Oops, I Did It Again

I actually came across this little questionnaire on Pinterest (not tumblr). It's been awhile since I did a fill in the blank Friday post, so I thought I'd give this a go. It's 100 degrees again today in Pittsburgh. I'm beating the heat indoors with the AC cranking at my sister's place and needed something to do online! 

1. I don't really use my tumblr anymore. It's been replaced for me by Pinterest in the same manner that Twitter overshadows Facebook. I like to read, watch movies, catch up on my shows, go to concerts, travel, shop, play with my dog, write, support my favorite teams, check out what's happening around my city, drink with friends, spend time with family...

2. Food: Pizza. Drink: Ice Water, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Color: Gold

3. I wouldn't even be capable of consistently spending $100,000 per week. I would become overwhelmed with the amount of material things that I consumed. I assume with that kind of money there would be plenty of free time. I would put the money towards travel and my house(s). 

4. Book: What Remains by Carole Radziwill. I'm almost done reading it. I love her writing style and her perspective on life. Movie: Before Sunrise. Because of this film, I have a burning desire to see Vienna. TV Show: Summer Heights High will always be a favorite. I just wish it lasted beyond one season.  

5. Myself from a past life- spending the 48 hours wherever I lived and doing the things I loved.

6. Food: Tuna. Drink: Milk, Tequila. Color: Red.

7. I don't really spend a ton of money on one thing specifically but I guess it would be clothes in the fall/winter and concert tickets in the summer.

8. I hate underwear but I guess if I had to pick, I'd go with cheeksters from Victoria's Secret. 

9. Book: The Hunger Games, 50 Shades of Grey... Anything that the general public who normally never reads buys just because everyone else has. Movie: Nothing immediately comes to mind but I did not enjoy Eat Pray Love. TV Show: American Idol

10. I would strike up a conversation. I do this with just about anyone who sits next to me on planes. I would obviously use it as an opportunity to learn more about them. 

11. A clipping of my dog's fur who passed away a few years ago.

12. My sleeping patterns. I'm not a night owl. I'm nocturnal, maybe even a vampire.

13. The biggest insult you could throw me is that I'm average/common/boring/unoriginal. You don't have to like me but I at least like to be unique.

14. Walk-in closet, home theater, wine cellar, shabby chic furniture/antique decor style, chandeliers

15. A cat because they're usually beautiful, relaxed, mystical, acrobatic, intelligent...

16. Portugal. The Man because I love their music and would never get tired of hearing them perform every night. I also think the members seem like such interesting people. The lead singer is also gorgeous.

17. Well, I just mentioned them. From their albums, my favorite is a toss-up between The Satanic Satanist with "The Sun" being my favorite song and In The Mountain In the Cloud's "Sleep Forever." But I love just about all of their songs. "And I" from Censored Colors is a favorite as well. I like their "Helter Skelter" cover better than The Beatles' version.

18. They don't have a bad song. They're great live. They work hard. They're interesting. They're original. They're nice to look at.

19. Of my favorite band? I've seen them twice. In general? More than I can count. One of my favorite concerts was The Dead Weather at Bonnaroo 2010. Who do I want to see the most? I still haven't seen TV on the Radio or Bon Iver. MGMT keeps eluding me as well. 

20. "Staring at the Sun" or "Wolf Like Me" by TV on the Radio.

21. I think I knew what this meant but I had to Google it to make sure since I'm not 14-years-old. The answer would be Prince William and Kate Middleton. I love her.

22. I don't own any band merch. I just don't. I buy their music and their concert tickets. I don't wear their t-shirts or buy their posters. 

23. I learned about Portugal. The Man through Twitter in January 2010. I was following a guy I had a crush on who had excellent taste in music. He was "#nowplaying" "The Sun" and the name Portugal. The Man jumped out at me. They get a lot of slack for having such an odd band name but I probably wouldn't have bothered checking them out if their name wasn't so off the wall. I loved it and bought their album then found out they were playing my city, so I went to see them in March.

24. I don't idolize celebrities. I have crushes on a few and look to some for style inspiration but by no means do I idolize anything or anyone. Check out my Pinterest Street Style and Dream Guys boards for a few clues.

25. I prefer champagne. ^

Now Playing: "Cherokee" by Cat Power

*First time hearing it and I'm loving it!

Remembering Jim Morrison

Some words of wisdom from the "Lizard King"...

“I've noticed that when people are joking they're usually dead serious, and when they're serious, they're usually pretty funny.” 

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” 

"Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to- letting a person be what he really is."

"Where's your will to be weird?"

"I believe in a long, prolonged derangement of the senses in order to obtain the unknown."

My Top 10 Favorite Songs of ALL TIME?!?!

It seems like an impossible task but I think I'm up to the challenge of choosing my 10 favorite songs of all time- IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, of course! Okay, maybe these are 10 OF my favorite songs of all time but it'll have to do for now. I'm sure I'm forgetting some of the best but as of this very moment and what's currently in my head, I'd have to go with the following tunes... drum roll...

"One Headlight" by The Wallflowers


This was the song that inspired me to create the list. "One Headlight" has always been a favorite of mine but somewhere during the summer of 2008/2009 it became the theme song of sorts between one of my best friends and me. We frequented the same dive bar (Jack's, East Carson St. Pittsburgh, if you're ever in the area) and always chose this song on the TouchTunes music player. "One Headlight" was usually a big crowd pleaser and we loved to belt it out after a few cold ones. It has that unique 90s sound that brings back so many memories but I love that it also reminds me of my friend and all the nights we spent at "our bar." It's also beautifully written and I just adore Jakob Dylan's voice (the dark hair and blue eyes combination aren't so bad either). 

