Basically, there is nothing I enjoy more in this world than a good concert. If I could go to a show every night, I would. I love the adrenaline that comes with a live show, and I LOVE watching musicians actually make music. I could go on and on about what I love about concerts, but I'm focusing this blog on my.... Top 10 concert complaints! These are things that I have experienced at many a show, and they really just get under my skin. Please don't do them, and if you do them, please don't let me know.
1. People who make out during the show.
Okay, so I'm not a huge fan of PDA. I can barely stand it when the couple is several feet away from me. But when you're at a show and making out with your significant other, and I'm pressed up against you, it's not enjoyable for me. It's uncomfortable. I have no desire to watch you "sound your horn" and definitely don't wish to join you. Nobody likes it. It's uncomfortable. Don't do it.
2. Couples at concerts.
Maybe this is me being a bitter single shrew, but I honestly can't stand certain couples at concerts. There's no problem going with your significant other; I'm a firm advocate of love. However, when you make it impossible for people to see or move past you because you can't move due to you being conjoined to your lover, it really ticks me off. I once went to a show where a guy who was well on the tall side of 6' was directly in front of me, and no matter how much I maneuvered myself or how polite I was, he would not move out of my way because he was holding onto his girlfriend. Also, when you grind in a tight crowd, it's not cute.
3. People who bring their children to shows.
Really, this explains itself. I can't understand how people are stupid enough to bring their SMALL children to shows! Really, this has happened at both outdoor and indoor venues that I've been to. What benefit are they going to get from seeing your favorite band playing in a tight, cramped, space where people are moshing, drinking, and smoking? Really, how can you be that stupid?
4. People who mosh for no reason.
I am fully aware of moshing, and that it has a time and place. I'm not a fan of joining in myself, but I have no problem if others do it. However, when you try and mosh during a non-moshing band, you look like an idiot! Nobody appreciates it. This is seriously the fastest way to be labeled "tool" at a show.
5. People who smoke pot at shows.
I hate pot... I hate everything about it! And it's so rude to just light up a joint in the middle of a show, where people can't move if they hate smelling your nasty weed. I have had so many experiences where people just light up right in front of me and pass it around... and I want to die. Please, just smoke before you come or just go home and do it.
6. People who carry around their beer cups at shows.
Ughh! First of all, why do you have to be drunk to come hear a band? If it's really that important, get drunk and listen to the music at home. Second of all, if it's really that necessary to get drunk, don't carry around your beer everywhere! Gosh, I know I, as a non-drinker, think it's absolutely disgusting to get someone else's beer spilled all over you. And again, drink it somewhere where people have the chance to escape your beer spill, not somewhere where people are cramped and can't avoid it.
7. When guys take their shirts off at shows.
I don't know about you, but the idea of being pressed up against a big, sweaty, shirtless stranger doesn't appeal to me. (Get those dirty thoughts out of your heads, readers. It's not pleasant.) Maybe I'm just a prude, but I feel the same way about this as I do about couples making out... it just makes everyone uncomfortable. Yeah, it's hot... but you don't see me taking off my shirt and it being okay. Deal with it.
8. The girls who act like they're at the club.
Girls, if you want to dance like a drunken fool and throw yourselves at men, please stick to the club. Yeah, band guys are hot, but really, easy groupie who doesn't even listen to the band isn't attractive. It distracts people like me who actually want to see the show from having a pleasant experience.
9. The off-color remarks guys make about female musicians.
Okay, we've all been there... the girl on stage says something and some guy in the crowd turns it into a "that's what she said" or "Yeah, I'll do that to you baby." And while it's funny, and it is... have some class. Nothing stamps "douchebag" on your forehead like doing this.
10. Excessive expletives
I am no stickler when it comes to language... it doesn't really bother me that much. Most shows don't register on my bad language radar at all. But then there are those bands.. or those audiences that accompany them where every other word is "F this" "F that" "I hate God" and there have been a couple of shows where it's gotten to the point I want to punch someone in the face. It's not necessary. I love the bands who say something witty instead.. or at least use the F word cleverly or sparingly.
So there are my top ten concert complaints. Yeah, I know my white Mormon girl is coming out, and I probably sound like your mother, but these are some things I could really live without. Of course, I'll still go to shows and still love them and I'll live with these pet peeves of mine... but if you're making out next to me, I really might punch you.
Umm... song of the blog for today is "Beginner's Luck" by Eels. It's a really catchy Indie Pop song, and I think you'll enjoy it.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Jonathan's Song
Okay, so awhile ago, my friend Jonathan and I were downtown and he said something to me along the lines of "Remember those colorful buildings we saw? I want to live somewhere like that, but all of the buildings now are just industrial and gray. Ew." I jokingly told him I was going to use that in a song and call it "Jonathan's Song", but the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea. So, it's not really about my friend Jonathan, I just stole his words. It's more just a representation of those people who haven't lost their innocence and passion and a sense of beauty. Ha ha sorry that I'm trying to sound deep, but hopefully you'll like it. I'm also kind of interested in guitar with this song, so again, if you want to help me with that, I would be eternally grateful. :)
Jonathan's Song
I once met a boy
He was so unconcerned with the world
All he did was dream
He wanted to touch everything beautiful
With his paintbrush and his soul
He didn't say words
He spoke in poetry
He touched my heart
But it's all for nothing
Nothing
Nothing
It's for nothing at all
And he told me
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
He said
People
They've lost the taste for melody
They just wanna scream
They want those hardcore dance beats
Complete with their voices touched with auto-tune
They've lost their words
They've lost their poetry
They've lost their heart
It all means nothing
Nothing
Nothing
It means nothing at all
And he told me
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
Oh
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back to the time
When artists made art
And lovers made love
Oh
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back to the songs
That revive the old
And inspire the young
And we're screaming
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
Inspire me
Ohh
Jonathan's Song
I once met a boy
He was so unconcerned with the world
All he did was dream
He wanted to touch everything beautiful
With his paintbrush and his soul
He didn't say words
He spoke in poetry
He touched my heart
But it's all for nothing
Nothing
Nothing
It's for nothing at all
And he told me
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
He said
People
They've lost the taste for melody
They just wanna scream
They want those hardcore dance beats
Complete with their voices touched with auto-tune
They've lost their words
They've lost their poetry
They've lost their heart
It all means nothing
Nothing
Nothing
It means nothing at all
And he told me
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
Oh
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back to the time
When artists made art
And lovers made love
Oh
Take me back
Take me back
Take me back to the songs
That revive the old
And inspire the young
And we're screaming
I want to live in a world full of color
But now all the buildings are industrial and grey
There's smokestacks
And chimneys
And barbed wire fences
Right where all the flowers used to be
Inspire me
Ohh
To Write Love on Her Arms
So this is kind of a really personal song... and I don't know exactly how I feel about posting it. It's different, but I really like it. I'm in the process of writing an epic piano part to accompany it at the moment. I just really felt the title was fitting, but I might end up changing it... I probably will.
