I went to #Aus10 earlier this month and made new friends!

I’ve been very fortunate, as this past year has been chock-full of new friends. With new friends (and the invention of Spotify) comes introduction to new music and other wonderful things you ain’t nevah heard of.

As previously mentioned, I met MR-GABE down in Texas, where our souls intertwined in one magical night of bar hopping and battle scar swapping. There, we realized that we have very similar taste in music. I’ve been reaping the benefits of his suggestions ever since. MR-GABE is thoughtful in recommending, meticulously curating songs that he thinks speak to shituations in my life and/or his, mixed with a lil Weezy (‘cuz who doesn’t love Weezy F. Baby?).

As I’m usually late to the party, I had never heard of Mar Variations, a young Dutchman with a fro like whoa! and a voice like buttah. He started this project back in 2010 where he takes a song and essentially does a cover to his melodic likings. Although the idea isn’t that novel, the quality of his voice and his attention to production are much appreciated.

I’ve never heard “camo shorts and bubble kush” sound so sexxxy. Enjoy!

Yeah, I’m single and candidly,

Ashley

EditoriallyAshley: The Bitch is Back

The upkeep and maintenance of a blog can be daunting at times. In fact, that’s why most of these things never get off the ground. Thus, my self-imposed moratorium on being CandidlySelfPublishing over the last few months.

I realized that I captured a small audience - I think there are five of you - and I felt the pressure to perform. After gaining the attention of a few unwanted eyeballs, I felt muzzled. I felt backed into a corner and filtered in what I could and could not say, which was the antithesis of what I set out to do.

This #TwitterLitter was born of pain. I intended for an outlet to creatively sort through fragmented emotions in the only way I know: through wayward words strung together with superlatives and oversharing.

Six months later, I question if this adds value. I am slightly embarrassed by the legacy I’m writing online. This is a Trail of Tears of far less historical importance. Everything published here at CandidlyAshley.com has only added to the noise of the Interwebs.

Just this last week, I attended SXSW with my tail between my legs. There, everyone is a mover and a shaker looking to innovate interactivity/technology/business/the world. Me? I write a self-indulgent Twitter stream and an infrequent blog post from time to time.

However, a IRL CandidlyAshley conversation happened bar side with a new friend, MR-GABE. In comparing angst, I mentioned my frustration with my pandered, wasted querulousness over the better part of half a year.

“Imagine,” I said emphatically, “if I had spent my time, energy, and thoughts on anything - ANYTHING - else! Anything else would have had a more productive output.”

To which MR-GABE replied, “But maybe you needed to do this; you needed to go through it in this manner and that’s productive.”

With that comment, I felt a certain finality. A stranger acknowledged the work I had accomplished and gave me permission to grow beyond this series of unfortunate events.

This interaction also affirmed an intrinsic principle well within the foundation of this blogging endeavor: my authenticity. Moving forward, you’ll note changes in my site. I relinquish past demons that served as musings. However, I pledge the maintenance and continuance of authentic storytelling through my egotistic lens.

I’m looking forward to evolving with you and thank you for your continued readership!

Candidly,

Ashley

"Many a beautiful word was wasted on that of an ingrate soul."

Candidly Ashley

Wide awake and scraping for words on an overdue bio assignment for a friend, I can’t help but think of how bountiful my flow has been in sorrowful sonnets toward silent space.

Apparently, weepy words tend to come easier than exaltation of laud and love for dear friends.

Unfortunately, sleep, too, doesn’t come naturally to the weary, wordless mind.

A real blog post to come. Anon, anon!

22
February

CandidlyAshley