More Things I'm Loving

1. This video


Look how much they've grown up!!! Oh crap, I need to go do some preemptive crying.

2. Tumblr
Yeah, yeah I'm about two years late on this one but better late than never right? So why do I love tumblr? Cause it's pretty. It's like twitter with pictures.

My tumblr link: http://alittlebitofrandomnessinmylife.tumblr.com/

3. Honeysuckle in bloom
I had to take my car in for an oil change the other day and while I was waiting I walked down the street to Coffee & Bean. The sun was out, the warm day tempered by a slight breeze, and the sidewalk was lined with honeysuckle in bloom, tickling my nose with an aroma that is nothing short of delicious. Instantly I was reminded of my college days, walking with my roommates to the Caf for a dinner that would inevitably stretch into an hour plus of sitting around the table complaining about the food and eating too much desert and laughing so hard our sides ached. Honeysuckle grows aplenty around that campus and the scent of it never fails to take me back to this time. I still keep in touch with most of these girls but occasionally I ache for how much I miss the simplicity of life before the "real world."

4. My hair
It's narcissistic shallowness. I've always either loved or hated my hair which, when left to dry natural becomes a frizzy mess and when styled curly or straight is still unpredictable and prone to dry ends and oily roots. Good hair days can be few and far between and bad hair days can sink me into a foul mood of constant grumbliness about life in general. BUT. I've recently switched to a sulfate-free shampoo and silicone-free product and it seems to be making all the difference in the world. My hair as of late has been silky and bouncy and in turn I've found good moods much easier to come by. Shallow? Indeed. Do I care? Not really.  

5. Death Cab for Cutie's new album 
It hasn't received the most stellar reviews so I was a little wary but honestly, I love it. I haven't listened to it with the extent that I've listened to Narrow Stairs or Transatlanticism but it's a really lovely album. Ben Gibbard's voice will always make me happy though, as depressing as some of his songs can be (I have several DCFC songs on a playlist in my itunes that is entitled "Angst.") Although, it must be said this this album is by far the most cheerful I've ever heard this band. It's kind of refreshing and I enjoy seeing the transformation between albums. Favorite songs so far: Home is a Fire, Codes and Keys, Monday Morning, Underneath the Sycamore, Stay Young Go Dancing.

Things I'm Loving

1. Nerdist podcast
Chris Hardwick, host of Web Soup, and his friends Matt Mira and Jonah Ray talk about nerdy things and interview awesome people. And when I say "nerdy things" I mean everything from video games to to stand-up to television to movies to crappy jobs and everything in between. I really don't know anything about comics and video games so that stuff loses me but I'm always entertained. My favorites are of course the podcasts with celebrity guests because they go above and beyond what you normally hear in celebrity interviews. The best in my opinion are are Joel McHale's (he tells hilarious stories about his kids, Donald Glover's (they joke about writing a Back to the Future musical based on Mayor Goldie Wilson and Donald describes the Simpson's Spec script that landed him his 30 Rock writing job), Rainn Wilson's (they have a fascinating conversation about religion and philosophy) and Damon Lindelof's (they discuss Lost and the different ways one can watch and enjoy a television show). But other awesome guests include Wil Wheaton, Ed Helms, Matt Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Craig Ferguson, Alison Brie and Danny Pudi. It's highly entertaining stuff and I'm pretty sure that listening to these podcasts is the only thing that kept me sane when I got stuck in traffic for 10 hours on I-5 the other day. Blech.

Also, if I can afford it I'm going to try to see their live podcast show in San Diego during ComiCon in July.

2. This video.


What was that you just heard? Oh yeah, it was the sound of my soul SQUEEING in delight. That one minute of video just made a top five list of CUTEST THINGS I'VE EVER LAID EYES ON. EVER.

3. The new Fleet Foxes album
Holy crapsicles. How did it take me so long to download this album? It's is in one word, CRA-MAZING-ALICIOUS. That's not a word? Whatever. This album makes me stupidly incoherent. Favorite songs right now: Lorelai, Battery Kinzie, Sim Sala Bim and Grown Ocean.

4. Coconut Frappucuinos from Starbucks
Chocolate is awesome. Coconut is awesome. Put them together and what do you get? A new addiction for Shannon.

5. Greendale Texts from Last Night
I find the website Texts From Last Night to be hilarious because I will always love crazy drunk people. And now there's Greendale Texts from Last Night which superimposes these amazing texts over screencaps from Community. Again, it's simple math. Add two already great things together and you get something that gives me irrepressible happiness.

One of my favorites.

I just spent a half an hour on that site looking for the best ones to post here. So pretty much it's just one big time suck for me. FYI, there's a Texts from Pawnee too.

Oh internet, I give up. You win.

Sounds of Winter

1. Creep - Scala and Kolacny Brothers
2. Down to the River - Paul Noonan and Lisa Hannigan
3. Fancy Footwork - Chromeo
4. Fight for this Love - Vampire Weekend
5. Harold T. Wilkins - Fanfarlo
6. If You Run - Boxer Rebellion
7. Just a Dream - Sam Tsui and Christina Grimmie
8. Little Shadow - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
9. Pioneers - Bloc Party
10. Ring of Fire - Jack Savoretti
11. Rise - The Frames
12. Rolling in the Deep - Adele feat. Jamie xx and Childish Gambino
13. Runaway - Kanye West
14. Shell Games - Bright Eyes
15. Soldier - Ingrid Michaelson
16. Some Surprise - Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan
17. Time After Time - Matt Ketteman and Cameron Mizell
18. Trust - Generationals
19. Window are Rolled Down - Amos Lee

Oh I Like You Internet

Why does this make me laugh so hard? I don't even know. But there you go...



