2009 has been quite a year! It quite possibly might have been the toughest year yet, but I feel like I have grown a lot.
To get me through the following have been some of my favorite most listened to songs of the year!
Don't Stop Believing, Glee
My Life Would Suck Without You, Kelly Clarkson
Goodbye, Kristina Debarge
Empire State of Mind, Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
Battlefield, Jordin Sparks
Ego, The Saturdays
Fallin' For You, Colbie Caillat
She Wolf, Shakira
Fireflies, Owl City
Obsessed, Mariah Carey
Good Girls Go Bad, Cobra Starship
Knock You Down, Keri Hilson
Halo, Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
It's Alright, It's Ok, Ashley Tisdale
Bulletproof, La Roux
I Look to You, Whitney Houston
The Fear, Lily Allen
You Belong With Me, Taylor Swift
Hoedown Throwdown, Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana (not sure which).
Give It Time, Molly Jenson
Circus, Britney Spears
Here's to more hit songs that make us remember who we are, where we are at, and where we are going. May you celebrate the New Year full of joy and enthusiasm spiked with a splash of safety!
PS The winner of our blog giveaway is Lisa P! Congrats on your new magazine subscription to Entertainment Weekly!
Okay so it's been more than 24 hours of when the giveaway was supposed to happen... Let's face it, life happens.
Last years giveaway was two Christmas CDs..... So this years giveaway is... Drum Roll..... A magazine subscription! Yes magazines are one of my favorite things ever... I love the glossy pages, the advertisements, the small print, and it's one thing I know I can rely on! The bad thing I hate is the number of inserts (bad for the environment, and don't they know I already subscribe).
Rules or guidelines of the contest*:
The contest starts now and will go until Wednesday, December 23, 2009 at 11:59 PM (aka just before Thursday arrives).
To win, I must somehow know you... IE I met you at a friend's wedding reception, You are ____'s sibling and you have said hello, We saw the Michael Jackson movie together etc...
Upon winning, I will contact you for the mailing address you would like the magazine to arrive at. Delivery of the first issue will depend on the magazine service.
You may enter twice, but not on the same day or answer the same question. In a small paragraph answer one of the following: "My theme song for this year was," or "This year I overcame _______, all because of ______!"
Winner will be selected using http://www.randomizer.org/
Good Luck!
Your choice of one of the following subscriptions (upon continued availability):
Allure Atlantic Better Homes & Gardens Country Living Details Elle Entertainment Weekly (27 issues) Esquire Fitness Good Housekeeping Glamour Golf Digest GQ Harper's Bazaar Inc Ladies Home Journal Lucky Marie Claire Road & Track Redbook Ready Made Parents Popular Mechanics Seventeen Self Smart Money Traditional Home Wired Woman's Day
As most of you know I work for a national market publisher helping customers order books they want and untangle their orders (aka messes) placed on the web.
With this busy time of year I have encountered some odd situations and thought they might help you in case it ever happens to you:
Local Public Television station calls to order DVD's we publish for their local telethon. I inform their representative that the title is out of print and that we are sold out. She immediately gets disgruntled and asks how she is supposed to show the presentation in a week and tell her subscribers that the show is not available as a gift with a donation. I let her know she can try calling our corporate office to make arrangements. Under her breath she mentions how lame of a company we are. Since when was it our problem that you decided not to prepare in advance and make sure that the DVD was available. Good thing I donate to the "other" station!
"Okay let me just pull up your account... Is this Tonya Lastname?" "No sir, it's TAN-YAH, the o is pronounced like an 'A' but spelled with an 'O." I think she decided in first grade that she needed to be annoyingly different aka "My name is Sa5M, the five is silent."
Within the past 3 weeks I have been asked several times what country I am from because it sounds like an British accent with a splash of southern hospitality. When I inform them I from the Jello state, they say that is so odd. One particular customer said it was probably because I have good diction and differing tone. "Thanks for the compliment???"
Enjoy these moments and check back tomorrow because it will be my annual giveaway, and this prize will help one of you all year long... guaranteed or you money back!
