Posting this NOT because I’m enamored with Ryan Adams (though that is very true) but because this is the catchiest song I’ve heard in forever.  (He’s been writing new songs daily and posting them with his homemade videos to YouTube.) Say what you will about him, but the man is an amazing musician.

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1 February 2008 (redoux), originally uploaded by Aubs.

…aaand, I’m BACK!

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So here’s the thing with Ryan Adams. He’s a genius. Like, pure, unadulterated brilliance. He’s also probably the quirkiest person I’ve ever encountered (and I use this world really lightly, because I can’t say I *KNOW* him – I mean, who does? – and I haven’t met him, I’ve just been humbled and in awe and somewhat captivated by the person he portrays on stage and in his recordings and lately in his videos. And I know that can just be who he chooses to let us see and parts of him that he’s willing to show but for some reason, mainly b/c I can’t imagine being able to portray a character with such multi-dimensionality without honesty, I feel like he’s showing his authentic self. But what do I know?)

Anyway. Ryan Adams.

I started listening to his music probably 5 or so years ago; I remember "La Cienega Just Smiled" was the first song that I was taken with, and I played it on repeat for days. (Ok, for weeks.) I then started discovering the rest of his music and through the years have had a love-like-lust relationship with him; Love on "Gold", Like on "Rock ‘n Roll" and finally evolving into my favorite state Lust with his recent album, "Easy Tiger". He is hands down, without a doubt, my favorite musician, not just for his talent but for his "I don’t give a fuck!" take on the world that he so often exhibits in all of his media. I’ve seen him in concert a few times; the first time, he was clearly (justifiably) agitated at some asshole in the audience who told him to "Shut up and sing!" and then the next time – last July at Herbst Theatre – he barely spoke, save for a few "Thank You"s throughout the 2 hr concert. The last show, this past Monday, was an entirely different affair, as he was jovial and engaging and genuinely seemed to be not only in a good mood but also enjoying himself. Which made me enjoy it all the more.

Now let me address some concerns: I’m well-aware that I sound like a crazy, obsessed fan. I mean, Hi, all I can talk about for the past 48 hours is Ryan Adams.  Let it be known that this is NOT the case; it’s just that for some inexplicable reason I find myself completely drawn to him, flaws and unconventionality and all.  He’s captivating. The fact that he’s been making these videos and embracing this whole other media – not to mention the fact he seemingly records a new album a week – just makes me nearly swoon with the after-effects of his creativity. There’s something so inspiring about his authenticity – he just puts it all out there – that it makes me want to do the same. I’ve never been so affected by a musician or artist or performer in my life, and right now, as crazy as it makes me seem, I’m knee-deep in Ryan Adams adoration.

So that’s the thing about Ryan Adams. He makes me want to be better.

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30 January 2008 – San Francisco, originally uploaded by Aubs.

…I have made a little "Photo of the Day" badge found logically on my Photos page from this site.

Please return to more pressing matters at hand. Like finding me Ryan Adams’s email address. Thanks.

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – The Sun Also Sets from Aubrey Sabala on Vimeo.

Dear Ryan Adams,
I adore you.
Love, Aubs

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29 January 2008 – San Francisco, originally uploaded by Aubs.

Y’all can call BS on me, but I really don’t have that many bad habits. For one, they just don’t seem to stick. I mean, I don’t really like coffee (save for an occasional froo-froo sugar-free skim latte which I’m embarrassed to order since it screams GIRLIE…which, hmm, come to think of it, perhaps my aversion to anything “girlie” is why people have taken to calling me “dude” so much lately. Will ponder that later…back to my lack of bad habits.) I don’t smoke cigarettes, I don’t drink alone, and save for that stretch where I kept falling asleep with my clothes on, I really can’t think of an atrocious habit that I’d want to quit. Ok, perhaps cleaning up my potty mouth, but I’m TRYING.

As for good habits, I do like making my bed, even if lately I’ve found myself un-making it nearly every afternoon to partake in a nap. Hey, it’s raining, that’s what you DO on rainy days, isn’t it? I brush my teeth religiously and have even lately started enjoying flossing. (Well, maybe not ENJOYING, but tolerating it and doing it daily. My dentist will be so proud…that is, when I get dental insurance again.) So, basically, I may be a person who loves their routine and stability, but I don’t know that I’d call myself overly habitual. Committing to ANYTHING, EVERY DAY, seems a bit tethering.

But lately, I’ve seen a few friends who have been taking a photo every day and posting it to Flickr which I actually think is a pretty cool habit. Some are daily portraits; others are just whatever they find inspiring of the day. As for me, I’m not quite sure which one I’d prefer (or which I think would have the better chance of sticking) but, lo and behold, I’m willing to try.

So, starting today, every weekday I plan (PLAN!) on taking a daily photo of some aspect and posting it to Flickr. Don’t worry – I won’t always make them my daily blog post – but it would be cool to somehow have a link to my daily photo (a la Dooce style…maybe I’ll work on that) from my site.

Without further ado, here’s today’s snap, courtesy of my trusty MacBook and PhotoBooth. (The sepia setting won me over, since the lighting in my home office is less than desirable.) Enjoy…more to come.

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Ryan Adams & The Cardinals | Zellerbach Hall – January 28, 2007, originally uploaded by Aubs.

Am emotionally spent from absolutely adoring the experience I had tonight seeing Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. I have much, much more to say on this matter, but for now, I REALLY would like to buy that man a drink soda and listen to him talk all day long. Oh, and ok, maybe that night too…and I suppose we could replace “listen to him talk” with “do inappropriate things that I’ll not post here since my Mom reads my website but if you used your imagination you wouldn’t even grasp half of what I had in mind”.

Or something like that.