.rapt is breathing

If there's anything in this world worth writing about; worth pouring my soul into....it's that world of lights, late nights, and sound. The world of music.

If I can keep that inspiration inside of me to continue reviewing, enjoying, and freely listening... clutch my fists around it and never let it go..... then I'll always have something to dream about. Something to strive for. Something to conquer.

My goal is to bring .rapt out of hibernation and really devote myself to it. Even if I'm the only one who knows it exists...It's here, and it's mine. I will delve into this blog, even if it kills me. Which wouldn't be awful. Being devoured by the thing you love is the best way to go out.

So how was your week? Did you stumble upon something unprecedented and revered that sends waves of joy down your spine and attacks your skin with chills and heat?

Is it something you can hear? Is it a track you can close your eyes and feel?

I hope so.

x

Week Two ~ In love

Although it hasn't been easy...what with the many stresses and upsets, and of course a few tears... when I look out over the ocean, I feel a wave of happiness pour over me. I'm in love with the sea. I want to stay! And I'll do everything in my power to ensure that my life remains on these beaches.

Friday marked week two of my new-found life. It's still so strange to me that I'm actually living here in San Diego and not just visiting. I feel like I'm due to head back to Washington any day now. I have to stop and remind myself that I won't be going back, at least not for a long while. I think my brain is still a little confused though. My new reality probably won't set in until I get into a better routine.

It's discouraging when you apply to so many different jobs and not one of them gives you a call back. I've tried all over San Diego and yet no one seems to want to give me a chance! Several times a day I wonder what I'll do if I can't land a job. I have barley enough money to sustain my bills and rent for August and then its do or die come September. If I don't have some sort of a job figured out by then, I'll more or less be out of money and I'm not one to ask for hand-outs. But I don't want to leave. I feel so invigorated here; so alive! I barely remember what it was like before I moved. I feel like it's always been this way and I never once lived that dreary life back in Western Washington. It's a good feeling.
So I'm hoping for a miracle to happen so I can stay.

Life otherwise has been fairly laid back. Although it's frightening to not have a job, it's been nice not having any obligations. But I DO need to eat, so we'll see how things go with applications this coming week.

I'm trying to remember all of the things I've been doing during this second week....The only thing that really stands out in my mind is my horrible sunburn on my shoulders that I got in PB last Monday, which is currently peeling like mad. And also my bicycling adventure around Mission Bay, where I found myself riding a beach cruiser for the first time. I had an immense fear of falling off of it, for the seat on the bike was about half my height. I don't know how you beach bums do it.... I felt like I'd never ridden a bicycle in my entire life. I think I just need to find one that's the right size for me. What's the fun in riding a bike when it's a huge task to get on and off of it? I about died each and every time! My advise to you lot, don't ride a bike if you can't touch the ground when you're sitting on it.

Everything is so simple and fun here. Really, as long as you have a little cash in your pocket for food you don't need money to have fun. I'm enoying every minute. But I'll enjoy it even more once I have a yob!

Are any of you .rapt followers locals around these parts? If so, leave a comment and tell me what your favorite things to do here are! I'll try my best to follow suit and give your recommendations a try in the coming week.

Photos of my second week in the southwest are featured below!

And so my new life begins....

I'm on my way to my new home in sunny San Diego! I'll miss Washington.... but not the rain. It was hard to say goodbye, especially to my mother and pup. But it's time to go out and see what life has to offer me...Try to find my happiness. I know it's out there somewhere.

Today (July 19th) was the first half of my two day journey south.... Just me, my car 'The Power', and anything I could fit in her. It's been great, one big cluster-F of a road trip. I can feel all my clutter weighing my poor hatchback down... But we'll get there, slow but sure. I'm currently spending the night in a quaint little motel with no food except tea to satisfy me until morning. Just one of the many pleasant things I've encountered throughout my long, unending day. I'm slightly alarmed that I'm still coherent.

I've wanted for a long time to incorporate more of my life into .rapt, rather than just focusing on music.... Despite the fact that music is a large part of my life. Maybe you (the reader) and I have more in common than we think?  It would be cool to find out, possibly? I don't know, bare with me while I try some new stuff out.

I am angry with myself though for not featuring a Band of the Week for quite some time, so from now until the 30th, let's throw M83 at your ears.
 I'm sure most of you know of this collaborative band already, but in case you don't..... PLEASE LISTEN. It took me several years to truly appreciate their music, but once I gave M83 more of a chance, I was hooked. Everything about their music screams inspiration to me. I don't think there's been a day since April that I haven't listened to at least one of their songs.


There are many, but give these particular tracks a listen:
Steve McQueen (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming record), Don't Save Us From The Flames (Before the Dawn Heals Us record), Graveyard Girls (Saturdays=Youth record), Kim & Jessie (Saturdays=Youth record), Reunion (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming record), Teen Angst (Before the Dawn Heals Us record), We Own the Sky (Saturdays=Youth record), and Claudia Lewis (Hurry Up, We're Dreaming record.

Don't get me wrong. All tracks on each record are immaculate, but these are my personal favorites.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE 

As much as I want to go on about my day, I think it would probably be wise to get some sleep with what little time I have to do it. I still have to take on the majority of California tomorrow.
Despite what people have told me about CA (good things or bad things) I intend to base my judgment of the state and the people in it on my own experiences. So if any of you are locals, make a good impression on me! So far, I have nothing but good feelings.

