For your listening pleasure...2011 recap

Okay, it officially was a very busy holiday season and this post is long over due.  Thanks to an email from my dear friend Tim Stehman, he prompted me to generate quite a list of not only my favorite music of 2011, but also a list of the music I've been listening to on the road. 

Despite not being blessed with an ounce of creativity (I was the 6th grade flash card champion, playing youth football, knocking out logic puzzle magazines while memorizing the Sportscenter ticker at an early age), I am huge fanatic and lover of the arts.  Music consumes me.  A fan of both creative sound and written lyrics, music to me transcends all languages. Music is genius. Music is power. Music is love.

As many of you know, I'm set to write in Sara Bareilles & Jennifer Nettles on the 2012 election ballot.  I won't bore you with the heavy rotation I gave and continue to give Kaleidoscope Heart and Incredible Machine... errrrrrr... actually I will.  I play them both once a day.  Not a single song on either album doesn't make me smile and/or want to sing out loud.  This post is all about what keeps me sane on the road while I'm driving, and these two albums are that.  Both released in 2010, unfortunately they can't make the list, but are definitely my most played albums of the year.

Moving on... without further adieu...

My list of top albums for 2011 caused me a bit of anxiety.  The top 5 were easy to list, but with 2011 being such a diverse and awesome year in music, listing the second half of my top 10 literally pained me.  I'm sure on any given day, I could replace the second half of my list with any of my runner-ups.

1. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow. This is truly one of the greatest albums I have ever heard (EVER). Shame on Rolling Stone for not including them in the top 50 albums of the year.
2. The Decemberists - The King is Dead. Probably my most played album on this list.  I'm loving the music out of Portland right now.
3. My Morning Jacket - Circuital. Emily's favorite band, and one I've grown accustomed to love. While Barton Hollow is my favorite album of 2011, this will go down as simply the most beautiful album of 2011.
4. Foster the People - Torches. Deserved every overplayed moment on pop radio.  Such an original sound and original album.  Thrilled I got to see them live at the TLA in Philly because they are definitely moving on to far bigger venues after this year's success.
5. Adele - 21. No surprise here at all. Music is absolutely blessed to have her. If my Dad asks "who sings this song", it must be good.
6. Matt Nathanson - Modern Love. I was recently annoyed by his presence on the Bachelor, but his songwriting is off the charts.  I've always been a fan of his songwriting, but something happened to his voice this year that I can't explain. Unbelievable. One of the best shows I saw in 2011.
7. Bon Iver - Bon Iver. Don't get it yet? Keep listening
8. Black Keys - El Camino. They've reached rock star status for a reason.
9. Pistol Annies - Hell on Heels. As a dying fan of the current country music genre, this was a complete breath of fresh air. A brilliant song writer of her own, I was thrilled to hear Ashley Monroe's voice once again.  I will be playing this album for a long time to come, anticipating them making another.
10. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues. Robin Pecknold is...um...brilliant.

Again, so many runner-ups who could have easily been on this list:

Feist Metals / Ryan Adams Ashes and Fire / Wilco The Whole Love /  Lykke Li  Wounded Rhymes /  The Kills  Blood Pressures /  Uh Huh Her  Nocturnes / Fitz & the Tantrums Pickin' Up the Pieces / Florence & the Machine Ceremonials / Blink 182 Neighborhoods / Wild Flag Wild Flag / Ximena Sarinana Ximena Sarinana / Ellie Goulding Lights

(any questions about the above 12 albums? I would love to answer. Ask away)

There's a lot of other great music I'm currently loving and listening to on the road.  Give me time and these albums likely could have made it on the list.  Some are new and some are songs from albums that have intrigued me throughout the year.

