100 Word Song: Starting Over

MyBlogCanBeatUpYourBlog

Today I'm participating in a blogging meme called 100 Word Song found at My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog.  Basically, there's a song, you write 100 words inspired by said song, share it on your blog and you're done.  Sounds fun, right?  

The song:

My 100 words:

It wasn’t the smell of his breath that alerted her muscles to tighten in defense of what was to come.

She knew by the way his eyes darted around his greasy plate of eggs almost 12 hours ago. 

Being hyper alert ever since breakfast was taxing to her body and mind.

Images of police stations, paradise, and promises flew through her when he delivered the blow.

Her collapse to the couch was like a fall into the hands of God.

He said, “It won’t happen again, I promise.”

She fell asleep to the smell of eggs frying in the kitchen.

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Mistakes, a Playlist

This week’s theme for Twisted Mixtape Tuesday is “Past Mistakes.”  It’s open for interpretation as long as one comes up with a playlist of five songs sticking to the theme.

Don’t we often come up with excuses, or justification, for our past mistakes? 

“I shouldn’t have, but it looked so good”
“I would have, but I just couldn’t get all my ducks in a row before hand.”
“It wasn’t my fault.  They made me do it.  Plus I was under the influence.”

I’m starting my Twisted Tuesday with just that—excuses:

*It’s already well into Wednesday so I have little time to think of a clever interpretation.
*Although it has warmed up to 17 degrees, my creative brain has yet to thaw.
*I’m late on this.  All the good songs are probably already taken by other bloggers in the link up.

And so on…

And so on…

Infinity.

However.

I am committed to blogging regularly in 2014.  Responding to a prompt in a blog link up makes it easy.  Plus, I love music. 

Wait.  

Were those justifications to write something for Twisted Mixtape Tuesday?

Yes.  I think they were.

Mistakes.  A Playlist.

1 - Paradise by the Dashboard Light – Meat Loaf

This song, the Bat Out of Hell album cover, and this story of that most universal mistake were all very provocative to me as a child.  As an adult, the make-out portion in this video is just as provocative for its qualities of silliness, not for its qualities of greatness.  Although, I do find the theatrics to be highly entertaining.

“Stop Right There!” – Female vocals – hands down, my favorite part of the song.  I’ve always wanted to sound like that.  Just know, on the inside, I do.

2 – Cocaine Blues – Johnny Cash

I love Johnny Cash.  It’s difficult for me to leave him off any playlist, even a short one like this.  He was the best at telling us about his mistakes, lamenting, asking for forgiveness, never ashamed to own up to being human.

I am pretty sure that Cocaine Blues is fiction—and a great work of fiction, in my humble opinion (sorry Tolkien fans).  It is morbid to think of it as biographical.  Maybe metaphorical? Let’s just hear the tune.

3 – Up Jump the Devil – The .357 String Band

The man sells his soul to the devil and then hangs himself.  Sounds like a bad day to me. Nevertheless, I do love the sound of this punk-grass, old-timey, gritty song.  Plus, I traversed the Midwest to quite a few .357 String Band shows in the mid 2000’s.  They hold a special little space in my heart.

4 – Cheers Darlin’ – Damien Rice

I chose this for its clarinet intro.  My daughter plays the clarinet.  She was and is definitely not a mistake.  (That little description has nothing to do with the theme. Cue song).

5 – Nobody's Perfect – Hannah Montana

My girls were of the perfect age to be huge Hannah Montana fans.  This is one of my favorite songs from that time period in our lives.  It’s uplifting and provides a positive message for tweens. 

My girls are now teenagers.

 

The transformation of Miley from Hannah Montana to Twerk Queen has been uncomfortable to watch.  But I’m here to tell you, it is eerily similar to how it feels to parent teens.

Be kind.  Remember, everybody makes mistakes.

Don't try this at home:

"Over Monday and Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times counted at least 50 people on social media who reported burning themselves or their friends after trying to turn boiling water into snow. There were also several reports of people going to the hospital to receive treatment for burns."

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-boiling-snow-20140107,0,6070776.story#ixzz2ppmxx4VV

Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday: Fool Me Once... (Cheating Songs)

This week’s theme for the now famous blog hop, Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday, is Cheating Songs.

