“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them.” – Galileo

Why do I scare myself silly every week watching “Criminal Minds”? For quotes like that. Okay. Okay…and Derek Morgan.

The truth should be so simple, but it’s one of the most complicated concepts we as humans deal with each day. Why is that? Because the truth can hurt us and bind us and cause us to lose something or someone we love. However, the truth can also free us from fear, build an unbreakable trust between ourselves and loved ones and ignite a spark in our souls no one can extinguish. As Galileo said, all we have to do is find it.

In my daily quest to find answers, I find it necessary to make mental “Notes to Self.” This is a catalogue of sorts that I can reference at a later date…usually before making a dumb decision.

NOTE TO SELF: Go to www.hairinstructor.com whenever I need important hair instruction/information.

This website has really cool do-it-yourself instructions for hair styling, product reviews, blog posts, videos, etc. My boy Jason runs this website. He’s  been my hair extraordinaire since 2007.

Hey! That’s an important note to self. It’s all about the hair y’all.

NOTE TO SELF:  Write down entertaining, sweet or thought-provoking quotes when I come across them. I never know when they are going to come in handy.

This week, there were two great ones. One came from a movie called “Play the Game.” The quote was sweet and direct from Grandpa Joe (a.k.a. Andy Griffith).

“You know your companion at one of two times…when you meet her or when you lose her.” Awwww….

The other one came from my cousin Sydney’s Facebook page. Cracked. Me. Up.

“Sarcasm: The body’s natural defense against stupid.” Don’t you just hate it when people are sarcastic Abbey?!

NOTE TO SELF: Watch a particularly funny video and buy the song on iTunes. Now, it’s stuck in my head.

If you get offended easily, do not click HERE. However, if you have a wicked awesome sense of humor…you are gonna love THIS. My friend Mark sent it to me and I laughed all 15 times I watched.

This video is my second favorite of The Lonely Island (a.k.a. Saturday Night Live) videos behind Justin Timberlake’s SNL music video debut. You know which one I mean.

Thank you Akon, Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island. “She put a bag on my head…STILL COUNTS!”

Go to THIS website to watch all of the awesome videos of the past. I forgot about some of them. “I’m On A Boat”…HAHAHAHAHA!

NOTE TO SELF:  Avoid walking under trees with birds directly over your head.

I think you know where I’m going with this one. If it is in fact good luck, my 2011 is gonna be amazing.

NOTE TO SELF: Watch all the Christmas movies you love…every year.

For me, this would include “Elf,” (“I just like to smile. Smiling’s my favorite!”) “Home Alone,” (“I don’t want to see you again for the rest of my whole life.”) “A Christmas Story” (“You’ll shoot your eye out kid.”) and “Die Hard”…yes, “Die Hard.” (“Got invited to the Christmas Party by mistake. Who knew?”)

NOTE TO SELF: Always hold on tight to the bowling ball on the back swing. You might drop it behind you…I’ve heard.

Lair told me all I had to do was point…

It helped me break 100! Don’t be jealous.

It was Brit’s Birthday Bowling Extravaganza last week. She got to blow out the candles on a three-layer cake…

Show perfect bowling form…

And party with friends…

NOTE TO SELF: Re-watch all those old Ally McBeal episode I love so much.

Ally McBeal was the first character I actually related to as a teenager. That might not be a good thing, but it’s the truth. As I’ve gotten older, I might relate even more. I mean, she thought in music. The vivid imagery of her thoughts was entertaining as well.

The show was so well-written, witty and creative. How can you not love scenes like THIS?! Thank you Al Green.

NOTE TO SELF: Always reflect on the “Songs of the Week.”

1. “Home to You” by John Michael Montgomery. He is and will always be the King of Romance to me. “I get up and battle the day. Things don’t always go my way. It might rain, but that’s okay. I get to come home to you.”

2. “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks. It’s one of my favorite songs of all time. Hearing 17,000 people sing it back to Garth helped put an exclamation point on that fact. How do you argue with this truth? “Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers. Remember when you’re talkin to the man upstairs. That just because He doesn’t answer, doesn’t mean He don’t care. Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.”

3. “My Give a Damn’s Busted” by JoDee Messina. I don’t know about y’all, but I have NEVER had this attitude with the opposite sex. “Well, you’ve filled up my head with so many lies. Twisted my heart til somethin snapped inside. I’d like to give it one more try, but my give a damn’s busted. You can crawl back home. Say you were wrong. Stand out in the yard and cry all night long. Go ahead and water the lawn. My give a damn’s busted. I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin’. Let me dig a little deeper. No. Sorry. Nothin’.”

4. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison. So I might be a little partial to this one, but people of all eye colors can sing and dance along as well.

5. “Ice, Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice. WHAT?! You know that you know every word. Don’t lie. “Yo, V.I.P. Let’s kick it!”

