Life As an Afterschool Special

On Friday I went out with a couple of coworkers after work. We went to gameworks and bowled a few games and had some drinks. It was very fun and very relaxed.

Then I met up with a friend and we went to go a local bar to see a couple bluegrass bands.

The first band was really fun… the second band was scary and clearly worshiped the devil….

The lead singer looked like Edward scissor hands.

And everything he sang was F* this and F* that.

And he screamed. At the top of his lungs. To every song.

After 40 minutes I wanted to go hug him. Or punch him in the mouth.

Instead I became a heckler.

A horrible horrible heckler.

He said “we are just going to do a few more songs”

And everybody boooed.

Seriously. The whole bar.

Now thoes of you who know me know normally I would say “Oh sad…”

And then say something warm and fuzzy

I mean the poor boy was trying.

But I had a few big girl drinks and I wasn’t feeling warm and fuzzy at all.

In fact I was feeling a little feisty.

And for those of you who know me well, you know my feistiness can cause trouble.

The lead singer starts this rant… “F the establishment… F country music. F bluegrass. F Toby Keith”

Oh no he didn’t!

Toby Keith is my country music boyfriend.

He is all country and patriotic and sexy.

Not horrible and scary and talentless like this clown.

So I say “F your mom, just stop playing.”

Oh No!

His devil music made me mean.

My hand flew over my mouth but I had already said it.

And he starts yelling at the crowd who start yelling back at him…

And then he says “I am going to play one more song… criminal.”

And everyone yelled “NO”

And he said “what do you want me to play”

And the crowd yelled “nothing”

And I yelled “for the love of God just stop playing”

There was almost a bar brawl

It was deliciously dramatic.

But I did feel slightly horrid afterwards

But it isn’t my fault. I was perfectly sweet and content listening to bluegrass… but his devil music made me mean.

Blatantly stealing an idea from Carla and Adriene

(This only works if people actually read my blog)

I’ve got my player on shuffle, and I’ve listed the first lines of the first 25 songs that pop up. (Although I cheated and made sure they were all different artist, because I didnt have that many to choose from)

Your job is to guess what song it is! I’ll cross the songs off as people guess the right ones. (If I can figure out how)

1. “We might kiss when we are alone when nobody’s watching…”

2. “Early one morning the sun was shining I was laying in bed…”

3. “This is where the party ends I can’t stand here listening to you…”

4. “When I was a young boy, said put away those young boy ways…”

5. “And to love a god and to fear a flame….”

6. “Money talks but it dont sing and dance and it don’t walk…”

7. “I sit two stories above the street it’s awful quiet here since love fell asleep…”

8. “I don’t how to explain it, but i know the words would hardly do. Miracles and signs and wonders…”

9. “Cold coolin at a bar, and I’m lookin for some action But like Mike Jagger said…”

10. “Childhood living is easy to do, The things you wanted…”

11. “I wanna tease you I wanna please you I want to show you babe that I need you…”

12. “She never mentions the word addiction in certain company…”

13. “On a long and lonesome highway, east of omaha…”

14. “Well he jumps in the taxi, headed for the sky. He’s off to slay some demon dragonfly…”

15. “You in the mirror, starin back at me, oh concious let me be…”

16. “Excuse me, but can I be you for a while? My dog won’t bite…”

17. “She’s got a smile that it seems to me reminds me of childhood memories…”

18. “If that’s all you will be, you’ll be a waste of time, you’ve dreamed a thousand dreams…”

19. “You’re dangerous ’cause you’re honest. You’re dangerous, you don’t know what you want…”

20. “I guess this time you’re really leaving. I heard your suitcase say goodbye…”

21. “I dreamed I went to heaven You were there with me…”

22. “Breath it in and breath it out and pass it on it’s almost out…”

23. “You won’t admit you love me. And so how am I ever to know…”

24. “All I can see is black and white and white and pink with blades of blue…”

25. “In open fields of wild flowers, she breathes the air and flies away…”

I went to school for Journalism and wrote for the newspaper in both Highschool and College, but I tend to stay away from “reporting” or actual reviews. I have always been a better story teller and editorialist, and I tend to stuggle with just the “who what when where” because I focus so much on the “whys”. I always have. Some people are “thinkers”, but I always have and always will be a “feeler”. And that is how I write.

