100 Day Song Challenge 33-40

I'm a total slacker. In my defense, I've been reading great books, and Christmas shopping. So, I'm 16 days behind I'll do 8 today and the rest tomorrow or another day, you know.

Day 33- A Really Short Song

The Beatles- Her Majesty. Abbey Road was one of the first albums I ever got. My parent's picked good music for me, what can I say? It's one album I can listen to from start to finish, over and over again & never get sick of and this song is one of my faves. Enjoy.

Day 34- A Song Performed by an Actor/Actress

30 Seconds To Mars- The Kill. Jared Leto is hot. He's talented. He's an actor AND a musician. It doesn't get much better than that friends. This video is a little creepy, and ripped off from 'The Shining' but the song is great.

Day 35- A Song From A Classic Rock Band

Blue Oyster Cult- Don't Fear The Reaper. EVERYONE knows this song. If you don't- you've been living under a rock. I have 4 words for you. "I got a fever!!!" Seriously-- google it. This song is amazing.

Day 36- The Eurovision Song Winner from the Year You Were Born

the 1986 winner is Belgium. Haven't actually listened to the song, but her outfit is legit. Just watch this and wallow in the 80's.

Day 37- Worst Song You Have In Your Collection

Jibbs- Chain Hang Low. Ok, ok, ok. This song is pretty terrible, but it's catchy as hell. Just listen and revel in your childhood, and focus on how horribly mangled this childhood favorite is now. You're welcome.

Day 38- A Song That Gets You Motivated

Katy Perry- Firework-- Cliche? Yes. Do you think I care? I hope not, because I couldn't care less. This is a great song. And basically it makes everyone feel good about themselves. What's not to like. I feel like I can conquer the world (or at least my little piece of it) when I hear it. It's one of those that instantly boosts my mood.

Day 39- The First Random Song That Comes To You.

Macklemore- Thrift Shop. This song came on my YouTube mix a few days ago and has been stuck in my head since. Don't have much else to say about it.

Day 40- A Song from the 1950's

The Big Bopper- Chantilly Lace. Pretty much one of my favorite songs of all time. Music was SO GOOD back then. Well folks. That's all for tonight. Enjoy... XO

Day's 28-32 of the Challenge

Well, let me just say, I haven't felt like posting this week because I've been reading and the series I just finished ripped my heart out and then gingerly placed it back in my chest after stomping on it, and then kissing it better. So, here's all my posts for the week.

Day 28- A really old song. 

Cole Porter- "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)". Written in 1928 and featured in one of my ALL-TIME favorite movies, "Midnight In Paris". I love this song, however, please ignore the racial slurs found in the song. I believe they changed it up a little for the movie because we (most of us) don't talk like that anymore, thank goodness. Anyway, it's still a great song. Give it a listen ok? The birds and the bees are... :)

Day 29- A Michael Jackson song.

Thriller- Because it's basically the best music video ever made and probably, along with the 90s remake of "Night of The Living Dead", fueled my love for zombies. 

Day 30- One of the oldest songs that you like. 

Okay, I feel like this is just a different variation on Day 28 but I'll play along Blogger.

Frank and Nancy Sinatra- "Something Stupid". It's not the OLDEST song that I can think of that I like but it's old and I like it so, there. Just listen to old blue eyes sing this beautiful duet with his daughter and you'll love it too. 

Day 31- A song that would HAVE to be played at your birthday party.  

I have absolutely NO SHAME in admitting that I love this band and will for sure play their music at my future birthdays.

One Direction- "Best Song Ever". It's fun and catchy as hell. Don't hate. 

Day 32- A song that's currently in the music charts that you like. 

Again-- No shame. 

Taylor Swift- "Shake It Off" I like it. It's fun to listen to, it's easy to listen to, it makes me want to dance and I love that she's ok to make fun of herself. And I'll even add a bonus track to this day

Mary Lambert- "Secrets" another song with a good message by someone who's not afraid of some self deprecation. Boom.

