No We Didn't Light But We Tried To Fight It

Before anyone else asks...yesterday did not go as planned. I made it to Yankee Stadium and never got to the 1st pitch. Oh well.

So let's jump into it. It is Monday and it is time to shuffle.

We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel (12): So honestly, I am not even sure why this is on my iPod. I really, really, really don't like this song. In fact, I am willing to say that it is the worst Billy Joel song. The only excuse that I have for having it on the iPod is the I have every song from the two disc greatest hits collection on it...I was probably too lazy to take it off. I know that most people hail this song as a great recollection of world changing events but I don't buy it. In fact, I am willing to bet that given ten minutes on Google and I could come up with something similar. There is nothing special about listing a bunch of stuff to less than spectacular beat. To make matter worse...the video somehow manages to take it from bad to worse. Clearly this is an example of something thinking that he is cooler and tougher than he is. The whole table turning scene is laughable...especially since it was provoked by "rock and roller cola wars"....a fact that was lost on me until the fine folks at VH1 pointed it out. I am not sure that I hate the song enough to pull if off the iPod...but then again it annoys me enough that I never listen to it when it comes on. I don't even have a pick for the best line as the whole song annoys me.

Green Day Welcome to Paradise (245): This song always takes me to the days when I swore that Green Day was the second greatest band to ever grace the planet. While my tastes have matured some since then...I still enjoy listening to them and this song in particular. Usually I am a sucker for lyrics, it is the bass line in this song that sets it apart from all other Green Day songs. While Billie Joe was the star of the band...Mike was without a doubt the talent. One cannot listen to this song and not really get into it. This song is totally worthy of its back to back album release, though I still don't understand why it worked out that way. Lyrically it is pretty damn good. It really seems to capture the feelings of doubt and confusion that comes with being on your own for the first time. I think that it strikes a bell with me because of how much shit I got for moving to Las Vegas. Hell I still get a hard time for people who don't understand why I chose Las Vegas over college. I remember those rare nights when doubt would creep into my head and I would wonder what I was doing there. But for a short period of time, it really did feel like home. So in honor of my Vegas years, here is my pick for Best Line: "It makes me wonder why I'm still here, for some strange reason it's now feeling like my home and I'm never gonna go." Of course I did leave and that was OK too.

Kissing You by Des'ree (149): First of all...this song is the love theme to a Baz Luhrman movie which automatically gives it major bonus points. That being said, I absolutely love this song. One might ask if I love it so much than why is there such a low play count. The reason is that it is one of those songs that is almost too good and I have to be in the right mood to listen to it. I remember the first time I heard this I was sitting in the movie theater watching Romeo and Juliet with a group of friends. I remember being made fun of as I "ahh"ed the scene while this playing. I remember making my dad drive straight from the theater to Hastings Music Store in order to buy the CD. There is only a few lines in spite of the fact that it is like a 5 minute plus song. In spite of the few lines...it is still an incredibly romantic song. Honestly, I still melt a little every time I hear it. Best Line: " But watching stars without you...my soul cries." Baz is the man.

(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles by The Proclaimers (178): So this song is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine and based on the fact that it is still being played today...I am not the one who enjoys this song. I think that a large part of the success of the Johnny Depp movie Benny and Joon was because of this song. It really is one of those songs that you love to hate...and hate to admit that you love. It is also one of those songs that gets into your head where it will stay for days. You will find yourself in the shower or walking through the store singing "And I would walk 500 hundred miles and I would walk 500 more" before you realize that you singing it out loud. For that reason alone.....it is a totally awesome song. Best Line: "When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man whose lonely without you, and when I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream, I'm gonna dream about the time when I'm with you."

Shout At The Devil by Motley Crue (108): The only thing that I miss about Joba Chamberlain being a closer is hearing this song. You can't tell me that it wasn't totally bad ass the way he would run out of the bullpen as this song blared from the speakers. It was freakin' awesome. But I digress...aside for that...I don't have much to say about this song. It is not my favorite song by the Crue but it is pretty awesome. It is too tough of a song for me to listen to in public without people that I am crazy. Best Line: "He'll put strength to the test, he'll put the thrill back in bed".

