Is it Weird that I Really, Really Like...

Taylor Swift. No joke. I mean, it's not just that she has cool videos that involve castles and pretty dresses. Which she totally does. But she also wrote a song to Kanye expressing her forgiveness. And I really, really like the song. Don't judge. You know you're a closet Taylor fan too. I like her message. "Today is never too late to be brand new."

2010 MTV Video Music Awards - More VMA Video

Also she has pretty eyes.

If My Cell Phone Could Sing Me a Song...

I just got a new cell phone. FINALLY. I might possibly have had a terrible string of luck when it came to cell phones and... well... doors. Car doors. And so for the last half year or so I have been using a loaner phone courtesy of Alice. Now I have a pretty shiney new phone, and I hereby vow that it will not get slammed in a car door. Or really any door. I feel that this is a sensible plan.

What I DO need to do for my phone is find it a good ring tone. One that really expresses who I am. You know, At the Core. Here's the ones I've thought of so far:

1. Love Stinks, by J. Geils Band. And so it goes 'til the day you die.
2. Carry Out, by Timbaland (Featuring Justin Timberlake). Because nothing is more romantic than "take my order 'cause your body's like a carryout." And I like me some romance.
3. Nothin' On You, by B.O.B., because I AM the whole package, plus I pay my taxes. (Best lyrics of the year, btw.)
4. Or maybe I'll just get a Hoops and Yoyo ringtone.

I Heart the Eighties

They just don't write good, solid, quality sappy songs anymore. Some components that can be found in said songs:

1. Dramatic Oooohing.
2. Dramatic Aaaahing.
3. Echoing
4. A good keyboard segment, possibly with some flutes or something in the background
5. Rolling thunder during the long instrumental section in the middle

They just don't make songs like they used to.

Example:




How can you not love the glowing eyes? The ninjas? The fencers? The tumblers? The flying boys' choir boy? The men in caveman diapers doing ballet? Those were the days...

Say Goodbye to Seattle

So hopefully no one outside of Seattle has been subjected to this song that is supposed to be like our new theme song or something. You should listen, just to be horrified, but just be warned, you will be horrified. And if you are not, you're weirding me out a little. I will give you that the drawings are cute, but I don't think this is the "official" video.



I reject this song. Do we even have manta rays in Seattle?

At least the following song involves montages with men in flannels:


Mind you, just looking at the flora and fauna in the video I'm willing to bet it was filmed in California, but it still is less repugnant than the stupid manta ray song.

I've been trying to figure out what our song would sound like. I personally believe it should be mellow (and that first song causes me too much nausea to be "mellow.") and have at least a little bit of a grunge sound at it's root. All I know is, dude should not have been allowed to publish that song. He's not our rep. In no way could this song be the soundtrack to your day in downtown Seattle. Someone needs to make this boy stop.

Good Times on The Internets

Remember the olden days when music videos told a story? Also when MTV actually showed music videos? Apparently Korea does. I'm telling you, it's good times.

Oh, Wait, I already Am.

Yet another Mix Tape I feel I should have in my collection that I don't yet is the Stalker Collection. It would include (with coding that won't navigate you from this page, but instead will open a new window, as it should be):

1. Every Breathe You Take, by The Police. I had to get that one out of the way because I think that is the first one that comes to most people's minds. At least it gets it out there right up front: "Every breath you take and every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take I'll be watching you." But really, it climaxes in romance/creepiness at "oh can't you see you belong to me."

2. Invisible, by Clay Aiken. Clay, Clay, Clay. You would just watch her (or maybe him) in her room? But oh, wait, he already is. Invisible. So apparently he's already watching you in your room. Isn't that romantic?

(by the way, sounds like Clay may actually have done a cover of the song, since a boyband from Ireland did it first.

3. Close to You, by The Carpenters. I think this song has even been USED for stalkers on tv or in movies. "That is why all the girls in town follow you all around. Just like me they long to be close to you...." Also, totally dig the pink dress. Ah, those were the days. Bet it was pure polyester.

4. One Way or Another, by Blondie. First of all, one way or another we need to get Blondie a burger or something. She looks skinny in an unhealthy way. But she does make a convincing stalker. "I'll walk down the mall, stand over by the wall, where I can see it all, find out who ya call." Also I think possibly everyone in that video, including the audience and the creepy stage dancers might be on drugs.

5. Can't Stand Losing you, by the Police. Apparently they were good stalkers, because I can think of one or two others that I am not going to put on the list by them. Takes a really creepy turn at the line "you'll be sorry when I'm dead, and all this guilt will be on your head. " Yet, it's the Police, so I still enjoy it.

