and the world can live as one...

Tonight when we were driving in the car, Isaac said to me, "Mom, do you know that song that goes 'You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one?'"

I was pretty surprised, because I didn't think Isaac would have any frame of reference for the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. I told him I did know the song and proceeded to look it up on my phone.

He continued on, "It is by that guy from the Beatles. The one that looks like Harry Potter."

 

You know what? 

  I totally see it. 

 

Just when I think I know him inside and out, he says something like that totally catches me off guard. 

 

LOVE that little boy.

 



Rain, Indy Bands and Rollercoasters...

Yesterday I was lounging in bed trying to decide what to do with myself when I got a text from my friend Jami. She had been given two free tickets to Hershey Park and they expired today. She asked if I would come along and of course I agreed. She had to work that morning, so we didn't get on the road till around 3 and then when we got to Hershey we decided to eat dinner first before we went into the park. All we could find was Wendy's, which didn't end up sitting too well while we were in the park. Anyhow, we did the whole Chocolate World Experience and then hit the park. We only rode rollercoasters. It was a blast. I don't know if it was because it is so close to the end of the season, or because the morning had been so overcast and cloudy, but the park was pretty empty. We hardly had to wait in line for anything. We road several of the big rides and over and over, just cause we could. I hadn't been to the park since I went with my Girl Scout troop as a kid. It was a really fun evening.

On the way to and from my friend Jami was playing a live Indigo Girls cd. We are both big fans. When I went home I googled their tour on a whim and saw that they are playing in Philadelphia in a few weeks. Tickets were reasonably priced, so we bought some. I'm pretty excited. I've never been to the Keswick Theater, but I've heard good things.

Friday night I went to the Popped Music Festival, after scoring a half price ticket through Groupon. It got rained out of FDR Park and moved to the Liacorus Center at Temple. I was exhausted from a week of work, it was pouring rain, and I sat in traffic for an eternity to get down to the city and then somehow missed my brother's exit (he was watching Isaac for me). More than once I thought of throwing in the towel. It was worth it though. Even though Becky and I were older than the crowd of jeggings wearing plastic bespectacled hipsters, we still enjoyed ourselves. We got there in time for a decent band, The Hold Steady, then we heard one called Elbow, that I really liked. Next was a weird artist Panda Bear. They were pretty terrible. Then Cage the Elephant and they were awesome! After them The Shins were coming on, but I was so tired I peaced out before they came on. It was fun weekend.

you make me wanna staple bacon to my face, then remove it with a pitchfork

I decided this summer that I wasn't going to turn down any invitations and it's led to some interesting opportunities (I went rock climbing, scored some tix to the DMB Caravan). So when my dad approached me about joining him for a Weird Al concert in Lancaster, I figured, why not? I'm by no means an avid fan, but I had a few of his albums when I was a kid and of course I recognized a lot of the music he parodies. He was definitely entertaining and put on an energetic show. Now I can say that I have seen Weird Al sing "Amish Paradise" in Lancaster County (which feels like a bucket list item for an uber-nerd). He did all of his big hits: Fat, White and Nerdy, Perform this Way, that endless Star Wars song to the tune of American Pie. It was actually a pretty intense show with back up dancers and tons of costume changes. He was definitely funny and is a talented accordian player. I'm not sure I would ever catch him again, but it was definitely an experience; thanks for inviting me Dad!

Some randoms

• I was looking for one of those refreezable icepacks the other day and decided to check in Isaac's lunchbox. One was in there, along with a greenish grayish old wilted turkey sandwich in his sandwich container. I definitely almost vomited.

• Isaac heard "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul on the radio the other day and said "Who is this? The Beatles?" He's also been listening to KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's the Way I Like It" repeatedly... which is getting old. I liked his Michael Jackson obsession better.

• Speaking of music... I'm loving this song. And Megan Tonjes does a great cover of it:

(Go ahead and click it. Give it a listen while you are reading.)

