My roommate was the first person to introduce me to Lana Del Rey and her song Video Games. Not only is it a great video, but the song ….. well, the song just says it all.
Lately – in the past few months, lately – I’ve become more increasingly aware of life’s glimpses of perfection. Those moments when all is right in the world. You’re not just content, you’re happy beyond words. You realize for a brief snap shot of time that you’re there – you’re in the moment – and life at that instant is indeed ….. perfect. It almost catches you off guard at how overwhelmingly the feeling takes over and just as quickly as it arose, something snaps your attention away and it’s gone. It’s gone but you know what you just witnessed, what you just felt with every bone and blood cell of your being. It’s indescribable but it’s absolutely wonderful. Like the feeling you get driving down the road with the windows down, the trees waving hello and good bye, the sun shining lightly on your face, and this song flowing through your speakers. It’s magical.
I missed this week’s Music Snack. I dropped the ball. I’m sorry. But if it’s any consolation, I’ve seem to have found myself with quite a many balls up in the air. One of them was bound to drop (or would this be bounce, since I’m technically catching it right now? i don’t know.). Anyways, things have been non-stop since the Thanksgiving Holiday. This year much more than ever. I promise to get you all up to speed just as soon as I can catch my breath and take a minute to revel in all the magic that’s been swirling around my life these past few months. Lots of stuff! Lots of good stuff, but lots of stuff.
I’ve hardly had a chance to enjoy the Christmas Season as it’s quickly approaching faster and faster. I was reminded to take a break this evening and enjoy the Season as I opened my first stack of Christmas Cards that had been waiting patiently for me in my Post Office Box. (Just 5 minutes before I was on the verge of calling my Mother to say I give up, I can’t make it, and I’m not coming home for the Holiday.) I’ll admit – I started crying a little, seeing some of my favorite faces in the envelopes, sending me Christmas Cheer and wishes for a Happy New Year. Obviously I’m not getting any Christmas Cards or Crafty Presents out this year, but at least I’m finally drifting into the Spirit of the Season!
If you’re feeling a little end-of-the-year stressed or lack-of-cheer exhausted or even a what day is this exactly? frame of mind, here’s a little something to put some Holiday pep in your step:
The last 3 years I was in college, I worked in a Salon & Spa on the Oxford Square – the center of the Town of Oxford. I have many many great memories from my days at La Rousse. I worked there since they opened November 1, 2004. It was just a handful of us back then. We all fit around one dining room table for our Christmas party that first year. They were my surrogate family – La Rousse had become my 2nd home.
Having a 3/4 job in Oxford (I wasn’t full time but always worked more than part time) meant I was usually there when a majority of the students had already left campus for Holiday. I didn’t mind hanging around for most of my breaks because A. I was making money. and B. I secretly loved Oxford the most during these times. The time of year when Winter was creeping across North Mississippi, the sun was setting much earlier, the Square would quiet down and become almost still with the students gone and the dinner crowd barely starting to make it’s appearances. And there I’d be in the shop, Toni finishing up her last client and me getting things ready to close up for the day.
We listened to a lot of John Mayer, Billie Holiday, the Love Actually / Bridgette Jones Diary Soundtracks, and of course a good bit of Motown. When I was at the shop closing up by myself (which wasn’t an odd occurrence), the first thing I would do after locking the front door is run back to the back and turn up the music. I would sing and dance around while sweeping the floors and checking the day’s balances. (And it also wasn’t an odd occurrence the off chance someone would catch me while passing by on the sidewalk. Didn’t phase me one bit.) These were some of my favorite moments in Oxford. I wasn’t worried about school work, or dance practice, or anything. Things were just …. right.
So for today’s Music Snack, here’s one of my favorite songs that takes me back to these, my beloved Oxford memories. Aretha was always a favorite when it came time to close up the shop. Enjoy!
My dear La Rousse has since now moved to a new location and has grown immensely. From the starting days, it’s just Toni left. I pop my head in from time to time whenever I can make it back to Oxford. No matter what and no matter how long it’s been, I always look back and smile. On the friends I made, the memories which are forever in my mind, the freedom of basking in the music and the moment because I can, and those times when things were just …. right.
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The Music Snack comes out every Wednesday to put a little rhythm in your week. Requests are always welcome, so don’t be shy!
"I adore, however others may not, being confusing and crazy, shy and loud, strong and weak, a bundle of emotions and a back-bone of society. The complexities of being a woman are nothing to be ashamed of and should be celebrated in great splendor!"
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So follow along on this crazy journey and discover the Sassy & the Steel Magnolia you have hidden deep inside. Cheers! - Jennie B
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