The past few months, I've probably been listening to more music than ever before. I almost always have something playing in the background while I'm working, while I'm cleaning, and even sometimes while I'm falling asleep.
Every now and again I'll be listening to a random assortment of music when a song comes on that really speaks to my soul. It starts out being something that I just want to listen to over and over again. Then I want to sing it in the shower at the top of my lungs. Then I want to recreate it. I want to put my touch on it, no matter how amateur that touch may be. I want to make it my own; I want to express, through the same medium, the feelings it evokes in me. So then I sit down at my computer and pull up the recording program and try a few times to get it to sound right. But without fail, anytime I try and sing a song written by someone else, I'm at least a little bit disappointed.
I'm finally realizing that disappointment comes because I haven't been trying to sound like myself. I am always, at some level, trying to mimic the original artist, and let's face it--that's just not gonna happen. And frankly, I am figuring out that I don't actually want it to.
This realization has led me to set a kind of lofty goal for myself this year: I am going to write a song so I can find my voice.
I don't expect the lyrics to be particularly deep or moving. I don't expect the music to be anything complex or spectacular. I definitely don't expect to have any incredible instrumentation, because all I really have access to right now is my guitar, and I can't do anything fancy with that. All I know is that it's going to be for my voice (whatever that is), in my style (whatever that is), and from my heart, and think I know what that is, so that's a good start, right?
So yeah. Look forward to hearing my real voice sometime this year!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Valentines
There's something you should know about me: I really love Valentine's Day. A lot. I've never really been able to be bitter about it, because I love love so much. And let's face it, I'm just as aware of my single-ness on February 14th as I am any other day of the year, so it's not a big deal.
This year turned out better than most because I decided I'd make and give out Valentines. I haven't really done that since elementary school, so I thought'd be fun. I was completely right, too! See for yourself--here are just a few of the Valentines I made.
Wasn't that fun? This may be something I need to do every year for the rest of my life.
This year turned out better than most because I decided I'd make and give out Valentines. I haven't really done that since elementary school, so I thought'd be fun. I was completely right, too! See for yourself--here are just a few of the Valentines I made.
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| Because Kaitlin loves Madea and fake cussing. |
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| One of my favorites. |
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| Gotta love Eunice! |
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| My push-up bra will help me get my Valentine. |
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| You see me tryin' to get a Valentine? Don't inarupt. Rude. |
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| Marcel the Shell gets a Valentine |
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| I was also pretty proud of this one. (Episode 4) |
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| Episode 1 |
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Episode 6
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Monday, February 13, 2012
Justin Banger Biebs
Justin Bieber provides really great material for us to rewrite for our friends.
Example 1: Skittles bowling
Example 2: Brady's birthday song
This song came into existence because we wanted to buy Brady some Cheerwine for his birthday, but were unable to find any in the store that normally carries it. (It's a dime a dozen back in NC, but a rare commodity out here.) We decided we'd give him an I.O.U. for the delectable brew, but thought that a musical version would be better than a lousy piece of paper or a verbal promise. Below you will find lyrics so you can follow along with the video.
Brady Baby
KJ and KG: You know we love ya, You know we care.
Just shout whenever, and we'll be there.
You want Cheerwine? We'll get you some.
But the store didn't have any; they're so dumb.
We tried to fight 'em--we ain't playin'.
They claimed to be out. We said, "What the heck you sayin'?"
Said, "There's no pop here that represents Carolina,"
So we wrote you a song, and that's finer.
And now we sing: Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Don't you love us more than Cheerwine?
Oh, oh, for you we both went in together
We wanted to buy a supply to last forever.
But them stupid fools didn't have the brew,
So now we're here to sing this little birthday thing
And now we're playin' on your heartstrings,
Makin' things come true that you've wished in your best dreams.
So don't you frown, frown, frown, frown,
Because you make us smile every time that you're around,
'Cause you're our Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Our Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Our Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
You're sweeter than Cheerwine.
