Thanks Boys

I have been blessed enough to enjoy living not only in such a geographically gorgeous city, like Juneau---but within this tiny Alaska capitol I have discovered a group of people whom my love for could only be rivaled by my blood family.

The last 10 months in Juneau have been the most rewarding of my 24 years on this planet. I have been through some rough times, but the gleaming moments of happiness and elation couldn't be touched by the times where I felt homesick and lonesome for Seattle, my friends there, and my family. Now that the light is returning to the mountains towering above me and the mornings are brighter, I can feel an easing relaxation. Money, material things, and minor setbacks seem so insignificant in constrast to the swell of contententment I feel in my current situation. It's funny that it took a recent series of events to really bring these positive feelings out, from wherever they were hiding.

Last weekend I met two people who had the power to make an entire community come toegther for 3 days of music, laughter, and fun than ran into the wee hours of Sunday morning. I watched an entire room full of people almost compelled by an electric shock, dance, sing, and smile like we were all under a spell of sorts. This all sounds very dramatic and over the top...yet it happened. And it was excactly what I needed to bring myself back to the person who had the courage to get up and seek this lfestyle on my own last summer.

This blog post is just something I needed to get down, maybe for posterity, maybe in the hopes that Nate and Ike will read this and know how much their visit meant to me at that time in my life. Their kindness and genuine love for life and music, made me realize that, yes, it can be this good if you surround youself with amazing people, and focus on the things that make you happy.

Last night I played an open mic set with 3 of my best friends, with my other Juneau family watching from around the bar. I sang a song I wrote in the darkest and lonliest time of my life this last fall. I had only played it for the people closest to me, and somehow singing it out to the 65 people in the bar felt so right and so theraputic. If it wasn't for Ike and Nate, and their positive feedback to my music and singing I probably wouldn't have been able to muster up the strength to put myself out there with something so personal. I don't think they'll ever know how much they inspired me and encouraged me in the few days they were in Juneau.

This is really sappy. I'm fully aware---I guess I'm just that way...
I love my friends. I love Juneau. Things are getting brighter.
Thanks for letting me share...

-Amanda

It's been a while! Here's to 2010!

Click on the whole picture to see me playing a song with Nate and Ike from the Wilders with Andrew Heist, Joe Baxter, Kris Jones, Jr. Kane, and Lindy Jones on stage at the Alaskan Bar this last Friday. Maybe the swooniest moment of my life :)


Holas friends and family!

I am sitting in my new studio apartment at 401 8th St. apt 106 in snowy downtown Juneau, Alaska. I love this place, as it's not only completey adorable...but all MINE! My new boss at the State of Alaska was kind enough to give me his couch he didn't need (which is like a brand new suede lovely thing) and all my coworkers and neighbors are helping me get set up with all those little things i need to going...

So in a nutshell it's been a rough winter. Weather-wise Juneau has seen a very mild very dry season, but emotionally the dark loneliness took its toll on me. I have the most amazing friends in the world and an amazing family of people surrounding me that was the only way I could have gotten through it. The Eaglecrest Ski Area bus driving job was not something I found to be enjoyable nor lucrative. The schedule ruined my social life (which sounds lame, but when it's dark at 3:15pm until 9am you need to dance it off) and there was a dozen other things that didn't jive with what I found I truly needed in a job. So I applied to the Permanent Fund Dividend division at the State of Alaska and was hired as an initial PFD processor. I am on a team of "gatekeepers" who open all the mail and process the applications and supporting documents of Alaskans who wish to receive their sweet oil money. I love my coworkers and the job is really nice...and a five minute walk from my front door!!! Being downtown, living, working...it's SO nice. SO NICE. ah!

It's been a really great new year thus far. Between the new place, the new job, and spring and light getting closer i feel so happy with my situation right now. I just went to the doctor (cause i have BENEFITS!)who said 90% of my health issues I brought up were stress related. With good diet, exercise, and belly laughs I should be able to come out of the slump I was in healthier and happier than ever before. It's so nice to feel back on track!!!

I can't say enough how happy I am playing music with my best friends. The bass is such a deeply rewarding hobby. I want to know everything and really sink my teeth into all aspects of learning it. This last weekend, we were lucky enough to have two amazing musicians from Kansas City, MO in town to pick and play with. Ike and Nate from The Wilders country band somehow in three days brought some seriously buried happiness and inspiration from deep within. We played and sang and they were so supportive and sweet. There's nothing better than getting musical support from such amazing performers. With my Alaska folk festival performance on the very near horizon (www.alaskafolkfest.org for our schedule)I really needed some positive reinforcement. They brought a lot of happiness into this snowy southeastern Alaskan city. I am so thankful to have met friends I will keep forever, and an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

Folk Fest is coming soon, and I'm so looking forward to seeing all the Alaskans and having a week of music and laughter. I will post pictures and make sure to keep everyone posted on when our band "Drive it Home" will perform.

I recently had an art review published in the local newspaper, the Juneau Empire and am on the official roster for hosting the country and bluegrass radio show at the radio station Tuesday nights. I will be better about keeping everyone updated on when these things happen :)

Miss you all, love you lots! Things are looking up. Fluffy snowflakes are falling on Mt. Roberts and Mt. Juneau at the top of Gold street...perfect blustery day to take a bath and practice some bass. More soon! Promise!!!