Days 26-28: Nearing the end

While I was certain that this year would be my year to beat Scott in our Oscar battle, I lost by one. Scott assures me that to come that close after all of his years of Oscar watching is a success, much like it's "an honor just to be nominated." I should've stuck with Randy Newman. I mean, the man has made two appearances in my 30 song challenge, yet I went against him.

Anyway, let's move along to the weekend's songs, shall we?

#26: A song you can play on an instrument

Back in the day, I played flute in middle school and junior high band. I was so small when I began that I had to have a special kind of flute for my little arms. It looked like this.

Anyway, it's been a long time since I picked up the ol' flute (mainly because mom sold it because it'd been a long time since I'd picked up the ol' flute), but in my prime I could play many a pep band favorite and a few movie scores — not to mention my scales and arpeggios. This was my favorite though. 

Theme from "Jurassic Park"

(Not to brag, but I can also play "Hot Cross Buns" on the recorder. So there's that, too.)

#27: A song that you wish you could play

This is difficult because I often find myself extremely envious of the musical skills of others. Not in a covetous, "I'll cut you" sort of way, just a "Can I get a sprinkling of that?" sort of thing. I blame Mumford & Sons for my recent desire to play the banjo and Ben Folds for my longing to play the piano half as well as he.

"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons

"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds

#28: A song that makes you feel guilty

For this song, maybe "guilty" is the wrong word, but Dave Matthews Band's "Funny the Way It Is" definitely makes me feel more aware. I know I have a blessed life — an easy life by most accounts — and it's easy to lose perspective on how difficult others may have it and what we take for granted. I look in a well-stocked refrigerator and gripe that there's nothing to eat. I complain about getting up early and driving a few minutes to work when others get up much earlier to travel much farther to do much more demanding work than I do.

So I married an Oscar encyclopedia

About two months into my relationship with Scott, I realized just how big of a movie buff I was dating — a man who, as a child, kept a binder full of Oscar knowledge; who can name Best Actor for 1953, Best Picture for 1982, and Best Adapted Screen Play for 1976, among others; and who, on a Sunday night, would rather go back to his dorm to watch the Academy Awards than hang out with his lovely, sweet, extremely cute new girlfriend.

I've forgiven him for his past transgression for one reason only — he made it a competition. For several years now, Scott and I have printed Academy Awards ballots and seen who can get the most right in the evening. The promise of bragging rights for the year is enough to get this little lady amped up for anything.

When we were students without electric bills or car payments, we went and saw every movie that was nominated in the "big four:" best picture, director, actor and actress. I remember going to see "The Queen" at 2 p.m. followed by "Letters from Iwo Jima" at 5:30 one day. We were very committed the cause.

That same year, we held our first Oscar party with the stipulation that all foods must be related to a nominated movie. I won with my "Lettuce (wraps) from Iwo Jima." However, the "Departed cheesecake" with strawberry blood oozing off it was a close second. (The year after that, we just bought a gallon of milk for "Milk.")

This year, we've gone high-tech with our Oscar predictions with the Oscar app. And while it doesn't answer my annual question of "What is cinematography?" it does have all the trailers and Oscar history of the nominees, which I feel will give me an edge on Scott this year.

We haven't decided whether we'll make "True Grits" or "The King's Peach Cobbler" for Sunday night. Maybe a "127 Hour" pot roast? But for now, I've got to research the short film, both animated and live action, nominees as well as look up what the difference between sound editing and sound mixing is — again. I never can remember.

So, who's your "best picture" pick?

Day 25: A song that makes me laugh

And the risk of sounding cheesy, the songs that make me laugh most are the ones Scott makes up. If they're not straight originals, like the classic "Algae in Unspeakable Places," then it's whatever song happens to be on the radio reworded to his liking, like last night when Katy Perry's "Firework" became a commentary on a guy in a sweater vest. You just never know with that boy. Every day is a different concert. 

If I had to pick a "real" song, though, it would be...

"The Distance" by Cake

One reason: the lyric "bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse." I have the humor of a 6-year-old boy, and "bowel" just makes me laugh.

Day 24: A song that I want to play at my funeral

Prior to this, I'd never given this idea much thought. Not unlike Bachelor Brad Womack, I don't like to dwell on death too much. However, I've never dated a mortician and had to lay on the embalming table. So Brad has me beat there. (But now Shawntel gets to run the family business like her dad wants. If I've completely lost you, I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed to watch that show — but not enough to stop.)