6. “Everything I Can’t Have” by Robin Thicke. I love, love, love, LOVE this tune. It’s got a big band feel with Robin’s hot vocals. The groove is incredible with a salsa feel. Danceable on all levels.

7. “Far From Home” by Five Finger Death Punch. This song flowed out of my TV set last week at the end of “Criminal Minds.” More often than not, TV shows place songs because of connections to labels or artists, etc. They don’t spend a lot of time checking to see if the tune WORKS within the episode. However, every once in a while…they get the placement of a song just right and the music makes the scene. This was one of those times. It made me stop, listen, look up and purchase the tune.

8. “Vultures” by John Mayer. Dear, sweet John Mayer. He has a song on this list quite often. However, this tune is courtesy of Birthday Girl Brit. She made me go back on the iPod to listen to it earlier in the week…after hearing only two notes. Well done, Brit. Well. Done.

9. “I Only Have Eyes For You” by Frank Sinatra. You can’t go wrong with Frank. He is old school cool. This tune makes me miss old Hollywood. “Are the stars out tonight? I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright cause I only have eyes for you. The moon may be high, but I can’t see a thing in the sky, cause I only have eyes for you.”

10. “I Hate Myself for Loving You” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. What do you want from me?! I’m a female who grew up in the 80’s. Joan Jett is angry girl rock at it’s best. It makes you want to grab the nearest hairbrush and sing along…”I think of you every night and day. You took my heart then you took my pride away. I hate myself for loving you. Can’t break free from the things that you do. I wanna walk, but I run back to you. That’s why I hate myself for loving you.

11. “When You Love Someone” by Bryan Adams. I’ll never forget one of my best friends April walking down the isle to this one. It was such a perfect choice. If John Michael Montgomery is the King of Romance for country music, Bryan Adams rules that kingdom in the pop/rock world. “When you love someone, you’ll do anything. You’ll do all the crazy things that you can’t explain. You’ll shoot the moon. Put out the sun. When you love someone.”

12. “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. I dare you not to dance. It’s impossible. The music is infectious. It’s one of the songs where I don’t even really pay attention to the lyrics. The music has me from note one. OHHHHH YEAHHHHH!

NOTE TO SELF: Always go check out music from actors on TV Shows you adore. They might surprise you.

I almost missed the Bryan Greenberg show at 3rd and Lindsley last Thursday. Thank goodness I got a text from Macey and I ran in the door as he was getting ready to begin. Thanks Mace!

You might know Bryan as Jake Jagielski on “One Tree Hill” or Nick Garrett on “October Road” or currently as Ben Epstein on “How to Make It In America.”

I’ll be honest. I went into the show with a closed mind. When actors start to sing, I question. In fact, I think only one actor I’ve seen perform live has ever convinced me he was also a musician (Tyler Hilton). Pre-judging talent isn’t the right thing to do (and I rarely make that assumption), but it happens.

That night, it was going to be REALLY difficult for Bryan to convince me that he was a worthy artist. However, he did.

Bryan is an attractive mid-westerner with a humble demeanor and good guy appeal. He has fun onstage and makes the audience feel like they are a part of the show. John Graney and Yonatan Elkayam joined Bryan to entertain the crowd that night.

Most are indie-rock songs pulling inspiration from music of the 90’s with blues undertones. Each song takes a listener on a journey through the artist’s mind…even the funny tunes have depth. Bryan also throws in some surprises here and there.

When was I officially convinced the actor was a musician? Right about the time Bryan’s guitar strap broke. In the middle of the song “Neverland,” there was a guitar accessory malfunction and Bryan was forced to adjust. He didn’t miss a beat during the song about the pitfalls of living in L.A. and just shrugged it off with a smile.

I adored the bass in the tune “Give Me Some Time.” The bass allowed a listener to feel the mood and thought process of the lyrics. Then I stumbled upon my favorite song of the set called “You Can Run.” It is a radio-ready tune that also features Kid Cudi. After that, the audience was delivered the hot and dark “Go In Slow.”

The end of the show was packed with amazing punch after punch in the form of stellar songs. The back half of the show was kicked off by a tune with a great twist on heartbreak called “One Too Many.” It shows the side of the one doing the heartbreaking and how that can be much more difficult than having your heart broken. How about this lyric for ear catching? “Sometimes it’s harder to pull the trigger than to be the one who gets shot.” And the story in the song gets wrapped up unexpectedly. “It’s gonna hurt breakin’ your heart. I’m scared of tearin’ us apart. But I’m not makin’ a big mistake. You’re not the one who got away.”

“Small Town” also took the viewpoint of a resident who stayed in the town that raised him. “This small town don’t change. Time moves real slow. I don’t see no reason why I need to go. No need to roam. This is my home. This is my small town.”

