Today

Lowlights of today

1. The two very messy blow-out diapers from Catie
2. the projectile vomit that coated her later in the day 
3. The two loads of laundry that needed to be done to clean up the above
4. The two baths Catie needed

Highlights of today

1. Her hands reaching up to my hair as I leaned over playing with her
2. This song.  It's one of those songs that sticks for years (pay no attention to the random youtube video that accompanies the video.

More Music

I've been excited for all the new music the CD exchange gave me and have been waiting for those perfect songs.  Those songs that from the very first note you know you're going to love it.  Those are the songs that stick around for years that you come back to time and time again.  It makes you sigh and just enjoy.

I finally came across my first one yesterday and it was thanks to Jenny.  Take a listen below, see if you feel the same way.
L

CD Exchange

This CD exchange has been so interesting, I have 5 new albums full of music and some of it isn't something I'd normally listen to.  As I come to one of these songs my first instinct is to hit the skip button, instead I've been pausing and considering that out of someone's entire music collection they chose this song to be included on an album.  It makes me give the song a chance, trying to hear it from the compilers point of view.
L

A Music Q&A

Stolen from Denise

1. What song do you sing in the shower?
   I've never been a shower singer. When I lived at the Rosehill house we used to hear the boys next door singing in the shower, I always got a chuckle out of that.
2. What's your best karaoke number?
   I don't think I've ever done Karaoke. I hate being the centre of attention so I'm always pretty quick to turn down the mike.
3. Favorite Christmas/Holiday song?
   I LOVE Christmas music, I start listening to it early and continue far past Christmas. My favorites are almost all done by MOTAB, I especially love their O Come All Ye Faithful and they have a Christmas Processional with handbells that I repeat often.
4. Best song for getting psyched up?
   Some by a girly pop group, like Untouched by the Veronicas or My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson. I realize they're not great lyrically but sometimes I can't get enough.
5. Best melancholy, rainy day mood song?
   It Looks Like Rain – Jann Arden
6. What song did/will you dance to at your wedding?
   "The Sun and the Moon" – Mae. That song has stuck with us so much that we're giving our little girl the middle name Mae. The Lyrics were just so appropriate for us…
   "I can not say that I was ready for this.
   But, when worlds collide,
   And all that I have is all that I want.
   The words seem to flow
   And the thoughts they keep running.
   And all that I have is yours.
   All that I am is yours."
7. Best breakup song?
   Already Gone – Kelly Clarkson
   Lost - Anouk
8. What song takes you back to High School?
   Kiss From a Rose – Seal. I can't tell you how much I hate this song. The Lethbridge station, The River, would play it all summer and it reminds me of working at the hot, smelly lunch counter in the Trading Company and it makes me feel gross all over.
9. Do you sing a certain song to your kids?
   My Mom has the best memory for kids songs and will need to teach them to me because I'm not sure I know any of those fun songs. I do want to sing Primary songs to my kids because I think it's so cute when the Sunbeams can sing along. You've got to start early though.
10. What song makes you cry?
    I'm embarrassed to admit that there are a plethora of songs that have made me cry. If I'm into the song enough then I'll start to tear up. Usually first dance songs at weddings make me cry though, they're always so loving and sweet and the bride and groom can't get enough of each other. I like weddings.
11. What song do you want played at your funeral?
    Goodnight Trouble – Sarah Slean
12. What song do you wish would start playing when you walked in a room?
    Today – Joshua Radin (if Brad's in the room)
13. What's a song you know every word to by heart?
    There are lots but I remember I was really proud of myself when I learned the words to Garth Brooks, Ain't Goin' Down (Till the Sun Comes Up). I always wished I knew all the words to Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby. I was pretty sure it meant you were cool if you knew all those words.
14. What was the first 8-track/cassette tape/CD that you owned?
    I'm sure it was some church tape/CD, I used to listen to those a lot. The first non-religious music I remember is Celine Dion.
15. What's your work-out jam?
    Work out… ha! I did go through a phase last summer where I started to jog occasionally (it didn't last long) but my music choice was always the same, The Veronicas. It'll definitely get you going in the morning.
16. Best road trip song/album?
    Chicago – Best of CD. There were many road trips taken to that soundtrack. It will always remind me of trips to Idaho and my sister Jennifer.
17. Ever had a song dedicated to you?
    It seems like along the way there must have been at least one but I can't think of any.
18. What song gets stuck in your head that you can't stand?
    Any really over-played radio song
19. Favorite classical piece?
    I love Yo Yo Ma, Especially when he plays Prelude #5 by Chopin
20. No. 1 favorite artist?
    Jimmy Eat World, although Sarah Slean is making her way up there on the list
21. No. 1 favorite album?
    Futures or Clarity by Jimmy
22. No. 1 favorite song?
    That changes often and there are way too many to list but I never fail to be amazed by how much I love the song Kill, by Jimmy.
23. What's the last song you listened to?
    There was something playing on the radio in the car this morning but I think that hardly counts. I was listening to Kelly Clarkson, I want you, on my bus ride home last night.