From blues, R and B, country, and rock come so many songs about cheating I didn't know where to begin.  

Hollering?

Lamenting?

Filled with high-suspense and drama?

Then I realized that I usually listened to cheating songs after a painful breakup.  So, I took a short trip down memory lane and recalled some of these post-relationship-collapse songs that obviously or not so obviously are about cheating.

Five Songs about Cheating

1. Where Did You Sleep Last Night? - Nirvana

I was thinking Lead Belly but then thought celebrating the recent anniversary of Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance would be just so right.

2. Red Rain - The White Stripes

Although the lyrics do not specifically say that his woman was out cheating, these lines seal the deal for me:

You think not telling is the same as not lying, don't you?
Then I guess not feeling is the same as not crying to you.

and

If there is a lie, then there is a liar, too
And If there is a sin, then there is a sinner, too.



3. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - Wilco

Is he not returning her calls? Drinking too much? Maybe. Cheating? Could be. Or was she the one who cheated?  Not sure, but cheating was definitely involved in this very ambiguous love story.




4. If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) - Meshell Ndegeocello

I remember when I first heard this song back in the early '90's. I couldn't believe the boldness in the lyrics and I loved it. I still do.

This was probably not a breakup song for me.  More likely, it was a rebound song.



5. I'm a Fool to Want You - Billie Holiday

This is an obvious choice.  Thank you, Billie.

I'm a fool to want you
I'm a fool to want you
To want a love that can't be true
A love that's there for others too

photo credit: liquidnight via photopin cc

Halloween Twisted Mix-Tape

It’s the 31^st Twisted Mix-Tape blogging link up and it’s falling on Halloween week!

How apropos!

Technically Twisted Mix-Tape is a Tuesday thing and today is Thursday, but I have never been on time or apropos in my life.

This week’s theme is Scary Songs.  I enlisted the help of everyone in my house which resulted in quite a long list.  Then I checked the parameters of the link up over at Jen’s My Skewed View and realized I had way, way too many songs.  

This created another challenge—editing.  I am about as good at editing as I am at being on time (or apropos).

 

Here’s my five song playlist for Halloween and Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday (in no particular order, play it on shuffle):

1. God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash

I was going to go with Long Black Veil, then I remembered Cash's God’s Gonna Cut You Down and chose the latter.  I grew up Catholic with a grandmother who did not much appreciate Vatican II and a few nuns for teachers who did not seem to appreciate children.  I remember as I was preparing for my First Reconciliation in the second grade that I was freaked out by the fact that God could not only see everything I did, but God also knew my thoughts.  I lived in complete fear.  I’m older now and understand that as a child there is no way I was thinking about anything requiring God to strike me down.  But still, the song creeps me out.

2. Bugs – Pearl Jam

I love this song.  I especially love that when I played it for my daughters to get it approved for this list, they asked me to turn it off.  Apparently bugs creep them out as much as God did me in my youth.

3. Forty Six and 2 – Tool

Lyrics: 

My shadow's
Shedding skin and
I've been picking
Scabs again.

I'm down
Digging through
My old muscles
Looking for a clue.

It’s for dark moments only, obviously.

Forty Six and 2 got the thumbs up from everyone in the house, even my Chihuahuas who know a little something about shedding. . .fur.

4. The Stone – Dave Matthews

Another one for darker moods.  Another one that I like due to being raised Catholic and always feeling like I had done something wrong.  It’s a beautiful song, really.  Especially this version.

5. Secret – The Pierces

This is the theme song for the show my daughters are obsessed with, Pretty Little Liars.  I find it scary when my girls sing it in unison in their pretty little voices.

Be sure to check out Jen and the rest of the bloggers who participated in this week's Twisted Mix-Tape Tuesday to see if your favorite scary song made it onto anyone's list!





Happy Halloween!

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Feed Your Head: A Mix Tape for Time Travel

It’s Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday and I’ve been transported back in time to 1969. My mission is to comprise a list of songs you must listen to in this year of my birth. My mission’s instructions include keeping in mind that I “. . .have no knowledge of the music to come, however [I am] fully aware of the music in [my] past and can make full use of it . . . .”

