.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

On the Rise; Coachella 2014

What was that about .rapt reawakening..... last September?

I'm just horrible. Feel free to send some hate. But I really have been busy. The past 7 months have been a roller coaster of changes in my life and I've really had to give up a lot of my free time.

For the moment, however, I have quite a bit of time on my hands. And time is an awful thing to waste, am I right? So let's reawaken .rapt for real this time, shall we? And what better way to do that than to scream and shout about something a little spectacular happening in T minus 9 days and 14 hours.

That's right, bromigos. In just over a week, the largest and easily greatest music festival on the West Coast begins! Get your knapsacks ready, because the lineup for Coachella 2014 is on another level.

 

 

With Empire of the Sun, Broken Bells, The Glitch Mob, Foster the People, MGMT, Krewella, and STRFKR to name a few, this year's set has easily become the highlight of my spring and potentially the best year I've ever attended. There are no regrets in purchasing the pre-sale passes. In fact, I highly recommend going that route for those of you who weren't able to score wristbands for 2014. I can't tell you how phenomenal it felt to sit back in January while millions of others battled in the online sales.

While I'm unsure of how many more Coachella's I'll be attending after this year, I'm fully devoted to making 2014 my best experience yet. For those of you who have followed my blog since day one, you'll know that I sprouted .rapt from the soil of my first venture to Coachella Valley. Standing in the enormous crowd, completely awestruck by the sweat, music and lights was what made me realize how momentous and powerful the music scene can be. I wanted to be a part of it, somehow. I plan to hold onto the memory of my 2010 adventure for the rest of my days.

So .rapt readers, who's visiting the desert this year?

I'll be prancing around during Weekend Two, surely sporting some sort of frilly white nonsense. Make no mistake, the preparation process for Coachella is endless. Because the weather is reliably blistering (How could anyone forget the heat wave of 2012?) it's important to garb yourself accordingly. So I've made it a point this year to carefully plan out my daily attire. But while fashion is a rather important element in the festival world, it's better to be comfortable than suffocatingly hot. Which is why it's crucial not to overspend on new outfits. All a fest-goer really needs is a swimsuit, some shades, and an awesome pair of kicks. I've decided to go the Kaftan/pullover route this year, with a fresh bikini top from Frankies Bikinis and a few accessories from Etsy. I still have some purchases to make... camping gear, etc. But for the most part, I'm solid!

As the dates approach us, I'll throw some more blog updates your way! Thanks for sticking with me through the quiet times. But it's time to get loud!

x

Who's this chick? Where'd she come from?

Whoa, hello!

I realized the other day how much I miss blogging about my musical muses and that I should probably devote some time to my beloved .rapt instead of venturing off into boredom land like I normally do in my down time lately.

How has everyone been? Is there anyone even still out there? I've been preoccupying myself with tumblr (aka my secondary real life) and fandoms here and there. Music, as always, remains a major part of my everyday somber, and although I always intend to write down and remember everything I want to say about certain songs and bands, I never seem to bring myself to do it. No more of that! I'm putting a stop to it now. I have way too many feels and there's only so much room inside my little head to keep them all.

But where do I even begin?

Empire of the Sun has become one of my most favorite bands as of late. I find myself wondering how glorious it would be to meet Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore in person. Of course, this is purely the fan-girl in me. To give you a dose of how bad my love for them is, I've often been dreaming of what my face would look like smothered in Native American war paint, dancing under the sun alongside EOTS's leading imagineers. It would be great, right? I'm smitten, needless to say. Which is why I took a leap of faith and (with the little money I have) purchased a GA pass for myself to the Hard Summer Music Festival held in Los Angeles this August to see Empire of the Sun preform live. The festival as a whole is going to be worth while, I'm sure. But I've wanted to see EOTS for a couple of years now and L.A. was the closest venue near me that they'll be visiting. I'm more than enthralled. I can't wait to witness them in powerful, translucent, and true force. Oh yes ~

