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Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

So…I’m currently doing something completely new and exciting…sitting on the Mass Pike in a buttload of traffic.  Well, that’s actually not the new part…I’m sittong on the SECOND level of a double decker MegaBus with WiFi and a comfortable seat.  SO COOL.  Literally, this is going to be an amazing bus ride, even if it lasts for significantly longer than it’s supposed to.  Although, I suppose I shouldn’t jinx it…?

It’s funny looking around the bus, too, and thinking about all of the changes that have occured just in my lifetime.  I remember when everyone first had desktop computers and used dial-up to connect to the Internet, usually via AOL…remember the crazy noise it used to make?  It seems so long ago.  I still remember my first screen name, LBI7, followed by SnowGrl2468…and then EmoGeek21 (which my brother LOVES to make fun of me for, and I suppose rightfully so).  After this, the laptop came out, but everyone was kind of opposed to it because it was a bit slow, unreliable, etc.  Somewhere along the line, the laptop “got its shit together,” if you will.  And then there was the fast Internet connection…no more dial up.  And now here we are today, each of us sitting with a pretty laptop on our laps, using wireless Internet on the bus, watching movies, checking sports scores, creepily stalking Facebook, or in my case, blogging.

Anyways, for all three of you who read this, my deepest apologies for the lack of updating as of late.  I have never had so much homework in my entire life, it has been such a rough semester.  I’ve had major papers due every week in every class, with a spattering of exams and a Spanish quiz tossed in here and there.  I don’t even know how I’m still functioning at this point, considering the sleep deprivation I’ve had to deal with.  I had an 8-page French paper due today, which was quite a nightmare to write.  It was on the history of the French language, and how the people handled the attempts at purification, or “impoverishment,” as my teacher puts it.  I mean, interesting topic sure, but writing an 8-page paper in English is hard enough, let alone in a second language.  I guess I better get used to it, though, considering I’ll be in Paris in less than two months!!

I bought my plane ticket a few days ago, I can’t believe it’s really going to happen!  I’m coordinating my flight with a few friends, so it’ll be nice arriving and sharing wine (as in, we each have a bottle) with some fellow Americans.  My friend Jill and I requested to live together in an apartment, so I’m hoping that turns out nice!  I have heard that the apartments they set us up with are absolutely beautiful, fully furnished, and in the best areas of Paris.  AKA I’m probably never going to live in something that nice again until I’m 35, at least.

Victoria and I went to a concert a couple weeks ago and saw Blind Pilot, the Low Anthem, and Mimicking Birds.  It was a great show, and I’m pretty much in love with the lead singer of Blind Pilot.  He’s got the most amazing voice, and I love the way he stands on his toes when he gets really into certain parts of his songs.  It’s weird, he kind of looks like Billy Crystal…except, cute.  I know, I didn’t think it was possible either, but you just have to see for yourself.  And Low Anthem was really great, too…they were all so talented, played several instruments, and kept the crowd really engaged.  I’m going to post a couple links of their videos, but MegaBus won’t let me access YouTube.  So for now, search for them yourself…and check out 3 Rounds and a Sound by Blind Pilot, and Charlie Darwin by the Low Anthem.

Anyways, I’m going to pop a movie in, or maybe do some reading.  But I promise I’ll try to keep you guys posted more!

So, I kinda had this on Facebook, but I figure I’d put up a post about it.

Directions: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to at least 15 people and include me. You can’t use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s a lot harder than you think! Repost as “my life according to (band name).”

Pick Your Artist:
Tom Petty

Are you male or female:
American Girl

Describe Yourself:
The Wild One, Forever

Describe where you currently live:
This Old Town

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Into the Great Wide Open

Your favorite form of transportation:
Free Fallin’

Your best friend is:
A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me)

What is life to you:
Learning To Fly

Your fear:
Only a Broken Heart

What is the best advice you have to give:
It’ll All Work Out

Your Love:
A Face In The Crowd

My Motto:
I Won’t Back Down

The sky has as many different personalities as us human beings do.  I was walking back from class today, head tilted upward ever so slightly to drink it all in.  To my right, was the most pristine blue sky, broken only by a handful of the whitest, fluffiest clouds.  To my left was a darkening sky, quickly taking on a slate hue.  A couple hours later, I’m sitting here by my big bay window, still looking up at the sky, which has recovered from its ashen state and is a deep blue once more.

I’ve been listening to a lot of Death Cab for Cutie. You know how it is when a song just hits the exact center of your being?  When it sums up everything you are thinking, everything you are, at that exact moment?  That’s what Death Cab is doing for me right now.  Love.

Although these lyrics aren’t among the ones that I’m relating to, it’s still a beautiful, sad song.

