Music Monday: It’z Just What We Do

Tags

backwoods beauty queen, beer, brian kelley, Country, country music, cruise, entertainment, FGL, flagaline, Florida Georgia Line, georgia line, Get Your Shine On, goodtime, it'z just what we do, moonshine, music, music monday, playlist music, summer songs, summer soundtrack, tell me how you like it, Tip it Back, tyler hubbard, www youtube

Anyone that knows me, knows that I like my music. I’m the girl who friends call when they can’t think of the name of a country song or when they want some fun summer songs for a playlist. Music is my way of expression, from the lyrics tattooed on my side to my spotify/ipod playlists, music is my voice and my rock all at once. When I can’t think of what to write, I blog about music, because I can always find a song to fit my mood, the situation, or to make me smile.  I live for music.  

And at that, that I like my music loud,  kickin’, and country.

Well this new EP coming out tomorrow from one of my favorite bands, Florida Georgia Line, provides all of that. It’z Just What We Do will be my summer soundtrack, there is no doubt in my mind about that.

Florida Georgia Line might be somewhat new to the national country scene, but they aren’t new at all. Brian Kelley & Tyler Hubbard have been putting on killer shows and writing songs as Florida Georgia Line since 2009. And not only do they write all of their own music and put on great shows (from what I’ve heard), they are great about engaging with their fans on social media.  There is nothing I find more admirable in a favorite musician then their ability to have open and casual communication with their fans. Brian & Tyler have a way of making you feel like they really could be your friends if given the opportunity.

I can’t wait to hear them live when Country Throwdown tour comes to Sioux Falls on June 22nd. And am looking forward to enjoying a beer or two with them after their set!

Their songs are all ones that you just want to turn up and jam out to the minute you hear them. The lyrics will stick in your head and you will want to just put this EP on repeat for hours.

Thankfully Brian & Tyler were nice enough to let everyone preview the album via Youtube videos to keep us content until the EP comes out tomorrow.

It’z Just What We Do http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/itz-just-what-we-do-ep/id524284791

1. Cruise

This is the type of song that literally makes you want to do as the lyrics say—”You make me wanna roll my windows down and cruise…”.  I bet you can’t listen to this song and not want to just sing along.

2. Get Your Shine On

“Slide that little sugar shaker over here and get your shine on.” This is one of those songs that just instantly goes on your jam list. Let’s put it this way, my mother, who doesn’t listen to country music other than King George, shared this video from my wall without any prompting from me, because she loved it upon hearing it!

3. Tip It Back

Tip It Back, is just as one would assume the ultimate party/drinking song.  ”And don’t worry about anything, ‘cept what’s in your glass. Whether it’s a cold beer, tequila, or a double shot of Jack, Yeah all you need to do tonight is tip it back.”

4. Tell Me How You Like It

Brian & Tyler really killed it with these lyrics. Add Tyler’s amazing and unique vocals and you will fall in love with this song in seconds. “Do you like it by the bonfire heat? If it gets too hot we can take it to the creek. Let’s make it last all night long. Just tell me how. Tell me how you like it.”

5. It’z Just What We Do

The final and title track of the EP is where Brian & Tyler show us that they aren’t just country boys.  They take it to the styles that we’ve seen before from Colt Ford and all the other country guys that like to throw some rapping in the mix. And they perfect that style with lines like: “Now it’s late night, Underneath the moonlight Everybody’s feeling right, And sipping on the bud light, Go’on drop your tailgate.” and ”Hey we might look a little crazy tonight, Hey baby, that’s alright, It’s our Backwoods Boondock Roots, It’z just what we do” and ”Six string pickin’, Solo cup sippin’, And when the moments right, grab your phone and get dem digits..”

With those five songs Florida Georgia Line has one of the best EPs a fan could ask for.  Most albums have a song or two you might skip over sometimes, but It’z Just What We Do brings you 5 songs that you will struggle to pick a favorite from because they are all just that damn good! So make sure you check out when they are coming to a town near you!

Check Florida Georgia Line out at http://floridageorgialine.com

Follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/flagaline

Like them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/floridageorgialine

Check out their YouTube channel where they do a weekly Inside the Line behind the scenes look at their previous week on the road at http://www.youtube.com/user/floridageorgialine

Buy the album on Itunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/itz-just-what-we-do-ep/id524284791

It’s Been A While…

Tags

country music, Country Throwdown, FGL, Florida Georgia Line, future, Get Your Shine On, Life, music, Tip it Back, video

Wow crazy to think it’s been well over a month since I last blogged.