One of my favorite things to do before going to bed is looking at my horoscope and seeing how "in tune" it is with my day. Sometimes it's right on, sometimes I think they confused me with another sign (Much of this is because of the interpretation and application of the advice they provide).
Another source of advice and hilarity are fortune cookies. I love how the simple inscriptions can make you ponder your life, or laugh with the company you are with. I used to save my some of the memorable ones and slip them under my cell phone cover to read in the future.
Since I can't hand you a fortune cookie, let's take a look at your horoscope today:
ARIES (March 21-April 19). A collaboration will turn out better than any person involved could have imagined doing alone. You'll be pleased with what you can produce when you work with a team.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When the mighty fall, it gives everyone else a certain secret thrill. It's only human nature to take pleasure in feeling superior to a powerful person. Override human nature and offer your sincere compassion.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You carry yourself with attitude. You really believe that if people like you, that's great. If not, that's fine, too. You are who you are, and it feels brilliant to live as you do — honestly.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Needy, clingy people will be attracted to you because you have so much to give. Consciously develop your manner of being around these people. Know your boundaries. Make some rules for yourself.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You usually get a strong feeling about people within the first few moments of knowing them, and right now this instinct is even more powerful. It will help you be more selective about who you let in your life.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though you have a knack for picking those whose star is on the rise, you are capable of doing amazing things on your own. Remember this today. Believe it at the very core of your being and you will attract the best and brightest.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You've always had a unique charisma and style, though some people have not been astute enough to notice. Today you'll get the attention of the people who overlooked your attractiveness before. The spotlight warms your soul.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You wouldn't mind making a few new friends — especially those who are fun, interesting and connected. This is just the day to do it. You'll look approachable, and therefore, people will approach you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll realize for the first time why something you did in the past was a mistake. A pang of remorse is a natural reaction, but don't dwell there. Take the lesson and march on.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You'll be asked to do things that are a little out of your usual realm — for instance, to get up on the dance floor or have a drink with someone. Say yes. It's just a few minutes, not a lifetime commitment.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The getting-to-know-you stage of a relationship is fun, but there's no time to waste. Move things along. Find out what a person admires in others and you'll have a clue as to what this person is looking for in a partner.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You will be like a caricature artist in your mind. You will be able to take a person's characteristics and exaggerate them. This helps you understand who you are dealing with. And use the technique on yourself, too!
You and I are both guilty and should be spending a night in blog jail. We are convicted of blog-stalking!
I think this might be everyone is guilty of whether it's looking up an old classmate on Facebook, glancing at a friend's blog, or following someone's twitter just so we can be "in the know." It's similar to looking out your window to check on the neighbor but not wanting to be seen!
What I find most awkward, which happened recently, is that I ran into someone who I have seen on a friend's blog. I didn't greet them because who wants be told by a random stranger, "I saw your trip to _____ and it looked way fun!"
I think the experience just made me realize how small the human community really is and how much information we post about ourselves.
Today's frustration has been brought to us by the word "Hello!WhatAreYouDoing?"
I was almost hit today by cars doing the following:
A car doing a U-turn next to a crosswalk when signs say it is not safe to.
A driver listening to his earbuds while driving and not seeing or hearing the ambulance heading towards us. I think he heard his tires screech to a stop though. FYI Utah has an all encompassing 'distracted driving' law that prohibits headphones.
If there are two left turn lanes, you have to go into the same lanes as you are turning. You CANNOT turn into any lane you choose.... This happened twice. TWICE today!
And most of all! Don't text and drive. period. If you absolutely have to chat on your phone keep it brief. Because most often you are not paying attention to the conversation or the road. This is not only frustrating for the other drivers but also the other person the receiving end!
If you do any of these behaviors please decide which one you are going to change starting today.
Funding for this program is provided in part, by The Corporation of Drive Intelligently, and by public television stations and their contributors.
If I looked and spoke like a stoned vampire I am sorry. I was exhausted! This is all because my top pet peeve happened last night. I got woken up prehistorically early and forced to talk and carry on a conversation... with the police.