• Isaac spent the night at my parent's house Friday while I went to the concert, and when I went to pick him up the four of us went to see Cars 2. Wow was I disappointed. Isaac enjoyed it well enough, but I was a little shocked at how violent it was. It was a little disconcerting to see Mater outfitted with a machine gun trying to "kill" other cars in a shootout. But don't tell that to Joe-- he will just remind that you DISNEY/PIXAR movies might not be suitable for kids (????).

• I've been reading a ton lately. I read the first of the books in the Hunger Games. I need to read the next ones ASAP! I've also been working my through Jennifer Weiner. Her books fall more into the "beach reads" category, but they are well written and they are set in my favorite city-- Philadelphia and it's fun to hear all of her references to local neighborhoods, streets, restaurants, etc. Feel free to leave recommendations. One of my to-dos this week is to pay my library fines so I can put in some more requests.

• I'm finally getting into the groove of summer vacation. This is the first summer that I haven't really worked at all and also that Isaac hasn't been enrolled at least part-time in some kind of childcare. The first week was extremely overwhelming. I know it sounds super-lame to complain about, but day after day of being home with nothing to do except housework was so overwhelming. I was kind of having a breakdown and I didn't think I could make it to the end of the summer. I've said it before, but even if I was a bazillionaire I could never be a stay at home mom. I would slide into a serious depression. At any rate, this week I made a point to fill up my calendar a bit more. Isaac and I both did the dentist (both cavity free!), I scheduled a consult with the oral surgeon, a physical, a hair appointment and an eye exam, as well as some play-dates for Isaac and some girlfriend time for me. I definitely feel like things are a bit more doable now and that I can make it to the end of summer without having a nervous fit.

• Isaac is doing a few soccer camps as well as swim lessons for the summer. I enrolled him for a group class at our local YMCA, except that for the first two weeks there were no other kids in his class, so he got a private lesson for the price of a group lesson. His teacher has asked me to move him up to the next level though, which is good. The first week he got all weird and would barely participate. He did a lot better the second week though, and by the end of the class was diving and swimming the length of the pool. Growing up, my parents always had all of us kids in swim lessons and I think it's really important for kids to feel confident in the water.

• We also did another trek out to one of my VERY favorite spots in the city Smith Memorial Playground. If you've never been and live in the Philly area, check it out. It's amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing and it's free! Also, for the summer months they have extended hours. It's a great way to fill a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

• I really miss my sister. It has been nearly a year since I have seen her, which is really just unacceptable. I'm so counting down the days to our beach trip when she comes home.

Well, that's all for now, since I just realized it's nearly one in the morning. Oops. Feel free to leave a comment. I see so many random people on my feedtracker and would love to know who is lurking. =)

Caravan

(ignore the random "Friday" text in the upper left corner... I can't seem to undo that)

So old college boyfriend did give me a ticket to go with him to see the Dave Matthews Band Caravan in Atlantic City. And his free tickets turned out to be VIP passes. That meant we got a great spot to stand, dinner in a fancy tent and VIP bathrooms. He was a bit blase about the whole thing, but I thought it was great. It was a really fun night, even though I didn't take too many pictures. My feet ended up being so filthy that it took about four showers to get them clean (and the shoes I think are just a lost cause)....

Summer isn't summer without a few outdoor concerts, so hopefully that won't be the last.

30 Day Challenge

If you have a facebook account it's pretty much inconcievable that you haven't come across the 30 Day Song Challenge. I figured I would do it in one shot here.

day 01 – your favorite song - Of course, I have to put the disclaimer: who can really choose a favorite song? But if push came to shove this would probably be it. Anna Begins by Counting Crows.

day 02 – your least favorite song - Anything by Train. I'm over Train.

day 03 – a song that makes you happy - Erasure - A Little Respect

day 04 – a song that makes you sad - Sarah McLachlan - Hold On (it just reminds me of sad times in my life)

day 05 – a song that reminds you of someone - Three Little Birds (or anything by Bob Marley, really) will always remind me of Isaac's dad.

day 06 – a song that reminds you of somewhere - John Denver - Take Me Home Country Roads. It reminds me of all of the times I spent in West Virginia during college. They always play that song at WV sporting events.

Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event. This song by Beyonce makes me think of driving around South Street on a warm sunny night with a friend of mine. I let her drive my car and we just played this song over and over.

Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to

Day 09 – A song that you can dance to. Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep My Time- Mackintosh Braun

Day 11 – A song from your favorite band - anything Counting Crows. There's already several here.

Day 12 – A song from a band you hate - anything Train. Look it up yourself.

Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure

Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love... Rebecca Black - Friday. I really do!

Day 15 – A song that describes you The Offspring - She's Got Issues. Not the issues in the song. Just the title. I've got issues. Who doesn't?

day 16 - a song you used to love but now you hate. I went through a Stars phase for a while. Now I just get annoyed when anything from that album comes up on my ipod. (Stars - Dead Hearts)

day 17 – a song that you hear often on the radio Britney Spears - Till the World Ends (LOVE LOVE LOVE this one)

day 18 – a song that you wish you heard on the radio - Dashboard Confession (featuring Adam Duritz) - So Long, So Long day 19 – a song from your favorite album Counting Crows - St. Robinson and His Caddillac Dream

day 20 – a song that you listen to when you’re angry - It's not an "angry" song per say but Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks is one of my personal angry songs.

day 21 – a song that you listen to when you’re happy - Girl I'm Tryin' by J Brazil. It's silly but it's a happy fun song that I play a lot when I am getting ready to go out.

day 22 – a song that you listen to when you’re sad - Counting Crows - Catapult

day 23 – a song that you want to play at your wedding - The Cupid Shuffle. I want to see my mom, etc. doing it.

day 24 – a song that you want to play at your funeral - I would want to Rick Roll everyone at the funeral.

day 25 – a song that makes you laugh Will.i.am - Big and Chunky. Isaac and I sing it to each other all the time.

day 26 – a song that you can play on an instrument - none anymore. Isn't that sad?

day 27 – a song that you wish you could play n/a No desire to play an instrument.

day 28 – a song that makes you feel guilty I can't think of anything. Sometimes I feel mildly guilty for having some more graphic stuff my Lil Wayne on my ipod, but I like to listen to it at the gym. Sue me.

day 29 – a song from your childhood - Paula Abdul Straight Up

day 30 – your favorite song at this time last year - I'm not sure. Probably something by Owl City. I was pretty into Owl City last year.

<>

I'm addicted want to jump inside your love

I think I need to do something to shake up my own life.

It's spring BREAK for crying out loud and I can barely come up with anything interesting to blog about.
But... I can't stop listening to this song: And I'm not usually a big fan of those guys.

So let's see... that's music. I've been on a big documentary kick lately. Netflix has so many great ones available instantly. I think Netflix is the best 10 dollars a month I spend. At least, if I am going to continue to be as anti-social as I have been lately. Neflix has informed me that I like "cerebral" documentaries. Here's what I've seen lately:

* Very Young Girls - which is about human trafficking in the United States. Not super uplifting as you can imagine, but pretty crazy to think about. When you think of girls being forced into prostitution, you think about young girls in Thailand but it happens in the US all the time. In the US, the average age a girl is caught up in that life is 13. Very disturbing, but informative.

* Exit Through the Gift Shop - all about street art. Really good. Highly recommend.

* Confessions of a Superhero - this one was just okay. It's about 4 people who dress up as characters on Hollywood Blvd. (I've never been to Hollywood Blvd, but they do the same thing in NYC, basically panhandling in exchange for a picture). It was a little too long and the camera work kind of made me sick to my stomach in some scenes.

* Easy A - that one wasn't a documentary, but I really liked it. The writing was very clever. It was sort of a modern take on The Scarlet Letter, a book I am actually pretty familiar with. I had it as a summer reading book the summer before my senior year. I bought the Cliff's Notes and had absolutely no intention of reading it. My mom was not having that though and she would corner me daily and make me lay on the couch while she read me a chapter of it. It's not like, one of my top favorite books or anything, but I am happy that we did read it.

