Music Monday - Wrong in the Right Ways

I am so in love with the new song by Pink.  I've enjoyed her music over the years, but man this song is just plain fun!  I mean you cannot help tapping your toe to the beat, not to mention the desire to just start singing along.  I think that the lyric - "Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways" is destined to become a favorite for years to come.  And really, that sums up Pink - she tends to not take herself to seriously and laugh at all the "stupidity" of celebrities.  This is a great rebellious song.  Enjoy listening to it on the Music Monday pick of the week section to the right.

And, I must apologize for missing updating Music Monday last week - I kept waiting for my brother Kelly to give me a hard time about it.  He seems to enjoy seeing which song I have singled out for the pick of the week.  But, he also knew - as I'm pretty sure most of you out there did not - I was sick last week with a winter cold that wiped me out pretty good.  So, I'm sorry for the delay and hopefully you didn't mind having such a great song as 100 years on for two weeks instead of one.

100 Years - Music Monday

So, I spent some time in my car this long weekend doing a bit of driving.  That is when I spend most of my time listening to music.  As much as I love music and am completely inspired by it, it's not on at home all that much.  My "day" job keeps my ears occupied and unable to listen to what I would like to.  And then when the family is home, the music just doesn't really get put on very often.  So, when I drive, it is on all the time.  It's like my little sanctuary on wheels.  I love it. 

While driving during this past weekend, a favorite song came on.  You know, I love those songs that just blow you away - that give you goosebumps.  And that can give you those goosebumps time and time again.  Well, this is one of those songs.  And, even better, it really makes you think.  And I love that.

This weeks Music Monday pick is 100 Years by Five for Fighting.  Enjoy.

And after you have listened to this weeks pic at the right under the Monday Music Pick of the Week section, enjoy this card created by my good friend Amy Smith.  I love the color combination - beautiful.  Thanks Amy for sharing this with me.

A Free Music Monday

The other morning, I was listening to my favorite morning radio show.  Johnjay and Rich.  I don't get to listen to them very often between getting as much work done in the early morning hours and getting my son ready for school, there just isn't time to listen.  Plus, now that I think about it, we don't even have just a regular radio anywhere in the house.  Strange.  We have lots of music options but they all use either CD's or iPod's.  There are two places I do listen to the radio - my car and very, very rarely on my computer. 

Anyway they do this bit called remember the time where they "mush" together ("mush" is their term for it, not mine) songs, movie and TV clips all together and a contestant has to guess what year it all happened.  Some of them are so easy, but most times it's pretty hard.

The other day, they did the year 1991 and a favorite song of mine, that I have not listened to in quite awhile was on it.  So, I immediately came home and played the song all the way through - a couple times - and knew right then and there that would be the pick for Music Monday.

The song is Freedom by George Michael. He had some really great hits in the late 80's early 90's after going solo.  And whatever your view on him and his personal life . . . the boy can sing.  So, be sure to click on the song in the Music Monday section to the right of the post.  And remember you have until next Monday to listen to it before it will be replaced with the next Music Monday pick.



Freedom (Cd Cover Artwork) by George Michael



A Magical Music Monday

It is only natural that I am dedicating this Music Monday to Harry Potter.  For a couple of reasons.  First of all, I just spent the last four days enjoying the marathon on ABC Family channel showing the first five movies.  I didn't watch them all in a row - and some of them I didn't even get to watch the entire movie of.  But that's okay, because I have seen them all before - many, many times.  And love them just as much this weekend as I did the first time watching them.  The newest installment hits the theaters this coming Friday and I know that is reason for the marathon.  I don't mind it one little bit.

Another reason for this choice - the original score for the Harry Potter movie is written by a man that has composed just about every memorable musical score for movies - at least in my opinion.  I have been a fan of his since I was a young child.  I am speaking of John Williams.  He has this amazing talent for writing music that helps to define certain characters or moments in those movies.  And every time you hear that particular grouping of notes, you are transformed to that moment or to remember that character.

If you are not familiar with his work - well I should say, if you don't think you are familiar with his work, let me give you some examples.  There are many more than this, I am naming the ones that were moments in my lifetime.

• Jaws (1975)
• Star Wars entire series
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
• Superman (1978)
• The entire Indian Jones Series
• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Presumed Innocent
• Home Alone
• Jurassic Park
• Harry Potter 1, 2 and 3
• The Terminal
• The 1984 Summer Olympics

Just to mention a few.  Amazing body of works he has.  And, he tends to use some pretty unique instruments as main instruments - including one of my favorites, the French Horn.  Be sure to give a listen to Hedwig's Flight by John Williams on the Music Monday Pick of the Week area to the right before next Monday when it will be changed to another selection.




