It's review time again, folks. Today I'm going to give you my review of the new Brandi Carlile album "Give Up The Ghost". To tell the truth, I really didn't know much about Brandi Carlile. I did see her on VH1 last year sometime and thought her song was pretty good.
I really liked her album. I thought that it was very soothing. It was, in my opinion, a folksy jazz vibe. It had a lot of guitar and very little electric music.
I don't think I would say that she is my favorite artist ever but she is worth checking out. If you like Sheryl Crow or Colbie Caillat I bet you would like Brandi Carlile too.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Pride
Today I need to write a few paragraphs about the human emotion of pride. I have recently read the short story "Bartleby the Scrivner" by Hermen Melville. It is the story of how one person is so caught up in their own self that they can not bring themselves to help someone in obvious need. The narrator of that tale is so worried about how others will perceive him that he goes against everything he know to be caring just to keep his image and thus his pride in himself.
How is this story relevant to today's society? I think it is very indicative of how most Americans behave in general. I think that self-pride and worry about how one is perceived is one of the main factors that has brought on the credit disaster that many Americans are facing today. People have become so enamoured by what others have that they over look what they truly NEED in their lives. It became a vicious cycle that has lead to the ruin of a number of families.
People have lost the simple joy of helping others. It doesn't have to be a large sacrifice on their behalf. Society has forgotten that relationships are the things that bring joy into our lives. It has taken the losing of physical objects to make people see the prideful ways they were acting. If we just take the time to offer a cup of coffee and a chat instead of a boasting session of the latest and greatest "thing" we have obtained, maybe we would all forget about ourselves and learn about the others in our lives.
I think that once people get over the idea of having to live up to other's expectations, they will lose some of that self-pride and become better humans. When you spend your time worrying if you are wearing the right clothes, living in the right house, or working in the right job you lose the joy of your life. You are constantly trying to live up to what you think others expect of you not what you expect of yourself.
How is this story relevant to today's society? I think it is very indicative of how most Americans behave in general. I think that self-pride and worry about how one is perceived is one of the main factors that has brought on the credit disaster that many Americans are facing today. People have become so enamoured by what others have that they over look what they truly NEED in their lives. It became a vicious cycle that has lead to the ruin of a number of families.
People have lost the simple joy of helping others. It doesn't have to be a large sacrifice on their behalf. Society has forgotten that relationships are the things that bring joy into our lives. It has taken the losing of physical objects to make people see the prideful ways they were acting. If we just take the time to offer a cup of coffee and a chat instead of a boasting session of the latest and greatest "thing" we have obtained, maybe we would all forget about ourselves and learn about the others in our lives.
I think that once people get over the idea of having to live up to other's expectations, they will lose some of that self-pride and become better humans. When you spend your time worrying if you are wearing the right clothes, living in the right house, or working in the right job you lose the joy of your life. You are constantly trying to live up to what you think others expect of you not what you expect of yourself.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Five For Fighting "Slice"
Let me start by saying "WOW!" this is a great album. If you like any of the band's other albums this one will not disappoint. It follows in the same singer/songwriter style.
When I first turned on the album, I immediately wanted to sing along. I know that sounds crazy but the songs are beautifully written. You can relate with the lyrics right away.
I put the album playing in the background while I was working on the computer. OK, working may be loosely interpreted to mean surfing the web but still... It was just such a soothing sound. It made me feel peaceful and peppy at the same time.
I, of course, am glad to have received a preview of the album but I would have been just as happy with my purchase if I had bought it. I can't think of any song on the album that I would fast forward over to get to the next one.
When I first turned on the album, I immediately wanted to sing along. I know that sounds crazy but the songs are beautifully written. You can relate with the lyrics right away.
I put the album playing in the background while I was working on the computer. OK, working may be loosely interpreted to mean surfing the web but still... It was just such a soothing sound. It made me feel peaceful and peppy at the same time.
I, of course, am glad to have received a preview of the album but I would have been just as happy with my purchase if I had bought it. I can't think of any song on the album that I would fast forward over to get to the next one.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Reviews are coming!
I get the pleasure of reviewing Five For Fighting's latest album, Slice. I also get to review Brandi Carlisle's album Give Up The Ghost. I've received each from a company called One 2 One Network.
I've been very happy with this group. I've got to listen to a lot of music that I normally wouldn't have bought. There is something to be said for expanding one's music repertoire.
I should have the reviews up by tomorrow. I'm going to listen to them tonight. I'm super excited!
I've been very happy with this group. I've got to listen to a lot of music that I normally wouldn't have bought. There is something to be said for expanding one's music repertoire.
I should have the reviews up by tomorrow. I'm going to listen to them tonight. I'm super excited!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Busy week
We had a super busy and fun week last week. We were able to do things as a family that we wouldn't have even tried while we were working full time.
First we started making pinatas. We made three of them. Two for Jillian's 4-H demonstration and one for her birthday party. We decorated the one for her party like a flower garden. That wasn't the original plan but sometimes you have to go with the flow of the project.
We also planned a birthday party for Jilly. She wanted a 50's party. We had the girls dress up in their poodle skirts and we took them to a 50's style diner. They sat at the counter and had malts. It was a great time for everyone. When they came back to the house we had individual cookie cakes made for them. We then put out different colors of icing and let them decorate their own cookie. I never thought this would be as much fun as it turned out to be. Between the four girls they used two tubs of icing! Talk about sugar overload.
The last part of the party was breaking the pinata. This was really fun. Our pinata was hard to break open. They broke the strings holding it before the pinata itself. We left it on the ground and took turns hitting it until it opened.
