Feel It In My Bones

Le sigh. It's been a rough week, hence the no-bloggy in a while.  None of the things that made the last 7 days a big suckfest were all that dire by themselves, but as frustration and disappointment just kept pilin on, I found myself sighing 'really?', in major Seth & Amy SNL fashion.   Sometimes I try to figure things out and predict things that I have no way of knowing, and my usual escape of songs can sometimes make me think too much.  That's why lately I've been appreciating a different form of expression. It's no secret that the right song can rip a few tears out of my eyeholes, but the emotion the folks below put in just the movement of their bodies is more powerful than 99% percent of the songs on my Ipod.  No overthinking, no restraint, just passion, movement, and soul. Le gush.

The first moment that comes to mind is definitely P!nk's "Glitter in the Air".  When she performed this at this year's Grammys, I was blown away.  The lyrics are gorgeous as she sings about taking chances for those brief and rare perfect moments in life, but her performance on the ropes as she twirls in the air spoke to the lyrics even better than her voice. I've watched it probably 100 times, and I still tear up a little bit. Your turn...

"Glitter in the Air" - P!nk

While she's best known for her awesomely choreographed, frantic, naughty in-your-face dance numbers, my favorite video by Paula Abdul is a ballad, and still one of the most beautiful videos ever made.  I remember being about 12 years old and mesmerized by this, over and over again.  If you loved "Total Eclipse of the Heart" from Glee a few weeks ago, you'll freakin eat this up (and nice try thinking I'd blog without referencing Glee....get real.)

"Blowing Kisses in the Wind" - Paula Abdul

The song that first sparked the idea for this blog was oddly one I hadn't heard in about 10 years, until I randomly played one of the first CDs I ever burned the other day.  I'd completely forgotten about the song, and while it's pretty, it was the dancing in this video that immediately came to my mind like I'd just seen it yesterday.  The words are a declaration of love, and the music builds to a beautiful climax, but the way the two dancers move and look at each other is the most beautful part.  This is exactly the kinda passion I want to feel with someone. Redonkulously pretty.

"Broken Arrow" - Rod Stewart

I so wish I could dance like these folks, but more importantly I wish I could express myself as freely and openly, without so much thought and concern.  I'm working on that, and hope to follow my emotions a little more than my thoughts of doubt and worry.  On a side-but-still-related note, what finally helped me kick my funk was getting to participate in a flashmob at our new airport. You can watch the flashmob here, and for those of you who've known me for a long time, did you ever think my shy, introverted behind could ever do something like this? Yeah, me neither.  But the cool thing about that (and all of the suck-tasms from this week) is that the only constant in life is that it keeps changing and moving.  And I kinda love that :)

Momma.

In honor of the big M-Day, I wanted to post some momma-related tunes. Some sweet, some sad, but all relevant.  So without further ado...

My ultimate parenting song is by The Pretenders, but I've loved several versions over the years.  The lyrics in this song are what I imagine I'd want my kids to know that I felt, and I wish all parents felt this way towards their kids. I'm very lucky to say that my mom feels this way about me, but as I grow older and get less selfish, I find myself singing the lyrics to her as well.  It's a momma's unconditional love at its best, and it usually makes me teary.  I won't post the Glee version (and I could too, just so you know :) ), but the Carrie Underwood version is probably my favorite.  This one's for you momma :)

"I'll Stand By You" - Carrie Underwood

I feel very lucky to have a wonderful mother and I try to appreciate every visit, phone call, or email (yep, my momma got email :) ).  This message really hit home for me as I walked at our local Relay for Life this past weekend.  There was a video montage of people who'd lost love ones to cancer, many of them mothers.  This song has always gotten to me, but in this context, it was especially moving.  One of my best friends and one of the most amazing people I've ever met lost her mother a few years ago, and my thoughts were definitely with her this weekend as well.  This song's a tearjerker, so be forewarned if you listen.  But music for me isn't always just a way to celebrate, it's a way to get out those gutteral feelings that might be too hard to say or express any other way.   Anyone whose ever lost someone could relate to this one, and I think there can be comfort in knowing and sharing those feelings, especially with such a moving song like this one.

"One Moment More" - Mindy Smith

I definitely want to end on a positive note, and as two of my best friends and I were belting this soundtrack out this weekend, I knew immediately that it would make my blog.  Hairspray is amazing for so many reasons (Zac Efron, Michelle Pfieffer, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, and Zac Efron, just to name a few. Also , I think Zac Efron's in it somewhere......) But in all seriousness, Nikki Blonsky blew me away in this movie, and the relationship with her and her momma is one of my favorites.  I love how the character of Tracy was able to give back to her mom, so she could benefit herself from having raised such a wonderful daughter.  John Travolta's horrible accent aside (seriously, it's like a hick-skater-swedish-yankee nightmare) , I adore this song, and the message of young people making a better world not just for themselves, but for those that raised them as well.  Get out your caftans, cuz....

"Welcome to the 60s" - Nikki Blonsky & John Travolta

I'm a firm believer that the best of us comes from how we're nurtured and protected as kids, and mommas are a large part of that for many of us.  I'm very blessed to have had a wondeful mother and for every day that I still have her in my life.  (And I feel the same way about my dad, but that blog's a good month away. :) ).  Love you momma!

I Love The 80s - Part 1

Yeah, part 1, cause you know a sequel is just around the corner.  This week was totally 80s in my world and I had a super tough time picking three tubular lil numbers.  So I'll just to have to save the other radical choices for future moments, knowing full well that the 80s are hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike again soon...

When I think 80s, my first thought is Olivia Newton John, my very first musical obsession.  Picture 4 yr old me frolicking around my house in my Karate Kid pajamas, blasting "Physical" from my Playskool tape player (or don't, depending if that image terrifies you).  I was a little man-diva (not to be confused with Man-disa) and I hadn't yet become aware that my interests were a wee bit different from the other young lads.  These days I know, but I don't so much care (knowing is only half the battle).  So picture my joyful face when ONJ herself popped up on Glee this week, with an updated mix of my very first favorite song (not to mention a hilarious video).  Let me hear your body talk.

"Physical 2010" - Olivia Newton John

So Glee reference aside, why was my week so 80s you ask? Well it was mostly due to a spectacular 80s party I went to.  My friends and I all dressed up in neon jumpsuits, Miami Vice jackets, headbands, leggings, and all kinds of totally awesome gear. We danced like maniacs, and when a classic Cyndi Lauper tune came on, we went nuts (mostly trying to reenact all of the head-bobbing choreography in the video, and not doing very well at all).  But it's super rad to have so many friends who loved the same things I did as a kid, so unleash your fun-lovin inner girl and join us below :)

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper

Did you know I love a show called Glee? I'm not sure I've mentioned it yet, but I don't like to go on and on about things I love. (Except sarcasm, I could go on and on about that all day).  This song totally wasn't on Glee last night, and it didn't make me swell with all of the passion and emotion of the original song for one second. It wasn't at all amazing, and I'm definitely not going to post the Glee version below. Not even a little.  Because it wasn't on Glee.  Did you know I love sarcasm?

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" - Lea Michele

Hope everyone has a gnarly week and I hope you take a second to look back at the wonderment of the 80s.  Realize how tubular it was, and realize how old you feel now.  Not me though. I'm in my neon pink jumpsuit, with my Playskool tape player to my ear, and I just wanna have fun. Turn around bright eyes.....