This is no easy mission.  So much great music, so many great artists emerged in the '60's.  Should I consider popularity?  Influence and impact?  I just don't know.  So, these are the songs I simply think you must hear.

Jackson – Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

The first concert I ever attended at the tender age of three or four (I don’t remember exactly) was that of Glen Campbell at Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia. Guess who Campbell’s special guests were? Johnny and June! I was absolutely mesmerized. That show was in the early ‘70’s and in keeping with my mission of not knowing what music will come post 1969 or of not knowing I would see Johnny and June in the flesh, I am safe with this choice. Jackson reached number 2 on the country charts in 1967.



Colours – Donovan

Donovan was considered an imitator of Bob Dylan. But as in all forms of art, when creating music there is no imitation, only inspiration. Colours came to me on a mix-tape-gift by someone I don’t remember. The song, though, is so sweet, it’s unforgettable. And although the mix tape was given to me in the 80’s, I’m safe in my mission. Colours, the single, was released in the UK in 1965.



Wishin’ and Hopin’ – Dusty Springfield

The anthem for the not yet liberated woman of the ‘60’s. Prayers don’t work.  However, a great voice and stellar musical performances will get you the guy. Thank you Dusty.



These Boots are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra

The anthem for the liberated woman of the ‘60’s, 1966 to be exact. The skirt, the boots, the legs. Am I objectifying Nancy? Forgive me, but she had the moves. And the song? Try standing still while it’s streaming from your music device (being that it's 1969, 'device' means record player or 8-track).



Suite: Judy Blue Eyes – Crosby, Stills and Nash

Performed at Woodstock, this is Stephen Stills’ ode to his break-up from singer-songwriter Judy Collins. If you’re looking for a gateway song into the world of classical music, this is it. Why? It is divided into sections (very remedial reason, I know). That being said, the real reason you should listen to this song is, well, it’s beautiful.  The harmony slays my soul. (I promise to work on my ability to describe music. It’s a tough gig).



Light My Fire – The Doors

This one gets you right from Densmore’s opening crack on the drum. Then you have Manzarek’s trippy organ melody, Krieger's guitar, Morrison’s sultry voice. All very mysterious. The first time I heard it I remember stopping what I was doing (probably having a tea party with my imaginary friends) and thinking it was the strangest most wonderful thing I had ever heard.  Yes, that would have been the early ‘70’s, but, once again, I’m safe in my mission. Light My Fire was released in 1967.



White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane

Feed your head. Not with drugs.  With music.

"Canadian psychologists from McGill University have shown that the neurochemical benefits of music can boost the body’s immune system, reduce anxiety, and help regulate mood." [source]






OK. There is a ton of music you should listen to while visiting with me in the year of 1969: Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, Monkees, The Kinks, Marvin Gaye. . . . For lack of time, I must close, and transport back to 2013.  My children there are hungry.

Our soundtrack as we travel?  Movie soundtracks, of course:

The Sound of Music
Thank you, Rodgers and Hammerstein


West Side Story
Thank you, Leonard Bernstein

Back to 2013 in 3…2…1....

photo credit: epiclectic via photopin cc

10 Worst Band Names

I’ve been a big fan of music since childhood and, therefore, have become accustomed to the oddness of band names.  I remember looking at album covers of Jefferson Airplane and Abba and thinking their names were so strange and, yet, mysterious.  I liked them and still do.  However, today, I imagine at least one of them has made it onto a list of worst band names.

This evening, as I was attempting to compile a list of 10 Worst Band Names for Monday Listicles, I found there are a ton of such lists out there.  Looking through some of them I realized, yes, some band names are bad.  But really, what are the options for naming a band?

I mean, The Band already exists.  The most logical name for a band is taken.

It’s popular to name bands after their founders and/or lead singers, and, why not?  Even though it does come across as ego-maniacal, what are the options?

Hole? Rush? Styx? 

Kansas, Boston, Chicago?

So before I give you my own list of worst band names, let me say, I appreciate the attempts, the creative vigor, and the bravery of musicians who give themselves a collective “name” and put themselves out there.  I’m grateful for the music.  (Although I could do without Butthole Surfers).

