you didn't think i'd say goodbye that easily!

ok. i must confess. in a heated moment of fury and frustration with the world, i said i was over writing in the blog, but the truth is, i'm not.

for goodness sakes, giving up facebook (which i'm still not a member of thankyouverymuch) and the blog at the same time is a lot to ask. it's like elvis or cobain giving up booze and pills all in one fell swoop. since i don't consider preserving my anomalous memories to be one of the seven deadly sins (although they could all be referenced throughout), i think it's 'bout time to start her up again.

the truth is, i'm a writer and it's how i express myself. always has been. from the "voices of freedom" essay in elementary to being the editor for the shallowater pride (our header: shallowater. where pride runs deep. ah love those small town newspapers) to spinning my "coal miner's daughter/october sky" tale into college scholarships, to working for the baylor lariat and texas music, to writing just for the sheer pleasure of it...writing has always been there. i can't promise that it's any good, but what i do know is that i have a love affair with words that shall last a lifetime.

i don't use the blog to showcase my portfolio or little free lance stuff i do, the blog is more like a proverbial scrapbook if you will, but better. (sorry to offend any scrapbookers out there, but i always detested that hobby.)

i guess i just get a kick out of knowing that someday, my kids will think i'm just their mom. they'll think all i do is take them to soccer practice (or in my kids' case - rodeo clinics) and make their lunches. they'll think i'm boring and so out of touch, but i'll be able to say, "listen up kiddos. as a matter of fact, there was a time when your mamma used to travel the world. she used to know famous musicians. she used to be daring and adventurous. she used to dance and dance...and for a handful of magical nights, she haphazardly got to be the belle of the ball." for better or worse, this blog attests to that. (i'll try not to do anything that will embarrass them too terribly much...)

feels good to be back!

on hiatus

hello my dear friends,

i should let you know that i have decided to take an indefinite break from social media and all things related. that being said, i'm going to deactivate my facebook account for the time being as well as discontinue writing in this forum.

frankly, there is no concrete reason for my leave of absence, i merely don't want to be "that connected" anymore. i have been on facebook since september of 2004, which marks almost six years. shockingly, i can remember when i was one of 24 individuals on the baylor network. while facebook has provided me with endless opportunities to connect with individuals i never would have had the chance to talk to otherwise - and it has allowed me to stalk all of your photos! - i think it's time to pull away a bit and get back to some simplicity. i know, i know...why am i so dang old fashioned to a fault? i'm CONSTANTLY reminded that i shoulda been born 200 years ago...

as for the blog, it is something i have kept up with for over two years now. truth be told, i never cared if anyone ever read it (i'm still amazed that there are about 5 people who do), because it was merely for me to keep track of all the crazy things i ponder and think about during the course of my daydreaming and reflecting. it's funny to me to go back and look at all the previous entries...the college escapades, the generational angst, the heartbreaks, the giddiness over new relationships, the discovery of new music, the soap box tirades, the foreign affairs, and the epiphanies. when i read all of these things i am struck by two things: a) i'm one eccentric, unconventional, contradictory, stubborn-as-hell, passionate, dramatic headcase. b) but i'm proud of myself because i'm brave, i've got gumption, and if i'm truly convicted of something, i believe in it with my whole heart and nothing less.

i don't forsee this as a permanent termination of all online communication, but at this time i'd like to focus on other things. i've got some other writing projects lined up and i've really got to get serious about this book i've been writing for the last year if it's ever going to materialize into anything. i'm also continuing my fight to work with at-risk youth in low socio-economic communities; it has become my true vocation and something that i will advocate for the rest of my life. also, maybe i can finally get to that looming stack of over 25 books waiting to be read near my nightstand.

if you need to reach me, you can email me at shannansowder@gmail.com, give me a ring, or come down to san antone!

no voy a decir adios, pero "hasta luego." muchos deseos y mucha esperanza por tu prosperidad.

how lovely.

"later that day i got to thinking about relationships. there are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. but the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. and if you can find someone to love the you that you love...well...that's just fabulous." -carrie bradshaw

when going to a bellamy brothers concert...

a girl must absolutely wear her name on the back of her belt. AWESOME concert.



(sorry about this ridiculous video...it's the only one i could find :/)

peak rodeo season is gearing up...

over the next three months, my life is going to be pretty consumed by rodeo, but i am beyond thrilled about that. this spring, i'll be going to ft. worth, san antone, austin, and houston! part business/part pleasure, but nonetheless, i'll be happy as a clam watching my favorite events, promoting agribusiness, and shopping for texas treasures.

if you're in the san antonio area during the month of february, please come stop by the best rodeo in the PRCA and come say hi! chances are i'll be around...

though i'll be working most of the time, i'm keeping my schedule clear for the longhorn cattle drive, lady antebellum, tim mcgraw, blake shelton, dierks bentley, alan jackson, gary allan, and the ranch rodeo finals.



p.s. if you're interested in having me train your child for mutton bustin', i can do that too.

he's gone country, look at them boots!

yesterday my friend brian asked me to go with him to pick out his first pair of boots - oh what a rite of passage. it seems that my church has decided that i'm a western footwear connoisseur, so everyone buying boots wants my opinion! haha, i'm honored, but i don't know if i'm an expert. all i know is you have to consider a few essentials:

a) is this going to be a work boot or are you just gonna be a city slicker? will you be digging wells and building fences or are you a drugstore cowboy looking to impress the ladies at midnight rodeo? i won't hold it against you either way, just be honest, so we can figure out what type of sole you need.
b) what is your price range? are we gonna go with a full quill, top of the line or do you want to start off with a simple pair of ropers. for myself, i prefer a custom-made boot, but as far as brands go, i highly endorse tony lama (they ought to pay me for this!)...although you really can't go wrong with lucchesse, ariat, or justin.
c) do you have a skin preference? of course there's cowhide, snake, alligator, ostrich, and elephant...and if you're like me, you can't wait to get your hands on a pair of stingrays!
d) and don't forget special features such as square, pointed, or round toe and a tall shaft! and are you looking to stand out and draw some attention or do you want a more subdued, discreet look?

after going through this rigorous examination with brian and then having me scour all the aisles looking for the perfect pair for his needs, we finally settled on this pair:



and what do you know, the people at cavendar's asked if i wanted a job!

great motivation

i receive lots of "enlightening" emails (chain letters, stuff my grandmother finds inspiring, newsletters, etc.) and most of them go unread, but i actually opened one up this morning and i have to say, it's good stuff.

the following is an excerpt from teddy roosevelt's "citizenship in a republic" speech at the sorbonne in paris, france on april 23, 1910.

"it is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

i knew i always liked you, teddy.

ah lubbock.

congrats on the win last night tech. considering the fiasco that took place the week before, i didn't think you could pull it off.

i'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard nosed, investigative facebook journalists that emerged in light of the incident. one "breaking news" reporter contributed this photo of someone i know:



can't wait until the lbk lands on the cover of texas monthly's bum steer awards next year.