Wish me luck, lot!

I hate Looking, but...

It's completely unnecessary for me to even peek at what's new at my favorite attire sites, but Nasty Gal has a new collection of items that I'm currently frothing over.

Really, I have no business looking. I need to save every penny I have for my move next week.

But check out what's new! Maybe one of you lot will find something you fancy.....


WHAT'S NEW AT NASTY GAL

Unf. Look at those blouses.

---------

Lot, I've missed you.

My life is changing so fast and I feel like now's the time for an update.

For those of you who have loyally checked in with my blog, I apologize for my inactivity. I've finally finished classes for the summer, which now gives me plenty of time to stop in and write about my life and muses. I've become a bit of a Tumblr addict lately, but as far as sharing my adventures and thoughts, I've waited to post them here.

As crazy as it is to announce, I'm officially moving to the Golden State in 2 and a half weeks. The boy in question is coming along too. Who knew?
After my visit to California in April, I've been looking forward to this and trying to prep myself, but to be honest I've never felt more unprepared in all my life. I don't know how to feel or where to start. I'll be calling San Diego my home in a few short weeks and although I've been contemplating and planning this move for over a year now, it's just now dawning on me that I'm actually, truly, 100% moving to California and leaving Washington! It's bittersweet.

I had an opportunity to move to Seattle earlier in the year. I could have easily gone through with it, but I had to ask myself: "What's going to make me happy?" Washington is beautiful, but the NW coastal climate is gloomy, mossy, and wet. I'm from the dry, hot Eastern side of WA and I'd give anything to move back over there, but I don't have any friends or family there anymore. I'm at a place in my life where I need to make decisions based on what's best for me, regardless of what anyone else says or thinks. When I asked myself what's going to make me happy, I realized that I'm at my happiest when I'm in the sun. Washington is my home state and I'll always be connected to it, but I've been given a chance to try something new with my life and despite the uncertainties, I feel like San Diego is the right decision for me right now. It's time to get out of this dreary, rain-drenched existence and dive into the southwest. I'm extremely pumped to get out on my own, but I've never done anything like this before. It's a bit sad to say goodbye to my mom and my dog. It's going to be an internal hardship that I'll have to deal with when the time comes. But I'm ready to stand on my own two feet and face the world head on.

Good times are definitely on their way.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There’s a feeling that’s been brewing inside me that I can almost taste....The feeling of reassurance. That no matter how rough things might get, everything will still be okay. The world is mine for the taking if I believe enough in myself.

I will be somebody. I already am somebody. No matter where I end up, who I end up with, or what I end up doing for a living, what matters is who I am inside and the way I see the world around me. I can either take the good things and mold them into my life, or I can take the bad things. And I choose the good things.

Never lose faith in yourself or the good things, because when something bad arises, something good is bound to be chasing right behind it.

There is so much that you should want for yourself.
I want to continue with school and become someone. But I also want to live.

I want to see and do all the things that I’ve dreamt of.

I want to be surrounded by people who like me; good friends.

I want to listen to thunderstorms.

I want to feel the sun.

I want to lay under the stars in the desert.

I want to stand barefoot in the red dirt at top of the Grand Canyon.

I want to write and discover new music.

I want to find what inspires me....and encourage everyone to do the same: To spread your arms out towards the sky and promise yourself the world. Even if what you promise seems impossible. Put faith into the notion that nothing is impossible.

This world has so much to offer. If you can just find it in yourself to reach out and grab it.

Maybe fate exists and maybe it doesn’t, but I believe that you make your life what it is.

So yes, you can wallow in despair and feel trapped by bills and unhappy work environments or people, or you can choose not to wallow: To chase after whatever makes you happy and not let anyone or anything stand in your way.
Because life is short and life is beautiful. And so many people decide not to see it; decide to live in self-loathing. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
There’s no rule that says you have to be miserable. You have the power to change your life; to change your future. And it all starts with how you view the things around you.
You can be mad at the world if you want, but why would you want to? Don’t waste the short time that you have here. Take advantage of it!

Swear your promises to the sky and keep them for yourself. And when you see a shooting star, don’t wish for money or fame. Wish to be happy! That’s the best thing anyone can ever want for themselves.

That’s what I want for myself. And that’s what I hope to find, out there somewhere.

I hope you try to find it too.

x

I woke up stronger than ever. 
Driven by big waves of fire. 
To run and yell all the way. 
Nothing can hurt me today. 
The world is waiting. 
Just waiting, just waiting.

M83 - Steve McQueen

A little inspiración. Trends // Topics

Recent images that have inspired me.
All photos courtesy of DeviantART and belong to their owners, respectably.

Summer. [Trends // Topics]

While I slept away the drearily cold coastal rain of winter, my mind was filled with thoughts of desert sun, breezy attire, and endless warm starry nights dancing to beats of intoxicating genre. Summer; the only season where this owl awakes from the hibernation months and lives each day from dawn til dusk. A time to feel alive and to flourish beneath the reverberating sun.





























all photos courtesy of google images, we love it, LF stores, & Chictopia.