Enjoy peeps. XO

100 Day Song Challenge SLACKER!!

Day's 24, 25, 26 & 27.

Slacking again! I had a really good relaxing weekend though and it was filled with reading, so I kind of forgot about the Challenge!

Day 24- A good 70's song.

Anita Ward- "Ring My Bell"  It's no secret that if a song came out before I was born, I probably like it. In the 70's, disco was big, then it tapered off and most people just poke fun at it now. The music though, is pretty amazing. PLUS, my favorite part of the movie 'Book of Eli' with Denzel is when the crazy folks, that have been snacking on people tacos, put this song on to dance around the house to. I think that's the moment where Denzel and companion realize their new friends are a tad loopy. Good times. Anyways, just listen and dance around in your house. You know you want to.

Day 25- A song you would ask a DJ to play at a party.

Blackstreet- "No Diggity"   My sister Hayley and I LOVE this song. There's something about the beat that makes you want to shake your money maker, right? Even though the tempo is not particularly fast, it's still a great song to get down to.

Day 26- A good 60's song.

There are SOOOOOOO many songs I could put here. Literally, like a bunch. From The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, The Moody Blues, etc. ... but I got to give this spot to...

Simon & Garfunkel- "Sounds of Silence". I think this song is incredibly beautiful, even though it sounds very melancholy. I love S&G, they are so easy to listen to. Great to put on when you've had a bad day. If you don't listen to them, you should. The End.

Day 27- A song with a number in it.

Goldfinger- "99 Red Balloons"  Yes. I know this is a cover, but I like this version better. It rocks, literally. Plus, it's not primarily in German, so I can sing along to it better. :) Give it a listen, you'll like it.

If this post hasn't proved, all on it's own just how diverse my musical pallet is, then I don't know what will. I hope you've enjoyed catching up on the last 4 days with me! It's been fun sharing my song choices! XO

Day's 22 & 23

Day 22- A song over 7 minutes long.

I've already explained the soft spot in my heart for classic music. Be it rock, r&b, blues, bluegrass whatever. I was born in the wrong era... but I also wasn't because I like quite a bit of the music that's been produced in my 28 years. Anyway-- this was a no-brainer for me.

Bob Dylan- "Idiot Wind" off of one of my favorite albums ever. I picked this song because it meets the requirement (duh) but also because I love Bob Dylan, and who hasn't had to deal with "Idiot Wind"? Pretty much everyone has. We all know someone, from whom the Idiot Wind blows every time they open their mouth. Just sayin... it's true.

Day 23- A song with no lyrics. I'm taking it old school. LIKE REALLY OLD SCHOOL with this one because I also appreciate the REAL CLASSICAL stuff. So chew on this readers.

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. It's hauntingly beautiful. Just amazing really. Take care until I share the next song with you. XO

Day 21- A Song with a Name in it.

A name, a name. What's in a name.... just kidding. So, my song won't be as obvious because the name in my song, isn't really a name, but since a name is just another "proper noun" I'm thinking this works.

AFI- 'Miss Murder'. I love AFI so hard it's truly awe inspiring. I went to Warped Tour in 2003 and had the opportunity to see them live BUT I wanted to see Eve 6 too, and while they were supposed to come on BEFORE AFI on a different stage their tour bus had problems and they were late to the show and we stuck around because I was sure that I would never get another opportunity to see Eve 6 if I didn't see them then. Needless to say, we missed AFI and then they stopped touring because Davey Havoc had a cyst on his vocal cords. And then I stopped going to shows because I got busy and poorer. Anyway, SOMEDAY I'll see them live and my life will be complete. Enjoy--xo

Day 20-- A good 80's song

For day 20 of the glorious, 100 Day Song Challenge I need to share with you a good 80's song. I shared one for day 18 but I guess I can share another. The 80's did have some good tunes.

Here's one from 1983-- the year Matt was born. It was recently used in the movie "13 Going On 30". LOVE that movie.