And then there's this tumblr, which I have to admit earned my undying love for the name alone: Cats That Look Like Ron Swanson

AND, AND, THIS: Who is Arcade Fire?

LOL for freaking ever. Keep on doing what you do Arcade Fire. I love ya. (And if in the midst of this "doing what you do" you happen to continue to piss off a few million Beiber Fever crazies, then well, good on you).

i'll never find another you

Ben Gibbard, Zooey Deschanel and cover of The Seekers? Yeah, I like all of these things.

Screw Angelina and Brad, this is my favorite famous married couple.

And can they please perform together more often? Death Cab is supposed to be releasing a new album next year - maybe a new song on there? Or heck, release an album together. I'd listen to the two of them be folksy and adorable together all day.

What I Did Over My Summer Vacation Part II

In August I flew to Chicago to visit my friend Melissa and attend the Lollapallooza music festival. The entire weekend was, without a doubt, one of my tip-top mountain top moments of the summer. It would be impossible for me to really talk about the whole thing without becoming a crazy rambling person. So... just a few notes.

1. There were somewhere upward of a hundred bands, musicians and groups that performed during these three days. We were able to see about twenty of these including: The National, The New Pornographers, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, Frightened Rabbit, B.o.B., Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Mumford & Sons, The Temper Trap, Matt and Kim, Green Day, Rogue Wave, Grizzly Bear, Switchfoot and Hockey (these are just the ones I can name off the top of my head). Anyone paying attention to some of my music playlists over the past year should know that all those names together were enough to throw me into fits of glee.

2. I don't like humidity. My hair specifically does not like humidity and I ended up having to wear it curly for almost the entire weekend.

3. I could have handled the humidity on it's own but couple that with being outside ALL DAY surrounded by thousands of people who are equally sweaty and sticky? Gross. At the end of each day, the moment we re-entered my friend's air-conditioned apartment it was all I could to not not throw myself into the shower weeping with joy.

4. Cicadas are creepy. And loud. But kind of perfect.

5. Say what you will about her, Lady Gaga puts on a pretty damn good show.

6. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes are one part sixties-throwback, two parts pure love. I fell in love with this band when I first heard “Home” on Community and that song still fills me with lovely fits of joy. And now I think I know why.  Of all the bands I saw that weekend they were the one that seemed to best exemplify the spirit of a music festival. And I do believe that the organizers underestimated the size of the crowd they could draw because we ended up packed in with a couple thousand sweaty fans into a too small venue. (Other than the Lady Gaga concert it was the most "crowded" I felt all weekend). But somehow it just became part of the experience.

And at the end of the show, it was obvious that the crowd didn’t want it to be over and the band ended up coming back out for an encore (the only time I saw this happen over the weekend with a band that wasn’t headlining). The lead singer asked everyone to sit down and miracle of miracles people found a way to do so. He then walked out into the crowd and sang the song “Brother.” It was moving and lovely and for a moment I could almost imagine that it was forty years ago and we were in the middle of the Summer of Love at Woodstock. 

7. It rained on Saturday morning, which made for some pretty muddy conditions. Honestly, I wasn't too horrifed by it through because it felt like a nice respite from the heat (plus it made for thinner crowds) Unfortunately, the clouds burned off fairly early and we were once again left with suffocating humidity and and sweaty crowds of Lollapalooza revelers.

8. Another favorite Lollapallooza moment came at the very end. Arcade Fire closed out Sunday night and it was, for lack of a better term, epic. I can’t imagine another band being more suited for the moment. Arcade Fire already has a grand quality about them with their seven members switching off violin, cello, guitar, drum, keyboard (and on and on) playing duties. When they’re on stage they exude an energy that is completely infectious. Although, I have a feeling that the crowd of thousands they were playing for contributed to the energy on that field. It was the end of three long, hot and tiring days and yet for that hour we all seemed to gather the energy to dance and sway and scream the lyrics together. They last song played at the end of their encore was "Wake Up" and it was absolutely beautiful. Hearing thousands of people belt out in unison the "Oh-ooohs" with crazy abandon was nothing short of breathtaking. And as luck would have it I found a YouTube video of the moment. 



9. I love Chicago. Not that I would ever live there because again - Humidity + My hair = Frightening. But it really is a lovely city. The Thursday before Lollapalooza Melisa and I took the entire day to walk around the city, find some good food and hit up Sprinkles for some yummy cupcakes (yeah, I live in L.A. but it took a trip to Chicago for me to have my first Sprinkles cupcakes).

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of the city is that it actually has a dependent and useful transportation system. Sounds like a weird thing to love right? But it lends to an unmistakable energy about the city - rumblings of different train lines, the footsteps and chatter of commuters walking to work, blaring taxi horns...  there's life in all that.

Each day we took the train into the city and spent the commute listening to music and watching episodes of Community on our iPhones (and I would choose this over an hours worth of freeway traffic in a heartbeat.) And each night, after an exhausting day of walking and standing around, there was nothing like the relief of sliding into those vinyl train seats and curling up to enjoy the ride home. Saturday may have been my favorite night because we were on the 12:30 am train and most of our riding companions were fellow Lollapallooza-goers or drunk bar crawlers. As you might imagine, this lead to some highly entertaining antics. And lots of singing.

