Parisian Love

I didn’t watch the Super Bowl, but I did see a lot of people chirping on Twitter about the Google ad, so I…ahem…googled it. Turns out it was super beautiful. I loved the simplicity of it. I technically can’t say if it was the best commercial of this year’s Super Bowl (because it was the only one I saw) but it definitely gets my vote for one of the best commercials I’ve seen on TV recently.

This is Such a Pity

Just for fun – a silly procrastination aide that my cousin Layne shared with me. I thought it would be pretty funny to see what I could come up with because my iTunes certainly has a wide selection of tunes.

RULES:
1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, MP3 Player, or whatever on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say?
“What Are They Doing in Heaven Today?” – Washington Phillips

How would you describe yourself?
“Banking on a Myth” – Elliot Smith [I hope I'm not really banking a myth! I'd like to think my life has a little more direction than that!]

What do you like in a guy/girl?
“And I Love Her” – The Beatles [Substitute in the word "him" and that's a great way to avoid the question!]

How do you feel today?
“Mercedes Benz” – Janis Joplin [I can't say that I feel like a fancy car, but I don't feel like a beater...]

What is your life’s purpose?
“Bold as Love” – Jimi Hendrix

What is your motto?
“Side by Side” – Earth, Wind, and Fire [Nothing wrong with living with company]

What do your friends think of you?
“Outta Mind (Outta Sight)” – Wilco [I am definitely out of my mind...]

What do you think of your parents?
“Blackbird” – The Beatles [Sorry for them, because I know they are reading this, but not much I can read into this one other than it is a great song.]

What do you think about very often?
“Do You Remember” – Jack Johnson

What is 2 + 2?
“Change Clothes” – Jay-Z

What do you think of your best friend?
“I Say a Little Prayer” – The Cast of Glee [I do pray for my friends! Wishing them the best the world can offer!]

What do you think of the person you like?
“Rat Race” – Bob Marley & the Wailer [I guess you could say this means I love my job. In that case, very true.]

What is your life story?
“If I Ever Lose My Faith in You” – Sting

What do you want to be when you grow up?
“Never Been In Love” – Talib Kweli [No!]

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
“Smile” – Lily Allen

What will you dance to at your wedding?
“The Wrong Girl” – Belle & Sebastian [Again, no!]

What will they play at your funeral?
“Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey!” – The Beatles [Not really funeral appropriate, but I guess it is kind of fitting for me.]

What is your hobby/interest?
“Times They Are a Changing” – Bob Dylan [My interests are changing the political times of Kansas!]

What is your biggest fear?
“The Perfect Plan” – Wale [Maybe because it doesn't exist!]

What is your biggest secret?
“Family Tree” – Ben Kweller [No secrets there!]

What do you think of your friends?
“Time” – Ben Folds [We have all been friends for a very long time!]

What will you post this as?
“This is Such a Pity” – Weezer

Lately

While Friday’s snow was extremely messy and inconvenient, I can’t deny that it was extremely beautiful. I couldn’t resist snapping this photo when I was leaving campus.

After the jump, a few gratuitous shots of my dogs and recent happenings, as well as some other items that have been catching my eye.

Politically Divided

President Obama answered questions from the Republican caucus earlier this week and somehow I missed it. I’m not entirely sure why, but I actually didn’t even know it was going to be happening. Regardless, Daily Intel has a two minute recap of some of Obama’s most memorable quotes. I also want to add one quote that a friend posted on twitter, but isn’t included in the video:

“The fact of the matter is, many of you, if you voted with the administration on something, are politically vulnerable with your own base, with your own party, because what you’ve been telling your constituents is, ‘This guy’s doing all kinds of crazy stuff that’s going to destroy America.’ “

I’m still looking for a full video of the meeting online because I’d love to see it. If anyone has a link, please let me know!

We must lead

“I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change.  But here’s the thing — even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy-efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future -– because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.  And America must be that nation.”

- President Barack Obama, 2010 State of the Union Address

Golden Globes

A few thoughts on the Golden Globes:

Fashions

Cory Monteith of Glee looking very dapper.

Lea Michele, also of Glee, is my Best Dressed Female of the night

George Clooney had both the best beard and least worthy date.