Coke & Books

 This photo was taken as an assignment for a photo class.  We had to work on a self portrait project.  Well, I do not like having my picture taken, so came up with an idea of placing a coke bottle in different situations in place of me.  This photo was taken to represent a favorite hobby of mine - reading.  And those are my Harry Potter books in the background.  At the time we were only up to number five - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Secret Music Monday

It's not really a secret - the posting that is.  But the song is . . .

I love it when artists use instruments that are a little out of the norm for their style of music.  But yet do it in such a natural way.  That you would not imagine that instrument not being there.  I love when pop, or rock, bands use string instruments in their songs.  It add such a different element.  And today's band choice does it brilliantly.  Probably because every member of this band plays several different instruments.  They are extremely well rounded.

I have had this CD since it came out about a year ago.  And every so often I pull it out and enjoy listening to the great mixture of mellow melodies and songs that really get you inspired.  The band is One Republic, the song I'm choosing to share today is Secret and the CD I am referring to is Wake Up, their second CD that was released in 2009.  (Their debut CD, Dreaming Out Loud is fabulous too.  I recommend them both.)  I hope that you will enjoy it.

Be sure to listen to the song on the Music Monday Pick of the Week section on the right.

It was a pretty busy weekend.  Lots of fun family activities including a fund raiser at my son's school and a visit to the State Fair.  I spent most of Sunday taking it easy and even got to watch an entire football game.  That was nice.  And it felt good to be a bit "lazy" for a day.  You need those every so often. 

And in honor of taking an easy day, I thought I would share with you two other loves of mine - my photography and one of my beagles.  Hope you have a great Monday!

The Guard

Move Along Music Monday

After a surprisingly good, yet busy weekend, it's good to sit down and put some thought into the next Music Monday share.  I haven't come across anything exceptionally exciting in new stuff over the past few days, so I will be sharing an older song.  It is a favorite.  Not as old as the past few from the 80's.  This one is only 5 years old.

But before I go into that one, did you get a chance to check out the Sting song Fragile.  Man, I love that song.  It still gives me goosebumps to listen to it.

Okay today's song is by a favorite band of mine The All-American Rejects.  Not only do I love the name they chose for their band - too funny if you ask me.  But I really love their music.  I have all three of their CD's and they get listened to very regularly in our house. 

The song choice for this week is Move Along.  No matter what kind of mood I am in, if I am feeling down, sad, depressed or overwhelmed with too much to do, I put on this song and in no time I am tapping my foot and feeling as if I can indeed take on the world!  The drum beat is very infectious and makes you just want to get up and dance - and then go take on the world.

So, go ahead and give it a listen on my YouTube link on the right hand side.  And see if it lifts you right up.

We were able to see them at a local music festival  a little over a year ago.  They were so fun on stage.  It was a great night, even though we did freeze.  Here are two pics of my son at the concert.

I hope you enjoy your Music Monday selection and have a toe tapping great start to the beginning of the week!

Fragile Music Monday & a bonus

I can't believe it's another Monday upon us.  I never know what song I'm going to pick for my Music Monday's until the moment I sit down to start typing it up.  I completely leave it to the mood that I am.

So, I started this blog as a means to share my stamping items.  But I decided that that was not enough.  I really wanted to have a place to share all my creative endeavors.  For, I have come to realize that all of life should be approached creatively and with lots of care. 

I would have to say that music is a huge part of my daily inspiration.  Music speaks to the soul in a way that nothing else really can.  If you will let it, it will touch your heart in ways that very little can.

I do feel the need to give you a little background on today's music pick.  For there is a bit of history with me and the featured artist.  Today I have chosen a song by Sting.  And, I will tell you right now, there will be more selections by Sting to come.  I find his work to be highly inspirational and beautiful.  But, there is more than just the musical connection for me.

I remember in the 8th grade, Sting did a documentary about making his first solo album called Bring on the Night.  (Which happens to be one of my favorite Police songs).  I went to the documentary with my best friend Jae Kyung.  We loved it.  Both of us being big Sting fans already.  There was one moment that really stuck with me all these years.  In one scene they have a photographer come to shoot the band for artwork on the album.  And I remember sitting in that theater and thinking to myself, "that's really a job?"  And I fell in love with photography at that moment.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Sting live several times over the years.  And had my lifelong wish of seeing The Police together a couple years ago when they reunited for a tour.  Made my year!

