Tuesday Tunes

Today I have a few songs for you. They are pretty mopy but still great.

1. Empty by Ray Lamontagne

I think this song is beautiful. It's about someone who feels sad and empty, and cannot always look at the blessings in his life. I love all the lyrics to it, but these are my favorite: 

Well, I looked my demons in the eyes 

laid bare my chest, said "Do your best, destroy me. 

You see I've been to hell and back so many times, 

I must admit you kind of bore me."

2. Kindness by Ryan Adams

Unfortunately I couldn't find his version on youtube to put on this page so I put in a cover. Definitely check out the original though. This song reminds you that even a small gesture of kindness to someone can make such a difference, even though it can be hard sometimes with those you are close to. 

3. Heavy in Your Arms by Florence and the Machine

A few days ago I put the Kelly Clarkson version on this page. Definitely check out Florence's for comparison purposes. This song is so addicting. It makes you think about how someone's love can be too much for someone in a relationship and make them feel trapped like they are being dragged down by it.

4. Set Fire to the Rain Adele Cover by Tyler Ward

I know I should be sick of this song by now, but I'm not. I like this acoustic cover a lot, I think he sounds a little bit like Finn from Glee and who doesn't like that?! 

Kelly Clarkson is a Goddess!!

Thursday, January 26th, my sister and I went to see the Kelly Clarkson tour at the Wang Theater in Boston. We had so much fun as we were sitting next to this guy who was obsessed with her and was hilarious. The audience stood the whole time and sang along to everything. She seriously might be the cutest person ever as evidenced by her funny conversations with the audience. She also has good taste as she admitted that she wants the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. (I believe she is singing the national anthem at it). Below is her setlist that she had the fans help put together. She is such a fan friendly artist and wanted to put together a tour where she sang everyone's favorite songs. I can't even pick a favorite Kelly Clarkson song because there are so many that I love. She now has five albums and they were all represented in some way. I have no idea how she can sing this many songs every night and make them all sound incredible, but she achieved it.

SETLIST

1. Dark Side
2. Behind These Hazel Eyes
3. Since U Been Gone
4. Gone
5. You Love Me
6. Heavy In Your Arms (Florence and the Machine cover)
7. What About Love? (Heart Cover)
8. Medley: The Trouble With Love Is/Walk Away/How I Feel/I Want You
9. I Know You Won’t (Carrie Underwood Cover)
10. Don’t You Wanna Stay (With Jason Aldean)
11. Let Me Down
12. I Forgive You
13. Already Gone
14. Breakaway
15. You Still Won’t Know What It’s Like
16. What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)
17. My Life Would Suck Without You

Encore18. Never Again (iTunes Session Version)
19. Because of You
20. Mr. Know It All
21. Miss Independent 

Here are videos of my favorite performances of the night. Everything she sang was amazing so I picked the ones that were a little different sounding or some special covers I hadn't heard before.

1. Never Again

Kelly listened when one of her fans advised her to sing this song with a piano. The result sounds much better than when she released it as a single. A lot of the audience picked this as their favorite song of the night.

2. Heavy in Your Arms (cover of Florence and the Machine)

I love Florence and the Machine but I had never heard this song before. I guess it is from the Twilight soundtrack. Anyway, both versions (Florence and Kelly's) are amazing so if you haven't heard this song before either, I suggest you check it out.

3. I Know You Won't (cover of Carrie Underwood)

I adore this song from both singers but I love hearing a new take on it. Kelly's version is a bit bluesier than Carrie's. She said that the second she heard Carrie sing it she wished it had been her song. Both versions are lovely.

4. What About Love (cover of Heart)

Kelly said she likes to make each concert a little bit different and surprising, so she takes one fan request per show. For our show, a fan requested this song on Twitter and Kelly delivered. Give it a listen.

Mia's Story

Today my adorable niece Mia came over and wanted to share a story with everyone. Isn't she a cutie??

State of the Union Address

Ooh oops, I'm not talking about that State of the Union address, I'm talking about Ellen DeGeneres' state of the Union.

She has a lot of valid concerns about our country, none of them being political. For example people really shouldn't say "liberry" and 3 year olds should stop with "pisghetti." I'm just saying.

Watch the video below:

Poetry Snippets

Sometimes I like to live in my own little world of romantic poetry and fantasies. Below is a beautiful one.

She Walks in Beauty

Lord Byron

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellow'd to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impair'd the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

This poem was published in 1815 as part of Byron's volume Hebrew Melodies. There are a few theories regarding who the subject of the poem is. It may be about a beautiful woman Byron met at a ball or about his half-sister, Augusta. Either way this is an elaborate compliment, and I think that guys should bring back the art of romantic poetry writing. No one would mind receiving a poem like this.

