#MusicMonday - A lil bit of NornIron

This week's music recommendation comes all the way from the same lovely island as myself.

Derry-born Bridie Monds-Watson has a voice that you won't forget, and at the age of 18 it's clear that she has a long bright future ahead of her.

This song has been doing the rounds for a few years after she wrote it at just 14(!), but it's finally getting some recognition. Enjoy - and if you like it, get it on iTunes here.

Missed the previous #MusicMonday posts? > Click here to catch up <

Sunday Reads - #GrabAChair

Feels good to be back in ol' New York City again, albeit for 5 days. The weather is cold, the breakfasts are mighty fine and the subways are still controlled by the Rat King. 

I've been hanging out with friends & putting some things in order before I fly back to Europe this week, which will entail four more flights and thus, a lot more reading. 

And on that note, here is some additional material for your eyeballs' pleasure:

• ...on archiving the Internet (The New Yorker)
• ...on having a stroke at age 33 (Buzzfeed - this is an actual article, believe me)
• ...on fancy toast & so much more (PS Mag - an oldie but if you haven't read this article, stop everything and do it)
• ...on tipping and why it sucks (Esquire)
• ...on our brains & religion (Salon)

PICK OF THE WEEK: The Code: A declassified and unbelievable hostage rescue story (The Verge)

BONUS - some beautiful auditory sounds to accompany your reading, by Sea Oleena.

#ThrowbackThursday - Ranch Life in British Columbia

Ranch-runner Fiona connects with her horse

Stormy skies

Humming bird on the ranch balcony

#redwillowranch

A weekly treat - doughnuts from Tim Hortons! <3

#MusicMonday - Put Em Up

Last summer in Portland, we (the Alley Art krew) were hanging out at an impromptu Portugal. The Man gig. After a few drinks, I worked up the courage to go and talk to John Gourley, one of the members of PTM, about possibly showing up at our #alleyartPDX event the next day. 

He graciously listened and wrote down our details, explaining that he'd likely be on a flight to California the next day but he'd try and make it. His friend at the table introduced himself, Brandon, and said he was also a musician and would try to stop by and enjoy the artistic collaboration. I thanked both of them, and later in the night I bumped into Brandon again and we exchanged cards. 

The next day came and went without a visit from either gent (actually it was a rainy Sunday, and our least-attended event on the tour. Boo Portland, boo). We rolled out of town and headed towards Montana/Minnesota, listening to our roadtrip CDs. 

On one of those CDs was a little song called Weekend by Priory, a band from Portland. After we left Portland, I decided to look up Priory online and see what other songs they had, if they had an album etc... I found photos of the twosome and realised, "holy crap it's that guy Brandon from the bar in Portland!"

Brandon Rush, right, & Kyle Sears

Since then I've been following their rise with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel and an EP released last autumn. This song, Put Em Up, is from that EP and is currently on my list of favourite jams: 

Sunday Reads - #GrabAChair

It's Sunday, really? Already?!

Jeez that week flew by. Last week I was in Panama volun-working at a beach hostel and now I'm 850km north in Costa Rica. At a better beach but not working this time. Just a few more days until I begin the long trek home to Europe.

During the week, I continued to plough through a ton of old articles I saved to Pocket in 2013, and here are a couple more reads for you...

• ...on survival in the cold Atlantic Ocean (NY Times Magazine) [disclosure, this made me cry]
• ...on genes, and how our bodies change according to our social settings (PS Mag)
• ...on how Disney helped an autistic child communicate (NY Times)
• ...on life lessons for your 30's (MarkManson)
• ...on one day as an Uber driver (GQ)

Pick of the Week: How to stop caring what other people think (and listen to yourself instead) (Wait But Why)

Missed last week's post? Click here to catch up.