Counting Train Cars

Sam. 26. Family. Friends. Laughter. Music. Mumford & Sons. Trains. P.T. Barnum. Circuses. Italy. Seeing the world. Dancing. Reading. Joy and happiness.

[lostonthetraintracks]

Magic.

[lostonthetraintracks]

Johnny Flynn - “Einstein’s Idea”

Oh, my darling...

[provst-deactivated20190401]

“She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see except standing there, leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.”

— J.D. Salinger

[lostonthetraintracks]

Jack Garratt - “Weathered”

“No wonder I keep you close / You’re the water to quench my throat.”

[lostonthetraintracks]

Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.

Anna Akhmatova

After 4 years away, I return to Italy in just 7 days.  My heart is full, my soul is floating, and I cannot express what it will mean.  It’s been a long time coming.  Here’s to carpe’ing the hell out of the diem.

[lukebrandens-deactivated2015111]

And in the end I think I’ve learned the final lesson from my travels in time; and I’ve even gone one step further than my father did: The truth is I now don’t travel back at all, not even for the day, I just try to live every day as if I’ve deliberately come back to this one day, to enjoy it, as if it was the full final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life. (About Time 2013)

[lostonthetraintracks]

One of the few movies that I wept uncontrollably watching.  It moved me and left me altogether different.  Such a beautiful reminder of how precious our days really are.

[iloveyoursoul]

[lostonthetraintracks]

My fabulous friend is a super talented photographer (and Photoshopper) who has proven that he can make anyone look photogenic.

If you need a photographer in the Chicago area, feel free to message me.  I’d be happy to recommend one.

[browneyedpretty]

Just another lake photo

[sunbaths]

Holy crap.

[lostonthetraintracks]

One week later, and I still can’t believe the freeing bliss that my 3rd Mumford & Sons concert brought. A postponed show turned into two extraordinary days and moments to last a lifetime.  

On Wednesday, impatience and a very early arrival led to meeting Marcus and Winston, screaming my fangirl out, getting my beloved hoodie signed, and meeting new Mumfriends.

On Friday, another early arrival and a 40-minute panicked delay waiting for the gates were rewarded with more concert magic. The gates opened, my ticket was scanned, and I ran faster and harder than I knew I could - straight to the front row. Leaning on the railing. Soaking in every single, brimming, dance-crazed moment with a Mumfamily who shared both unexpected, unrepeatable days with me.  

I could write volumes about Mumford & Sons and their music - about what they (and it) have done for me. I could explain how every song and lyric speaks to my soul. I could type myself speechless, just as I sang until I felt wholly alive and totally breathless. But anyone who feels the way I do about them doesn’t need an explanation. We all get it. We are all part of it. Nights and experiences like the ones I had last week are once-in-a-lifetime. Yet Mumford & Sons will always be there, carrying us through.

[lostonthetraintracks]

Today was a beautiful reminder of why Mumford & Sons receive such great respect from their fans. I have followed them for years, and their music continues to communicate to me in ways unparalleled. But beyond that, they are unfaltering in their generosity.

At my first Mumford concert, I was backstage shadowing a venue manager. I watched the sound check, had Ted and Marcus hold a door for me, and played photo shoot assistant to the lovely girls from Haim. My second concert found me standing fifth row with my mom and little bro, letting the music rock us to our cores. Today would have been concert number three. Instead, it became the most unexpected meet-and-greet of my life and a chaotic experience to treasure always. Amid a postponed show, Marcus and Winston treated a very very lucky group of fans to photos and autographs (and good vibes all around).   Gentlemen of the Road - I planned to say this at my second show, but the venue requested that I toss my homemade sign - if ever you need a personal assistant/marketing professional/minstrel-at-heart to join your crew on the road, the honor would be mine.

[lostonthetraintracks]

There are experiences so surreal that they can't ever be fully conveyed. Today's was nothing short of perfect. First, the devastation of hearing that Mumford & Sons postponed their show until Friday (after being 3rd in line at the entrance). Then, the game of figurative Simon Says which turned into a group sprint around the venue. Followed by a private meet-and-greet for the 30-or-so of us lucky enough to be wrangled by security just in time to get inside. From meeting a new friend to having my Mumford hoodie signed, and of course that little photo op in between, this was a concert-that-has-yet-to-happen to remember. 

For the record, my favorite band, my gods on earth, are also truly gentlemen. They were so thoughtful and apologetic - when they were giving us lucky fans the experience of a lifetime!

I knew that the 3rd time seeing Mumford & Sons would be the charm. But this was beyond. 

[lostonthetraintracks]

Mumford & Sons - “Ditmas” (Live at WFUV)

Once again, perfection. I can’t get enough of this one. And I don’t ever want to.

[timsheltress]

And as soon as Winston started up that guitar solo on Believe and Marcus busted out the tambourine, I started crying. We’re gonna be okay, mumfamily.

[lostonthetraintracks]

Seeing them in concert for the 3rd time on Wednesday, and I am as excited as I was the first time. My heart is full of anticipation, joy, and gratitude. Mumford, here I come. How lucky we are that they exist - that they are here to carry us through, to help us feel.

[dailydoseofstuf]

[block]

[lostonthetraintracks]

thought of you.

[devourfrombeneath]

[lostonthetraintracks]

Damn.