Brother on a Hotel Bed
You may tire of me as our December sun is setting because I’m not who I used to be.
No longer easy on the eyes but these wrinkles masterfully disguise,
The youthful boy below who turned your way and saw,
Something he was not looking for; both a beginning and an end.
But now he lives inside someone he does not recognize,
When he catches his reflection on accident.
On the back of a motor bike,
With your arms outstretched trying to take flight;
Leaving everything behind.
But even at our swiftest speed we couldn’t break from the concrete,
In the city where we still reside.
And I have learned that even landlocked lovers yearn for the sea like navy men,
‘Cause now we say goodnight from our own separate sides,
Like brothers on a hotel bed.
You may tire of me as our December sun is setting because I’m not who I used.

SUN!  Finally!  Too bad I spent the first 6 hours of this sunny day inside, training for my new front desk job at a local hotel.  So yes, I finally have a job, I will finally be making money, and I will finally stop bitching to you guys about being unemployed.  But rest assured, I will find other things to bitch about soon enough.  So, sun!  As soon as I got home, I sat outside, smiling gleefully as the sun beat down on my pasty, Irish/Norwegian skin.  It was the best.  Like, actually the best.

I’m reeeally looking forward to this weekend, which for me is going to start Thursday evening.  I’m going into the city to meet up with Adam, we’re going to his company outing.  Which, might I mention, is a 311/Ziggy Marley concert.  Which, of course, will be quite fun.  And then early Friday morning, Ashley and myself (and maybe/hopefully Aliya?!) are driving up to Boston.  And I just have to get this out of my system…WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!  Okay, so in case you couldn’t tell, REALLY excited.  I miss the good ole’ T and my favorite restaurants and just the city itself.

Anyways, dinner time!  My mom’s making burgers, so I’m crumbling mine up and putting it on a salad with yogurt ranch dressing (delicious, surprisingly somewhat healthy, and I highly recommend it).

Hey guys!  So I just got back from Saratoga a little while ago, and it was so much fun as usual.  I went up with my brother to see my 14th and 15th Dave Matthews Band at SPAC.  We left Friday afternoon and didn’t hit too much traffic (which was a nice surprise).  Tailgating was fun as usual, my brother wore his Red Wings jersey (and got harassed for it), and we saw a good show Friday.  Saturday was even better, though.  We went to a pretty big tailgate called Ballsfest (the guy who organizes it every year had testicular cancer, and the money raised is donated to a cancer research organization I believe) and hung out there before the show.  What’s even better is that fact that I met up with Steve, Aliya, Gayle, and Sofia on the lawn to watch the show, and it was great even though it was raining the whole time.  And seriously, can you just look at how amazing this setlist is?  I think it’s the second best show I’ve ever seen (…I mean, nothing can top James Brown coming out in a sequined silver jump suit to do sex machine with the band eight years ago).  But yeah, here’s the setlist:

Shake Me Like a Monkey
Typical Situation
Alligator Pie
You Might Die Trying
Dive In
The Stone
Funny the Way It Is
Lying in the Hands of God
Lie in Our Graves
Why I Am
Jimi Thing
You & Me
The Song That Jane Likes
Crash Into Me
Time Bomb
Two Step
Encore:
#40 (partial)
Granny
All Along the Watchtower
Halloween

I still can’t believe we got a 4 song encore, nor can I believe the song selection itself.  And the new album is just as good live, if not better.  More later, I’m exhausted.

As I was cruising back to my house from the gym this morning, I saw a ridiculous truck that said Pet Butler on it.  I was thinking, “Wow, cause my dog needs a butler…?”  So anyways, it got me curious, and I decided to do some research when I got home.  Turns out its a waste clean up service that charges $113.67 per month to have the crap removed from your yard twice a week.  I mean, I guess it could be useful if your dog takes industrial sized dumps that you don’t feel like cleaning up…but really, can’t you just grab a shovel and scoop that (literal) shit yourself?  We have services for EVERYTHING these days, it’s just kinda crazy.  I dunno, I’m starting to think we’re lazy…

Anyways, that’s that.  I gotta run and finish packing for this weekend.  I’m going up to Saratoga with my brother to see Dave Matthews Band.  The two shows I’m seeing this weekend will be my 14th and 15th.  Aaaand I’m pretty pumped, because as I mentioned in an entry a few days ago, their new CD is great.  And Emily may be going tonight, and I’m meeting up with Steve, Gayle, Aliya and Sofia tomorrow for the show and a camp-fest afterwards.  Should be fun!  Let’s hope it doesn’t rain.  Woooo, smell ya later!

I absolutely love thunderstorms.  This is why I woke up with a little smile yesterday morning, as my entire house shook from the boom that only an amazing storm could bring.  I was still half asleep, which was most unfortunate due to the rain pouring in my window and splashing my (electric) fan.  It was weird because I knew I needed to close my window, but my body simply wouldn’t get out of bed.  At least, not until the thought of getting electrocuted by either my wet fan or a stray lightning bolt entered my consciousness, at which point I leapt out of bed, grabbed my fan, and closed my window.  But I digress.  Thunderstorms are amazing.  I think I used to be scared of them when I was a little girl, but over the past 5 years have grown fond of them.  The magnificent bolts of lightning that race across the sky remind me of the power and beauty nature possesses, and the slow rumbling of thunder soothes me.