Looking Back - Best Posts 1-3

Holy Smokes...I have made it to 200!?!?!?! Eat your heart out...critics be damned!

So here it is...the top 3 posts of the blog. While I did take into consideration all of the feedback that I received (thank you!)...I ultimately made the final decision on my own because...you guessed it...My Blog...My Rules. So here it is...the top 3 posts from my blog. Enjoy folks!

#3 Sexy Never Left: I'm Bringing Back...Yeah! OK so rereading this particular post gave me great joy. There is no doubt that it is one of my favorite posts of the blog. For the record, I still believe that PEOPLE got it wrong...as Matt Damon is not the Sexiest Man Alive. Of course, I highly doubt that PEOPLE would take my suggestion for that role seriously so I will keep it to myself. That being said...there is nothing sexier than a man who can shake a woman so much that she will spend all day hoping to hear his voice...and it is always worth the wait. That being said... this post was not devoted to sexy man...rather to sexy songs...which of course is right up my alley.

In this particular post, I chose my picks for the sexiest songs over the past 20 years. The first song that I picked was Wicked Game by Chris Isaak. I still believe that it is one of the most sexy songs ever written. I am surprised that it has not made one of my opening line postings as the first line is incredibly sexy. 'The world was on fire and no one could save me but you, it's strange what desire will make foolish people do." It certainly is. But moving on...the next line really hits it on the head. "I never dreamed that I'd meet somebody like you and I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you." No one really believes that they will meet someone whom they would be willing to give up everything for and when you do...the biggest fear that you have is that you will lose him. There is no fear regarding what you are giving for him (or to him), there is no fear about the risk involved with loving him...only the fear of losing him. Chris really captured that in this song....which is what makes it so damn sexy.

The next song discussed is Can't Help Falling in Love by UB40. Read the post if you want my opinion but I 100% stand by it. Bed of Roses is much sexier...and that is all that I have to say about that.

The next song mentioned was I Don't Want To Miss A Thing. I know what it is like to be willing to give up sleep just because you don't want to miss one moment with that someone special. Isn't that Starbucks Double Shot is for? At least...that is what I was told.

Iris was the next song...and I still believe that it is incredibly sexy song. I really don't think that I can say anything new about the song because I have blogged about it so much. Yet I realized that there is one line that I have not mentioned before that really is one of the better and sexier lines of the song. Throughout the song Johnny croons the line "I just want you know who I am". I have overlooked that line in the past because I have long been terrified of really letting anyone know the inner workings of my wacky brain. But when you really think about it, is there anything more amazing than meeting someone with whom you would actually want to share that with? I believe that if you meet someone that you really desire to share that much with....it has to mean something and should be embraced for whatever it is.

The post moved on to discuss Hero, Your Body is A Wonderland, and You're Beautiful...all hot songs. But I think that I hit on all that needed to be said in this post. Sexy is subject to individual opinion. The point is that is when you find someone that makes you feel that special way...it is worth everything to find out why....and if you are unsure...just listen to any one of these songs and you feel find the strength to pursue it.

#2 Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who Is the Master of It All. Honestly, this should come as no surprise. While this is not one of my longer postings...I doubt that there is post that I have put more thought into. (I realize how much of geek that makes me.) I cannot count how many times I have been asked if I had to choose...would it Jeter or Jovi. Crazy as it sounds...it really was a tough choice. Both men are amazing and have their strong points....so it took some time to make up my mind. That being said...as I listed some of the greatest features of two of the greatest men to grace the planet, it was quite clear to me that while Jon Bon Jovi is wonderful, Derek Jeter is slightly more wonderful, but Strider is better. I have no doubt that Strider is the real deal. He cannot give his all, but to have even a bit of his heart is better than to have none. The romantic in me will probably always long for Strider. While I know in my heart that he will never be "mine", it does not stop me from keeping the image of him in my heart. I am in love with the idea that a man could accept that he while he could not give the woman everything, that it was enough that he gave her something. That little ray of sunshine is everything to someone who has long lived in the dark. Strider is my light in the dark. For that reason alone, this is my #2 post....in spite of being #1 in my heart. " Ae u-esteliach nad, estelio han, estelio ammen." Oh and to answer the big question that came after I posted this post...yes I still think that Derek is the winner of the Jeter vs Jovi battle...no question.

