Not a big fan of the group Hanson…..but a huge fan of Beck Hansen…..he goes by just Beck.
On the drive to the gym this morning, I was listening to NPR. Low and behold, Beck was being interview on NPR’s Morning Edition. He has new album coming out Modern Guilt which I’ve heard bits and pieces from, but really need to sit down and listen. His music is so unique….and is definitely one of those artists that you like or don’t like. I’m not sure if there is much in-between.
In his interview on NPR, it was interesting to hear the history of the way his songs are sung….kind of off the cuff…what did he just say, making up new words, etc. He says he based it off of how his grandfather used to talk…back in the 1960s.
“He had a lot of made-up words, or what seemed to be made-up words,” Beck says. “He was just riffing all the time. You know, it was ‘broken-down traffic miasma, we boogied uptown over here,’ and whatnot, and this and that. It was all just rolling off of his tongue.”
For those of you who are familiar with The Pixies….a small band out of Massachusetts that went on to create music history. Even my favorities….Bono (U2) and David Bowie consider The Pixies one of the most influential bands in music history! Within a year of Mike and I dating, I had the chance to see the Pixies here in Raleigh, but as a good girlfriend and someone who at the time could only name 2 Pixies tunes (Debaser, Here comes your man, Wave of Mutilation, etc)…I gave up my tickets so a few of our now close friends could go. They were huge fans, so it was an easy choice.
This was the Pixies reunion tour (2005). Mike was stoked…eventhough the Disco Rodeo did not have air conditioning and can Bud Light was $5!
Over the weekend, Mike and I watch a documentary on the Pixies. Old videos, interviews, etc. It was pretty neat. I think Mike has always had a crush on Kim Deal (bassist) ……..the same kind of crush I have always had on Michael Stipe or Michael Hutchence. By the way, Kim and her sister were The Breeders before they broke up.
If you are into music that has let’s say….alot of expression and emotion…..take a listen…..
FYI - During our wedding, Mike and the groomsman walked down to an instrumental version of Here Comes Your Man. Not sure if anyone knew. (I walked down to Yellow by Coldplay….also instrumental!)
Friday was the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the opening ceremonies because fortunately, I was vacationing at the Beach!! (this was the first time my husband and I have been to the beach together since our wedding last year!)
But since we are so technologically advanced….I watched the opening ceremonies online!!!
China is such a rich culture. Everything from the colors to the smiles of the children are bright!
I ran aross this Welcome to Beijing video that includes some of the more well-know Chinese….the only one I recognize is Jackie Chan.
The video is a bit long, but amusing. For me, I can appreciate the culture a little bit more by watching this. You can appreciate the variety of musical styles of the country. It’s like a tourism video for Beijing….like the Welcome to West Virginia!
We are noticing how we are “getting older” in relation to music. Most folks were there to see Maroon 5 not Counting Crows. The Counting Crows have a history of opening for bands, not headlining. This is bizarre to me since most of the bands that they are opening for are SO much younger than them. I guess they like the ability to leave at a decent hour and not have the stress of headlining. They still rock though. I’m still wondering when the OLDIES station will start playing Madonna, (the old) New Kids on the Block or Duran Duran…..man….that’s going to be a tough day.
I used to be a closet Maroon 5 fan. But Mike and I have the ability to say outloud (now)…We are Maroon 5 fans. They had a great set list of almost all the songs that I enjoy (I won’t go home without you….one of my favorites)
Counting Crows is one of those bands that take me back to high school and college but still they have carried on throughout the years in my life occurances. All good memories. ”A Long December” (the video features the lead singer’s ex-wife….Friends’ Courtney Cox!) It’s one of our favorites - both good and sad memories of year’s past (2003) - but the next year was better
They had a good sample of their music. But they did not play my favorite song….Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby. It’s such a great song. Sorry I had to post another YouTube video….
Although, last night I showed my age. Half-way through the set - I was ready to go. They had played all the songs I knew. Lights, smoke and 10:30 pm…..Jenn Barron (Williams) was out. Heading home without facing the traffic….small late night snack and I was in the bed before midnight!
We also have a tradition of when we do leave concerts early (the concerts in which we have decent seats) - to find those “superfans” in the bad seats or lawn seats….and give them our tickets. Last night, we did the same. I hope those girls had a good time.
*The title of the blog is my attempt to combine (Makes Me Wonder (Maroon5) and A Long December (Counting Crows)).
This is all I can think of when I read Donald Jones blog about his 24 hours of Booty. Our morning anchor just finished the Official 24 Hours Cycling Event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation in Charlotte this past weekend. This event also benefits local cancer initiatives. You can read more about his journey on his blog.
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend (at the beach!) with some of my best college ( Go CATS!) friends (and former roommates). Jami, Tiffany and I have known each other for a long time. (Jami and I went to junior high and high school together so we have known each other for a little longer). This was the first time in about 5 years that we have gotten together …just us girls…to catch up and have some fun. Jami is married and has a 2 1/2 year old son. Tiffany is also married and is 3 months prego! (I’ll add a picture once Jami sends them to me!)