To Write Love on Her Arms
She's all alone, it's after midnight
Those familiar thoughts come to pay their dues
She's fought them off so many times
But she's tired tonight
She welcomes them with open arms
And says "Hello" to the little white bottle
The little bottle could solve all her problems
She could end it tonight
So she pops a few and says goodbye
Therapy sessions and more medication
The doctors say that she's growing up
Unknown hands encourage with firm pats on the back
But underneath the charts and journals
Her old demons still make their home
Blood-stained wrists and tear-streaked cheeks
She's given up hope
She's falling off of a slippery slope
Not the white sheets
Not the white pills
Doctor, let me out of this hell
Cuz I'm trying
And I'm fighting
This monster I've created inside myself
Let me go
Let me go
Oh you hurt me
You break my heart
When you bleed
You cut me open
And when you cry
It's my tears that fall down
Not the white sheets
Not the white pills
Doctor, let her out of this hell
Cuz she's trying
And she's fighting
This monster she's created inside herself
Throw away those thoughts
And come back to me
You know I'll always be there
Just take my hand
I love you
I love you
Please come home to me
To Write Love on Her Arms
She's all alone, it's after midnight
Those familiar thoughts come to pay their dues
She's fought them off so many times
But she's tired tonight
She welcomes them with open arms
And says "Hello" to the little white bottle
The little bottle could solve all her problems
She could end it tonight
So she pops a few and says goodbye
Not the white sheets
Not the white pills
Doctor, let me out of this hell
Cuz I'm trying
And I'm fighting
This monster I've created inside myself
Therapy sessions and more medication
The doctors say that she's growing up
Unknown hands encourage with firm pats on the back
But underneath the charts and journals
Her old demons still make their home
Blood-stained wrists and tear-streaked cheeks
She's given up hope
She's falling off of a slippery slope
Not the white sheets
Not the white pills
Doctor, let me out of this hell
Cuz I'm trying
And I'm fighting
This monster I've created inside myself
Let me go
Let me go
Oh you hurt me
You break my heart
When you bleed
You cut me open
And when you cry
It's my tears that fall down
Not the white sheets
Not the white pills
Doctor, let her out of this hell
Cuz she's trying
And she's fighting
This monster she's created inside herself
Throw away those thoughts
And come back to me
You know I'll always be there
Just take my hand
I love you
I love you
Please come home to me
Yellow
Alright, so it's time for more lyrics! I really really want you guys' opinions; I need all the help I can get. This is a song I wrote awhile ago, it's just a cute little song I wrote out in the sun. It was like, the first day it was warm outside and I laid out in the grass and wrote. I was so high on life, and the color yellow is what kept coming to mind while I was writing, so there's the title. I really would love a guitar part for this song, and anyone who wants to collab with me to bring this about (seeing as how I still can't play guitar), I would love you forever! :D
Yellow
The little girl
Wrapped in the yellow dress
She makes the whole world shine
The little boy
With the starry eyes
His world is always on fire
And when he's with her
It's like the whole sky's
Covered in bright stars
The same color as her eyes
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a little boy and girl
Falling in love
The little boy
Growing up too fast
She's always on his mind
That little girl
In the pretty yellow dress
She dreams about him every night
And when she's with him
Her heart beats a little bit faster
And she smiles from head to toe
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a plain old boy and girl
Falling in love
It must be love
He makes her want to scream and shout
And always makes the sun come out
It's love
And one day she'll be his wife
He can't wait to kneel on one knee
She can't wait to share her life with him
And when they die, it'll be beautiful
He'll still think that she's beautiful
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a boy and a girl
Who've found true love
Let's fall in love
I want nothing fromm this world
Than to be the only girl
You love
Let's fall in love
I will wear my yellow dress
Under the stars we'll both confess
That we're in love
Yellow
The little girl
Wrapped in the yellow dress
She makes the whole world shine
The little boy
With the starry eyes
His world is always on fire
And when he's with her
It's like the whole sky's
Covered in bright stars
The same color as her eyes
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a little boy and girl
Falling in love
The little boy
Growing up too fast
She's always on his mind
That little girl
In the pretty yellow dress
She dreams about him every night
And when she's with him
Her heart beats a little bit faster
And she smiles from head to toe
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a plain old boy and girl
Falling in love
It must be love
He makes her want to scream and shout
And always makes the sun come out
It's love
And one day she'll be his wife
He can't wait to kneel on one knee
She can't wait to share her life with him
And when they die, it'll be beautiful
He'll still think that she's beautiful
Oh! Could this be love?
There's nothing greater in this world
Than a boy and a girl
Who've found true love
Let's fall in love
I want nothing fromm this world
Than to be the only girl
You love
Let's fall in love
I will wear my yellow dress
Under the stars we'll both confess
That we're in love
Thursday, July 1, 2010
June!
My first month as a high school graduate has now come to a close. I can't really say that it's that great being a graduate: sure, I guess my mom doesn't care where I go anymore, but I get yelled at every day to find a job. Yes, I still have not gotten a job, and it sucks, hardcore. There have been some fun moments too, and I guess I should update you on how my month went. Not because anyone reads this or really cares about my life, but because I feel like I've just ranted for the past 80 billion posts, and I like to pretend Sorine and I aren't the only ones who read this.
Like I said, June has been pretty uneventful. Of course there was graduation on the fourth, and my slightly disastrous after party. Graduation's pretty big, and i"m glad it's over with, but besides that, I haven't accomplished much. My typical day consists of me waking up around 10:30, eating while watching Make it or Break it online so I could catch up before the new season, cleaning the house, getting dressed, turning in/getting job applications, more T.V. watching, singing at my piano until my family gets annoyed, cooking dinner for my family, maybe going out with friends, reading, and going to bed around one. How awful does that sound? Let me tell you, it is awful. I'm getting desperate for a job not just because I need money, but because I need something productive to do with my life. I really have lost count of how many places I've applied to and called back, and people just aren't hiring. Or they won't hire me till I'm 18. There is nothing more frustrating than getting denied a job when your birthday is only a month away. :/ I'm still trying though. My mom is making me volunteer at the animal shelter and possibly a rehab center (I wanted to do both, she's just giving me a kick in the pants.) in the meantime, so that I don't completely fail at life.
Speaking of the animal shelter, we adopted a dog yesterday. His name is Scooby and he is part pug, part chiuaua. Sounds awful, right? He's actually adorable. He's Dorie's dog, and KC is pretty jealous.
Although I mostly just have no life, I did do some exciting things this month. Karina, Mary, and I attended a meditation at Dancing Crane Imports, and that was an interesting experience. We also frequented Diva's Coffee a few times to hear these guys sing, and I even did a cover of "...Baby One More Time" with them, which was exciting. :D I also had the opportunity to go to the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway a few weeks ago. As you probably know, I love sidewalk chalk. I really do. The art that people created on the sidewalk was absolutely incredible! I almost was inspired to start being an artist... and then I remembered I only draw stick figures. But it was so cool! Katie, Ariel, and I also got the opportunity to play with chalk while we were there, and we created some pretty rad recreations of ourselves. :) Katie and Ariel will possibly post the pictures on Facebook soon. When this happens, definitely check them out!
This week was probably the most eventful of my life as a graduate. My family decided to vacation in Park City, and it was a very awful trip up there. Sunday we set out, me at the wheel, armed with my learner's permit. (Hahaha I know. Shut up.) Let's just say there was a lot of screaming taking place between my parents and I, and I nearly ran a semi off the road. It ended up being really enjoyable trip while I was there though. We went to the street fair, and I loved that! I didn't stay for the whole trip because I left to go on a roadtrip with Sorine and Katie and a few of our other friends. (Aubree, Becca, Kristy, and Kendra) We went up to Blackfoot, Idaho to stay at Sorine's grandma's house. Now, before you laugh your head off at this road trip, let me tell you that it was the most killer roadtrip that anyone has ever taken! I personally LOVE Sorine's grandma's house! She has this giant, open, yard and a huge canal behind her house with rapids and everything. (Oh! And a rope swing! :D) Her grandparents were so hospitable, making us delicious scones and forcing us all to perform in a "talent show" for them. I have decided that Idaho is the worst place for food, ever! My reasoning being this includes an awful experience in a Winger's where we had to wait an hour for our WATER, never got popcorn (It's WINGER"S, you're supposed to get popcorn!), and receiving my luke-warm pasta after the restaurant closed...and then they charged Sorine and I forty bucks for our food... Also, we went to a Wendy's and one girl was doing everything, so our orders took forever. They didn't give us Frostys in our kids' meals, and everything on the dollar menu was $1.50 or more except fries and a Frosty. Of course, I can't complete a journey anywhere without injuring myself or breaking something. I didn't make it to the water on the rope swing, and fell like 10 feet onto the hard, hard, ground. I couldn't walk very well for a few days after that. But it really was the best roadtrip ever! I could go on with funny stories for ever, but I doubt you'd want to read them all. Hopefully pictures will be available for you soon, and you'll see me so I can tell you all these stories! Sorine, Katie, and I have agreed to start a fund for our roadtrip to California in a few years. Universal Studios (and Jurassic Park Ride :D), here we come!
Last night we went and saw He is We at Kilby Court. Oh my gosh, I have so much to say about this show! It wasn't my favorite, but it's up there in my top. To start off, none of us bothered to get the address or had been there before, so we got a little lost....but we found our way and I instantly fell in love! Seriously, Kilby Court is the best place on earth. :) I want to live there. The opening acts were The Glass Gentlemen and Jessica Basset, both local acts. They were both great! Jessica gave off a vibe like she really didn't care about what she was doing, and that bothered me, because she was really good. But The Glass Gentlemen.... :) They were so great! I don't know how many times I turned to Kaitlin and was like "Oh my gosh! I'm in love with Blue! I know he's so small (and you will see in the pictures of us, I am twice his size), but I love him!" His vocals were impressive and he sang with just so much pure emotion. I was so inspired. We had the opportunity to meet them after the show, and we ended up talking to them for a good 45 minutes. I was thoroughly impressed with how genuine and funny they were.. and they were just as star-struck as us. We ended up getting both of their numbers, having them agree to play a show at my birthday party (blog readers, you are ALL invited!), and having them offer to let me use their recording equipment and offering to audition me for their band. They were so friendly, and please, please blog readers (if there are any) support them. Their album and EP are available for free by following the link on their Myspace. The main act, as I have already stated, was He is We. If you don't know my love for this band, I will tell you: He is We is incredible! I love them SO much! I couldn't see them for most of the set because there were like, four super tall girls right in front of me, but I eventually got a really good spot. I didn't know how their live set was going to turn out, but they impressed me. A lot. :) However, their set was super short... only six songs including an encore. We got to meet them afterwards, and got pictures with all of them. Trevor was off on his own, so we had to get pictures with him separately. He was so funny, and made sure to compliment all of us, which I thought was super cute. He was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned pirate-style. So during our picture he says to me "I'm really sorry if my boobs are hanging out in this picture... it's just so hot out here." and I was incredibly close to blurting out "That's okay. Maybe I'll just let mine hang out too." but I didn't. Ha ha I was thoroughly impressed.