Bandmate Yonatan Elkayam was featured on the harmonica on the tune “No Kinda Friend.” He was bad ass. I found myself drawn into the song just by the notes flowing from the instrument. Yonatan had total control over each and every note and in turn control over a very happy crowd.

“I Sorta Have a Girlfriend” was hilarious and had everyone in the room laughing. Because this very conversation happens at bars all around the country, it makes the tune all the more entertaining. “I sorta kinda have a girlfriend. It sorta kinda depends on who’s asking me.” Why do I feel like I’ve heard that song before that night?

Finally, there is the upcoming single called “Walk Away.” It’s all about needing to leave a bad situation. “We can’t play these games anymore. You’re always keeping score and I don’t care enough to go to war. So walk away.”

Overall, it was a great show! I always measure based on how often I smile during the music. There were big smiles all night long at 3rd and Lindsley. To Bryan and the guys…well done.

NOTE TO SELF: Some accidents are good ones.

After good times bowling on Friday night, Brit and I were headed down to Billups to see the very end of a benefit show. It was an accident that we were there, but I am really glad it happened. Do you know why? Because of P.J. Smith. Wow.

Well, hello P.J.! That is what I thought when we first walked in the door. He has this cool, smooth voice that glides over each note and word.

How did he explain a bad romantic choice in the song “You’re No Good For Me”? “Cause when I’m up, you pull me down. When I’m wrong, you shake my ground. When I’m hurt, you turn your back and I know love don’t act like that. It’s plain to see that you’re no good for me.”

How does P.J. explain a player in the song “Lose It All”? “She’s gonna lead you to the edge, just to see you fall.”

I adored the song “I’m Jumpin’ In.” P.J. wrote it with Mark Stephen Jones and it sounds like it’s ready for Keith Urban to cut…right now. “She said, catch me if you can and I almost caught her. I’m knee-deep now with my boots full of water. Nothin’ but the moonlight on her skin and I’m jumpin’ in.”

My favorite tune of the night had the most vivid imagery I’ve ever heard…yes, heard. In the song “Slow Dancing with Her Shadow,” P.J. explains it like this…”She hides a bullet in her Bible just in case she meets the Devil. She knows he’ll hurt her just like the last time. The paint is peelin’ off of her broken heart. Makeup is runnin’ down her face…” Awesome.

Thank you P.J. It was a pleasure.

NOTE TO SELF: Josh Hoge is never a disappointment.

Saturday found me home…at 12th & Porter. I am ALWAYS ready to hear Dear, Sweet Josh sing. It is always enjoyable and I always feel like my soul wakes up more with every note. What can I say? The man can SAAAAAANG.

I got to hear my favorites like the H-O-T “Try” and the autobiographical “Take It or Leave It” and the breath-taking “Space” (which Rachel Proctor sang with him…She. Is. Awesome.).

PLUS, the crowd was treated to some new tunes. He wrote the country tinged, real love “Sweet Magnolia” with the ever, so talented Jonathan Singleton. “The touch of her skin and her whispering my name. Neath a blanket of stars like a dream come true.”

I immediately fell in love with the song “Bullet.” One rockin’ song with one amazing hook explaining how a woman can use her weapons. “She’s like a bullet and she knows it.”

Finally, NOBODY covers “Ain’t No Sunshine” like Josh. Give it a listen.

Thank you Josh…as always.

NOTE TO SELF: There is not, nor will there ever be another Garth Brooks.

For the first time in my life, I got to see Garth Brooks perform live. I don’t know if you know how big of a deal that was. You see, there is no artist like Garth for me…none. No one made the impact on my life through his music like that man did and still does. The show at Bridgestone Arena this week was not a let down. I still cannot fully comprehend what happened.

There is a reason Garth Brooks is the #1-selling solo artist in United States history and with more than 128 million albums sold, he is also the only solo artist in history to have six albums cross the marker of 10 million units sold. There is a reason people go back to his concerts over and over and over again. There is a reason that after nine years of retirement, he can still sell out nine concerts in four hours. There is a reason when he asks fans to show up and support a flood ravaged city, they do. There is a reason he was able to raise $3.5 million for flood relief in ticket sales and with merchandise included almost $5 million. There is a reason that every age, race, shape, size and background is sitting in those seats (well, standing) with a smile on their face. There is a reason prior to the show an announcement has to be made about not actually standing on the chairs. There is a reason when he asks the crowd to sing along…they do (and I mean all of them). There is a reason that six concerts in when his voice is starting to go, no one minds.

Tuesday night, I got to experience part of that reason. Garth is a phenomenon. It’s hard to describe what happens at a show. In fact, I can’t. You have to be there and experience it. Of the 17,000 people there on Tuesday night, I would say about 3/4 of them had seen many prior Garth shows. They feel like part of the amazing machine. He makes them feel like part of the party.

