GoGirls Love

Friday night Invasion of the GoGirls during Austin's SXSW. See that tiny person on stage in the picture below (wish I had my zoom app)? That's Melissa Ferrick. If you don't know who that is, let me 'splain.------ For you So Tx people, think the female version of Monte Montgomery. Some would compare guitar skills to Ani (I don't know Ani well enough to say) and her voice has super powers. She was thrilling------- I was honored to be on that same stage and it was great to hang out with Addie Brownlee (NY), she is 'good people'. Madalyn Sklar was rockin' the chatroom and Carol Plunk (who plays that stage tonight) was a wonderful stage manager.------ Looking forward to my gig tonight at Thunderbird Coffee. A little more laid back, I'm sure but I'm still aglow from last night. It was so wonderful to have so many friends in from San Antonio, familiar Austin/ Buda faces in the house and to have Chris Taylor with me on guitar and my old bandmates JP Leal and Rudy Diaz (both of Bombasta) on bass and drums. Good times!--------

All my best, Laura Marie (sent via mobile)

Posted via email from Laura Marie Blogs

See! It's easy :)

So easy, in fact, that it makes me wan to do more -LM

All my best, Laura Marie (sent via mobile)

Posted via email from Laura Marie Blogs

Tiger destroys lion at San Antonio Zoo

Tiger destroys lion at San Antonio Zoo. 

In a ferocious attack at the zoo's play center, the tiger was quoted as saying "I can haz you on a platter!" 

You're next!

Photos by Z.A.K.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Laura Marie Blogs

I make no resolutions...

I make no resolutions

This year, I make no resolutions. Sort a....I mean, I have definite intentions. I intend to be incredibly happy. Happier than I've ever been, as a matter of fact. But that isn't a 'new year' thing. It's more like I just found out what makes me happy and I keep reminding myself to do it.



And, I intend to be healthy in mind and body. Which, thankfully, can be done by following the same procedure for happiness so, that works out for me. I'm a horrible mulit-tasker. I do it but then nothing gets done very well.



And it's funny, because I never thought I'd find the way to happiness, health or anything by listening to the complaints of others...especially when they were complaining about me. But, that's exactly what happened. The biggest complaint of those closest to me was that I wasn't present even when I was present. Know what I mean? I was being me: a horrible multi-tasker. My body was there but my brain was elsewhere wandering through the past or worrying about the future. Once I got past the criticism, it was really quite flattering. I'm wanted here and now...in present time. Happiness. Of course, I'm still incredibly busy and find it difficult to make time for everyone. But, quality, you know? Good stuff.



Now I'm so much more aware of what I'm doing. My brain used to be on automatic. Hello. Goodbye. How are you? I'm fine. Love you. Good night. - nothing much there. My relationships were about as satisfying as fast food. They put off the hunger for a while but, empty calories,not satisfying. I was missing something good. Something really good. It was a number of things that woke me up to that. A book, a friend, a relative...a seven year old boy who won't let me get away with anything. When I realized how much of me was on automatic my problems began to make total sense. A wise Canadian once said, 'If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.'
(That's right, I quoted RUSH).



Example:





This is a quarter order of nacho's at a local restaurant. That's right, only a fourth of the full order. Holy crap! Part of me would have loved to dig in and mindlessly munch. I mean, what's to decide? It's in front of me...I'm hungry...so eat! But, a bigger part of me is awake and mindful of what I'm doing, what I'm eating, thinking, feeling...etc. It no longer feels good to be automatic. So I'm not.



Don't get me wrong. This isn't a diet...just an extended metaphor. If I thought I would have enjoyed eating it I would have. But, I know myself. There are things in that pile of food that I definitely do not want in my body. So, no. Not for me. If you like it, enjoy! Next round on me :) This is just me taking deliberate action for myself, being present in every decision. Every day I make a decision about what I'm going to eat, who I'm going to see, what I'm going to do. Life is not a drive through. I'm sure it sounds exhausting but it's not. It feels much more like living. And, when I coast, it's more like flying or floating or whatever that feeling is when you don't have to worry. I still get caught up in day to day things and I still get complaints, etc, etc. I can think of three people right now who have asked me to slow down and spend some time with them and, I promise, I'm working on it. I just want it to be real.