10 Worst Band Names

Swans – Are they like feathered creatures from the Swan Lake ballet?  Do they sound like Tchaikovsky?  Maybe they should have taken a cue from E. B. White and gone with The Trumpet of the Swan.  At least that would evoke something musical.  What does a swan sound like?  Well, I found out.  You can listen here:  Swan Sounds

Yellow Ostrich – Another of the ornithological variety.  I actually love this band.  However, do yellow ostriches exist and if so, what do they sound like?  You can find out here (make sure to listen to the screaming ostrich selection):  Ostrich Sounds

Flogging Molly – I actually love this band, too.  And this name actually works.  It’s memorable and catchy.  But who’s Molly?  Why is she being flogged?  Wiki explains:

the band's name comes from the bar (Molly Malone's) thatfaithfully supported the band from the very beginning, "We used to playthere every Monday night and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so wecalled the band Flogging Molly.

I like that story.  I am now uncertain Flogging Molly even belongs on the list.  But it stays.  Onward we go….

Fun. – Whenever they come on the radio I always say to my girls, “Hey! It’s fun period!”  Yeah. 

Toad the Wet Sprocket – Creatively derived from a Monty Python sketch, the band meant it to be nonsensical. Whew. 

Bubble Puppy – The images this name conjures...I see my tiny Chihuahua dogs floating above me...each imprisoned in his own...bubble.

Pussy Riot – Great story, inspiring really.  Very brave young women.  But, you have to admit, their name is well chosen for a prison-stay.  And I just wish they could be vocal about feminist issues without naming themselves after female genitalia.

The The – You would think this name would be impossible to Google.  It's not.  Pops right up there followed by Mr. Mister.

Days of the New – I find this name highly annoying.  Why?  I have no clue.  Does it bug you, too?  Is it perpetually Easter in some parts of the world?

Dave Matthews Band – I’ve seen this on other lists.  And I love this band.  But even Tom Petty added “and the Heartbreakers” to his identity.  DMB simply lacks the creative spirit I expect from someone who has beguiled me for 25 shows and counting.

photo credit: opethpainter via photopin cc
photo credit: ldbaker via photopin cc

10 Things I Love That Cost Nothing

Today’s theme for Monday Listicles is 10 Things I Love That Cost Nothing.  I thought about how much I love watching movies on HBO, playing games on my smartphone, and eating hummus from Trader Joe’s.  But when considering the cable, Sprint and grocery bills, those all technically cost something.  So, for today’s list, I tried to choose things that bring me joy that are not linked to any sort of recurring payment.  

10 Things I Love That Cost Nothing
(In no particular order)

*Listening to music

*Exchanging smiles with a stranger

*Writing

*Taking naps

*Hearing my girls practice their music—Sophia sings, Antonia plays clarinet

*Laughing, dancing, talking, anything with my kids (the video below is old, like at least two years old. Yay! for this post which has reminded me that I need to make more).

*Dancing  (this video is also old.  It's from last June.  I promise more in the future because I know you love them.)

*Feeling the warm sun on my face

*Sitting with my dog, Frodo, on my lap

*Tucking my girls into bed at night

What brings you joy?

photo credit: bigvern via photopin cc

What Brings You Joy?

Yesterday was President’s Day.  Did you celebrate?  I did by taking the day off from blogging—not that I've been that great at providing daily posts.  But, hey, I need an excuse to do a Monday Listicle on a Tuesday. 

This week’s theme is a good one:  10 Tiny (or secret) Things That Bring You Joy.  Because I seem to dwell on the ho-humness of depression, this is definitely a topic I cannot pass up.  Joy is good.  And there should be more of it.

9 Tiny Things That Bring Me Joy

1.  My nightly talks with Sophia and Antonia as I tuck them into bed.

2.  Listening to Antonia practice her clarinet.

3.  Helping Sophia learn tap dancing for her upcoming school musical.

4.  Helping the girls with their hair.

5.  Hearing and sharing laughter in this house.

6.  When M does the dishes or paints the kitchen

7.  This video of Prince live circa 1985

Prince Lets Go Crazy / Purple Rain tour 1985 by Recoda321

8.  This video of my family at Christmastime circa 2010

9.  My dogs, Frodo, Scruffy and Tina

One Secret Thing That Brings Me Joy

Screenshot BravoTV

What brings you joy?