So I actually have to run, I’m going to see the Hangover with Ash and Kris.  I’ll probably write more when I get back, I have a lot on my mind (ants, downloading crappy music, tea, and geosense just to name some of the things bouncing around in my lil’ brain).  Toodles!

I did it.  I finally purchased the new Dave Matthews Band CD, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King!  I’ve been listening to it all day, and it’s amazing!  I’m in love with Funny The Way It Is,  Dive In, and You & Me.  I love the artwork, too; Dave drew everything and apparently had some kiddies color it in (which he discussed on an interview for the Today show).  The concert up in Saratoga is going to be awesome this weekend, and I’m trying to convince my brother to see the Friday night show with me, too.  So yeah, invest!  It’s good.  Anyways, I’m putting the lyrics to “Funny The Way It Is” at the end of the post; they’re definitely worth mulling over.

Moving on.  I’m super burnt because I’m an idiot and sat outside all afternoon without sunblock.  You would think that doing Relay For Life for 5 years would have cured me of that, but nope.  I’m still dumb.  The only good thing that will come out of this is not being milky white (as my brother described me, although he’s pretty Casper-y himself).  Teehee.

Anyways, nothing new to report, really.  Oh, I’m not gonna be working this week because my boss ran out of things for me to do.  Which means I’m actually unemployed at this point.  I’ll be tutoring for another couple weeks, but other than that, I have no idea how I’m going to make money.  My brother suggested I collect cans (fabulous?) or work as scorekeeper at the hockey rinks he plays at.  He thinks they’re looking for people, and apparently pay $20 per game.  Any other ideas?  Keep me posted, please.

Lying in the park on a beautiful day
Sunshine in the grass and the children play
Sirens pass in fire engine red
Someone’s house is burning down on a day like this

The evening comes and we’re hanging out
On the front step and a car goes by with the windows rolled down
And that War song is playing
“Why can’t we be friends?”
Someone is screaming and crying in the apartment upstairs

Funny the way it is
If you think about it
Somebody’s going hungry and someone else is eating out
Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
Somebody’s heart is broken and it becomes your favorite song

The way your mouth feels in your lover’s kiss
Like a pretty bird on the breeze or water to a fish
A bomb blast brings the building crashing to the floor
Hear the laughter while the children play war

Funny the way it is
If you think about it
One kid walks ten miles to school, another’s dropping out
Funny the way it is
Not right or wrong
On a soldier’s last breath, his baby’s being born

Standing on a bridge
Watch the water passing underneath
It must have been much harder when there was no bridge, just water
Now the world is small
Remember how it used to be
With mountains and oceans and winters and rivers and stars?

Watch the sky, a jet plane so far out of my reach
Is there someone up there looking down on me?
A boy sees a bird, so close but every time
He’ll never catch her but he can’t stop trying.

I don’t even know where to begin right now. I stumbled across this live street performance of This Modern Love by Bloc Party in Paris, just a guitar and Kele singing. This song is one of my favorite songs, if not my favorite song. The album version is incredible, but this version was just so beautiful and moving. The way this video was shot was so artistic and really added something special. This song is inextricably linked to a lot of memories, and hearing it like this for some reason just stirred up a lot of feelings and emotions inside of me. Anyways, I don’t really know where I’m going with this, but point of story: listen to it, it’s incredible and it’s beautiful.

GUYS, I finally did it! I bought a reeeal DSLR camera! I decided on the Canon Digital Rebel XSi, and I’m in love. I haven’t had a chance to put the photos up here on Spazzle, but you can check out the ones I’ve put up on Facebook by CLICKING HERE. Right now I only have the kit lens that came with it, but I’m gonna buy another lens after I do some more research and figure out what I want to use the lens for. Wooooeeey, I know you’re all excited for me :)

Random thought: I want to play tag. Seriously, hasn’t it been so long since you’ve played? Or even better, man hunt. Maybe I’ll organize a game this weekend…

Okay, so I’ve been sitting here in the Chocolate Bar writing my business law paper (on the right’s of photographers, actually, so it’s pretty interesting), and I’ve been listening to Pandora. And seriously, I have had SUCH a good line up of songs in the past half hour…Joshua Radin radio is the way to go. Check it:

Iron & Wine ? Fever Dream
John Mayer ? Say
Joshua Radin ? These Photographs
The Format ? On Your Porch
Regina Spektor ? The Call
The Shins ? New Slang
Dispatch ? Out Loud
William Fitzsimmons ? Goodnight
Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds ? Crash Into Me (Live 1999)
Death Cab for Cutie ? What Sarah Said
Joshua Radin ? No Envy, No Fear

Uhmmk, more later…I really have to write this paper.