Winter Blues

So yesterday or today (I've heard differing reports) is supposed to be the saddest day of the year. This is due to BLAH weather, short daylight hours, and credit card bills rolling in from Christmas. While I don't feel particularly depressed, certainly not more so than usual, it did make me think about things that cheer me up or keep me sane on a daily basis.

First of all, this face:

I have also enjoyed reading more lately-- something I have made a priority. Currently I am reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. More on that over at Two Pelicans Book Club.

Today on the way home from school I heard two songs that made me smile. One was new, or at least new to me. It's called Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. If you haven't heard this song-- I suggest you try to find it somewhere and give it a listen.

**I found it for you :)




Second,  heard Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake. I haven't heard this in ages! It always makes me want to DANCE! (Plus I always laugh at the background vocal "YEAH!" that occurs throughout the song b/c my friend's husband pointed out it sounds like a parrot).

One of the main things that made me happy today is that it was not a total circus at school. As we have been off for 6 days due to snow, there was every chance it would be. The kids actually worked harder and behaved better than usual. Then I found out there is a full moon. Aha!

Oh yeah, and the bag of peanut M&Ms that my TA brought me didn't hurt either!

So what about you guys? What makes you happy during these bleak days of winter?

Kickin' it Old Skool

Thanks to JW for this walk down memory lane!

My Random Thought for the Day...

On the way back from tap tonight I was listening to WUOT... and they played some song performed by the UT Wind Ensemble. Have you ever listened to a piece of music and thought to yourself, "How the heck did this ever get written? Who thought that this combination of 'plinks', 'honks', and 'screeches' works well together..."

I don't know which piece this was-- didn't catch the name. And being a former band nerd, I recognize and appreciate the difficulty of the piece. But I did not enjoy it, would not want to hear it again, nor do I think I would, with time, change my mind.

To each his own, I guess...

Peaceful Patience

Waiting in the Weeds
The Eagles

It's comin' on the end of August
Another summer's promise almost gone
And though I heard some wise man say
That every dog will have his day
He never mentioned that these dog days get so long

I don't know when I realized the dream was over
Well, there was no particular hour, no given day
You know, it didn't go down in flame
There was no final scene, no frozen frame
I just watched it slowly fade away

And I've been waiting in the weeds
Waiting for my time to come around again and
Hope is floating on the breeze
Carrying my soul high up above the ground and
I've been keepin' to myself
Knowin' that the seasons are slowly changing you
And though you're with somebody else
He'll never love you like I do

I've been biding time with the crows and sparrows
While peacocks prance and strut upon the stage
If finding love is just a dance
Proximity and chance
You will excuse me if I skip the masquerade

And I've been waiting in the weeds
Waiting for the dust to settle down along the
Back roads running through the fields
Lying on the outskirts of this lonesome town
And I imagine sunlight in your hair
You're at the county fair

You're holding hands and laughing
And now the Ferris wheel has stopped
You're swinging on the top
Suspended there with him

And he's the darling of the chic
The flavor of the week is melting
Down your pretty summer dress
Baby, what a mess you're making

I've been stumbling through some dark places
Now I'm following the plow
I know I've fallen out of your good graces
It's alright now

And I've been waiting in the weeds
Waiting for the summer rain to fall upon the
Wild birds scattering the seeds
Answering the calling of the tide's eternal tune
The phases of the moon
The chambers of the heart
The egg and dart
A small gray spider spinning in the dark
In spite of all the times the web is torn apart

And I've been waiting in the weeds
Waiting for the time to come around again and
Hope is floating on the breeze
Carrying my soul high up above the ground and
I've been keepin’ to myself
Knowing that the seasons are slowly changing you
And though you're with somebody else
He'll never love you like I do

Source

Video

(Thanks to Leigh for turning me onto this song)

I Like It

1. Put Your iTunes/Windows-based media player on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

What do your friends think of you?
"Love is Strange" Mickey & Sylvia

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
"I miss You a Little" John Michael Montgomery

How would you describe yourself?
"Delicate" Damien Rice(HAHAHAHAHAHAHA)

What do you like in a guy/girl?
"Big MIstake" Peter Cetera(Sounds about right)

How do you feel today?
"Proudest Monkey" Dave Matthews Band

What is your life’s purpose?
"Dirty Dancing" New Kids on the Block(SWEET!)