All These Things That I've Done

On Mondays, I typically participate in Monday Listicles, which I love.  However, today's theme of things found in your closet....my closet is a tiny hole in the wall.  I live in an old house.  There's not much in there of interest--mainly hanging shirts and a pile of shoes on the floor.  But, I'm still going to participate with a list, just one of a different topic.  I hope you'll forgive my bending of the rules.

Do you have a constant internal dialogue discussing all the things you need to do or should be doing? I do. And yet, there is so much that I have done.

Yesterday I came across an inspiring list created by Kerstin Auer honoring the things she has done. She was prompted by a blogging link-up by Andrea B  Now, I’m inspired.



In lieu of the closet, here's a few things I've done:

*Attended a presidential rally. Forward!

*Saw my favorite rock icons in concert: Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and U2.

*Traveled from coast to coast to over 25 Dave Matthews Band concerts.

*Met my significant other online—MySpace to be exact.

*Survived two C-sections and was rewarded with two beautiful daughters.

*Survived the terrible twos, twice.

*Put my foot down and said “no” to my daughters several times, surviving the excruciating pain of knowing they were disappointed.

*Watched my oldest daughter star in her middle school musical (oh, the nerves. She did so well).

*Listened in amazement to my younger daughter practice her clarinet. She’s so talented.

*Read many poems of praise written for me by my daughters.

*Tucked in my girls at bedtime most every night for 14 years. 

*Visited Las Vegas three times.

*Traveled to London, Paris, Nice, Florence, and Lucerne.

*Taken the 3 1/2 hour boat tour around Manhattan.

*Saw Bebe Neuwirth play Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago on Broadway.

*Had “the talk” with my daughters. We aren't done, it is ongoing.

*Was runner-up in Junior Miss Ohio in 1987, which allowed me to go to college with the scholarship awards.

*Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Early Child Education in 2012.

*Have had many jobs: cocktail waitress, daycare worker, fitness center manager, pizza server, telemarketer, wardrobe consultant, retail merchandiser, and stay-at-home mom. My favorite has been stay-at-home mom.

*Confronted my perpetrators. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse.

*I've asked for help.

*I've received help.

*Gained and lost 60 pounds.

*Danced with a professional dance company.

*Danced in my living room.

*Gained and lost ten pounds.

*Recovered from an eating disorder.

*Had two photos selected by the Columbus Museum of Art to be included in their Photo Hunt installations.

*Was honored as a BlogHer 2012 Voice of the Year.

*I've been a wife and an ex-wife.

*Lived in Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Louisiana, Northern California, and now Columbus, Ohio.

*I've done punk rock karaoke.

*I've been to Bonnaroo, twice. And I want to go back!

I leave you with one of my favorite songs, so apropos:

  photo credit: the camera is a toy. via photopin cc

If My Daughter Had Time

Within one year, she quickly moved from a budding fashionista to a promising musical theatre performer.  Now she just wants time to turn the music she loves into movie soundtracks.  Becoming a D.J. also interests her.  However, high school academics are demanding.  After hours spent at school she has hours of homework.  Just the other night she said, "Mom, I just want time to curate my music, learn how to edit and mix music, finish reading The Catcher in the Rye, write a screenplay, and play with my hamster.  But I never have time with all this homework!" I have been lobbying to homeschool her, but she gives much resistance.  I know that if I could provide her education at home, she'd have time for the things that interest her. Her interests would be incorporated into the curriculum.   Maybe someday soon I'll figure out that I am the mom and her education is ultimately my decision.  I am conflicted because I also want her to be happy.  I fear she'll resent my demand for her to be homeschooled.   In the meantime, I'll capture the moments (pictured below) wherein she is experiencing joy, free from the academic pressures of traditional education.  These moments are extraordinary, maybe not to her, but to me they quietly scream she is an amazing woman in the making.

Sophia, age 14, enjoying her music.

Linking up with ladies holiday Photo Friday photo (top) credit: Myxi via photopin cc

Best of 2012 According to My Daughters

Having two adolescent daughters is challenging on many levels.  One obstacle that pops up is their lack of willingness to answer my questions, such as, "How was school?"  Their never-fail answers are always something like, "It was fine, but I don't feeeeeel like giving you all the details."  End of discussion.