10. Each night of Lollapalooza closes out with dueling headliners. Friday it was Lady Gaga/The Strokes, Saturday it was Green Day/Phoenix, and Sunday it was Arcade Fire/Soundgarden. The acts would play until 10:00 at which time the entire park would spill out onto the streets of Chicago. I'm almost positive that the regular citizens of the city did not much appreciate having tens of thousands of crazy drunk people screaming and singing down the streets. But for me? It pretty much cemented this weekend as one of the most epically beautiful ever.

The last night, after the final strains of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up" drifted off into the night, we directed our achy and tired feet toward the exits. We were sweaty and sticky and covered in beer and mud but we were exhilarated after three days of music and fun and laughter. As we moved with the crowd onto the streets I even half wondered if we would even make it the twelve or so blocks back to the train station (I had been on my feet so long that they were actually swollen in pain). There was a sense of bittersweet melancholy as we walked away from the park for the last time but even blocks away we could still hear the swell of people singing the "Oh-Oh's" chorus of "Wake Up." Maybe it's cheesy but at that moment I felt a sense of camaraderie with these strangers and I knew that I would never forget that moment or the entire three days preceding.

Thanks for the memories Lollapalooza 2010.

Things I'm Loving

1. The Hunger Games

I had heard a lot of talk recently about the release of the third book in this trilogy, Mockingjay, and everything seemed to point to it being something I would enjoy so I bought the first book while I was at Target the other day. After a few days of it just sitting around in various places around my house I finally picked it up last night at around 10:30. And I COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. Which resulted in me staying up till about 3 am to finish the dang thing. My eyeballs were ready to melt out of my skull but it was so worth it - really well written and thought-provoking and riveting. I was completely caught up in the world of of Katniss and Peeta and this strange North America That Was.

I've always had a weird fascination with these post-apocalyptic/Big Brother-taking-over kinds of stories where human character is tested: The Giver, Brave New World, The Road - books that ask, when faced with the direst of circumstances how will we respond and react to the world and each other? And yes, sometimes it's extremely dark and brutal but also just so lovely at the same time. Kind of like life I suppose.

Needless to say, I'm on my way out to pick up books two and three right now.

2. AMC

So, I was going to give this spot to Breaking Bad because I've been main-lining that show like a heroin (IRONY) these past few weeks and am just absolutely blown away by everything that this show chooses to be. But then Mad Men waltzed on in this week and punched me in the face with about eighty-seven different emotions. So, AMC in general? I love you.

I started in on Breaking Bad actually for silly reasons (I saw Aaron Paul hanging around at Lollapallooza and thought, hey I should watch his show) but then it completely sucked me in. These characters are so well-drawn and believable. I simultaneously hate them and love them. Walt is a complete badass and scary as hell at times but at the same time I can't help rooting for the guy. And Jesse is a whiny entitled idiot but I just want to weep for him because despite it all he still feels so innocent. And in almost every single episode I find myself at some point all curled-up and tense at wondering about the fate of these characters. I'm loving it and hating it at the same time because it's SO good but it's destroying my soul in the telling of this completely devastating story.

And speaking of devastating: Mad Men. Holy goodness, Jon Hamm. You sir, are an actor. This past episode killed me. Don and Peggy bonding and leaning on each other and yelling at each other and being so truthful in a way hardly anyone on this show every is - it was just beautiful. The last scene where he holds her hand? Still makes me a little choked up just thinking about it.

Yes AMC, thank you for your deliciously wonderful programming. This is quality.

Oh! And I find myself a little stupidly excited for The Walking Dead. I think this might go back to what I was saying above about my weird fascination with post-apocalyptic themes. Check out the trailer.





3. Lollapallooza Artists

I still really need to do a blog dedicated to the entirety of Lollapallooza but right now I'm just focusing on some of my new favorite artists that have come from the event. Namely, Mumford and Sons, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes and The Temper Trap. In the case of Edward Sharpe, this was a band that I already loved; "Home" is one of my favorite songs right now and will probably always remind me a little bit of 2010. But watching them live is a completely new experience. First, their set was probably one of my favorites from the entire weekend. It was also probably the biggest hippy-dippy-love-fest I've ever been a part of (This band EXUDES love and happiness). I've since been listening to the entire self-titled C.D. and it's the perfect companion for a drive down the coast with the windows down. (Fun/sad fact: the seed money to record their first album came from Mr. Health Ledger *sigh*).

I also knew The Temper Trap previously. Or rather, the one song "Sweet Disposition" from the "500 Days of Summer" soundtrack. But the entire CD is pretty fabulous. Every song is something unique and ranging between the upbeat "Fader" ad the smooth "Soldier On" that accentuates the crazy high falsetto of the lead singer.

Then there's Mumford and Sons who are adorable Aussies with a folksy sound. And... I don't even know what to say. Amazing lyrics and harmony. It's hard to choose a favorite song but I'd have to say that The Cave is pretty high on the list. It's one of those songs that makes me want to get up and DO something with this life.


4. Threadless.com

If I could live in a tee-shirt and jeans forever I would. And this website would keep me in tee-shirts for life cause I would buy almost everything. Like this design which has been sold out forever. But I WANT.

5. Blueberry Vodka

It's like you're not even drinking alcohol. Which yeah, kind of dangerous. But it's all good. Just throw a splash of lemonade in there and it's like blueberries are having a party in your mouth! Plus you get drunk. And sometimes that's fun.

