Friday, February 29, 2008

You're The Only Song I Want To Hear

One of my favorite things about a song (any song as long as it doesn't suck) is its ability to make a comeback. Songs that no longer dominate your playlists and therefore fade away into the lost land of unplayed songs can pop back up with little warning. Most of the time it a matter of luck. The song will come on at that one moment and it will narrate the feeling of that moment and it just seems to make sense. There is no real logic behind it...and that is why music is magical in the mind of Millie.

My point...it has happened to me again and I fallen back in love with a song that I had forgotten. So I have decided to write about a few of older songs that have fought their way back into rotation from the vast emptiness that comes from being forgotten. Odds are, you have forgotten them too (or never have heard of the songs which is bummer) but hopefully this will bring them back into your life.

Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie - As I made my home last night, this song came on my iPod. I had just turned the iPod on shuffle, even though I had been the car for about an hour, and this was the first song that came on. Perhaps it is timing but I was shocked at the greatness that is this song. The opening line is average but it gets better as it goes on. I am particularly fond of the line: " In my head there’s a greyhound station, where I send my thoughts to far off destinations, so they may have a chance of finding a placewhere they’re far more suited than here." Perhaps it is because I spend so much time blissfully daydreaming these days. Or perhaps it is simply because it is a clever use of words. Yet the best part of the song has to be "So brown eyes I'll hold you near, cause you're the only song I want to hear." Funny how a particular feeling can make this line so true. You find yourself yearning to hear only that one voice, which is as soothing as the sweetest song, craving it more than you ever thought possible, almost as if you are addicted to the voice/song. It is the sweetest medicine and before you know it, it is the only voice/song that you want to hear. At least, that is what I think that the song is singing about. If I am right, it is an amazingly great and sexy song.

Crush by Dave Matthews Band - Let me start by saying that I am not a big fan of DMB. I think that they are extremely overrated. While they do put on one hell of a show, I don't see what all of the fuss is about. That being said...this is a damn sexy song. Aside from all of the truly seductive lines of this song (and there are several...such as "I won't spill a drop, no, I promise you".), the one that gets to me the most is the line: "It's crazy I'm thinking, just knowing that the world is round. And here I'm dancing on the ground. Am I right side up or upside down? Is this real or am I dreaming?" OK so that is a few lines but whatever. Again, the way I hear this part of the song is that the singer is overwhelmed with happiness and passion that it is hard to be sure of anything, as it seems too good to be true. Of course, there are a few questionable references in this song so it might be caused by a drunken (or worse considering that it is DMB) state and it might be about the love of a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup. The downside of this song...it is too long....as are most songs by DMB. I know the band can jam, but must they do it at the of every song? There is no good reason for this song to be over 8 damn minutes long!


Someday by Sugar Ray - This song just makes me want to kick back with a few good friends. It is all about remember the people who have been there for you. I have already learned that very few people are meant to be "forever friends" and this song makes me less sad about it. Being that music narrates just about every moment of my life, I can relate to the line "I hear song from another time and fade away." I don't this ever changing and that is just fine with me. Great tune.

Finally, let's close with a new installment of My MC & Me. This is MC at Sam's Club helping me get ready for Monday morning. It is going to suck if it is rainy and cold...which is still the norm this time of year in Seattle.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Extra! Extra! Mansard Roof survives the Entropy Reign!

Surprisingly, I have been hooked by two new songs. There is something hypnotic about both songs and I felt compelled to purchase them to get a better listen. I still can't put my finger on it but I am digging both songs. Of course, with my luck there is probably a hidden message in one or both of the songs but that is not the point. Good tunes deserve to be listened to even if they brainwash you into collecting Lima beans shaped like "The Leader".

Mansard Roof by Vampire Weekend - sampled solely for its use of Vampire. Purchased because the song kicks ass. Further listening proved that Vampire Weekend has quite a unique sound and resulted in the buying of the entire album. (Think The Strokes meet Paul Simon.) Mansard Roof has a very peppy and catchy beat that will hook you within five notes. It is not enough to make you want to get up and dance, but enough to get your head bobbing. The lyrics are tricky. They are sung so that they are understandable, yet I have no clue what the song is about. Being the lyrics geek that I am, I decided to look up the lyrics. Guess what, I still don't know what in the hell the song is about. There are a few historical lessons but damned if I know why. The good news is that the song is enjoyable weither you understand it or not. And if my opinion isn't enough to convince you that the song is totally worth downloading, consider that the band has been named Spin Magazine's The Best New Band and consequently the first band to ever grace the cover of the magazine before their debut album was even released. I haven't heard such buzz about new band since the Artic Monkeys hit the scene.
But is it better than...