Let's get back to the matter at hand, though. Funeral song. I like to think that I've touched enough lives and inspired enough people that, when I pass, you'll have no choice but to play...

"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler

Day 23: A song no one would expect you to love

I woke up kind of grumpy Monday morning. Why? Well, for one, it was Monday, and they're always terrible. Two, I'd decided to give up caffeine, so no coffee for me. (And green tea just doesn't cut it.) And three, because Scott was going to get to snooze for as long as his little heart wanted because it was Presidents Day. Sometimes I envy bankers and their holidays. But then I remember I get out for snow and during Christmas, so I try not to complain — too much. Or at least where he'll hear it.

It's for that very reason that you would be surprised that I actually like a song about Presidents Day — Washington's birthday to be specific.

"Can't Tell a Lie" from "Holiday Inn"

I realize it's a stretch, but I don't know what you do and don't expect me to love. Plus, I really wanted to include this song somewhere. I'm three days off caffeine; cut me a little slack. 

Day 22: A song that I workout to

The ups and downs of my relationship with running — the grand promises and the bleak reality — have been excellent blogging fodder. And while I resolved to at least run a 5K this year, I learned something amid my running induced whimpers — I really hate running. I mean, I hate it. I don't feel that feeling of accomplishment when I've finished whatever day of Couch to 5K I've just marked off my list; I feel like kicking the treadmill for a few hours and calling it names.

So, if I loathe it so deeply, why have I placed this goal in front of me? It's like saying I hate peanut butter, so I'm going to try to beat the world record for most peanut butter eaten in one sitting. (Side note: I do like peanut butter.) Why drag myself out of bed to do something I can't stand? There's really no point. Yes, I should exercise or do something remotely physical (sorry, couch), but it doesn't have to be running.

But this was supposed to be a song I workout to and not a tangent making me feel better about not running. This is the one song that I really enjoyed running to. It made me feel like a real athlete not some silly girl whining on a treadmill. I may or may not have put my hands up when the song indicated. 

Days 18-21: Catching up again

Between a DVR full of our favorite shows from the week, making sure the couch stays in place by laying on it most of the day, and four wheeling, marshmallow roasting and spades playing, I failed to keep up with the past couple of days. I'm here to remedy that now because I know it's been killing you.

#18: A song I wish I heard on the radio

This is one of those "be careful what you wish for" wishes. The second I make it, whatever song I name will be played on constant rotation and reach over-played status. That being said, I've become rather fond of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" and would like to hear more from her. 

#19: A song from my favorite album

Favorite album? The Beatles' "Revolver." Song from that album? "Good Day Sunshine." 

#20: A song I listen to when I'm angry

I think the last time I listened to a song because I was angry was when I was about 15 or 16 and was probably something cliched like Avril Lavigne or Alanis Morissette, but I'm going to avoid bringing up more embarrassing stories from my youth. Instead, I'll give you a song that, while not overly angry, seems born out of anger and pain and is beautiful regardless.

"Liar" by Mumford and Sons

#21: A song I listen to while driving

Scott and I have a playlist we cleverly call "the playlist" that we break out on long car trips. It's a collection of songs that meet all the qualifications of good driving music: easy to sing along to, upbeat, danceable, etc. This is one of those.

"Invisible Touch" by Genesis

Day 17: A song you hear often on the radio

I hear a lot of the same songs on the radio — it's one of the hazards of listening to Top 40. They tend to play the same stuff a lot. To keep this from being a 40-song post, though, I decided to pick the song that I hear often and sing along to every single time. Because that adds interest — or something like that.

"Grenade" by Bruno Mars

It is physically impossible for me not to sing along to this song. I do, though, sing "you" instead of "ya" (as in "Darling I'd still catch a grenade for ya") because the "ya" bothers me. It sounds a little funny at first, but isn't it more fun to say it the right way? I thought so. 

Day 16: A song I used to love but now hate

Most of the preteen memories I recall are accompanied with a heavy eye roll. I did a bajillion embarrassing things in such a short time span. There were the things I couldn't help, like braces, acne and glasses (all at the same time, too. Puberty has a mean sense of humor). And there were the things I willingly brought upon myself, like the PowerPuff Girl t-shirts, backward cap wearing phase, the never wearing any color phase, terrible haircuts and inability to style my own hair, drawing in washable marker all over my jeans, money spent on Beanie Babies and accessories at Claire's, finding everything on Nickelodeon to be hilarious, and getting all of my favorite artists from Disney Channel concerts.

