4th of July: Part 2

The real reason I went to Maine for the 4th of July was to see a FREE Matt Nathanson concert at L.L. Bean. I headed to Freeport in the early afternoon, convinced that I'd be able to find a good seat. Well, apparently people put out chairs at 12:01 am for summer concerts. 

After tossing my blanket on an empty area of wood chips, I took on the task of wandering around Freeport by myself for 7 hours. It was super hot and humid so I spent an hour or so in Starbucks enjoying their air conditioning and wi-fi.

Eventually, I grabbed some dinner and headed back to my blanket. I quickly learned that a blanket on the ground in a sea of lawn chairs is a terrible way to see a concert. 

I ended up walking around a bit an eventually found an empty corner of grass where I was able to see much better.

The concert was amazing. I almost didn't go because I had to drive to Maine, then drive to Freeport, then spend the entire day alone just to see a concert alone. But I'm glad that I went because I got to see Matt Nathanson for free!

After the concert ended, I headed to the baseball field behind L.L. Bean to see the fireworks. I stayed very close to the edge of the field and it felt like the fireworks were falling right on top of me. 

After the fireworks ended, it took 45 minutes just to get out of the parking lot. Lesson learned, next time I'll park farther away on the main street! I had spent the entire day in the heat and was so sticky. By the time I got back to the house in Maine it was after midnight. I bypassed the house and drove straight down to the lake and took a midnight dip to cool off.

Adventures in Acappella

Today began with an acappella concert. I was psyched. It was going to be like REAL LIFE GLEE! I expected something a la this:



Well...they wore jeans...and matching shirts. I so badly want to tell you the name of the all-male group because it was amazing. But alas, that would be the opposite of confidential.

The first song was Mambo Number 5. Now I haven't heard this song in a long while but as they started singing, I realized how inappropriate the lyrics were for an elementary school performance. There were lots of wide eyed teachers. Take a look:

One, two, three, four, five, everybody in the car so come on let's ride...

To the liquor store around the corner. 

The boys say they want some gin and juice but I really don't wanna. 

Beerbust like I had last week. 

I must stay deep 'cause talk is cheap. 

I like Angela, Pamela, Sandra and Rita. 

And as I continue, you know they're getting sweeter. 

So what can I do? I really beg you my Lord. 

To me flirting is just like a sport. 

Anything fly, it's all good let me dump it. 

Please set it in the trumpet. 

A little bit of Monica in my life, 

A little bit of Erica by my side. 

A little bit of Rita's all I need, 

A little bit of Tina's what I see. 

A little bit of Sandra in the sun, 

A little bit of Mary all night long. 

A little bit of Jessica here I am, 

A little bit of you makes me your man! 

Mambo number five. 

Also, some fourth graders got a preview of some high school boy on boy cuddle time. Good times all around. 

   

Soundtrack Update

Find my soundtrack here.

In June: I picked up John Mayer's new album Born and Raised. It is so different from his older stuff but so good. Immediately, I popped it in the car stereo and set off for Maine. (I love listening to a new album on repeat on the drive to Maine.) I love so many of the songs but Born and Raised and (what I call) The Submarine Song were by far my favorite. The Submarine song is about this guy who is kind of over his day to day life so he teaches himself to build a submarine.

In July: I listened to Fun's Some Nights over and over again. And I watched the strange Civil War video because the lead singer's facial expressions made me laugh. Case in point:

In August: I listened to a lot of old mix cd's but I also turned up the radio every time Everybody Talks by the Neon Trees came on. It started with a whisper...

In September: I am currently OBSESSED (like listen to it 25 times in a row everyday) with The Head and the Heart's Down in the Valley. All I want to do is drive around back roads with the window down. I can't wait for the new Mumford and Sons album to come out as I have already listened to I Will Wait a billion times. Sadly, buying new records doesn't fit in with my buy only essentials during September budget so it will have to wait for October...unless anyone wants to buy me presents??

 

Soundtrack Update

Finally updated my soundtrack page for March and April.

In March:

March was a tricky month for me. Despite the beautiful weather, I had the blahs for quite some time. I listened to two songs over and over and over again.

Only if for the Night by Florence and the Machine
Best line: "And the only solution was to stand and fight."

