Greetings followers,
I hope your summer has been a ball and a half. As usual, my summer was conspicuously work-filled and blog-free. I had fully intended to keep blogging throughout the summer, perhaps finish the 30 Day Song Challenge, but that obviously did not happen. So, today I found myself strangely craving a good blogging session after a month of absence. And where better to start than on Day 25 with a song that makes me laugh? And that song is....
"Friends O' Mine" by the fabulously unfabulous Bowling for Soup. Although this song isn't particularly funny, I think the lyrics are clever and honest. The simplicity of the lyrics and rhymes make the song what it is: "We saw the world and the world seems smaller. We're getting wider, but not getting no taller."It is not a masterpiece, it's not even beautiful, but it's real and representative of their relationship. The quality of his voice is mediocre at best and the melody is simplistic and unpolished, but I think the overall effect is raw and perfect. The friendship described isn't polished and pretty, it's messy and unpretentious; if you ask me that is the best kind of friendship there is.
I've already grown bored of this post, but don't want to put off posting it another day. So here it goes. Here's to the simple things in life, to effortless, unpretentious friendships, and finally squeaking out another post. G'night, all.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 24: A Song that You Want to play at Your Funeral
Greetings followers and other random people who are reading [You're awesome.].
[Quick promotion: If you follow my blog, consider following Mr. Jeff Nelson's blog. He's awesome and is just getting started with blogging and needs more followers! [Don't we all?]]
But let's talk about me, that's what's important after all. [I hope the sarcasm in the precious statement was fully communicated and received.] But seriously, today's post is about a song that I want to play at my funeral [hopefully this will not be necessary for many many years.] But in the name of finishing this God-forsaken 30-day challenge, I will answer it.
Although the context of this song has little to do with me or my death, I would love Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" to play at my funeral. I cannot give you a discernible reason for choosing this song, but it has always been a favorite. There's something about the opening description of women and their "pirate smile(s)" that makes you fall in love.
I suppose that is why I chose it for this post. "Tiny Dancer" celebrates the life and the little things about the incredible women that Bernie Taupin [the song's lyricist] and Elton John [both English tourists] witness on the streets of California. To Taupin, these street dancers were free spirits, full of life and worthy of song. I hope that at the end, my life is celebrated as well, rather than my death mourned. [Journalist as an occupation doesn't really offer the same romantic imagery as a dancer [particularly a tiny one], but you get my drift.] While I will never be a dainty street dancer in California, I want to lead a life worthy of a song as beautiful as this one.
I apologize for the short and relatively somber post. I felt that my usual sarcastic tone was inappropriate for today's theme, but there are six days left and hopefully I will pull off another entertaining post before the challenge comes to a close. My stream of blogging wit seems to have run dry for the moment.
But here's to well-written lyrics, free-spirited street dancers, and living life to the fullest. Happy summer, followers.
[Quick promotion: If you follow my blog, consider following Mr. Jeff Nelson's blog. He's awesome and is just getting started with blogging and needs more followers! [Don't we all?]]
But let's talk about me, that's what's important after all. [I hope the sarcasm in the precious statement was fully communicated and received.] But seriously, today's post is about a song that I want to play at my funeral [hopefully this will not be necessary for many many years.] But in the name of finishing this God-forsaken 30-day challenge, I will answer it.
Although the context of this song has little to do with me or my death, I would love Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" to play at my funeral. I cannot give you a discernible reason for choosing this song, but it has always been a favorite. There's something about the opening description of women and their "pirate smile(s)" that makes you fall in love.
I suppose that is why I chose it for this post. "Tiny Dancer" celebrates the life and the little things about the incredible women that Bernie Taupin [the song's lyricist] and Elton John [both English tourists] witness on the streets of California. To Taupin, these street dancers were free spirits, full of life and worthy of song. I hope that at the end, my life is celebrated as well, rather than my death mourned. [Journalist as an occupation doesn't really offer the same romantic imagery as a dancer [particularly a tiny one], but you get my drift.] While I will never be a dainty street dancer in California, I want to lead a life worthy of a song as beautiful as this one.
I apologize for the short and relatively somber post. I felt that my usual sarcastic tone was inappropriate for today's theme, but there are six days left and hopefully I will pull off another entertaining post before the challenge comes to a close. My stream of blogging wit seems to have run dry for the moment.
But here's to well-written lyrics, free-spirited street dancers, and living life to the fullest. Happy summer, followers.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Day 23: A Song that You Want to play at Your Wedding
A wildly enthusiastic greeting to my now 11 followers [including an extra Mark]!