I was asleep in the fetal position while being dually blanketed to protected me from the cold, when I hear my dad telling me to wake up. I glance at the clock only to see that it is 3 AM, and wonder what is going on. Through my drowsy state I catch every other word only to understand, car, broken into, cops.
I look out my window and see two police cars in front of my house with their lights announcing to the neighborhood, "Watch out there is a crime!" Knowing that it is cold outside I shuffle a jacket and shoes on and proceed to go outside.
I walk out our steps and the officer begins to tell me that he thinks my car was broken into because the drivers side door is wide open. Without speaking I get into my car, and with my eyes closed started to verify if anything was stolen. I open the glove box and the location of where I keep my "sno-cone fund" money and notice that my possessions are intact.
I let the officer know that everything is there, and nothing was stolen. The officer then asks if anyone else had a key or if I had any ideas about my car being open. I then had a flashback to earlier that night when I got home I grabbed my backpack our of my trunk and left my drivers side door open so that I could lock the car.
I proceed to tell the officer the story of my forgetfulness, and appreciate him keeping my neighborhood safe. He takes down my information and tells me he will file a report in case anything was stolen. He then asks my dad and I if we are sound sleepers because he pounded on the door and had to end up calling our house. The three of us laugh and we separated, with my father and I with tickets to slumber land, and the officer fighting the hard knocked streets.
Overall I am grateful to the officer who was concerned for Ting Ting and I . Also I am thankful that I have a dad who can answer the phone in the middle of the night, and remain calm through an odd situation.
So you might already know that I kinda like Ms. Gaga. I really think she is very talented and sometimes that is not shown because of her image and crazy quotes she provides. Do I think she is crazy? Sometimes, but I believe she knows how to create buzz about her music and concerts.
Well for those non-believers of her talent take a look a this stripped down performance from years ago:
You have either made a comment, tried to purchase tickets, or logging in required an additional security measure. We all have had to enter in those lame codes to post or view information.
A while back I purchased tickets for a concert and came across this little gem of hilarity...
This past work week has seemed to be filled with disgruntled customers. I am still crossing my fingers that we do not "ruin anyone's Christmas" like we have in years past....
So after speaking with several disgruntled customers, I asked myself,
"What does it take to be happy?"
I don't think that one can be entirely happy 24/7, although one can remain somewhat positive/optimistic through various seasons of life. *Let me make note that if we were happy all the time it would get old really fast, and being emo would be the new happy. *
I believe that Happiness can come from almost anything, and can be kicked to the curb should we let it.
I have decided that my new goal is to be a little bit more happy until Thanksgiving. No longer are lame classes, bad mannered customers, weather-related problems, and other problems going to influence me... but horrible drivers or repeating songs on the radio might ;)
So to begin on my journey, here are some things that makes me happy:
Watching television by myself, and laughing aloud... like shampoo I then rinse and repeat.
People falling... It just is funny.
Spending time with my family (in small doses)
Watching movies and remembering something special about it. IE Every time I see the updates Parent Trap I am taken back to the Villa Theatre where a friend and I sat front row watching the love filled voyage of the QE2.
So What makes you happy? What puts a smile on your face?
I can't believe that some people have "500 Days" of you, but I only get 90 (if you are on your best behavior). I miss you, and it has only been a few days since I last saw you. Society calls that love. When someone leaves you, there is the emptiness that one has to fill. I guess I will just have to do that by filling the hollowness with memories.
I was just thinking about the good times we had as I sat outside and read. You sat by me, and when I began to feel alone, you always had the sun tap me to remind me you were there. Thanks for that! We read a lot of books together. Whether it was about a former boy who lived in the world of Polygamy, the first couple books about Narnia, the "this novel is based on my life, which is a reality show in LA," and a story about a son finding his dad in Katrina aftermath. There was also the hilarious life of a singer, being a Christian in Hollywood, and several magazines about technology and music.
I must apologize to you. As much as you wanted to get together at the pool, we only met twice. :( I am a bad friend I know. Perhaps I was just getting revenge because the best Sno-Cone place closed its doors for the summer. I have to say that really put a damper on how much tigers blood I could load myself on.
