Jock Jams

After attending the Dallas Cowboys' game on Sunday at the new Cowboys Stadium I had a thought:

If my office played upbeat music and my co-workers clapped their hands when I walked into the office, I'd be pretty pumped up for the workday, too.

I wouldn't mind wearing spandex either.

Confession

I was driving to Indianapolis on Friday and a Miley Cyrus song came on the radio and I cried. I CRIED! I wasn't even hormonal. Don't judge me! I'm looking at you Becky Page. Seriously, have you heard her song, The Climb? Just so you don't think it was a moment of crazy emotions, I heard it on the way back to Chicago two days later - and cried. AGAIN!

New Playlist

Last night I pulled together a new playlist. It was about time. It has some new tunes and oldie but goodies. Here it is!

1. The Garden by Mirah - yes, this was on SYTYCD. Loved the song and loved the dance. I adore the show - Go Joshua! yay!
2. Rehab by Amy Winehouse - She's messed up. I get it. But love her music.
3. Chasing Pavement by ADELE - Thanks Patrick!
4. I Wanna Be Sedated by The Ramones - in honor of Beckles labor.
5. Trouble by Ray LaMontagne - going to see him October 1st at the Chicago Theater!
6. Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own by U2 - makes me cry.
7. Hush by Waterdeep - also makes me cry.
8. Mercy by Duffy - a SYTYCD favorite. It also happens to be a favorite of my dad's. He dances like a mad-man to it. Gotta love any song that does that!
9. Mama He's Crazy by The Judds - I'm always in the mood for The Judds.
10. Sexy Mistake by The Chalets - I could run to this song...if I wanted to run.
11. Closer to You by Brandi Carlile - soulful like Ray LaMontagne.
12. All I Want is You by Barry Louis...something or other - Juno soundtrack
13. You Know I'm Not So Good by Amy Winehouse - please see above.
14. In Lonesome Dove by Garth Brooks - makes me nostalgic for the good ol' days.
15. Romeo and Juliet by Indigo Girls - reminds me of me and Beckles singing at the top of our lungs in my car with the windows down.
16. Mona Lisa by Indigo Girls - ditto
17. I Don't Ever Give Up by Patty Griffin - good song if you're an actress.
18. Diamonds On the Souls of Her Shoes by Paul Simon - good, solid, awesome song.

A Few Things...

First of all, the past two of my shows/rehearsals for The Senate have turned into impromptu BBQ's and other such fun summer goodness. Finally, it feels like summer! There were lightening bugs and citronella candels. All that was missing was the insane heat and humidity. It brought back the feelings of being a senior in high school and finishing your last final before graduation. No responsibilities and nothing but adventures and friendships. I'm jealous my little brother still gets to experience this. I wonder if parents get a taste of this feeling once their kids finish finals. I'm sure they do. It's probably like having to go back to school for a second time. As my mom said, "I didn't even like school when I was in it."

Secondly, I cannot believe Will was sent home last night on So You Think You Can Dance. I'm in shock. I think he is too. Sigh. My idea final four: Joshua, Twitch, Chelsey and Kaytee. I think the winner will either be Joshua or Kaytee. And I want to go ahead and mention that I have a crush on Twitch. Me and all the 14-year-old American girls out there.

Thirdly, I just finished the final book of the Harry Potter series - for the second time. I was in the lunch room reading...and crying. I was wishing I was by myself in my room so I could really cry it out.

Finally, Beckles asked me to make a CD of good songs for when she's in the hospital having a baby soon. Some upbeat songs that give you energy and motivate you. No pressure or anything on my part. So if you have any ideas of songs, please send them my way. I'd appreciate the help!

Academy Awards

Europe has taken over all of the American awards shows! Seriously, what does that say about our film actors this year? We weren't up to par!

I'm disappointed in myself because I ended up watching all one bagillion hours of the Academy Awards last night. I told myself I wasn't going to watch and instead I would do productive and fulfilling things like read, organize, memorize scripts, or write my own Oscar acceptance speech. Instead I ate too much cake and ice cream at Quinn's first birthday party (where I was wrestled to death by three year old, Piper). Then we got home late so we watched the DVR version of the Oscars. We sped through the "boring" awards and speeches, yet after two hours we still hadn't caught up with the live taping. BRUTAL! But I like John Stewart and I like making snarky comments about what people wear. So I should be satisfied.