Last week after I composed and posted my list of 2012 Favorites, I thought it may be a good conversation starter with my girls.  I was right.  At first, they begrudgingly read it.  But after one simple question from me-What were your favorites of 2012?-they miraculously opened up.

I found out there was a group of girls on Twitter cutting themselves due to the horror of Justin Bieber smoking weed (truly shocking).  I found out that my 14 year old has quickly moved on from thinking pop music is cool to thinking it's "stupid" and helped her choose different words to express this opinion in order to not hurt her 12 year old sister's feelings.  We talked drugs, the objectification of women in videos, the good and the bad of pop culture.

I am not certain if they realized we were talking about such significant topics.  That was not the point. For me, the priority was and is to be available in the moment, when the important emerges.

Out of our discussion came their willingness and desire to share their favorites from 2012 here.  Of course, I was and am willing to do so.  And of course, I am hoping this post will spur even more conversation.

2012 Favorites

                     Antonia                                                              Sophia
                     (age 12)                                                               (age 14)

Movie:        
                    Pitch Perfect                                          Perks of Being a Wallflower


Album:        
                    Red, Taylor Swift                                   Centipede Hz, Animal Collective


Song:          
                    Boyfriend, Justin Bieber                       Myth, Beach House


Tweeter:      
                    N/A                                                           N/A


Blog:          
                    Sperk*                                                      "I don't read blogs."


TV Show:  
                    Arrested Development                           Arrested Development 


Instagrammer:
                    Boo the Dog                                            Pudge the Cat


Moment:      
                    "Having a facial                                     Tie between trip to D.C. -
                     on my birthday."                                   performing in spring musical                                                                                                                                                    


Conference:
                    Junior Winds Camp                                Ohio Junior Thespians


Viral Video:  
                    Star Wars Kid (not from 2012,                 Gangnam Style
                       but still her favorite)



What were some of your kids' favorites from 2012?
How do you start conversations with your kids?


                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                               

Sperk* 2012 Favorites

The 2013 clock is ticking, I know.  

It’s always a good idea to reflect on the past in order to change the future.  However, some things get etched in the mind as our favorites, things we wish would never change.  These are the snapshots we print on acid-free paper and tape into the scrapbook.  If I still did scrapbooking, the following are the things you would find in mine from 2012: 

Favorite 2012 Movie: I see movies late, when they enter the realm of cable television.  For that reason, my favorite flick of 2012 was released in 2011: The Big Year.  It’s charming, funny, hopeful and I can watch it with my kids.

Favorite Album: Pound of Dirt by Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds - I came across this band while perusing Songkick for an opportunity to go out on a Friday night.  This band is hot and I predict they are going to blow up.  Meaning, if you can see them in a small music venue near you, do so, and soon.  If you wait, you’ll be smooshed in a crowd of sweaty people at a summer music festival, unable to see who’s tearing up all those instruments.

Favorite Song: We Are Never Getting Back Together - I’m a closet Taylor Swift fan.  Yes, I am.  It helps me relate to my tween and provides good conversational material for my teen: “Mom, how is it that Taylor Swift can be such a player and not get any flack?  I mean, if I went through that many boyfriends. . .”

Favorite Tweeter: @brainpicker – Maria Popova – Because her tweets contain the most interesting links.

Favorite Blog: Angela Shelton – Inspiring, creative, funny, intelligent.

Favorite TV Show: Enlightened – I watched the entire first season two times while the kids were gone over Christmas break.  It’s the first show I could relate to as a 40 year old woman.  Love it.  Season 2 begins on HBO in three days.  

Favorite Instagramer: @northwestmommy  - That boy, that dog and that scenery, oh my.

Favorite Moment: Too many to choose from.  I consider myself lucky and easy to please.  However, if I have to choose, the first day of school (pictured above) was pretty stellar. My oldest went to high school.  I think we are going to make it.

Favorite Conference: AFC North – I’m a die-hard Steelers fan.  (You know I’m talking NFL, right?).

Favorite Viral Video: Felix Baumgartner’s supersonic freefall from 128k – How can one not be inspired by this?

10 Songs That Rock

I planned on composing today’s Monday Listicles earlier this morning but was sidetracked after my daughter, a freshman in high school, sent me a text.  Apparently she has to stay after school and write on the chalkboard, “I will not forget my Spanish binder” a number of times as a consequence for, you guessed it, forgetting her Spanish binder. 