6. I want you to want me, by Cheap Trick. With the memorable and complex lyrics: " Didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'? Oh, didn't I, didn't I, didn't I see you cryin'? Feelin' all alone without a friend, you know you feel like dyin'.Oh, didn't I, didnt I, didn't I see you cryin'?"

7. The Rain, by Oran "Juice" Jones. I saw you, (and him, and him) walking in the rain. You were holding hands and I"ll never be the same. Although it's really about cheating. Close ya mouth cause you cold busted!

8. Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley: Siiigh. Rick is so cool. "We're no strangers to love. You know the rules and so do I. A full commitment's what I"m thinking of.... Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down... " Do you promise, Rick? What I find interesting is that Rick is now part of a continuing prank on youtube. Have you been Rickrolled?

9. Come to My Window, Melissa Etheridge: "Come to my window. Come on inside, and wait by the light of the moon. Come to my window. I'll be home soon." So I guess really it's an invitation to stalk. And really, so much more creepier once you've seen the intro with Juliette whats-her-face.

10. I'll Be There, Jackson 5. "I'll be there. Just look over your shoulders, honey!" Interesting fact that I learned from watching "The Jacksons: An American Dream," is that it was supposed to be shoulder singular, but that darn cute Michael kept saying shoulders. The boys were quite miffed with him. Just watch the movie and you will see. Also, you'll learn about the time his hair caught on fire.

11. And the song that I thought was THE most romantic song EVER when I was in Junior High School: Right Here Waiting for You, Richard Marx. "Wherever you go, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for you. Whatever it takes or how my heart breaks, I will be right here waiting for you.... I hear the laughter, I taste the tears, but I can't get near you now.... Oh can't you see it, baby? You've got me going crazy. " I'm coming Richard! I'm coming! Just keep your hair feathered like that and we will be golden!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Reunited. And it's understood. I think this calls for a video. In honor of the return of my laptop.




I was a fool to ever leave your side. Me minus you is such a lonely ride. The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad. I realize I love you 'cause I want you bad. Hey. Hey.

Regret the moment that I let you go. Our quarrel was such a way of learnin' so much. I know now that I love you 'cause I need your touch. Hey. Hey.

Reunited and it feels so goodReunited 'cause we understood there's one perfect fit and, sugar, this one is it. We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited. Hey. Hey.

I sat here starin' at the same old wall. Came back to life just when I got your call. I wished I could climb right through the telephone line and give you what you want so you will still be mine. Hey. Hey.

* And that, my friends, is an example of Easy Listening. Always appropriate in the right circumstances, but not my first love.

I'm a Lying Liar

So on MyFace right now, you can create this little quiz about yourself and tell your friends to take it. And I did. And... (sob)... apparently my friends all see me as a (sob), you know, a....

I can't say it. It's too horendous....

I mean, I can take that you think I would love Capture the Flag above all other games (to this day I don't know the rules), and that you think that I want to meet Patrick Dempsey above all other celebrities (he was number two, since he is my boyfriend). But seriously? SERIOUSLY?

Apparently you and I need to have a talk about the music selections I choose to post on here from Youtube and what place they have in my life.

I mean, Easy Listening? You know that is elevator music, right? What crack are you all smoking? I hope that you were all trying to be funny.

FYI, I would say my favorite all-time bands would include:
1. U2
2. Boston (if you don't know why it's over for reals)
3. possibly Counting Crows
4. Jet
5. Cake

I think I might have to be through with you. That is all.

Except to say that almost all of you are convinced that I would like "for a good cause" or "if there is chocolate involved." Have I taught you nothing? Lying is bad. I despise lying. Siiiigh. I feel so misunderstood. I'm going to go get me some chocolate to go with my Lactaid.

I Made Me a Mix Tape!

I have been on this kick lately where I've been wanting to compile a cd with all the older cheesey love songs I remember from my early childhood driving around in the stationwagon and then minivan with mom. Back then men really knew how to woo the ladies. Here's my first pass. What do you think?

