Sunday, July 26, 2009

A result of Boredom. 99 things you probably don't want to hear about




1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT?
Lots of Scars. I have one on my left middle finger. I slammed my finger in the front door.

2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM?
Some posters, a calendar, a sign that says Hurricane Hillary

3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP?
I guess I talk. I've been known to moan a lot in my sleep. My sister said I even sang in my sleep once.

4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO?
oldies, alternative,classical,. pop, some country.

5. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN?
between 11:30 and midnight. my birthday was almost a day later.

6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?
A plane ticket and a paid vacation

7. WHAT DO YOU MISS?
music lessons, swimming lessons, and pit orchestras in high school

8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)?
Right now my Ipod and my scrapbook.


9. HOW TALL ARE YOU?
5'2

10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC?
Not often. Maybe occasionally

11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK?
Maybe after i've watched a scary movie.

12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY?
no comment

13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR?
People thinking I'm annoying. Then spiders. Then having to free fall from high places.

14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX?
I've noticed I seem to prefer dark hair. The eyes I'm not so picky about. Blue eyes are nice but so are brown.

15. WHERE CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF PROPOSING?
I hope i am not the one who ends up proposing. Something special like a moonlight boat ride or a nice dinner.

16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK?
How about water. ..

17. FAVOURITE PIZZA TOPPING?
Chicken

18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE
Cafe Rio Salad, Cinnamon Toast Crunch or a milk shake

19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME?
Bright Green or a really pretty blue

20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH?
no

21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
My first violin

22. DO YOU HAVE A CRUSH?
Define Crush. Crush can be such a fluid concept but i'd probably say ya

23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED?
yes.

24. FAVOURITE CLOTHING BRAND?
American Eagle, or Gap

30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED:
25

31. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES?
Brunette

32. FAVOURITE QUOTE?
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Einstein

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities." - Dr. Seuss

"Don't you just hate that? Uncomfortable silences. Why do we feel it's necessary to talk about bull in order to be comfortable? That's when you know you've found somebody really special, when you can just shut the heck up for a minute and comfortably share a silence." - Pulp Fiction
"All our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone who makes us complete. We choose partners and change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak and hope, all the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect who might be searching for us."

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent in doing nothing." - George Bernard Shaw


33. FAVOURITE PLACE?
Of the places I've been I'd say Chicago

34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA?
no

35. YOUR WEAKNESSES?
being a bit nosy and being a bit aggressive. I can over analyze things

36. MEET ANYONE FAMOUS?
No.

37. FIRST JOB?
Nanny for my neighbor. Then, I was a cafeteria worker at the Morris Center

38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL?
No

39. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE?
I think there are people that are better suited for one another but I think that there is more than one person that you could be happy with.

40. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT?
exercising and then watching t.v.

41. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY?
several

42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST?
My eyes and my lashes

43. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES?
unfortunately yes

44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY?
plane ticket (again)

45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT AND THEIR NAMES?
4 preferably.
If i have boys I like the names: Ren Shayne Kale, Finn, Heath, Ethan
If I have girls I like the names: Eden, Prue, Josephine (Josie), Piper, Elliot (Ellie), Lizzie, Charlotte

46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No. and especially not Hillary Clinton

47. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TURN OFF OF THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Arrogance, Pride. Controlling

48. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU LIKE(D) ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL?
My friends. Orchestra, AP History, AP Literature

49. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE?
Suave. Radiant Brunette ha ha

50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
sometimes it looks nice. It could use a little work

51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
turkey

52. ANY BAD HABITS?
chewing gum? Being a bit pushy sometimes

53. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON?
not really. at least i don't think so.

54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
I think so. I'm pretty fun I'd say.

55. DO YOU AGREE WITH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS?
no.

56. DO LOOKS MATTER?
a little. They do play a part but they don't make up the whole package.

57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER?
crying. going for walks.

58. WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS.
lose 58

60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD?
The trampoline. My magic tricks. and others

61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE
over 100

62. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID?
i watched it. but i preferred Wishbone

63. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
yes i do.

64. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE?
macaroni and cheese

65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
intelligence sense of humor. Wit. kindness.

66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES?
Hilly. Rah. Hillbilly. Hillarious. Hurricane Hillary.

67. FAVORITE SUPER POWER?
I think Storm's power is pretty cool.

68. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?
CSI. American Idol. Bones. The Office. Charmed

69.WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES?
ignore them or get even. Whatever floats your boat.

70. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?
Cookiedough or cake batter

71. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES?
yes, luckily.

72. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM?
yes

73. PLANS FOR TONIGHT?
exercise. Watch a movie

74. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER?
I like Utah. Denver was nice.

75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
Only if they want to.

76. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?
Serendipity

77. LAST THING YOU DRANK?
Water

78. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Mary Jo

79. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Smile and Eyes

80. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Anything to do with music. Reading. Movies. Cooking

81. FAVOURITE THING TO HATE?
Country Music

82. FAVOURITE SEASON OF THE YEAR?
Late Fall.

83. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF CANDY?
Snicker or Twix

84. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND?
Yes.

85. FAVOURITE HAIR COLOR?
Auburn

86. EYE COLOR?
Green/Hazel/Gray

87. SHOE SIZE?
too big

88. FAVOURITE FAST FOOD PLACE
McDonalds or Taco BEll

89. FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
Mimis Cafe(ha ha) or Cafe Rio

90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI?
its okay. its not my favorite.

91. WATCH TV TODAY?
Yes

92. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR?
Thanksgiving

93. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?
Violin and Piano

94. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT?
I'm moderate. More on the conservative side.

95. KISSES OR HUGS?
Hugs are nice

96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS?
relationships

97. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT?
groceries a DVD and a baby shower gift.

98. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE?
Mayhaps. It is possible

99. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?
The Cases that Haunt US

Country Bumpkin Pt 2 Ole Red



Okay. I don't know why this song rubs me the wrong way. I don't think this is poorly written but i can't believe somebody actually wrote a song about adult puppy love.

Well I caught my wife with another man
And it cost me ninety nine
On a prison farm in Georgia
Close to the Florida line
Well I'd been here for two long years
I finally made the warden my friend
And so he sentenced me to a life of ease
Taking care of Ol' Red

Now Ol' Red he's the damnedest dog that I've ever seen
Got a nose that can smell a two day trail
He's a four legged tracking machine
You can consider yourself mighty lucky
To get past the gators and the quicksand beds
But all these years that I've been here
Ain't nobody got past Red

And the warden sang Come on somebody
Why don't you run Ol' Red's itchin' to have a little fun
Get my lantern Get my gun
Red'll have you treed before the mornin' comes

Well I paid off the guard and I slipped out a letter
To my cousin up in Tennessee
Oh and he brought down a blue tick hound
She was pretty as she could be
Well they penned her up in the swampland
'Bout a mile just south of the gate
And I'd take Ol' Red for his evening run
I'd just drop him off and wait

And the warden sang Come on somebody
Why don't you run 0l' Red's itchin' to have a little fun
Get my lantern Get my gun
Red'll have you treed before the mornin' comes

Now Ol' Red got real used to seeing
His lady every night
And so I kept him away for three or four days
And waited till the time got right
Well I made my run with the evenin' sun
And I smiled when I heard 'em let Red out
'Cause I was headed north to Tennessee
And Ol' Red was headed south

And the warden sang Come on somebody
Why don't you run Ol' Red's itchin' to have a little fun
Get my lantern Get my gun
Red'll have you treed before the mornin' comes

Now there's red haired blue ticks all in the South
Love got me in here and love got me out