So what are your plans next year? Will you still be stopping by about the same time? I hope you can get here a little earlier... because the delay that you took with your friend Rain N. Crummy, really was bad. Several people thought you would never show, but after a few Facebook status updates and hope, you came around.
In closing, I just wanted to thank you for always being there and for being perfect in several situations. You were perfectly behaved for my two best friend's wedding, you were dancing along to Good Girls Gone Bad, and singing to Waking Up in Vegas. We even ran into each other a few times at the movie theater and watching Felicity growing up in college.
I wish you the best as you venture on your journey around the world! Please keep in touch and I hope that you will always remember the time we had together!
If Your Life Was a Movie, What Would the Soundtrack be?
How to do it:
1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc).
2. Put it on Shuffle.
3. Press Play.
4. For every question, type the song that's playing.
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button.
6. Be honest.
OPENING CREDITS Paper Planes, M.I.A.
WAKING UP The Christmas Waltz, Kristin Chenoweth
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Misery Business, Paramore
FALLING IN LOVE Umbrella (cover), Taylor Swift
FIGHT SONG Vanity, Lady Gaga
BREAKING UP One Man Show, Jonas Brothers
PROM Breakin' Dishes, Rihanna
LIFE IS GOOD Santa Clause Lane, Hilary Duff
DRIVING Rooftops and Invitations, Dashboard Confessional
MENTAL BREAKDOWN Time After Time, Ashley Tisdale
FLASHBACK Closer, Neyo
GETTING BACK TOGETHER Wake Up America, Miley Cyrus (Is this the scene when I move back from Canada and back to United States?)
WEDDING The Heart of Life, John Mayer
FINAL BATTLE Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield (Some battle, unless I fight with Lauren Conrad with Paper Rock Scissors?)
DEATH SCENE Another Brick in the Wall, Pt 3 - Pink Floyd (The Wall, Disk 1)
FUNERAL SONG Bottle It Up, Sara Bareilles ("Only one good thing trying to be, and it's love love love. I do it for love)
END CREDITS Cold Hearted, Paula Abdul (He's a cold hearted snake... look into his eyes
I recently saw (500) Days of Summer, and loved every minute of it. It's one of those movies that is filled with quirky honesty about love ( not to mention a good soundtrack). I highly recommend seeing it.... and if you need a reason see it because Zooey Deschanel is in it. I have yet to see one movie where I did not like her.
For your enjoyment watch this video filled with dancing, singing (Deschanel's band She & Him), and pure ecstasy.
Postscript... This is not a scene from the movie, but the two leads got together and filmed a music video for the song. The video's story draws upon a bank teller and a bank robber.
Every summer has a hit song that is always on the radio, is really fun to listen to, and everyone can identify it in someway. Past SOS (Songs of Summer) have included Rihanna's S.O.S. and Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis (a song I am still not sick of), JT's Sexyback, Nelly Furtado's Promiscuous, and Rihanna's Umbrella.
This summer's song could be one of the following, but not sure which: Boom Boom Pow, Black Eyed Peas Waking up in Vegas, Katy Perry Goodbye, Kristina Debarge
Well new music is good especially when it's free to download! Take a look at the listing below for some new songs to dance, sing, or jog to:
The NewAmazing!!Whitney Houston single "I Look to You" just by entering your email. The song is pretty good and please promise to buy her album August 31st... Still in love with her! LINK
People Magazine's Country Summer List (Gloriana, Collin Raye, etc... 10 songs. Right click the link indicated) LINK
Coldplay's Leftrightleftrightleft album. (Many live tracks, including Vida La Vida, that expose the reason for their success and talent!)LINK
"You're So Good For Me!" Yes you have heard the commercial for Lagoon, now get the song. Click on the "I want to get Sonnet's Song!"LINK
Music on the turntable is turning, As of late my music choice has been slow and thoughtful, less danceable. Melodies of climbing, falling, reaching, everlasting secluded isolation. Notes of the needle scratches against my tired scrawny legs, as I try to stand, but crash against the vinyl pavement of subdued independence.
