music

the music of our lives

I can’t believe I haven’t ever written this post. You know, the post about the music of our lives, those pieces of music that have defined us and led us to the places we are now. Do you have those?

Music has defined my life. I still get excited to get new music, to share it with others, to dance around my living room to the beats and rhythms of music I love.

Memories are like dreams now, hazy and starting to fade. But the connections to music are what keep them alive, keep me grounded in who I am and where I’ve been. I could list at least a hundred songs or groups in a minute to signify different times in my life, but there are certain moments and artists that are especially poignant for me.

When I was in high school in Las Vegas, I was on the speech and debate team. We were a fairly successful team and traveled quite a bit. I remember being at UCLA for a tournament. I had just completed my oratory (but don’t ask me what topic — I have no idea). I was getting ready for my extemporaneous competition. I remember the green grasses, the marble columns on the buildings, and I remember ivy. It was so green. And what music makes me remember? Prefab Sprout. That’s what I was listening to that day on my portable tape player. Prefab Sprout. (Which, as an aside, instigated my purchase of a Prefab Sprout CD in Tempe a few years ago when visiting Zia’s with my brother and his family.)

During my 20s, I was going through a particularly violent part of my life. I started moving around quite a bit, and I ended up in Boulder, Colorado, living in a motorhome behind my workplace (it was my boss’s motorhome — he rented it to me). I would sleep on that hard, thin little mattress, headphones on, listening to Tori Amos sing her songs on Little Earthquakes. I credit her music with getting me through an incredibly difficult time. It helped me want to get out of that period in my life. Funny how I credit music with that, but I listened to it every single night. I would cry myself to sleep listening to it, and dance around listening to it. It had a huge impact on my life.

This all brings me to tonight. I got the new Indigo Girls Poseidon and the Bitter Bug deluxe CD set today. It reminds of their older stuff — more acoustic, more like contemporary folk music. I can already tell (after a full 3 listens of the CDs) that it will be one of my favorites. It’s beautiful. I knew I loved it when I was driving home from getting some groceries and I started crying (sap that I am).

I’ve written this before, but I think it bears mentioning again. If you can get into the deep of it with me, if I’m crying or laughing or, preferably, both, then it’s a winner. I’m yours.

tidbits

I wanted to share a few things, today, that I’ve been saving to share.

“Should buying sex toys be as easy as buying a gun?”

Yes, that is the byline to an image of a gun seller in response to the change in the Texas law allowing the sale of sex toys. Is there a disconnect here? Are sex toys *really* on the same level of destruction as guns? Don’t you love the pathos being employed in this situation?

Check it out at viz, where there is a whole blog post about it.

the way I am

I love this video/song because it’s really what love should be about. Things suck, but I still love you. You’re falling apart, I’m a mess, but I still love you. It’s not a conditional love.

the future of reputation

I haven’t read it yet, but I love that the entire book is online and I have the opportunity to read it this way. If you are interested in identity, reputation, technology, and / or law, you might want to check out this book by Daniel Solove.

youtube as portfolio

I was actually up late enough to see a segment on Jimmy Kimmel Live (which is an odd occurrence for me because I don’t watch that show and I’m rarely up late enough anyway). However, what I did see, I really enjoyed. This young man, Brandon Hardesty, is using YouTube for his acting portfolio, and is being featured on Kimmel’s show. What a great use of social media.

This is something instructors should look in to for their portfolio needs. How can YouTube, blogging, wikis, podcasts, etc. be used to promote your students?

New Directions in Critical Theory

This conference, held at the University of Arizona in Tucson, has extended its call for papers. While the extension dates are not listed, I just received this on Friday from the University so I know that it didn’t close on the 15th. You may want to check it out if you’re interested in presenting a paper this year.

making me happy

These days, when things are a bit crazy and life seems to be rushing by, it’s not always easy to remember to be happy — or to even feel happy. I’ve been incredibly stressed about my thesis. I don’t feel like I do it right, or that I’m doing justice to the information, or that it’s information that people will find worthwhile. I’ve been stressed about my GRE (which I didn’t do well on even though I studied like crazy and I’m upset with myself because of that). And I’m so worried that I won’t get into a PhD program. And I don’t know what I’ll do with my life if I don’t.

I don’t want to be a failure anymore and for me, that would be a failure. I’ve been one far too many times. I can’t seem to get it together enough to make my life a success and I feel like this is my one chance to do that…to do something right for myself. So I’m scared and worried and stressed most of the time these days.

But there are moments when I’m so happy.