Once again...drum roll please...the best post of the blog thus far is.....

#1 Its Like This and Like That and Like This and Uh... This should come as no surprise since it was a favorite of so many of my readers. The fact that Todd and Robin both agreed that this was their favorite post was miraculous enough...and therefore made it worthy of the #1 spot. Judging by the length of the post...serious thought when into writing it. The reason that this post is the clear cut winner is because it seems applicable to all of my readers. Either they experienced it first hand with me back in the 90s, or I can find a way to tie them into now. Every single song mentioned in this post is accompanied by a memory or is a song that I would to build a memory on. I remember that writing this post made me laugh, smile, and even cry. Rereading it had the same effect on me. If there is any doubt that it is the best...there is not now. It takes something special to have that kind of effect on me. The fact that it had that kind of effect on some of my readers makes it even more special.

While I blog to for me...it brings me great joy to know that there are readers out there out enjoy my ramblings. Here's hoping that the next 200 posts are equally entertaining.

Looking Back - Best Posts 4 - 6

We're Halfway There!

At the risk of sounding really lame...I have to say that a lot of the feedback that I have gotten so far about people's favorite posts has really meant a lot to me. It is quite interesting and flattering to hear what other people have found amusing about what I've written back. In fact, the three posts that we are going to highlight tonight were all recommended by readers. So let's go.

#6 Do You Like Scary Movies: Recommended by Rorai G who was actually watched most of the movies discussed in this posting...thus can attest to the amount of screaming that I do during a scary movie and by Monica V who said that it was her favorite post because it scared the hell out of her to read. Now I will be honest with you...I didn't actually reread this entire post...nor do I ever plan to. I have tried and I can never get past the picture of Michael Jackson from Thriller. Well I probably could but I wouldn't sleep for like three days. So let's move on....

#5 Seasons May Change Winter To Spring: Holy shit was I in a bad mood when I starting writing this post. Oh well. I think that my mood improved by the end. This is post of the most romantic lines from movies...according to Millie. Rereading them....I still fall for the lines...even though I know that they aren't meant for me. I can relate to each of them in my own way. I know what it is like to want someone even though you realize that he is everything that you never knew that you wanted. I know how painful it is to step back for a short period of time and hope that he comes back to you. I still believe that someone will rescue me and in turn allow me to rescue him. I believe that you can love a person even though you don't know why. I know how it feels to live on hope alone...hope that we will see each other again. I know the pain that comes with knowing that you can love someone completely and it still is not enough. To feel so content in someones arms that you can think of nothing but the amazingness of those arms. I still believe that there is nothing worse than to deny your heart what it truly desires. I know the risk that comes with falling in love with someone even though you know that he might not love you back. But more than anything...I know what it is like to be afraid of walking out of the room and never again feeling the way I felt while I was in there. Movie writers are freakin' awesome! Oh and this was a favorite Heather M...long time friend and loyal reader.

#4 Sway My Way: Is there anything greater than being able to write about music? Yes...and that is to write about music from movies. It is a pop culture geek's dream come true. A lot of thought went into selecting the songs for this post as were the movies that they are from. It is amazing how the right song can take an ordinary moment and turn it into an amazing moment. The kind of moment that sticks in your head and that you think of every time you hear the song. Each of these songs has done that for me and that is why they made the post. And that really is all that I want to say about it except that thanks goes to Robin and Conner G for recommending this one.

And tomorrow...the Top 3!

Looking Back - Best Posts 7-9

I was asked today why I am doing a best of countdown. No I am not closing the blog, nor taking a long hiatus or anything else along those lines. I am doing the a countdown because 200 posts seems like a good time to take a break and to reflect...especially since this blog has been going strong for over a year. (Seriously though...if anyone has the link to my old blog...I would greatly appreciate if you sent it to me. I have tried to Google it at least a dozen times and have had no luck finding it.) But I digress...it just seemed like the right time to reread and reflect.

So let's keep going.

