The Captain was here.

Todays song: I Am What I Am, Shirley Bassey

Sent from my iPhone

A Holiday Tradition?

Last December, slcup invited me to: "List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether or not they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your livejournal/blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to."

Last year's post is here.

This year's seven:

1. Come on! Let's Boogey to the Elf Dance, Sufjan Stevens
2. I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You, Black Kids
3. Broken, Lifehouse
4. Taking Chances, Celine Dion (rolling eyes)
5. A Great Big Sled, The Killers
6. Get Drunk & Make-out this Christmas, The Dan Band
7. Mary Did You Know, Kenny Rogers and Wynona

Wow. Pretty holiday heavy this year. More so than last year.

And tagging 7:

1. B Lo
2. Stella
3. Vanessa
4. Zarr
5. Slcup
6. Deanna
7. DeeDee

Post your seven in comments or on blog.

Today's Song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight

You Tube Tuesday

For Stella - the closing scene from Season 6 of Curb Your Enthusiasm:



For me - my favourite Curb Your Enthusiasm scene:



For everyone else, my cousin Ella's current favourite commercial:



Right, coupla questions:

Question: did anyone besides me and VT watch the Extras series finale? Well, don't expect loads of laughs and manic energy. The two main songs: Kate Bush's This Woman's Work and The Smiths Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want - so you know it isn't exactly uplifting, feel good fare. But the last few minutes were really quite sweet. Not Tim and Dawn in The Office series finale sweet (come on, how high did they set the bar with that?), but sweet nonetheless.

Question: does everyone remember the Tim and Dawn scene? Here's a refresher:



Okay, take a moment and collect yourself now. Need a tissue? Right. Next question.

Question: did anyone really enjoy the song links I posted last week? Because I can do that again with new songs - maybe some modern Christmas favourites? But only if there is a genuine interest.

And finally, a test.

Today's Song: Let's Go, Wang Chung

No Country for Old Men

Driving back from Richfield. Small town radio playing Same Auld Lang Syne to honor Dan Fogelberg's passing. Sad. Eating Funyons and beef jerky.

Todays Song: Part of the Plan, Dan Fogelberg

Q U I Z T I M E

What is your holiday drink? Take this quiz and find out.

I played twice. The first time, I got champagne. But I thought that a bit boring so I changed just one of my answers, and the second result was absinthe (or abmith for Jim). Good thing I have a bootlegged bottle from Canada on hand for this weekend.

If you take the quiz, post your drink in comments section.

Today's Song: Your Song, Ewan MacGregor

It's not so much that I'm ornery,

it's just that I'm not doing a holiday jig.

My pants feel tight, I have a pimple on my face, I need a haircut, but don't want one(though I've an appt today at 10:45), I have bags under my eyes that make look like a 75 year old British barrister, I haven't bought any Christmas presents, and I've got loads of work to do. My Lego advent calendar is kind of a bust - it's pretty much road construction themed as opposed to Christmas themed. The SLC Urban Outfitters shop likely doesn't stock this necklace that I want to give my sister in time for her trip to Paris this Saturday:

(Le bonne vie, sister)

I could go on, I suppose, but I'd rather do something nice for you readers instead of continue to whine. I'm going to cheer you up with some songs that I'm currently digging.

Here goes:

1973, James Blunt
No One, Alicia Keys
Either Way, Wilco
Some Surprise, Gary Lightbody & Lisa Hannigan
Driving Home for Christmas, Chris Rea
F&%# Was I, Jenny Owen Youngs (surprisingly sweet)
Falling In Love In a Coffee Shop, Landon Pigg
Apologize, Timbaland and OneRepublic
I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You, Black Kids (so catchy)
Please Come Home For Christmas, Willie Nelson

And well, what do you know? I feel better already.


Today's Song: See the World, Gomez

C H I C A G O

John Hancock building and one of my favourite Michigan Ave sights: the Allerton Tip Top Tap.

Can I Hear It From the Sistahs?

Boots the Chemist is a ubiquitous "drug store" in Britain. This is their Christmas 2007 ad.



Today's Song: Here Come the Girls, Ernie K. Doe

Last night, I spent a loads of time on the computer downloading songs. When I'm looking for new music, I will often go to the UK iTunes store to check out its "top songs". I'll then look for them on the internet because I can't purchase from the UK store. I saw that "Here Come the Girls" was in the top 20 and in searching for the song, I learned that Boots used in the above advert and that is why it is a top download in the UK. Interestingly enough, there are usually at least two or three songs in the UK "top songs" simply because they were featured in an advert. Kind of like in the US when a song is featured in a popular tv show.

I mainly downloaded hip Christmas music last night. But I found this Kermit the Frog carol and teared up because it so sweet. So sweet in fact, I am going to share it with you. Click on the link and you can download it. (Note: In 2008, I hope to learn how to use a media player with my blog so that you can stream "Today's Song". Ambitious, right?)

The Christmas Wish, Kermit the Frog

A Ghost Rider Today!

Jim says,



I have realized I have very little control over my life. You never realize the loss of control as it happens so natural that you really don't even think about it. I remember before I got married listening to my music in my truck. Or sport radio in my truck. After I got married the music in my truck changed. Not right away but it changed. Mostly because the radio was old and ever bump I hit it changed the station, but the station actually changed.

Nowhere was the lack of change more evident to me when I was driving to work this morning. Talk radio is now replaced in my car by ..... Christmas music. I have to say it is better then listening to the Disney Princess CD. Well another thing has changed too. I am no required to preform on my way to and from work. There is nothing like the demands of a 3 year old saying, "sing Daddy sing" to warm up the pipes. The pipes not being very warm I sounded a bit gruff bass, with a few small cat shrills. I became to do some voice warm up exercises when I was quickly told by the 3 year old to sing the "words" not "la la la" scales.

As I sang, I wondered if Britney Spears sings to hear kids in the morning. If so does her voice sound as off as mine in the morning? I mean, I was just up drinking ginger ale, apparently a favorite at some in laws houses. What would she sound like after a night of drinking and flashing the paparazzis? Santa definitely knows who is naughty and nice with her. Along with all of us. To this day I can clearly hear my daughter, look Daddy to the stockings.

On that note I have some advice for Britney . I would make a Christmas album and dedicate it to your boys. I would release it in England. I would put out a cute video to go with the song. I am sure you could make number one there, and it would be huge. I s*** you not, "Love Actually" huge! Then go on all the talk shows and show you're a sane loving mother. I mean Christmas is a time to forgive and be forgiven for your mistakes of the year.

Tis the Season

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Right after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? A couple days after New Year
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A go-kart
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No
8. Hardest person to buy for? Parents
9. Easiest person to buy for? Ava
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Some odd clothing choices here and there
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Love Actually
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas ? A couple weeks into December
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade scones with Pace picante
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Both
17. Favorite Christmas song? Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? I prefer to travel
19. Can you name all of Santa's' reindeer? Yes
20. Angel on the treetop or a star? Shining star on the highest bough
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Militant marketing
23. What I love most about Christmas? Memories of Christmases Past

Today's Song: Great Big Sled, The Killers

My First Head Shot.

Multimedia message

Am at a baptism.

Todays Song: God Speed the Right