So that's my June! It wasn't very exciting, but it wasn't that bad. What's in store for July? Well, volunteering like I told you, and hopefully getting a job. I'm going to several concerts this month, and I still need someone to attend Silverstein with me on the 14. If you want to go, hit me up! Also, I'm going to a family reunion where I will finally be reunited with my dearest cousin, Lowery. :) And, of course, I'm having the most amazing birthday party ever! :D I'll keep you all posted. Also, I recently had people comment on some posts. Please keep the comments coming.. I absolutely LOVE them!
Songs of the blog will of course be my recommendations from the show. From He is We I recommend "Pour Me Out", "Our July in the Rain", "Radio", "His Name", and of course, "Happily Ever After". By The Glass Gentlemen, I really recommend you download their albums... I'm listening to them right now. But you should definitely check out "Blue Whales", "Alarms", "Night Sleep Maybe", "Not Enough" (Sorine's Favorite), and "Our Winter Goodbye" (My favorite). Give them all a listen, it'll improve your lives! I love you all, and hope you are having the most amazing summers of your lives!
Like I said, June has been pretty uneventful. Of course there was graduation on the fourth, and my slightly disastrous after party. Graduation's pretty big, and i"m glad it's over with, but besides that, I haven't accomplished much. My typical day consists of me waking up around 10:30, eating while watching Make it or Break it online so I could catch up before the new season, cleaning the house, getting dressed, turning in/getting job applications, more T.V. watching, singing at my piano until my family gets annoyed, cooking dinner for my family, maybe going out with friends, reading, and going to bed around one. How awful does that sound? Let me tell you, it is awful. I'm getting desperate for a job not just because I need money, but because I need something productive to do with my life. I really have lost count of how many places I've applied to and called back, and people just aren't hiring. Or they won't hire me till I'm 18. There is nothing more frustrating than getting denied a job when your birthday is only a month away. :/ I'm still trying though. My mom is making me volunteer at the animal shelter and possibly a rehab center (I wanted to do both, she's just giving me a kick in the pants.) in the meantime, so that I don't completely fail at life.
Speaking of the animal shelter, we adopted a dog yesterday. His name is Scooby and he is part pug, part chiuaua. Sounds awful, right? He's actually adorable. He's Dorie's dog, and KC is pretty jealous.
Although I mostly just have no life, I did do some exciting things this month. Karina, Mary, and I attended a meditation at Dancing Crane Imports, and that was an interesting experience. We also frequented Diva's Coffee a few times to hear these guys sing, and I even did a cover of "...Baby One More Time" with them, which was exciting. :D I also had the opportunity to go to the Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway a few weeks ago. As you probably know, I love sidewalk chalk. I really do. The art that people created on the sidewalk was absolutely incredible! I almost was inspired to start being an artist... and then I remembered I only draw stick figures. But it was so cool! Katie, Ariel, and I also got the opportunity to play with chalk while we were there, and we created some pretty rad recreations of ourselves. :) Katie and Ariel will possibly post the pictures on Facebook soon. When this happens, definitely check them out!
This week was probably the most eventful of my life as a graduate. My family decided to vacation in Park City, and it was a very awful trip up there. Sunday we set out, me at the wheel, armed with my learner's permit. (Hahaha I know. Shut up.) Let's just say there was a lot of screaming taking place between my parents and I, and I nearly ran a semi off the road. It ended up being really enjoyable trip while I was there though. We went to the street fair, and I loved that! I didn't stay for the whole trip because I left to go on a roadtrip with Sorine and Katie and a few of our other friends. (Aubree, Becca, Kristy, and Kendra) We went up to Blackfoot, Idaho to stay at Sorine's grandma's house. Now, before you laugh your head off at this road trip, let me tell you that it was the most killer roadtrip that anyone has ever taken! I personally LOVE Sorine's grandma's house! She has this giant, open, yard and a huge canal behind her house with rapids and everything. (Oh! And a rope swing! :D) Her grandparents were so hospitable, making us delicious scones and forcing us all to perform in a "talent show" for them. I have decided that Idaho is the worst place for food, ever! My reasoning being this includes an awful experience in a Winger's where we had to wait an hour for our WATER, never got popcorn (It's WINGER"S, you're supposed to get popcorn!), and receiving my luke-warm pasta after the restaurant closed...and then they charged Sorine and I forty bucks for our food... Also, we went to a Wendy's and one girl was doing everything, so our orders took forever. They didn't give us Frostys in our kids' meals, and everything on the dollar menu was $1.50 or more except fries and a Frosty. Of course, I can't complete a journey anywhere without injuring myself or breaking something. I didn't make it to the water on the rope swing, and fell like 10 feet onto the hard, hard, ground. I couldn't walk very well for a few days after that. But it really was the best roadtrip ever! I could go on with funny stories for ever, but I doubt you'd want to read them all. Hopefully pictures will be available for you soon, and you'll see me so I can tell you all these stories! Sorine, Katie, and I have agreed to start a fund for our roadtrip to California in a few years. Universal Studios (and Jurassic Park Ride :D), here we come!
Last night we went and saw He is We at Kilby Court. Oh my gosh, I have so much to say about this show! It wasn't my favorite, but it's up there in my top. To start off, none of us bothered to get the address or had been there before, so we got a little lost....but we found our way and I instantly fell in love! Seriously, Kilby Court is the best place on earth. :) I want to live there. The opening acts were The Glass Gentlemen and Jessica Basset, both local acts. They were both great! Jessica gave off a vibe like she really didn't care about what she was doing, and that bothered me, because she was really good. But The Glass Gentlemen.... :) They were so great! I don't know how many times I turned to Kaitlin and was like "Oh my gosh! I'm in love with Blue! I know he's so small (and you will see in the pictures of us, I am twice his size), but I love him!" His vocals were impressive and he sang with just so much pure emotion. I was so inspired. We had the opportunity to meet them after the show, and we ended up talking to them for a good 45 minutes. I was thoroughly impressed with how genuine and funny they were.. and they were just as star-struck as us. We ended up getting both of their numbers, having them agree to play a show at my birthday party (blog readers, you are ALL invited!), and having them offer to let me use their recording equipment and offering to audition me for their band. They were so friendly, and please, please blog readers (if there are any) support them. Their album and EP are available for free by following the link on their Myspace. The main act, as I have already stated, was He is We. If you don't know my love for this band, I will tell you: He is We is incredible! I love them SO much! I couldn't see them for most of the set because there were like, four super tall girls right in front of me, but I eventually got a really good spot. I didn't know how their live set was going to turn out, but they impressed me. A lot. :) However, their set was super short... only six songs including an encore. We got to meet them afterwards, and got pictures with all of them. Trevor was off on his own, so we had to get pictures with him separately. He was so funny, and made sure to compliment all of us, which I thought was super cute. He was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned pirate-style. So during our picture he says to me "I'm really sorry if my boobs are hanging out in this picture... it's just so hot out here." and I was incredibly close to blurting out "That's okay. Maybe I'll just let mine hang out too." but I didn't. Ha ha I was thoroughly impressed.
So that's my June! It wasn't very exciting, but it wasn't that bad. What's in store for July? Well, volunteering like I told you, and hopefully getting a job. I'm going to several concerts this month, and I still need someone to attend Silverstein with me on the 14. If you want to go, hit me up! Also, I'm going to a family reunion where I will finally be reunited with my dearest cousin, Lowery. :) And, of course, I'm having the most amazing birthday party ever! :D I'll keep you all posted. Also, I recently had people comment on some posts. Please keep the comments coming.. I absolutely LOVE them!
Songs of the blog will of course be my recommendations from the show. From He is We I recommend "Pour Me Out", "Our July in the Rain", "Radio", "His Name", and of course, "Happily Ever After". By The Glass Gentlemen, I really recommend you download their albums... I'm listening to them right now. But you should definitely check out "Blue Whales", "Alarms", "Night Sleep Maybe", "Not Enough" (Sorine's Favorite), and "Our Winter Goodbye" (My favorite). Give them all a listen, it'll improve your lives! I love you all, and hope you are having the most amazing summers of your lives!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
A Bitter Post About Society's Misconceptions
If you know me well, you know that there are two things in this world that make me unbelievably happy beyond all reason: music and people falling in love. I am the worst in romantic movies, yelling at the couple when they leave each other and jumping for joy when they finally get back together. I'm that girl in your classes upon whom you can always depend for an "Awwww!" when a cute story is told. Knowing this about me, you might expect me to always have the perfect, adorable boyfriend and be madly in love, or at least be outrageously boy crazy. This, however, is not the case. I'm extremely picky about who I date, and therefore don't date much at all. I have a checklist in my head of what society tells me the perfect guy is supposed to be like, and when someone falls short of this list, I give up. The more I learn, the more I realize that society doesn't know what the heck it's talking about. An avid chick-flick watcher, I've compiled many of my ideas of what falling in love is supposed to be like from movies, seeing as how I've never actually fallen in love with anyone myself. However, through observing my own life, as well as the lives of my friends and acquaintances, I've found several holes in society's expectations that don't really occur in real life. And while I think, deep down, all girls know that most of these expectations they have in their head aren't realistic, they still expect these things, whether consciously or not. Quite honestly, I feel a little bitter about this. So, in an attempt to set things straight with myself, as well as, you know, the rest of the world (just kidding) I'm going to share with you the faults that I've found in the reasoning we've been shaped our entire lives to take on.