You see, Garth is special. He appreciates a crowd as much as they appreciate him. He has a conversation with every individual in the room through his music. As much as they revere him, they also feel like he is a friend. It’s one of their buddies playing some songs for them. It makes him happy for them to sing along, dance and laugh. It’s a community and he is the mayor. He is so good at entertaining and making sure everyone is having a good time that the crowd is kinder. You don’t see people get upset when others stand up the whole time to sing or accidentally spill beer or dance and laugh. They don’t get upset, because they are enjoying themselves just as much. Garth creates that kind of environment.

Finally, I believe Garth. I believe his smile and laugh and sheer joy at running around the stage. I believe he is having the time of his life the whole time he is performing and it makes me have the time of my life. I don’t feel like 20 years of performing has robbed him of that joy or the music industry has jaded him. I believe he is loving every, single second.

The last little bit of Garth admiration comes in the form of love. However, I have always been a fan of Garth and Trisha Yearwood as a couple (probably before I even should have been a fan). Some couples look at each other with passion. Some look at each other with love. Some look at each other with respect. I rarely see couples look at each other with all three. When I see the way that man looks at that woman, it makes me believe in love. If you’ve seen them together or heard him talk about her, you know exactly what I mean.

It was also an incredible added bonus that Trisha came out to sing three of her smash hits during the show. I was taken back to my youth with “She’s In Love With the Boy” overjoyed with the crowd response to “How Do I Live” and enthralled by the always amazing “In Another’s Eyes.” Thank you Trisha. That was fun!

My cousin Deanna recently asked me why I was so excited about seeing Garth Brooks. She actually asked, “What has Garth Brooks done for you?” I love good questions.

So in what has become a “Rock On Together” tradition. Here is my answer in the form of a letter.

Dear Garth,

Thank you for getting into the hard head and heart of a 12-year-old girl who refused to listen to country music. That first significant song of yours she heard flowing out of the speakers (“If Tomorrow Never Comes”) made a mark. The country music transition happened slowly, and it was only your music that got through to her initially.

When a classmate was lost too soon, your song (“The Dance”) was the one that helped pull shocked and sad teenagers through the pain. When no one could decide on a perfect song for that party in the field/at the lake/on a dirt road/in an abandoned barn, you provided a tune with which everyone could agree and sing along (“Friends in Low Places”). When there was a struggle with having Faith, you delivered a reason to believe (“Unanswered Prayers”). You gave an okay for being feisty when it was necessary with that magical third verse (“The Thunder Rolls”). When reassurance was needed to follow those dreams, it was you who sang the motivation (“The River”). When work was demanding, socializing was necessary and sleep was lacking, you provided the soundtrack (“Ain’t Goin Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)”). When the fear of a broken heart and shattered dreams left her numb and unmoving, you gave reason to love (“Standing Outside the Fire”). When peer pressure became too much to bear, you gave teenage angst a punch to the face (“The Change”). When true love was lost, you provided hope that someday it would be found again (“That ‘Ol Wind”). You gave romance definition (“To Make You Feel My Love”) and bars fun again (“Longneck Bottle”). When people questioned your daring idea to create another persona (Chris Gaines), you showed them that risk didn’t look or sound so bad (“Lost In You” and “It Don’t Matter To The Sun”). You provided confidence as fuel to fly (“Do What You Gotta Do”) and a wonderful movie a song in which to be rooted (“When You Come Back To Me Again”). Dr. Pepper even had your sound (“Wrapped Up In You”) for a short time. You were a teacher in the way of trying something new and showcasing a different side of yourself and your voice (“Why Ain’t I Running”). You showed that it is important to pay tribute to friends (“Good Ride Cowboy”). When others doubted, you stood by a love that you believed in with all of your heart (“Love Will Always Win”). Finally, you somehow set that same girl’s thoughts to music and gave a new songwriter a chance by recording an incredible song (“More Than A Memory”).

That girl will forever be grateful and her life will never be the same.

Sincerely,

Forever indebted

THAT is what Garth Brooks has done for me.

NOTE TO SELF: Christmas is amazing!

Maggie and I got to hang out with some of the coolest clients on the planet in Louisiana. Of course we had to get a picture with the tree!

NOTE TO SELF: Count on a funny Tweet of the Week.

This one comes from Travis Howard:

“Using LOL when you’re not actually laughing out loud is just irresponsible.”

NOTE TO SELF: Even quotes from unknown origins can mean something important.

“Unless your heart, your soul and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness.”

Until Next Time (Merry Christmas!!)…

No Reins!

K

P.S. Thanks to the Quiet Entertainer for Rockin’ On Together with me this week.

SHHHHHHH!!!