1. Lady, by Little River Band. With a kind of stalkerish video montage of Sharon Tate.
2. Meet Me Halfway, Kenny Loggins. The best part of this particular video is that it is a tribute to the love of Lucas and Sammi on Days of Our Lives.
3. We're All Alone, by Rita Coolidge. There was one of this by the guy that wrote it, but it was a little scary.
4. Fly Away, by Olivia Newton-John, and John Denver. I don't actually remember this song. But what a special moment for Olivia and John, there in the woods, in what appears to be their very own biodome, or something.
5. Annie's Song, by John Denver. As an added bonus, the video is an hommage to the friendship of Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews, the stars of one of my favorite musicals, Sound of Music.
6. The Gambler, by Kenny Rogers. Because what says love more than, "every hand's a winner, and every hand's a loser, and the best you can hope for is to die in your sleep."
7. We've Got Tonight, by Bob Seger. You'll see that this song uses the classic act-like-you're-done-then-come-back-for-a-big-finish method. That's the technical term.
8. I Want to Know What Love Is, by Foreigner. This song naturally draws one's mind to that episode of Quantum Leap where our hero falls in love with a woman, reveals his True Self, and they have One Stolen Night of Bliss.
9. You've Got a Friend, by James Taylor. When I was little I think we had a tape with church music on one side, and James Taylor on the other side, and I thought that James Taylor sang church music, too. But what is more romantic than this song? What girl doesn't want to hear "you just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I'll come running to see you again." (I don't think boys actually say that in real life). Also there is a very nice, friendly looking yeti sitting next to James in the video.
10. Tiny Dancer, by Elton John. Obviously written about Elton's little lady. Or is it about Tony Danza? Phoebe would say the latter, as I learned the other day while watching my brand new cable with three interesting channels.

Also as hidden tracks there is this one. And this one.

It's a Sickness.

And no, I don't mean my penchant for youtube, although K considers that a sickness. I mean my sudden LOVE of this song.

You can watch it here. I would embed it, but the stupid heads disabled embedding on this video.


I thought I had weened myself off country and sufficiently nurtured my disdain for it, but I am strangely captivated by this song. Possibly partially because my introduction to it involved the video, which has pretty dresses and castles and stuff. What more could a girl want?

i'm gonna live forever. I'm gonna learn how to fly.

So apparently according to a little online test i found, I'm going to live until the ripe old age of 81. And if I could get my hiney to the gym, I could add like 6 or 7 years to that. It's all due to my devout mormon lifestyle, I think. I don't drink, I don't smoke, what do I do?

I do not wear my shirt quite so stylishly, either.

*Note: Maybe it's that my standards are high for dancing, or maybe it's that choreography has become more important to current bands, but does this not seem like the silliest performance ever? The "vogue" girls drive me crazy. K could tell you what dance they could be doing to that music. It's so danceable and they all just sit there and pose. I got news for you, buddy. You do not look cool.

Sing it Loud!

I've been thinking about songs that were meaningful to me as a child and taught me the ways of the world , and a few songs come right away. There is, of course, the obvious:



My friend from up the street, Paul, taught it to me when we were playing on his slide in his back yard (when I was five).

And then, moving to the swings, this was my song of choice while swinging in my back yard:



The key, of course, was to run inside and put on your sunday shoes so that you could kick them off at the appropriate point. Then jump off in sock feet, run across the muddy lawn, and put them back on so you could do it again. Oddly I have no memories of my mother stopping this fun game.

Also, I enjoyed singing this one.


Possibly I enjoyed this song by Kenny so much because of this:


*K is thrilled I'm doing this post, by the way. I think she's heard the Gambler 5 times now as I pick the right video to embed. And yet even though this is the 5th time it is playing, she's kinda dancing over there while she reads.

This Calls for a Celebration

I was just thinking about Christmas. It is, after all, only a little over six months away. I'm debating how early is too early to get out the Kermit Christmas ornament and the Peanut's Christmas CD, not to mention watch White Christmas. Since I think possibly June is too early, my mind turned to summer stuff. What do you break out to listen to, to decorate with, and to watch for the summer? I thought perhaps the sun might be a good thing to lead the way in breaking out here in Seattle, but that's just crazy talk.

So what does one listen to in celebration of the summer? Sometimes I pick obvious and listen to songs that mention the word "sun" or how the day is beautiful. So:
1. "Soak Up the Sun"
2. "I'm Walkin' on Sunshine (whoa-oh)"
3. "Here Comes the Sun"
4. "It's a Beautiful Day"
5. "You are My Sunshine"
6. "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (out came the sun and dried up all the rain!)

But really I've been finding that Jack Johnson's music is good summer music. Not that it's not good music for the winter. But hearing him makes me want to go to Hawaii. I bet they have sun in Hawaii. We, on the other hand, are good and green.