On September 25th, I plan to pay a visit to The House of Blues here in San Diego to finally see The Naked and Famous live. The boy and I have been quite fond of them for a couple of years now (they were featured as one of my Band's of the Week in 2012), and we missed their tour date in Seattle by an inch back in April of 2012 due to flying home from Coachella on the same day (insert sad face). So when I received word that they would be playing downtown, I jumped on tickets faster than a cat on a dot of light....(Ouch, bad metaphor.) The band hasn't released anything new since Passive Me, Aggessive You Remix and B-sides record, which dropped this past May. Somewhat of a refresher to their debut album of the same title, which was released back in 2010. There are however some newer songs showcased on the B-sides, which include Sow, Wild, Bright Lights, and Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! Let's not forget about their two EP's which came out in 2011, This Machine and No Light, both of which are wonderful in their own right. I'm looking forward to hearing all of these at The House of Blues, but nothing beats their hit single Punching in a Dream from their debut, which I'm pining to dance to as they serenade SD this September. Any of you lot from the So-Cal region should really join me. Tickets are still available on TicketMaster.

I suppose the only other music-related news I have to offer you, loyal .rapt readers, is my biting the bullet and jumping on the payment plan wagon that is Coachella-bound in April 2014. After not attending this year's festival, I really felt like I had betrayed myself. I feel that it's crucial that I attend at least one more year of messy Coach madness before hunkering down into hardcore student life in the Fall of 2014. SO.....I'm slowly but surely paying my debt for two Weekend 2 passes for next year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Joy is felt within my broke and happy heart.

As far as my personal life goes, I can't complain. Working hard and planning out an extraordinary summer. I've got a pool down the road, the ocean 5 miles west, tequila in the freezer, the desert sun directly above, and a flower crown tangled in my hair. What more could a girl want?

x

On this the eve of the end....

I'm sitting here watching the on-screen yule fire on Netflix, wondering to myself why I haven't updated my blog and how on earth I'm to expect myself to face Dec. 21st, 2012 without at least posting one last entry to .rapt.

.....

Although the only thing that might cause the world's end tomorrow is that digital Pegasus springing to life and turning murderous from last night's butchered rendition of Ellie Goulding's Anything Could Happen by newly established Fifth Harmony girls on The X Factor. God, save us all from that mutiny....

It is unsettling to consider what may happen come daybreak tomorrow morning, but I have very little doubt that things won't be fine. What I've come to believe is that the Mayan's intended tomorrow to be the ending of an era rather than the end of the world....and whether that's correct or not, I'm standing by it. Despite how hopeless society might seem sometimes, I still have faith in this world. Even if I'm the only one that feels this way, I refuse to give up on something so overwhelmingly meaningful and life-giving. There are too many unexplainably beautiful and tremendously soul-swelling things about planet earth to simply lose faith in it. I know there's still good people out there....and I know that I try to be one of them. I know that there's a God, no matter what or where he is, and I trust that he still recognizes us and our endeavors.
Whatever happens tomorrow will simply... happen. And it's important to remember that every ending is followed shortly by a beginning. In light of this, I'll be treating tomorrow as a clean slate. It's never too late to try harder at being better to ourselves and to others; to live fuller and appreciate more. I'm going to wake up in the morning with these things in mind.

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!

Week One ~ Cactus & Sea

I lied a bit ~ I said I would update about my adventures every Friday.... but I think it would be safer to give myself more of a range with that. I'll update every "weekend." Don't judge. I have a lot going on and not a lot of time to work with!
But there's always time for .rapt and it's illusive readers!

 

 Friday marked week one of my new life in SoCal. It's been a bit interesting.... I've run into a few unexpected obstacles... one being that here in the south, ants are a huge problem. And if a household doesn't keep up with it's chores, the ants TAKE OVER. This couldn't be more true for the abode I'm currently living in. Being a house full of people in their 20's, not much cleaning gets done....And so there are ants erupting from every corner!... Pretty sick, yes? Not as sick as the lack of cleanliness. I'm so used to living at home and having a mother to do all the tidying-up. It was a huge wake up call to enter a home where nothing is ever taken care of. I took it upon myself to buy some cleaning supplies and scrub every inch of the bathroom I'll be using, as well as my new room. The kitchen however is a lost cause. I tried one afternoon to bomb the ants that reside in that part of the house, only to come out defeated. There are too many and it's way too dirty and disgusting to even put effort into it. So I bought myself a microwave for my room. I assure you lot, I won't be doing much cooking unless it comes in a microwavable container.
I never knew how much dedication it takes to keep a house clean until now. I've somehow become OCD about it and I'm actually okay with addmitting that. Someone has to become the mom in this dump of a place!