John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are easily the most attractive couple in Hollywood.

Tina Fey's dress may face mixed reviews, but I loved it.

See many more looks on Culture Vulture.

Awards

Actress (Musical or Comedy): I loved Meryl Streep in both Julie and Julia and It’s Complicated, so I was glad to see her take the award. I can only hope to age as gracefully as Meryl Streep.

Series (Musical or Comedy): Three (million) cheers for Glee. I was literally crossing my fingers for this show to take the win, so as it was announced and their version of “Don’t Stop Believin’” started playing, I was overjoyed. I just cannot get over how excited the cast seems to be a part of the show. In my eyes, they are truly taking nothing for granted.

I was disappointed to see The Hangover win Best Comedy. I would have much more preferred a win for (500) Days of Summer, It’s Complicated, or Julie and Julia. I also would have loved to see Jane Lynch win for Best Supporting Actress. Her character on Glee is one of the greatest on television.

Take Note

Update, 1/16/09: For what it’s worth, I did make my bed today and I got my 45 minutes of movement on the elliptical machine at the gym. However, I didn’t do any eating out, so I couldn’t practice not cleaning my plate and I think the “always looking positive” thing will be a work in progress.

Two things that I’ve been fixated on over the last several days:

1. Broken Bells – The High Road

As a frequent Grey Album listener, I am fascinated by Danger Mouse’s work. For those who are unaware, Danger Mouse combined Jay-Z’s Black Album with samples from the Beatles’ White Album to create the Grey Album. The end result is truly a masterpiece.

In his latest project, Danger Mouse has joined forces with James Mercer from The Shins to form Broken Bells. So far, this is the only song out from their album due in March, but I’m hooked. It was so smooth and flows so well that I cannot stop listening.

2. NY Mag’s 50 Steps to Simple Happiness

Although most of these specific tasks are focused on New York events or locations, I think they can all translate to our daily lives. Some of my favorites are:

2. Make your bed. I always feel better when my room is less cluttered, so I spent the afternoon organizing my space and I vow to try to make my bed everyday. By making it less easy to lay in during the day, here’s hoping I’ll stay motivated from breakfast to bedtime!

4. Leave your mouth in that slightly upturned position it takes after saying ‘Cheez Whiz. I hate to think that my facial expression could come off as mean or stuck up, so I will make an effort to always seem pleased!

23. When you’re in an elevator, put down the BlackBerry and engage in small talk. I’ve definitely been guilty of this on several occasions.

27. Move your body for 45 minutes three times a week. Seems easy enough, right?

41. Never clean your plate at a restaurant. Not only will this make my body happy, but it also seems more ladylike to me. Better that than scarfing it down like someone is trying to take it from you!

Read them all.

Best wishes to everyone for a very happy 2010 filled with good music!

A True Vacation

I just returned from a trip to Florida to see my friend Ashley, whom I met while interning in DC. She is a student at George Washington, but was home in Orlando for break.

My trip was absolutely fantastic and a true vacation in every sense of the word. A few highlights including ringing in the New Year by dancing the night away at the German-American club. Ashley and my favorite dance was, by far, was Cowboy and Indianer. The video below doesn’t show the dance, but just ask and I’d be happy to perform it for you anytime. I still have it memorized.

Photos for New Year’s Eve:

All of the women were dressed to the nines. This woman was one of our favorites with her sequin dress and feathered head piece.

This man loved to tell a dirty joke just as much as the next drunk German man.

One of the group dances (Think Electric or Cha Cha Slide, but in German.)

Can you spot Ashley?!

Just after midnight

More after the jump…

Top 100 Albums of the Decade

Rolling Stone has compiled a list of 100 Best Albums of the Decade, so I thought I’d weigh in on a few of their selections. Links to songs included!

1. Kid A (Radiohead): Okay, I have to admit that I have never hopped on the Radiohead bandwagon. However, now that this album has earned the number one spot on their list, I will definitely be snatching it up as soon as possible. If all the best people in the industry think there has been nothing better, it is at least worth a listen.