Thinking of summer movies is a little bit harder for me, for some reason. Possibly because I have never needed an occasion to watch a movie, and I am always in the mood for a movie. So I'm just going to make a list up. Movies I need to watch in honor of summer. So here's my list:

1. Wizard of Oz. Because there is singing and shiny red shoes. It totally goes with summer.
2. Singin' in the Rain. In honor of summer in Seattle
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark, and all the other Indy movies. Adventures sound more fun in the summer.
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Doesn't a Quest sound so much more lovely when the sun is shining?
5. Princess Bride. Because a tumble down a steep hill sounds nice when the sun is out.
6. Parent Trap. They go to a summer camp. And there is whistling. And it was there that I learned for the first time how to repel bears. Or mountain lions. One of those.
7. Troop Beverly Hills. They hike in that movie. Also they stage a concert to sell cookies. They're so spunky.
8. Annie. The sun'll come out tomorrow!
9. Dirty Dancing. They were at a summer resort! Nobody puts baby in the corner.
10. Beaches. For when you feel like a depressing jaunt on the boardwalk.

So my only question is how do I decorate for summer? Opening the blinds is a good start. Sometimes I forget to do that in the winter.

Two Things That are Unforgettable

1. Jack Johnson. He makes me happy. And all the thoughts and memories associated with his music are happy ones. You can't have a fight with someone with Jack Johnson on the radio.

2. My dimples. I saw the photographer from a wedding I was in a several years ago at an event, and he came up and asked me my name. I told him where he remembered me from and he said he couldn't forget dimples like mine. And no, he was not hitting on me. I just have the most adorable smile in the world, so it's hard not to let it draw you in.

Pop Goes Your Internal Music Player

If I have it stuck in my head, you should have it stuck in your head.



You are Gold and Silver.

Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes

When I was about five (that was for my sister), one of my favorite songs to sing was Footloose. I remember vividly putting on my sunday shoes, going out to the swing set, swinging as high as I could and singing the song at the top of my lungs, and when I got to the line "kick of your sunday shoes," I would kick my shoes off. Then I would stop the swing, go and get my shoes, put them on, and do it all over again. I'm sure my mom was thrilled when she did my laundry, because I seem to remember that I was wearing socks.

My other favorite song was the theme song to The Greatest American Hero


My friend Paul taught it to me when I was about five one day while we played on the slide. We sang it as we "flew" down the slide. Because he flew in that show. Note the super cool special effects. I remember I liked that show when I was little, although my memories consist of his perm and the theme song. They just don't make tv like that anymore.

Reason #1 I Know I'm Old

I was giving one of my teenagers a ride home today, and we were listening to "It's the End of the World" by REM (no, I'm not obsessed, it just happened to be on the cd I popped in), and she told me she had never heard the song before. And that she didn't know who REM was.

Five more days till oldness.

It's the End of the World as We Know It

And I feel fine.

So I have this song as a ring on my phone for one of my best friends. The reason I have this ring is to remind myself to chill. It's fitting because when I get all dramatic, emotional, and/or irrational, said friend reminds me that I need to relax. Sometimes I really don't need to relax; sometimes I really DO have reason to be all worked up, dangit! But that's a topic for another blog.

This song came to have this meaning to me in college. I was having a rather rough Senior year, and was stressing about things which in hindsight were the stupidest things to stress about. One night I took a little drive up the canyon and stopped at a little park that had a river. Water calms me. (Remember that if I ever start getting all emotional and girly around you... just drive me to water-- but under no circumstances tell me to calm down). So I took a while to become one with nature and find my happy, and then I got back in the car. I had come to the conclusion that I was blowing things out of proportion, and was thinking that all my little drama was not the end of the world. And then I turned the car on, and the song was playing. It felt like a message that, yes, I am an overdramatic dork. It's been my "get a grip!" song ever since. And I feel fine.

On the flipside, instead of an angry song I have a whole angry cd... Fiona Apple. If you hear it playing just back away slowly and no one will get hurt.

On another note, check this out...

Yup, that's my knee. Hot, isn't it? I wacked it into a desk drawer at work last month. Twice. That night I went to show it to my roommate, thinking it would be about the size of a half-dollar at the most, and it had covered my WHOLE knee in this marbley bruise. It was even swollen. Now that's talent. It went away pretty quick so I didn't get to show it to many people. Thank goodness for cameras so I can share it with you all now. I know you are probably thankful for cameras now, too. Sorry it's not the best quality... but I'm sure you can imagine how beautiful it was in real life. So, one of you told me that I do not have the corner on Clumsy. To which I say, take it back!