Alabama Shakes - You Ain't Alone, I Found You, Hold On, On Your Way (the band I am most excited about this upcoming year)
Desert Noises - Oak Tree
Oh Land - Perfection & Sun of a Gun
TV on the Radio - Will Do & You
Gotye - Save Me (Is anyone NOT listening to him these days?)
Theophilus London - Love is Real (Holly Miranda makes this song)
Airborne Toxic Event - Half of Something Else (not a big fan of the band, but love this song)
Real Estate - It's Real & Out of Tune
Forest Fire - Slow Motion & I Make Windows
Gary Clarke Jr. - Bright Lights (well deserved hype)
The Chevin - Blue Eyes
Other Lives - Tamer Animals
Phantogram - Nightlife, Don't Move & 16 Years (my favorite 2011 EP)
Lisa Hannigan - Passenger & Volcano w/ Damion Rice
The Weeknd - Wicked Games
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Our Hearts are Wrong (this album Tell Me was brought to my attention later in the year and probably would have made my list if I had time)
Cults -Bumper
The Duke Spirit - Bruisers
The Wombats - Perfect Disease
AA Bondy - Surfer King
Mute Math - Odd Soul & Blood Pressure
Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes (also loved He Gets Me High EP from earlier this year)
River James - Dreams
Michael Kiwanuka - Worry Walk Beside Me & I'll Get Along (very excited about this guy)
Lana Del Ray - Blue Jeans (we all know Video Games) 
Of Monsters & Men - Little Talks
Tennis - Origins
Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle (Thank you Tim Stehman)
Atlas Genius - Trojans (Thank you Tim Stehman)

Like Sara and Sugarland, there were also a few albums of 2010 that I couldn't stop playing this year and I would highly recommend, but unfortunately they couldn't make the 2011 list.  The following were included in the great lineup of live shows I was blessed to see last year and are amongst my lists of current favorites. I only suggest songs to peak your interest, but really what I'm saying is, get the entire album.

Elizabeth and the Catapult - The Other Side of Zero (listen to Go Away My Lover and Open Book)
Warpaint - The Fool (listen to Undertow)
Lissie - Chasing A Tiger (listen to Look Away, Little Lovin' & When I'm Alone)
Dylan LeBlanc - Paupers Field (listen to Low & The Creek Don't Rise w/ Emmylou Harris)
Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You (listen to Girls Like You & Punching a Dream)

Okay, there it is. I'd love any feedback you want to send my way.  Looking forward to a great upcoming year in music

Lots of Love from the road,
Erin

The Simple Way (My trip back home)

After five weeks of traveling in the southeast, I headed back up to PA.  I arrived late Saturday night from the build in Gainesville, the only hiccup being a little bit of ACC championship traffic around Charlotte.  First order of business was sleep, and lots of it.  Second order of business on Sunday was serving dinner in Reading at the Opportunity House.  The Opportunity House is a place centered around not only feeding the residents of Reading, but also giving them and their families the opportunity to get back on their feet.  Better yet, it's a place that mandates those who enter the doors for a meal, must stay over night, limiting bad decisions that could be made back on the streets.

NY Times published a disturbing article earlier in the year listing Reading, over every other U.S. city, as having the largest share of it's residents living in poverty.  A city I grew up less than a mile from, and a place many of our parents and grandparents called home, and may even continue to call home.  A city with over 40% of it's residents desperate for an opportunity to support and feed their families, or possibly even get an education.  Things many of us easily take for granted on a daily basis. 

I'd really like to stray from as many politically biased comments on this blog as possible...but do you think these 40% of people really care who gets married or serves our country?  With all due respect to conservatives & liberals, there are clearly some pressing issues in this country that have nothing to do with any religious or anti-Christian agendas.  It's about the opportunity to get an education, support your family and better your life. Period. 

Opportunity House

It's really been an eyeopening experience to witness just how many people in this country are struggling to put a meal on the table for themselves and their families.  Through Feeding America I have been able to link up with some food banks along this journey.  While at home, I spent a morning at the Greater Berks Food Bank, along with a small group from Wells Fargo, breaking down pallets for redistribution.  Basically these food banks work with agencies, who then are responsible for distributing to or serving individuals in need.  Instead of going on about the facts regarding hunger in our country, I hope reading this will direct you to the Feeding America website.  May I also encourage each and every one of you to take some time out of your lives and get involved with your local food bank or one of the many associated agencies.  While you may be surprised just how much food comes in to a food bank warehouse, many do not have the man power to function without the help of volunteers.  If your time is too sparse, you would be also be amazed how far $1 goes through this organization. 