Spring Music Soundtrack

Lately, I seem to be downloading new music every single day so the spring was an eclectic mix of everything from jazz to rap. I'm pretty sure my neighbors are going to start thinking I have some sort of weird split personality.

Here's my soundtrack from the past few months.

1. Blinding - Florence and The Machine
This band has such an interesting sound. It’s kind of weird and haunting but also kind of addicting. Right? It’s one of those songs I’ve found myself listening to over and over on repeat just because I can’t get tired of it.

2. Bye Bye Bye - Plants and Animals
I think this is one that I first heard on Chuck (seriously, the music on that show is so good). Anyway, I have this playlist in itunes called “Movie Montage Moments” and it’s basically a list of all the songs that I can imagine being part of the soundtrack of some of the ongoing stories in my head. And I think that makes me sound like a crazy person a little bit. But nevertheless, this song is now a part of that playlist.

3. Catch Them All – Headlights
I think this may have been one of those free Starbucks songs, or otherwise it just magically appeared in my list of recent downloads but either way I love it.

4. Closer to Love – Mat Kearney
So I had kind of forgotten about this guy and then one day I was randomly looking through itunes and saw that he had a new album. I listened to a couple songs and really liked this one but I didn’t download it. And then I kid you not, the next day I was sitting at Starbucks and it started playing. So of course I was like, IT’S A SIGN! And I went home and downloaded it. I really like the line, “We’re all just one phone call from our knees.”

5. Conversation 16 – The National
The National is really quickly becoming my favorite band. I LOVE their new album and I am so ridiculously excited to see them at Lolla. I especially love them for lines line, “I was afraid I’d eat your brains cause I’m evil.”

6. The Curse – Josh Ritter
I can’t even handle how much I love this song. Look up the lyrics and read through them, like eight times. Because there’s a really interesting story there but there are about eighteen different underlying meanings you could take away from it and the writer in me is a little amazed by that.

7. Feeling Good – Nina Simone
This is another one from Chuck. It’s old school but I’ve been listening to a lot of jazz lately. Sometimes I’m up really late at night and jazz just seems appropriate. Although sometimes it makes me feel like taking up smoking and drinking scotch. Weird.

8. Get It – Childish Gambino
Okay, so I don’t really have an explanation for this one. First, there’s an obvious NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN that should be stamped over this track. Second, I’ve never been into rap at all but I can’t help it, I love this. Maybe I’m biased because it’s Donald Glover who plays Troy on Community and I’m a teeny bit in love with him. So there you so. I don’t even know who I am anymore.

9. Humdrum Town – Theophilus London
Pretty sure I found this one because it was recommended by my fake cutie political boyfriend Chris Hayes. And it turned into another one of those songs that I can listen to on hour long loops. I like to listen to it while driving around with the windows down through my own little humdrum town.

10. I Go to the Barn Because I Like the – Band of Horses
I really love Band of Horses and I know they just came out with a new album but I was again, on itunes, and I found this older one. The opening line is my favorite. “Well I'd like to think I'm the mess you'd wear with pride.”

11. In These Arms – The Swell Season
I just re-watched Once recently and it got me wanting to search out more of their stuff. This entire album is pretty awesome. Now that I’m using my iphone as my ipod I usually plug it in at night and play music as I’m trying to sleep (and I usually end up waking up in the morning to music still playing) and this is one of the albums that is fabulous to sleep to.

12. Lessons Learned – Matt & Kim
I think I’ve put some Matt & Kim stuff on earlier mixes but I really like them. They’re so upbeat. And they’re going to be at Lolla! I love that so many awesome bands are going to be there. Me = EXCITED.

13. Live Forever – Matt Morris
You know how I said that I’ve been playing music to put myself to sleep? Well, this is on my playlist of “Sleepy Time” songs and weirdly enough it was the song that was playing when I woke up for about five days in a row. Which also meant that it was in my head continuously for those five days. This is okay. I’m not complaining.

14. Myriad Harbor – The New Pornographers
I love this band enough for the name alone. Okay, well, there’s more than just the name but really? Where do these bands come up with these names? If you were in a band what would the name be? My sisters and I used to try and come up with weird names. I think my favorite was “Shannon and the Sunburns.” Another good one: “Sock Drawer.”

15. The Myth of Us – Joshua Radin
So randomly I was going through my itunes one Tuesday and I was listening to some Joshua Radin songs and found myself thinking that I hadn’t seen anything new from him in awhile. And when I checked online I discovered that he had just released a new EP THAT VERY DAY. It was a sign. So purchased it and this was my favorite song. All the others are good too though. Of course.

16. Physics Never Stood a Chance
I don’t know where I find these songs. But I LOVE this lyric. “And I was … to capture you in song but your will’s too strong, I can’t write you into my life, in my greatest work of fiction, is it true that we don’t work on paper.” Sometimes that’s all it takes, this hook or lyrics to make me feel ridiculous about some of these songs. I want to be able to write something so beautiful and meaningful.

17. Solitary Gun – Rogue Wave
I know they say that the album is a slowly dying art and that everyone just buys all theses single and I’m afraid I’m a part of that. I love Rogue Wave but I’ve only heard this song from their newest album. Oh, I’m a horrible fan. Why can’t I have an endless supply of money to spend any which way on itunes? Life is so unfair.