I did some research about the poem and learned that when the first line of a poem is presented with no punctuation but is followed by a line that will clarify the previous statement, it is referred to as an "enjambment." Byron used this tool to emphasize the word "meet" which is the premise of the entire poem. Opposites "meet" in this woman (light and dark). Her face contains alabaster skin, yet she has raven hair. Her eyes are a meeting of white iris with dark eyes. 

Byron notes that her thoughts are pure and good, which makes her even more desirable. Uma Kuthakas notes that the reference to her angelic looks gives the reader a window into her morality as a person, and enhances her beauty all the more. The contrast of light and dark is used to convey the soft beauty of the woman, without overdoing it. 

Tuesday Tunes

I know these songs aren't exactly new, they are just the ones I've been listening to recently. I really like depressing or angry music just to warn you. 

Sara Bareilles-Gravity

This song is just so beautiful. It's like a dream. Favorite lyric: 

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.

When I thought that I was strong.

                     But you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone.

Airborne Toxic Event-All I Ever Wanted

I know this is a very depressing song but at least it's upbeat. I love the way they can describe a situation. You can almost picture the narrator talking to this girl and saying all these awful things that are on his mind as she is sleeping. 

Kelly Clarkson-You Love Me

A Nice Tell Off song per usual Kelly.

Favorite Lyric: 

You say I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough

But what you really mean is you're not good enough, you're not good enough

You can't deliver so you turn it around

Florence & The Machine-Howl

I love Florence & The Machine's new CD Ceremonials, but this song is still one of my favorites. I remember jamming out to this in Nick Pick's car all the time. He was always trying to talk and be serious and I would just crank up the volume. (Maybe that's why he never wants to hang out anymore). 

Favorite Lyric:

The fabric of your flesh, pure as a wedding dress

Until I wrap myself inside your arms I cannot rest

My Favorite Look from the Golden Globes

My favorite look from the Golden Globes last night was Kate Beckinsale who wore Roberto Cavalli. If I am ever lucky enough to attend something as exciting as the Golden Globes, this is exactly the look I would wish to have. The floor length gown is classic and elegant, and I adore the nude hue.  

She kept her hair and makeup very simple and pretty. She chose a classic updo that had great volume and paired it with shimmering eyes and a glossy lip. I also really love her choice of jewelry because those earrings are gorgeous. 

Twin Appeal

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved television shows that involved twins, and I pretty much always love the evil twin. 


PAST:

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

I couldn't just pick one of their shows because naturally I have enjoyed all of their series and movies. I also could not pick a favorite twin here because they are both so perfect. Some of their classic movies include:

It Takes Two 

For a while my sister and I watched this movie every morning before school. Nothing grossed me out more than the sloppy joe scene though. 

The Case of Thorn Mansion (Funky Musicology)

For all of you interested readers, this was my favorite of the adventures of Mary Kate and Ashley series. They solved any crime by dinner time. 

The Sleepover Party

I seriously feel so bad for our middle school friends who we tortured with this video just because we thought it was the funniest thing ever. The worst acting, worst songs, and most annoying casting ever made it one of our favorites to watch over and over again. I seriously cannot stand that girl Kara's voice. 

Our First Video "Brother for Sale"

This video really made me and my sister want to sell our brother. We are still kind of wondering what we can get for him. 


Of course there are dozens more classic Mary Kate and Ashley videos, but I will stop torturing you for now. 

Sister Sister 

For those of you who may have missed this gem, it centered around the twins Tia Landry and Tamera Mowry who had been adopted by different parents when they were babies and accidentally reunite as teenagers. Since we started watching it my sister and I often address each other by singing the theme song. My favorite twin is definitely Tia. Tamera was too flighty and out of control for me. Below is probably one of my favorite episodes although most of you may find it to be torture:

 

  

PRESENT:

Ringer

Sarah Michelle Gellar stars as twins Bridget and Siobhan. I will give you a little background although it is confusing. Bridget is a recovering drug addict and prostitute who witnessed a murder and was in danger because of it. She heads off to reunite with her twin sister Siobhan whom she had been feuding with. Siobhan never told anyone in her new life that she even had a sister. Once they meet up Siobhan fakes her death and Bridget assumes her identity believing that she really is dead. You really need to see it to understand it better, but it is fast paced and addicting. My favorite twin here is Siobhan because of her style and glamour. I'm not sure what she's hiding up her sleeve but it's got to be good.

The Lying Game

This show is on abc family and no it is not just for teens. It follows the story of Emma and Sutton. Something shady occurred at their birth and they were put into separate foster homes. Sutton lucked out and ended up with the wealthy Mercer family. Emma became a child who did not leave foster care. Sutton goes on a quest to discover her biological parents, and in doing so, locates her twin Emma. She invites Emma to meet up with her. Once she does, Sutton asks her to take over her life for a few days while she investigates more. However, a few days has now become weeks and Emma and Sutton's old boyfriend Ethan have fallen in love. Sutton is very angry with her and it will be interesting to see how that plays out. My favorite twin here would have to be Sutton because she is so in your face and snotty, plus her character delivers the best lines.