So the song selection for tonight is a beautiful song titled Fragile.  Listen to the words.  Amazing.  This song will be featured on the video bar to the right.  Don't let a week go by without checking out the song.  It's beautiful.  The most amazing version of this song I am unable to find recorded.  It was performed with Sting and Yo-Yo Ma at the Utah Olympics some years back.  Just remembering that performance gives me chills.  A truly inspired song.

Over the weekend I had my Halloween class.  It was a great time & thanks to those that attended.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.  In preparation for that class, I started looking into other Halloween projects I could work on.  I found the cutest Halloween item at Walmart and went to town decorating it.

I know that these little candies are intended to decorate baked goods - cookies, cupcakes and such.  But they are packaged so cute that I want to keep them as is.  Besides, I totally love that the white ones are bones.  How fun is that?

I applied Stampin' Up!'s Spooky Night Rub-Ons on each "test tube".  I was a little nervous because of the curve of the tube.  But the rub-ons went on wonderfully.  Then just added a bit of ribbon and I have a great decoration.

Music Mondays . . . Blue Man Group

Okay, when I am looking for some music to increase my energy, I think of the Blue Man Group.  Have you seen their show?  It's so fun and energetic and entertaining.  The music is great as is their sense of humor and the message they are trying to deliver. 

As I am typing right now, I am listening to one of my favorite songs by them.  Time to Start.  Really gets your toes tapping and you just want to get up and dance.  Or at the very least, get up and do something, anything!

Be sure to give it a listen on the right hand side under the You Tube section.  Good stuff.

And while listening, here's a pic of my very own blue man.  Well, kinda . . . this is my son before a planetarium show we went to.  The entire room was lit up blue.  Fun.

My Very Own Blue Man

And, don't forget, my Halloween class is coming up this Saturday.  We will be making four really fun projects.  I should be getting my order in the next couple of days and will be posting the projects then.  So, check back often for more stamping fun.  Here are the class details:

Halloween is almost here - and I can hardly wait. I love the decorations and all the fun that comes with this time of year.


And that includes my Halloween Stamp Class
Saturday October 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Class fee: $20

We will be making four fun Halloween projects - including a framed decoration (as is or add your own photos), candy jar, card and a mystery.

Items to be used in the class -
Big Shot
Rub-Ons
Lots of Designer Paper

RSVP by Thursday October 14 so that I can be sure to have all the materials needed for you in the class.
Click here to sign up or for more information.

Music Monday - An Oldie . . .

Let's go back in time a little.  It's the early 80's and this young, unknown band from Norway blasted onto the music scene with their amazing animated video to a very catchy tune titled Take on Me.  We just couldn't get enough of the song and video.  And unlike the video from Beyonce for Single Ladies that Kanye West so rudely declared "the best video of all-time (not sure where he got that idea from).  This particular video was amazing to watch. 

A-ha had the most success here in the US with their debut album, Hunting High and Low, which contained Take on Me among other hits.  And yes, there are many songs on it that I still enjoy listening to to this day.  But, for me, their second album, Scoundrel Days was the better choice.  And, my favorite song by a-ha was on Scoundrel Days.  It remains one of my all-time favorite songs and is one that I listen to often almost 20 years later.  The song is titled I've Been Losing You.

I hope that you will take listen to this song.  I have added a link to You Tube on my site and will keep it there until my next musical posting.  It's a song that I have listened to all of my adult life and have gotten much inspiration from it, it just puts me in a great mood.  I love how music can do that - uplift you.

Music Monday begins

It's Music Monday.  Time to share some of my musical tastes.  Not sure if any of you checked out last weeks recommendation - The Pursuit of Happiness by Nuno.  Great song.  And if you missed out on it, I'm sorry.

I've been listening to the new Linkin Park CD - A Thousand Suns - for a week now.  And have fallen completely in love with a couple of the songs on it.  It is a good buy for those that like them.  To me it is a cross between their older angrier stuff and the mellow tunes of the last CD - Minutes to Midnight.  That one took a bit of getting used to - although I do absolutely adore Leave Out All The Rest on Minutes to Midnight.  There are quite a few change- ups, one song will be very aggressive with a heavy drum beat and then the next one is full of piano and a softer singing voice.

As always, I love the combination of the two different styles of singing in their two lead singers.  The best example of that is their song In The End from Hybrid Theory.  Great mixture of rapping and singing.  So, back to A Thousand Suns, it seems that there is more of that mixture than we saw on the last CD and it still works.

I recommend getting this CD, but suggest the clean version if possible, for one song in particular (and that happens to be my favorite one right off the bat).

I guess if I had to sum up how I feel about this CD it would be this.  It is a great mixture of the old Linkin Park with the polish of maturity and a budget to record with.  Their sound on this one is very full bodied.