Besides all that, we worked a concession stand for 4-H at the Thomas bullriding, went to co-op where Jilly learned to embroider, and did a full weeks worth of school work.
What a great week!
First we started making pinatas. We made three of them. Two for Jillian's 4-H demonstration and one for her birthday party. We decorated the one for her party like a flower garden. That wasn't the original plan but sometimes you have to go with the flow of the project.
We also planned a birthday party for Jilly. She wanted a 50's party. We had the girls dress up in their poodle skirts and we took them to a 50's style diner. They sat at the counter and had malts. It was a great time for everyone. When they came back to the house we had individual cookie cakes made for them. We then put out different colors of icing and let them decorate their own cookie. I never thought this would be as much fun as it turned out to be. Between the four girls they used two tubs of icing! Talk about sugar overload.
The last part of the party was breaking the pinata. This was really fun. Our pinata was hard to break open. They broke the strings holding it before the pinata itself. We left it on the ground and took turns hitting it until it opened.
Besides all that, we worked a concession stand for 4-H at the Thomas bullriding, went to co-op where Jilly learned to embroider, and did a full weeks worth of school work.
What a great week!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Diet Starts
Well, the diet starts today. I have really added the weight over the last year. It is time to get back in shape and watch what I eat. I know I'll feel better once I get back in gear.
I'll give a little product review today.
Guiltless Gourmet Black Bean Dip is really tasty. It doesn't have hardly any calories and really packs in the flavor. It would be a good sandwich spread if you were tired of the same ole same ole. It would say it tastes a bit vinegary (if that's a word) with a little kick at the end. Since it's made with black beans it also has a lot of fiber per serving too.
Weight Watchers Vanilla Yogurt is also a big hit. I can have a whole cup of this stuff for only two points. For those of you familiar with WW, you know that is a bunch of food for tiny points. I bought the big tub of yogurt and it was less expensive by far than the little containers. The only trouble is packing it for work but that is easily overcome.
Those are the only new products I've done today. I'll be sure to post any new dishes I try and if they are a success or not.
I'll give a little product review today.
Guiltless Gourmet Black Bean Dip is really tasty. It doesn't have hardly any calories and really packs in the flavor. It would be a good sandwich spread if you were tired of the same ole same ole. It would say it tastes a bit vinegary (if that's a word) with a little kick at the end. Since it's made with black beans it also has a lot of fiber per serving too.
Weight Watchers Vanilla Yogurt is also a big hit. I can have a whole cup of this stuff for only two points. For those of you familiar with WW, you know that is a bunch of food for tiny points. I bought the big tub of yogurt and it was less expensive by far than the little containers. The only trouble is packing it for work but that is easily overcome.
Those are the only new products I've done today. I'll be sure to post any new dishes I try and if they are a success or not.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Disney Vacation
We just got back from a two week Disney vacation. WOW!! It was a long trip and a lot of fun. I think that we discovered that we are now better suited to visit the area for trips of 4 days or such. This one was just a bit to long. We had several days where we just hit the parks in the morning and went back to the hotel by lunchtime.
This trip we let Drake stay in the room in the morning and then take the bus over and meet us in the parks for lunch. It was stressful for me but he did great. Let me just say that cell phones are a blessing. It kept me sane knowing exactly where he was at any given moment. I didn't think I was so protective of him.
We also let both kids go off together in the parks for a little while. The only problem was when the went outside the turnstiles at the International Gateway in EPCOT to use the bathroom. I didn't send Jilly's ticket with them so she couldn't get back inside the park. Again, cell phones to the rescue. Drake called us and we left what we were doing and took her ticket over to them. Jilly freaked out just a little bit but I think it was because she was worried we would be mad at them. I still don't know why they went to that bathroom but we weren't mad about the situation.
We did a couple of days with the Disney Y.E.S. program. Y.E.S. stands for Youth Education Series. We learned about the International Program that Disney uses to get their workers for the different country pavilions. It was very interesting to hear these young people talk about their home countries and what their experiences here in the USA have been. We learned that each of the young people share apartments with a few other people from different countries. This lets them get to know other cultures and such on an intimate level. The big idea behind this program is to let people from different countries become friends with different people. When they leave the program they will take these friendships and knowledge into the business world. In the end, the world at large will be a better place.
Even with the extended time at Disney we had a great time over all. We will be going back but I think we will wait a while before we go again. I say that every time we leave but we'll see....
This trip we let Drake stay in the room in the morning and then take the bus over and meet us in the parks for lunch. It was stressful for me but he did great. Let me just say that cell phones are a blessing. It kept me sane knowing exactly where he was at any given moment. I didn't think I was so protective of him.
We also let both kids go off together in the parks for a little while. The only problem was when the went outside the turnstiles at the International Gateway in EPCOT to use the bathroom. I didn't send Jilly's ticket with them so she couldn't get back inside the park. Again, cell phones to the rescue. Drake called us and we left what we were doing and took her ticket over to them. Jilly freaked out just a little bit but I think it was because she was worried we would be mad at them. I still don't know why they went to that bathroom but we weren't mad about the situation.
We did a couple of days with the Disney Y.E.S. program. Y.E.S. stands for Youth Education Series. We learned about the International Program that Disney uses to get their workers for the different country pavilions. It was very interesting to hear these young people talk about their home countries and what their experiences here in the USA have been. We learned that each of the young people share apartments with a few other people from different countries. This lets them get to know other cultures and such on an intimate level. The big idea behind this program is to let people from different countries become friends with different people. When they leave the program they will take these friendships and knowledge into the business world. In the end, the world at large will be a better place.
Even with the extended time at Disney we had a great time over all. We will be going back but I think we will wait a while before we go again. I say that every time we leave but we'll see....
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