18. Swim Until You Can’t See Land – Frightened Rabbit
I was trying to figure out where I first found this band and then I remembered that it was from Rainn Wilson in an interview I saw online and seriously, what was life like before the internets? I cannot remember. Where would I find all this amazing music otherwise? Best Buy? Pshaw. So archaic.

19. Walls – The Rocket Summer
I believe I first heard this song in the Friday Night Light promos – which seriously give me chills every single time. I think the lead singer sounds a lot like the lead singer from Augustana. He kind of has the same upper register thing going on.

20. 40 Day Dream – Edward Sharpe
I didn’t realize how many Lolla bands there were on this list until I started writing it. But I am ridiculously excited for this band. Why? Because it sounds like they would be fun in concert. They’re so folksy and throwback and “Home” is basically one of my favorite songs in this world right now.

Winter Music Soundtrack

So every season my lovely friend Melissa and I exchange some of the top songs that we've been listening to over the past few months. I like to think of these as little seasonal soundtracks.  It's a teensy bit late but here is my Winter 2009-2010 Music Soundtrack. I've included links to YouTube Videos where you can hear the songs.

1. Intro by The xx

So this song was in that Visa commercial (the one with Apollo Ono) that played during the Olympics. It’s just a little instrumental ditty but something about it struck a cord with me and I had to download it. Now it just makes me think about winter sports.

2. Can’t Go Back Now – The Weepies

I love the mellowness of The Weepies. They are my “fall asleep” music. I find it soothing. And this song is just pretty.

3. 100,000 Strong – Matt Morris           

This is the guy that sang Hallelujah with Justin Timberlake during the Haiti Relief Telethon. I had to look him up and ended up falling in love with a bunch of his songs. I'm always a sucker for new singer/songwriters in my life. Thanks JT!

           

4. Flawz by Caitlin Crosby

This is my uplifting, self-esteem boosting song of the season. If you haven’t seen the video I recommend clicking on the link. It’s pretty cool and includes a quick cameo by everyone's favorite Nerd Spy.

5. Nantes – Beirut

I just think this is a really cool song. I love the French interlude in the middle.

6. Good Ol’ Fashioned Nightmare - Matt and Kim

I'm starting to realize that this might be one of the most upbeat mixes I’ve ever done. And I LOVE this song. It’s upbeat and catchy and totally just in my brain man. I first heard this song on Community, a show that has featured some pretty awesome music actually (some others are featured on this list).

7. Cello Song – The Books (feat. Jose Gonzalez)

I found this one awhile ago going through all my itunes recommendations and I fell in love with it and downloaded it and it further contributed to the way itunes is slowly bankrupting me. But then this past weekend I FINALLY saw The Blind Side and this was the opening song and I was like “Hey, I already know this song!” And then everyone looked at me like I was insane. So... there.

8. Fake Empire – The National

I think The National might be my new favorite band. Their CD Boxer is basically the greatest thing ever and I can’t stop listening. I love, love, love the lead singer’s voice. It a really nice mix of deep and raspy. I actually had a really hard time deciding which song to put on here. I chose this one because it's one of the more popular ones. Their song "Slow Show"- yeah, I pretty much want to marry it and have it's babies.

9. Home – Edward Sharpe

Maybe I’m just too in love with all of my songs this season. Cause, I really want to say that this is my favorite song. I can’t choose! It's just so much folksy fun. And the little talking part in the middle is adorable.

10. Merry Happy – Kate Nash

(Another one from Community) I don’t know what “dancing at discos and eating cheese on toast” has to do with anything but it makes me laugh in it’s absurdity and the rest of this lyrics are fantastic. I especially like, “but you can grow flowers from where dirt used to be. And I like to sing the “do do do da do do” part.

11. New Theory – Washed Out
Eh, I don't know. I can't always describe why I like a song. Something about it just calls to my soul.

12. Horchata – Vampire Weekend

This is one that again feels like a more summery song. It’s a good one to play in the car. It’s just makes everything feel warm and sunny – like I need to be sitting on the beach drinking something pink with an umbrella.

13. Beginner’s Luck – Eels

I’ve always liked the Eels and this is a fun song. Again, upbeat. Usually my music is so depressing.  I like what this song has to say about love being “a ride.” It sounds “beginning of a relationship” kind of hopeful.

14. Relator – Pete Yorn & Scarlet Johansson

I sort of hate myself for loving this song. But I can’t help it. Crap.

15. Song Away – Hockey

No, wait! This is my favorite song! Oh, I don’t know. This is my favorite driving song. I love rolling down the windows and blasting the speakers. Especially when the weather is warm. It makes everything feel summery. Seriously, am I just using the same words over and over to describe every song? It's summery! It's warm! It's fun and pretty!

16. In the Sun – She & Him

I adore Zooey Daschanel’s voice. It’s so old-fashioned and vintage and dreamy. The video to this song is adorable.

17. I Will Live On Islands – Josh Rouse
This song is so fun! And summery! And pretty! Wait a minute...

18. Two Weeks – Grizzly Bear

Okay, so I first heard this song in a car commercial and didn't think anything of it. THEN, I was listening to this song by Childish Gambino (Rapper name of Donald Glover, one of the actors on Community). And what he does is take indie songs and lay them down with rap lyrics. And one of them was over this song. Here's the link to the Childish Gambino song. (It's funny, I don't normally listen to rap but he's really good and I like his stuff.) And I ended up really enjoying the original song. (The video however, I find to be a little creepy).