Sunday, July 12, 2009

What you get when you play a Country Song Backwards



So I like Country Music just as much as the next person but I have a few concerns, or opinions I guess, I'd like to discuss about the quality of writing that goes into country music. So to answer my question What do you get when you play a country song backwards
You get your house back You get your dog back
You get your best friend Jackson back You get your truck back
You get your hair back You get your first and second jobs back
Your front porch swing Going ding ling ling ling
Your bling bling bling and a diamond ring
Your get your farm with a barn and a boat and the Harley
That old black cat named Charlie You get your mind back
And your nerves back Your achey breaky heart back You get your pride back You get your life back
You get your first real love back ohh big screen tv, dvd and a washing machine
You get the pond and the lawn and the rake and the mower
You go back when life was slower It sounds a little crazy a little scattered and absurd But that's what you get
When you play a country song backwards
Now I thought oh this song is kind of silly and catchy and i guess entertaining. Then, i realized how unbelievably true these words are. Leave it to Mr Bucky Covington,yes his name is Bucky, to bring you the epitome of heart tugging country music.

I walked through the door and sat down at the bar
Had a shot and a beer lit up a cigar it ran through my head,
Every word that old man said
I had a woman that loved me with all of her heart
But my pride and my temper made it all fall apart
I was to headstrong to admit when I was wrong
It's been 6 months since she moved out
Guess my pride aint helping me
I want my life back, I want that house that I called home,
I want to hear her voice and see her face every day when I get off
I want what I had when I laid down in the arms of the woman that believed in me
And that man I used to be, I want my life back.

This brings me to my next point. If you read the lyrics or even the titles to a majority of country songs, they are just kind of dumb. Most Country Lyrics are supposed to be poetic. For example I love Shania Twain. I'm a huge huge fan but some of the words she puts together baffle me.

"Must be Monday, What a dumb day, Can't drag my but out of bed." -very eloquent and refined.
My next example. My favorite example. I can't even stand to listen to this song. Its starts out fine I guess You can choose the channel
when we're watchin' the T.V. Oh, babe--it's okay
And you can pick the flavor when we're orderin' ice cream
I don't mind--yeah, that's fine I'd do--hoo--hoo--
anything for you--hoo--hoo
~Then it starts to go down hill.
Ah, it's all right if you sleep with your socks on--oh, babe! It's okay!
And you can hurt my head with your favorite rock song
I don't mind--yeah, that's fine

For you--hoo--hoo--there's
nothin' that I wouldn't do--hoo--hoo
You can put a hole in my shoe

You can put a hole in my shoe? what does that even mean. Is it some sort of wierd Canadian phrase or was shoe the only thing that rhymed with do.

Another song of Bucky Convingtons
Another song of Mr Bucky Covingtons
We were born to mothers who smoked and drank
Our cribs were covered in lead based paint
No child proof lids no seat belts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are

Here's another one of my personal favorites Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Like Donkey Kong
And whoo-wee
Shut my mouth, slap your grandma
There outta be a law
Get the Sheriff on the phone
Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on
That honky tonk badonkadonk

I never thought i'd see Donkey Kong and Slap your grandma so close to being in the same sentence. These words are truly beautiful and articulate don't you think.

Then just the list of bizarre titles Goes on.
She thinks my tractor's sexy
Waiting on Two Pink Lines
I'm going to hire a Wino to decorate our house.
I’ve Missed You, But My Aim’s Improvin’
I’m So Miserable Without You, It’s Like You’re Still Here
She Took My Ring but Gave Me the Finger
I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dog Fight, 'Cause I'm Afraid She'd Win
Her Teeth Were Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
My John Deere Was Breaking Your Field, While Your Dear John Was Breaking My Heart


Here's another point I don't get. Country Music seems to thrive on Wordplay and thinks that juxtoposition of word placement makes a phrase clever like:
Why Can't We Just Get A Long. . Long. . Neck (ha ha get it). Or
See you think he's saying along but he's saying. . well you get it
Or You're easy on the eyes but hard on the heart OR
Its a business doing pleasure with you.

One things that bugs me is that a ton of Country Artists are doing covers of classic songs.
Jack Ingram redid Hinders Lips of An Angel
Gary Allen redid Vertical Horizon's Best I EVER Had
Blake Shelton also redid a classic Brian McKnights One, your like a dream come true.