One such "favorite" was B*Witched, and I loved their song "C'est La Vie."

I tried to listen through it for old time's sake and to give myself material for the rest of this post, but I couldn't. It's obnoxious. Their voices are grating. The lyrics don't even make sense.

This is how I know my parents really do love me because, if my kid walked around the house blaring that stuff, the CD would be broken and thrown out the window. So, thanks, Mom and Dad, for allowing me to make terrible, non-life-threatening choices. You've given me something to look back on and shake my head at, thinking, "Look how relatively normal I've become."

Day 15: A song that describes me

I'd like to say that it took me a long time to find a song that accurately captured my complexities and multifaceted personality ... I'd like to say that, but I won't. My defining characteristics — the ones I'm described by when someone is trying to jog another's memory mid-story — are two-fold: my height and my hair. "Oh, you know, the short girl with the long dark hair." "Oh yeah! Her!"

Seeing as there's not a song with that same title, I went for another one:

Short People by Randy Newman

Back in grade school, I really didn't like being short. I was always the one getting picked up or picked on. Whenever we'd play "cheerleaders" on the playground, they pushed me on top of the pyramid against my will. I couldn't reach the chin-up bar or the monkey bars. The list goes on. 

As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate it more. Thanks to my size, I'll be forever "cute," pants are easily hemmed, and I've become quite adapt at climbing onto countertops to get down whatever I need in the cabinets (or leaving whatever needs to be put up in said cabinet on the countertop because I "can't reach"). Plus, I'm five foot even, which feeds my need for all numbers to be multiples of five.

I end with my short family, which leads me to another song, "One of These Things Is Not Like the Other."

Day 14: Valentine's Day swap-a-roo

Five years ago, Scott and I shared our first Valentine's Day together. Luckily, we'd already swapped the "L-word" a couple of weeks before, so we dodged that awkward card buying process where you've got to find one that's more than "Hey buddy, you're awesome!" and less than "I love you with every breath in my lungs." There's only one like that, and it's pretty much only appropriate for middle schoolers — "I like you like you." So, thanks for saying you loved me, Scott, for more than just making card buying easier.

Anyway, Day 14 is really "a song that no one would expect you to love." That's just not very Valentine's Day appropriate, so I swapped it with day 23, "a song you want played at your wedding," since it's more romantically inclined. It's also one of the easiest because I've already made that decision. So, cuddle up with the one you love and enjoy this little walk down memory lane.


I didn't know what song I wanted to walk down the aisle to. What I did know is that I didn't want it to be "Here Comes the Bride" because I'd spent the majority of my childhood finishing it with "all fat and wide," and no one wants that sneaking into her subconsciousness on her big day. So, the hunt was on, and the second Scott played the love theme from "Cinema Paradiso," I knew it was the perfect choice.

Sitting there, listening to this song for the first time, I could see it all happen. I could see the doors open, and Scott standing at the end of the aisle; I could see my dad walking with me as we passed everyone who had gathered to be with us that day. This was it.

To this day, I can't listen to it without getting a little choked up because it brings that moment back to me so clearly. 

Walking back down the aisle, this time as husband and wife, we exited to "The Best Is Yet to Come" sung by Michael Buble (no good YouTube video for this, so just hum it to yourself) because we thought it was the perfect way to begin the next chapter. And it did because it's only gotten better since. I'm a lucky lady to get to have Scott not only as my husband, but as my easy-to-buy-a-card-for Valentine. 

Day 13: A song that is a guilty pleasure

I love Glee. While the plot is a little wobbly most of the time (OK, all of the time), the music keeps me hooked. And while I know "Glee" is just Spring Sing with better costumes and less glitter, I still would love to be a part of one. Well, really just this one. I think anything else would just disappoint.

So here are a few of my favorites, for your listening pleasure.

"Nobody's Gonna Rain on My Parade"

"The Dog Days Are Over"

"Stop! In the Name of Love/Free Your Mind"

Day 12: Favorite theme song from TV or film

Day 12 was really "a song from I band you hate," but I thought that just sounded mean. If preschool taught me nothing, it was that "hate" was a very strong word, and you never hate anyone. Dislike, sure. But we don't say hate.

So, I decided to give day 12 and upbeat, positive spin — because isn't that what Saturdays are for — and declare today to be "favorite theme song from TV or film."