19. Kiss With a Fist – Florence and The Machine

Totally not advocating violence but I love this song. I like to think of it as being about a couple that just likes to piss each other off. And that’s good fun. This is also another one from Community and the scene it plays over is classic. Complete with Anthony Michael Hall as a gym-rat bully. Click for awesomeness.

20. Not Miserable – Frightened Rabbit

I already talked about this one a few blog posts ago but words cannot describe how perfect this song is. All the crap is gone and while it was painful for awhile, suddenly things are a million times better than they’ve ever been.  Thanks Frightened Rabbit.

Where it Starts

The first chapter of “Walking in This World” prompted me to think about what lights up my imagination – where do I find the rest and safety and comfort to fall into creativity? Where am I allowed to breathe? What calms, releases, opens my soul?

It’s hard to describe how it happens, when you find that place or spot to rest in creatively. It’s like some kind of cosmic force has shifted and suddenly everything is connected and my thoughts are whirring and my body feels light and the world seems so vast and yet small all at the same time.

It’s different for everyone but these are a few of the things or places that help spur on my imagination.

1. The beach – One of my favorite things in the world is to go to the beach on a cool winter day when the air is crisp and the water is blue and I can walk along the shoreline just letting the icy waves numb my toes.

2. Music – I’ve talked ad nauseam about my love of music but there is nothing in this world like a good song to change my mood and open up a day to possibility.

3. Candles – Hee, this is starting to sound like a list of things that get me in the “mood.” But NO! There’s just something about flickering candlelight and dancing shadows along the wall that is so deliciously magical. Light a candle, turn down the lights, and suddenly it’s an entirely new world.

4. Walking – Maybe it’s those crazy endorphins but every time I go for a walk, my mind opens up and suddenly it's just a free-for-all of thoughts. Especially when it's early in the morning and it's just me and God, the crisp air and the sound of my shoes on the pavement.

5. Late night delirium - I've been an insomniac since I was ten so I'm well versed in the "late night loopy" stage. I've heard of actual scientific studies in regards to chemical change in the brain when exhaustion sets in and I believe it 100%. It's been during these times that I've written some of my oddly compelling stuff.

6. Taking a shower - Yeah, it's weird. But I swear I do my best thinking in the shower. Maybe it's the warmth of the water, the symbolism of "cleanliness" - who knows. But it's not completely out of this world for me to be struck by an idea and then run, dripping wet, to my desk to write it down before it's gone.



So that's where it begins. Sometimes. Sometimes I find myself inspired by moments with my family and friends, movie scenes, a story on the news, a piece of art, an alluring scent, a long drive, a pink-hued sunset, the sound of rain pattering on the roof, fresh baked cookies, a lazy Saturday morning... you get the picture. Life happens, creativity happens. Sometimes at the oddest of moments. You just have to be open to it.

Things I'm Loving

In the spirit of love and happiness and thankfulness, here is a list of things I'm loving right now...

1. Community on NBC
Without a doubt, LOST and The Office remain my favorite shows on television. However, this little show has captivated me over the past few months and has provided some of my biggest out-loud television laughs. There's an almost Arrested Development-like quirkiness to it that I find endearing. I started watching because of Joel McHale (who is the adorable snarky ex-lawyer Jeff) but the show is stolen by the likes of Danny Pudi as a film student/avid pop culture aficionado. I knew from the moment in the Pilot when he started quoting Judd Nelson's famous "What about you?!" line from The Breakfast Club, that I would love his character. I'm also a sucker for a little bit of sentamentality mixed into my comedy and there's plenty of that in this show, such as when the whole gang comes to Jeff's rescue as he's about to be beaten up by a bully (Anthony Michael Hall as a beefed up gym rat) and a bunch of shirtless goons. Sweet and knee-slappingly hilarious.

2. Ack Attack Recaps
As mentioned previously, LOST is one of my favorite shows on television. I'm eagerly soaking in every moment of this final season and hoping anxiously for a few answered questions. How old IS Richard. I need to know!

In the meantime however, there are the screencap recaps that you can find at the link above. These aren't traditional recaps detailing every moment but rather a sarcastic/humorous/biting look at some of the best (and worst) moments. The writer has a deep seated hatred for Jack (and his crying) and Kate that I don't necessary share but nevertheless find amusing. I basically almost pee myself laughing everytime a new recap is posted. Oh, and watch out for the scattered pop cultural refrences - everything from Saved by the Bell to The Office to Harry Potter to Mallrats to Battlestar Galactica and on and on and on...

3. Leggings
Here's the deal: I pretty much thought these were gone. Leggings? Baggy, off-the-shoulder tee-shirts? That was SO elementary school. I thought once we entered the nineties we were past that particular fashion trend.

But no. Here we are in 2010 and BOOM! Leggings are everywhere. Wear them with a long baggy shirt or a dress or a shirt and a blouse. Add some heels or cute flats. Voila! YOU are fashion forward.

At first, I was horrified. What next? Teased bangs? Swatch watches? Sweatbands? Would we keep regressing in fashion trends? Are men going to start wearing leisure suits again? Will the teenagers be wearing poodle skirts? Saddles shoes? Petticoats? Where does it end???!

In the midst of my fashion freak-out though I did find myself wandering into a fitting room with a pair of leggings drapped over my arm... you know, just to see...

And oh yeah, these things are comfortable! I forgot.

So, I take it all back. The retro-eighties style can stay. However, if hammer pants try to come back into style, I WILL stage a fashion mutiny.