I spent a few hours looking for credible research that supported my instinct: writing lines is an ineffective and demeaning form of punishment.  More on that in a future post.

Now for the fun stuff, a great topic for today’s Monday’sListicles: 10 Songs.  That’s it.  No explanation and left open for interpretation.

I’m going for 10 Songs That Rock. 

You may ask, “What’s the criteria for rocking?”  The answer:

~Any song, if you heard it on the radio, you wouldn’t change the dial.

~A rock anthem (Still ambiguous, I know. Now you’re asking, “What’s a rock anthem?”)

~Any song with a driving beat that brings you to your feet.

~Any song that makes you feel empowered.

~Any song that will help alleviate my anger for forgotten binders and punishments given as consequences.
~Any song that fills in for anti-depressant medication.

10 Songs That Rock

Why Go - Pearl Jam

Elevation - U2

Paradise City - Guns N Roses

Baba O'Riley - The Who

We Will Rock You - Queen

Under Pressure - Queen
Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
Killing in the Name - Rage Against The Machine
Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
Infinity Guitars -Sleigh Bells

The above were ranked in no particular order.  It was challenging enough to choose only 10.  Ranking them would have taken days of research and statistical analysis.  Which songs are on your list of Songs That Rock?

Be sure to check out Monday Listicles to see how other bloggers interpreted 10 Songs:

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10 Noises That Drive Me Mad

According to a study published in Noise and Health Journal, "Very long term exposure to noise may adversely affect mental and physical health," (Smith, Baranski, Thompson, Abel, 2003, p 15).


Today's theme for Monday Listicles, Noises that Drive Us Mad, is one we should carefully consider.  Let's be sure to remove these noises from our environments so that we are mentally and physically healthy, happy bloggers.

10 Sounds that Drive Me Mad

1. The television on when no one is watching it. 

2. My three Chihuahuas barking at the mail carrier.  Every day.  Same time.  You would think they would remember.

3. The sound of a can of beer being opened.   A sweet and refreshing sound to some.  But to me, it signifies uncertainty:  Will this be an angry and scary drunk?  A happy won’t stop talking drunk?  A leave the house and don’t tell anyone where you’re going drunk?

4. Cars screeching to a halt at the stop sign at the end of my street.  It’s a 25 mile per hour zone, people!  And my kids use that crosswalk.

5. My alarm in the morning.  I have changed the ring tone several times.  Even the most pleasant sound is annoying upon waking in the morning.

6. That awful sigh one gives when they are being passive aggressive.  Just say what’s on your mind.  Please.

7. My daughter stomping up the stairs when she’s angry.

8. My daughter slamming the door when she’s angry.

9. That mysterious bump in the night that I only hear when I am home alone.

10. The sound that drives me completely mad and sends me into a full-blown panic attack, is the sound of a dentist’s drill.  I can’t even think about it.  I start shaking.

On the other side of the argument is that if a sound can make us grumpy, inevitably a sound can make us happy.  And because I'm right in the middle of a big, stinking, mental health funk, I thought it would be wise to identify those sounds that evoke pleasant thoughts.

Sounds that make me happy

The sound of my daughters’ voices—talking, laughing, squealing, complaining, and especially saying, “I love you, Mommy.”

The birds that sing to me in the morning.  Yes, they are singing to me.  They told me so.

Music.  Any music with the exception of that genre of rock that is played at high speed with little song structure and shouting scary vocals.

The sound of the doorbell when my daughters are coming home from their dads.

Now, tell me, when you are sad or mad, or simply down in the dumps, what sound makes you feel a little lighter?

photo credit: gelund via photo pin cc

photo credit: Rana X. via photo pin cc

Reference

Smith, D.G., Baranski J.V., Thompson, M.M., Abel, S.M. (2003). The effects of background noise on      
          cognitive performance during a 70 hour simulation of conditions aboard the International Space 
          Station. Noise and Health, 6(21). Retrieved from  http://www.noiseandhealth.org/article.asp?

          issn=1463-1741;year=2003;volume=6;issue=21;spage=3;epage=16;aulast=Smith