Under this new proclamation, today's song is...

"It's a Jungle Out There" by Randy Newman, theme song to "Monk"

I strongly believe that they broke the mold after they made this song. Scott will tell you that I often complain that every other TV shows' songs are "no 'Monk,'" and try to fix them accordingly. However, I'm no Randy Newman, so they usually fail miserably, turning into a half spoken/half sung plot synopsis with lots of title repeating. Like I said, I'm no Randy Newman.

Runners up:

Theme from "The Office"

"My Heart Will Go On (Theme Song from 'Titanic')" by Celine Dion

House in progress: Living room wall

I came home from girls night last night to this lovely surprise. As you may remember, Scott and I won a free photo shoot with our friend Cassie last summer, and we'd still yet to frame and hang those pictures. We're pretty bad when it comes to that. Is there anything more Valentine's appropriate than a whole wall dedicated to your relationship? I think not.

Scott did step back this morning and say, "So, do you think it's a little self-absorbed?" 

I think it looks less "US! ON THE WALL!" from a distance. Ignore the yarn on the couch.

Next, we tackle the office. We've got a lot of bookshelves to fill.

Days 10 and 11: Two birds with one stone

It just so happens that days 10 and 11 work well together. I totally planned this; it's not because I've fallen behind yet again.

So, one song, two purposes.

A song that makes me fall asleep and a song from my favorite band:

Abbey Road Medley by the Beatles

"Golden Slumbers" within the medley always lures me into a nice little nap, only to be jolted back into consciousness by "Carry That Weight." It's a little rude of them, but I'll let it go. I've always loved the Abbey Road Medley. It's a big reason why that record is slowly edging its way in front of Revolver, a day I thought would never come. I love how each song is so different yet flows together so well. It's almost like they said, if this is it, then let's do everything we haven't done yet.

Day nine: A song I can dance to

What this assumes is that I can, in fact, dance. Whoever created this question has obviously never met me and witnessed my lack of rhythm. I put Elaine's little kicks to shame. This is why the only song I can sort of dance to is ...

"The Cha Cha Slide"

In the same genre as the Hokey Pokey, this song caters to my need for directions. I'm awesome with directions.

Now I'm off to enjoy this blizzard. Perfect way to stay warm? The Cha Cha slide.

Day eight: A song I know all the words to

Picture yourself, a sixth grader at the skating rink. The strobe light is flashing, the disco ball twirling and then, Savage Garden's "I Want You" comes on over the speakers. You shout the 1996 equivalent of "That's my jam!" You then proceed to flaunt your lyrical prowess. To know all of the words to this song was the same as being able to rap at the time, and it was something you tried to show off whenever the opportunity presented itself. You didn't want to be that kid who just mumbled along until the "chic a cherry cola" part.



I pride myself on the fact that I still know all the words.

Runner up:
"Sold" by John Michael Montgomery

Days five through seven: Catching up

I'm already slipping at this, and it hasn't even been a week. Conclude what you will about how that parallels to my New Year's resolutions.

What better way to catch up than in my jammies on a sick day? Other than rest and fluids, I'm pretty sure it's exactly what the doctor ordered.

#5: A song that reminds you of someone



Dad will be very embarrassed that I'm sharing this with the entire Internet, but there was a time when he really liked Shania Twain. One afternoon, Courtney and I were bumming around watching TV on the couch when Dad walked through the room. I don't know what prompted it, but while walking up the stairs he started singing "Man, I Feel Like a Woman," and the hilarity of our father singing a song about feeling like a woman struck us so hard that we couldn't stop laughing. So, every now and then, Courtney and I still razz Dad about "feeling like a woman."

#6: A song that reminds you of someplace



Scott and I went to Jamaica for our honeymoon — a wonderful relaxing escape from the stresses of winter weather, wedding planning and studying for finals. From the minute we got off the plane to the time we stepped back on, we heard Bob Marley nonstop. You'd think the Jamaican people would want to fight the Marley stereotype, but he is their native son, and they embrace him and his music wholeheartedly. On the shuttle from the airport to our resort, we were sandwiched between our own luggage and other newlywed couples of various ages. One particularly nerdy looking fellow seemed to have a deep love for Jamaican culture and sang loudly (poorly) along when "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley came over the radio. His new bride seemed peeved.

For the rest of our stay, at any given time of the day, either Scott or I could be caught humming, whistling or singing that song. It brings to mind lots of good memories.