#9 My Heart Is Like An Open Highway: While this is the 1st part to one of my favorite lines in music...I think that the 2nd part is a more appropriate way to describe my posting up until this point. Like Frankie said I did it my way. While I can't say that I blog for myself only (I spend more time thinking of ways to hide things within the blog than actually writing it but that is not the point...besides...I enjoy doing it more than you know)...I can say that I have held hard and fast to my rule of My Blog...My Rules. But I digress...this particular post recaps a night that I will never forget. While every Bon Jovi concert experience has itched itself permanently into my mind, this one will no doubt hold a place in my mind and heart as special. Of all of the people whom I have dragged to a Bon Jovi concert...Dino was the by far the most fun and appreciative. Years from now I know that he and I will still be like "Hey remember when we drove to Canada to see Bon Fuckin' Jovi!?!" We will laugh at the fact that he had so much trouble with Border Patrol. We will still complain about walking for blocks and not being able to find an open restaurant at @ 3 in the afternoon. We will do our best flamingo pose and wave our open cellphones as we sing our favorite Bon Jovi songs. Oh and it was an AMAZING concert...made greater by sharing it with one of my dearest friends.

#8 Your First Hit Should Always Be Your Best: So before we dive into why this is a good post, I think it should be noted that I showed an tremendous amount of restraint when writing this post. If there is any doubt that I can be a good sport when the occasion calls for it...read the opening line and get off my back. Anyway...moving on. Unless you are stumbling onto this blog for the first time...you should be well aware of the fact that I am sucker for opening lines of songs. This post is dedicated to some of the best opening lines in music. The neat thing about this post is that as I reread it, I realized that I wouldn't change a thing about it. While I admit that these might not be the best opening lines ever...they are my favorite opening lines. I love them as much tonight as I did last October when I wrote the post. That is a pretty neat feeling. As I reread each description and each first line, I got the customary chills that only be caused by a song that is more than just music...songs that are an important song in the soundtrack of my life. I know how it feels to willing to give up anything just to touch that special someone because you know that they feel you (and you feel them)...even though you both know how far apart you are. (OK so I threw in another song right there but once again...My Blog...My Rules.) I still agree with Paul Simon that when I think back on the crap I learned in high school...it is amazing that I can think at all. Some days I do wonder what my life is going to mean if its gone. I have accepted that I am often a question and am okay with not being the answer. And most amazingly and importantly, I still believe that this no greater nor honest line in music than the opening line of Honey & The Moon.

#7 iPod Shuffling: This is the post that started it all. Ever since the first shuffle...I have looked forward to Monday nights solely for shuffling. And it started from an idea given to me from one of my other favorite bloggers Chance. My favorite thing about that this particular posting are all of the little things in it that you have to know are there. Rereading it made me laugh and smile and reflect and remember why I need to be patient.

Check back tomorrow as we cover post 4-6.

Looking Back - Best Posts 10 -12

After reviewing every post as well as factoring in the feedback that was given to me by my loyal readers...I am finally ready to reveal the Top 12 posts on blog. So let's jump into it.

#12 It Doesn't Make A Difference If We Make It Or Not: It was hard to figure out what post would be the final one to make the best of list but after a lot of thought I knew that this one needed to be here. I think that it highlights the need to daydream as a way to survive. As I re-read this post, it made me feel slightly vulnerable. If you read this closely...it is a pretty safe bet that I was a bit sad on the night that I wrote this post. I rarely indulge in this level of daydreaming...and I almost never share it with anyone. More significantly, the hypotheticals seem to highlight my flaws and my desire to correct them. While I don't think that was intentional, this post turned out to be one of the more intimate ones that I have posted. Oh and it features a Bon Jovi shout out and a picture of the Traveling MC...so that gives it bonus points.

#11 Open Letter To All Those Who Are Not Terrified of Spiders: This post made the list as it was recommended by two regular readers of the blog. The funny thing is that they both loved this post for some of the same reasons in spite of the fact that these two men do not know each other. One has been a friend of mine for a couple of years and the other has known me longer than anyone else except for immediate family. Anyway...this is quite the amusing post. While I'd like to think that all of my posts are written similarly to the way I talk...there is no doubt that this one is. Todd said that he could actually hear me ranting as he read this. Papa Smurf pointed out that this post had a sense of urgency and distress...and that he loved how it really captured my fear of spiders. I like this post because it is real. As I re-read it, it gave me the chills a little bit as I relived that terrible moment when that jerk put his bastard spider on the counter next to me. Finally...I love this post because it is my version of a public service announcement. I am sure that somewhere out there my fellow archnophobics are thanking me for calling attention to situations such as these.