Sunlit stars open my blind eyes to realize I cannot implode any longer, but must explode the generosity of lava filled inside my artery edifice.
I grasp my heart but the touch is numb Years of emotional debt has taken over I can only reach out to find that I am
The news of Michael Jackson's passing came today as I sat at work, and a music-lover co-worker (Thanks!) called to notify our office. I felt my heart stop and hoped it was not true, but sadly it was. I instantly felt sad and here is why:
Michael has had some issues and media frenzied-controversies the past few years. It seemed that lately anything he did was deemed as "crazy" or questionable. I can see both sides of the story, but as we all know, one cannot know the whole truth until you have walked in their shoes. Anywho it seems that Michael had gotten the resources necessary for his huge comeback, his UK concerts. I was excited that he was going to once again show the world of his talent and innovations, but sadly he will never get to show that. This then leaves his name tied to recent events and he was never given the opportunity to prove otherwise. For now he will entertain the masses in heaven and finally receive some peace.
As I got in my car to go home tonight, one of the saddest Broadway songs started playing on my satellite radio. I shed a tear or two as I reminisced of his impressive songs, dancing, and memories;
In the 4th grade going to the local roller rink and skating to Black to White with my cousins. It was the highlight of the night since I hated roller skating
Dreams of hosting a game show with a taped opening of "Wanna Be Starting Something"
Saving my money so that I could go buy his most recent album... on cassette tape.
On family vacations, my cousins and I would imagine Michael and Lisa Presley's conversations.
Spending a summer night in junior high to watch The Wiz, just because Michael was in it. Even though some parts were super long, I told myself I could not fast-forward it because of his influence on it.
Spend many moments having dance parties, and when his songs came on instant bursts of energy filled my soul, no matter how tired I was.
I will miss you Michael! Thanks for good times, tunes, and memories. May you and your family be comforted at this difficult time.
So lately it seems that my life has been filled with concerts...I was able to see and meet the Ting Tings... Their music screams summer driving with friends.
I went to No Doubt, and I have to say it was a really good concert. There was no need to worry about Gwen singing live, or what to expect. No Doubt really are back, and provided good *dance* music. At one moment Gwen called out to this little girl who was dressed really cute and had her come on stage... It was fun to see.
*Towards the end I think I should issue an apology to the little one next to me.I think it was his first concert. I was really feeling it, and dancing pretty wildly, and he might have thought I was drunk... Don't worry I wasn't just full of nebula.
Taylor Swift.... Wow! I have to say she put on a dang good show. My cousin, and our mutual friend decided last minute to go and it was worth it. There was an opening band, Gloriana, who had a lot of trouble vocally. Perhaps it was because the brunette girl was jealous that the blond had an MTV reality show 4 years ago...
Then Kellie Pickler was supposed to open but was sick... BIG DOWNER because I really enjoy Kellie's songs.
Taylor opened with being a band member, and then had this video segment where Hoda (Today Show) interviewed her. Then Hoda magically appeared!
Then Taylor took two glorious hours that were filled with backup dancers, funny videos, sneaked into the audience for an acoustic set (all the while hugging her fans, signing things, and shaking hands), filled the audience with optimism, banged on drums (theatrically), played a Justin Timberlake cover and FINALLY DANCED IN THE RAIN WHILE SINGING. Simply amazing, and one of the top 5 concerts I have been to.
My favorite parts: At one point after a song the crowd went crazy for a minute without Ms. Swift saying anything. It was evident that she stood facing the crowd with tears down her cheeks. The crowd then roared with our love for her, and with a hand to her mouth, she stood stunned and simply replied, "Salt Lake I promise you, I will never forget that the rest of my life!"
"If you break my heart," Swift said after playing 'Picture to Burn,' "or of you hurt my feelings, or of you mess with my friends in Salt Lake City, then I'm going to have to write a song about you." I laughed and pretended she was my new friend. During the song change she showed various photographs that show hardships people endure (high school, loss of job, disability, Iraq War, funerals etc...), and then shared her message that, "There are a lot of hardships in life, and I promise you that someone is there to support you and things do change!" She then carried on her chorus of singing Hallelujah several times with everyone reaching out their hands in the air. It filled me with hope in regards to my life, and reminded me that things do change!