1. A guy will fix all of your problems.
I think that this is the main flaw in romantic reasoning. Almost every girl I know has said this phrase when times are tough: "I know I have friends and family who love me, but I just really wish I could just hug him. Then I'd feel so much better." I, too, have said this many, many times, and I testify to you that this is WRONG! If the guy (or girl. Sorry for all you male-gender folk reading this. I'm not hating on you. I'm just writing this from my point of view. I still love you, and this can apply to you too. <3)
2. A kiss will fix anything.
A hit in the plot of romantic movies/books/stories, etc. Boy screws up, big time. (Visa versa for guys reading this, sorry again) Boy and girl spend time apart, but they're still madly in love with each other, even though girl hates boy. Boy arrives spontaneously one day, girl sees him, gets angry, but wants him to still be in love with her. Boy decides that there are no good words to say sorry, so he just kisses girl. She kisses him back. They live happily ever after. I don't know about you, but from my experience, this is never the case in real life. Maybe I have issues, but I know it's not just me. A kiss never just fixes everything- it just makes things more complicated and hurts your already broken heart. It makes you feel pathetic afterward, for selling yourself out for a stupid little kiss. What about all the time you spent apart, convincing yourself that he was a jerk and that you're too good for him and remembering all the ways he did you wrong? Are those automatically not legitimate anymore just because he kissed you? Society seems to tell us that. I've found that the truth is a little closer to things being really awkward for a long time, fighting a lot, a lot of talking and hurt feelings, mistrust. Then, if it's real, they'll eventually work things out. But nothing's ever just solved with a kiss.
3. In real life, guys don't really stand outside your window with a stereo playing your favorite song.
I'll admit it, I've always secretly wanted someone to reenact this scene from Say Anything for my sake. But the truth is, most of the time, it just doesn't happen. I'm not saying that the world isn't full of many wonderful, romantic gestures. It's just that they're not as common as we have been conditioned to believe. If you've ever seen the movie 500 Days of Summer, there's a scene where one reel, his "Expectations" play next to another reel, his "Reality". This is what constantly goes on in my head: the expectations reel and the reality reel playing depressingly side-by-side. In the movie, his "Expectations" reel shows him showing up to her party, them talking and flirting the whole night, and finally sneaking off to her bedroom together. His "Reality" reel shows things being super awkward between them, him drinking by himself, and leaving when he sees her showing off her engagement ring from another man. I don't know how many times I've beat myself up because my unbelievably out of control "Expectations" reel and my "Reality" reel don't match up. The truth is, most people aren't nearly as brave as we believe them to be. They won't stand outside of our windows looking like complete idiots holding up stereos with their hearts on the line to prove they love us. It's normally something a lot smaller.
So there are some musings from the overly romantic mind of Alora Beach. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a hopeless romantic and believe that falling in love really is something magical and unexplainable, and that it deserves so much more credit than a lot of people give it. I'm just trying to convince myself to have more realistic expectations. :)
So, song of the blog today... that's a hard one. I was trying to think of a "realistic" love song, and the only ones I could thing of were incredibly bitter and depressing (yeah, I guess you can figure out what kind of mood I've been in lately), and I didn't really want to subject you, my lovely readers (if you exist) to bitterness and depression and more cynicism than is already present in this blog post. I've decided on "A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz. This is one of my absolute favorite Jason Mraz songs. And that's exactly what most relationships end up being: a beautiful mess. I hope you all are having a fabulous summer, and having amazing fun! :D
1. A guy will fix all of your problems.
I think that this is the main flaw in romantic reasoning. Almost every girl I know has said this phrase when times are tough: "I know I have friends and family who love me, but I just really wish I could just hug him. Then I'd feel so much better." I, too, have said this many, many times, and I testify to you that this is WRONG! If the guy (or girl. Sorry for all you male-gender folk reading this. I'm not hating on you. I'm just writing this from my point of view. I still love you, and this can apply to you too. <3)
2. A kiss will fix anything.
A hit in the plot of romantic movies/books/stories, etc. Boy screws up, big time. (Visa versa for guys reading this, sorry again) Boy and girl spend time apart, but they're still madly in love with each other, even though girl hates boy. Boy arrives spontaneously one day, girl sees him, gets angry, but wants him to still be in love with her. Boy decides that there are no good words to say sorry, so he just kisses girl. She kisses him back. They live happily ever after. I don't know about you, but from my experience, this is never the case in real life. Maybe I have issues, but I know it's not just me. A kiss never just fixes everything- it just makes things more complicated and hurts your already broken heart. It makes you feel pathetic afterward, for selling yourself out for a stupid little kiss. What about all the time you spent apart, convincing yourself that he was a jerk and that you're too good for him and remembering all the ways he did you wrong? Are those automatically not legitimate anymore just because he kissed you? Society seems to tell us that. I've found that the truth is a little closer to things being really awkward for a long time, fighting a lot, a lot of talking and hurt feelings, mistrust. Then, if it's real, they'll eventually work things out. But nothing's ever just solved with a kiss.
3. In real life, guys don't really stand outside your window with a stereo playing your favorite song.
I'll admit it, I've always secretly wanted someone to reenact this scene from Say Anything for my sake. But the truth is, most of the time, it just doesn't happen. I'm not saying that the world isn't full of many wonderful, romantic gestures. It's just that they're not as common as we have been conditioned to believe. If you've ever seen the movie 500 Days of Summer, there's a scene where one reel, his "Expectations" play next to another reel, his "Reality". This is what constantly goes on in my head: the expectations reel and the reality reel playing depressingly side-by-side. In the movie, his "Expectations" reel shows him showing up to her party, them talking and flirting the whole night, and finally sneaking off to her bedroom together. His "Reality" reel shows things being super awkward between them, him drinking by himself, and leaving when he sees her showing off her engagement ring from another man. I don't know how many times I've beat myself up because my unbelievably out of control "Expectations" reel and my "Reality" reel don't match up. The truth is, most people aren't nearly as brave as we believe them to be. They won't stand outside of our windows looking like complete idiots holding up stereos with their hearts on the line to prove they love us. It's normally something a lot smaller.
So there are some musings from the overly romantic mind of Alora Beach. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a hopeless romantic and believe that falling in love really is something magical and unexplainable, and that it deserves so much more credit than a lot of people give it. I'm just trying to convince myself to have more realistic expectations. :)
So, song of the blog today... that's a hard one. I was trying to think of a "realistic" love song, and the only ones I could thing of were incredibly bitter and depressing (yeah, I guess you can figure out what kind of mood I've been in lately), and I didn't really want to subject you, my lovely readers (if you exist) to bitterness and depression and more cynicism than is already present in this blog post. I've decided on "A Beautiful Mess" by Jason Mraz. This is one of my absolute favorite Jason Mraz songs. And that's exactly what most relationships end up being: a beautiful mess. I hope you all are having a fabulous summer, and having amazing fun! :D
Monday, June 7, 2010
Summer Goals
We all know how summer starts out: we're full of high expectations and make lists of stupid, pointless things we want to do in the summer to have "adventures", but mostly we just sit home wondering what to do and never accomplish any of these goals. (i.e. stealing a safety cone) I've decided this is going to be a fantastic summer, a summer of change. So, I'm not making a list of goals which will not help me accomplish anything in life, and that nobody wants to read anyways. I've narrowed my list down to just a few goals, which you still probably don't care to read.
1. Get a job.
This one is self-explanatory: I need something productive to do with my time. I'm a poor highschool graduate going to school in January. I need to start becoming an adult sometime. Plus, my mom nags me about three times a day.... I've been searching and submitting applications and following up, but nobody's hiring.. Stupid economy! Hopefully I will find one soon. If anyone can help me out with this, I'd love you forever!
2. Be loud.
Most of you probably know me as "The loud, tall, blonde girl" so you're wondering to yourselves what the crap kind of goal this is. Well, I will elaborate for you. Yes, I am loud. I can talk for hours at volume levels which are normally not socially acceptable. However, I've always been a very reserved person, constantly trying to be polite, diplomatic, and not offensive to anyone. While I think these are important characteristics, and a core part of who I am, a lot of times I end up not standing up for myself and being a total pushover. I end up not expressing myself how I need to. This summer I'm going to work on saying what's on my mind, I'm going to allow myself to get angry and let it show. I'm going to be more daring with the clothes I wear. I'm not going to restrict myself by getting to know only certain types of people. I'm going to be loud. :)
3. Become a musician.
My excuse for not writing music is always "I don't have time". Well, as of this moment, I have all the time in the world. And I'm inspired. I plan on writing a lot of music this summer, and maybe recording some of it. I also plan on learning to play the guitar. I have wanted to for so long, and now my desire to do so is just too much. I have to learn... well, I need to purchase a guitar first, which means I need money... hence goal one. Also, I plan on expanding my vocal horizons. Not only do I want to become a better singer, I want to experiment with different styles than I'm used to. As part of goal two, I want to roughen up the edges of my voice. I'm going to sing loudly and obnoxiously until I find something I like. I also really want to learn how to scream.