#10 The Dark Side: To answer one of the comments that was left after this post...no...there is not a situation that cannot be related to the greatness that is Star Wars. I love when I can compare more than one thing that I am passionate about into a power blog. In this case it was the mixing of Star Wars which is awesome and the New England Patriots who suck. It was almost too easy to compare Belichick to the Emperor. Comparing Tom Brady to Anakin Skywalker practically wrote itself. And any chance that I get to pay tribute to Andrew who is one of my favorite bloggers is a plus. I still think that Andrew hit the nail on the head when he theorized that the Emperor...I mean Coach Belichick had a hand in Randy Moss' near fall from grace. More importantly...rereading this post made me realize that I really cannot wait for football season to start. Robin...this post is for you since I know that you are a fan of my football posts.

Check back tomorrow for 7-9.

While the list is pretty much done...I will still hear arguments for your favorite posts.

Looking Back - Best Pics of the Blog

As I continue to go through my old posts, I decided to kick off this whole trip down on memory lane with my list of the best pictures to appear on the blog.

#20: Stubbs the Zombie...while I am no gamer...this picture does make me want to finish the game. He just looks cool.

#19: Mark Harmon from NCIS: What can I say? He just looks hot.

#18 Focus Factor: Fucking Franklin Covey. I hate him so much.

#17 Derek Jeter...'nuff said.

# 16 Eli/Luke: This picture reminds me that one cannot their fate anymore than these two can.

#15 Dino in a Box: A real friend will climb into a box simply because you asked him to.

#14 The truth about cell phones: It is funny because it is true.

#13 Nothing Like Family: I still really, really, really miss The 4400. Damn the USA Network for cancelling my show.

#12 My Superman: Call it a generational thing but Tom Welling is my Superman. One look at this picture and it should be easy to understand why.

#11 Vaderpod: As a person on her 3rd mp3-ish player...I can totally relate.

#10 Traveling MC meets Homeless Elmo: I still not what part of this whole situation disturbs me the most....but I love the pic.

#9 I Say...Take Me Out: Seriously....the great vidmod EVER!

#8 "Don't Run...We Are Your Friends": It has been about two months since I have seen Mars Attacks...in other words far too long.

#7 Bon Jovi: 'nuff said.

#6 Strider: Just because.

#5 What Would NPH Do? I love you man.

#4 BUUURRRRNS Red Sux!: My favorite Red Sux Protest Picture.

#3 Driven Black: Straight to my heart I'm afraid. This might be the most amazing picture of Derek Jeter I have ever seen.

#2 Traveling MC at Yankee Stadium: Short of getting a picture of the Traveling MC with say A-Rod or Johnny Damon...it is going to be really, really hard to top this one.

Drum Roll Please....

The #1 Picture on the Blog so far is....

Seeing this picture always makes me smile. I hope that I am not the only one.

Some Days I Make It Through and Then There's Nights That Never End

As another Monday rolls around I can honestly say why I look forward to Monday Night Shuffles so much. It basically boils down to the fact that there really isn't a better way to unwind than to lose myself in one of my favorite things on the planet...music. So let's get started.

Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw (38) - I think that a lot of people (myself included) tend to underestimate what a powerful song this is. This might be one of the better Tim McGraw songs simply because it is full of emotion and strong lyrics. There is an genuine feeling of pain in this song and that is what gets to me every time I listen to it. As you can see from the play count, I don't listen to it often because if I listen to on the wrong day...it will make me cry. Clearly the guy in this song did some bad things and hurt the girl that he is singing to....yet he loves her enough to wish her well. It takes a strong man to wish a better man for the girl that he loves. Of course...that probably meant next to nothing to girl at the time of the breakup but that is not the point. That being said, I suppose a good sing of being healed is to be able to look back remember someone fondly in spite of the fact that they hurt you deeply. Best line: "Remember me when you're out walkin', when the snow falls high outside your door, late at night when you're not sleepin' and light falls across your floor...when I can't hurt you anymore".