It is mildly ridiculous how much a few extra followers mean. But when two extra followers mean that there are two extra people who give a hoot about what I write, that's pretty awesome. So thanks Mary Bess and Sally [and all my other loyal followers] for sticking with me through a few rough posts. Hopefully this one won't disappoint you.
Enough of all that. Hi. You're here to read about a song that I want to play at my wedding. [Maybe you're not. If you're not, this is a little awkward, but I think you have the wrong blog.] This post was a little tricky because I have no bloody idea what songs I would like to play at my wedding.
But I have finally come to the conclusion that "The Way You Look Tonight" by Maroon 5 will play at my wedding. [I would play the Fred Astaire version, but I love this cover dearly, so deal with it.] There's something about Adam Levine's voice that makes me want to melt into a puddle of quivering goo. [That is an entirely unromantic image, but I just can't help it.] After my first listen, I was pleasantly surprised that the band hadn't slapped the Maroon 5 sound over the classic Sinatra-Astaire early versions. They did an incredible job of contributing to the song while staying true to the original, spectacular vibes. I am continually surprised by Adam's and the rest of Maroon 5's versatility. [I really should go on a Maroon 5 music hunt.]
My favorite music hunting ground [I prefer to hunt in relatively legal territory.] is the local library. I recently returned from the library with a stack of 47 CDs. Excessive? Maybe, but I was curious, and hadn't looked through their selection in a while. I've picked up CDs in the library that I would never think of when browsing YouTube or iTunes, especially classics. [I'm listening to Billie Holiday right now.]
There are the obvious downsides of getting music from the library. For example, most of their music is at least five years old and geared towards 45 year old housewives with a poor taste in music. [I swear to you, there must be 25 Barry Manilow CDs.] But it's forced me to step outside of my musical comfort zone, which was once tragically limited to mediocre alternative rock bands [I still enjoy a select few of them, but my horizons have broadened significantly.] But if you look past the seemingly endless rows of 80s crooners, there are CDs to be listened to [and they are free].
It's late, I'm tired, and this post has taken me far too long. So, here's to teasing poor Barry Manilow [once again. I should really find a new punching bag.], new music, and your local library. Good night.
It is mildly ridiculous how much a few extra followers mean. But when two extra followers mean that there are two extra people who give a hoot about what I write, that's pretty awesome. So thanks Mary Bess and Sally [and all my other loyal followers] for sticking with me through a few rough posts. Hopefully this one won't disappoint you.
Enough of all that. Hi. You're here to read about a song that I want to play at my wedding. [Maybe you're not. If you're not, this is a little awkward, but I think you have the wrong blog.] This post was a little tricky because I have no bloody idea what songs I would like to play at my wedding.
But I have finally come to the conclusion that "The Way You Look Tonight" by Maroon 5 will play at my wedding. [I would play the Fred Astaire version, but I love this cover dearly, so deal with it.] There's something about Adam Levine's voice that makes me want to melt into a puddle of quivering goo. [That is an entirely unromantic image, but I just can't help it.] After my first listen, I was pleasantly surprised that the band hadn't slapped the Maroon 5 sound over the classic Sinatra-Astaire early versions. They did an incredible job of contributing to the song while staying true to the original, spectacular vibes. I am continually surprised by Adam's and the rest of Maroon 5's versatility. [I really should go on a Maroon 5 music hunt.]
My favorite music hunting ground [I prefer to hunt in relatively legal territory.] is the local library. I recently returned from the library with a stack of 47 CDs. Excessive? Maybe, but I was curious, and hadn't looked through their selection in a while. I've picked up CDs in the library that I would never think of when browsing YouTube or iTunes, especially classics. [I'm listening to Billie Holiday right now.]
There are the obvious downsides of getting music from the library. For example, most of their music is at least five years old and geared towards 45 year old housewives with a poor taste in music. [I swear to you, there must be 25 Barry Manilow CDs.] But it's forced me to step outside of my musical comfort zone, which was once tragically limited to mediocre alternative rock bands [I still enjoy a select few of them, but my horizons have broadened significantly.] But if you look past the seemingly endless rows of 80s crooners, there are CDs to be listened to [and they are free].
It's late, I'm tired, and this post has taken me far too long. So, here's to teasing poor Barry Manilow [once again. I should really find a new punching bag.], new music, and your local library. Good night.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Day 22: A Song that You Listen to when You're Sad
Hey, all!
