sean's journal

[mindy]

i just wanted to say how much i enjoyed sean's lastest jounal entry. i totally know what he's talking about when he said he wonders what life was like in the olden days. i have often thought that myself especially when my life gets really busy and i feel like i don't have time to really enjoy life and the simple things. i really enjoy the simple things. we fill our lives with a lot of junk and don't take time to value the things that are really important. anyways i won't keep babbling, but i just wanted to say that i enjoyed reading those thoughts.:)

[MemphisLovesNC]

I loved the journal entry as well!!!!! He captured many of my thoughts. I have often wished for a simpler life and wondered how in the world I have gotten where I am-- too much going on and not enough time to relax and do the things I love to do. Once you go to another country, you realize that while the US is a wonderful place, and we are very privileged, we also are driven by wealth and greed. As a student, I spent 6 weeks in Paris, and it was amazing-- they take 2 hours for lunch (shops close down, people go home to eat), and they have a 30 hour work week by law. No only that, but everyone takes the entire month of August off for a holiday! It's a great life. But here, we would be too worried about productivity and profit to do such things.

Anyway, I hope that Sean is eventually able to find that simpler life he's wanting...I can just see him buying a country cabin in Colorado and writing songs there!

[creekster_anna]

:-)) I totally agree with you guys! That journal was far better than the others he has written, and they were good. It was so great to be able to see some of his perspective on his life and not just surface things like just telling what they have been doing lately as a group. Don't get me wrong, anything that any of them writes is great to be able to read. I mean, they don't have to let us know anything about themselves. It's just that this journal was so different and....I dunno.....personal? reflective? insightful?

[kokomo88]

...wow....that's all I can say right now...its amazing how he is so shy and taciturn when he is around so many people...but he has this inner thing that is just so beautiful and brilliant...that's why I like him so much...that, to me, is pure genious...sure, going to high school, and college, and being educated are wonderful things and you can go very far...but isn't it true that all we ever really need is exactly what is around us? what God gave us to start with? When we really think about it, isn't that the important thing? To just have the gift of looking around us and realizing that all we really need is the water, and the leaves, what we were originally given...
and he's right too...To live in the country, it might get lonely for so many city-folk, but when you're out there you have the sunset, and trees, and all the natural beauties bestowed upon us by God...I can see why those people can live out there and be content, they have recognised what so precious few people really do...that all we really need is what we already have...
He's taken everything that was on my mind and made it so clear, and so right...

ok...that was really dippy, but I'm posting it anyway...

[jaceyhomen]

Jocelyn....that post was not dippy, it was very nicely said. He really is a fine young man, isn't he?
Jacey

[kokomo88]

actually he's 12 years older than me...thank you for the compliment though, Jacey...:D and yes, he is one awesome man..

[Elizabeth]

Hi,

I'm still relatively new to these boards, but after discovering this post, I had to say that I totally agree with what you all said about Sean's latest journal enrty. As he said, he was talking about England, and so I can really relate to what he said (not that you guys can't of course!). I love his idea that travelling is like collecting and you add the experinces to your person. He says the best stuff sometimes and i liked the way it was quite personal.

Jocelyn, I also agree that your post was far from dippy, it was really nicely put. He is an amazing man!

[aftontallulah]

It made me cry.

When I met Sean he seemed like he had a lot going on in side that he wasn't comfortable shareing with large groups of people. But reading that made me see that he is an amazeing person who has quite a lot to say and some awesome ideas. I love England and totally know what he is talking about with feeling like time slows down there, and it is just wonderful. I love Sean and this jounral entry just made me love him and Nickel Creek as a whole even more.

cupcakes,
Afton

[southernyankee]

