I flew to Virginia over the weekend to help one of my best friends plan her wedding. I’m in that “everyone I know is getting married” year (hers will be #5!)

I was driving up to Gainesville early this morning and it hit me that it’s really Thanksgiving again. Wow. Seriously? I’m not sure how this year has flown by so fast that we’re already worrying about holiday traffic and planning what time to set the coffee maker for the day after Thanksgiving shopping. Or how we’re already figuring out what color hand turkey we’re going to make and eating ourselves to a complete food coma just in time to catch some afternoon football.

I was searching through my car trunk the other day (who knows what I was looking for) and I found my old CD case. With much enthusiasm I ripped it open, eager to go back in time and get caught up in music memories of the past. Of course when I first opened it I saw N’Sync’s “No Strings Attached” in the first CD holder. Ahhh yes…the craze of N’Sync.

Well, my hairdryer caught on fire this morning, my laptop is now giving me the blue screen of death and the only thing that got me through today was my Pumpkin Spiced Iced Latte from Starbucks and remembering my "me" day from this past weekend.

As much as I love music with lyrics, I have to say that instrumental music holds a very dear place in my heart. Sure, song lyrics are absolutely amazing and sometimes the words are so eerily close to how you're feeling at that moment that it's scary. But if you think about a song, what really draws and keeps you listening? For me, it's not the lyrics. It's the incredible collaboration of the piano, guitars, violin, drums, flute, or any other instrument you can think of.

I went home this weekend for my brother’s wedding and there is always one thing I know I will find - CHAOS. It’s good chaos though – it’s fun, happy (usually), and definitely eventful. My Mom is probably making something delicious in the kitchen or blaring the Beatles (and dancing might I add), my Dad is messing with some new gadget, my nieces, nephew, and cousin are all playing the Wii or building a fort, my sister is probably off telling a story to my other siblings, and I find myself sitting on the floor, coloring.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, The Temper Trap launched their long-awaited debut album “Conditions” in 2009 after blowing away the music world with “Sweet Disposition." You might recognize this song from trailer and soundtrack of "(500) Days of Summer." I honestly couldn’t find anyone to compare them to and for once I’m having a hard time describing them so I'm thinkin' this might be the only way I know how:

In my never ending (and much enjoyed might I add) search to find new artists, I’m starting a weekly series of amazing, and usually unexpected finds in the music world that you may or may not know, like, love, hate, or even care about. I encourage you to keep an open mind and even if you don’t like it on the first go-round, give it a shot or three because you just might end up loving it. And if you've got any treasures you love, feel free to send them my way at elizabeth@theunconventionalgeek.com

~*~*~*~*~

Life has been a bit hectic lately (to say the least). From helping plan my sister's wedding (congrats again!), to working non-stop, going out of town, and somehow trying to squeeze in some sleep, my head has been spinning and quite frankly, I've been questioning my sanity (no, really, I have).

But I can easily say the ONE thing that has kept me sane is music.

I really love music.

One of my most absolute favorite things in the world is surprises. I’m not talking about the birthday gift surprise that you awkwardly have to open in front of a large group of people and pretend to love even if it’s the ugliest thing you’ve seen in your entire life. Or the phone call you get from some long lost relative “Surprise! I’m coming to stay with you for two weeks!”