KJ: When I was twenty-two, I met Brady-boo.
There was nobody I could ever take clothespinning*
That ever could have been as much fun as you.
KG: You like my biscuits. They so boberry fresh!
And lucky for you and me,
You don't ever look a hot mess.
KJ and KG: You make our hearts pound
And skip a beat when we see you in the street and
At school on the playground.
But we really want to see you on the weekends.
To our hearts you've got the keys.
You don't even have to say please!
We'll waive the entry fees
If you rock your Justin Banger Biebs!**
Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
You're sweeter than Cheerwine.
(And then the ugly face I make at the end is when I'm in the middle of saying, "Now I'm gone.")
*A few months ago, we went on a group date in which we went to the mall and pinned clothespins on people without their knowing (So much fun--you should all try it) and Brady came as Kaitlin's date.
**Almost a year ago, Brady came over to visit our friend Kara who was visiting from Canada. Kara was playing with her ponytail in a way that made it look like she had Justin Bieber pre-haircut hair. In an effort to compliment her "Justin Bieber bangs," Brady accidentally said that he liked her "Justin Banger Biebs." This has become one of our all-time favorite Brady moments, and as soon as we decided to write the song, we knew we'd have to work it in.
Now feel free to listen to the song a couple more times so that anytime "Baby" comes on the radio and you're cranking up the volume to sing along (don't lie--you know you do it), you'll mix these words up with the real ones.
Example 1: Skittles bowling
Example 2: Brady's birthday song
This song came into existence because we wanted to buy Brady some Cheerwine for his birthday, but were unable to find any in the store that normally carries it. (It's a dime a dozen back in NC, but a rare commodity out here.) We decided we'd give him an I.O.U. for the delectable brew, but thought that a musical version would be better than a lousy piece of paper or a verbal promise. Below you will find lyrics so you can follow along with the video.
Disclaimer: There is one stanza that we didn't really change the words to. Please don't let that deter you from enjoying the entire song.
Brady Baby
KJ and KG: You know we love ya, You know we care.
Just shout whenever, and we'll be there.
You want Cheerwine? We'll get you some.
But the store didn't have any; they're so dumb.
We tried to fight 'em--we ain't playin'.
They claimed to be out. We said, "What the heck you sayin'?"
Said, "There's no pop here that represents Carolina,"
So we wrote you a song, and that's finer.
And now we sing: Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Don't you love us more than Cheerwine?
Oh, oh, for you we both went in together
We wanted to buy a supply to last forever.
But them stupid fools didn't have the brew,
So now we're here to sing this little birthday thing
And now we're playin' on your heartstrings,
Makin' things come true that you've wished in your best dreams.
So don't you frown, frown, frown, frown,
Because you make us smile every time that you're around,
'Cause you're our Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Our Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Our Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
You're sweeter than Cheerwine.
KJ: When I was twenty-two, I met Brady-boo.
There was nobody I could ever take clothespinning*
That ever could have been as much fun as you.
KG: You like my biscuits. They so boberry fresh!
And lucky for you and me,
You don't ever look a hot mess.
KJ and KG: You make our hearts pound
And skip a beat when we see you in the street and
At school on the playground.
But we really want to see you on the weekends.
To our hearts you've got the keys.
You don't even have to say please!
We'll waive the entry fees
If you rock your Justin Banger Biebs!**
Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, no!
Like, Brady, Brady, Brady, oh!
You're sweeter than Cheerwine.
(And then the ugly face I make at the end is when I'm in the middle of saying, "Now I'm gone.")
*A few months ago, we went on a group date in which we went to the mall and pinned clothespins on people without their knowing (So much fun--you should all try it) and Brady came as Kaitlin's date.
**Almost a year ago, Brady came over to visit our friend Kara who was visiting from Canada. Kara was playing with her ponytail in a way that made it look like she had Justin Bieber pre-haircut hair. In an effort to compliment her "Justin Bieber bangs," Brady accidentally said that he liked her "Justin Banger Biebs." This has become one of our all-time favorite Brady moments, and as soon as we decided to write the song, we knew we'd have to work it in.