4. Boxer by The National

My itunes addiction is on the verge of being destructive. Especially where my bank account is concerned. Nevertheless, I find myself not caring when it comes to finding a really good album by a new favorite artist. One of those CD's that's slipped into the car stereo and isn't ejected for a good two or three months, one of those little jems that fits every moment, that you can feel down to your toes as it steals it's way into your soul.

This album was released a couple of years ago but it's my new discovery. I can't stop listening. I love the voice of the lead singer, I love the epic feel of some of the songs like "Fake Empire" and I love lyrics like, "surprise, surprise they wouldn't wannna watch/another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults." Gah. Perfection.

5. Yoplait Light Yogurt

So lately I've like totally been eating a lot of Boston Cream Pie and Raspberry Cheesecake and Apple Turnovers and Red Velvet Cake... and I'm losing weight! Isn't that amazing?!

Okay, so I have to give the commercials some credit. Because it's true. This yogurt is GOOD. The White Chocolate Raspberry yogurt is almost on the verge of being sinful. And as someone with a serious sweet tooth, these yogurts are kind of my salvation.

So thank you Yoplait.

Oh! And the new flavor, Blueberry Pie? Really truly tastes like they stuck a slice of blueberry pie in a blender and then sealed it in a cup. How do they do it? So good.

My Decade in Music

These are my heart songs
They never feel wrong
And when I wake for goodness sake
These are the songs I keep singin'
- Weezer

I've often found myself wishing that "real life" came with a soundtrack. In television and movies, the big moments are almost always accompanied by the perfect background song. Why can't life be like that? Why can't a stirring pop/alternative song start playing while I am coming to a life changing decision? Or falling in love? Or breaking up? Or hanging out with friends?

Well, despite the fact that there is no omnipresent speaker piping in music to the moments of my life, some of those moments are still made through music. Some music will always take me back to those moments. And at the end of this decade I find myself reflecting on the songs that have made the moments of my life over the past ten years. So, to the songs that annoyed me, made me smile, changed my life or played on endless loops in the car - this is the soundtrack of my decade

1. I Hope You Dance – Leeann Womack
I first heard this song in 2000 during a summer youth group trip. It made me cry then for all the friends that would be leaving for college in the coming months and the lyrics remained etched in my mind over the next few years. My senior quote was “If you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” The song doesn't make me cry anymore but the message still remains one that I try to remember.

2. Drive – Incubus
Incubus was at the height of popularity during my senior year of high school and this was voted as our class song. I never thought much of it but as I was leaving campus for the last time after grad night this song came on the radio and I cried the entire way home. Class of 2001.

3. Breathing – Lifehouse
There are moments in my life that I will remember forever. This song was playing during one of those moments during a summer water-ski trip before I started college. My friend Matt was there and it was one of the last trips we would go on together before his death the following April. I will never forget him or the way he touched my heart.

4. Like a Prayer – Madonna
Many things can be said about my freshman year roommate but we did have a lot of fun together. One of my favorite memories is of her dancing around the room, blasting this song as loud as possible and pissing off the R.A.

5. Swing, Swing – All American Rejects
I worked at Jamba Juice for three years during college. It was mostly an obnoxious job but it also helped me buy my first car so I can’t complain too much. During the summer of 2003 this song was gaining popularity and whenever my boss wasn’t around we would play All American Rejects over the sound system. I still can’t hear this song without being reminded of the recipe for a Razzmatazz.

6. Hey Ya – Outkast
I’m pretty sure this song was the most overly played song during my junior year of college.
And yes, I do have to admit to occasionally shaking it “like a Polaroid picture.”

7. In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
Sometime during my junior year I discovered the awesomeness of Lloyd Dobler and Say Anything. It was also the year I discovered the friendships that would change my life. Girls of 702 forever!

8. I Don’t Want to Be – Gavin DeGraw
Yes, I watched One Tree Hill. But this was way back at the beginning when it was still kind of cool and the plot lines weren’t COMPLETELY ridiculous. More importantly than the actual show though, is the theme song, which introduced me to my favorite artist, Mr. Gavin DeGraw. He opened a Maroon 5 concert at the House of Blues and from the moment he stepped on stage, I was hooked. I have now seen him in concert six times and I can say in all honesty that he is one of the most electrifying performers I have ever seen in concert. Beautiful.

9. Particle Man – They Might Be Giants
How or why we started listening to this song, I have no idea, but my roommates and I listened and laughed to this song a lot my senior year. Whenever it pops up on my ipod shuffle I am instantly transported back to that year and the wackiness that ensued whenever the four of us girls were together.

10. New Slang – The Shins
Well, Natalie Portman was right. This song changed my life… Or maybe not. But this song and the entire “Garden State” Soundtrack changed the way I listened to and felt about music. It opened up this new world of indie music, with it’s nonsensical lyrics and odd hooks and rhythms. When I’m listening to this song through my headphones, the world just looks and feels different.

11. Transatlanticism – Death Cab for Cutie
I admit it, I may have been introduced to this band by the adorkable Seth Cohen, but they’ve since catapulted to the top of my “favorite bands” list all on their own. Ben Gibbard is an incredible lyricist. This song? There really are no words. Have you ever heard something and thought “wow, I wish I had written that”? Well, this is that song for me. Like “New Slang” this song, doesn’t always make complete sense but it doesn’t matter because it makes me feel something. And that’s what music’s supposed to do, right?