Today is Day 22 of the 30 Day Song Challenge which means that today's song is a song I listen to when I'm sad. But before the song of the day is released, I'd like to clarify. There is a very big difference between a song that I listen to when I'm sad and a sad song. When I am sad, I prefer not to listen to sad music because I am one of those people who prefers not to be sad. [Also, I do not sit on the couch and watch sad movies eating ice cream. However, if that is what makes you feel better, by all means, have at it.]
But I listen to "Blossom" by Ryan Adams when I'm sad, actually the entire Cold Roses album is decent listening-to-while-sad music. Today, I spent about an hour and a half sitting underneath a tree listening to it. I wasn't particularly sad, but I was feeling reflective. [Perfect Day: 75 degrees with a few clouds and a relatively stiff breeze, sitting under a tree in the grass, listening to good music/reading a book/chatting with a friend. Sigh.]
Anyway, Cold Roses was one of the 50+ albums that I downloaded from the library last summer that I didn't really get to listen to fully. I rediscovered it this year when my iPod was on shuffle and I couldn't figure out what lovely song was playing. [Love finding old music. Its like finding a few bucks in your coat pocket from last winter.] Reason you should love this album too: harmonica. [Also, its good and the album cover is pretty. [Fun fact: I have a number of songs on my iPod that I hate, but can't bear to delete because I love the album art so much. #DesignStudentWoes [Third insert: I'd love you forever if you followed me on Twitter: @rachelweeks5]]]
Now that I've thoroughly rambled, I'm sure you're bored. [I'm a smidge bored as well.] Only 8 days left in the 30 Day Song Challenge. Think you can hold out until the end? Here's to harmonicas, good weather, and to putting off your final paper a few hours more. Night.
Today is Day 22 of the 30 Day Song Challenge which means that today's song is a song I listen to when I'm sad. But before the song of the day is released, I'd like to clarify. There is a very big difference between a song that I listen to when I'm sad and a sad song. When I am sad, I prefer not to listen to sad music because I am one of those people who prefers not to be sad. [Also, I do not sit on the couch and watch sad movies eating ice cream. However, if that is what makes you feel better, by all means, have at it.]
But I listen to "Blossom" by Ryan Adams when I'm sad, actually the entire Cold Roses album is decent listening-to-while-sad music. Today, I spent about an hour and a half sitting underneath a tree listening to it. I wasn't particularly sad, but I was feeling reflective. [Perfect Day: 75 degrees with a few clouds and a relatively stiff breeze, sitting under a tree in the grass, listening to good music/reading a book/chatting with a friend. Sigh.]
Anyway, Cold Roses was one of the 50+ albums that I downloaded from the library last summer that I didn't really get to listen to fully. I rediscovered it this year when my iPod was on shuffle and I couldn't figure out what lovely song was playing. [Love finding old music. Its like finding a few bucks in your coat pocket from last winter.] Reason you should love this album too: harmonica. [Also, its good and the album cover is pretty. [Fun fact: I have a number of songs on my iPod that I hate, but can't bear to delete because I love the album art so much. #DesignStudentWoes [Third insert: I'd love you forever if you followed me on Twitter: @rachelweeks5]]]
Now that I've thoroughly rambled, I'm sure you're bored. [I'm a smidge bored as well.] Only 8 days left in the 30 Day Song Challenge. Think you can hold out until the end? Here's to harmonicas, good weather, and to putting off your final paper a few hours more. Night.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 21: A Song that You Listen to when You're Happy
Oh, hey there.
It’s been a while. And things aren't looking like I'm going to finish the 30 Day Song Challenge before school lets out. I have failed this challenge in so many ways it has become the teensiest bit embarrassing. However, I am resilient. Regardless of my tardiness in this assignment, today's theme is a song that I listen to when I'm happy. My recent obsession/happy song is...
"Talk on Indolence" by The Avett Brothers [the live version, of course]. I'm not sure if it is physically possible to listen to this song without jumping or bobbing or stomping or generally jiving. [Of course, I haven't really tried to resist.] I'm 124% certain I have pissed my roommate off with my frequent and violent dancing to this song. [But I will never apologize!] I just cannot resist the enthusiasm of The Avett Brothers. Whether they are hopping up and down the stage with a banjo or swinging a cello around their head, these boys know how to jam. [The video on YouTube is great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl4wLgw-6Zk].
[Warning: Self-important rant is a-comin'.] I will never scorn a musician who loves to play, even if what they play is torturously bad. [Side note: Avett Brothers are not torturously bad, I just feel like pushing my opinions on people.] If Mary Sue Berry wants to squawk around on a clarinet a bit, who am I to tell her she isn’t good enough? Little Miss Berry doesn’t necessarily deserve a record deal [Of course, if Mary Sue is blonde with big boobs, she might get one anyway.] Music is made to affect people. So if a few unpracticed chords on a piano are what make Franklin happy, I can dig it.