Speaking of satisfied...Atonement DID NOT win for best picture!!! hahahahahahaha! Vengeance is mine! I didn't realize until last night that I had it out for this movie. I mean, what did this movie ever do to me? It just disappointed me. Blah story + blah characters + high expectations = bitter me. The one part I did love about the movie was the musical score. So congrats to them on winning an Oscar! Yay musical score!

Speaking of music...THREE CHEERS FOR ONCE!!! Seriously, Janell and I hugged when we saw them win their Oscar. FAVORITE SONG OF THE YEAR! I could listen to that album over and over again. And thank you John Stewart for bringing Marketa Irglova back out for her acceptance speech. It was the most inspiring and beautiful speech of the night!

Speaking of beautiful...Favorite dresses: Anne Hathaway, Katherine Heigl, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner. I really didn't see that many of them. Worst dress: Sorry Julie Christy, loved your movie, not so much your dress.

July 2007 Playlist

I always like knowing what music other people like to listen to during their waking hours. Here's my latest playlist. You can see that I'm really enjoying The White Stripes, Ryan Adams, Patty Griffin and The Weepies.

1. No Bad News by Patti Griffin
2. The City by Acute
3. Say It to Me Now from the Once Soundtrack (Yes, I'm still obsessed)
4. Citywide Rodeo by The Weepies (Thanks Erin for the introduction)
5. Chocolate by Snow Patrol
6. Trapeze by Patty Griffin
7. Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley
8. Gotta Have You by The Weepies
9. Welcome Me by the Indigo Girls
10. Dogs by Damien Rice
11. Follow by Brandi Carlile
12. Hypnotized by Ani Difranco
13. History of Us by the Indigo Girls
14. Falling Slowly from the Once Soundtrack
15. Best I Ever Had by Gary Allan
16. World Spins Madly by The Weepies
17. Everybody Knows by Ryan Adams
18. Danny's Song by Kenny Loggins (We sang this loud and clear in the suburban in Montana)
19. We're Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes
20. Who Knew by Pink (I know, but I like it)
21. Change by Tracy Chapman
22. Moon Song by Patty Griffin
23. Can I Stay by Ray LaMontagne
24. Two by Ryan Adams
25. Nobody Knows Me At All by The Weepies
26. Prickly Thorn, But Sweetly Worn by The White Stripes
27. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc. by Ryan Adams
28. The Same Boy You've Always Known by The White Stripes
29. Everyone's Beautiful by Waterdeep
30. Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own by U2
31. Baby Can I Hold You by Tracy Chapman

I hope you are able to enjoy some of these song. I highly recommend all of them.

#1 Song

Thanks to Kathie for sending me this! What song was #1 the day you were born?

Mine was The Four Seasons' "December 1963 (Oh What a Night)." And was it ever a night. How fitting. My dad loves The Four Seasons.

George Strait for Real

See? I was there! Thanks for the pictures Alyson!

Amarillo by Mornin'

Last night I went to see George Strait with my friend Alyson. George = awesome. He is the definition of classy and he's a gentleman through and through. Wearing his 10 gallon hat, starched Wranglers and cowboy boots he made us ladies swoon. Did you know that he has 54 #1 hits? He sang about 30 of them last night. Alyson got the best seats. He stood directly in front of us and I could have thrown a penny and hit him. Not that I actually did throw a penny. I just wanted to give you a visual. Have you visualized?

George is "Pure Country" and an ideal Texan. He sang a bazillion songs about Texas and flashed pictures of the various Texas landscapes. It made me homesick. Good thing I'm flying home to Dallas tonight!

I've had a few conversations with people who despise country music. And by despise I mean they would rather go down a slide of razor blades and land in a pool of rubbing alcohol than listen to country music. That just makes me sad. It's more like it's a pride thing with them. Country is beneath them. I actually had someone tell me that they disagree with everything that country music stands for: the south, conservatives, Christian beliefs, the prevelence of Jesus just to name a few. It's an uninformed opinion. If they just don't like the twang, that's fine. But knocking the people, that's a whole other story. I know that country music can bring out a few interesting folks who do not represent the best in people. But why classify all fans as being judgmental and small minded? Country music also represents family, national pride and a way of life. And who doesn't enjoy songs about divorce, truck driving, drunkenness, mama killed papa, rodeos and sexy tractor driving men?