On Saturday night, we were able to go see one of Tiffany’s “teacher-friends” (Tiffany has been a teacher for about 10 years) who is in a band…The Barnraisers. We went to a bar in Wilmington call - The Soapbox. Pretty cool place, very vintage (that’s the cool word for “old). The band was great…if you like bluegrass/rockabilly type music…you would have loved them…take a look…. (by the way…she taught herself to play the banjo!)
My dad is the inspiration for this post. My dad was reading my previous post and suggested a few selections for my running.
He is a Marine….eventhough he is retired….Once a Marine, Always a Marine. A few years ago it was either my brother or my dad that ran across a CD of Marine Corps Cadences. If you have witnessed any military folks running in formation yelling out words in-sync with the other guys (and ladies)…..some of the words not appropriate for the dinner table….it’s pretty amazing. Eventhough my dad is experienced with cadence and is getting back into running - - he has said numerous times….will not run to this cd. He says it will kill him :-). Reason being, listening to this makes you want to go faster…..run more and longer distances…even if you don’t want to. It’s like having a drill instructor leaning over you. Some may think that’s not too fun!
Anyway, cadence is a form of music in it’s on right. I searched you tube and found this snippet of cadence (words may be inappropriate for some)
Also, our REI friend Bradley headed off to Parris Island last Sunday. We wish him much success and safety! Bless our troops.
We’ll I’ve decided to give it another try……the marathon…..26.2 miles on my feet…approximately 4 1/2 hours of running/walking……why do I attempt it again, you ask? Motivation and the amazing sense of accomplishment I’ll have crossing the finish line (hopefully not on a stretcher)!
For those who know me, I signed up for the City of Oaks Marathon last year….but I decided to do the 1/2 marathon instead. The stress of running a marathon, planning my wedding as well as a few events at work took a toll on me.
So, this year I’m giving it another try! My running buddy (happens to be my sister-in-law) and I have signed up for the Outer Banks Marathon (November 9th). My first half marathon was here at OBX in 2006. I didn’t think I could make that…and I have run 3 half marathons since then. I think together we can do it. we have agreed to run together throughout this marathon. She runs a little faster than I do, but I think over the course of 26.2 miles….we’ll catch up to one another
What I did realize is that my IPOD (circa 2004) doesn’t have the memory I need to keep me occupied for almost 5 hours without repeating…so I am going to purchase another one…maybe the new NANO for my incentive for doing the race, but I like the Shuffle too….decisions, decisions. Most people run with friends to chat….my sister-in-law have been running together for almost 3 years……we rarely even talk at stoplights…music is the only way we get through it!
You know how I love YouTube…so I came across this video about the 2007 OBX race. (the year I ran…it poured towards the end….looks like 2007 had great weather!) It gives a great overview of the area and the race…and most importantly first hand interviews with folks about why they run! Take a look!
With a little extra time spent in the Atlanta airport….. I finally returned from Seattle…..all trained and ready to go! I had a good two days with managers from both radio and television….no matter what “title” we were….we were all on the same playing ground when it came to standing up in front of the group and facilitating a marketing strategy model or brainstorm..I think I actually took more from the people around me than the actually class……While I was in Seattle, I had an opportunity to take in the city. I have been to Seattle before, but was never able to absorb the city……MetroNatural is how the new ad campaign for Seattle goes….which is true to it’s definition….have the characteristics of a metropolis all while having wild and natural surroundings..With Mount Rainer is the distance of pretty much every were you walk…this is a true statement!
As with my previous post, I was on the hunt for a few things and a couple I was not able to take in….I was able to go to the Experience Music Project Museum which for a girl of the 90s, was awesome.
Besides getting the history of music, guitars, etc….they had a timeline of artifacts which contained items from Kurt Cobain and Nirvana and Pearl Jam…(yes, I was excited to see Kurt’s acutal guitar). Also, there was an entire exhibit dedicated to Jimi Hendrix…from his journal, lyric book, guitars, outfits, video, etc….yeah…it was pretty cool. The things I tried to do, but either didn’t have time or got lost…..Visit the apartment building that the movie Singles was taped…..and go to the makeshift memorial for Kurt Cobain as well as the house he lived in on Lake Washington.
Unfortunately, the Crocodile Cafe closed last year…in researchign places to go while I was in town….I was super siked to run across this on the map since it was one of the venues that many bands played “secret shows” and where some of those famous bands got their start….but due to finanical issues, the cafe closed in 2007.
Oh - by the way - the weather was great….70 degrees and sunny…..unlike the majority of the year in Seattle…..
On the drive to the gym this morning, I was listening to NPR. Low and behold, Beck was being interview on NPR’s Morning Edition. He has new album coming out Modern Guilt which I’ve heard bits and pieces from, but really need to sit down and listen. His music is so unique….and is definitely one of those artists that you like or don’t like. I’m not sure if there is much in-between. 