Now feel free to listen to the song a couple more times so that anytime "Baby" comes on the radio and you're cranking up the volume to sing along (don't lie--you know you do it), you'll mix these words up with the real ones.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Happy New Year Part 2: Looking forward
A few things I'm looking forward to in 2012:
Moving back to North Carolina
Kissing a man
Making new friends
Having fun with current friends
Getting to know God a lot better
Learning more about myself
Learning more about my friends
Learning more about my career path
Learning more . . . about everything, I guess.
Being more prudent about how I spend my time, money, and love
Moving back to North Carolina
Kissing a man
Making new friends
Having fun with current friends
Getting to know God a lot better
Learning more about myself
Learning more about my friends
Learning more about my career path
Learning more . . . about everything, I guess.
Being more prudent about how I spend my time, money, and love
Happy New Year Part 1: Looking back
Though this year's brand-newness has started to wear off a little bit, I hope you'll still accept this as my "Happy New Year" post. I've had trouble organizing my thoughts for various reasons, so I kinda lost the blogging groove for a while. However, the coming of a new year always provides mental ammunition and a desire to improve, so let me fire out some of my thoughts on the past year and the one coming up.
I think a decent summary of my thoughts on the old year can be offered through a recap of the events surrounding my BYU graduation.
Last April, after a whirlwind decision to change my career path, I officially graduated with a B.A. in Linguistics. I was all sorts of happy and excited about it--though I was completely unsure what it was going to be like to not have school in my life--and I was proud of my accomplishments and all that jazz.
At this point, things were working out great. I had gotten approval to work a little longer at my job on campus, I had a new job lined up for a month and a half down the road, and I just felt this overwhelming sense of direction, peace, and purpose in life.
There was just one problem: my parents couldn't come to graduation. Things were especially difficult during that time financially (and physically for my dad), and it just wasn't a trip they could afford to make. Because I'm an adult, I tried really hard to be understanding and mature about it. I didn't let myself get sad over it, because what good would that have done? Every time Mama brought it up to apologize, I cut her off. Every time Daddy told me he was going to find a way to send Mama out here, I fussed at him for trying to spend money they didn't have. I did everything in my power to convince them (and myself) that I would be okay without having them here.
When my roommates got excited about their parents coming into town, I was a little jealous, but still pretty happy. My parents' absence didn't change the fact that I was loved, I finished finals confidently and with good grades, and that I was on my way to the next chapter of my life. But the shock finally came when graduation day rolled around and my parents didn't show up on my doorstep. Deep down in my heart, I guess I kind of hoped we'd get some sort of miracle that would have made them able to come. I had some sort of . . . dream (I don't know if that's the right word, but whatever) that they would come through at the last minute and surprise me on the big day. So much for my being a mature adult, huh?
My emotions really pulled a number on me then. I was taking forever to get ready, and before I knew it, Maddie's parents were at the apartment to pick us up. It was time to go and I still had to brush my teeth, finish zipping up my dress, put my shoes on, and who knows what else. I remember rushing to get ready and just being in kind of a daze from focusing so hard on not crying that I was trembling and scatterbrained. When I went to brush my teeth, I knocked over my makeup bag, sending all its contents to various parts of the bathroom. I thought about following my eyeshadow palette right into the toilet and just skipping all the graduation festivities.
That's when Maddie's mom knocked on my door, came into my room, and just gave me a huge hug. I finally let myself be sad and really feel the fact that I missed my parents. I cried and cried and cried. I'm pretty sure I probably got some snot on Lindsey's dress, too. Then she asked, "Is it okay if we pretend to be your parents for a while?" and offered to adopt me for a few days.
Between the Dixons, the Coxes, and about a million phone calls from my family members (my phone bill was almost twice its usual amount that month), I felt so incredibly loved and taken care of that weekend. While I missed having my family to celebrate with me, I still got to celebrate with family--with two families, full of people that I love and who were so kind, caring, and generous that they treated me as if I were one of their own.