4. Learn how to take care of a house.
I figure learning how to take care of an house and yard is something that's important to do before I move out. Since I have so much more free time, I'm going to clean the house more, and hopefully learn something about how to have pretty grass. Also, I should probably cook more....
5. Learn to drive.
This one is also self-explanatory. I am 18 and don't have a driver's license.
6. Grow closer to God.
I no longer have the excuse of being out of time to not read my scriptures. This summer, I really want to strengthen my testimony and grow closer to the Lord. I'm starting the Book of Mormon over again, and maybe this time I can actually finish it!
So that's it! My summer goals list! That wasn't so painful, now was it? I really think these are obtainable goals that will acutally improve my life. :)
The song for the blog today... well, I have two. I've become absolutely addicted to these songs lately, and believe they need to be shared. If you're looking for something sweet and acoustic, I recomment "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes. I've decided this song is being played at my wedding, and I'm just so in love with it! If you're in the mood for something a little more hardcore, I recommend "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by Ice Nine Kills. I've become incredibly addicted to this band, and just think they're fantastic... especially this song! Mmm :D
1. Get a job.
This one is self-explanatory: I need something productive to do with my time. I'm a poor highschool graduate going to school in January. I need to start becoming an adult sometime. Plus, my mom nags me about three times a day.... I've been searching and submitting applications and following up, but nobody's hiring.. Stupid economy! Hopefully I will find one soon. If anyone can help me out with this, I'd love you forever!
2. Be loud.
Most of you probably know me as "The loud, tall, blonde girl" so you're wondering to yourselves what the crap kind of goal this is. Well, I will elaborate for you. Yes, I am loud. I can talk for hours at volume levels which are normally not socially acceptable. However, I've always been a very reserved person, constantly trying to be polite, diplomatic, and not offensive to anyone. While I think these are important characteristics, and a core part of who I am, a lot of times I end up not standing up for myself and being a total pushover. I end up not expressing myself how I need to. This summer I'm going to work on saying what's on my mind, I'm going to allow myself to get angry and let it show. I'm going to be more daring with the clothes I wear. I'm not going to restrict myself by getting to know only certain types of people. I'm going to be loud. :)
3. Become a musician.
My excuse for not writing music is always "I don't have time". Well, as of this moment, I have all the time in the world. And I'm inspired. I plan on writing a lot of music this summer, and maybe recording some of it. I also plan on learning to play the guitar. I have wanted to for so long, and now my desire to do so is just too much. I have to learn... well, I need to purchase a guitar first, which means I need money... hence goal one. Also, I plan on expanding my vocal horizons. Not only do I want to become a better singer, I want to experiment with different styles than I'm used to. As part of goal two, I want to roughen up the edges of my voice. I'm going to sing loudly and obnoxiously until I find something I like. I also really want to learn how to scream.
4. Learn how to take care of a house.
I figure learning how to take care of an house and yard is something that's important to do before I move out. Since I have so much more free time, I'm going to clean the house more, and hopefully learn something about how to have pretty grass. Also, I should probably cook more....
5. Learn to drive.
This one is also self-explanatory. I am 18 and don't have a driver's license.
6. Grow closer to God.
I no longer have the excuse of being out of time to not read my scriptures. This summer, I really want to strengthen my testimony and grow closer to the Lord. I'm starting the Book of Mormon over again, and maybe this time I can actually finish it!
So that's it! My summer goals list! That wasn't so painful, now was it? I really think these are obtainable goals that will acutally improve my life. :)
The song for the blog today... well, I have two. I've become absolutely addicted to these songs lately, and believe they need to be shared. If you're looking for something sweet and acoustic, I recomment "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes. I've decided this song is being played at my wedding, and I'm just so in love with it! If you're in the mood for something a little more hardcore, I recommend "The Greatest Story Ever Told" by Ice Nine Kills. I've become incredibly addicted to this band, and just think they're fantastic... especially this song! Mmm :D
Friday, May 21, 2010
Graduation Reflection
So it's a Friday night, and I'm home sick, so I figured now is as good a time as any to post a new blog. I know, it's been like, a century and a half since I wrote anything, but I haven't really had any inspiration strike me. I'm not very inspired as of right now, but we'll see how this goes. Just in case you're ignorant, I'm graduating in exactly two weeks from today. That's right: the big end to high school. D: I've gotta say that I'm not worried or scared, though. I made up my mind a long time ago that high school just isn't my favorite thing in life. Don't get me wrong- I love the experiences and opportunities that I've had and the wonderful friends I've made! However, I'm definitely at the point where I need something different. I can't wait to finally start my own life. It's not looking like that exciting of a life: Working and then attending BYU-I in January (and NOT marrying a farmer), but at least it's something that I want to do, not that the state requires me to do.
While I'm really excited to move on with my life and become my own person, there are a lot of things I'll miss from high school. I'll really miss just being with my friends every day. I'm not disappointed at all with how my senior year turned out, and there are several people who were a gigantic part of making it fantastic. This year I really learned how to be a good friend, who is learning not to be so selfish. I learned not to discount the people who are always around to support you. I broke past my ideas of what people were like, and learned to really get to know them. I allowed myself to trust people, and to show people the true Alora. I learned that I don't care what people think of me, and that I love the people who still stick by me despite seeing my true colors. There are some people who I won't be very sad about never seeing again (sad, but true), but there are those few people who I want to be in my life forever because of the impact they've made on my life. I really hope high school won't be the end for our friendship.
This year was definitely a year of change for me. I started out the year miserably, hating every minute of school. Reflecting back on that now, things are so much better. The situation I'm in definitely isn't better, but I have a better outlook on things. I'm not bitter at life anymore, but am open to change. My testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ has grown immensely. I've been able to see God's hand in so many things throughout my life and have come to trust him in guiding me. Like I said earlier, I learned to not care what people think about me. This year my life became less about doing what I though other people wanted, but what I expected of myself. I've discovered that music is what I love more than anything. I started writing songs, and it's become a lot easier for me to express myself through them, not that they're really all that good yet. I'm not so scared to sing in front of people anymore. This year I learned to trust people. That might seem so cliche or what not, but it's true. Those of you who know me well know that I'm secretly really shy, and I guard my emotions like they're the Sorcerer's Stone and Voldemort is trying to steal it to ruin the world. (Wow, nerdy moment there. I blame my illness) This year I opened myself up to those I care about, still not as much as a normal person would, but I'm slowly becoming more normal. I learned that it's not that bad. Some people deserved my trust and helped me through a lot of things and made me feel better about myself.... and some people didn't give two cents and completely let me down. I don't really regret anything from this year or my high school experience, because they've made me into the person I am today, and I think she's pretty okay. :)
There really aren't that many teachers who I will miss, but there are a few. The teachers I loved the most were definitely Madame Baigue, Dr. Pearce, and Mr. Brusatto (Shh.. don't tell him!) They all taught me so much, and I plan on visiting them all sometime after graduation (maybe).
I have so many favorite memories from my high school experience, but here are just a few:
Totally weirding Emerson out on the first day of Sophomore year by yelling "Hey! I'm Alora! Remember me?" across the room.
Forming the FHB
Having a toga party
Getting anonymous sing-a-grams on Valentine's Day
Going to football games with my face painted. And winning region championships.
All the inside jokes I've made with people.
Singing in Mads over Christmas. Our carpools were always... interesting.
Singing in the seminary talent show with Emily and Braden this year.
Telling everyone about Ken and Katie and their elbows.
When Katie fell down at the DI.
Being "late" to every play practice this year.
Singing "Going to the Chapel" with Mary in French
All of the dates I've gone on.
All of the concerts I've gone to.
All of the pictures Jonathan drew for me.
Pulling the all-nighter with Mary.
English and Aerobics last year.
Conquering.
Most of the dances I went to.
Proving Sorine's existence
All the musicals I was in
Gosh, there are just so many things I really liked about high school, but you're probably tired of reading about them, so I'll stop. :) High school was good, and I'm definitely looking forward to having more adventures in my new life out of school. Hopefully sometime before I go up to Idaho, I can learn how to drive. That'd be good. haha June, 4, here I come! :D
I don't even know what the song of the blog should be today. I've just been in kind of a free-for-all mood when it comes to music lately. I guess I'll go with "My Baby's Better Than Yours" by Meg & Dia. The lyrics of this song are so great - I'm absolutely in love with them! This is one of their really old, lesser-known songs, but it's absolutely great! I like their old stuff best anyways. "Step over, step over that clever line-gotta figure out which side is right. Choose a destiny to live for - if you wanna live, or die, or fight. And only one side wins, and what I think of this I don't know. It's not that I'm afraid of dying, it's just I'm so afraid to live." I think that's very suiting for a blog about moving on from high school. Give this song a listen, you'll love it! :D
While I'm really excited to move on with my life and become my own person, there are a lot of things I'll miss from high school. I'll really miss just being with my friends every day. I'm not disappointed at all with how my senior year turned out, and there are several people who were a gigantic part of making it fantastic. This year I really learned how to be a good friend, who is learning not to be so selfish. I learned not to discount the people who are always around to support you. I broke past my ideas of what people were like, and learned to really get to know them. I allowed myself to trust people, and to show people the true Alora. I learned that I don't care what people think of me, and that I love the people who still stick by me despite seeing my true colors. There are some people who I won't be very sad about never seeing again (sad, but true), but there are those few people who I want to be in my life forever because of the impact they've made on my life. I really hope high school won't be the end for our friendship.