I havent really ever reviewed a movie on my blog before… but with a bunch of my friends writing reviews of various sorts for The Corner Table I was inspired get out of my box and try something different. I thought I would reach inside and find the journalist as as opposed to the writer and offer up a review of the movie I watched last night.

I have many many friends who have encouraged me to watch Elizabethtown over the past year, and while I have had the best of intentions to follow through I usually get sidetracked at the rental store by something newer. Last night I finally rented the movie, and I am so glad I did. Elizabethtown is now on my top ten favorite movies list.

Writer-director Cameron Crowe has given us slices of the American pie with some hits and some misses. (Think Jerry McGuire, Almost Famous, Vanillia Sky) He has the amazing gift of creating interesting, deeply flawed and introspective characters, and through his characters’ eyes, we get to see some very unique world views. Elizabethtown is no exception.

In Elizabethtown, Drew Baylor (Bloom) is a hotshot shoe designer whose design just costs the company almost a billion dollars. Oh yes. A billion. Fired and humiliated by what he calls a “fiasco” and not just “failure,” Drew is about to kill himself when his sister (Greer) calls and tells him his father has died while visiting his hometown, Elizabethtown, KY. Drew promises his mother (Sarandon) that he would bring his father home.

On the flight to Kentucky, the defeated Drew meets a perky, observant flight attendant, Claire (Dunst). Claire seems to have a way of seeing through Drew even though he tries so desperately to hide his pain. As Drew arrives in Elizabethtown and prepares for the burial of his father, he begins to come to terms both with death and with life. A cast of colorful characters teach him to love, and above all else, to live. One of my favorite lines in the movie is spoken by Claire who tells Drew to get into the deep beautiful melancholy of everything that’s happened. The movies resounding theme is that even when life is painful, there is beauty in life and in love.

I think what I liked most about this film is that you can see a little piece of yourself in each character. You identify with loss and grief and hope and frustration and denial. You see how subtly complex each character is, and how the surface is a only a shadow of the character beneath. I identified most with Dunsts character. I found so many similars between her actions, her speech, her attitude and mine. Maybe its because I’m one of a kind ;o) or maybe it’s because I understand what is like to spend so much time helping other people and yet feel like maybe I’m fooling everybody in the process.

The love story between Drew and Claire is well written. I loved the hours of phone conversation and watching them “peak” on the phone. The glimpses between the deep and thought provoking conversation and the silly banter gave the relationship warmth and depth. Bloom and Dunst exude a chemistry that works here, and you have to have to hold onto hope that somehow their paths will cross again and again.

Along with a good story line, Crowe is also very gifted in creating moods using just the right kind of music. The soundtrack to Elizabethtown is at the same time mellow and joyful. One of the strengths of this film is the use of music to capture emotion and move the story along. From Drews ringtone “I cant get next to you” to the “Free Bird” tribute to his father, the music is impeccably timed and perfectly fit. I will buy this soundtrack.

Truthfully, I can understand why Elizabethtown recieved mixed reviews. It pulls out all the stops to try to make us cry and laugh at the same time. Sometimes the film feels manipulative, but sometimes genuine. And we pretty much know where the story is heading. Even so, it’s really about the journey, isn’t it?

And if that is the case, Elizabethtown is an amazing ride.

(How’d I do? First review!) .

I am in love.

I am not even sure the names of the men (yes I said men) that I am in love with… but I am offically in love.

IN LOVE.

On Friday Amy and I went and saw Family Force 5 for the first time. I had only heard one song recorded by them and Amy had never heard of them, but my friends Jeff and Scott love them and insisted I go. Because Jeff has amazing taste (I mean look at his wife) and because Scott is single and cute (and introduced me to Damien Rice and Ryan Adams and Nickel Creek) I decided to listen to them and go to the show.

When Amy and I first got to the venue we were skeptical. We were slightly daunted by the overwhelming presence of literally hundreds of tweens. There were seven buses worth of youth groups already at the club. Plus there was a woman trying to control the groups with a magaphone. After a few moments of her yelling directions into the speaker I wanted to kill her… or at least take her megaphone and hit her in the face with it.