Entropy Reigns (In the Celestial City) by Kelley Polar. First let me say that there is no reason for me to like this song....and yet I do. It was the free discovery song last week on iTunes and since I didn't intially hate it, I downloaded it. It is reminensent of "Don't You Want Me" in the sense that it has the whole He-Said/She-Said approach. Lyrics are inconsistent on the internet so I have had to work with the few lines that I can understand. My best take...the guy has everything and still feels empty. The girl is trying to convince him that he is lucky because he has her. Of course, I could be way off on this so don't take my opinion on the meaning of the song too seriously. The lyrics are not the best part of the song. The techno beat mixed with the monotone sound of guy's voice is awesome. As surprised as I am to admit this...the beat is so good that the lyrics don't really matter. Not sure if it is worth paying for...will have to listen to it more and then decide.

So the answer is no. Mansard Roof kicks Entropy Reigns' ass. Not that it is really that important. The real competion for best new song is Sky verses Lovely Tonight by Joshua Radin. I am completely in love with both songs. They have been on my iPod for about two weeks and it would be embarrassing to admit their respective playcount. But I digress and will come back to these two songs another night.

Finally....enjoy a pic of MC on the bus.

WTF is up with the seats? If it isn't miserable enough to have the ride the bus...it has to be one that looks like it is from the 80s. Whatever. I don't ride it enough that I should be complaining.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

I Would Walk With My People If I Could Find Them

It's Monday and you know what that means...another dose of iPod Shuffling. Besides, after my extremely disappointing day...I'm not good for much else. Damn it all. Enjoy.
Ghost of a Good Thing by Dashboard Confessional (87) - DC is one of those bands that I enjoy but damned if I know why. The leader singer, Christopher Carrabba has such a high pitched voice that is almost hard to listen to. In spite of this fact, this is a good song. It is full of raw pain that comes from chasing something that is gone. Anyone who has ever had their heart broken understands the compulsion to believe anything that "the one" says and it usually leads to further misery. "Just bend the pieces 'til they fit indeed."

Silly Loves Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings (157) - Ah the other side of love. This song hits the nail on the head with the line "I only know that when I'm in it, it isn't silly, no it isn't silly, love isn't silly at all." Truth be told...I absolutely adore this song. I have fond memories of walking around Joe's Crab Shack singing this song. It only got better when they "borrowed" it for The Elephant Medley in Moulin Rouge. Great use of a great tune.

La Tortura by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz (141) - Hearing songs like this makes me realize that I know more Spanish than I think. This is a nice thought because I am sure that if my Grandfather was ever sober enough to read this he would be pleased. Nevertheless, this song is really sexy if you don't know what they are saying. Otherwise it is all too familiar and a little sad.

(WOW...the shuffle mix is not doing anything to improve my mood.)
Do You Know? by Enrique Iglesias (180) - So this song is not meant to be funny...but damned if it doesn't make me laugh every time I hear it. I think that it is one those "Wow that would suck if it happened to me" type songs but because it isn't happened to you...you laugh. It probably isn't nice or morally correct to laugh...but it is kind of funny. Or maybe it is because when I first heard it I turned around at my desk and told Dino that it really would suck to be the last one to know the locks on the doors have changed. Not knowing what I was talking about, he hesitantly agreed and from there we imagined coming home and finding said changed locks and then realizing that your incredibly cheap LT has already purchased your furniture from Goodwill, which of course is where the evil EX disposed of it. Maybe you'd have to be there to see the humor. Nevertheless, I laugh every time I hear this song and I think of my buddy Dino. Dino sure is funny.

Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand (177) - This is one of the best songs ever. It is so awesome. I have been pulled over twice while listening to this song which should vouch for its greatness. (Avoided speeding tickets both times BTW.) I can't say anything bad about this song...because it is so freakin' awesome. Just when you think that it can't get any better...the brilliant minds at Video Mods managed to take it to another level. It was almost too much greatness for one single moment. Greatest YouTube Moment ever!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p2L2fnKTw4

Being that I am still super pissed off at myself at the moment...let's keep going!
All I Want by The Offspring (87) - Every time I hear The Offspring I wonder why I don't listen to them more often. This song reminds me of football...I think maybe because it was used in Varsity Blues but not entirely sure about that. I think the reason that I like this song is because it is great song to rock out to when you are pissed off at "Da Man". I'm not mad at "Da Man" or anyone but myself really but it is making me feel better to listen to this. Dexter really is an awesome vocalist.