This year was definitely a year of change for me. I started out the year miserably, hating every minute of school. Reflecting back on that now, things are so much better. The situation I'm in definitely isn't better, but I have a better outlook on things. I'm not bitter at life anymore, but am open to change. My testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ has grown immensely. I've been able to see God's hand in so many things throughout my life and have come to trust him in guiding me. Like I said earlier, I learned to not care what people think about me. This year my life became less about doing what I though other people wanted, but what I expected of myself. I've discovered that music is what I love more than anything. I started writing songs, and it's become a lot easier for me to express myself through them, not that they're really all that good yet. I'm not so scared to sing in front of people anymore. This year I learned to trust people. That might seem so cliche or what not, but it's true. Those of you who know me well know that I'm secretly really shy, and I guard my emotions like they're the Sorcerer's Stone and Voldemort is trying to steal it to ruin the world. (Wow, nerdy moment there. I blame my illness) This year I opened myself up to those I care about, still not as much as a normal person would, but I'm slowly becoming more normal. I learned that it's not that bad. Some people deserved my trust and helped me through a lot of things and made me feel better about myself.... and some people didn't give two cents and completely let me down. I don't really regret anything from this year or my high school experience, because they've made me into the person I am today, and I think she's pretty okay. :)
There really aren't that many teachers who I will miss, but there are a few. The teachers I loved the most were definitely Madame Baigue, Dr. Pearce, and Mr. Brusatto (Shh.. don't tell him!) They all taught me so much, and I plan on visiting them all sometime after graduation (maybe).
I have so many favorite memories from my high school experience, but here are just a few:
Totally weirding Emerson out on the first day of Sophomore year by yelling "Hey! I'm Alora! Remember me?" across the room.
Forming the FHB
Having a toga party
Getting anonymous sing-a-grams on Valentine's Day
Going to football games with my face painted. And winning region championships.
All the inside jokes I've made with people.
Singing in Mads over Christmas. Our carpools were always... interesting.
Singing in the seminary talent show with Emily and Braden this year.
Telling everyone about Ken and Katie and their elbows.
When Katie fell down at the DI.
Being "late" to every play practice this year.
Singing "Going to the Chapel" with Mary in French
All of the dates I've gone on.
All of the concerts I've gone to.
All of the pictures Jonathan drew for me.
Pulling the all-nighter with Mary.
English and Aerobics last year.
Conquering.
Most of the dances I went to.
Proving Sorine's existence
All the musicals I was in
Gosh, there are just so many things I really liked about high school, but you're probably tired of reading about them, so I'll stop. :) High school was good, and I'm definitely looking forward to having more adventures in my new life out of school. Hopefully sometime before I go up to Idaho, I can learn how to drive. That'd be good. haha June, 4, here I come! :D
I don't even know what the song of the blog should be today. I've just been in kind of a free-for-all mood when it comes to music lately. I guess I'll go with "My Baby's Better Than Yours" by Meg & Dia. The lyrics of this song are so great - I'm absolutely in love with them! This is one of their really old, lesser-known songs, but it's absolutely great! I like their old stuff best anyways. "Step over, step over that clever line-gotta figure out which side is right. Choose a destiny to live for - if you wanna live, or die, or fight. And only one side wins, and what I think of this I don't know. It's not that I'm afraid of dying, it's just I'm so afraid to live." I think that's very suiting for a blog about moving on from high school. Give this song a listen, you'll love it! :D
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Top 10 Favorite Songs!
Awhile ago I promised I would compile a list of my top ten favorite songs. I'm not kidding, this was nearly impossible. I got started and I would think of a song and then compare it with another, and I couldn't. I love all music for different reasons and it's not fair to compare- it's impossible, actually. I thought of all kinds of top ten categories I could put songs in to make this easier, and then I realized that I'd probably have a billion categories on the list when all was said and done. So, here are the top ten songs that I chose. Some of them I chose because of sentimental value and some I chose because of musical value. These are ten songs that I cannot imagine living without (I literally went through this long list I wrote down and said "What songs would I die without?"), and most of them have helped me through many a hard time in my life. I don't care if you love them or hate them or agree with their positions on my list- these songs are my favorites because they mean something to me. However, I really hope that you readers can relate to one of my song choices or maybe converted to be a lover of some of them. ;) Well, here goes!
1. "Deathbed" by Relient K
So, this song has every right to be number one on the list. I really don't think there is a more epic song anywhere. This song is around 11 minutes long, but it's worth every single second. The song is basically a man laying on his deathbed reviewing his life and all the things he regrets and the hardships he had to face - this man led a very hard life. But, the event that sticks out most in his life is the night he gave up and turned himself over to Christ. I believe everyone who has become converted to the love and teachings of Christ can identify with the lyrics:
"You cried wolf, the tears, they soaked your fur. The blood dripped from your fangs. You said 'What have I done?' You loved that lamb with every sinful bone, and there you wept alone. Your heart was so contrite. You said 'Jesus, please forgive me of my crimes, and sanctify this withered heart of mine. Be with me until my life is through, and on that day, please take me home with you.'"
Jon Foreman's outro sums it all up by saying "I am the way" and "I am love". This song is purely incredible!
2. "Konstantine" by Something Corporate
This is definitely the second most epic song ever. This one's about 10 minutes long, but again, every second is meaningful. I think that everyone can relate to this song in one way or another. I know that the meaning changes for me each time I listen to it, and each time new people or situations come come into my life. I sincerely believe that this is the only song I've ever heard that uses the "F" and it just belongs there for artistic value. Some of my favorite lyrics of all time come from this song, my favorite being:
"This is to Jimmy Eat World and those nights in my car, 'When the first star you see may not be a star'. I'm not your star. Isn't that what you said? What you thought this song meant?"
One of the phrases that hits me the hardest every time I listen to this song is "They'll never hurt you like I do." I think everyone can relate to this on some level. I think that's maybe why Andrew chose to repeat it more than any other words in the song.
The most amazing thing about this song is that Andrew McMahon wrote it when he was 17. If you have not heard this song, I promise you, it is worth your time to give it a listen!
3. "For the Moment I Feel Faint" by Relient K
This song has helped me through so many hard times in my life. My faith in the Savior is the most important thing in my life, and this song sums it all up so easily. "Never underestimate my Jesus, cuz when the world around you crumbles, he will be strong." No matter what inadequacies we posses, Christ will always make up for them through his love. There is nothing more powerful than the simple testimony given in this song.
4. "I Want to Save You" by Something Corporate (The acoustic version)
Hahaha notice a pattern? This just proves Relient K and Something Corporate are amazing. I guess my love for this song is my inner teenage girl coming out, but I believe everyone (Not just teenage girls) is looking for someone to save them from whatever they're facing, whether it's themselves , their circumstances, or situations they've put themselves in. Despite how corny it sounds, this song always gives me hope for my future. Hope that one day I will meet someone who cares about me enough to save me from reality, and that my reality will be better because of them. The acoustic version of this song is so amazingly beautiful, it just hits the spot each time I listen to it.
5. "Hallelujah"
So there's no artist on this song, because there's not one artist's interpretation that I particularly love. My favorite version is the version I sing at my piano and express how it makes me feel myself. This song is the epitome of beauty. The melody and accompaniment hit you right in the soul every time. But, the words are my favorite part. The lyrics to this song are pure poetry. They're absolutely classic. If the music hits your soul, the lyrics pierce right through it; they're completely heartfelt. My favorite line from this song will always be "I've seen your flag on the marble arch, but love is not a victory march. It's a cold and a broken Hallelujah." My mom wants this song played at her funeral, and I don't blame her. This song is music at some of its finest.
6. "Hold On" by Good Charlotte
So before you criticize me for having Good Charlotte on this list, hear me out: this song has helped me through so many hard times in my life. I know it's so cliche emo, but it's true. Sometimes all you need from life is someone to tell you "Hold On". I seriously cry almost every time I listen to this song. And the music video (which I posted awhile back) is absolutely amazing. It's about suicide awareness, and this is an issue that hits very close to home to me. This song always seems to bring everything in my life back into perspective. So, judge me as you will, but I firmly believe this song deserves its place on this list.
7. "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World
What can I say about this song? This is one of the first songs that really started my love of music. I also get really emotional every time I listen to this song. I believe it's a good song for missing people, deceased or not. This was the favorite song of someone very close to me, who I ended up growing apart from. I listened to this song a lot when I started to miss them, because it connected us in a way. (Corny, I know, but it was comforting to me). I think that the third verse is incredibly beautiful:
"And if you were with me tonight, I'd sing to you just one more time a song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live."
I definitely wouldn't mind having this song played at my funeral, it's that great.