I loved that journal entry too-in fact I printed it out becasue it reminded me so much of England (which I dearly miss). It reminded me of when I was little-my family used to drive all around England and all I wanted to do was get out of the car and run into the countryside somewhere. I told my mom once and she said,When you're older, you can do that. But here I am, 21 and ever-consumed with school and work and my crap computer that keeps breaking and what I'm going to do with the rest of my life. Like, Sean, I long for a simpler life and he really encouraged me and reminded me in hi journal that I CAN live it where I'm at-I just have to try harder (kind of an oxy-moron but hopefuy you undestand what I mean)
April

[MemphisLovesNC]

I love that phrase-- when you're older, you can do that. Very interesting, and so ironic. I'm not that much older than you, but if I could give anyone a piece of advice, it would be to do what you want to do now and don't wait!! Life will pass you by and you will be somewhere you didn't expect to be sooner than you know it if you don't take full control of the reigns. There are so many things I wish I would've done as a student and after I was a student--- if only I would have gone out on a limb more often, things may have been very different. I was just too afraid of going off the beaten path, and too afraid of the opposition from my parents. (FYI, I have come to realize, from talking with my husband, that girls have it way worse than guys regarding parental protectiveness.) Anyway, my point is that you still have a chance to do what you want to do....if you want to live a simpler life, then do it! I'm not necessarily advocating being a hermit, but I can sure advocate not getting sucked in to taking a high paying job that drains the life out of you. Think big and check out alternatives.

And good luck with your computer :)

[J. Marie Hall]

it's plain generous to throw out pieces of your journal :) wow.

i moved nearer the mountains b/c of that kind of simplicity. we all fancifully want to breathe cleaner air and do what matters. to simplify as it all becomes more complicated.

he left me kinda hanging though...i was thinking, how do we plug the right things into our lives effectively. the mindset, taking time, breathing deeply, looking long enough at the stars to recognize them by name...then to look long enough at those you love to recognize them...at least part of who they really are. to not be flustered by the demands that don't constitute reality in the most essential sense.

and then to stay full from a rich but short meal. would those moments be the equivalent of a lemba perhaps? no...it _tasted_ richer. that ent draught.

-j. marie

[Bubbles]

As I was reading Sean's latest journal entry, a lot of thoughts came into my mind regarding living a simpler life. That's what I've been telling everyone here that I was going to do since I was a little girl.

I love the thoughts of the trancendentalists of the 1800s. Getting back to nature. As Thoreau said, Simplify, Simplify. Although I love the ideas expressed by such writers, I wonder how easy it would actually be for me to simplify my life and move out into the country. I think I would love it. I love open fields and free countryside that I can just roam and get lost in thought. It is nearly impossible to do it with the hectic lifestyle I live now, even as a teenager. Especially with all the pressure on me right now to finalize college decisions and pick a career and doing well in school and basically planning out my whole life. That pressure makes me want to pack up and move to Scotland... but I know that my parents would never forgive me.

Afton, it made me cry too. And inspired a great journal entry of mine. It was the first thoughtful one I'd had in weeks. I cried the whole time I was writing it.

Jocelyn, that was a lovely post. It was very well said.

[J. Marie Hall]

hi amber :)

maybe you'll find a rest of sorts in the faithful footing of beginning all these exciting things?

i did move up to toccoa to be near the mountains, to camp and play whenever possible. i drive 3 miles to work. i walk to my bank, to the post office, to the public library. the townhouse i rent is adjacent to every first church in the town, and i have a private deck out back with all sorts of trees peeking in it. i also have my own jungle growing...herb garden, lillies, verbena, begonias, jasmine. other things that crawl.

but it took me a while to come to a place of real choice which isn't a choice i can clamp down on for sure for the duration of this rest of my life.

but take comfort. i had parts of my jungle even when i lived in other cramped collegy places. maybe you can start with a particular plant that is fancifully scottish. and might i finish with if it's not scottish, it's crrrrrap!

-j. marie

[Bubbles]

Originally posted by J. Marie Hall

and might i finish with if it's not scottish, it's crrrrrap!