This weekend, I spent some time with my niece. We’re driving down the road, singing to the radio together. We’re having fun. And laughing. And smiling.

This song makes me happy. It’s one that Willow and I sing together. It’s a sweet song. And I can imagine it – being close to someone, feeling it in my toes, crinkling my nose – I can imagine it. It makes me smile. Yeah, it’s a little pop-y and yeah, it will probably hurt my Indie cred (hah!), but I don’t care. It makes me happy when I hear it. So here it is…and maybe it will make you smile, too.

Artist: Colbie Caillat
Title: Bubbly

V1: I’ve been awake for a while now
you’ve got me feeling like a child now
cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

C: It starts in my toes
and I crinkle my nose
where ever it goes I always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

V2: The rain is falling on my window pane
but we are hiding in a safer place
under the covers staying dry and warm
you give me feelings that I adore

C: It starts in my toes
makes me crinkle my nose
where ever it goes
I always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

B: What am I gonna say
when you make me feel this way
I just……..mmmmmmmmmmm

C: It starts in my toes
makes me crinkle my nose
where ever it goes
I always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

V3: I’ve been asleep for a while now
You tucked me in just like a child now
Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I’m comfortable enough to feel your warmth

C: It starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feeling shows
Cause you make me smile
Baby just take your time
Holding me tight

Where ever, where ever, where ever you go
Where ever, where ever, where ever you go…..

something new

I apologize for the “ummms” and “uhhhs” but I thought y’all might enjoy this.

My first podcast.

Let me know if you’d like more of these or if it’s just not your thing.

Maybe, in the future, I’ll even try a video.Â Oooohhh.Â :-)

Thanks!

indigo girls

I have been listening to the indigo girls for years. It all started long ago, when I worked in a small coffee shop in downtown Flagstaff and next door was a local music store (Dab Nabbitts).

The guys from Dab Nabbits would come over for a cup of coffee and we’d chat. I was working 8-12 hour days and we had a lot of time to get to know one another.

One of the regular guys at the store, Mike, would find music he thought I’d like; music that he called “Dawn’s Lesbian Chick Music.” He would keep the CDs behind the counter until I could go next door on a break or after work. He’d play it for me to see if I liked it. One of the first CDs he ever gave me (and you have to remember, CDs were fairly new back then so we loved them) was the Indigo Girls Rites of Passage. How could I not fall in love with that music. The harmonies are exquisite. The lyrics are sublime. It is the perfect CD (and, to this day, still my favorite IG CD even though I own as many as I can find). Another CD that he gave me was Brenda Kahn’s Epiphany in Brooklyn and I still love that one, too.

From that moment, I was hooked on the Indigo Girls. I couldn’t wait for each CD to come out. I’ve loved them all, each one different and unique and totally IG.

I have watched their tour dates for years. I have been hoping one would come close enough that I’d get to see them. This winter, I got notice they’d be in Tucson and Santa Fe. Those two cities aren’t too far away so I started making plans to see them. And then, two days later, I got another email. The Indigo Girls would be in Flagstaff. Flagstaff! Wow, wow, wow! Seriously WOW!

I was beside myself. I was so excited and called up my brother right away to see if he’d want to go (he likes them, too). We made plans to buy the tickets as soon as they went on sale. Wouldn’t you know it, though, that they went on sale while we were on the road to California for my great Aunt’s 90th birthday party? I was disappointed but figured that maybe we’d be able to find some tickets somehow. We got in later that night and logged on to the web site. Imagine my surprise when there were still premium tickets available. Not just one or two — enough for all of us (my brother, sister, sister-in-law, and me).

Not only are we going to see my favorite band in concert, but we have second row seats AND we get to meet Emily and Amy (and typically I wouldn’t be into the whole “meet and greet” thing — but this is a pretty cool event, I have to admit).

Tuesday, May 22nd, I get to see my favorite band — up close and personal. I’m so excited! And to share in that, this is their newest video, “Last Tears”:

accidents and accusations

photo by me

When the calls and conversations
Accidents and accusations
Messages and misperceptions
Paralyze my mind

Last night, my sister-in-law, Jenn, and Willow, and I drove down to Glendale (in the Phoenix area) to see the Dixie Chicks in concert.

Busses, cars, and airplanes leaving
Burning fumes of gasoline
And everyone is running
And I come to find a refuge in the

We had to go to the Glendale arena and none of us is very familiar with the west valley. We don’t typically go there. Most of our connections live in the east valley. So, we spent a bit of time driving around to find parking (because, it so happens, that the Cardinals were also playing a game in the stadium next door and roads were blocked off and it was hard to find our way).