What is your motto?
"Mr. Blue Sky" ELO

What do you think about very often?
"You Don't Bring Me Flowers Anymore" BArbara Streisand & Neil Diamond
(Man... what a Debbie Downer I am)

What is 2 + 2?
"I Can't Do it Alone" Catherine Zeta Jones Chicago sndtrk.
(Kinda sad since I teach advanced math, eh?)

What do you think of your best friend?
"In the Garden" Johnny Cash

What do you think of the person you like?
"Losing my Religion" REM

What is your life story?
"Hungry Like the Wolf" David Cook version
(Is David Cook the Wolf? Cause that would make sense)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Only the Young" Journey

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
"Coyotes" Jason Mraz

What will you dance to at your wedding?
"Light On" David Cook

What will they play at your funeral?
"Lost in Your Eyes" Debbie Gibson

What is your hobby/interest?
"What Hurts the Most" Rascall Flatts
(There's that depressing shit again)

What is your biggest fear?
"Have you Ever Needed Someone So Bad" Def Leppard

What is your biggest secret?
"My Best Friend" Tim McGraw

What do you think of your friends?
"Dear Old Shiz" Wicked Cast

What will you post this as?
"I Like it" Dixie Chicks
(Is this because people say I look like Natalie Maines?)

myTunes

I go through all kinds of crazy phases and mood swings when it comes to the music I am listening to... I guess this is true of everyone, though I am pretty sure my friend Missy could (& might) listen to Bon Jovi 24/7.

Don't get me wrong-- I LOVE the boys from Jersey, and listen to them my fair share... but lately I've been a lot more mellow. Now sure why, but it has certainly been a nice change.

For the last several days I have pretty much only listened to NPR and WUOT. I love driving to school or wherever else early in the AM listening to the calm DJs and news anchors discussing world problems. In the afternoons I am relaxed by the classical selections. At night the smooth jazz helps me unwind.

Man, I feel like such a grown-up!

I Agree... Without Protest

Acquiesce
Oasis

I don't know what it is
That makes me feel alive
I don't know how to wake
The things that sleep inside
I only wanna see the light
That shines behind your eyes

I hope that I can say
The things I wish I'd said
To sing my soul to sleep
And take me back to bed
You want to be alone
When we could be alive instead

Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know we're going to uncover
What's sleepin' in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
(And) I know we're going to uncover
What's sleepin' in our soul
What's sleepin' in our soul

There are many things
That I would like to know
And there are many places
That I wish to go
But everything's depending
On the way the wind may blow
I don't know what it is
That makes me feel alive
I don't know how to wake
The things that sleep inside
I only wanna see the light
That shines behind your eyes

Because we need each other
We believe in one another
And I know we're going to uncover
What's sleepin' in our soul
Because we need each other
We believe in one another
(And) I know we're going to uncover
What's sleepin' in our soul
What's sleepin' in our soul

What's sleepin' in our soul
What's sleepin' in our soul'
Cause we believe'
Cause we believe
Yeah, we believe'
Cause we believe'
Cause we believe'
Cause we believe
Because we need
Because we need

[ Acquiesce Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Advent Blog: Day 20~ RICK ROLLED!

I admit it... I have a HUGE crush on Rick Astley and have since the late 80's/ early 90's... And I am so glad he is back, popping up left and right to RICK ROLL people... so I am Rick Rolling you for Christmas!



http://perezhilton.com/2008-12-21-a-rickrolld-xmas

Advent Blog: Day 15~ Music, pt. 2

OK, I know I already did one entry on Xmas music... but that was all about silly Christmas songs... this time I decided I would share some of the "modern" Christmas songs I really like:




I've actually never seen that version of the video before... but anyway, you get the drift. Besides, Johnny Depp is fun to look at...