"Night Moves" by Bob Seger


This is a classic but it didn't become a favorite of mine until last summer. I was driving home from a night out with friends with the windows down and a biker dude directly in front of me at a red light. His music was blaring loudly but rather than becoming annoyed, I turned down my radio and tuned in to what he was having. I didn't recognize the song at first through the sound of the oncoming city traffic and the revving of his engine but after a few moments it clicked and I was hooked. "Night Moves" carries such a sound of nostalgia that I absolutely adore. I think songs like this are what's missing from the vast majority of today's music. It makes me want to get up and dance around a fire pit with cold drinks and good friends and recall old memories. I love its lyrical storytelling aspect and will be playing it every summer for the rest of my life.

"Having a Party" by Sam Cooke


Speaking of dancing with friends and having a good time, "Having a Party" by Sam Cooke is it for me. I can't express how much I love this song. It never fails to put a smile on my face. I can't help but sing every word (terribly, I might add) along with Sam. It's just a feel good tune and will always be the first song I request at any outdoor gathering.

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell



Who doesn't love this song? It's so much fun to sing along to with friends and family. While I grew up listening to this one, it also reminds me of my senior year of high school. My allstar cheerleading squad used it in our competition routine music. It was so much fun stunting to the words, "Ain't no mountain high enough."

"Stand By Me" by Ben E. King


This song is absolutely gorgeous but one of the reasons I love it so much is because it's associated with one of my earliest musical memories. When I "graduated" from kindergarten, all of the kids were given a rose to give to their Mom or guardian as "Stand By Me" played. Each of the children stood by their loved one and it was very sweet. I remember this very vividly and how my Mom cried. Whenever I hear this, I feel how much my parents have always stood by me and protected me and how lucky I am.

"Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House


Since we're on the topic of earliest musical memories, mine just might be "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House. This is probably the most random song on my list but for good reason. This song reminds me of being a baby; crazy, I know. It came out around the time I was born and was popular during my earliest years. When I was little, my Mom would often put a small radio next to my bed as I fell asleep (set to the soft rock station) and I could swear that this song got lots of airplay. Whenever I hear it, I am just taken back to that time. It's the only explanation I can gather.

"Runaround Sue" by Dion


My parents are a little bit "older" and when I was growing up, they always played oldies around the house. "Runaround Sue" is one of the songs I always heard on the radio while my Dad and his buddies worked on their classic cars or lifted weights. The sound of it alone takes me back to warm summer nights as a little girl hanging around with the "big guys" or going to our church festival every August where there was a Classic Car Cruise and plenty of old-timers to share a story or two.

"Candy" by Paolo Nutini


I'm not sure that "Candy" is officially a top 10 favorite but Paolo Nutini's voice is certainly among the best I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. He has so much soul and I think this particular song displays it quite nicely. "Candy" is definitely one of my favorites of recent years and I find the music video flawless. I can play this song 20 times in a row and never tire of hearing Paolo croon. It's a sweet song and one that I really appreciate.

"Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band



Yes, really. Dave Matthews Band. When I was in grade school and into high school, DMB was one of my most-listened to bands. While I have outgrown a lot of his sound, I still appreciate his lyrical ability. I can remember the first time I heard "Crash Into Me"; I was riding in the car with my parents circa 1996 and demanded that everyone in the vehicle be quiet and turn up the radio. I think this was the moment that I became a music lover and I have Dave to thank for that. The live, extended version is the best!

"I Only Have Eyes For You" by The Flamingos


Simply put, this song reminds me of my Dad. This is one of his favorites. He always played it in our gameroom or driving around in one of his old cars. It's a beautiful song and I cherish it.

Booked!

I'm excited that I found a hotel to stay at while I'm in Chicago for Lollapalooza! I had my fingers crossed in hopes that I would win a package for a hotel in Lincoln Park but I actually came in second place (something that is usually the case with me). Hotels in Chicago are always expensive but because Lollapalooza is such a huge weekend, the prices were even higher than normal and most of the rooms were already sold out. Fortunately, after playing around on Expedia and Travelocity, I found an unbelievable deal for a nice hotel that's just a few minutes south of Grant Park and directly on the Metra line; such a relief! I'm the type of traveler that doesn't care what hotel I stay at in terms of quality but location is important to me. You go on trips to see what's outside your room and it's just a place to sleep and shower, right? Since Lolla is a city festival, I really wanted to be close to bars, restaurants and nightlife. I definitely lucked out in finding a place that is affordable, close to the action and actually reputable.

I'm looking forward to exploring Chicago and listening to some fantastic music! Some of the performers I'm most anxious to see are Alabama Shakes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack White, The Black Keys, M83, Michael Kiwanuka, Florence + The Machine, Dr. Dog, The Shins, Band of Skulls, Givers, Toro Y Moi, The Black Angels, The War on Drugs, Animal Kingdom, Aloe Blacc, The Tallest Man on Earth and Polica. There's only a handful of scheduling conflicts, so I'm pretty thrilled with the lineup. I'm finally switching to an iPhone, so I should take plenty of decent pictures and videos and upload them live to TwitPic and TwitVid via my Twitter. Stay tuned! :)













Now Playing: "When I Grow Up" by First Aid Kit

Love Is In the Airwaves

I've been considering getting into the wedding videography business. I still want to be an author but a girl's gotta pay the bills, right? But this isn't a career I would pursue solely for financial gain. I love weddings and capturing moments through the use of video, music and words. It would be something I would enjoy doing more than anything else. I've been watching a lot of talented cinematographers and came across a song that I really liked in one of their videos. Enjoy!

"Reasons to Love You" by Meiko