Deep Inside of You by Third Eye Blind (68) - Whatever happened to Third Eye Blind? There is only one other person I've ever met who liked them as much as I do and that is my friend Greenan. We used to spend many a mid-watch discussing their lyrics and this one that we spent hours on. After many debates, we concluded that in spite of the obvious sexual innuendo of the song, it actually has nothing to do with sex. Deep Inside of You is a purely emotional reference and that is what makes it such a sexy song. Which is not to say that Third Eye Blind doesn't sing about sexy, as most of their songs are incredibly naughty and most people are none the wiser.

Happy Days by Pratt and McClain (142) - I don't care who you are...you can't be in a bad mood while listening to this song. OK so most people think of the TV show Happy Days when they hear this song and I am no exception. I seem to remember on the rare afternoons when my father didn't work late and I didn't have practice we would sometimes watch Happy Days reruns. But those were very rare moments so I quickly switch back to memories of the Soda Pop Sock Hop that we had during junior year. I had so much running around in my little poodle skirt and dancing like a dork. I remember the night ended with this song and it is great memory.

I am still pissed off but slightly less so and that is probably as good as it is going to get. I am sure that tomorrow will be a little bit better and hopefully by Wednesday night I will be back to my goofy self. It just sucks to work so hard and still fail. I am reminded of a Homer Simpson quote that seems to fit my mood so let's end with that "You tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try."

Monday, February 25, 2008

I'll Take POTPOURRI for $___ Alex 2.0

Due to massive amounts of studing...I can't commit to one topic tonight...so let's do another round of Potpourri.

Category - From a Movie Genius
$ 200 - "Since God created man and man created The Transformers, The Transformers are like a gift from God."

$400 - "All I said was that the Easter bunny at the Menlo Park mall was more convincing and he just jumped the railing and knocked me down. "

$600 - "You people. If there isn't a movie about it, its not worth knowing is it?

$800 - "Hey look, I'm sorry I dragged you away from whatever-gay-serial-killers-who-ride-horses-and-like-to-play-golf-touchy-feely-picture you're supposed to be doing this week."

$1000 - "Cats is the second worst thing that ever happened to New York City."

Final Jeopardy - "I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you."

Finally....enjoy a pic of MC at the lake.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

It Doesn't Make A Difference If We Make It Or Not

I really wanted to like Jumper. See...as one of the few Star Wars fans who actually thinks that Hayden Christensen can act...I really hoped that this would be the movie that would get more people on the Hayden bandwagon. Jumper wasn't terrible...but it wasn't great. There were parts that were entertaining but the ending left much to be desired. There was a climax, but once it was done, there was the familiar feeling of "So What?". It didn't seem to be worth the effort.

Samuel L Jackson continued on his "Can't Act for Shit" streak, which wasn't surprising. Rachel Bilson was okay, but nothing spectacular. She lacked the "wow" factor that was needed for someone in that role. Diane Lane was wasted in her five minutes of screen time as David's mother. I didn't buy her story in the end. If my kid was a jumper, I think it would cast a serious doubt in my mind that all jumpers should be killed. I mean, she gave birth to jumper...doesn't that count for anything? Apparently not.

So the only thing that this movie did for me was make me ponder where I would go if I could jump anywhere in the world. Perhaps it is the mood that I am in, but I would jump to Havasu Canyon. (I would have to jump because there is no way in hell that I am making that hike again.) The miserable hike aside...it was one of the greatest times of my life. The memories are some of the most vivid that I have. I still remember the sound and smell of the waterfalls. I remember the way I cried when I finally saw them. (The fact that I was sure that I was going to die without seeing them had a lot of do with it, but it was one of the most beautiful scenes that I have ever seen.) I also remember thinking that I never wanted to leave. (The thought of the hike out of the canyon was only part of it.) More than anything, I remember the spiritual side of the trip. Sadly, even if I did make it back it would not be the same as it was the first time. In spite of the beauty and the magic that was that canyon, it was the people who were with me that made it so special. I never felt closer to my friends or closer to God as I did during that trip.

So this got me on a "If I could..." trip, which as embarrassing as it is to admit, is actually a lot of fun. Chance wrote a great hypothetical blog about a week ago...which is probably why I was so quick to run with the idea. (Chance is one hell of a blogger.) So here are a few of the "If I coulds" that I came up with today during my day of Millie time at the spa.

If I could be any female character from a book, I would be Maharet from the Vampire Chronicles. I loved her character from the moment she was introduced. She was a badass who didn't put up with any shit and still managed to hold onto a few of the traits from her human days. Perhaps it is the romantic way that Anne Rice wrote about her vampires, but the appeal has always been there for me. I am not a fan of the sun anyway so I don't think that I would be missing out on anything. The way that she protected her family and used that love to keep her alive for centuries was always amazing to me. But I digress...

