ago. There is no way I need new tires. He also says he doesn't think he should rotate them. I am determined to not be taken advantage of by this car guy (I always feel like car guys take advantage of girls just because they can and we don't know any better) so I stand my ground and tell him that my boyfriend said it should be done and I want him to do it. End of story. So he does.

Twelve hours later we're in Dallas and my tire pressure light goes on. Luckily, there is a Discount Tire across the street. So we make trip #1. The nice man can't find any nails or anything so he just fills the tires up with air (for free!) and sends me on my way. The light goes off. We park in front of my friend Kristin's house for the day.


That night, when we get home from our day of fun, Kristin's husband Chris informs me that I have a flat tire. He helps me change it to the spare. Actually, he changes it and I watch. And he tells me that he is really glad he can change my tire because it makes him feel "worthless." I laugh. And then he says "I mean...needed." I go to Discount Tire for trip #2 and they patch up my tire (for free!!) and put it back on my car (for free!!!).

We are hungry, so we drive across the parking lot to Chick Fil-A and when I get out of car I hear a "shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" sound. Sure enough, the newly patched tire is deflating. So I quickly make my way back across the parking lot for Discount Tire trip #3. The nice man, Ben, checks my tire and sees that there is another hole but it is too close to the wall to patch. I had already been informed at trip #1 and #2 that I needed new tires 'cause mine were bald. So at this point I'm believing them. Ben offers to give me a good deal on some new tires but when he realizes that I really can't afford it he decides to be nice and gives me a new-to-me used tire that is in no better and no worse condition than the one I had...except it has no holes in it...FOR FREE!!!!! I'm getting warm and fuzzies about Discount Tire just thinking about them right now!


SO. Day 3 in Dallas. The actual audition day for American Idol. My tire pressure light is back on. Crap. So after we are rejected by American Idol we go across the street for Discount Tire trip #4. Now the OTHER back tire is low. The man says it could be a slow leak but he's not sure so we just need to pay attention. And he airs us up. For free. The light goes off.

Day 4. It's time to drive home. We get 5 hours into our trip and hit a bump. The light goes on again. Laura is a champ and drives us safely off the highway into Walmart. The grossest Walmart I've ever seen. Twilight Zone. We get some more air in the tire and decide to risk our lives to make it to a different tire place. Thankfully, we make it. If Walmart was tire trip #5, than Firestone is tire trip #6. I wish we could have made it to Little Rock to Discount Tire, but that just wasn't going to happen. Now we have new tires and we're gonna make it home just fine. But my car is still only 10 months old. What in the world?? New tires??


Day 5 is Sunday...but it's not really day 5 'cause I'm home. My puppy is scratching her head SO hard that clumps of hair are falling out and she looks like she's bleeding on the top of her head. I know I need to take her to the vet. But I have to go to church first. My tire pressure light goes on AGAIN while I'm on my way to church. I stop off the side of the road and a nice police man helps me check them out. He thinks they're fine. Firestone says the air pressure is good. It must be a problem with the sensor...which is a Nissan issue. So I make a Nissan appointment.

At church (in the green room) I'm researching vets that are open on Sundays to take Lilly to...and the table I'm sitting at gets knocked and my coffee spills onto my computer. A lot of coffee...with cream and sugar. The computer immediately shuts down and I am screwed. It no longer works.

Despite all of this drama, I am not the "Lindsey" I'm used to being. My reactions are much more laid back and relaxed. Maybe I've just finally realized that there isn't anything I can do about these things and God is in control. He knows how it's gonna get better. And it did.

It has gone from the worst day into thanksgiving. All of these things could have stressed me out to no end. But it turns out that Lilly has allergies. Poor thing. Now she's on steroids and I have other things to give her to make her feel better. If I hadn't taken her to the vet she would have continued to suffer.

And my tires: Nissan found that there's something wrong with the sub-frame of my car (an $1,100 replacement) which is, thankfully, covered under my warranty. If that tire pressure light hadn't come on that last time even though my tires were brand new, I never would have known anything was wrong and these new tires would have worn out within 10 months. And, since we can blame it on the sub-frame no one can blame it on my driving (Dad).

As for my computer: I am surrounded my MAC genuises! After being told to air out my computer with a fan for a whole day it just magically works again! Thank you!!!!

I realize this is a long story. But I am so thankful. THANK YOU!!!!!

To see more Dallas pics go to:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2076642&id=34100702&l=4a0030116b