Just Want You To Know by The Backstreet Boys (125) -Take this how you will but this my favorite Backstreet Boys song. What can I say...it is just a good song that is fun to sing to. If I had a dollar for every time I sang this song on the top of my lungs in the car...I would probably be able to fill my car up with gas. In addition to the great harmonies of the song...the lyrics are simple, honest, and just plain good. While it is not a ballad, it does provoke the same effects of ballad in the sense that it causes me to close my eyes, tilt my head, and do the back bend (though not at this particular moment as I am still in some pain) as I sing it. Anyone who has ever tried to get over someone knows the feelings in this song. Some days you do make it through and you find yourself up all night...time passing oh so slowly. That is the effect that being hopeless addict to someone can have on even the strongest person. Best Line: "You and I were everything, everything to me." There is nothing worse than for someone to be your everything...especially when you realize that you are nothing to him.

Let Me Let Go by Faith Hill (64) - The reason that this song is so good is because it captures how truly miserable it is to a be a slave to your memories. It is impossible to move on when everything reminds you of what (or more likely who) you are trying to forget. The pleading in this song is what sets it apart from most other songs like this. You can hear the desperation in her voice as she begs to move on with her life....especially since he has moved on with his. Best Line: "In fact, not a single minute passes without you in it, your voice, your touch, memories of your love are with me all of the time".

Everybody's Changing by Keane (214) - Keane is one of those bands that you can't quite say why you like...you just do. While this is not one of their more popular songs...its one of their better written songs. It hooked me with the first line...so I knew that I would always like this song even though it is not the best line of the song. The opening line is "You say that you wander your own land but when I think about it I don't see how you can." It is one of the those lines that just makes you think. While also not the best line of the song the last line is also great which is "I try to stay awake and remember my name but everybody's changing and I don't feel the same". It makes me think about how one can change because of the people around them even if they don't want to. Way to finish strong Keane. If you don't have any Keane in your music collection...I cannot stress enough that you really should. Best Line: " You're aching, you're breaking and I can see the pain in your eyes, says everybody's changing and I don't know why". It is sad line but it is also romantic to think that someone would look close enough in ones eyes to see that.

Your Body is Wonderland by John Mayer (256) - Allow me to have a girly moment and admit that I am sucker for this song. I know that it is incredibly cheesy and it is the equivalent of a boy band song...I still melt every time I hear this song. Not that I think that my body is a wonderland or anything but I can't help but wish that someone else felt that way. I don't know. A friend of mine once tried to ruin this song by pointing out that it is full of lines that a smooth talking player would use on a lovestruck girl...and part of me sees his point. The other part of me wants to believe that Prince Charming is out there and he is singing this song. Without a doubt the Best Line: " Damn baby you frustrate me, I know you're mine all mine all mine but you look so good it hurts sometimes". You can't tell me that this isn't a totally hot line.

Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler (141) - One of the all time most fun songs to sing in the world. It is another one of those sings that you really have to get into when you are singing or else you can't pull it off. You don't have to sing it well...you just have to sing it like you mean it. I have heard this song butchered more times than I can count and yet I love more than I probably should. Of course...the best moment for this song has got to be the scene in Old School when the drunk guy is singing this at the wedding and he decided to add his own touch to the song. So as he is busting out one of the greatest songs that came from the 80s, he nonchalantly sings "Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the fuckin' look in your eyes" It happened so quickly that hardly anyone notices except for Mitch who looks around to see if anyone else noticed it. Just when he seems to think that he imagined it the singer does it again when he sings "And I need you now tonight, I fucking need you more than ever." Once again it happened so quickly that hardly anyone notices but good old Mitch who looks confused and amused at the same time. For some reason I found this scene to be one of the funnier parts of the movie and from that moment on...every time I hear or sing this song...I cannot help but sing it his way instead of the real way. But I digress...it really is a great song. Best Line: "Every now and then I know there's nothing any better and there's nothing that I just wouldn't do".

Well folks...still no word back on my xray which I am guessing is either a really good sign or a really bad sign. Hopefully I will know the answer to that tomorrow but we'll see. My bigger concern is the current playing of my Yankees.