8. "Let it Be" from the Across the Universe Soundtrack
"Let it Be"- it's a Beatles classic. The Beatles were a huge part of my childhood, including this song with it's powerful lyrics. However, this version of the song puts it in a whole new perspective. I'm awestruck after every time I listen to this song- the vocal ability and raw emotion presented are incredible. This is one instance where I believe the cover is better than the original version. If you have not seen Across the Universe, please at least listen to this song. You won't regret it.
9. "When Doves Cry" by Quindon Tarver
I think it's funny that this song is on the list after everything I've put before it is emotional and makes me reflect upon myself and deep things such as that. This song, however, is on here simply for its musical content. The first time I ever saw Romeo + Juliet, I watched the scene where they sing this song, and I remember thinking that it was the most amazing thing I had ever heard. I am absolutely in love with Quindon's silky smooth, soulful voice, and could listen to it for hours. His voice hooks you into the song instantly, but then as the song transitions into this fantastic beat, you become addicted. I have always thought this song was just extremely well-done, and I could definitely not live with myself it wasn't on the list.
10. "This Ride" by The Starting Line
The tenth song was the hardest to decide on, but this song stood out among all my other options as the song I would have a very hard time living without. I don't remember when the first time I heard this song was (it was several years ago, I know that), but it was the song that got me hooked on TSL. It's an extremely catchy song, and I've found that no matter what's going on in my life, this song always seems to fit it. The line that made me fall in love with this song is "When happiness is based on lies, it's so hard, it's too hard to tell the truth." It's such a simple phrase, but that's what makes it so great. It's absolutely true, and we've all experienced situations where our happiness is based on lies, but it's too hard to face reality. Also, I don't know about you, but when I write songs or listen to certain songs, my real intent is to say "Here's the things I meant, but I never said."
So that concludes my list. I'm pretty pleased with it for the moment being, and I hope I don't think of revisions I could've made, because it'll drive me crazy. It's probably best if I don't give it much more thought. Ha ha. I hope that maybe you'll agree with some of my song choices, and maybe you got introduced to some great new music, or at least got reacquainted with some. :)
1. "Deathbed" by Relient K
So, this song has every right to be number one on the list. I really don't think there is a more epic song anywhere. This song is around 11 minutes long, but it's worth every single second. The song is basically a man laying on his deathbed reviewing his life and all the things he regrets and the hardships he had to face - this man led a very hard life. But, the event that sticks out most in his life is the night he gave up and turned himself over to Christ. I believe everyone who has become converted to the love and teachings of Christ can identify with the lyrics:
"You cried wolf, the tears, they soaked your fur. The blood dripped from your fangs. You said 'What have I done?' You loved that lamb with every sinful bone, and there you wept alone. Your heart was so contrite. You said 'Jesus, please forgive me of my crimes, and sanctify this withered heart of mine. Be with me until my life is through, and on that day, please take me home with you.'"
Jon Foreman's outro sums it all up by saying "I am the way" and "I am love". This song is purely incredible!
2. "Konstantine" by Something Corporate
This is definitely the second most epic song ever. This one's about 10 minutes long, but again, every second is meaningful. I think that everyone can relate to this song in one way or another. I know that the meaning changes for me each time I listen to it, and each time new people or situations come come into my life. I sincerely believe that this is the only song I've ever heard that uses the "F" and it just belongs there for artistic value. Some of my favorite lyrics of all time come from this song, my favorite being:
"This is to Jimmy Eat World and those nights in my car, 'When the first star you see may not be a star'. I'm not your star. Isn't that what you said? What you thought this song meant?"
One of the phrases that hits me the hardest every time I listen to this song is "They'll never hurt you like I do." I think everyone can relate to this on some level. I think that's maybe why Andrew chose to repeat it more than any other words in the song.
The most amazing thing about this song is that Andrew McMahon wrote it when he was 17. If you have not heard this song, I promise you, it is worth your time to give it a listen!
3. "For the Moment I Feel Faint" by Relient K
This song has helped me through so many hard times in my life. My faith in the Savior is the most important thing in my life, and this song sums it all up so easily. "Never underestimate my Jesus, cuz when the world around you crumbles, he will be strong." No matter what inadequacies we posses, Christ will always make up for them through his love. There is nothing more powerful than the simple testimony given in this song.
4. "I Want to Save You" by Something Corporate (The acoustic version)
Hahaha notice a pattern? This just proves Relient K and Something Corporate are amazing. I guess my love for this song is my inner teenage girl coming out, but I believe everyone (Not just teenage girls) is looking for someone to save them from whatever they're facing, whether it's themselves , their circumstances, or situations they've put themselves in. Despite how corny it sounds, this song always gives me hope for my future. Hope that one day I will meet someone who cares about me enough to save me from reality, and that my reality will be better because of them. The acoustic version of this song is so amazingly beautiful, it just hits the spot each time I listen to it.
5. "Hallelujah"
So there's no artist on this song, because there's not one artist's interpretation that I particularly love. My favorite version is the version I sing at my piano and express how it makes me feel myself. This song is the epitome of beauty. The melody and accompaniment hit you right in the soul every time. But, the words are my favorite part. The lyrics to this song are pure poetry. They're absolutely classic. If the music hits your soul, the lyrics pierce right through it; they're completely heartfelt. My favorite line from this song will always be "I've seen your flag on the marble arch, but love is not a victory march. It's a cold and a broken Hallelujah." My mom wants this song played at her funeral, and I don't blame her. This song is music at some of its finest.
6. "Hold On" by Good Charlotte
So before you criticize me for having Good Charlotte on this list, hear me out: this song has helped me through so many hard times in my life. I know it's so cliche emo, but it's true. Sometimes all you need from life is someone to tell you "Hold On". I seriously cry almost every time I listen to this song. And the music video (which I posted awhile back) is absolutely amazing. It's about suicide awareness, and this is an issue that hits very close to home to me. This song always seems to bring everything in my life back into perspective. So, judge me as you will, but I firmly believe this song deserves its place on this list.
7. "Hear You Me" by Jimmy Eat World
What can I say about this song? This is one of the first songs that really started my love of music. I also get really emotional every time I listen to this song. I believe it's a good song for missing people, deceased or not. This was the favorite song of someone very close to me, who I ended up growing apart from. I listened to this song a lot when I started to miss them, because it connected us in a way. (Corny, I know, but it was comforting to me). I think that the third verse is incredibly beautiful:
"And if you were with me tonight, I'd sing to you just one more time a song for a heart so big, God wouldn't let it live."
I definitely wouldn't mind having this song played at my funeral, it's that great.
8. "Let it Be" from the Across the Universe Soundtrack
"Let it Be"- it's a Beatles classic. The Beatles were a huge part of my childhood, including this song with it's powerful lyrics. However, this version of the song puts it in a whole new perspective. I'm awestruck after every time I listen to this song- the vocal ability and raw emotion presented are incredible. This is one instance where I believe the cover is better than the original version. If you have not seen Across the Universe, please at least listen to this song. You won't regret it.
9. "When Doves Cry" by Quindon Tarver
I think it's funny that this song is on the list after everything I've put before it is emotional and makes me reflect upon myself and deep things such as that. This song, however, is on here simply for its musical content. The first time I ever saw Romeo + Juliet, I watched the scene where they sing this song, and I remember thinking that it was the most amazing thing I had ever heard. I am absolutely in love with Quindon's silky smooth, soulful voice, and could listen to it for hours. His voice hooks you into the song instantly, but then as the song transitions into this fantastic beat, you become addicted. I have always thought this song was just extremely well-done, and I could definitely not live with myself it wasn't on the list.
10. "This Ride" by The Starting Line
The tenth song was the hardest to decide on, but this song stood out among all my other options as the song I would have a very hard time living without. I don't remember when the first time I heard this song was (it was several years ago, I know that), but it was the song that got me hooked on TSL. It's an extremely catchy song, and I've found that no matter what's going on in my life, this song always seems to fit it. The line that made me fall in love with this song is "When happiness is based on lies, it's so hard, it's too hard to tell the truth." It's such a simple phrase, but that's what makes it so great. It's absolutely true, and we've all experienced situations where our happiness is based on lies, but it's too hard to face reality. Also, I don't know about you, but when I write songs or listen to certain songs, my real intent is to say "Here's the things I meant, but I never said."
So that concludes my list. I'm pretty pleased with it for the moment being, and I hope I don't think of revisions I could've made, because it'll drive me crazy. It's probably best if I don't give it much more thought. Ha ha. I hope that maybe you'll agree with some of my song choices, and maybe you got introduced to some great new music, or at least got reacquainted with some. :)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Guilty Pleasures
, So, everyone has guilty pleasures: those things that you secretly love but won't admit to anyone. Well, here are a few of mine:
Music: The first thing that comes to mind is Britney classics. Yes, I am a huge fan of ...Baby One More Time. It was the first CD I ever bought, and I still hold it dear to my heart. Some of my favorite Britney hits include "...Baby One More Time", "Oops! I Did it Again", "Everytime", and "Lucky". I also have a problem with listening to music that a white girl like me has no place listening to and pretending I'm a gangster. My top horrible fake gangster songs are "Lean Like a Cholo" by Down AKA Kilo, "Drink 'n My 2 Step" by Cassidy, and "Hustler's Anthem" by Busta Rhymes ft. T Pain. Lastly, I have a deep, passionate love for John Denver. My dad owns "John Denver's Greatest Hits" ( a three disc collection!), and I am guilty of frequently listening to all of it and singing along to most of it. I have so many more music guilty pleasures, basically because I have no shame when it comes to music. I just don't want you people to discredit me anymore than you already are.