Talking Heads-- "Burning Down The House"

Pretty much one of the most awesome songs out there. I can't for the LIFE of me figure out why, in the movie I mentioned above, when "Matt" puts the song on at "Jenna's" birthday the kids don't start crunking! (Ok, I know why they don't crunk, it's a stupid dance, and it didn't exist yet...) When I hear this song I just want to bob my head and rock out! Enjoy the awesome 80's... xo

100 Day Songs Challenge 18/19

Day 18: A song from the year you were born. Man, 1986. What a great year, though I'm probably only slightly biased. :)

Robert Palmer-- 'Addicted To Love'. I LOVE this song. It makes me want to dance! And maybe strut on a catwalk in something sexy... thank you Robert Palmer, thank you.


Day 19: A song you think most people would like. Ok-- I feel like most people love 'Queen'. I mean how can you not? They have some of the most popular songs in today's culture... STILL! Everyone knows, 'We Will Rock You' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. They have SO many great songs. One of my favorites I heard in a Coca-Cola commercial a few years back. It's a more "recent" song of theirs'. My mom didn't really love their later stuff, and while I too, am partial to their earlier sound this song just makes me happy. Who doesn't feel like breaking free once in awhile, and who doesn't want to see Freddy Mercury vacuuming in a mini skirt? SO here you go.

Queen-- 'I Want to Break Free'

XOXO

Days 16 & 17

Day 16-- A song you like, but a friend hates.

Lady Antebellum- Downtown
I'm purely guessing here and hoping that I'm right. My good friend Krista has pretty good taste in music ;), but she doesn't like country... so it can't be THAT good (just kidding Krista!). Anyway, here's the song I picked and I'm just figuring that since it's a country song, she hates it. I'm probably right. I'm like, a psychic or something... haha.

Day 17-- A song from a movie.
But there's SO many movies, and songs. It's too hard to pick just one! Ok-- so I mentioned 'The Goonies' in an earlier post, and so why not a song from that movie!?

Cyndi Lauper-- 'The Goonies' Are Good Enough' This song is my childhood. Just listen to the awesome 80's-ness.

**Bonus song** I couldn't pick just one song from a movie so, here you go.

'Time Warp' from Rocky Horror Picture Show. If this song doesn't make you want to dance, you have no soul! P.S.-- Columbia is my favorite character in the movie. She's so melodramatic!
Enjoy! XO

Day 15. 100 Day Song Challenge

Day 15-- A song you hate.

This is going to be SO easy for me. The sad thing is that I probably wouldn't hate the song if they didn't play it 1 billion times a day on the radio... and the best part? I don't even listen to the radio that much, but I've heard this song the most lately.

Echosmith-- Cool Kids.  Cannot stand this song. It's just not very good. I can't say anything else about it, other than it's boring. To me. So-- enjoy, or if you're like me, then don't. Either way it's all good. XO

100 Day Song Challenge

Day 13-- A song with a good video...

When I was like 9-10 my mom recorded this video off of MTV and showed it to us. I didn't know who the group even was until my mom showed me the video and now I'm a fan for life. So-- think about that before you judge me... my mom introduced me to them. ;)

Backstreet Boys-- Everybody. We literally would rewind the tape and watch it over and over again. I remember watching the making of the video and even learning the dance moves with a friend of mine. Ah. Good times.

Bonus video***

Here's another great video just because.

Because who DOESN'T like Blink-182 and even if you don't like them... this video is genius.

Day 13/100 Day Song Challenge

Day 13-- Your favorite cover song.

Songs so good they had to be done twice... or sometimes three or four. Recently I discovered Alex Boye on YouTube and I LOVE his covers. He gives them a bit of an African Tribal flair and I'm a big fan. So-- without further adieu...

This is Alex Boye covering 'Ho Hey' by "The Lumineers" which I love in and of itself but I really love the way he covered it. Plus-- the music video is filmed in Downtown SLC (part of it anyway). I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. It's a real easy listen. XO

Day 12 song challenge

Day 12-- A song from an artist who has died.