Now I'm not trying to be rude but Country Music is a very very accepting genre of the music industry.
Many of American Ido finalists have turned to Country music and have actually done quite well. I love Carrie Underwood. Kellie Pickler is okay. Josh Gracin has done decently. And then there is Bucky Covington and I have no idea how he landed a recording contract to be honest. Country Music seems to be home to those artists who have struggled in other Genres.
Jessica Simpson Exhibit One-She did the whole pop scene. Who could forget her hits I think I'm in love and Irresistable. She decided to record a country album.
Now, Draius Rucker main singer of Hootie and the Blowfish has no made a comeback as a solo country artist.
Now I hope nobody is offended. I love most country music. I think Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks are Wonderful. I'm a Rascal Flatts fan and a Brad Paisley Fan. I really think we should consider and filter the country music we listen too. That is all.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Crackerjack

MY ADVENTURE IN DENVER TO SEE MY SISTER AND HER 2 LITTLE MONKEY MEN


So my vacation started out as another episode in life of Hurricane Hillary. I met my brother in law at his house in South Jordan so we could car pool to the airport. Well I pulled my car into their garage for safe keeping while we were gone for the week. I decided to leave my keys in my car since it was in the garage and I wouldn't have to worry about taking my keys through the airport or risk losing them while i was gone. Well i got my carry on bag out of my car and into Tyler's when i realized my boarding pass was still in my car so i went back into the garage and surprise my car was locked with my keys and boarding pass inside. Tyler tried to break in for 20 minutes with a hanger but it did not work. So we headed to the airport and luckily i was able to print a new boarding pass.

So our flight was delayed an hour. YOu always meet interesting people at the aiport. Like this guy that was dressed like a woman in pink shorts and a think v-neck white t-shirt. WE met this guy on the plan who, when he found out tyler was married and from utah, asked if he only had one wife.


Day1
 We took all of the kids to the park. Tristan and Isabel walked around hand in hand like best friends until they actually started playing on the playground and then went into WWF smackdown over some dinky toy. We then went to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Jack was struggling and we had 6 kids with us that one group sitting next to us moved and everyone else the hostess tried to seat by us refused. Ha ha i thought it was genius. Then Lindsay and her kids and I walked around the mall and then looked for the Denver temple for over an hour. We stalked someone in the garage to ask them directions, and we yelled at at least 3 people while we were stopped at red lights for more directions. The next day we discovered that we had practically driven past it and had driven in a big old circle around it.


DAY 2
The Mitchells and I went to the Museum of Natural History and Science. There were dislplays of animals from North America, Australia, Water Mammals. We also saw a Native American exhibit about how early Indians lived. We saw samples of their clothes, cradle boards, tents, etc. It was very interesting. Then we went across the street to a park so the Mitchells could have batting practice with Jake.



Day 3
We headed Town Town (what Tristan calls Down Town) and went to the 16th street Mall, which is a mile long strip mall. Quite Impressive. I was forced to go into Coyote Ugly Saloon and buy a freaking awesome t-shirt. Then we rode the bus to look at the Botanical Gardens. We went through the tropical conservatory, the Japanese style garden, the Lilac Garden and the Rose Garden. It was quite beautiful but the kids started going crazy. Jack insisted on pushing his stroller along the trail. AS we got back to town the monsoon started and we were afraid the baseball game would be rained out. The game was played. We headed to Coors Field where everything is very expensive. I bought a gatorade and a pretzel and it cost me 9 dollars. People were paying 6 dollars for a bottle or glass of beer. Insane!!!!!! The Rockies slaughtered the Diamondbacks 5-0. There was an amazing fireworks show afterwards. Great music and the finale set to Ode to Joy was so loud you could barely make out the music. This was Tristan's first fireworks show and he was clapping and laughing. He's adorable.
Saturday we headed headed out at 6 in the morning, stopped for food, watched movies, and played the license plate game.
It was a fun filled week and I'm so glad I went.