giddy with glee

My inner nerd is going to be unleashed in this post.


And its all because of this...





I dig this new show. Being the music lover that I am, I was all in a tizzy when the pilot aired following the American Idol Finale. Mr. Baseball may have tried to communicate with me in the hour I was watching, but I don't remember. I completely ignored him (sorry babe!).

It makes me sad my high school didn't have a glee club. I totally would have been a part of it.

Just watch the clip and tell me you didn't like it. Go ahead. I dare you.

And if you love 80's music, you better watch it. You won't regret it.

i wanted music, but got cheese instead

Mr. Baseball and I bought tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) several weeks ago and this past Thursday was the big night.

I must say that I was looking forward to the concert. I have really liked all the TSO songs that I've heard on the radio at Christmas time and this gave Mr. Baseball and I a good excuse for a date night/late birthday celebration for him.

The concert was half an hour late getting started which wasn't really a big deal since we weren't paying for babysitting. The people watching was really good, so I didn't have much to complain about...yet.

Our row quickly filled up and I was astonished that the couple several seats down from us had brought their 6 month old baby, complete with his very own set of (big) headphones to drown out the eardrum-shattering decibels that we were certain to encounter. I guess they weren't completely clueless to the fact that TSO is not your run-of-the-mill orchestra. Take an 80's big hair rock band with their flashy guitars, add 4 scantily clad females who can actually sing (but not dance - we'll discuss this later), lots of lasers and lights, and then throw in a small, yet highly talented section of violinists and cellists and there you have it.

Here's my summation:

The music - Excellent, however it DID start to all sound the same after a while.
The show - well, let me break it down like this...

• If we're talking about lighting/lasers/technical elements then it was good albeit for the lights that were so bright and strobing that I seriously thought I was going to seize. There were moments where I had to look away.
• If we're talking about the dancing (if you want to call it that) - I felt like I was watching an advertisement for Velveeta. See for yourself (you only need to watch about 30 seconds to see what I mean)...
  
  

See what I mean? Yep...total cheese.

I also felt uncomfortable with all the head banging/hair slinging escapades that were happening onstage. I really thought someone might snap a vertebrae - and seriously...head banging to Christmas music really doesn't look all that cool. I mean, I know their serious musicians and stuff, but it was a little over the top.

Mr. Baseball and I decided that it wasn't worth the money we paid (over $100 for tickets, gas, and parking) and that we wouldn't be seeing TSO anywhere live again. Amen.

i'm goin' country ya'll and i'm gonna be big!

I like to sing and I consider myself a decent singer. I mean, I've sung five solos at church so far and no one has thrown tomatoes at me yet or anything, so I guess I'm at least okay at it.

My most favorite genre (other than everything 80's) is Contemporary Christian/Worship (Charlie Hall of Passion, Watermark, Shane and Shane, Selah, Nichole Nordeman, just to name a few). That's what I sing the best. I've been told I actually have an Irish-ish lilt to my voice. Its not your run of the mill pop radio voice and over time I've learned to accept this.

A genre that I haven't dabbled much with is country music. I do have to admit that it is good though. People like Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Rascall Flatts have drawn me in to actually listen to a whole country song.

Country music is big in the "city" where we live. Its pretty rural here. People have mullets. People like to go huntn'. Future Farmers of America clubs reign supreme in the local high schools. Yah, pretty rural.

For some reason, going to Wal-Mart makes me think of country music (or at least the trashy side of country).

And....since I like to sing and I go to Wal-Mart almost everyday occasionally , I figured I could put the two together and release my first country album....


Songs of Wal-Mart

1. One Stop Wonder

2. God Bless the Discount Rack
featuring Rascall Flatts

3. Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Go Barefoot at Wal-Mart
featuring Willie Nelson

4. Crickets Chirpin' in the Produce Bin

5. Brandon the Buggy Wrangler

6. Stockin' Shelves and Shinin' Floors (A 3rd Shift Tribute)

7. The Electric Scooter Shuffle

8. Portraits, Prescriptions, and Perms: An Added Bonus

9. Nasty, Nasty Restrooms

10. Welcome to Wal-Mart: Nelda's Greeting

11. Dang, I Forgot Somethin', Gotta Go Back

12. I Got the Buggy with the Wobbly Wheel


Is it a hit or what? The funny thing is that most of these things stem from real-life encounters. And I was totally laughing out loud while typing this post - I'm such a dork.