12. Black Horse and a Cherry Tree – KT Tunstall
Wikipedia tells me that this song came out in 2005. Well, since 2005 it has remained my LEAST favorite song of all time. The opening “Whoo-hoo” still creats a visceral reaction under my skin that causes me to shudder. I. Can. Not. Stand. It. Why? I’m not completely sure. Maybe it was the constant overplay. But every time at it came on the radio at work I found myself in a sudden foul mood… it did however, give my co-workers something to laugh about and taunt me with. Fun for them.

13. Something Pretty – Patrick Park
My grandparents moved from their home in 2005 up to a retirement community in Oregon. In doing so they had to sell the house that my dad grew up in, a house that I had known my entire life. To me, it was more than just a house; it was a home, it was memories, it was family and laughter and peace. It broke my heart to have to say goodbye. I will never forget this song playing in the car as I drove away from the house for the last time.

14. Sing - Travis
I like to think that my life as it is now, really started in 2006. A lot of things changed that year and set in motion the events that would change me over the next three years. It is also marked by being the year that I discovered The Office. It sounds stupid that a television show affected me so much but I had just moved back in with my parents, I was otherwise lost and confused and something about the show provided me a lot of comfort. I found myself completely enthralled with the Jim and Pam relationship and this song (the song they once listened to on his ipod) reminds me a lot of those times and feelings.

15. Snow – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Several summers in a row my dad's side of the family had a reunion up at a ranch in Oregon. It was a beautiful mountainous piece of property away from the “everything” of a busy life. We spent our days lounging in and around the pond and our nights watching the magnificent show of shooting stars and constellations in the sky. This song takes me back to those summer days, riding in the back of a truck with my cousins, sunburned and windchapped and completely content.

16. The Bad Touch – Bloodhound Gang
It’s a ridiculous song that was popular when I was in high school but it will forever remind me of my sisters. It's weird, I know, but the three of us listened to this song a lot on a road trip we took up to our cousin’s wedding. I’m only slightly embarrassed to say that I know almost all the lyrics.

17. Your Hand in Mine – Explosions in the Sky
I suddenly realize how many of these songs came from television shows. This one is the theme song to the incredible Friday Night Lights. I fell in love with the music after watching the show and this song, as well as many others by this band, became my go-to writing music.

18. I Hear the Bells – Mike Doughty
Another song from a television show: Veronica Mars. I really just love this song and according to itunes it is one of my most played songs on my playlist.

19. Love and Memories – O.A.R.
I’ve started working out a lot more over the past few years and this is one of my favorite songs to run to. There is nothing more therapeutic than my running shoes against the pavement, the sun setting in the distance and a really good song streaming through my earbuds.

20. New Hampshire – Matt Pond PA
In 2006 I participated for the first time in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal is to write a novel, or 50,000 words, in the confines of 30 days. I was successful that year, somehow churning out 50,000 words of a story that, truthfully, I don’t even remember. But what I do remember is the soundtrack that existed in my head for that story. This song was on that mental soundtrack and has somehow ended up on the soundtrack of every other piece of fiction I’ve ever written. There’s something just so fitting about it. I find myself constantly intrigued by the line, “what you had in your hand was so much more than the gold I let go to grab.”

21. Just Like Heaven – The Cure
I love the 80’s and there is something so perfectly 80’s about this song. It’s the perfect kind of song to play while driving along the coast with the windows down. One of the best friends I’ve made over the past few years has made it her life goal to see The Cure in concert and I cannot hear any of their songs without thinking of her. She’s changed me for the better and I don’t know what I would do without her.

22. Don’t Stop Believin – Journey
This song is not here because of The Sopranos or even because of Glee. It is here because 1.) it is just an awesome song and 2.) for a long time it was our go-to song to blast on the jukebox whenever we were at our local bar. And when I say “we” I’m referring to a group of people who were briefly vital to my life. These people, for better or for worse, changed me. One guy in particular (it's always about a guy, right?), someone I will never forget, and yet never want to see or know again, altered my life in ways I’m not even sure I comprehend yet. I both love and hate this person and I probably always will. Whenever I hear the opening chords of this song playing in a bar somewhere, I know a part of me will always think of him.

23. World Spins Madly On – The Weepies
I fall into music when I’m sad or lonely or moping. I have a playlist in itunes titled, “Wallowing.” It is filled with some of the most depressing songs of all time, including this song. There’s comfort in that much depression and emo whining. Maybe it’s the knowledge that someone out there, somewhere, has just as much (if not much more) to cry about than I do. Whatever it is, this song has helped me out of a many a serious wallowing funks.

24. The Bleeding Heart Show – The New Pornographers
I just really f*****g love this song. The coda that starts at 2:08 rocks my world.

25. Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol
"I want so much to open your eyes, 'Cause I need you to look into mine." And so we’ve come to my favorite song of the decade. I can't say for sure why it is that I love this song so much, why is makes me feel so much. From 3:55 on, there is something so epic about the cacophonous harmony of guitar and drums. This song was absolutely amazing live in concert - I walked away saying that it was something akin to a religious experience. Goosebumps.

I Love Music

Age: 26

01. One of the earliest songs you can remember listening to:

Downtown- Petula Clark

02. Song from the artist you last saw live:

Hum Hallelujah – Fall Out Boy

03. Song you currently can’t get out of your head:

Somebody to Love - Queen

04. Song by someone who is dead:

What is Life - George Harrison

05. Song you discovered from a film or TV show:

I Hear the Bells – Mike Doughty