This post will be short & sweet because I don’t have much to tell, but there will probably be big news of some sort in the next few months about my future. So stay tuned. That’s all I will say for sure, for now.

In the meantime you should probably check out Florida Georgia Line’s song Get Your Shine On that they released via YouTube to keep us fans happy until the EP comes out on May 15th. Those guys, have a bright future ahead of them in country music.

Can’t wait to “Tip It Back” with them after Country Throwdown!

Ways to Get Rejected: Part 1

Tags

dating, friends, immature, legs, lines, long legs, people, pickup lines, rejection, relationships, ridiculousness

Dear guys,

Don’t ever tell a girl that she should, “Twitpic a picture of her legs to gain followers.”

Unless you enjoy getting rejected that is.

Yes, I have long legs. No that doesn’t mean you should be inappropriate about them. Not if you actually are hoping to get a few minutes of my time anyways.

And also if I turn you down, having your friend come tell me that you think I am mean isn’t going to get you another chance. It’s just going to make me think you are immature and not worth a second of my time.

Sadly this wasn’t even the same guy. Two situations of ridiculousness in one night in one bar.

Interested to see what ridiculous lines come my way tonight.

…is it worth the risk…

Tags

allergic, allergies, balloons, band aids, latex, latex balloons, risk

Do balloons really draw people in so much that they are worth the risk?

That question probably means nothing to the average person.

But to me, someone who is severely allergic to latex, it is the first question I have for restaurants, businesses, schools, and every other place that I go and have to encounter latex balloons.

Can I be around latex? Well kind of. I can’t touch it without breaking out in hives. And if closed in with them I will start wheezing. Even walking down the rug aisle at Walmart or Target can cause me to have trouble breathing.

People don’t think about all the products that have latex. Majority of rugs have latex backing. Majority of band-aids have latex packaging. The list of products I have to avoid and the list of supplemental things that I need to watch carefully for reactions is ridiculously long.

Companies don’t think about how while they are trying to draw people in or provide some entertainment for the children, they are causing others to have to risk their lives.

Most hospitals haven’t allowed latex balloons for a few years now.

When will the rest of society wake up to this allergy?

Last week I specifically avoided a certain bar because they were doing a balloon drop with prizes in honor of their one year anniversary.

I cringe anytime there are children’s activities at the mall in fear there might be balloons.

During graduate school I butted heads with the Dean of Students multiple times over the amount of balloons they would put in the student center on  visit days and any other event. Not only are those balloons a risk to my health and many others, but they are a waste of money. High school seniors aren’t going to be more likely to go somewhere because they have balloons in their student center. Or at least that was the least of my concerns back then.

Latex is everywhere and I know I have to always watch out for it, but I will rejoice the day society begins to at least open their eyes and try to accommodate on some level for those of us that are allergic to it.

…facing my fears…

Tags

30 by 30, bucket lists, facing fears, motorcycle

So my 30 by 30 list may seem like just any bucket list to so many people, but for me it’s far more than doing something I haven’t done yet or something that sounds cool.

A lot of the things on my list are actually things that scare me to death.

For as outgoing as I am, I’m not so good at stepping out of my comfort zone. I don’t try new foods, assuming I will hate them. I don’t go on adventures because I let fear keep me from taking that risk. I’ve grown a lot on this front in the last two years, but prior to May 2010 I was very stuck in my ways. Stuck in what I knew. And what was comforting to me.

I wasn’t ready to face my fears. I wasn’t ready to grow up. I wasn’t ready to face the world. I wasn’t ready for the risk.

Prior to July of 2010 I had never ridden on a motorcycle. I was honestly scared to do so. I never felt “safe” enough with any of my guy friends to take that risk. I always wanted to face the risk, but never had the guts to do so. Or the hand to hold to tell me it would be okay. And I had known too many people who had been in accidents and even died in motorcycle crashes.

Then I met J, he offered to take me for my first motorcycle ride multiple times. I don’t know if I felt safer with him or he just inspired me to take a risk, but I agreed to let him take me! We kept on talking about it, but for about a month the schedule just wasn’t working out.