So these pictures are part two of the California series:
Me and my favorite California friend! We had good times in the park and on the beach!
So the final ride was Space Mtn... I chose to ride alone by myself since I wanted to listen to Ne-yo's "Closer" while watching the stars. Probably the best moment of the day... Santa Monica Pier, which is way fun and really pretty! Splash + Running to ride from small world before the park closes in 2 min = FUN WET TIMES Pinocchio (in Italian accent)! America's Next Top Model Photo Shoot No trip is complete without a Lady Gaga Pose... PO- Oh-Oh- KERFACE So these transients decided to take the horse carriage, and I chose not to because I think it is overly rude to the animal to make it walk up and down the street all day. I guess that is just the animal lover in me... The ghosts at the haunted mansion can be somewhat intimidatin'. Ride I recommend for any age, is Casey Jr's Train... It is pretty fast and a crowd pleaser! PLEASE DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE...
Now that Finals are almost over, I decided to catch up with some blogposts:
California: Probably the best trip I have ever taken. We shook hands with Jay Leno on his show, laughed with Ellen, drove next to Nick Hogan, Ran into Will Smith, drove through Inglewood (Tyra Banks hometown), visited the beach, Hit up Disneyland, Danced with Flo Rida, Sang Pokerface a bajillion times....
Here are some highlights:
Stoic Picture of our Eternal Family at the Los Angeles Temple
I have taken up the ministry and become a preacher!
No arms and stuck in plaster....
Job really had it tough didn't he?
What happens after you eat at 10:00 and laugh way too much! Knotts Berry Restaraunt... ultra good tasty!
No trip is complete without an ANTM photo shoot... "they are still in the running for America's Next Top Model"
My guilty scripted pleasure is The Hills. This is LC's place featured on the show. I don't think she really lived there the entire time...
Kyle gave a great lesson on family parenting for F.H.E. (Baby Shelley is not a pillow....)
This Video was when was the first hard core laugh we had.... I promise it will be worth the 2 min! Let's just say it involves two flip cams, and me feeling very mischievous...
So I have a new radio obsession... 97.9 The Breeze.
They recently changed their music from "smoooooth jazz" to soft hits. I realize that you think this might be another FM 100 or Kosy, but they age in comparison. The Breeze focuses on playing upbeat modern music that makes your day go by so much faster.
On Friday I listened while I cleaned my bathroom, and heard the following songs:
Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis Viva la Vida, Coldplay This Love, Maroon 5 Fly, Sugar Ray It's My Life, No Doubt Don't Know Why, Norah Jones Tell Her About it, Billy Joel Bless This Broken Road, Rascal Flatts Crush, David Archuleta Boulevard Of Broken Dreams, Green Day You and Me, Lifehouse Hot N Cold, Katy Perry
Overall it is a good mix that is all upbeat and that I can listen to.
*As a warning, they do play Nickelback which causes smoke to come out of my ears and my body to tense up.
Take a listen in your car, or while on your computer LINK.
So I just back from my Vay-Cay, and wanted to blog about my adventures involving sightings with Nick Hogan, Will Smith, and other celebrities, along with touching Jay Leno's hand, I also got the chance to dance on a balcony with a crowd below, Laugh way too much, get lost in LA and make the decision that I need to move there...
I interrupt with breaking news...........................................
Today when I got home I got in a car accident... My first one and thankfully I was not at fault (although the claim has yet to be decided). Long story short it involved someone who thought that they can cross four lanes of traffic to get to the other side, in a right turn only lane. Sadly though, the other driver is just a teen who has been in many collisions in the past couple months, and his guest in the car got in an accident in the same spot a week ago.... Go figure.
Thankfully no one was seriously injured (except for my headache and stiff neck), but Camron the Camry got a pretty big bruise... See for your self:
No word yet on what will happen but I will keep you updated... both on the car and my trip!