Well, this post ran out of gas pretty fast, surprising considering the kick-ass-ity of the song/band. I apologize for the lame-sauce writing. I tried. Hopefully Day 22 will be slightly more entertaining.
Until then, followers [All 8 of you.] Here's to musicians with passion and enthusiasm [including Mary Sue and Franklin]. Too bad they could do nothing to help today's painfully uninspired writing.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day 20.5: Back the Hell Off of Justin Bieber
I'm going to take a moment to address an issue that I [suddenly and surprisingly] feel like addressing: Justin Bieber.
If the pure sight of his name makes you violently ill, feel free to go, I'll see you again on Day 21 [hopefully]. But if you are intrigued, please, take a seat.
Point one: I have not been infected by Bieber fever, I promise you that. [I actually hate the phrase "Bieber Fever." My apologies to Bieber families who's last name has been turned into a disease.] Unlike many Bieberians, I have no desire to hunt down, kidnap, and chain the poor boy in my basement. I do not swoon at the sound of his voice. I can count the number of Bieber YouTube videos I have seen on one hand [maybe two]. I do not sigh when he flips his hair [or cry when he cuts it]. I don't even particularly like his music.
HOWEVER [Here comes point two, this is the important part.]
Point two: [You're excited, aren't you?] I respect Justin Bieber. I respect his compassion for his fans [despite their overwhelming stalker tendencies.] I respect his love for music. I respect his drive and hard work. I respect his musical talent. I respect [maybe even envy] his dancing talent as well. I respect that he has maintained a sense of humility throughout his rise to fame. I respect his enormous contributions to the Haiti and Japan relief effort. I respect that he just tweeted about his mother's birthday. I respect Justin Bieber, because he is a superstar, without controversy, without addiction, and without an ego the size of Texas. He's a good kid. So, I implore you to back the hell off of Justin Bieber.
So, you, who take shots at the poor kid, stop. Justin Bieber does not look like a lesbian. He is not gay. He is not a loser or a fag. He is not a woman or transgender. [a) You need to find yourself a better set of insults. b) You need to consider the fact that almost any woman under the age of 25 on the planet will sleep with him. Good luck working that out for yourself.] Yes, he has a high voice, but you know what? So does Justin Timberlake and Chris Martin [from Coldplay] and James Blunt and Michael Jackson and Timothy Schmit [from the Eagles] and Wayne Newton [and others, but I'm getting bored].
I like Justin Bieber because he is talented and passionate. I will never be a Belieber [or any other variety of Bieber pun the media can come up with], but I respect him. So, here's to little boys who wish upon a star, men who work hard, and once in a lifetime opportunities that make dreams come true. Never say never, followers. *
If the pure sight of his name makes you violently ill, feel free to go, I'll see you again on Day 21 [hopefully]. But if you are intrigued, please, take a seat.
Point one: I have not been infected by Bieber fever, I promise you that. [I actually hate the phrase "Bieber Fever." My apologies to Bieber families who's last name has been turned into a disease.] Unlike many Bieberians, I have no desire to hunt down, kidnap, and chain the poor boy in my basement. I do not swoon at the sound of his voice. I can count the number of Bieber YouTube videos I have seen on one hand [maybe two]. I do not sigh when he flips his hair [or cry when he cuts it]. I don't even particularly like his music.
HOWEVER [Here comes point two, this is the important part.]
Point two: [You're excited, aren't you?] I respect Justin Bieber. I respect his compassion for his fans [despite their overwhelming stalker tendencies.] I respect his love for music. I respect his drive and hard work. I respect his musical talent. I respect [maybe even envy] his dancing talent as well. I respect that he has maintained a sense of humility throughout his rise to fame. I respect his enormous contributions to the Haiti and Japan relief effort. I respect that he just tweeted about his mother's birthday. I respect Justin Bieber, because he is a superstar, without controversy, without addiction, and without an ego the size of Texas. He's a good kid. So, I implore you to back the hell off of Justin Bieber.
So, you, who take shots at the poor kid, stop. Justin Bieber does not look like a lesbian. He is not gay. He is not a loser or a fag. He is not a woman or transgender. [a) You need to find yourself a better set of insults. b) You need to consider the fact that almost any woman under the age of 25 on the planet will sleep with him. Good luck working that out for yourself.] Yes, he has a high voice, but you know what? So does Justin Timberlake and Chris Martin [from Coldplay] and James Blunt and Michael Jackson and Timothy Schmit [from the Eagles] and Wayne Newton [and others, but I'm getting bored].