Food: Well, I can't think of anything really too bad that I eat... my favorite thing ever is semi-sweet chocolate chips in a cup of milk. I eat it with a spoon, and it's fantastic cuz the chocolate is all hard and cold, and not dry! :D I guess another thing that I am actually embarrassed to admit is that my family likes Spam... a lot. I don't love it or anything, but I'll eat for breakfast it if it's cooked in a pan like bacon. Childhood memories, I guess? (Yeah, I know, judge me.)
Movies: Well, according to my sister, I have horrible taste in movies, and I don't exactly disagree with her. I'll watch mostly anything. However, I would say that Drive Me Crazy is definitely a guilty pleasure. Not only does it have a title derived from a Britney classic (I forgot to add that I love this one!), the acting's not that great, the plot is cliche, and it has an awkward ending. Regardless of all of this, Drive Me Crazy is one of my top five favorite movies ever. (Also, Adrian Grenier is incredibly hot in this movie.)
Books: Those of you who know me well know that I'm in love with Twilight. Don't ask me why: I know the writing's bad, and a lot of times Edward/Bella/Jacob are all incredibly creepy - what with wanting to suck each other's blood and having vampire babies and stalking into your girlfriend's bedroom and being a teenage werewolf...Still there's something about the series that has made me read it more than once and endure through the terrible movies. Another guilty pleasure of mine is the Confessions of Georgia Nicolsson series, or the "Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging" one. This series has absolutely no point and is about the most annoying fifteen-year-old girl in the world, but I read all 10 (yeah, TEN) books, and loved them. Don't ask me why, cuz I can't tell you.
Celebrities: I am a girl of many celebrity crushes, but I believe that most of them are in good taste. However, there are a few that I'll admit aren't attractive, but I still find them oddly hot. First of all, when I was younger, I had the biggest crush ever on Yu-Gi-Oh. Yep, a cartoon. I still think he's a little bit of a cutie, but don't worry, I don't want cartoon babies. The rest are all real people, I promise. Also carrying over from my childhood is a crush on Elijah Wood. I know he's really short and relatively unattractive, but there's just something about him, I don't know. Next is Matthew Broderick, but only in Ferris Beuller. He's not my type at all (I think he has a weird face and bad hair), but every time I watch the movie, I just want to jump on him! If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't enjoy the movie nearly as much. Lastly, is Nate Ruess, the singer of The Format and fun. I saw him live once, and there was just something oddly alluring about him. He has very charismatic stage presence and was also wearing a very cute striped cardigan. That could've been it, but I secretly think he's oddly attractive as well.
Clothes: I only have two clothes guilty pleasures: wearing black and navy together and pantyhose. One of the basic fashion rules is never wear black and navy together-you'll look like a bruise. However, I really like them together and wear them all the time (with reasonable moderation). I also REALLY love pantyhose. You know, the ugly tan things with control top that business people and grandmas wear constantly? I love them! I'm constantly wearing them under jeans or wearing them instead of socks. I think they're super comfortable, and they keep you really warm.
TV: I don't watch TV... like, ever. But, I guess I have a guilty pleasure in The Bachelor. I love The Bachelor, and didn't miss an episode last season. I guess my love for The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a very guilty pleasure. It's honestly a really crappy show, but I can't stop watching it, I haven't missed an episode of this either. Lastly, I have a deep, fiery passion for Sabrina. You know, that show from the '90's with Melissa Joan Hart? I will proudly admit I've seen every episode at least twice, and am on the lookout for all the seasons on DVD.
So now you know my deep, dark secrets and have full right to judge me. But, before you do, think of your own guilty pleasures. Yeah, you're not so innocent yourself, are you? ;)
The song of the blog (unofficially) has to be "Guilty Pleasure" by Cobra Starship. However, the song I really wanted to share with you is "On Your Porch" by The Format. Everything by them is fantastic, and they've been my music obsession this week, but this is definitely my favorite song by them. The lyrics are great, and I love anything acoustic (and don't forget my secret crush on Nate. I love his voice!)
Music: The first thing that comes to mind is Britney classics. Yes, I am a huge fan of ...Baby One More Time. It was the first CD I ever bought, and I still hold it dear to my heart. Some of my favorite Britney hits include "...Baby One More Time", "Oops! I Did it Again", "Everytime", and "Lucky". I also have a problem with listening to music that a white girl like me has no place listening to and pretending I'm a gangster. My top horrible fake gangster songs are "Lean Like a Cholo" by Down AKA Kilo, "Drink 'n My 2 Step" by Cassidy, and "Hustler's Anthem" by Busta Rhymes ft. T Pain. Lastly, I have a deep, passionate love for John Denver. My dad owns "John Denver's Greatest Hits" ( a three disc collection!), and I am guilty of frequently listening to all of it and singing along to most of it. I have so many more music guilty pleasures, basically because I have no shame when it comes to music. I just don't want you people to discredit me anymore than you already are.
Food: Well, I can't think of anything really too bad that I eat... my favorite thing ever is semi-sweet chocolate chips in a cup of milk. I eat it with a spoon, and it's fantastic cuz the chocolate is all hard and cold, and not dry! :D I guess another thing that I am actually embarrassed to admit is that my family likes Spam... a lot. I don't love it or anything, but I'll eat for breakfast it if it's cooked in a pan like bacon. Childhood memories, I guess? (Yeah, I know, judge me.)
Movies: Well, according to my sister, I have horrible taste in movies, and I don't exactly disagree with her. I'll watch mostly anything. However, I would say that Drive Me Crazy is definitely a guilty pleasure. Not only does it have a title derived from a Britney classic (I forgot to add that I love this one!), the acting's not that great, the plot is cliche, and it has an awkward ending. Regardless of all of this, Drive Me Crazy is one of my top five favorite movies ever. (Also, Adrian Grenier is incredibly hot in this movie.)
Books: Those of you who know me well know that I'm in love with Twilight. Don't ask me why: I know the writing's bad, and a lot of times Edward/Bella/Jacob are all incredibly creepy - what with wanting to suck each other's blood and having vampire babies and stalking into your girlfriend's bedroom and being a teenage werewolf...Still there's something about the series that has made me read it more than once and endure through the terrible movies. Another guilty pleasure of mine is the Confessions of Georgia Nicolsson series, or the "Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging" one. This series has absolutely no point and is about the most annoying fifteen-year-old girl in the world, but I read all 10 (yeah, TEN) books, and loved them. Don't ask me why, cuz I can't tell you.
Celebrities: I am a girl of many celebrity crushes, but I believe that most of them are in good taste. However, there are a few that I'll admit aren't attractive, but I still find them oddly hot. First of all, when I was younger, I had the biggest crush ever on Yu-Gi-Oh. Yep, a cartoon. I still think he's a little bit of a cutie, but don't worry, I don't want cartoon babies. The rest are all real people, I promise. Also carrying over from my childhood is a crush on Elijah Wood. I know he's really short and relatively unattractive, but there's just something about him, I don't know. Next is Matthew Broderick, but only in Ferris Beuller. He's not my type at all (I think he has a weird face and bad hair), but every time I watch the movie, I just want to jump on him! If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't enjoy the movie nearly as much. Lastly, is Nate Ruess, the singer of The Format and fun. I saw him live once, and there was just something oddly alluring about him. He has very charismatic stage presence and was also wearing a very cute striped cardigan. That could've been it, but I secretly think he's oddly attractive as well.
Clothes: I only have two clothes guilty pleasures: wearing black and navy together and pantyhose. One of the basic fashion rules is never wear black and navy together-you'll look like a bruise. However, I really like them together and wear them all the time (with reasonable moderation). I also REALLY love pantyhose. You know, the ugly tan things with control top that business people and grandmas wear constantly? I love them! I'm constantly wearing them under jeans or wearing them instead of socks. I think they're super comfortable, and they keep you really warm.
TV: I don't watch TV... like, ever. But, I guess I have a guilty pleasure in The Bachelor. I love The Bachelor, and didn't miss an episode last season. I guess my love for The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a very guilty pleasure. It's honestly a really crappy show, but I can't stop watching it, I haven't missed an episode of this either. Lastly, I have a deep, fiery passion for Sabrina. You know, that show from the '90's with Melissa Joan Hart? I will proudly admit I've seen every episode at least twice, and am on the lookout for all the seasons on DVD.
So now you know my deep, dark secrets and have full right to judge me. But, before you do, think of your own guilty pleasures. Yeah, you're not so innocent yourself, are you? ;)
The song of the blog (unofficially) has to be "Guilty Pleasure" by Cobra Starship. However, the song I really wanted to share with you is "On Your Porch" by The Format. Everything by them is fantastic, and they've been my music obsession this week, but this is definitely my favorite song by them. The lyrics are great, and I love anything acoustic (and don't forget my secret crush on Nate. I love his voice!)
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