Then it did. Even as I was getting ready to head to his house, I was freaking out. I was doing something I’d always wanted to do and it seemed there was no chickening out now. Thinking we were just going to go on a quick trip around town I convinced myself nothing could go wrong. And nothing went wrong….but since our trip turned into a much further jaunt then just around town it took me a while to get completely comfortable and realize that I was okay. That I wasn’t going to just fall off the motorcycle and that J wasn’t going to let it crash if he could help it.

I became addicted to the feeling of being on the bike and risking life by the time we came back from Flandreau.

So it’s fitting that one of the first things I’m planning to cross off my 30 by 30 list is learning to drive a motorcycle. And who better to teach me, than the friend that got me to face that fear to begin with?

That’s just one of many fears I have. And really it’s not even a fear of the actual activity, but of stepping out of my comfort zone. Taking another risk.

I’m much better at talking the talk, than walking the walk.

So here’s to learning to walk the walk!

 

…a not so wordless Wednesday rant…

Tags

bilateral talipes equinovarus, boots, clubfeet, cowboy boots, heels, riding, riding boots, shoe designer, shoes, style, wordless wednesday

It’s so dumb that I let something likes shoes put me in a tizzy.

But for once I’d like to be able to find shoes that are at least somewhat fashionable that I can wear/wear comfortably.

My clubfeet doesn’t define me. And it won’t ever define me.

But my clubfeet will always cause me to stand out like a sore thumb when in weddings. It will always cause me to have to search high and low to even attempt to find shoes that might be considered cute while still being something that I can wear.

I finally had to resort to wearing work boots to ride in after getting stepped on by a  darn stubborn horse a few years ago. Before that I had always worn tennis shoes to ride because cowboy boots have a heel. Even riding boots have a heel. And when you have clubfeet as severe as mine and fused ankle joints, well heels just don’t work. I literally CANNOT walk in them.

Which it’s fine. I’m 26 and I’ve learned to deal with it by now, it still gets me frustrated at times, but in general it’s not a big deal.

However, I can’t imagine how my parents dealt with telling me I couldn’t wear the shoes my friends were, growing up. It’s something that makes me question if I want  to ever risk having biological children. Am I ready to tell  kids that they can’t do sports or can’t wear the shoes their friends are? I don’t know. Good thing I’m not ready for kids at all right now so I don’t have anything to stress about yet.

And maybe by then there will be a shoe designer out there that understands that some people want the fashion of the “cool” shoes, while still being something they can wear.

 

….this crazy thing we call life….

Tags

doors, garth brooks lyrics, laugh, Life, smile

Life sure has a way of catching us off guard.

In the worst ways possible.

And in the best ways possible.

The last couple months have shown me that more than ever, but the thing is, the best ways out weigh the worst ways every single day.

Doors close.

And other doors open.

Tears are replaced with grins & laughter.

And what if’s are replaced with oh wells.

If I’ve learned one thing in the last few months it is to enjoy every single second of your life.

If you aren’t happy, get happy. Whatever means it takes to get there. Get there.

Being happy is worth it.

Sam, me, Mandy, and Jeff!

Sometimes all a girl needs in her life is friends who can make her smile, family that supports her no matter what, and some good music.  My life has plenty of those three things. I am so thankful for that. As I learned yesterday of the passing of one amazingly strong 16-year-old, I realized how much I have to be thankful for everyday. I also realized that the way I’d been living my life in the recent history wasn’t who I am or who I want to be. No more letting others define me. If someone can’t handle me just the way I am, then they aren’t meant to be in my life. I need to live every day to the fullest because as the community of Pierre and that amazing boy’s family and friends have learned, life is too short.

The life lover, always ready for a good time, Megan that is seen grinning like a fool in the above photos is back and ready for an amazing spring & summer with plenty of fun planned with some amazing people I call my friends.

Here’s to making the rest of 2012 my year. Making it my year by having fun and enjoying it more than one can imagine. Whatever the rest of 2012 may bring, I’m ready to make it mine, by making the best of it. By smiling my best smile. And by laughing like it’s going out of style.

Looking Forward to the Summer of 2012

Tags

Brown County Fair, country music concerts, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Gary Allan, Josh Thompson, Krrofest, Minneapolis, Minnesota Twins, rodney atkins, sd state fair, sioux empire fair, South Dakota State Fair, steve miller band, Summer, target field, wedding date

The summer of 2012 is going to be an amazing one if I do say so myself!