There are, unfortunately so many to choose from but one of my absolute favorites has to be this lady. There's not much for me to say about this song. This is one of the first Janis songs I remember hearing, and it will forever always be a favorite of mine. Tragic that the world has lost so many talented artists well before their time. Sit back, give this a listen and just relax. xo

Day 11/100 Song Challenge

Day 11-- A song from an artist I'm attracted to. Hmmmm... Ok. You're all about to get a taste of the Utah in me with this one. I'd never listened to country music ever until I moved here and let me tell you-- there are some damn fine country boys making music out there. 

Luke Bryan- Play It Again. Luke Bryan... aaaah. Tall drink of water right there. I'd shake it for him if he asked me, and take a ride in his big, black, jacked up truck and I'd probably have fake babies with him, Peeta and Katniss style if he offered. Plus, who hasn't sat around all night waiting for their favorite song to come on the radio? Especially if you wanted to record it and make a mix tape? Ok-- maybe I'm showing my age with the mix tape reference but still. Even if you don't like country music Luke Bryan is beautiful. 

Day 10/100 Song Challenge

Day 10. A song from one of your favorite albums. What is the album?

Well, shoot. This too, is complicated. But since you can never have too much awesome British Classic Rock love in your life, I'll share another song by The Who.

This song is called 'Pinball Wizard' off of the rock opera album 'Tommy'. The entire album is uh-mazing. This is one of my many favorite songs on the album-- and check the video, they're puppies and Keith Moon is by far the best part. He might just be my favorite drummer of all time. Ok-- basically he is. So- just sit back, relax and listen to the musical genius that is 'The Who'. You're welcome.

xo

100 Day song challenge Days 6-9can

Epic fail this week. In my defense, the Giants were in the World Series and The Mortal Instruments series wasn't going to read itself... ;)

Day 6- A novelty song... In honor of the SF Giants winning their 3rd W.S. title in 5 years I've decided to throwback to 2010 when SF Giants fans across the world didn't stop believing and the Giants won their 1st W.S. title as the SF Giants and the first in 56 years.

Ashkon- Don't Stop Believing. Pretty much the best anthem ever. A little musical history nugget for you. Steve Perry and Journey are from SF and Steve Perry heads to every Giants game he can because he too, loves the Giants.


Day 7- One of my favorite songs. This is a tough one because I love music. I love so many songs across many different genres. My parents were, and are still major influences in my taste so I'll honor them with this one.

Starman- David Bowie. Basically how can you not love David?


Day 8- A song I used to like, but now hate. This doesn't happen to me often. Pretty much once I love a song, I always love it. However, recently the lead singer of a band I was quite fond of was convicted of pedophilia and now, I can't listen to their music because I'm so disgusted. So-- here you go.

Lost Prophets-- Can't Stop, Gotta Date With Hate. I loved this song because the chorus references one of my all-time favorite movies... The Goonies.


Day 9- A childhood memory T.V. tune. I'm pretty sure everyone who grew up in the '80's and '90's can get behind this one. I have a crippling love for books and fictional characters and I blame this man.... LeVar Burton.

Well, thanks for joining me on this musical journey... here's to hoping I remember to do tomorrow's song tomorrow and not a week from then! XO

Song Challenge, Day 5

So, for day 5 I need to share a song that a friend likes, but I don't. Pretty much my friends have great taste in music, so I'm going to bend the challenge a little bit and use a song that my sister likes, but I don't. ;)

Basically I could fill this whole post with songs by the one and only Nicki Minaj. I do not understand why this woman even has a career but, I guess I don't need to understand everything. So-- for you viewing displeasure-- here's a wildly obnoxious song from a wildly obnoxious person. Enjoy. And a shout-out to Maddie for giving me a song idea for today's challenge. 

100 Day Song Challenge

Days 3 and 4! Look, I'm not even a week into it and I've already missed a day! Haha.

Day 3--

A song that reminds you of a night out.

