Inspired by a high school friend, who has actual musical talent, I decided to make my own list. Some disclaimers, these reviews are based on a purely surface level enjoyment. With music, I am a pretty average listener. I love it though. I like most different kinds and have few hard and fast rules about what I will not listen to. Ok, here we go.
We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things - Jason Mraz
A note. I love Mraz. My daughter and I saw him live when he was touring to support his first album. I loved that album, and I found that he is one of the few performers that actually sound better in person. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend seeing him live. As I write this I am listening to one of his live albums, Tonight, Not Again recorded in 2004.
He is always shaking things up and this album was no exception. He released three acoustic EPs containing acoustic versions of songs from the album prior to the main release. I bought the whole shebang on iTunes.
Favorites include both versions of “Butterfly”, a sexy, dirty, funny song. One version is a definite homage to Earth, Wind and Fire, while the acoustic version is great too. “Coyotes” is another upbeat favorite, and includes very cute backup from some kids.
This album makes me happy.
Funhouse - P!nk
This album deals a lot with P!nks divorce. Personal heartbreak always seems to be good for the creative process, and this is no exception. I have a weakness for upbeat songs that will break your heart if you listen to the lyrics and this delivers. “ So What”, the single fulfills that requirement, but my favorites are “Sober” and “I Don’t Believe You”. P!nk sings the latter sounding like her throat is bleeding from crying and shouting. Glorious and touching.
Dr. Horrible Sing-Along Blog Soundtrack
Created by Joss Whedon and family during the writer’s strike, this musical is an Internet experiment. I would say they have succeeded. Sales of the musical on iTunes, DVD and soundtrack sales have more than met expectations. Watch the video, the DVD is only $10 bucks on Amazon. If you don’t like it you don’t have a heart, so there!
808s & Heartbreak – Kanye West
I have been enjoying the album quite a lot. Most of the album seems to be concerning the breakup of Kanye’s engagement and the death of his mother. Mostly the engagement though. One song, “Welcome to Heartbreak” deals with an examination of his life and the fact that while he has lots of material possessions he is alone. No wife, no children. I also think “Heartless” is a very good track. We have all felt like this, stunned, “how can you be so heartless?” “Pinocchio”, a live performance is very moving. I guess a lot of his regular fans don’t enjoy this album, but for me, it’s a gift.
Christmas, in some ways, has not been very merry for my family the last few years. Seems like someone always ends up in the hospital or sick or both. This year, Ted was hospitalized Monday and Tuesday but made it out for Christmas. One of my daughters is pretty sick today so we ended up staying home to take care of her instead of going to our other daughter's house for dinner. But that's OK. She will be OK, and we are all alive, here and (mostly) together.
It looks like the sky is ready to cry.
i love cardinals. so bright and cheery.
Think I'm kidding? I slept the whole weekend away. I did nothing productive. Didn't buy one christmas present. You know what? Strike that. Live in the moment.
Grades are in! An "A" in my business class. This professor gave us excellent written feedback. Here is feedback on one of our presentations;
Excellent presentation skills were very much in evidence throughout your effort. Perhaps the single most impressive feature of your talk was the absolute and utter mastery your team showed over the details of this industry. The discussion of the role of elasticity was right on target. It seems a good guess this service would display an elastic relationship with price given the numerous substitutes you mentioned. The same insightful treatment was given to income elasticity. Clearly this is a market that owes its growth prospects to rising affluence and the high income elasticity it likely has. I fully appreciate your decision to not enter. Very insightful was your characterization of this industry as corporate rather than entrepreneurial. A very good classroom discussion was generated by your presentation. In summary, this was an excellent job.
GRADE: 100%; A+
I obtained a "B" in Buddhism, which is, I suppose, fitting. I was so burned out by the time I completed the take-home final that I was surprised I finished it at all.
Wednesday class is finished. Saturday final to complete. Sleeping to do now.
Last week was pretty good. Presentations for both classes went well. This is the last week for both classes, and then a three week vacation from school! I am quite excited about that. I accomplished a lot this week and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope its not a train!
Suddenly, this evening out of almost nowhere, I feel stress descend. School projects are due, stressful day at work, lack of sleep... OK, now that I think about it, it's not out of nowhere. I'm going to try breathing.
This video is from Rosie O'Donnell's blog. I want to come back as one of her kids. Looks like a pretty good life to me. I was not the kind of Mom that would allow that kind of thing, but I wish I were...
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