And finally-- this is a song that I really like-- but this version CREEPS me out... Now, we all know I LOVE me some Dolly... I am JOLENE afterall... And Rod Stewart is fine doing his own thing... But Dolly and Rod together is completely WRONG! I first heard this version Saturday-- on my way to Shop with a Cop-- ass early. At first I thought I was imagining this frightening experience... but Josh was there and verified it was really happening... So I felt I should share... you know, since it's the holidays and all... Sharing is caring:

Recollection Phoenix: An Advent Break: Fun with the iPod

1.Put your MP3/iPod on shuffle.
2. Answer each question with the title of the song that comes up. Don't skip it just because it sounds weird or doesn't make sense.
3.Tag 10 other people in this note

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?Negative Energy

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?Folsom Prison Blues
(Does this mean I am going to jail?)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?The Music of the Night
(ahhhh yeah!)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?Try a Little Tenderness

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?Half the World away
(mcSIGH)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?Too Much
(They think too much? I am TOO much?)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?Vogue
(apparently all my friends are quite stylish)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?Imagine

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?PYT (Pretty Young Thing)
--hahahahahaha

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?Let me be the One

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?Suddenly Seymour

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?The Feminie Mistake
(Technically not a song-- but funny cause my dad always wants me to be more "girly")

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?Seat Next to You
(Take me wherever you're going to... Baby save me a seat next to you)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?Come Go with Me

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?Do Me Baby--
hahahahahaha

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?You Can't Touch This

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?I'll Stand By You
(get it iPod!)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?A Boy Named Sue

HOW WILL YOU DIE?Lullaby
(Does this mean in my sleep? Gosh I hope so)

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?I'm a Long Way From Home

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?Maybe This Time

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?Naughty Girl
(misbehaving children?)

WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?I Saw Him Standing There
(standing where???)

WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?Now That We Found Love
(does love scare me? Or Heavy D and the Boys?)

DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?Something to Believe in
(awwww)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?We Shall Overcome
(something about Civil Rights I guess)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?Stupid Girls

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?Recollection Phoenix

Advent Blog: Day 5~ Music

I am quite certain there will be more than one entry pertaining to music as it is a very important part of my life. But today's entry pertains to a certain artist... One that you may or may not be familiar with, though even if you don't recognize the name, you have probably heard his work.

I am talking about Bob Rivers.

Know who he is?

Twisted Christmas... Walkin' round in Women's Underwear... What's it to ya Chorus...

I know some of you are with me now... Bob Rivers is sort of the Weird Al Yankovic of Christmas music... I am a big fan of Weird Al (even seen him in concert!), and thanks to my dad, I am a fan of Bob Rivers... If you have no idea what I am referring to, check it out (There's more on YouTube... search Bob Rivers Twisted Christmas):

I (heart) Stephen Colbert

Thanks to Josh for this link...

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/stephen-colbert-brings-freedom-charlene-to-rock-band/

I am aware that I'm a dork...

But these guys still make me giggly... and, if I do say so, they have aged quite well...

:)

http://perezhilton.com/2008-09-02-new-new-kids

Wasted

I often turn to music for inspiration and even courage... Today's song that is helping inspire me to make this huge move is Wasted by Carrie Underwood... I bolded the *really* important parts :)

Standi'n at the back door
she tried to make it fast
one tear hit the hardwood
it fell like broken glass
she said sometimes love slips away
and you just can't get it back
let's face it

for one split second she almost turned around
but that would be like pouri'n rain drops back into the clouds
so she took another step and said I see the way out and I'm going to take it

Cause I don't want to spend my life jaded,
waiti'n to wake up one day and find
that I let all these years go by, Wasted

Another glass of whiskey
but still don't kill the pain
so he stumbles to the sink
and pours it down the drain
and says it's time to be a man
and stop living for yesterday
Gotta face it

Cause I don't wanna spend my life jaded,
waiti'n to wake up one day and find
I let all these years go by, Wasted

He kept driving along,
until the moon and sun were floating side by side
he looked in the mirror and his eyes were clear for the first time in a while yeah yeah

Oh, I don't want to spend my life jaded waiti'n,
to wake up one day and find,
that I let all these years go by, wasted
--
Lyrics