Nochella

It's that time of year again. Festival tickets are bought, outfits and packing supplies are planned out, and music will be a constant surrounding for some. However, every year there are those of us who don't go to this music extravaganza in California. This group either avoids the events on purpose or simply can't make it. They partake in a different event - Nochella. 

This is by no means some official term or defined solidly by any particular form of discourse. It's essentially not going to Coachella and a play on the word. Some celebrate the act of not going to Coachella in a peaceful manner and in the quiet of their own lives while others voice their detest and disgust of the weekend long music festival. It really depends on who you're talking to. 

To give you some background information about Coachella, it is a music and art festival that was founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen. It is organized by Goldenvoice, which is a subsidiary of AEG live and is held at the Empire Polo Club. It has been going on since 1999 (except for the year 2000). The origin of this whole production was inspired by a Pearl Jam concert in 1993 where they were boycotting venues controlled by Ticketmaster. Interestingly enough, the first festival that was held in 1999 was just three months after Woodstock that year.

Coachella is located in Indio, California and is actually in the Colorado Desert. But, like I said, if you're participating in Nochella you can pretty much celebrate anywhere.

-CS

If you are attending this years festival in Indio by copious amounts of music I've picked out some items you may need. Click the images below to check them out - enjoy!

In need of tickets last minute for travel?

A Bit of Mountain Luxury

There is luxury and then there is mountain luxury. It's a completely different feel surrounded by intense architecture. Luxury in the mountains seems to range between the cabin type and the modern/contemporary type, but both are impressive. I have spent time in a number of some beautiful households where I've been either a party member or have stayed as a guest. For awhile, I had spent some time housesitting and let me tell you what - house sitting in the mountains is not a bad gig at all. 

Aside from the building designs there are other factors that come into play in this lavish lifestyle. As one might imagine, owning a lot of land in the mountains is also not cheap. On said lands there are livestock, water features, and even separate buildings for guests, families, and otherwise. I know of a house in Colorado that has a separate building just for yoga sessions and classes. Pictured above is a castle-like entrance to a driveway that goes so far my eyes couldn't follow. One can only imagine what the house looks like, other than the guests and owners of course. 

Mountain luxury may have an earthy vibe, but there are certainly cases where those earthy tones are put to the test.

-CS

The Weight of Planning

The first steps of any plan are sometimes the hardest. The visualization might come easily, but can drowned out by daily life routine. The ideas that you had about the future whether it be later that evening or later that year can turn into a misty outline of an idea. It's frustrating, these things that seem to get in the way of our biggest dreams and plans that excite us. Sure, there are notes you can doodle up and text on your phone and laptop in various apps or word documents, but sometimes it's not enough. 

Planning, even before adulthood, was either something I had completely structured down to the minute, or something I winged and didn't bat an eye towards. It's a heavy thing to throw about on a Sunday - the existential issues of our untapped potentials and plans. It's frightening so allow me to turn up the lights a little bit. 

Relax. Breathe. If there was something that absolutely needed to get done it will get done. There's also the fact that if you're willing and passionate to get something accomplished YOU WILL GET IT ACCOMPLISHED. If it is something that is so deeply rooted in you that you feel strongly about then let yourself tap into that passion and do the work. Sometimes these little ideas of vacations and adventures really do just slip away, but that is ok too! Don't be so hard on yourself...

In times where things need to be planned out, it's often avoided because the very thought of planning everything out seems so stressful. This is why a relaxed daydreaming session can be so nice because you can just visualize without the stress. However, the point of this little banter today is the fact that you can plan and have it be in your own way. If it's relaxed and you play it by ear so be it. If you want to have all things coordinated from flights to stays to activities and entertainment by all means categorize and conquer. 

I have planned road trips on scrap paper and hotel stays through agencies - it's all about your mindset. 

-CS 

Because I know sometimes it's nice to just have objects and visual things to help with the planning process - here are some items I like. 

Rifle Paper 2017 Constellation Wall Calendar

Rifle Paper Co. Hardcover Midnight 2017 - 12 Month Agenda

Rifle Paper Co. "Let's Do This" Notepad

Weekly Success and Life Planner - Creating Your Dream Life by Freedom Mastery

And no, before anyone asks this was not sponsored by Rifle Paper Co...but if someone from Rifle Paper Co happens to see this...we should get coffee/tea sometime, yes?