Music + Sports + Writing = Therapy
Posts tagged Friends
Summer Breeze
Jul 11th
Summertime and the living is easy … mostly. Riley’s at day camp every day while Ryan and I work (this week she’s in Town Creek with my parents), we’ve been spending lost of time with friends, and we’ve spend lots of time at the softball field since she made all-stars. (We played two tournaments and didn’t do so hot, but the experience was so good for Riley’s confidence and her desire to win. But that’s another post.)
Anyway, these are the songs we’ve been listening to this summer–some old, some new. Riley enjoys most of them, but don’t worry, I keep the dirty words to myself. And I’m not including her HSM songs, because, really, when they’re playing year-round they don’t make the Summer Playlist.
Pardon Me–Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights
Baby, Baby–Justin Bieber
All I Do Is Win–DJ Khaled, et al
Baby Jane–Rod Stewart
Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight–Amos Lee
Not Afraid–Eminem
She’s a Bad Mama Jama–Carl Carlton
I Want A Love I Can See–The Temptations
Carryout–Timbaland, Justin Timberlake
The Ballad of Jayne–L.A. Guns
Your Love is My Drug–Ke$ha
Love Uncompromised–Jason Castro
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That’s the way I like it
Jun 21st
Here’s a fun music survey from Music Savvy Mom. Post your answers on your blog and link back to me and MSM. 
What is your favorite band/artist? (Specify “right now” or “all time”)
Elvis. See below for why.
What is your least favorite band/artist? (Specify “right now” or “all time”)
Rascal Flatts
What genre of music do you LOVE? (Gotta pick just one)
Rock ‘n’ roll
What genre of music do you HATE? (Gotta pick just one)
Electronica, or whatever you call it.
What is a song that you love?
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Elvis)
What is a song that you find incredibly annoying?
Anything by Rascal Flatts, except Fast Cars & Freedom
What is your favorite “embarrassing guilty pleasure song”?
I don’t feel guilty about any of the music I like, even New Kids on the Block.
If you were in/involved with a hugely popular band … what “position” would you most want to fill & why?
Biographer … I’m a writer, and I’d like to travel and see what road life is really like.
What “position” would you NOT like to attempt & why?
Publicist … I don’t lie very well.
If you could meet one musician who has passed away, who would it be and why?
Elvis, because he took the best of rock and the best of soul and melded them into a whole new experience.
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We are the champions
Jun 4th
Riley’s team beat its nemesis of the last two years to win the tournament championship 8-4. Riley had two RBIs and scored once. Below, is the game in pictures, starting with me and my friend Melissa (our third baseman Kam’s mom) just before Ryan threw the first pitch.
Yeah, we know. We’re hot.
Riley is ready for some action.
Riley gets a hit …
That ended up as a “triple …”
And she scores!
“Would someone please hit it to me? I’m getting bored.”
Senators win! Yay!
Momma showing off her team spirit!
Gerald (Kam’s dad) and my daddy taking in the celebration
Riley and one of her best friends, Kam
Ryan and Riley & Gerald and Kam
Riley & Ryan, who pitched an awesome game
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Random thoughts
May 26th
My fantastic friend This Belle Rocks awarded me with Gorgeous Blogger and Versatile Blogger awards. Sweet!
So in the spirit of following the rules, here are 7 random things about me:
1. I have a widow’s peak, so no blunt bangs for me.
2. Summer is my favorite season. I love hot weather.
3. When I was little I wanted to be a gymnast or a dancer.
4. I’m psyched that Riley loves both those things.
5. I have two crooked toes on my left foot.
6. I experience deja vu and a sort of ESP thing a lot. But I keep it quiet.
7. I’m addicted to Mountain Dew.
Tag! You’re it:
Val at Cochlear Kids
Nanette at Say it, don’t spray it
Mari at Mari’s Virtual Notebook
Meg at Exile on Main Street
I haven’t been around much lately because I’ve been busy with work, end-of-school activities, softball and dance recitals. I hope to get back to blogging more regularly. OK, that’s it. Gotta run!
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Apr 7th
Riley has to finish these three before getting the next one.
I took Riley to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid a couple of weeks ago. It was a snap decision. We got home from my parents’ house on Friday evening at 4:30, saw the trailer about 5 and were showered and at the Rave by 6. She loved it! I enjoyed it, too, but the main character, Greg Heffley, was not my favorite. Rowley was.
Now, Riley has the books, but I haven’t read them, so I had no idea what the story was. Greg was not a nice friend, and having a pain-in-the-butt for an older brother was no excuse. Although, Rodrick was kind of cute. Rodrick is always getting Greg in trouble, and Mom never gives Greg the benefit of the doubt. Dad? He’s just clueless, while little brother Manny is adorable.