Monday morning at the Greater Berks Food Bank

Spending a few days at home was definitely food for the soul (despite no V&S), but the one thing I was really looking forward to was getting to spend some time at the Simple Way in Philly, Kensington to be exact.  If you missed my introduction entry (http://ourpoorparents.blogspot.com/2011/11/welcome-to-our-poor-parents.html), this is where I tell you my favorite book is the Irresistible Revolution, written by the amazing Shane Clayborn, and it is a constant inspiration on this journey.  He loves Jesus, hates war and questions where religion and politics ever crossed paths.  Never once does he push his ideals, rather he shares his stories.

I want to highlight two things here before I proceed. First, for those of you familiar with Philly, you know Kensington is not in the nicest of areas.  For those of you who are not familiar with the city, Kensington is in North Philly.  Once a huge hub for the textile industry, Kensington boasted many warehouses and factories.  That all changed in the 1950's and the area's population took a huge hit, causing many homes to be abandoned.

Second, I am not religious, nor do I pretend to be.  I dislike the idea of uniform religion and church usually makes me feel very uncomfortable, with the exception of a few good services I've been to.  What I am is spiritual, and what I have is an optimistic faith in a better world.  One where we are blind to anything other than showing love, compassion and respect to every human being.  And for that, I feel truly connected to the stories of Shane's book, and the inspiration behind The Simple Way Organization.

Moving on...I was excited to have Julie, who is also a fan of the book, join me on this venture.  It was refreshing to have a second set of eyes and an opinion on what we were experiencing.  When I began planning this trip, I knew I wanted to do what I could to include the Simple Way in to my experience.  My inquiry turned me to Brett, labeled the Hospitality and Visitation Coordinator, but it's pretty safe to say none of the Simple Way staff are limited to specializing in their title.

The Simple Way is committed to the local Kensington community, planting their roots of the Simple Way Village House on the corner of Potter and Westmoreland.  Here is where many of the interns will stay, here is where they worship, and here is where they open their doors to the neighborhood.  Brett and his wife are interns, here from South Africa.  Volunteering takes a bit of a different role here.  Because of their ongoing commitment to the neighborhood, which has developed over a period of time, volunteering for them comes at more of a lengthy commitment.  This way, residents of the community can develop relationships you over time.  It takes time, especially in this area, which is why short term volunteering is more thought of as "experiencing" what the Simple Way is all about.  Interns are the ones directly volunteering for the Simple Way with the average stay between 15 and 19 months.

If you plan on visiting the Simple Way for a short period of time, you will stay in the Hospitality House, a block down from the Village House.  Comparable to a hostel, but in my opinion a little bit nicer inside.  The first thing you notice are the bright colors.  The downstairs walls were painted lime green, while the room Julie and I stayed in was painted bright orange.  Brett explained that many of the visitors to the Hospitality House are usually broken spiritually and something as simple as the wall colors really makes a difference.  They do ask that you respect the area and locals by not taking pictures while outside, so I apologize for the limited visual comprehension

 

Simple Way Hospitality House entrance

Julie and I only stayed one night.  We arrive Thursday afternoon and were lucky enough to get to sit with Brett for a while and discuss the Simple Way.  What an awesome guy.  I wish I could do his story justice by repeating it, but it would be impossible.  He lists Irresistible Revolution as one of the three books that changed his life, so being able to sit and listen to someone who now directly works along side of Shane was pretty cool.  After our conversation with Brett, Julie and  I spent a quiet night indulging in some Trader Joe's veggie wraps and hanging out in the orange room.  We both had individual welcome notes waiting on our  pillow, loved it.

Welcome note on my pillow

A small snippet of Brett's welcome note to me. Wow, did he get it exactly right. 