If any of you know any record producers I could talk to, let me know. I better go ahead and pick out my dress for the CMA's and write my acceptance speech. I am confident ya'll, this is gonna take me to new heights. Move over Taylor Swift, I'm comin' up, you'll be cryin' more teardrops on your guitar cause I took your place as best new artist...BOO YA!

walking in memphis - the mp3 shuffle

I totally jacked this idea from Jennifer P.'s blog. (cause she's the shizzle)

How it works:

Put your iPod or mp3 on shuffle mode and whatever song comes up is the answer to the questions. Feel free to pass on this idea!


1. What would describe your personality? : Say a Prayer For Me (Sponge)

2. What do you like in a guy/girl? : True Colors (Phil Collins)

3. How do you feel, today?: Good Intentions (Toad the Wet Sprocket)

4. What’s your life’s purpose?: Kyrie (Mr. Mister)

5. What is your motto? : Hazy Shade of Winter (Bangles)

6. What do your friends think of you?: Walk on the Ocean (Toad the Wet Sprocket)

7. What do you think of your parents?: Harden My Heart (Quarterflash) hahahahaha

8. What do you think about very often?: Locomotion (Kylie Minogue) What? Wesley likes choo-choos.

9. What do you think of your best friend? :Water Runs Dry (Boyz II Men)

10. What do you think of the person you like?: Love Is On The Way (Saigon Kick)

11. What is your life story?: Send Me An Angel (Paul Oakenfold)

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?: A-Team (theme song - Headshakers) I'm totally FACE.

13. What do you think when you see the person you like?: Hands to Heaven (Breathe) Thank you JJJEEEEESSSUUUSSSSS!

14. What do your parents think of you? : 6th Avenue Heartache (Wallflowers)

15. What will be played at your funeral? :Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves)

16.What is your hobby/interest?: He's So Shy (Pointer Sisters)

17. What is your biggest secret? : Love Is a Battlefield (Pat Benetar) That's way deep.

18. What do you think of your friends?: We Belong (Pat Benetar) no, I did not intentionally do this just because I heart Pat B in a big way!

19. What should you post this as? :Walking In Memphis (Mark Cohn)

dear nkotb,

When I first heard you were reuniting I'll admit my heart did a little flutter. Thoughts of you in your ripped jeans, topless hats, and batman shirts flooded my mind. Our first meeting was at Carowinds in 1989. I got the ticket for my 12th birthday. My friend Jenny went with me and even though we were on the 54th row, I felt like you were singing just to me. Some girl name Tiffany opened up for you, and although I liked her music, I could have done without her. My focus was on the five of you, and thankfully, you never even noticed that I maimed another fan while doing the arm swing to Hangin' Tough. Jon, you were my favorite. My sister liked you Donnie. And Joey, Jenny liked you the best, with your piercing blue eyes and all.

I knew every word to every song on the Hangin' Tough album. I tried to dance the way you did in the You Got It (the Right Stuff) video and wanted to be the cute girl in the dark skirt that runs through what looks like a old cemetary in New Orleans. Anyway, I'm digressing.

I saw your new video "Summertime" yesterday and I have to say, boys - um, I mean men, I was clearly disappointed in what I saw. Its been 14 years since we said good-bye and since then the world has seen the rise of The Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, and Il Divo (we have Simon Cowell to thank for that one). What I saw yesterday was a meager attempt to regain your fame of days gone by. The song...well, it didn't really have legs to stand on. Your legs, however, can still do some dancin', but I can tell you're getting older, as you don't move quite as gracefully. Thank you though that you can still dance, cause its really obvious now that you can't sing. I was blind to this fact when I was younger, but now, the truth can't be denied. It's amazing what digital recording and voice enhancement can do for a recording artist. All this to say - I just see us moving in different directions. I think we need to see other people and clearly your contingent will probably be under 15 - with a few stragglers leftover from my generation. I would say it's not you, its me, but clearly, it's you - sorry.

I guess we'll always have the memories NKOTB. Unfortunately for you, your tour ends here. Parting is such sweet sorrow. However, I will bestow upon you one parting gift. Please use as needed.





Sincerely,
Caroline

P.S. Go ahead...sing "Please Don't Go Girl"...just for kicks.

lyrical misinterpretation

Music. Its one of a few things that is understood worldwide. The styles may vary between cultures, but I would almost bet that every person on earth has heard at least one melodic tone before. Music can invoke deep emotions (ex. Held by Natalie Grant - its on my playlist). Music can unite people (We Are the World). Music can empower us (Nothin's Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship) =).