I even called Adriene, Jeffs wife, and left her a message telling her I was NOT excited and asked what kind of teeny bopper concert I was going to.

Amy and I found a table and sat down, avoiding the crowds. Soon a man came and sat next to us. I asked him how old he was, and he said he was 30. “Thank God” I exclaimed, glad to see someone who has already gone through puberty.

Amy left to get a drink, and I discovered this man was a youth pastor, brought 25 kids to the concert, and had seen Family Force 5 several times. He insisted I would love them. We talked for a while, and he gave me his number. SCORE. Amy came back and after a while mr. youth pastor left to go find his kids. (I told him he needed to buy them something glow in the dark)

The lights went down and the band came out.

OH MY GOD.

The first thing I thought is why did no one tell me that these men were BEAUTIFUL? In a totally kind of geeky sexy rockstar kind of way.

And the second thing I thought is HOW FUN ARE THEY?

Seriously. They had a keytar. They had a man whos soul purpose seemed to be to dance around the stage.

They were this amazing blend of white boy hiphop and punk and rock. They screamed, they rapped, they had a breakdance contest. Seriously. SO FUN.

Their lyrics were fun and catchy and inspired the crowd to get up and dance. I couldnt stay in my seat and soon joined the tweens jumping and dancing.

In one song they encouraged the crowd to put their hands up… and then told the ugly people to put their hands down. I LOVED it.

I laughed when they sang a song called Drama Queen, and sang along when they broke into the only song I already knew, Luv Addict.

But my favorite song by far was a song about Dirty South. I always wanted to be from the dirty south. The dirty Midwest just doesnt have the same ring.

It was the most fun I have had in a while (sober). The youth pastor thinks I channeled my inner tween as I danced and sang with his kids. I think I channeled my inner rock goodess.

As soon as they were done I went and bought their cd. Business up front. Party in the back.

LOVE IT.

Yesterday I played the cd as I was cleaning my house. I played the cd while I was working out. I played the cd as I was getting ready for a girls night with Kim and Amy. I played the cd when Amy and I drove to the mall of america. I played the cd while I danced around my bedroom and sang into my hairbrush before I went to bed.

I am IN LOVE.

I am going to dance to the beat till my feet go numb.

(Thanks Jeff, thanks Scott)

Opening song: “Someday Soon” by Wilco (I always think that should be the opening of a soundtrack)

Waking up: “Trinity” by Jennifer Knapp

First date: “Are you gonna be my girl” by Jet

First kiss: “Love is All around” by Troggs

Falling in love: “First Day of my life” by Bright Eyes or “Hey Julie” by FOW

Seeing an old love: “In my Place” Coldplay or “Song for the Dumped” Cake

Heartbreak: “One by One” Wilco or “Let him Fly” Patty Griffin

Driving fast: “Paradise City” by Guns and Roses

Getting ready to go out: “Son of a Preacher Man” Dusty Springfield (its fun to dance around your room singing into your hairbrush to)

Partying with friends: “Love Shack” B52s

Dancing at a club: “You Shook me all night long” AC/DC

Flirting: “Leather” Tori Amos or “Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps” by Bens Folds Five

Feeling sexy: “All I want is you” by U2 or “Lover Lay Down” by Dave Matthews

Walking alone in the rain: Um hello. “Rain” by Patty Griffin or “Two Points for Honesty” Guster

Going Home: “In my life” by Beatles

Missing someone: “cruel and Pretty” OTR

Playing in the ocean: “Love Song for a savior” by Jars of Clay (weird ok. the ocean always reminds me of how good and big god is)

Summer vacation: “Centerfield” by John Fogerty or “Hangin Around” by Counting Crowes

Fighting with someone: “Eye of the Tiger” by Suvivor

Acting goofy with friends: “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrision

Traveling: “Homeward Bound” Simon and Garfunkle

Thinking back: “Just Wait” by Blues Travelers or “I remember” by Damien Rice

Feeling depressed: “Blue Sky Blues” by Ryan Adams or “Hurt” Johnny Cash

Christmas time: “O Holy Night”

Falling asleep: “Heaven Holds my Heart” Violet Burning

Closing song: “Springtime Indiana” by Sandra (clearly i will have found love since my opening song)

what would be on yours?