I like Justin Bieber because he is talented and passionate. I will never be a Belieber [or any other variety of Bieber pun the media can come up with], but I respect him. So, here's to little boys who wish upon a star, men who work hard, and once in a lifetime opportunities that make dreams come true. Never say never, followers. *
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Day 20: A Song that You Listen to when You're Angry
Arr!
Because today's theme is a song that I listen to when I'm angry, today's post [from now on] will be written in my best pirate interpretation [because pirates are perpetually angry. [Also because I found a pirate translator online.]]. So angry song of the day is...
"U+Ur Hand" by Pink [or P!nk, I'm honestly not sure how she prefers it...]. In general, Pink is excellent angry music, especially when one is pissed about men [or stupid girls for that matter]. She's also a favorite when I'm not even mad, but want to sing/scream really loud. [This sort of spectacle usually occurs in my car with the doors tightly sealed. Fun fact: I have hand drummed on my steering wheel hard enough to make my radio skip. What can I say? I go hard.] Oops. Forgot about the pirate thing... Arrg, whar's me booty?!
I haven't decided how I feel about Pink as a person yet. Watching her E! True Hollywood Story [Yes, I actually sat through that.] you'd think she's kind of a selfish wench. But she also seems to be a genuine and talented person [I suppose it is possible that she's both genuine and talented while still being a selfish wench. Maybe she is genuinely a talented, selfish wench. Or perhaps a wenchingly selfish, genuine talent.] But I thoroughly enjoyed her interview with Brad Pitt and the rest of Ocean's 11, it made me like both of them a lot more. [I'll leave you to make your own assessment of Pink's moral character: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnA30dPAMWM]
[I have returned from my 20 minute Pink YouTube binge to finish this blog.] The cool thing about Pink is that she could be a normal person. If she was lacking her golden pipes and was plopped down in a mall in the middle of the Midwest, she'd be written off as one of those posers who hang around the mall [You know the ones]. You could hang out with Pink, be Pink's neighbor. [Now Brad Pitt on the other hand, could not be plopped anywhere without getting a few looks.] I like the celebrities who maintain a sense of humanity rather than stardom. She seems pretty cool to me.
So here's to jam sessions alone in the car, E! Hollywood specials, and celebrities who are still people.
[Oops... I have entirely abandoned the pirate theme.... guess I'd make a poor pirate. Bummer.]
Because today's theme is a song that I listen to when I'm angry, today's post [from now on] will be written in my best pirate interpretation [because pirates are perpetually angry. [Also because I found a pirate translator online.]]. So angry song of the day is...
"U+Ur Hand" by Pink [or P!nk, I'm honestly not sure how she prefers it...]. In general, Pink is excellent angry music, especially when one is pissed about men [or stupid girls for that matter]. She's also a favorite when I'm not even mad, but want to sing/scream really loud. [This sort of spectacle usually occurs in my car with the doors tightly sealed. Fun fact: I have hand drummed on my steering wheel hard enough to make my radio skip. What can I say? I go hard.] Oops. Forgot about the pirate thing... Arrg, whar's me booty?!
I haven't decided how I feel about Pink as a person yet. Watching her E! True Hollywood Story [Yes, I actually sat through that.] you'd think she's kind of a selfish wench. But she also seems to be a genuine and talented person [I suppose it is possible that she's both genuine and talented while still being a selfish wench. Maybe she is genuinely a talented, selfish wench. Or perhaps a wenchingly selfish, genuine talent.] But I thoroughly enjoyed her interview with Brad Pitt and the rest of Ocean's 11, it made me like both of them a lot more. [I'll leave you to make your own assessment of Pink's moral character: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnA30dPAMWM]
[I have returned from my 20 minute Pink YouTube binge to finish this blog.] The cool thing about Pink is that she could be a normal person. If she was lacking her golden pipes and was plopped down in a mall in the middle of the Midwest, she'd be written off as one of those posers who hang around the mall [You know the ones]. You could hang out with Pink, be Pink's neighbor. [Now Brad Pitt on the other hand, could not be plopped anywhere without getting a few looks.] I like the celebrities who maintain a sense of humanity rather than stardom. She seems pretty cool to me.
So here's to jam sessions alone in the car, E! Hollywood specials, and celebrities who are still people.
[Oops... I have entirely abandoned the pirate theme.... guess I'd make a poor pirate. Bummer.]
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