I will be kicking it off EARLY with Krrofest with my JLo. This should be an interesting experience. Neither of us are really the metal/rock type, but she was interested in seeing Pretty Reckless and I have a secret love for Buckcherry despite hating the only song of theirs that ever made it really big. So we are going to chance a new experience and hopefully won’t have nightmares from Manson’s lyrics!

Then Memorial Day Weekend will involve taking Ames’ Twins & Target Field virginity!   And it will be my first time back to Target Field since July of 2010! I cannot wait for a weekend of baseball, fun, and sun!

June brings another weekend in Minneapolis for Kolby’s bachelorette party! Should be a fun weekend! Then we have Country Throwdown here on June 22nd starting off summer officially on a great note! Gary Allan, Rodney Atkins, Josh Thompson, and Florida Georgia Line–and that is just the main stage! I am so excited for what should be a great night of sun, country music, and beer!

Then the 3 weeks of wedding craziness will kick off: Kolby’s wedding weekend, Sam’s bachelorette party, and Sam’s wedding are three weekends in a row with the 4th of July falling in the middle of all that chaos. I will be SO ready for a break after that.

Then my summer will slow down a little bit (maybe). Debating a Twins trip at the end of July to see more of my favorite MN tweeps!

August will bring the Sioux Empire Fair potentially.

But most importantly August will bring the Brown County Fair! Three nights of country music concerts with Ames and staying with her wonderful parents in Bath!

Then with September comes the SD State Fair…where I hope to take my mom for the Steve Miller Band! And potentially hit up Chris Young too if my checking account will allow. Then on the 15th I get to take JLo’s Twin’s virginity!

This summer is bound to be a hectic one, but I cannot wait for fun with some of my favorite friends. And on top of all of that this summer will bring a move, a new roommate (or two), and my first dog of my own….although I may wait until the end of summer for the dog because of all the trips!

Now to find a date to those weddings….only fun loving, down for a good time guys need apply. (:

I also need to find some time for fishing, relaxing, working on my tan, kickball, and the basic fun that every summer has to have in it!

In Spite of My Grandfather

Tags

family, grandfather, hate, love, relationships, spite

Sometimes there is someone in your life who you have to love because they are family. Even if they don’t necessarily deserve your love.

My grandfather and me have never had a good relationship.

He’s never liked me.

And he’s always been vocal about it.

I can deal with that, but him now showing that hate of me to my father kills me.

My dad should never have to see his own father’s hate of his baby girl.

My dad as an only child is stuck between standing by his father because he has to and walking away because of the way his father treats his wife & daughter.

I would never ask my dad to walk away, but I have to say after every thing my grandfather has put me through in the last year; I have to walk away. I’ve stood and battled back for years as he makes it clear that he considers me inferior simply because I’m a woman. As he’s hated on me because I stand up to him, unlike many in our family. But now he has turned his hate to a new level in the last year and tried to use his loneliness to justify it. I don’t want to hate him so I am walking away after his latest antic so that I don’t hate him whenever the time comes around to say goodbye.

I won’t put up with someone in my life who can’t love me for me. Who can’t let me chase my dreams. Who can’t admire my ability to always stand up for myself.

I’ll always love him. I’ll always miss the glimmers of a relationship we did have when Dottie tried to help us have a relationship. But almost a year after her death, my grandpa has started to show his true colors again.

Colors I’m not willing to stand for anymore.

So in spite of his hate, I will go so far in this world.

I will chase my dreams. And I will reach them.

Because I am not the person he thinks I am. I am so much more.

26

Tags

26, Carrie Bradshaw, fate, Lee Brice, Sex and the City, She Ain't Rigjht

I’m 26 years old today. Well officially at 4:19 P.M.

If you would have asked 6 year old Megan or even 16 year old Megan where she would be when she was 26, I don’t know that my answer would have been where I am.

But as a favorite character of mine says:

Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course, we wouldn’t fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it’s comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away.

- Carrie Bradshaw

So while I may not be who I expected, I wouldn’t be who I am if I was who I expected.

Somehow this little girl

Grew into this gal’

And who I am, well this Megan is pretty damn awesome, if I may say so myself. I’ve done a lot of “off-roading” from the expected path, but I’m turning into someone who I can be proud of.

Lee Brice—-She Ain’t Right