#7: A song that reminds you of a certain event



I went to a private Christian high school, and while my husband who attended public school and his class picked "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6 as their class song, my class was to pick a hymn. We all voted that "Father God" would be the song we sang at graduation. When I sing that song now, I remember sitting in white polyester in a too-small graduation cap on a metal fold-out chair in the Allen Arena and what those words meant as I took this first step into "adulthood" or whatever phase of your life came with college. "May my steps be worship, may my thoughts be praise, may my words bring honor to your name" was our prayer as we looked out into what the future held.

Day four: A song that makes me sad

I was laying in bed, eyes watering. The only way I could keep from crying was if I was listening to something, just to keep my mind occupied for a little bit. My grandfather had died that morning after a fighting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for as long as he could.

At the time, Weezer's blue album was on constant rotation, and that's what I'd chosen to listen to while I tried to fall asleep. I was pretty good at maintaining my composure throughout the whole album, except for when "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here" played. That was the one song I'd let myself cry through. And I would, every time. Because, although it's about breaking up, I still felt that empty space that he was singing about.

Day three: A song that makes me happy

When I sat down to write this, I found myself getting stuck on the cliched "happy" songs, like "Come On Get Happy" by the Partridge Family or "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by that one guy... And while I know that a salute to David Cassidy and his feathered locks would make my mom happy, it's not really my ideal happy song.

I know I stewed over this one for too long, though. I mean, it's just asking for a song that makes me happy, not the song that makes me happy, so it can be anything, right? It's not for a grade or anything.

So, I submit to you...

"Winter Winds" by Mumford and Sons

One word: Banjo.

Need more than that? Get to 1:20 in the video and look at the sheer joy on their faces when they sing that note. That is why this song makes me happy.

Runners up:
"I've Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison
"Blow It Out" by The Features

Day two: My least favorite song

I'm embarrassed to say that it's much easier to name the song I hate than it was yesterday to decide on my favorite song. It is...

"Honky Tonk Badonk a Donk" by Trace Adkins

As the title so cleverly clues you in on, the number of songs about women's rear ends just increased by one. It includes the phrase "got it going on like Donkey Kong." Plus it takes already overused slang and beats it beyond the point of recognition. You know it's no longer considered "cool" when someone in country music adopts it.

And Scott, who loves me so, downloaded just so he could share torture me with it. 

Runners up:

"I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry

"Teardrops on my Guitar" by Taylor Swift
"This Afternoon" by Nickelback 

Day one: My favorite song

This is probably the most difficult one of the whole list. Why must we start with the one that leaves the one answering so open and vulnerable? It's boiling your entire being into three and a half minutes that may or may not be loved by all.

So, my favorite song of all time?

"Something" by the Beatles

I mean, it had to be a Beatles song, didn't it? It helps that my favorite Beatle, George, just so happened to write this one, too. It's a beautiful love song. Simple as that. In my angsty teen years, I would write in my journal about I couldn't wait for someone to love me like George describes here. And lucky me, I did. So, enjoy. 

(If you feel too happy and loved after reading that, then here's your downer. The pretty blonde girl in the video, George's wife Pattie? For whom this song and others are written? Yeah, she left him for Eric Clapton. So, there you have it. She's also Clapton's inspiration for "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight." If Helen of Troy was the face that launched a thousand ships, then Pattie Boyd is the face that inspired a thousand songs. But that's neither here nor there.)

Runners up:

"Say It Ain't So" by Weezer

"Stay (Wasting Time)" by Dave Matthews Band

(See why I'm doing this and full list of days/songs here.)

30 song challenge

I found this out there in that vast bloggerspace and thought it would give me something to blog about when the inspiration to blog is lacking. Feel free to follow along on your own blog or leave your daily answers in the comments.

Day 01 – Your favorite song

Day 02 – Your least favorite song

Day 03 – A song that makes you happy

Day 04 – A song that makes you sad

Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone

Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere

Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event

Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to

Day 09 – A song that you can dance to

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep

Day 11 – A song from your favorite band

Day 12 – A song from a band you hate

Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love

Day 15 – A song that describes you

Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate

Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio

Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio

Day 19 – A song from your favorite album

Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry

Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you're driving

Day 22 – A song that you work out to

Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding

Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral

Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh

Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument

Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play

Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty

Day 29 – A song from your childhood

Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year

Stay tuned for day one later today!