Despite the cleaning issue, the area I'm living in is gorgeous. I'm in a canyon surrounded by desert and cacti. What a way to live... :)

I'm still job hunting. I had my first interview on Friday afternoon for a lovely place downtown... It would be an ideal job, but I'm a bit fearful that I bombed the interview... Merely because there was an aptitude test that I feel I did horribly on. There were so many questions on it that I would have never known the answer to... The manager who did my interview was also a bit gruff. I suppose all I can do now is wait and see if I get a call back. In the meantime, I'll continue applying to places and hope for the best. It's certainly discouraging being jobless though, especially when everyone else in my household has a job and is bustling about all day while I'm laying on my new futon pondering life and wishing I wasn't so poor.
I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed though.

Not everything has been discouraging. For the most part, I'm in love with the sea and the climate here. The views and the plants alone make me want to melt.... I truly believe that I belong in the southwest. I just need to keep my chin up. There is so much in life still waiting for me. I need to take full advantage of this opportunity and run with the wind! Something is bound to work out eventually.

You're all great. Comments are loved! If any of you have suggestions for me, I could certainly use a few. At least for assistance with my job search!

Photos and film of my first week in the desert sun are featured below!

Band of the Week Update tomorrow.

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!

---------

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

.rapt's off to the Golden State!

At last, lot. The time has come to hop a flight down to So-Cal. Hopefully all the prepping, buying, and saving will be put to good use. I'll be traveling this morning on 5 hours of sleep, acquired on Tuesday night, but I figure once I get to Indio I'll be able to set up camp and take a well deserved snooze. I wish I could catch some zzz's in the air, but I'm always denied sleep on planes. The extra passes, in case anyone was wondering, were sold! Glad to make fest-goers out of complete strangers. I'll try and update here and on twitter as often as possible. I'll be camping near La Quinta and will possibly see some of you at the gates Friday morning! The time has come, kids. Coachella valley awaits.

Donde Esta?

I hate leaving .rapt so vulnerable and quiet....

So my beloved lot, you can further follow .rapt's antics on:

.rapt's TUMBLR

Not that Blogspot won't remain .rapt's main residence...However, with college eating away all my time, I've found it easier to keep up with Tumblr.
.rapt's Tumblr is more of a collection of personal interests. Feel free to poke fun at my obvious love for Regular Show and the hundreds of fandom-related things I rant about. I'm a geek, what can I say.

With Coachella's Lineup looming in the wake of the new year, .rapt will be back up in full swing SOON. I've made the decision that if Coachella's lineup isn't completely orgasmic, I'll take some new chances and attempt to attend the infamous Electric Daisy Carnival in Nevada this June.... It's a decision that I'll make soon.

Hope you had a Happy Christmas and started 2012 off right.

life / .Apr. 22nd - 30th

This week has been....difficult! Weather wise.
Torrential downpour for days...and then the sun will appear for a few hours one afternoon, then return to a cloudy abyss for more rain, and dare I say snow.
Albeit, it did not actually snow. But the snow level from the mountains did threaten to descend a few 1000 feet. Its quite saddening when summer is so close I can smell it.


At long last I had my long locks chopped off on Wednesday! It's definitely a change....and I've received mixed reviews about it.

Some have expressed that they love it, while others have asked if I got myself in a fight with a lawnmower. The most treacherous breed of comments I've gotten revolve around how young it now makes me look. Great. I've gone from looking 12 to 10. What's a petite 21 year old humanoid to do? Either get smothered in long unmanageable hair, or look like a child with a layered bob.
Oh well, it will grow in time. By June, I'm sure it will be the perfect length. For now, I'll relish in the ease of doing my hair in the morning and having less of it to shampoo.

I received my new black keds in the mail the other day. I somehow thought that a small in width would be just fine for me. Oh how wrong I was. I can't even fit my foot into them! Going to have to exchange them now through the mail, which I hate doing! I hope a medium will suffice...
Look at it. A shoe shouldn't be that skinny!

I did find some brilliant coral colored keds last time I was on their site though....I'm in love. I must purchase soon before they are all gone for the season!


Well, in the midst of my week, that is all I really have to talk about! Aside from the few minor get-togethers, work, and school. Homework really is getting repetitive, lot.