Because of this experience and so many others that I had last year, I've thought a lot about compensation, and about how the Lord makes up for the trials and heartaches we experience by giving us blessings beyond measure.
In his October 2008 talk Come What May and Love It, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin teaches the principle of compensation beautifully:
I think a decent summary of my thoughts on the old year can be offered through a recap of the events surrounding my BYU graduation.
Last April, after a whirlwind decision to change my career path, I officially graduated with a B.A. in Linguistics. I was all sorts of happy and excited about it--though I was completely unsure what it was going to be like to not have school in my life--and I was proud of my accomplishments and all that jazz.
At this point, things were working out great. I had gotten approval to work a little longer at my job on campus, I had a new job lined up for a month and a half down the road, and I just felt this overwhelming sense of direction, peace, and purpose in life.
There was just one problem: my parents couldn't come to graduation. Things were especially difficult during that time financially (and physically for my dad), and it just wasn't a trip they could afford to make. Because I'm an adult, I tried really hard to be understanding and mature about it. I didn't let myself get sad over it, because what good would that have done? Every time Mama brought it up to apologize, I cut her off. Every time Daddy told me he was going to find a way to send Mama out here, I fussed at him for trying to spend money they didn't have. I did everything in my power to convince them (and myself) that I would be okay without having them here.
When my roommates got excited about their parents coming into town, I was a little jealous, but still pretty happy. My parents' absence didn't change the fact that I was loved, I finished finals confidently and with good grades, and that I was on my way to the next chapter of my life. But the shock finally came when graduation day rolled around and my parents didn't show up on my doorstep. Deep down in my heart, I guess I kind of hoped we'd get some sort of miracle that would have made them able to come. I had some sort of . . . dream (I don't know if that's the right word, but whatever) that they would come through at the last minute and surprise me on the big day. So much for my being a mature adult, huh?
My emotions really pulled a number on me then. I was taking forever to get ready, and before I knew it, Maddie's parents were at the apartment to pick us up. It was time to go and I still had to brush my teeth, finish zipping up my dress, put my shoes on, and who knows what else. I remember rushing to get ready and just being in kind of a daze from focusing so hard on not crying that I was trembling and scatterbrained. When I went to brush my teeth, I knocked over my makeup bag, sending all its contents to various parts of the bathroom. I thought about following my eyeshadow palette right into the toilet and just skipping all the graduation festivities.
That's when Maddie's mom knocked on my door, came into my room, and just gave me a huge hug. I finally let myself be sad and really feel the fact that I missed my parents. I cried and cried and cried. I'm pretty sure I probably got some snot on Lindsey's dress, too. Then she asked, "Is it okay if we pretend to be your parents for a while?" and offered to adopt me for a few days.
Between the Dixons, the Coxes, and about a million phone calls from my family members (my phone bill was almost twice its usual amount that month), I felt so incredibly loved and taken care of that weekend. While I missed having my family to celebrate with me, I still got to celebrate with family--with two families, full of people that I love and who were so kind, caring, and generous that they treated me as if I were one of their own.
Because of this experience and so many others that I had last year, I've thought a lot about compensation, and about how the Lord makes up for the trials and heartaches we experience by giving us blessings beyond measure.
In his October 2008 talk Come What May and Love It, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin teaches the principle of compensation beautifully:
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
Every tear will be returned with tears of rejoicing and gratitude. I love that! This means that every loss we experience--of friendship, hope, courage, strength, knowledge, and even the lives of loved ones--will be made up to us, and we can experience true joy in that restoration.
Looking back on the past year, I could go on forever listing the blessings I received, and yet my memory contains so few details of any sacrifices I may have made or losses I may have experienced to merit such compensation. That is a testimony to me that the scales of heaven are balanced in our favor, so that--as long as we love God, have faith in Him, and do His will--no loss is permanent or endured in vain.
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