3. Yankee Hotel Foxtot (Wilco): Yes, yes, yes. Three of my all-time favorite Wilco songs are on this album, including my all-time favorite, I am Trying to Break Your Heart, so I whole heartedly agree with this selection. In fact, I’d put this album on my list of the greatest albums of all-time, not just this decade. I got to see Wilco live when I was in DC and ever since then, my listening experience with their albums has been on another level. Each song brings me something new.

14. The Black Album (Jay-Z): Jay-Z also earned the number four spot with “The Blueprint.” Two albums in the top 20? I think that speaks wonders for the artist that he is. Like many others, The Black Album is my favorite of his, with my favorite track being “Public Service Announcement.” Ask me sometime to rap this song for you and I’ll do it at the drop of a hat.

28. Fever to Tell (Yeah Yeah Yeahs): I saw the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs in concert and they bored me so much I actually left. Plus, two “cougars” got in a fight in front of me and one girl lost her shoe. Odd experience coupled with a poor performance doesn’t entice me to check out their records anymore.

53. Only by the Night (Kings of Leon): Each time I listen to this album, I pick a new favorite track. Someone once told me that they judge a good album by tracks five, eight, and the second to last. This is because anyone can make three great songs and a band will always pick something great for the last song. This song is a “five, eight, and second to last” album all the way.

56. Vampire Weekend (Vampire Weekend): I might get some flax for saying this, but I love this album. In fact, I even had Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa as my ringtone for awhile last summer. Was this album life changing? No. But it is fun to listen to and always cheers me up.

58. The Grey Album (Danger Mouse): Bump this album up about 50 spots and I’d be happy. Danger Mouse combined tracks from the Beatles’ White Album and Jay-Z’s Black Album to create Perfection.

63. 808s and Heartbreak (Kayne West): Get this album off the list.

97. Sky Blue Sky (Wilco): As a whole, this album is probably my favorite of Wilco’s. I can absolutely never get enough of the guitar solo at 1:28 in “You are my Face.” I remember driving around once after a morning of classes and continually pressing rewind so I could hear that transition in the song over and over. I love Wilco because their music feels so raw and real to me. “You are my Face” epitomizes that for me. “I have no idea how this happens to me/All of my maps have been overthrown. Happenstance has changed all my plans/So many times my heart has been outgrown.” I could also go on for miles about “Hate it Here.” Greatest break-up song, in my opinion.

Thoughts? Reactions? Think I have terrible taste in music and want to change my mind through a listening session? Please share! Nothing makes me happier than getting music recommendations.

Also, my music collection is your music collection.

Getting Back in the Swing of Things

My dad recently pointed out to me that my blog has suffered greatly since I came back to Kansas, and he is right. I’m not sure what will become of this space now that I am home again, but I promise to do my best to keep things updated. If anything, this will keep me writing.

For now, a little catch all on my happenings.

While I was in DC, I didn’t have a television so I was limited to watching only the shows I could get on Hulu or Netflix. But now that I have steady access to TV and DVR, I am certainly keeping updated on the shows.

The fall finale of Glee was on Wednesday evening and I am still reeling about how great it was. Although their relationship grew on me after the Lean on Me episode, I never liked Quinn for Finn (rhyming names are a bit much, too) so part of me was delighted to see her lie exposed. Also, like everyone else, I am huge fan of the Will/Emma combo, so I can’t wait for that to continue to come to fruition.

But the best of Glee has, and will always be, the song. The finale especially didn’t disappoint with Mercedes and Rachel both belting out ballads and New Directions coming together for You Can’t Always Get What You Want and (my favorite of the episode) My Life Would Suck Without You. It pains me to think that I’ll have to wait until April for new episodes!

In other finale news, Top Chef wrapped up another season and my season-long favorite, Michael Voltaggio, took home the prize. In my opinion, he was the most adventurous, passionate, and talented chef on the season and I was happy to see the judges agree with me even though only about 15% of those who voted during the show thought he should win. Sure he won’t be the fan favorite, but his goal was to cook the best food and he clearly succeeded at that.

On another note, he was contended against his brother, who owns a restaurant in Baltimore (VOLT – short for Voltaggio, which I just got), in the top two. Talk about a talented family.

One last note on current television shows: if you aren’t already watching 30 Rock and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, get on that.

More ramblings after the jump…