-j. marie

Amen to that!!! :p

Actually, to be honest, I don't find the thought of going to another place exactly like high school except there everyone is trying to be a better, more popular Christian than myself instead of just being more popular appealing (I'll be attending a Christian university in the fall unless I back out). I have no idea what I want to do with my life except maybe study languages, different cultures, different countries histories, and music, and the university I'm going to doesn't offer a great selection of courses in any of this.

But, I take comfort in knowing that college is only part of my journey, and someday I'll be able to live in Scotland among all the lovely accents and Billy Boyd's obscure films, as well as the rich history and culture that makes Scotland. That is, if I ever decide what I want to do and stick to it. Thank you for the suggestion of growing a Scottish plant. I think I will look in to that.

And sorry it took me so long to post. I'm a forgetful little Amber.

[J. Marie Hall]

hey, amber~

i studied languages actually :) spanish (then later my masters in hispanic lit and linguistics) and then some play time electives in russian and german. i do so love languages--and linguistics (particularly sociolinguistics).

it's always a small world among you nice people! for what it's worth: i think you'll find that even in places that have less in terms of course offerings, you can surround yourself with any like-minded people there. i always had lots of friends from other countries, and i count myself blessed with many people to visit whenever i get the chance!

also, a non-christian college might not be a bad idea if you're looking into other options...they tend to have a wider variety (aka more money).

bon chance!,
j. marie

[OrnotMajestic]

I, too, love languages. Unfortunately, I have no ability for them. I've taken 5 years of french (two of them college level) and nearly a year of Russian with nothing to show for it. In one ear, out the other. It all became gibberish to me after a while. *shrugs* Props to you who can do it, though.

[Bubbles]

Wow, J. Marie, I've taken 4 years of Spanish in high school, and if I go somewhere that offers it, it is my intended major. I want to learn as many languages as I can. I like being able to communicate with people who don't speak English. Most American's I've met... mainly my family and some of my friends, are under the impression that everyone in America should learn to speak English. I think it is useful and interesting to know another language. For instance, when I go to Wal-Mart, I know what the Guatemalans are saying (and I know they are Guatemalen, not Mexican).

I've got friends in Nicaragua, but that is only because I've gone there every summer since I was... 13 I suppose. I feel blessed by this, because they are the nicest, most sincere people I've ever met. As my life goes on, I look forward to making new friends in other countries, and I look forward to making an effort to learn their language and being able to communicate with them in their language instead of in English.

I've been looking in to non-Christian colleges, but I've had to take into consideration how I fair in social situations. And since I don't do well, I think that spending a year at a Christian college where I know some people might help me make the trasition better. And then I can transfer when I've used up the language resources they have to offer.

Totally off-topic, but this icon just reminded me of Frodo fangirls... [run]

[kokomo88]

I got invited to take Latin at my school, so I'm in first year latin...we tried to do Spanish at my old school, but we just didn't have the time, if I switch schools next year, I apparently HAVE to do French, but I want to stay with Latin...its fun!

I know a few phrases in Mohawk, too...that's fun....

[desert rose]

I dont recall this room to be entitled Sean Watkins and the Spanish Class chat. Not to be mean or anything. (Cause I'm not trying to) So in that case....carry on!:D

[J. Marie Hall]

umm, how can we redirect...

okay, foreign languages can make us think of europe and abroad...which is an area of the world nickel creek would like to spend more time...and sean's journal was about a bit of time in england, right? with me? okay...so now that we're more specific and keeping with the thread (sean's journal), let's talk about, eh, famous gardens of the world? boy, spain's got some nice ones :)

:-))


so now what?[think har

ummmmm.

maybe we've exhausted our combination of reverie and sighing for a bit.

-jota maria

[J. Marie Hall]

a possible link al espanol:

sean likes david garza.

there is _another_ david (lee) garza who is a tejano supahstah.

what would happen if sean integrated tejano into his song-writing play?

hmmm...

j. marie ponders.

and she decides, welp, maybe i should leave this to more qualified individuals.