What Doesn't Kill You by Kelly Clarkson
Best line: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

In April:

I did lots of driving and soaked up my vitamin D through these songs:

We Are Young by Fun
Best line: "Tonight, we are young so let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter than the sun."

Brighter than the Sun by Colbie Callat
Best line: "We go together like peanuts and Paydays."

#2

Create a soundtrack of my 30th year...month by month style.

It's no secret that I love music. And one of the best things is hearing an old song that brings you back to a certain time and place, experience, or person. I will forever remember laying in a farm house in Tuscany listening to Maroon 5's Songs About Jane on my discman. (I carted that discman and CD cases across all of Western Europe!)

I often pop in old camp mixes on mini road trips and am transported back to a time when the only things that mattered were sewing felt banners, putting up tents while blindfolded, and one-match fires on the beach.

So to commemorate my 30th year, I will collect songs throughout the year. 

Songs that are popular. 

Songs that cheesy. 

Songs that speak to my soul. 

Songs that I love...however fleeting.

See my soundtrack here and do not judge me for my awesome taste in music.

    

Dear ASPCA,

I know you are trying to save all the puppies. Believe me, if I could adopt them all I would.  But please, PLEASE stop ruining my iTunes library.  The songs Angel, Silent Night, and You Were Always on My Mind will now forever be associated with sad, sick, abused puppies.  So thanks for that.

XOXO,
Amy

 

Oh Holy Afternoon

On Saturday, I headed to the home of Thoreau, Emerson and Alcott to hear a (mostly) Christmas, barbershop quartet chorus concert.  Yes, barbershop choruses (chori?) still exist...and no, there was no haircutting happening.  Just 40-50 men in their best Christmas ties ready to serenade.

I must admit, I was anticipating (and hoping for) bedazzled, sequin vests but sadly they were a shiny, snowy white.

They sang all my favorite Christmas songs and happily refrained from any of the stupid cheesy Christmas songs like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."  My eyes maybe, almost teared during "Oh Holy Night" because it's my favorite Christmas song of all time.  The "fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices" gets me every time.  I've loved it ever since Macaulay Culkin wandered into that church and made friends with the creepy old man in Home Alone...so basically forever.

After the concert, I headed home to bake crack cookies saltine toffee for the first cookie party of the season, and construct a GIANT snowflake out of popsicle sticks.

 

Let's Pretend It's Christmas

The closest I've ever been to a flash mob type of situation was sitting at the Dub on a Sunday afternoon before St. Patrick's Day.  (In the Boston vicinity St. Patty's Day is a HUGE deal.)  S and I were sitting there minding our own business when an entire bagpipe and drum band (complete with step dancers) start funneling in with 75 of their closest friends.  We were treated to a jig or two before they ordered all the Guinness that was on tap.

Today I was in need of some cheer.  I found that cheer in the form of a musical flash mob performance of one of my all time favorite holiday songs.  Just watch and you'll see.



How brave was that first girl?  You have to have guts to look crazysauce for 10 whole seconds before people realize what is happening.

   

Audience Participation Required

I can listen to the same song on repeat for HOURS.  And I can listen to the same CD in my car for MONTHS.  But I am in dire need of a new gym mix to fill this bad boy girl up. 

I will accept any and all song suggestions.  I listen to and enjoy almost every kind of music.  New and old.  Cheesy and um...not cheesy.  My only requirement is that it be somewhat peppy (read: fast or strong beat) to keep me going.

So here is where you come in.  I need all my lovely readers...official followers and secret stalkers to leave a comment suggesting a new song(s) for my gym playlist.  I want to hear from everyone.  No excuses!  (You can comment anonymously if you feel so inclined.)

THANKS!!!

A List and A Song....NOT A List of Songs

Gearing up for Fall Fun Weekend: Part Deux.  Lots of To-Do’s.

