Jack Johnson's Kokua Concert on The Big Island

Photo via Waikiki  Visitor by Emmet Malloy

Last night we enjoyed a rare treat on the Big Island; an first class concert. Each year Jack Johnson puts on a concert & tour to raise money for his Kokua Hawaii foundation, which is dedicated to educating kids about environmental stewardship. 

It was a long three hour wait in a hot parking lot to get those tickets, a long drive, a cold wait to get in the doors and a late night getting home and to bed last night, but it was all worth it. My body was tired, but my spirit was bathed clean in the calm, quiet beauty of these simple, thoughtful songs. They have that casual, sung round the campfire feeling that I love. It made me realize how much I miss having live music in my life, and that like so many other things this island has forced me to learn, I need to start doing more of it myself. 

It was pretty special to see an intimate performance from a guy who can sell out stadiums, and support a great cause at the same time. He was very modest and obviously quite practiced at deflecting waves of sexual tension from a very enamored female audience. What I've loved most about his music through the years is the way he writes about being in love with his wife of more than 18 years, and how strong it still seems to be. 

This song was a new one to me, and before he played it, he described a trip he and his wife took in a V.W Bus through the South of France when they were first married. I couldn't help feeling that it told a little of my story with Eric as I listened. 

Buy it here: What You Thought You Need

I can't give you everything you want
But I could give you what you thought you need.
A map to keep beneath your seat, you've been to me in time I'll get you there.
I fold it up so we don't find our way back soon, nobody knows we're here.

We can park the van and walk to town
Find the cheapest bottle of wine that we could find
And talk about the road behind how getting lost is not a waste of time.

The water moor will take us home in the moment we will sing as the forest sleeps.

Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you
Well it's all .. for the sake of arriving with you

Well, I will make the table into a bed
The candle is burning down its time to rest.
I can't take back things already gone, but I could give you promises for keeps.

And I would only take them back if they become your own and you give them to me .

And it's all for the sake of arriving with you.
Well it's all for the sake of arriving with you.

We could make this into anything
We could make this into more than words we speak.
This could make us into anything
It could make us grow and become what we'll be.

Mmmmmm...
How and we really know
It's just like it feels.

Autobiographical CD 2011: Playlist & Cover Art

Want a sneak peek at my finished autobiographical CD for the year? This is one of my favorite creative exercises because it combines lots of different mediums. Choosing the songs is one of the most enjoyable parts, and it's gotten even easier thanks to Pandora. We have it on constantly at our house and it's easy to bookmark favorite songs for reference later. (Did you know it's only $30 to listen commercial free all year?) Throughout the year, I jot down titles that I think apply and then I comb through them to assemble into the finished mix. This year the theme and flow for ordering the songs came together in a single afternoon, but usually it's far more laborious.


I made these beautiful envelopes using templates from Paper Source and a beautiful Cavalini & Co wall calendar. The gorgeous antique botanical prints of butterflies on the outside inspired me to do some watercolor caterpillars for the CD booklet. Since this mix is all about admitting that you aren't quite where you thought you were and longing for transformation, the caterpillar seemed perfect. The heavy watercolor paper, saturated color, hand lettered interiors and fancy labels all make them feel special, unique and luxurious.

You can see and download the whole playlist on Amazon right here. My explanation for why I chose each song is there as well. What is the best mix you've ever given or received?

Two to Tango- Pearl Bailey
You Don't Know Me- Ben Folds
That's All- Clare & The Reasons
Kona Moon- Hui Ohana
So Sorry- Feist
'Deed I Do- Lena Horne
Chico Gospel- MaMuse
I want you Tonight- Sydney Bechet
I'm Lazy, That's All- Pearl Bailey
Why Worry- Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris
Sweet Pea- Jasper & Veronica
Home- Edward Sharp & the Magnetic Zeroes

Autobiographical CD 2011: Thinking about Home

Home by lineanongrata on Etsy

I've just finished my latest autobiographical CD. This has become a ritual I enact whenever I feel ready to sum up the recent experiences of my life. It began when I was living in New Mexico at the suggestion of my dear friend Jessica, who has been making them ever since high school. I've made six or so and each has it's own flavor, just as each year of life does. (Think of that Frank Sinatra song "A Very Good Year".)

This year, the selections seems to be all about the challenges of married life, but as I listened through my old mixes, I found another thread that runs through every one: Home.

When Eric and I came across the Swahili word "Kazana" in Kenya, it touched the heart of the matter. It means "To Make a Home". We both felt that this was exactly what we were doing by marrying. We created a home that is not a place on earth, but a sacred bond between him and I.

This year, the CD closes with the tune "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Here are some of the lyrics that sum up that sentiment perfectly.

Alabama, Arkansas,
I do love my Ma & Pa
Not the way that I do love you

Holy Moley, Me-oh-My,
you're the apple of my eye
Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

Man, oh man, you’re my best friend,
I scream it to the nothingness
There ain’t nothin’ that I need

Well, hot & heavy, pumpkin pie,
chocolate candy, Jesus Christ
There ain’t nothin’ please me more than you

Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is wherever I’m with you

La la la la, take me Home
Baby, I’m coming Home

I’ll follow you into the park,
through the jungle, through the dark
Girl, I’ve never loved one like you

Moats & boats & waterfalls,
alley ways & pay phone calls
I’ve been everywhere with you

That’s true

We laugh until we think we’ll die,
barefoot on a summer night
Nothin’ new is sweeter than with you

And in the streets we're running free
like it's only you and me
Geez, you’re somethin' to see.

Ahh, Home
Let me come Home
Home is wherever I’m with you

I'll be sure to share photos of my cover art and the entire playlist soon. My friend Gwen is sending out copies of her mix for 2011- pop over and check it out! Which songs sum up this year for you?

On Repeat: Secret Heart performed by Feist

Secret Heart by Ron Sexsmith

Secret heart
What are you made of
What are you so afraid of
Could it be
Three simple words
Or the fear of being overheard
What's wrong

Let em' in on your secret heart

Secret Heart
Why so mysterious
Why so sacred
Why so serious
Maybe you're
Just acting tough
Maybe you're just not man enough
What's wrong

Let em' in on your secret heart

This very secret
That you're trying to conceal
Is the very same one
That You're dying to reveal
Go tell them how you feel

Secret heart come out and share it
This loneliness, few can bear it
Could it have something to do with
Admitting that you just can't go through it alone?

Let em' in on your secret heart

This very secret
That you're trying to conceal
Is the very same one
That you're dying to reveal
Go tell them how you feel
This very secret heart

Go out and share it
This very secret heart

Secret Travel Essential for Love Birds

This little heart splitter meant that Eric & I could watch movies & listen to tunes on the plane with only one gadget, effectively doubling our battery life over the course of our summer adventure. I'd never travel without it again. Lovey dovey, but irresistibly cute too. Snag one for your next trip here. What is your secret travel essential?