So there you have it, a look into my musical tastes
Sorry for the boring post but why should you be entertained when I'm terribly bored :)
L

Mae

Okay, so I may be overdoing the Mae promotion (and Mom will hate this post) but I was excited to hear the two missed songs and just in case you are too you can listen to them below.
L

The House the Fire Built


Boomerang

New Music

Every once in a while I'll have a moment where I think, "That artisit hasn't come out with a new album for a while... I should look into that".

Generally it leads to me finding out a new album release date that I can start looking forward to. Today the band I thought of was one of my favorites, Mae. Turns out they've decided to dedicate themselves to helping good causes so every month they're releasing a new song on their website. You can purchase the song and all the proceeds go to charity. I appreciate their efforts, look forward to new music and am so sad I miss two songs already. To prevent that from happending again I've added the song to my blog, hopefully the one song doesn't get super annoying. We'll see how it goes.

I hope you enjoy Mae.
L

The Genius Toolbar

My favourite new function of iTunes, The Genius Toolbar

This article gave a great explanation, “Once you opt in to the service, which sends your music library and usage data to Apple anonymously according to the company, iTunes can generate a list of music in your library that sounds similar to any song in it, from which you can make a playlist. The Genius sidebar … performs essentially the same function, except that it draws recommendations from the iTunes music store. Those recommendations include similar songs, top albums by the artist, songs by the artist missing from your collection and iTunes Essentials collections that include the song.”

So I click on a song that I want to listen to, then generate a Genius playlist and I have an awesome mix of music that is just what I’m in the mood for. If nothing else it’s a slightly less random use of the randomizer.
L

Tooting My Own Horn

This year Brad and I got together with his sister Rosie,her husband Byron and we sang and recorded some Christmas songs. We then took those songs and burned them to a cd and sent them out in some Christmas cards. The songs turned out really well so I thought I'd add them to the blog.

Enjoy!
L

We Are Stupid

Brad and I know we love Snow Patrol, have gone to their concert and loved it. They released a new album in October yet we didn't get it. I would remember occasionally and think, "Oh I'll get it later".

I've listened to the first song and half of the second and I'm sad that I've been missing this for so long.

Crack the shutters open wide
I want to bathe you in the light of day

And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body

I could sit for hours
Finding new ways to be awed each minute

Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you

It's been minutes it's been days
It's been all I will remember

Even if the rest of the album is no good (unlikely) it's already a great new find. Good enough to beat out the Christmas music for a little while.
L

Celebrate the Season

I know it's early for most of you but I hope you'll bear with me.

I've been ready for Christmas music for months now so I thought I'd start the sharing early. Just pause it if drives you crazy or make sure to hit mute before you visit the site next time.

Last year seemed like such a short Christmas season so I'm pretty sure I'll make up for it with an extra long one this year.
L

Never to Early

I think the Christmas music starts a little earlier every year. This might be a new record but yesterday I decided it was time and loaded all my music back onto the iPod.

I've enjoyed a day full of MOTAB and I'm looking forward to rediscovering all the gems I found last year.

It's never too early to feel the Christmas spirit.
L

New Playlist

I've hinted at it in the past with my Playlist.com addition but I thought I'd come out of the closet and make it well know.

I have a real weakness for really cheesy girl pop.

This isn't a blind love, it has its limits and does not extend to group like Girlicious or Miley Cyrus, I'm not that out of control and I cling to a hope that maybe the two I love the most aren't as bad as I think. These girls can actually sing, I've heard clips of them performing live and their sound doesn't come from recording genius but from actual talent.

As a tribute I've created a brand new playlist, all full of these little underrated gems. You never know, you just may hear something you like.
L

Jimmy Reprise

Brad and I got to see Jimmy Eat World in concert in October so we were suprised, but super excited when they came back to town so soon. They played at Flames Central which was a place neither Brad and I had ever been but it turned out to be a really great venue. There's lots of standing room on the main level but we were lucky to get a seat on a padded booth on the 1st level, we had a great view of the stage but got to be comfy and seated the whole time.