* In the spirit of full disclosure, I have also watching at 22 episodes of Glee that are available. This is very hypocritical after all of the smack I have talked on Glee. I still maintain it is an overrated show with pretty bad acting and ridiculous plot lines. Honestly, I fast forward a lot of the musical scenes because they are just so dumb. Anyways, I have been suckered into a few of the plot lines, so last Saturday after Isaac went to his dad's I sat on the couch and finished off all of the episodes.

Still in my queue: Freakonomics, The Business of Being Born and Tupac and Biggie. Also, I have had Waiting for Superman on my counter for more than a month, but I can't make myself watch it just yet. I'm at about my limit for criticisms of teachers for the time being.

That's all for now. Happy Easter!

Tuesday....

So I get paid every other week. This means that about twice a year there is a month where it works out that I get THREE paychecks instead of TWO. It's like a fun little bonus. Saturday morning I was contemplating this while I was driving home from my parents. Maybe I would finally put the molding up I've been longing for. Or pay my parents for Isaac's plane ticket to Florida. Or get some paint for my bedroom, the only unpainted room left in my house. As I am pondering my extra paycheck my car, slowly chugs to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Because, really, isn't that exactly what I get for fantasizing about getting ahead a little in life? Grrrr
A 230 dollar part later, my (fabulous) brother had my car up and running again. But not until he discovered that my intake manifold (????) is definitely going to need work. Good bye bonus paycheck. I knew you were too good to be true.
In other news, I'm kind of becoming obsessed with Jessie J. I love her nails and makeup in this video. . So tomorrow is wacky hair day at Isaac's school. I find that my mom has bought him something to wear. He loves it cause he thinks he looks like this guy from his Warioware game: Upon closer inspection of the packaging though, I see that this is the Disco guy accessories kit wig not included
Wait-- what?
Turns out... he's wearing the gross chest hair patch on his head.....
And I don't even care. This is the same mom who sent him to school with a box of tampons for the food drive. What can you do? What's new with you??

Music for a Monday

This is making the rounds on the interwebs. I figured I would share it here if you haven't seen it. It's pretty much the most adorable thing ever. I love when she goes "Someday I'm going to whistle?"

live music is good for the soul

I saw Mary Fahl last night at the Tin Angel in Philly, a little venue in Old City. She is from the old band October Project and now she is doing her own solo thing. She's a cross between a slightly edgier Enya and Joni Mitchell. We were the youngest in the audience by about 20 years I would say. I really wanted to see her, and the only other person I know who would be interest was WJM (old college bf). He is the one that introduced me to October Project and we saw her once a long time ago when we were dating. Anyways, it actually wasn't awkward to see him again. It's so odd to hang out with him in person again, because it is like we are strangers getting to know each other now, but we know everything about each other's past. I think a concert was a good environment too. Not too much time for talking. But at any rate, I enjoyed myself. Mary's voice is incredible. She sang everything from Italian Arias to folk covers. Afterwards we waited around to talk to her, and WJM started talking to her about how he seen October Project on Prism when he was a kid. He was actually being really heartfelt and complimentary, but as soon as she realized we weren't about to purchase her 40 dollar cd (a Dark Side of the Moon cover album) she didn't have much time for us. We were like "Okay, then". Here's a few videos. This one is October Project. I don't know why it is weird random pictures in a slideshow though. That's youtube for you. This is one that she wrote to be the soundtrack in a movie about 9-11 firefighters.

Do What You Have to Do

A song that makes you cry (or almost cry). Do What You Have to Do - Sarah McLachlan If I had to choose one song that encapsulates the experience of my pregnancy this would be it. For my entire pregnancy my plan was to adopt Isaac. Although that was my plan and my choice, it is a horrible conflict of doing what you feel is the best thing for your baby and not fully being able to understand how you will be able to go through with that. I don't think I will ever be able to hear this song and not be instantly transported to that time in my life.

It is interesting to note that Sarah McLachlan is adopted and has spoken about her experience and her support of open adoptions. So although I don't know if she has ever said for certain, I do think it is definitely possible that this song could actually be from the perspective of a birthmother.