[asillittle]

Hey I was wondering how much Tejano music is around outside of Texas, I feel like I live among the heart of Tejano music, its every where that I'm suprised to hear it here. Wow, my sister's God father is also in a Tejano band, so yeah.

Keeping on the Sean theme (so I won't upset anyone!) Sean and Tejano music? ha ha now that would be interesting...Funny, picutes of Sean with the Kumbya Kings...lol...or Emilio Navira...hmmmmm

By the way...I love Luna Llena, who sings that again?

[asillittle]

What I meant to say is, I feel like I'm in the heart of Tejano music, and that its everywhere here that I'm suprised to see it mentioned on the boards....Sorry about that...[bang]

[J. Marie Hall]

i know only one luna llena; and it's by elvis crespo, the merengue supahstah. that might not be right since my tejano listening is quite limited--i'm not down with that scene :)

take care,
j. marie

[desert rose]

Does anyone like Enya? I heard that Sean has met her before. I like her...but most people have never heard of her.

[GermyNCfan]

Originally posted by desert rose
Does anyone like Enya? I heard that Sean has met her before. I like her...but most people have never heard of her.

Not heard of Enya? I can't even see how that's possible. She's been around for a very long time, and while I never heard any of her songs til Only Time came on the radio (which prompted me to get her latest album) I'd still heard of her as a legend in Celtic type music. I guess some people truly do live under rocks.

Oh, and by the way, her album has some really good songs on it, and I'm so glad she was able to sing for the Lord of the Rings soundtrack too!

[jaceyhomen]

I've never heard of Enya either. Thank you very much for enlightening us folks who live under rocks. We are SO duh!
Jacey ;)

[GermyNCfan]

Hey, sorry Jacey. I didn't mean to come off like that. Besides, you're a Nickel Creek fan, and no Creekster can live under a rock since NC isn't as mainstream as many other bands are. You've already earned mucho points in my book by being a fan since I don't know of anyone personally who actually considers themself a fan or even close. Hmm... a particular thought just crossed my mind, but it might not be original: NC isn't mainstream because they created their own stream... err, creek to be precise, and have thus created their own category of music. Cheesy? Maybe. But it's something I just thought of and felt like sharing.
So anyway, for all those who haven't heard of Enya yet and like a beautiful Celtic voice, give her a try. She could possibly be compared to Loreena McKennitt if you've heard of her (the Mummers Dance, if that rings a bell).
And Jacey, one last thing -- give me your best shot, I deserve it! --> [splat]

[jaceyhomen]

Germy...apology accepted.

I have heard of the Mummers Dance, but know very little about Celtic music. Can you suggest a couple of good cds?

Jacey

[GermyNCfan]

Well Jacey, thanks for your understanding, and I'll try my best to divulge my infinite.....simal knowledge on the subject. Since I don't know much, I'll just tell you the ones I have and why I like them.

Her Infinite Variety - Celtic Women In Music & Song (http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/SID=61452546/pagename=/RP/CDN/FIND/album.html/itemid=466511)
This one doesn't have the two previous women I mentioned, but it's an excellent compilation of a bunch of different Celtic singers. I guess this could be your starting point to branch off into particular singers that you like the best. There are instrumentals and vocals, English and Celtic lyrics, and just plain amazing women singing. And with 30 songs, you can't go wrong.

The others I have are Enya - Day Without Rain, as well as 2 by Loreena McKennitt: The Visit and The Book of Secrets. Loreena is a bit more experimental with Celtic, but still stays true to her basis. I enjoy how she includes a lengthy Celtic Love Tragedy song on each of her CDs, similar to The Lighthouse's Tale and House Carpenter by NC. I also have a CD by Silly Wizard, if you want to listen to a male singer instead.

