I posted recently about finally graduating from grad school, again, and then I passed the boards. YAY! Today makes two weeks into my new job as a family nurse practitioner, and I can certainly say, that while it is challenging, and I have a LOT to learn, I kind of love it! I know, going from a job that I really never wanted to do again to one that I kind of love? Crazy. It makes me think that this whole journey may have ACTUALLY been worth it. I know I have a lot of growth ahead of me, and I have a lot to learn, but I am going to keep doing what I am doing, and try to enjoy the journey; if this beginning taste is an indicator of what is to come, I may have finally found the right career fit for me… and before I turned 40! HAHA!
Author: duane
music musings, music suggestion, you tube
artist watch: Tom Walker
by duane • • 0 Comments
Dang! I love this! This guy has a beautiful voice, smooth sound, and he is pretty easy on the eyes. Apparently he has an EP out, Blessings, on iTunes, which is giving me a flavor of Jack Garrett, mixed with a little Rag’n’Bone Man, and some Alex Clare thrown in for good measure; sadly this song is not on the EP. Certainly one to watch; the talent here is major! Can’t wait for a proper full length release from this guy!
all about me, nursing
graduate school completed… again.
by duane • • 1 Comment
So today marks another milestone in my nursing journey; I am officially done with graduate school, the second go-round. It has been two and a half years of non-stop, class, clinical, and continuous stress, but here we are, and I made it. Believe it or not. (I am still a bit in disbelief at this very moment).
Now, waiting to get grades posted, get everything finalized, and sit for the board exam, I see that my stressors are not over, and are intensifying for a short time. Hopefully, this too will be out of the way soon. Thanks for everyone that put up with my ranting, raving, angry, “negativity” during this process (especially James!!!), as I know I was not the best to be around at times… stress will do that to you, and as someone who carries around a lot of stress normally, the extra helping certainly had that effect on me. Here’s to my next few weeks of trying to process things and get in some relaxation as best as I can, finishing the rest of the process, and becoming a fully licensed nurse practitioner. Duane Moody, NP-C (pending!!!) doesn’t sound that bad to me, not at all. Onward towards a new career, full steam ahead!!
music musings, music suggestion, song of the day, you tube
sotd: HAIM – Want You Back
by duane • • 0 Comments
Good lord I love these three sisters. They are crazy-talented, and I have been eagerly awaiting a follow up album to their flawless debut, Days Are Gone (which came out four years ago!!!). I saw them on tour, and their talent is palpable; the concert was amazing. Now, this is their first single (?) from their upcoming album, which is due in July 17, 2017. Needless to say, I am waiting with bated breath for this one, as if this is any indicator of the upcoming release, these girls are unstoppable!!
all about me
also… what’s going on with me these days
by duane • • 0 Comments
So clearly, I have been pretty absent, and for good reason: working full time and going to grad school full time at the same time sucks. You have no life. It sucks. BUT, it will be over soon, and I am looking forward to it. I am looking forward to getting back into one of my biggest passions, which is music, and I hope to bring more back to this atrophied blog… it has been too long. I will be done with school in May… only a few months away!! I can make it!!
music musings, song of the day, you tube
sotd: Erik Hassle – Talk About It (Ft Vic Mensa)
by duane • • 0 Comments
I randomly saw that Erik Hassle, an artist I have screamed about before, quietly released a new album earlier this month. And… it is awesome. Especially this song, which is a few years old, but nonetheless is on the album, and reminded me how amazing it, and he is. Such a Prince quality to his voice, and it is giving me life!! Welcome back Erik!
mixed media, music musings, music suggestion, you tube
sotd: Flume – Never Be Like You (feat. Kai)
by duane • • 0 Comments
It seems that a lot more artists are turning out killer tracks like this, in the somewhat slow, trip-hop-esque sound, which is apparently called wonky electronica, future bass, and/(or, combination?) PBRNB; all of which stem from some of my favorite genres like drum n bass, trip hop, dubstep, etc. Regardless of what it’s called, this new(ish?) genre in electronic music has me reeling, as it is so emotive with not only the vocals, but the beats; it is almost like they are another voice speaking to you in some coded language. Artists like FKA Twigs come to mind when I hear this stuff, and they are killing it with this sound; I am always excited to hear something as amazing as this single, by the very young Flume (24 y.o.!!), an Australian who is bringing something fresh to the table.
