I'm currently on a Queen binge and I'm obsessed with Freddie Mercury: his hot little body, his moustache, his fancy microphone pole, his tight white pants, his charisma. I know he was gay, but seriously, the man was sexy. Have you ever seen Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium?? Amazing. Your life will not be complete until you watch it in one sitting. I think Chris Williams might look like Brian May if he ever grew his hair out. Some of my favorites, in no particular order.
One of my favorite bands is finally breaking through the mainstream. Great song.
3. Blindsighted: Bon Iver
4. Old White Lincoln: The Gaslight Anthem
So the lead singer kind of sounds like stupid Brandon Flowers from The Killers. One difference though, this band actually kicks ass. It's a weird mix of Bruce Springsteen and The Clash, I like it.
Happy 30th Birthday to Jeddy! Many of you know, Jed is my cousin, but he is also one of my very best friends. I can't begin to tell you how much he means to me. He's one of the only people I can tell anything to; he knows me inside out. Countless hours and hours of talking, it would probably add up to years. And yet, we still never run out of things to talk about. We were best friends at birth and we are best friends now!
Last year, I wrote about my favorite memories for everyone's birthdays, starting with Jed. This year, I'm going to write about 10 songs that will forever remind me of Jed.
Top 10 Birthday Songs: Jeddy Style
1. I Will Survive: Gloria Gaynor
We actually have a dance to this song that we made up driving to Cedar City in 1997. We've done many a dance to this song throughout the years. And yes, I'm doing the dance right now.
2. Ain't No Mountain High Enough: Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
When Jed was on his mission in Mexico, he and I exchanged many, many letters and tapes. I used to send him all kinds of prohibited music, including this gem. I think we even recorded each of the parts so we could sing it with each other on tape. I preferred Marvin's part, mostly because of the "Wooooo!" at 1:40. Wow, we were dorks.
3. Anything from Sound of Music
I cannot watch this movie without thinking of Jed. He used to be obsessed with the Sound of Music. I remember when he came to Utah for Christmas in 1986, he got the video from Santa. I think we must have watched it about 20 times. Maybe, if you're lucky, Jed will get you a Sound of Music DVD and a rose. But that's a story for another time...ha!
4. Baby Got Back: Sir Mix A Lot
Karaoke. Head's Up. Enough said.
5. Brandy Alexander: Ron Sexsmith
Unfortunately, this song isn't on You Tube, but it's one of my favorite songs ever. Jed introduced me to this song in August and I must have listened to it 5000 times. "She's my Brandy Alexander...always gets me into trouble."
6. We've Only Just Begun: Carpenters
Jed and I used to listen to this song in our 20s and wonder where our lives would end up.
7. You're My Peace of Mind: David Ruffin
Another mission gem. Jed was going through a really hard time and this became one of our songs. Too bad it's not on You Tube, I love this song.
8. Golden Girls Theme Song
Anyone who knows Jed, knows that he loves the Golden Girls. No explanation needed.
9. Shirley Q. Liquor: K-Mark
Ok, so it's not really music but I couldn't leave this out. "Tell your mama I asked how she's durring!"
10. Ready to Take a Chance Again: Barry Manilow
This is the theme song to one of our favorite movies: Foul Play. Classic movie and classic song.
Runner-up: Irish Washerwoman
If you've ever done square dancing with my family on Thanksgiving, you'll know what I'm talking about.
What an amazing time in our history! Today we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King and tomorrow we will witness the inauguration of our country's first black president. The wisdom of MLK, a follower of my beloved Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence, never ceases to amaze me. So much of what he had to say is still applicable in our world today.
"Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary."
"Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
I am excited and hopeful for the change Barack's inauguration will bring for America. However, part of me knows that MLK's dream has not been completely fulfilled. There has been progress, but there is still a long way to go. The fact that we have elected a black president is an important step in the realization of the dream, but it's just one step.
"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today my friends - so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'
I have a dream today.
This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning 'My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my father's died, land of the Pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!'
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true."
Very bad start to the year. I haven't kept any of my resolutions or even thought about keeping them. Tonight I ate Oreos and Pringles for dinner. I don't think winter is good for me. The cold irritates me, the dark makes me sad and the snow forces me to become a recluse. At least I have a couple of vacations to look forward to: Roatan in February and a long overdue trip to Austin to see Ryan and Scott in March. One day, I will be warm again.
Yesterday was my half birthday, I'm now 30 1/2 years old. It sounds a lot older than 30. Anyway, in honor of my half birthday here's a little glimpse into my psyche based on my birthday:
July 12: You Are a Magician
You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame. You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship.
Your strength: Your charm
Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics
Your power color: Indigo
Your power symbol: Four leaf clover
Your power month: December
Jed sent this to me and he thinks it's pretty accurate. He's just jealous because his power color is tan. Lame. What does your birth date mean?
Song of the day on repeat: Missed the Boat, Modest Mouse
This is one of my very favorite songs by one of my very favorite bands. The lyrics are brilliant. Hopefully, I haven't missed the boat just yet...I suppose I'll leave that question for when I'm 31.
"Make the most of your regrets; never smother your sorrow, but tend and cherish it until it comes to have a separate and integral interest. To regret deeply is to live afresh."
Henry David Thoreau
The impending new year has gotten me thinking: have I grown this past year, have I learned anything, have I made any progress towards my life goals, do I have any regrets. I've been grappling with the word regret. Its definition is quite negative: a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc. When you regret something you can become unhappy, get shackled to the past, waste your present and become hopelessly pessimistic about your future.
However, I believe regret can also lead to positive outcomes and the realization of important life lessons. Life is not about regretting lost opportunities or lamenting unwise decisions, it's about counting the possibilities. So as I look ahead to 2009, I vow to work on being more positive, to look ahead rather than constantly looking back and to remember that life is more about what I can do than what I have or have not done.
In 2009 I resolve to:
Take more risks, but not be risky
Do the dishes in a timely manner
Finally visit Canada
Experiment more in the kitchen
Read more books and watch less tv
Work on accepting myself as I am, no matter where I am in life
I am pretty laid back and fun loving, but I can be passionate about certain topics like social justice, inequality and politics. I can be a bit stubborn sometimes and I am a fiercly loyal friend. Don't ask me to list my pet peeves unless you have some time. I really like to organize stuff, make lists and plan things. However, I'd like to think that my neuroses are endearing, not annoying. You be the judge!