This month:


Candelight Coffeehouse on Wednesdays the 14th and 28th with Reza Kaleel. (San Antonio)



New single available here:

And, one more thing. I'm engaged in conversation with a couple of you about philosophy and religion. It's been interesting but, I don't want to argue faith or belief. If you want to know my thoughts about God, religion, etc. you can read A Course in Miracles or The Shack. Both books are very much in line with what I believe. And, if you want to know what I believe about what I believe, consider this:

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" - Shakespeare

Welcome to the world

I have a new nephew!!! He was born last night - 21in 6lbs and 12oz. I'll be traveling to see him this Christmas so, yeah, my gig calendar is kind of empty right now. No worries though. If you are in town (SA) you can catch me this evening at Candlelight and I'll be back at Casa Chiapas on First Friday in January. Also, more gigs to come. For now, I want to spread the word about something so, if you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it. Here goes:



This holiday season I ask you to help me give to a cause that is close to my heart.

When you purchase my song 'Last of the Ones' from Noisetrade.com, I will give %100 of my earnings to the Advent Conspiracy that is making leaps toward solving the water crisis in impoverished nations.
You can listen to the song on the widget below and pay any amount from $1 to $25 to contribute OR send it to some friends who might enjoy it and get the MP3 download for free. This year, I want to make a difference and help meet the needs of people who are literally dying for fresh water.

Every year, 1.8 million people die in 3rd world countries from drinking contaminated water when the crisis is one that can be resolved. It takes as little as $10 to give a child clean water for life and we can do that.

The Advent Conspiracy:



The Advent Conspiracy is not affiliated
with any ads at the end of the clip.




Please post, re-post or whatever you can do. And, if you buy the single, let me know! I'm making a special thank you page and I want to include you.

Your help in spreading the word or supporting the cause would be greatly appreciated. All my love - Laura Marie

Subscribe to Laura Marie: Notes by Email

Love Colored Glasses

I have a confession: I watch the news

It sucks because you know what sells: Corruption, greed, fear, etc. And I allow myself to be bombarded with it all and risk forgetting that I am surrounded by love.

I look at my life and know that I see what I want to see, that whatever I am looking for I'm going to find. So, I can look for things to justify my fears or look for proof of love. It's my choice. One will hold me down and the other will set me free.

So, here is what I choose to see:

My family - I am loved and supported. I have an endless supply of hugs, kisses and I am never alone. I know where I belong.

My music - I have something to give. I have a way to share my deepest feelings and a way to connect with people I may never get to meet.

My home - I am so incredibly comfortable. I have a place to share the warmth.

My comfy winter pajama bottoms- seriously

My friends - Holy crap. I have people to share with, laugh with, cry with and argue with. Yes, argue with. So I can better understand who I am and what I believe in.

My past - I've learned so much and it has brought me so far.

My bank account - I can buy what I need to keep going. I have something to build on.

My love - I have someone to share it with and I can explore the depths of it.

My faith - I found it. And, best of all, it negates no one else's and is not threatened by another's.

My life - I am happy.

My health - I have a body that heals and can do wonderful things. Check it out here ;)



Laura Marie running for S.A. music at Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

(Update on the marathon: A week before the marathon I fell ill with a virus I'd rather not describe. I ran the half marathon instead and did very well, thank you. In fact, I did so well on the half that I'll be running the Austin half in a few months too! )


So, when you are sitting across the table from the beautiful, wonderful people attached to your life, you can see what you want to see. I want to see the love so I'm going to look for it and I'm stubborn so, I know I'll find it.

Have a great Thanksgiving (belated for my Canadian friends)

- LM

With gratitude for the part of my musical life
touched by Manny and heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

Listen to the man's music and know he is now one with love.

Soldier's Heart

Wow, so much has happened since my last blog. We have a new president elect :) and I'll admit that I've been completely lost in politics for the last couple of months and need to get back on track. Though there are still issues that I feel strongly about and will continue to follow.

As I've said before, as far as my friend's go, I try not to discriminate. You don't have to believe what I believe to be a friend. I just may not share my incredibly liberal attitude with you (unless you ask) because I don't feel it's my place to change your mind. You are who you are and that is wonderful. That said, let's talk about war.

Ok, not so much about war and why we are in one or how to get out of one but, what we can do to heal the inevitable wounds. For those of you unfamiliar with PTSD, let me explain.

PTSD is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

We know that the effects of any significant trauma can be long lasting and difficult to overcome not just for the traumatized person but for everyone around them. When our troops come home many are still fighting a battle in their heads and they need our help.

I've spoken openly about my struggle with depression and having to overcome PTSD from sexual abuse. Mental wounds can be the hardest to heal but I know they can be healed. One thing we can do is help remove the stigma of mental illness that prevents people from reaching out.

If you are so inclined, please visit my new myspace friend Soldier's Heart and share their message with someone who may be affected. Their official website has a wealth of resources for those suffering from PTSD.

**************

More on the music front to come. For now, love and be loved:






- LM