The concert was incredible. The music was just as good as expected and you could tell the band was having a great time, they even declared it the best night on the tour.

Go see them if you get a chance, it's definitely worth the cash.



They played with a band called The Midway State, they weren't great in concert but show some potential, they have a new album coming out that might be great.

L

Music Time

Thanks Kirsten for the playlist.com discovery, now you can enjoy some of my favorite music while you're here.
L

Sarah Slean and the many ways I adore her

Sometimes you'll hear an artist and think they're pretty great, then you hear them live and the difference is incredible, turns out most of their greatness was effects and mixing from the producers.

Last night, her voice was so clear, we could have been listening to the album. The quality of the music was so amazing! The venue (Knox United Church) was so different. Sometimes there would be an extended note that was just Sarah, no accompaniment and the way it filled the room was beautiful, bouncing around that huge ceiling.

After the show we went up to look at how they mic'd the piano (Brad has to mic one this weekend) and the base player came on stage, gave us the set list and talked to us. Told us how often he's just in awe that he gets to be part of this. They'll get together to practice and even at 7:00 am she's just on. Really an original artist. Celebrities normally aren't really a big deal to me but I admit I felt a little start struck when I actually talked to her for a second.

Seriously one of the best concerts I've been to and I would go see her again in a heartbeat.

I love at concerts when the whole audience needs more, and you all join together and know that if you keep cheering they'll come back, they'll give you more. That was case last night and resulted in a second encore. She was so genuinely touched that we kept cheering and admitted that she had nothing prepared for a second encore. A few song titles were shouted out but she decided to go with something entirely different. Her Grandfather's favorite Hymn… an odd choice considering she's not religious but her version of Abide with Me was just beautiful (Video to follow).
A concert worth every penny.
L

Love at First Listen

This new Relient K Christmas Album is easily the best part of this Monday; from the first note it was love.

If you need a pick me up or just love some good music, check it out.
L

Christmas Times A Comin’

So I have this fetish with Christmas music, I really like it and I have a lot of it, 260 ish songs. You would think that would be enough but last night I downloaded a little more, including Jessica Simpson’s Christmas album. Don’t be fooled, it’s just as bad as you think it would be. But not wanting to make a snap decision, and loving Christmas music the way I do, I didn’t delete it right away thinking I’d listen and give it a fair chance. So last night and today I put my Christmas music on shuffle... Every freaking other song that shuffles is from that crappy Jessica Simpson album!! It never stops! And now I’m here at work with no access to iTunes so I can’t even delete the thing...
Oh how I suffer
L

A Handprint on My Heart

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend

I’ve been listening to the soundtrack to the musical Wicked a lot right now and today this song really hit me. There are so many people I’ve know who are with me now “Like a handprint on my heart”. I am who I am because of the people I’ve known. Just a few that have made a difference in me:

• Brad
• Nathan
• Chris
• Irena
• Dave
• Tekarra
• Jamie

The list goes on and on, thank you for making me, me
L

Jimmy Eat World

I'm sure you've all been waiting to hear about the concert so here goes.

I really love Jimmy Eat World, I mean really love them, so when I heard they were coming to Calgary I was excited and bought tickets as soon as they were available.

On the night of the concert we met up with Dave and Naomi and heard on the radio that the concert was delayed for an hour. We were glad we heard about it before we got there so we didn't have to wait around for longer.

The opener was a group called Maritime. They were not good but we put up with them, waiting for Jimmy.

I'm sad to say that the concert ended up being dissapointing. Don't get me wrong, the music was incredible, the sound was probably the best I've ever heard at a concert and the lighting was so good. But the band didn't interact with us at all. They came out, introduced their songs and then they were done. They came out and did an encore but had no energy at all.

After the concert the crowd went out to buy merchandise only to discover there wasn't any. Apparantly the band got held up at the border. That's why the concert was late, the merchandise never came and they were super bummed.

I'd be interested in seeing them again because I've heard good things about their concerts. Hopefully they come back.

I'm posting some pictures and videos, so enjoy!

Best News

Here you can be anything.
I think that scares you.
I've been here before but only by myself.
What giving up gives you and where giving up takes you.
I've had and I've been.
Here in center frame, there's only air.J
ust enough space to fit.
I said it out loud over and over but what do I know.I
said it out loud but it did not help.
I'll stop now.
Just so I can hear you I stay up as late as it takes, as long as it takes.
I promised I'd see it again.
I promised I'd see this with you now.

Jimmy Eat World, in concert, in Calgary

Awesome!
L