November 2005 driving around Long Island, NY with some of my new friends, listening to their music. It was the first time I'd heard this song. I didn't listen to a lot of pop music or top 40 at that time in my life.

Day 4-- A song you can remember your parents listening to.

I could definitely pick more than one for this day's challenge. My parent's listened to a lot of music while I was growing up and taught me a lot about music as well. I'll pick a favorite of mine...

The Who. One of the greatest rock bands of all time. Just look at that flowing, blonde, curly Jesus 'fro. In the words of my father, "You're welcome".

Day 2 of the 100 Day Song Challenge

So, for day two of the 100 Day Song Challenge I'm supposed to share a song from the 1st album (alblum, for the Van Duren's ;)  ) I ever bought. This is tough for me because I have bought so much music over the years I can't actually remember what the first album I ever bought was. But, I have an inkling and I'm rolling with it. The first album I can remember buying was 'Country Grammer' by Nelly. So-- here you go.

Title track from Nelly's first album. All my friends and I thought we were hot sh*t listening to this, and yes-- while this is the clean version my copy was explicit. I'm such a rebel. ;) And I'm only slightly embarrassed.

Enjoy.

100 Day Song Challenge

My sister gave me the idea to do the 100 Day Song Challenge so I'm going to try and remember to log into Blogger everyday for the next 100 days and give you all a song to listen to. Maybe doing this will inspire me to blog more often. So, here goes.

Day 1: A song you know all the lyrics to. 

Eve 6. Inside Out. Probably one of my favorite songs from the 90's and one of the first ones I had memorized that was released during my lifetime. 

Book Nerd

Here I am chilling on a Thursday night, the only one awake in my house. The SF Giants have just won the NL Pennant for the 3rd year in 5 and I'm SUPER excited but that's not the reason I'm still awake. I want to read. No, not just any book. I want to read a book that was supposed to be released in August, was pushed back to October and STILL has no release date announced. This is why I try and wait for a series to be finished before I start it, that way I don't have to wait in agony for the books to be written and released. Argh! I've been pestering the author on Twitter and on the series webpage so hopefully she'll announce soon and I can have something to look forward to! Not that I don't have other things I look forward to-- like shopping with my friends (PC outlets here we come!) or grabbing Chinese and spending a quiet night in with my husband watching movies (TGIF tomorrow!) or having a surprise day off from work because it's fall break and your boss is a teacher (yes, today was actually my Friday-- huzzah!). I'm just a book nerd who stays up late waiting in agony for book release dates to be announced, blogging to no-one in particular in the vastness that is the internet complaining that the book she wants to read hasn't been released yet! I know there are some other people out there that know what I'm talking about, I know I'm not the only one! Right? Anyone? Haha. In the meantime I'll try to distract myself by reading other books, and maybe it will work, who knows!? Anyway, as always, thanks for reading!

xo

In case you were wondering what books I could possibly be talking about... click here to check it out!

Hopefully, you'll thank me later. :)
In fact, I'm pretty sure you will.

I'm obsessed

 Lately I've been OBSESSED with reading. I've always enjoyed reading. When I was in high school my mom introduced me to a few of her favorite authors (which also happen to be favorites among some of my other family members). I started with Mary Stewart and would stay up well into the early morning reading her books. I've read just about every book she ever wrote and I love them all, dearly. After I read all the Mary Stewart I could get my hands on I moved to Georgette Heyer, mainly-- her mysteries. When I had read all the Georgette Heyer mysteries I could get my hands on I moved onto Josephine Tey and read all those. When I ran out of those old books I took a break. I read pretty sparsely after that. A book or two a year maybe. I graduated high school, had a job, moved to NY and became busy with life. Friends, a boyfriend, spending time in the big city, getting reacquainted with the church. Then I moved home, got married and was focused on building a life.