This is one of those slow burn songs; every listen pulls me in deeper, and I can’t wait to hear it again. Looking forward to more from Flume; and more of this brand of electronica as well.
near and dear, song of the day, you tube
sotd: Kelly Clarkson – Piece by Piece (Idol version)
by duane • • 0 Comments
Sometimes, the emotion of a song is so palpable, that even the artist singing it gets choked up. This song from her most recent album of the same title, is beautiful, and certainly one of my favorite from the album, but this performance is just, wow. And she released a new version of it, much more stripped like this performance, and it is heartbreakingly beautiful. I love artists that are this talented, and still in touch with their journey and themselves. Kelly Clarkson is truly a music idol, not just the first American one.
cream of the crop, listen up!, music musings, music suggestion, you tube
best of 2014… finally.
by duane • • 0 Comments
I mean really. It’s 2016, and I am finally getting to this? Listen, this is all because of two things: work and school. Both of which are full time. I wanted to go ahead and do this really quick, and I will be brief, so that I can do 2015 as well. I am THAT behind. BAD BLOGGER! Oh well… as they say, life gets in the way. Here they are, my favorite albums of 2014.
I am only going to say a little bit about my top 5, the rest are just albums that I enjoyed that year, and that’s all we’ll say about that…
1) You + Me – rose ave.
– So what do you get when you mesh two of my favorite vocalists together, harmonizing beautifully, playing my favorite type of music? A dream come true. City and Colour + P!nk = You + Me. Heaven. This album is absolutely perfect; scratch that, it would be perfect it had more tracks! Here’s hoping for more from You + Me.
2) Sam Smith – In The Lonely Hour – What can I say, this guy is amazing, and really took the music scene by storm in 2014. I expect to hear many more great things from him over his career, which should be long and fruitful. Great album, and tons of single-worthy tracks here.
3) Betty Who – Take Me When You Go – I first heard the single Somebody Loves You, and after that, I was smitten with Betty Who. When her album came out, I was even more mesmerized; it is fantastic. I have high hopes for her getting more airplay and exposure; she is a majorly talented artist, and this is great pop music!
Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear – First and foremost, Chandelier. Killer. Sia can not only write a killer hook and penn some real pop hits, but she can fucking SING. I loved this album, and just when I thought I had heard all of it, a new song would become my favorite of the moment. This is pop, and this is excellent.
Bear’s Den – Islands – I saw them open for Mumford and Sons, and then went to see them again at a local smaller venue because they were so great. This is an incredible album, and one that is very well crafted and plays spectacularly from beginning to end; not a bad track to be found. If you like Mumford and Sons, give them a try; you won’t be sorry!
And now the rest… not really in any particular order.
- Beyonce – Beyonce (Platinum Edition)
- Lady GaGa and Tony Bennett – Cheek To Cheek
- Nina Persson – Animal Heart
- Robyn & Royksopp – Do It Again
- Taylor Swift – 1989
- Trampled By Turtles – Wild Animals
Broods – Evergreen- Iggy Azalea – The New Classic/Reclassified
- Ingrid Michaelson – Lights Out
- Danity Kane – DK3
- FKA Twigs – LP1
- Ariana Grande – My Everything
- Jessie J – Sweet Talker
- Olly Murs – Never Been Better
- One Direction – FOUR
- The Script – No Sound Without Silence
- Tove Lo – Queen of the Clouds
- Jessie Ware – Tough Love
MKTO – MKTO- Bleachers – Strange Desire
- Nicole Scherzinger – Big Fat Lie
- Guardians of the Galaxy Soundtrack: Awesome Mix Vol 1
Why this took me so long? Who knows. Either way, here ya go. Next up, 2015. Geez.
music musings, music suggestion, song of the day, that is so gay, you tube
sotd: Troye Sivan – Wild
by duane • • 0 Comments
Not often do I stumble on a new artist that completely takes me by storm, and I become instantly, obsessively, incessantly transfixed on their voice, their music, and need to hear everything I can get my hands on by them. Well, that’s exactly what happened when my buddy Jamie told me to listen to Troye Sivan. Sivan is a 20 year old, out, Australian actor, singer/songwriter who’s song Wild, which has a beautiful, hauntingly touching video, has me completely obsessed, and after hearing his two EPs, TRXYE and Wild, has me incredibly hungry to hear more from this incredibly talented young singer.