What I loved about Rowley (aside from his red hair) is that he’s just himself. He dresses how he likes, he plays, and he’s a good friend. Angie was a cool character, and I would’ve liked to have seen her in the movie more. She could be a great role model for girls.
Patty was hilarious. We’ve all known a super obnoxious kid like her, right? The girl who always has to be first, always in the spotlight and always makes sure everyone knows how great she is. Ugh!
Fregley (who is from Alabama) was disgustingly funny. But ewww! Gross! And Chirag … what a cute kid! The “cheese touch” cracked me up not only for its absurdity, but also for the way Chirag told the story. Classic middle school.
It’s worth the trip to the theater, and it led to a discussion on how to be a good friend. Like Rowley. Even if your friend is a little different. Like Rowley.
The movie made me want to read the books. And I will. As soon as I have time.
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Jason Castro goes hip-hop
Feb 17th
Thanks to Castrocopia for this little gem: a hip-hop class set to Jason Castro’s “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again.”
A friend and I are going to see Jason in a couple of weeks in Birmingham at Workplay. This will be the first time I’ve seen him since the “American Idol” tour stop in D.C., which was a blast. I’m looking forward to hanging out with friends and hearing Jason’s new songs.
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New Moon for $1
Feb 17th
From the latest issue of Details
I went to see New Moon tonight with a friend – it was my third viewing and her first. Each time I’ve seen the movie I’ve noticed something or heard something different, so it’s worth the cost.
Tonight, however, we paid only $1 to see it.
I had no idea there was a dollar theater here. You can see a movie, have popcorn and a coke for 3 bucks. Seriously, that’s cheap entertainment.
We got the best seats in the house – middle of the back row.
We were also happy to just get out of the house since a holiday then snow and icy weather have canceled school the last two days.
Now we can’t wait until Eclipse this summer. We won’t have to wait long to see the trailer at least – it will be shown before Robert’s latest release Remember Me.
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Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights
Feb 10th
Kim and I headed to Crossroads in the pouring rain to hear Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights. I have been waiting for this day for more than a year now.
We got there early and headed for the bar and a drink. We camped out in a booth near the sound board and waited. It wasn’t long before I spotted bassist 
Nick Jay and introduced myself. We chatted for a moment then he went to change clothes for the show.
A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, I see a guy walking up to the bar. Yep, it was Jonathan Tyler. I waved and went to say hi. Bless his heart, he remembered our conversation on Twitter, and he came over and talked to me and Kim.
Soon we were hanging out at the pool tables watching JT, Nick, Jordan Cain (drums), Brandon Pinckard (guitar) and Jimmy (tour manager) rack ‘em and break ‘em before showtime. The guys were easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say.
Once onstage, joined by fabulous vocalist Mo Brown, the band did not disappoint. Opening with a cut off their upcoming album Pardon Me, slated for release in April, they got the crowd, 
though sparse, moving. From my post leaning on the stairs, I could see folks bobbing their heads, tapping their toes and doing that little shoulder shake we all do when we hear something we like.
They played two of my favorites Slow Train and Gypsy Woman, and though I’m sure I looked a fool, I couldn’t help but dance while shooting some photos. Good music always makes you move.
Their music? 
Gritty, honest, soulful, Southern, bluesy rock. But listen yourself. And don’t let Jonathan’s soft-spoken, sweet voice fool you. This man can sing, with power. JTNL are not some little bar band hoping to make some cash. They have played with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, AC/DC, even drawing a huge crowd, and an unheard of encore, at the Austin City Limits Music Fest.
After the much-too-short set, Kim and I finally met Mo and Brandon, took advantage of photo ops and the merch table, and shared a round of shots with the band. Maker’s Mark. (And I managed to stay upright.) We got the scoop from poet, playwright, author and singer-songwriter Mo, chit-chatted with the dudes and watched a few games of pool before it was time to load out.
All in all, it was one of the best music experiences I’ve ever had. Not only are they great musicians, they are nice, asking about our lives and including us in the conversation. Now that’s how you connect with fans … and keep them.
Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights are going to make it big. Right now, they’re touring the country, and if you get a chance to hear them, take it. I promise you won’t regret it.
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Sound Check Mama’s going out tonight
Feb 4th
Oh, yes, I’m finally getting to see Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights tonight. They’re playing at Crossroads, and my friend Kim and I are going. I’ll have a full report and hopefully photos tomorrow.
Meanwhile, go listen to some JTNL at MySpace.
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