About two months ago my SIL recommended a book for me to read, so I did. In one day. Then I downloaded another book by the same author and read that one. Also in one day. Since that fateful day in August I've read 26 books. Not bad considering I work pretty much full-time, and have a husband and a house to take care of (okay, maybe my house and husband have been a little neglected, but really, just a little). My friend recommended I get a GoodReads account and it's the best thing ever. I'm so glad my sister-in-law recommended that book to me that day, and I'm so glad my friend recommended I get a GoodReads account. It's re-kindled my passion for reading and has made me start to consider going back to school-- to study Literature. Of course I know I'd have to get a Doctorate in order to make the degree worthwhile financially and I'd probably end up needing to find a professorship in order to make any real money, but I'd do it. Maybe I'd even become a writer. Then maybe I could inspire people. What a dream huh? Well, thanks for reading this nerd-fest. If you didn't know I was a total geek before, you know now.

xo

It's been awhile, and I'm terrible at blogging...

I rarely remember to get on blogger anymore, and I don't know if anyone else even reads my blog anymore but I've got some stuff that I'm ready to write down on here because I need to clear my head, and I don't get as much hand-cramping typing as I do writing. So here we go.

1. My father is and always will be an alcoholic. A mean one. About a year before Matt and I got married, my dad finally got sober and we were all sealed in the temple as a family. He stayed sober for about two years after that. After 3 years sober, he fell off the wagon and has yet to get back on and stay there. He has had day long, week long, and even months long bouts of sobriety but nothing as successful as that first time, 3 1/2 years ago. Just about 2 weeks ago he checked into the hospital to detox, my mom had told him if he wanted to go to California for the family reunion he'd better get sober. She also informed him that she took money out of her 401k to help them get caught up on bills (he's also been in and out of work for the last 3 years, not because he can't find a job he just doesn't want to keep them apparently) and with that money she also paid for a divorce attorney and a divorce. All she needed to do was sign the papers and their 30 year relationship would be done. I thought maybe this was the intervention he needed, but alas-- they got home last Saturday, he stayed sober for Father's Day (mainly because he didn't have a choice, the liquor store is closed on Sunday) but he's been drunk the last 2 days. I just want to slap him and shake him and tell him how pathetic it is that he's not even trying and his wife is going to leave him but it won't help anything. If my mom goes through with the divorce, he won't be able to stay in the house. He doesn't have a job. Two of my siblings are currently living home with them, and one is on a mission. There is no where for him to go. His sister in Washington won't take him because she can't have an alcoholic in her home, she's taking care of my grandpa. I won't enable him. I don't want an alcoholic in my home. But what do I do? Let him become homeless? How am I supposed to let my own father go homeless?

2. Matt and I have been trying to have a baby for the last year and a half. I've finally just started charting and have just recently finished my first complete cycle of charting. I ovulated on day 20 and started my period 9 days later. My luteal phase is 9 days. 12-14 is optimal, but mine is 9. I will chart for a few more months to see if there's a pattern or if it's just a fluke but I still can't help but be frustrated with my body. How much is it going to cost to fix a luteal phase defect? And what will it entail? I already have anxiety about it. Wonderful.

3. I need to fix my stupid car AGAIN! It's about $900. I need new tires before my inspection in August and that's about $400.  My beautiful fur baby needs a $2000 (that's if we get a good deal)  surgery sometime soon, and we're supposed to go out to NY in September for a family wedding. Why was I not born independently wealthy?

I've been trying to stay positive because I have a lot to be happy about. I have a pretty great family, and great in-laws. I have THREE beautiful niblings that call me Aunt Barbara. I have a fantastic, wonderful, amazing, stellar, perfect husband that would do anything for me including dying my hair, and painting my toes. I have the BEST friends. I have a good job that's steady, and fun. My husband has a job that takes wonderful care of him. But I still can't shake this feeling of drowning, this feeling of wanting to break down and cry for days. It won't help anything, but it still sounds tempting.

I apologize for bringing you all down with my rant about how hard my pretty great life is-- I know there are others out there dealing with more than what I am, I just need to have a pity party for a second. If you made it to the end, thanks for letting me vent.

xo