And, since we're on Sean's board, I do have a way to link it back. Remember the feeling you got while reading his latest journal entry about the laidback life of olden times with stone fences and Scottish/English meadows for scenery? Well, for me, his imagery evoked this wonderful feeling of peace and longing for those days, and these songs evoke the exact same feeling in me. There is just something pure and honest about Celtic music that touches your heart in a way that other music can't. (Not to say other musics don't touch your heart, not at all!! I'm just saying there's this special niche in my heart that Celtic melodies can fill.)

I hope this helps you discover a new world of music!
-Jeremy

[jaceyhomen]

Jeremy....thanks for all that good info and suggestions. I'll start off looking for the Her Infinite Variety and go from there.

Kate Rusby...with whom Sean et al jammed last month in England....is her music Celtic? Did I even spell her name right...??[think]

Thanks again.
Jacey

[Elizabeth]

Kate Rusby is well worth listening to. She has a new album out called Ten, it's sort of like a greatest hits. I don't know if it's been released in America, or if it is awaiting release, but if you can get it, buy it. It's sort of Celtic/Folk.

[headgear]

hi jacey

i'd class kate as folk rather than celtic. it's english rock music i think. lots of songs about sailors and stuff.

h

[MemphisLovesNC]

Other Celtic artists that are great:
1) Old Blind Dogs
2) Tannahill Weavers (Scottish-- with pipes!)
3) Altan
4) Dervish
5) Cherish the Ladies
6) Ashley MacIsaac
7) The Chieftans

I personally love Dervish the most (Kathy has an amazing voice) and then it's a toss up between Old Bind Dogs and Altan. Altan has an incredible female singer and fiddler from Donegal, and Dolly Parton sings with them on their latest record-- I think it's called Blue Idol.

I think if you like NC, you will like some of these artists. :)

[headgear]

Originally posted by headgear
it's english rock music i think. lots of songs about sailors and stuff.

what? rock? folk! i must have been listening to GnR or something...

[jaceyhomen]

Thank you Elizabeth, Helen, Marianne....for all those good suggestions. I have a new mission: to develop an ear for good Celtic music. You'd think, considering how often Sean and those other two mention their fondness for it, that I would have done so long ago. So many missions, so little time. And money.
jacey

[desert rose]

yeah. I love the cheftains. I have a few of their CD's. they're cool:cool:

[J. Marie Hall]

if ya have to pick up your first loreena mckennitt, i'd go with her double live cd (paris and london i think)--it's wine colored. she is very experimental, as was said; and she links celtic to indian (as in the country and not our general fallacy) even. which is fun in the field of anthropology too..anyone read t. heyer-whoever-he-is? tiki.

marco polo is instrumental and is my favorite of hers.

she loves literature. she did the lady of shallott as well as the highway man...and she thinks she has some weird love affair with shakespeare. loreena is lost in it all :)

i also really like her b/c not only is she the lead vocal, but like dear nc, she plays so well. and writes so well. ugh.

-j. marie

[desert rose]

i like Margery O' Harea. she plays harp. she likes cheese.[sob]

[GermyNCfan]

Originally posted by J. Marie Hall
she loves literature. she did the lady of shallott as well as the highway man...and she thinks she has some weird love affair with shakespeare. loreena is lost in it all :)


Exactly! Those 2 songs were the two that I was talking about earlier when I said she includes a lengthy love tragedy story on classic Celtic style on her CDs. I don't know if your mentioning of it was intended as a reference or if it was a coincidence, but it's good to see others like that aspect of her music too. I really wanted to put her CD on my top 10 list in the thread on the Other Stuff board, but I had to cut her. But that wasn't intended to slight her at all, she's excellent. Some of her songs do have the Middle Eastern influence, but she somehow remains Celtic despite it all. Anyway, thanks for adding your knowledge about Loreena to the board J. Marie. Maybe it'll convince someone to pick up her CD and create a new fan for Celtic music.

(P.S. I have a friend who goes to Toccoa Falls for college -- I assume that's in your backyard? Just wondering.)

[desert rose]

never mind.:rolleyes: