Christmas Spirit

This blog is for my English class and we were told we could write one blog off our main subject. I chose Christmas spirit, because for some reason, this year I have none. I can't seem to pinpoint the exact reason I have none, but I do have many theories. Christmas to me is about being with family, friends, and giving instead of receiving. I have always had Christmas spirit, until this year.

My first theory is because I will be spending this Christmas alone. When I say alone, I mean I don't have a significant other to share getting a Christmas tree, Christmas tree decorating, hanging the stockings on the fireplace, and all the other Christmas joy that a significant other brings. What makes it a little better is thinking of all the family and friends I have to share the Christmas holiday with.

The other theory I have, is the weather's bringing me down. What's Christmas without snow? To me it just doesn't seem like its Christmas without snow. I truly dislike snow, but it makes Christmas so much more enjoyable, for me at least. I don't know how people do it in the warmer climates, I guess they're used to it. Everyone should have the experience of snow on Christmas, it completes the story of Santa Clause and his reindeer in the North Pole.

I am hoping before Christmas is here, I can find the Christmas spirit I'm in badly need of. Decorating my apartment today has helped a little. Maybe taking the step of getting a "real" Christmas tree will do it, I know my cat would enjoy it, she likes playing with the ornaments. Tomorrow, Christmas tree shopping.....starting to feel that spirit! Hope everyone has a safe and very Merry Christmas and of course a Happy New Year! I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

Christmas Music

It is Christmas time, yet certain radio stations have been playing Christmas music since the day after Halloween and department stores have had their Christmas decorations out since then too, if not before. I enjoy Christmas but, I think it is completely ridiculous how early Christmas music is being played and decorations are being displayed. Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday and I think it is looked over by a lot of people who just can't wait for Christmas, it is rushed. Time goes by fast enough, people should not rush it.

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all the blessings we receive each year. To me Thanksgiving is about spending time with the ones you love and enjoying their company. Christmas is all about that too, I would rather be blessed with my family and friends all around me, then be surrounded by presents, those are just materials and have no meaning to me.

Back to the Christmas music, I enjoy it when its December and not a day before. One month of Christmas music is plenty for me. Some people, like one of my good friends the minute they start playing it on the radio it is on, she gets so excited for it. It is on at work way before I am ready to even think about Christmas. My all time favorite Christmas song is "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree", its upbeat and can get me into the spirit of Christmas. Another one of my favorites is "Christmas Shoes", even though its a very sad song, it is all about a little boy trying to get these shoes for his mom who is dying, but he doesn't have quite enough money. It is about giving, which is what Christmas is all about, giving to the less fortunate.

Alanis Morissette

Alanis Morissette was born on June 1, 1974, in Ottawa, Ontario. She began piano at age of six and wrote her first song at age nine. Alanis Morissette's 1995 release Jagged Little Pill sold more than 25 million copies around the world and won her four Grammy Awards. Its slew of hit singles, kicked off with the vituperative "You Oughta Know," made Morissette an alternative music star overnight. "Hand in My Pocket," "All I Really Want," "You Learn," "Ironic," and "All I Really Want" -- kept the album in the Top Ten for an astounding 69 weeks, and Alanis Morissette was nominated for six Grammys in early 1996. She won several of those awards, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

I began listening to Alanis at the early age of eleven, my best friend intorduced me to her. At the age of eleven I had no clue what she was singing about, I just absolutely loved her voice and that she played the harmonica. I borrowed my friends tape and began listening to it at home. Big mistake, as soon as my mom heard what I was listening to, she immediately confiscated it from me, listened to it for herself, and then demanded I return it to its rightful owner. Apparently it wasn't appropriate for me to be listening to, my parents were very strict about what music I could listen to as a kid. My mom ended up liking Alanis so much she went out and bought her tape, which I thought was totally unfair.

As I got older and more mature, I bought her CD, and realized music is way better when you understand what the artist is singing about. Alanis puts all of her emotion behind her songs, which is why I enjoy listening to her so much. She has an amazing voice and talent. When I'm having a bad day I pop in my Alanis CD, Jagged Little Pill, crank it up, and sing as loud as I can. Her music can always put me into at least a better mood, if not great mood.

Kris Kross

Kris Kross was an American rap duo from the 1990s. Kriss Kross was one of my very first cassette tapes, I loved them! They had the silliest names Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith, cracks me up so original. I became fascinated by them because of their music mostly but also because of their unique fashion style, they wore their clothes backwards, how odd I found this as a little girl. I thought it was so cool I actually wore my clothes backwards one day to school, I learned its very hard to go to the bathroom when your pants are on backwards.

Most people know Kris Kross by their hit 1992 song "Jump", it was number one on the Billboard hot 100 for eitght weeks and was certified double platinum as a single. My favorite song by them was "I Missed the Bus", haven't heard this song in a long time. It is definitely old school rap, love it!

Kris Kross brings back so many memories for me as a kid. It is actually a big surprise my mom even let me listen to them, she was very strict on what I could listen to, at least when it came to rap. The thing about Kris Kross is they did sing rap but it was clean, no swear words, which in today's world it is hard to find a rap song with no cuss words in it. The memory that sticks out the most in my mind was meeting my best friend, she too loved Kris Kross, together we wore out clothes backwards to school and jumped around a lot. Kris Kross will always have a special place in my heart, it brought together a friendship that will last forever, and I have much respect for them for being ok with not using swear words in their music.

Wonderful Tonight

Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton is one of my all time favorite songs. Doesn't matter what kind of mood I'm in, if I hear this song it instantly puts me in a good mood. It is just an all around relaxing, easy to listen to, elegant song. I always request this song at wedding receptions, even if there is no one to dance with, that is how much I enjoy listening to it. This song would make any girl feel beautiful and good about themselves. The music in this song is amazing, especially the guitar.

My little brother is so sweet and thoughtful, he has this song on his I-pod and he always plays it for me whenever we are together. When I was going through my break-up he posted the video on my facebook, just because he knew it would make me smile. It is the little things in life that mean the most to me. He took time out of his day to make sure I was smiling. The last time I heard this song was at my cousin's wedding reception, I requested it of course. Although I didn't have a date for her wedding, I enjoyed a slow dance with my dad, which was priceless.

The song itself is basically about a husband and wife getting ready for a party, the wife is taking forever to get ready, she is obviously conscious about her looks. So when she asks him "do I look alright?" he replies by saying "yes you look wonderful tonight." He pretty much thinks his wife as beautiful and the need for make-up and all the primping is unneccesary. "We go to the party, and everyone turns to see, this beautiful lady, that's walking around with me." He is proud to be seen walking around with this beautiful lady and happy that it is his wife. I wish the world and marriages were all like this, it would make the world a better place. I hope one day I will find the guy to tell me I look wonderful tonight.

God Gave Me You

God Gave Me You is a beautiful song by Blake Shelton. When I hear this song it makes me think of my parents marriage and marriages that have lasted through the ups and downs. My parents have been married for 28 years; I have so much respect for them for staying strong through the ups and downs no matter what. It makes me know that it is possible to find your true love. Look at how happy and in love they still are, makes me so proud!

 Marriage is all about being there for the one you married, Blake's lyrics "You stay here right beside me and watch as the storm blows through" says it all. When you marry someone you take vows to be there no matter what, through any storm, in sickness and in health. To me those are very sacred words and need to be practiced in all marriages. In my opinion marriage isn't taken seriously by some, for example Kim Kardashian and her husband, getting a divorce already, they were together for two seconds and got married, they didn't even know each other. I guess I am kind of old school when it comes to marriage, you do it once! When you get married to the person you love, you become one, "on my own I am only half of what I could be I can't do without you we are stitched together", and still separate people but love binds the two people together into one. My favorite line in the song is "you will always be love's great martyr", how beautiful those words are.

Sure love is very hard work and to keep it strong, you have to be strong and willing to fight through all the ups and downs, because with life there are many. "God gave me you for the ups and downs; God gave me you through the days of doubt". My parents are the perfect example of how a marriage should be, of course they have their ups and downs but that's why God gave them each other. I would like to dedicate this song to my parents, and say how proud I am to be there daughter, thanks for proving that true love does exist.



Special Song

Every girl dreams of her wedding day, down to the very last detail. I've been dreaming of my wedding day since I was a little girl. The one thing I have figured out is the song I will dance to with my dad. I have chosen "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn. It is an old school, country western song about a strict father who although very strict shows kindness and love in other ways. This song has always reminded me of my dad, who was very strict with me and my siblings growing up, but was kind and gentle if we were sick or sad. It is amazing how a song can remind you of someone that's in your life to the T. That is how "Daddy's Hands" is for me, it describes exactly how my dad is. Even though I have a long way to go before I get married, if I do at all, I have known since I was ten that this song is the one I am going to dance to with my dad on my wedding day. I can't just pick any song for this special event, I have thought long and hard about my dance with my dad on the day he gives me away to that special man and there's no other song I would want to use then "Daddy's Hands". Every time I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes, makes me think of growing up as a little girl, and the woman I have become because of my dad. I may have thought him to be unfair as a little girl and mean because he was so strict, but today I'm very thankful because had he not been strict I would not be the woman I am today. Like the lyrics from the song "daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong, daddy's hands weren't always gentle but I've come to understand, there was always love in daddy's hands."
No matter what I did or how much trouble I got myself into, there was always love in my daddy's hands.

Adele

I'm becoming more and more fascinated by Adele and her amazing voice. I just recently purchased her cd, 21. When I listen to music, I first see how or if it relates to me, the more I relate to a song the more I enjoy it. Adele's cd 21, is mostly about heartbreak and relationships, which I relate to so perfectly, it baffles me sometimes. A co-worker described Adele's music as depressing, which I do agree with. It doesn't depress me though, it makes me really think about her lyrics and the heartbreak she's been through.


Adele was born in Tottenham, England. She began singing at the age of 4. Her first record "Hometown Glory" was written at the age of 16, this album is about her fondest memories of her hometown. Her major influence as a little girl was the Spice Girls, she did impersonations of them, she enjoyed doing little concerts in her room for her mum and friends. Adele claims one of her most defining moments was when she saw Pink in concert; she defined it as "feeling like I was in a wind tunnel, her voice just hitting me". That's how I would define the feeling I get when I hear Adele's voice.

Since I just bought her cd I haven't had a chance to listen to all the songs yet and get a good understanding of them. My favorite on the cd is "Someone Like You", I don't even have the words to say how this song makes me feel, it's my feelings in a nutshell. I will continue to follow Adele and her music. She is currently working on a new album in which she wants to write it all, record it all, and produce it all and master it all on her own. You go girl! Can't wait for her next album. Hoping she'll tour in Michigan, would love to attend a concert!

A Country Legend

Johnny Cash is a country legend. He received the nickname The Man in Black, due to his taste in wardrobe and also because of his darker themes in music. He has been called one of the most influential musicians of the twentieth century. Cash has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. I would know Cash's voice anywhere; he had a very deep, distinctive voice that could bring chills down my spine. Cash died on September 12, 2003 at the age of 71 from diabetes complications. He was a singer/songwriter that has gone down in history, much like Elvis Presley. Cash and Presley are the only music stars who have been inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cash is best known for his song "Folsom Prison Blues", he wrote this song while serving in the Air Force and in 1956 the song became one of his first big hits.

I grew up listening to Johnny Cash as a child; he was and still is one of my dad's favorites. Of course back then I did not really understand the lyrics and meaning behind his songs, but I enjoyed listening and rocking to his music with my dad. Those were the good old days. I can appreciate his music more today as an adult because now I actually understand his sometimes dark views on life. Johnny Cash put his heart and soul into his song writing. My favorite songs as a child were "Ring of Fire", "Walk the Line", and "A Boy Named Sue". "A Boy Named Sue" always game me a little chuckle as a kid, because I did not understand why someone would name their baby boy Sue and then sing about it. Johnny Cash's "Get Rhythm", is one of my all time favorites and was my ring tone on my phone for a while. My favorite song by Johnny Cash is "It Ain't Me, Babe", I love the music incorporated, it's a little twangy but I love it. Thanks to my dad, I know a legend and inspirational singer/song writer that has gone down in history. Happy to say my dad made one of his concerts before Cash died, I however did not. Johnny Cash will always be remembered in my heart as a great musician and country rock legend.

Someone Like You

Someone Like You is a great song by Adele. Her lyrics are so deep and melancholy, which is what, makes her lyrics and songs so profound. This is a song that I can relate to on several different levels. I have been through a break up recently, it is hard, hearing her lyrics is like wow, that is exactly how I feel lately. I really appreciate songs that go hand and hand with your life and your personal experiences. It is not too often I hear a song and think this person is walking in the same shoes as I am, down the same road, and going the same direction. My breakup was of my choosing, and I do wish nothing but the best for him, he is living his dream of being a photographer. He has not settled and married but I am sure one day he will find that girl who can give him what I could not. Every day I think maybe if he saw my face he would be reminded of what we had, be reminded we were happy. It is so hard to stay away and fight the urge to run back in the direction I am headed away from. All of the feelings I have go right along with Adele's lyrics, she sings "I hate to show up out of the blue uninvited, but I couldn't stay away I couldn't fight it, I'd hoped you'd see my face and that you 'd be reminded that for me it isn't over". Those are basically my exact feelings towards my ex....."Never mind, I'll find someone like you, I wish nothing but the best for you, don't forget me I beg, I remember you said, sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead". That is the chorus of the song, and I can relate the most to those exact words. I too just want to say never mind I'll find someone like you, my ex always says he will never forget me, and there is no better truth than sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead. It has been my experience that love hurts more than anything, it lasts sometimes but there is always anguish associated with love. Most everyone I know wants love, but do they really want to go through all the agony of a broken heart? The answer to that is yes, because if you never take the risk you will never know what love is or feels like. Take the risk!

Stuck in my Head

Anybody ever wake up and immediately have a song stuck in your head? I do usually every morning. This morning the song of the day is Mean by Taylor Swift. It is weird the songs I wake up to being stuck in my head, there is really no explanation for it, you would think I heard that song right before I went to bed, not the case, at least not today. Happy to say I would not dedicate this song to anyone in particular, it is a song about being in a relationship and all the guy does is treat the girl mean basically, not just mentally but physically. I usually can relate to most songs at least a little, not this one, and I am happy about that. No one deserves to be treated mean mentally and especially not physically. The song is not one of my favorites, I mean I will listen to it and sing along with it, but I cannot relate it to my life. One thing I do enjoy about the song is the similes she uses...."You with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me", very descriptive and you know the guy is really hurting her with his words. Another simile she uses is "You with your voice like nails on a chalkboard", when I hear that all I can picture is someone running their nails down a chalkboard and that is how this guy sounds when he talks, scary! Sometimes I wonder if singers and song writers actually go through all the stuff they sing and write about. I would like to believe that they write it because they have been down that road, maybe helps them learn from their mistakes or experiences. I know singers and song writers are humans just like us, but when they sing about personal experiences that they have been through I have more respect for them, because it proves their life is not all sunshine and flowers, they trudge through tough times too.

Ska Music

I was just introduced to a marvelous new type of music, ska music. Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rock steady reggae. I have heard of ska music before but never really listened to it. I was on a trip this weekend with a good friend, which is who introduced me to ska music, it is his preferred listening. To me ska music is a relaxing, laid back kind of music, which fits me perfectly. Sublime is my favorite, which I have listened to for a long time, but never realized or really thought about it being ska music. There is so many different types of music out there, I love being introduced to new music, well new to me. Some of the artists I was just introduced to include Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and Madness. They are very skilled artists.

"What I Got", is a song by Sublime, one of my favortes. If you actually listen to the lyrics, it is amazing how some can relate to your life, whether it is a hard time in your life, a happy one, or a sad one. One verse in Sublime's song that I think anyone can relate to is "Life is too short, so love the one you got, cuz you might get run over or you might get shot", that is my favorite verse in the song. It has so much meaning behind it, life is too short; keep your loved ones close, because you never know when it will be your time. Sometimes I lose track of how short life really is, I get caught up in everything that I am doing and forget that I need to take the time and spend it with my loved ones, especially family, music that has that meaning behind it, usually reminds me, hey go see your family.  My good friend, who introduced me to this music, goes to several ska band concerts, I am going to be going along for the ride next time, can't wait! I'm hoping to go see Sublime, it's on my bucket list of concerts to see. Next summer here I come Sublime!!

Hold Music

Today I found a music I dislike very much, and shocked me also because I didn’t believe it to be possible that I dislike any type of music. I called At&T today to get set up with their services because I just moved into a new apartment. First you have to go through the recorded voice asking you yes or no questions and so on, and then they put you on hold. The hold music is horrific! Then you get the computer voice every once in awhile, if you have been on hold for a long time, thank you for holding blah, blah. In my opinion if you are going to be on hold for a long period of time, you would think the business would like you to enjoy your time while on hold. Why not throw in a little Maranda Lambert or Bon Jovi?  At least give me a song that I can sing or dance to.

Being on hold and listening to the music makes me want to hang up the phone immediately. Everyone, of course, hates being put on hold already, and then they throw the crappy elevator music on. The music you hear when on hold is never clear either; it is always fuzzy, which makes it even worse than it already is.  Elevator music is another one that I just do not understand. Maybe people think elevator music is relaxing, that is a question I have always wondered about. Some person out there must enjoy it or else the business would probably change it up. Or maybe people just do not complain about it or even think about it. I wonder if businesses have that question on their surveys, probably not. They should inquire about that, if you ask me. Maybe one day I will be put on hold and I will hear my favorite song, or maybe one day I will step into an elevator and be able to sing all the way up to my floor. I think I am just going to have to deal with the lousy elevator music and hold music, I will survive!

Music and Me

Music is a major part of my life. I enjoy listening to almost every type of music that exists. If I am having a bad day, all I need to do is turn on music and it brightens my day, almost immediately. I mostly listen to country, because it relates to my life the most. As a little girl, Garth Brooks was my idol, I believe I still have my cassette tapes of him. To this day I still enjoy a little Garth Brooks and now I understand the lyrics and the meaning behind his music. My grandpa loved a little Garth Brooks, his favorite was River Runs Dry, which now when I hear that song always makes me think of Grandpa, makes me smile usually, although sometimes it makes me cry because my grandpa has passed. Hearing that song brings up very fond childhood memories with grandpa, makes me miss him. It's amazing how one certain song can bring so many memories flooding back into your mind just by hearing it. Some songs really hit home when you hear them. One song that really tugs on my heart strings is Amazing Grace, this song was played by my cousin, who has also passed at the age of 17, on the bag pipes at my grandpa's funeral. Amazing Grace is a beautiful song, but for me it reminds me of funerals and sadness. On a happier note there are millions of songs that make me happy. Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean is a happy song for me, reminds me of my childhood because I grew up on a dirt road and of course there's nothing better then a ride down a dirt road, windows down, wind blowing through your hair, what a great way to relax!

 My favorite thing to do is, jump in my car, windows down, radio cranked, and just rock out.  I'm the girl you see alone in the car singing as loud as I can and I even break it down sometimes, of course only at stop lights. I'm sad to say I haven't been to too many concerts. This summer I managed to go to a Montgomery Gentry concert, which was awesome! Above a great close up of Montgomery Gentry from the concert:) Attending more concerts is definitely on my bucket list, there are so many artists I want to see, the list is endless. I've been to more concerts as a kid then I have as an adult, went to Faith Hill and N'SYNC, which makes laugh now....N'SYNC REALLY? That makes three concerts so far in my life, man I better get busy and get some concert tickets.