What ravages of spirit Conjured this temptuous rage Created you a monster Broken by the rules of love And fate has led you through it You do what you have to do And fate has led you through it You do what you have to do ... And I have the sense to recognize that I don’t know how to let you go Every moment marked With apparitions of your soul I’m ever swiftly moving Trying to escape this desire The yearning to be near you I do what I have to do The yearning to be near you I do what I have to do But I have the sense to recognize That I don’t know how To let you go I don’t know how To let you go A glowing ember Burning hot Burning slow Deep within I’m shaken by the violence Of existing for only you I know I can’t be with you I do what I have to do I know I can’t be with you I do what I have to do And I have sense to recognize but I don’t know how to let you go I don’t know how to let you go I don’t know how to let you go

yay Lilith!

Last night I got to see Sarah McLachan, one of my favorite artists of all time perform at the Lilith Fair. I had resigned myself to no more concerts pretty much ever, because they are so expensive, but I got an e-mail offering 10 dollar lawn tickets and I couldn't pass it up. We just caught the last three acts which were Sara Barielles, The Courtyard Hounds (Dixie Chicks minus Natalie Maines) and Sarah. She played all the stuff you would want to hear (Adia, Building a Mystery, Arms of the Angels, I Will Remember you), and some more obscure fan favorites (World on Fire my favorite song of hers, and Icecream as an encore). She also played three songs from her new album which I really enjoyed.

Sarah's music was the soundtrack to some difficult times in my life. I listened to Mirrorball and Afterglow probably thousands of time during my pregnancy. I also love Sarah McLachlan because she is so passionate about so many different causes (she is the one in those supersad animal commercials) and she really puts her money where her mouth is.

So well worth ten bucks in my opinion. We also didn't have to pay for parking and my friend paid for tolls, so cheap night all round. And perfect weather to boot.

Common - Finding Forever

waka waka

Next Wed is the last day of school. In the meantime, the lame blog posts will most likely continue. In the mean time here is a video we can't stop watching. The song is so catchy. I would say we do a pretty decent job copying her dance moves if I do say so myself especially those from the 2:58 mark. Tonight I heard Isaac singing it to himself after I put him to bed. Did I mention his dad is going to the world cup? For three weeks? He better bring us back some jerseys....

life soundtrack

What I've Been Listening to Lately

These are the ones I keep skipping ahead to on my ipod.

What are you listening to these days? I need some fresh songs...

*bang, bang*

If listening to "The Warrior" by Scandal on repeat play for roughly an hour is wrong, I don't want to be right.... Whatever helps you keep your heartrate up, right? Even if it means embarassing yourself because you don't see your neighbor in his front yard with his dog at the moment you decide to belt out "Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiictory is mine!"

...yeah

So I have a question for all you excerciser types out there.

What do you do to prevent this?

I'm hoping there is another answer besides "Wear thick dorky socks".

Will my heels eventually develp calluses?

Or will the insides of my shoes just forever be a bloody mess?

"Driving sideways..."

It's an Aimee Mann kind of night. I adore those albums. I listened to them over and over in college. She is very much like Counting Crows in that when you pull out lyrics they don't seem as meaningful. So much of it is in the music and the delivery. I'm trying to mellow out.

I am feeling a lot of anxiety about the summer, the school end of this school year, the start of the next, money worries, summer employment, my parents traveling, etc. As much as I am looking forward to summer, there are still quite a few question marks about it, and I just don't do well with uncertainty and transitions. I called my mom in tears because I am already panicked over who will be there for Isaac's first day of school (even though she has already assured me over and over she will come out since I will have to work). The beginning weeks of the school year are always intense. New students to get to know, back to school openhouse, and this year it will be Jenny's wedding the Friday before school starts plus getting Isaac ready for kindergarten. It seriously makes me hyperventilate.

But that is months away. And I need to be living in the moment.

And staying calm.

And breathing.

And sleeping. ..

I can't stop listening to this...

It's fabulous

I Love Pop Music