"I trust in the middle of this whirlwind crazy adventure trip you are on, that you will make time to be still. And even stop and know that he is God. This is His story.  He invites you to be an important part of it, but you must always remain rooted to him [John1:5] as our fruit will be birthed from there.  I hope this trip is encouraging you, challenging your comfort, helping you see with and through different eyes and keeping the hunger for things of him burning always deeper.  Enjoy your stay." - Love Brett & The Simple Way

Simple way living room art

Julie and I attended an early morning service Friday at the Village House with Brett, his wife and two other of the interns staying in the house.  This was a little bit strange for me because it was such an intimate group, but it was a short 20 minute service and I can see how this type of connection would help individuals questioning their faith or just beginning their spiritual journey.

Following the service, Brett walked Julie and I around the block, explaining how the Simple Way gets involved in the local community and also some additional facts about the area. One side of the Village House you have Potter St., filled with families and young children.  The other side of the Village House you have Westmoreland St., filled with drug dealers.  Brett told us the drug dealers are getting younger and younger, and they do fear of their remote proximity to the children on Potter St.  During his five minute story, we watched exactly he said unfold.  A large sum of money was exchanged between and man sitting on a flight stairs and a young boy.  As we made our loop around the block, the same young boy offered us drugs.  It's a tough battle for the Simple Way because while they want to make sure to supply a safe outlet for the neighborhood, they also do not want to turn their backs on those kids who need their help as well.  It's a constant battle, especially when they see these young kids doing the wrong thing then turning around and getting involved in the organizations activities for the Potter St. families.

Because of slum landlords and the poverty level in Kensington, many homes are abandoned for cheaper homes, and while the cheaper homes could be just a few blocks away, those individuals may never be seen in the old neighborhood again.  Potter St. seems to be the area's exception, and for that, the Simple Way wants to foster their commitment to those families.  On a side note, there are actually more abandoned homes in the area than there are homeless people.  With the help of the city trying to eliminate slum landlords, and the hopes of getting people off of the streets, you can actually purchase a house for $1, pending you upkeep its conditions for five years.  Because of this, the Simple Way was able to purchase one of their homes for $1, and three more homes on Potter St. for $20,000.  Here is where Shane, another co-founder and the Village House are located.  I believe Brett said the administrative office building was the house they purchased for $1.

My favorite mural.  Westmoreland side of the Village House

Aside from monetary donations and grants, the Simple Way also receives all proceeds from Shane's book sales and speaking arrangements (I don't think I need to explain just how incredible this guys is). With this money the Simple way was able to build a neighborhood park for the kids on Potter St., amongst MANY other things.

This seems pretty realistic.  You could probably just replace neighborhood park with "the world"

Potter Street Neighborhood Park

I'm thrilled to say there was an opportunity for Julie and I to help out after the service and our chat with Brett.  The basement of the Village House was in desperate need a basement makeover ... well just some reorganization.  From winter gear, to school supplies, to holiday decorations, to belongings from previous interns living in the house; we were able to help Brett's wife tackle some things she had been wanting to get done since moving in to the Village House.  They recently were able to give out over 500 filled school bags to local children, and with the upcoming winter season, had received an influx of winter jackets.  It's not uncommon for them to supply people on the streets with winter jackets, as many of them will come knocking on the front door of the Village House at any time, day or night.

All in all, we did what we could to help out in the house.  It was such an honor and an experience to be a part of the Simple Way for 24 hours.  There's no doubt I would do this again, and definitely for a longer period of time.  I have so much love for this city, and I hope the Simple Way continues to bring out the best in Philadelphia.

While I would love to believe Irresistible Revolution is for everyone, I realize it may not be.  Like this book, I can and will only express opinions based on my life experiences, rather than a conformed belief.  No matter where you stand in this world's hazy religious/spiritual/faith spectrum, I do strongly feel this book will make you reevaluate your position in the community and what it means to give back.  If you're hesitant, give it a chance, that's all I can ask.  

Brett said it so well, "challenge your comfort ... see with and trough other eyes".

Love from the road,
Erin

PS. Love it, hate it, or just don't get it; I would love to hear back from you if you get the opportunity to read Irresistible Revolution!