Lyrics. Lyrics are a whole different ballgame. Lyrics can divide. Case in point: The song that you're listening to - Edge of Seventeen - done originally by Stevie Nicks (I think) - was long a point of contention at our house.

My sweet husband loves music and could whip my tail in music trivia. However, he tends to get a little confused with lyrics. Fortunately for him, he has me. I actually listen to the lyrics and more times than not have to set him straight about song lyrics.

***His interpretation of what Stevie Nicks is singing - "Just like the one-winged dove..."

My interpretation/what she is really singing - "Just like the white-winged dove..."


I did look this one up online after he almost convinced me he was right. I soon realized that his way made no sense. A dove is white. A dove has wings. Thus...a white-winged dove!

While I type this, he's looking over my shoulder still not convinced of the right lyrics. Gotta love him!

***I will take responsibility for misquoting lyrics to a particularly popular Bee Gees song. Its the second one on my playlist.

We (my man and I) were sitting in Arby's one night when aforementioned song came on. He commented on liking the song and I listened to the lyrics. I asked him innocently why they were singing...

Bald-Headed Woman

He immediately began cracking up and corrected me. " 'Its More Than a Woman' goofball"! I know he's right, but listen to the song and you'll hear how I so easily misconstrued the lyrics!

***My girlfriends and I were once talking about how easily we confuse lyrics and my friend shared one of her husband's most hysterical lyrical interpretations of a Chris Rice song.

I couldn't find it, otherwise I would have put it on the playlist, but go with me anyway. The song is "Deep Enough to Dream" and in the original version it says:

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors I have never seen
Deep enough to join a million people at the wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch the face of the one who made me

Lyrical interpretation by my friend's husband:

Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors I have never seen
Deep enough to join a million people at the wedding feast
Deep enough to reach out and touch the face of a wandering baby

I about peed my pants when she shared that! That's the best one yet!

So, I want to know your experiences with misinterpreting lyrics. Share...Share...Share!

The Blessings of a Broken Road

For the last six weeks I have been part of a Bible Study by Beth Moore titled Stepping Up: A Journey through the Psalms of Ascent (I wrote about this briefly in one of my first posts). At the study, we sit 4-5 women at round tables around the room. Each table has a list of questions intended to prompt discussion based on the "homework" done during the week. Following the time of discussion, we watch a video of Beth Moore speaking and fill out notes in our workbooks that correspond to the Session we are viewing. Today's session was titled Blessings From Zion and was based loosely on Psalm 134, the final Psalm of Ascent. I always enjoy listening to Beth Moore. She has walked a difficult path of pain and heartache, but has put her hope in Jesus Christ and thus found forgiveness and freedom to reach out and help others. One of the points she made in today's session was from Psalm 84:5-7.

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion."

Three times each year, the Israelites would make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Three Great Feasts in the temple. They would make this journey with family and friends, traveling in large groups of people. Part of their journey would take them through the Valley of Baca. Baca actually means "tears" or "weeping", so their travels would literally take them through a time of deep tears. I know that I can definitely relate to times of deep tears, and as Beth says its not a matter of if we will ever experience times of deep tears, its a matter of when those times will come. Pain is a part of life. We watch others go through something profoundly sad or tragic and say "I could never go through what they are going through". The truth of the matter is, that when we are faced with hardships, God wants us to see that He gives us the grace and strength at that moment to make it through whatever we are facing. That is how we go from strength to strength. In each experience we encounter, we receive a fresh measure of God's grace and strength.

Each of us walks a broken road; we've put hope in people and been disappointed, we've lost people we've loved, we've been rejected, we've sacrificed, you get the picture. The point is, each step in our broken road serves to point us to Christ. He's the one that holds us in our pain, our disappointment, our rejection and gives us Himself and His strength to hold on. He's the True Love that we tend to look for in others. He the One that all of our brokenness pushes us to. God has certainly blessed my broken road and I am so grateful that those broken roads continue to lead me straight to Christ.

Many of you know that I am a music aficionado. During the video, Beth had her worship leader sing a popular song written by Rascal Flatts. It was more than appropriate and I have included the lyrics here for you to read and ponder. Be Blessed!

Bless The Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.