Tryin’ on a brand new dress
But you haven’t worn the old one yet
You’ve come too far
To turn around now

You’ve given up the good fight
You’re as strong as anyone
You’re back where you started from
I see you’re back where you started from

Starin’ down the stars
Jealous of the moon
You wish you could fly
Just being where you are
There’s nothin’ you can do
If you’re too scared to try

Drag your pretty head around
Swearin’ you’re gonna drown
With a beautiful sigh
And a river of lies

Why don’t you call me, I could save you
Together we’ll find a God we can pray to
That’ll take you by the hand

I hate to see a friend of mine
Laughing out loud
When she’s crying inside
But you’ve got your pride

You’re starin’ down the stars
Stay where you are
You’re jealous of the moon
But there’s nothing you can do
If you’re too scared to try

Nickle Creek ~ Jealous of the Moon

My friend Scott introduced me to the music of Damien Rice.

After seeing him live and getting “O” and “B sides” I must say I am in love. IN LOVE.

AMAZING.

and sad.

and hopeful.

and beautiful.

and perfect.

I have had a rough week, and Damiens music has been passionate and soothing. I love volcano and delicate and blowers daughter and cold water (although the end is odd) and I remember is breathtaking and my new favorite.

But the song I have been playing over and over at the moment is Older Chests…

It it mellow and soft and fits my mood.

And since so often other people say what I feel better than I ever could…

“Older Chests”
She broke down the other day, yeah you know
Some things in life may change
But some things they stay the same

Like time, there’s always time
On my mind
So pass me by, I’ll be fine
Just give me time
Time, there’s always time
On my mind
Pass me by, I’ll be fine
Just give me time

Kim posted this on her blog… I thought it was fun… even if I DID get a horrid cheesy song…

So what is your theme song?

My Theme Song is Oops I Did It Again by Britney Spears

“It might seem like a crush
But it doesn’t mean that I’m serious”

Heartbreaker, superflirt, player… you’ve been called all of those.
You’re not that innocent, and you know that you have a super sexy vibe!
What’s Your Theme Song?

Take the quiz

I often quote songs on my blog when I dont have the right words for what I want to say. One the songs that has been on repeat in my player the past couple of days is Patty Griffin’s Rain. It is all at once a sad song and a song of hope…. It is, in my friend Kateys words, “a song so good it makes me hurt”. And it has been wonderfully rainy and meloncholy outside, which seems fitting…..

so the words to Rain….

its hard to listen to a hard hard heart
beating close to mine
pounding up against the stone and steel
walls that i won’t climb

sometimes the hurt is so deep deep deep
you think that youre gonna drown
sometimes all i can do is weep weep weep
with all this rain falling down

strange how hard it rains now
rows and rows of big dark clouds
but im holding on underneath this shroud
ra-a-a-in

its hard to know when to give up the fight
somethings you want will just never be right
its never rained like it has tonight before
now i don’t want to beg you baby
for something maybe you could never give
im not looking for the rest of your life
i just want another chance to live

strange how hard it rains now
rows and rows of big dark clouds
but im holding on underneath this shroud
ra-a-a-in

strange how hard it rains now
rows and rows of big dark clouds
but im holding on underneath this shroud
ra-a-a-in

strange how hard it rains now
rows and rows of big dark clouds
but im still alive underneath this shroud
ra-a-a-in
ohh ra-a-a-in
ohh ra-a-a-in

Once again, I think a song speaks for itself.

This has been in my CD player for the past couple of days

From glass alabaster she poured out the depths of her soul.
O foot of Christ would you wait if her harlotries known?
falls a tear to darken the dirt.
Of humblest offerings to forgive the hurt.

She is strong enough to stand in your love.

I can hear her say..
I am weak. I am poor, I’m broken Lord but I’m yours.

Hold me Now. Hold me Now.

Let the first without sin cast the first stone if you will.
To say that my bride isn’t worth half the blood that I’ve spilled.
Point your finger and laugh if you choose
to say my beloved is borrowed and used

she is strong enough to stand in my love…

I can hear say…

I am weak, I am poor, I am broken Lord but I’m yours.

Hold me now….
hold me now….

Jennifer Knapp
“Hold me now”