*Go to the bank.
*Order photos.
*Get sucked into Facebook for 2.5 hours.
*Pick up photos.
*Pack.
*But first do laundry.
*Stop at my parent’s house to play with the god dog.
*Worry about onset of dyslexia in late 20’s.
*Do the dishes.
*Take out the trash.
*Pick underwear up off the floor (in case I die while away so I’ll be remembered as tidy).
*Wonder whether or not I can freeze apples to keep them from going bad...decide this is not a good idea so I cook them instead…mmmm apple crisp.
*Make October 2010 road trip mix.
*Mail rent, mail bills, mail Halloween cards then cross fingers that they get there before Halloween.
*Make Halloween costume.
*Watch The Daily Show.
*And The Colbert Report for good measure.
*Finish the book I started in August.
*Blog.
*Write a song...well…rewrite two verses of John Denver’s Leaving on a Jetplane.

Driving on the Highway
by Amy Call

Well my bags aren’t packed but I need to go
Watch Stephen Kellogg put on a show
And be crafty with friends at ScrapVegas
But it’s getting late, it’s almost noon
Have to stop for gas and coffee too
I’m running late but I will leave real soon.

Chorus:
Don’t text me or call me
I’m can’t text back while driving
And I listen to the radio too loud
While I’m driving on the highway
On a trip out west for a few days
Oh yay! Can’t wait to go.

Done and done.  Happy weekend!

If You're Offended by the Word Fuck Then This Post is Not For You

Although this song recounts the age old drama of heartbreak and jealousy, it does so in such a peppy, upbeat manner.  Considering my explicit frustration with the direction of my life, I think this song is the perfect sentiment for my former relationship with employment.

I would like to dedicate this song to the world at large...in the most positive and smile-inducing way possible.



Maybe it's the bold colors or the simplicity of the message but I just can't get enough!  The "OOO, OOO, OOOO" is my favorite part!

If you can't wait to watch this again and you have 3:54 minutes to kill you should watch the official video which is equally (if not more) fabulous.

Sounds of September

Now I know that September is over and that I should fully embrace October...but I would be much more inclined to do so if October would roll away the damn clouds and bring on the sun!

During the month of September when everyone I know went back to school to teach, I had a tiny mental breakdown crisis of faith. Not of the religious variety but kind of like loosing my faith with humanity and the world in general...no biggie.

After wandering around aimlessly in my mind for several days, I went to the one place that I've always gone to seek solace...the record store. (Except record stores don't really exist anymore, so I went to Best Buy to wander around aimlessly in public.) I was searching for new music that would fill the empty recesses of my soul and ended up buying Mumford and Sons "Sigh No More"...which is exactly what I was looking for.

This album is incredible.



The album came out in the UK in 2009 and the US in February 2010 but it seems that it's just everywhere right now. If you have watched any of the new fall shows you have heard some tracks off this album. The music is British folk...and includes a banjo...but trust me it's oh so wonderful. The title track "Sigh No More" has lyrics taken from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing poem, "Sigh No More, Ladies." There is definitely a spiritual tone to the album but don't let that fool you...this is not a Christian, praise Jesus my Lord and Savior, amen...record.

While the whole album is fabulous the best tracks (in my opinion which of course is the only one that matters) are:

1. Sigh No More
2. The Cave
4. Roll Away Your Stone
7. Little Lion Man

Best slow jam:
12. After The Storm

I have spent many a waking hour (pretty much the entire month of September when I wasn't consumed by Ryan Adams) listening to this record on repeat. If you can get past the first two words of the record which are "Serve God" you will enjoy it immensely. And if you don't...then you have sucky taste in music. :)

Warning...Late Night Sentimental Crap Ahead

Truth...

Currently, my most fulfilling relationship is with my iTunes catalog. No judgement! Listening to a great song with headphones on, at a decibel that would make an audiologist cringe is probably the closest I will ever come to a religious experience. There's just something about lyrics and melody reverberating through my brain that makes me feel whole. For those three and a half minutes everything makes sense.

I spent a long time today listening to Ryan Adams (which makes me yearn to get in the car, head west and drive until I can’t see straight.) Exactly how long I listened will remain a secret but however long you are imagining...trust me it was longer.

I've been super restless as of late and in desperate need of a project. Unemployment requires you to be creative in filling daylight hours so I am undertaking the difficult task of compiling a Best Of Ryan Adams: According to Amy album. To put this mission into prospective, I can probably fit 16-18 songs on a cd…and I am beginning with a Ryan Adams catalog of at least 130 songs. So you understand the challenge.

Any Ryan Adams fans with a recommendation for best song? I will post the track list when it has been finalized.