If I could be any male character from a book, it would be Edmond Dantes from the Count of Monte Cristo. Sure he suffered more than any good man ever should but it made him tough and smart so I suppose it was worth it. He learned how to ensure that he would never be scorned again and I respect that. Sure he was fueled by hate, pain, and the need for revenge but at the root of all it was love. But yeah the main reason is that he was able to ensure that no one fucked with him again was vengeance. It worked out in the end and that is the reason that I would go through everything that he did just to learn that one secret...to never be taken advantage of again.

If I could be an female character from a movie, it would be Princess Leia. Why Princess Leia? Because she didn't put up with any shit either. She kept Han in his place, and he loved her for it. Men rarely love strong women and yet she managed to use her strength to make him want her more. She was incredibly loyal to the Rebellion and was instrumental in its success. By far one of the best women in film. I wish that I could be strong and sexy at the same time...yet it seems that I am doomed to more like Padme.

If I could sing a duet with anyone in the world, it would be Joshua Radin. I picked him over JBJ for one reason, and that is that there is no way that I would be able to regain enough composure to actually sing around JBJ. Hell, I would probably end up in jail if I got close enough to touch him. So I picked Joshua Radin because his music is speaking to me at the moment. I actually think that we would compliment each others voice well. Any man that can make me believe again is remarkable in my mind, even if it is only for 3:00 minutes of song.

If I could act opposite any male actor it would be Eric Bana. I don't know what it is about that man but I think that he is the most brilliant actor making movies today. He was the only good thing about the movie Troy. It would have to be a drama because I don't think that he is capable of being funny with those eyes. Not saying that he is Derek Jeter sexy but he does have some unspecific appeal that makes me want to see every movie that he puts out. Hell, knowing that he is playing King Henry in The Boleyn Girl is the only reason that I finished the book. (But I am grateful that I did and have already started The Boleyn Inheritance.) I am such a sucker from men with dark hair and dark eyes.

Since it is the most popular what if question...let's close with...

If I had to listen to one song and only one song for the rest of my life, it would be Livin' on a Prayer. Why? Because it is the best damn song ever that's why. People laugh at me when I offer my default advice of "Live for the fight when its all that you've got." but it actually pretty damn good advice. Now I have to believe that if I ever was in the situation where I was only able to listen to one song...things would be not being going very well overall. So it would be in my best interest to pick a song that would motivate me to keep fighting to make it better. And as I said before, stupid though it would probably end up being...if some guy ever said "Take my hand and we'll make it I swear" I would take that leap.

Finally...here is MC and I enjoying the movies. Wherever I go, he goes.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Wherever I Go...He Goes!

Well folks, we survived our 800 mile trip. Honestly, I was not looking forward to the trip by any means and I actually was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. I ended up having a great time. Professionally, it was by far the best presentation that the office has put on so we are proud of the hard work that goes into these things. Honestly...No complaints save one, but one cannot have everything they desire. So all and all...it was worth spending 15+ hours in a car in about three days.

More importantly, we got to share the fun with MC. So enjoy the pics that are the latest installment of "My MC & Me". Wherever I go...he goes. It is amazing how many random strangers wanted to meet the MC along the road. Here are my favorites from the trip.

(MC and I at the Toutle River Rest Stop)

(MC is the THE MAN)

(MC and I at the Oak Grove Rest Stop)

(MC and Random Dude at the Oak Grove Rest Stop)

(MC and Gas Station Dude in Drain, OR.)

(MC Chilling in the Lobby at the Edgewater Motel in Coos Bay, OR)

(MC and Mikel playing some pinball.)

(MC, LT, and Mikel checking in at the front desk.)

(MC and I starting our day with some Dutch Bros Coffee.)

(MC and I celebrating Safety!)

(MC and Team FOT chowing down on "my people" food.)

(Everyone wants to kick it with MC!)

(Safety First MC!)


(MC and I as close to CG Helo as they would let us get.)

(If people knew MC was at our Motel, there would be no vacant rooms.)

(MC and Team FOT eating the BEST Steak ever!)

(Our Waitress loved the MC!)


(MC kicking it at the bar.)

(MC and I at Buffalo Bills!)

(Only taken because MC hates the damn Yankees!!!)

(MC and Mikel in front of the "boat".)

(MC and I on the boardwalk.)


(MC and I at our final meal of the trip. Boy were we tired!)