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

We were going to eat at the new mall that had been built there. The news had said that restaurants were open. Uhhh. No. Not one thing was open – except for a movie theatre.

Monkeys on the barricades
Are warning us to back away
They form commissions trying to find
The next one they can crucify

But there were these cool fountains that danced along with music. And we got sprayed by them and enjoyed the fountain show.

And anger plays on every station
Answers only make more questions
I need something to believe in
Breathe in sanctuary in the

We finally got into the arena and there were concessions open. We bought some food (that wasn’t really great). We bought t-shirts to commemorate the event. Then we found our seats.

At 7:30, the opening act, Bob Schneider was fun and great. Bluesy and rockin’, he got everyone excited.

Children lose their youth too soon
Watching war made us immune
And I’ve got all the world to lose
But I just want to hold on to the

Then we waited. And waited. And it got later. And Willow got tired. But they finally came on.

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me

By that time, though, Willow wasn’t feeling well. She danced for a little bit but then ended up spending the last hour curled up in her mom’s arms, with a fever, falling asleep. I kept offering to leave but they didn’t want to so we stayed to the end.

The easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

And when the Dixie Chicks sang the song I’ve been quoting here, Easy Silence, I almost cried. It’s one of those songs that really gets to me. To have someone you can turn to who creates an easy silence…someone who keeps the world at bay…that must be the best thing ever.

But when they talked about The Long Way Around, it felt like an anthem for any of us who never take the easy road to anywhere. It’s that song for those of us who don’t follow the leader and who try things on our own, not living the traditional life.

All in all, I had a great time and enjoyed spending time with Jenn and Willow. That was the best part of it.

taking the long way

Whatever you think about their politics (and it seems that almost everyone has an opinion on their politics), this CD is the best the Dixie Chicks have put out.

It mixes rock with country with ballads with blues.Â It is the whole package.

Much has been made of the single track, Not Ready to Make Nice.Â I have to say that beyond the sentiments of the song, it’s a great lyrical piece.Â And when haven’t artists been passionate about things and spilled it all into their work?Â Would Jackson Pollack have been as powerful if he hadn’t poured his angst and depression into his paintings?

The first track, The Long Way Around, starts off the album with some true poignancy:Â “It’s been two long years now since Top of the World came crashin’ down.”

If I were in a relationship, I would want Easy Silence to be the anthem of the relationship.Â It is one of those songs that speaks volumes about how we interact with those we love.

Lullaby is a beautiful, peaceful, amazing song that I want to listen to over and over again.

My favorite song on the entire CD, however, is probably one that won’t ever receive much place.Â I Hope has an incredible bluesy feel to it.Â It is one of those song that I want to sway and sing to again and again.

Put the politics aside (or, if you agree with their statements like I do, celebrate them).Â The music is worth it.Â And this is coming from someone who bases a lot of my purchases on my politics.Â The music truly is worth it.

A+

rockstar: supernova

The U.S. CBS television program, Rockstar: Supernova is either one of those shows you really love or really hate. There isn’t really an in-between stage for this one.

It began last year with the quest to find a lead singer for INXS. While I’ve been a long-time INXS fan, I was still enchanted by some of the performances that were shown. No one could replace Michael Hutchence but that wasn’t the goal. The band members of INXS needed a lead singer – and they got one with J.D.

This year, Rock Star brought together the new group, Supernova, consisting of drummer Tommy Lee (MÃ¶tley CrÃ¼e), bassist Jason Newsted (Metallica), and guitarist Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) to find a front person for the group – someone to belt out tunes to the harmonies they play.

And the choices they have, overall, don’t disappoint. Some are better at putting on shows. Some are better singers. Some can mix it up and give a show AND sing well.

If you like music, especially covers sung with a twist (although there are original tunes showcased), then this is the show for you.

Check out Magni, Dilana, and Storm, in particular. They don’t disappoint. Each is a consumate professional.

B+

(image uploaded by hfabulous)

geeky songbirds

Now me, I love me some geeks. I like smart, geeky kind of men. I like those kinds who know things that no one else knows and will share that information with me, too.

Geeky is sexy.

Combine geeky with quartet and math and what do you have? The Klein Four Group singing Finite Simple Group (of Order Two).

Don’t know much trigonometry
Don’t know much about algebra
Don’t know what a slide rule is for
But I know that one and one is two
(Sam Cooke)

But I do know…