Life Was A Song....

I do not cry for my Grandfather...as I am certain that he is already watching over his family from above. I do not cry because he drank, laughed, and sang until the end...which is all he ever wanted to do. I cry for those of us that are left here trying to figure out how to fill the gap that he left behind. He is the only person that I have ever met who lived and loved his life completely and did so on his own terms. I cannot put into words how dearly I loved him and how much I will miss him.

Blogging will be sporadic as I will be going home at some point in the next few days.

Though They Try...They'll Never Break Me

Let's start out by saying that I am quite pleased with the World Series match up. Sure my evil plan did not end up working out but that is okay. If the Yankees cannot be in the World Series, all I can ask is that the Red Sux are not there either.

Now enough about baseball...let's shuffle.

You Can Sleep While I Drive by Melissa Etheridge - Here is another example of why Melissa is one hell of a song writer. This is such a sexy and romantic song and most people don't even know it. Start with the title...you can sleep while I drive. That in itself is a pretty romantic gesture but when you add to the point of the song...it goes to new level. Think about it, the singer is offering to drive while the other one sleeps just to get out of town. Sometimes the desire to get away is so strong that it is almost impossible to fight the urge to just get into the car and drive. It is definitely a download-worthy song. Best Line: "There's a chill in my bones, I don't want to be left alone so baby you can sleep while I drive."

Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood - Alright Carrie, this song is exactly why men tend to call us ladies crazy. I never realized how crazy this song is until Andrew blogged about it and now I am even a little bit afraid. The repeated "right now"s of the song scream obsessive stalker because only someone who is slightly over the edge would spend so much time thinking about what he is doing "right now" over and over again. Then of course there is the specifics that come from saying that she "took a Louisville Slugger to both headlights". Andrew made an excellent point that most people would lack the specific details of the brand of bat used to beat the shit of the car. Then there is the hatred of "bleached blond tramp" who is singing "a white trash version of Shania karaoke". Why is that a girl always hates the other woman...who really hasn't done anything wrong? The scariest part of the song has to be the fact that Carrie's voice seems to escalate to a rage as the song progresses. Hell...after hearing this song even I am afraid to fuck with Carrie. Better watch your back Jessica. Best Line "The next time he cheats...no it won't be on me." No shit.

Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance: Quite honestly this song is absolutely awesome. I tend to forget how awesome until I hear it and then I always think "why don't I listen to this song more often?". You can't tell me that you don't get just a little pumped up whenever you hear it. The opening minute and half of the song actually is a little bit annoying but once you get past that...it totally kicks ass. I actually think that this would be a perfect karaoke song. Whenever I hear this song I feel somewhat defiant and get a "fuck you" attitude though I am not exactly sure towards whom. Maybe that is why it is such a great song. It inspires the listened to "carry on" and that can mean anything to anyone. The important thing is that it stirs the desire to fight the good fight and that can't be a bad thing. Seriously though...this is an awesome tune! Best Line: "So paint it black and take it back, let's shout it loud and clear, do you fight it to the end, we hear the call to carry on."

I Don't Care by Fall Out Boy - I seriously love these guys more with every song. It is actually a little dangerous because they have broken into my Top 10 favorite bands and they are putting out new awesome songs unlike other contenders such as Blink 182 and Green Day. This is another song that just gets me all pumped up. If I could dance around right now...it would be to this song. Hell...I think that it is going to replace "Shake It" as my primary ring tone on my phone. Say what you will about Fall Out Boy but musically they are extremely talented. Their songs are cleverly written and most importantly...Patrick has the best voice of any new band at the moment. As I have said before...when he belts a line it sends chills down my spine. The man can wail and I love it. Now the best part of this song is the last 1:15 because Patrick really shows off in this part He starts out channeling the Chris Isaak in him before just busting out. It is freaking outstanding. Best Line: "I don't care what you think as long as it's about me, the best of us can find happiness in misery."

See The Sun by The Kooks - And here is an example of why it is worth it to download the free iTunes downloads every week even if you don't know the song. I have never heard of this song before and it has become one of more frequently listened to song. It is also a ton of fun to sing...it is usually a song that is sung in the shower. I don't know why I have so much singing this as I wash my hair in the morning but it is. I usually sing it a little bit louder and more off key on the mornings where I am smiling before I get out of bed which means that it makes me smile later on throughout the day. The funny part is that this song cheers me up and helps me keep my head together. I wouldn't say that it helps with the patience but whenever I start to feel frustrated, I listen and sing this song and realize that it hits the nail on the head. It is no longer a free download but I think that you should download it anyway. It is worth $0.99. Best Line: "Yeah no matter what you do, take a look at yourself and realize I've been good to you". It is true, you have and I am grateful.

Stand By Me by Ben E King - This has got to be one of the greatest songs of all time. It is definitely one of the greatest love songs of all time. I doubt that there is a person who doesn't have a memory to this song or wouldn't like to have one. Whenever I hear this song I can still smell the campfire. There really isn't much else to say....it is just an awesome song. Best Line: "No, I won't be afraid, oh, I won't be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me." Nothing is ever as scary when you have someone special at your side.

Finally...yes I heard about Joba and guess what...I still love him. So for all of you who keep texting me about it...it is not having the effect that you are hoping for. I don't condone what he did but he was a man about it and that is yet another reason why I am totally a Joba fan.

That Was A Chest Bump

So perhaps it is the fact that my mood is a little poor to begin with or maybe it is because I am watching more TV than usual courtesy of my damn name but several commercials are really starting to piss me off. You know what they say about misery loving company...here they are.

Lets start with the new Brooke Shields VW commercials. Call me uptight but something about this just seems kind of wrong.



Moving on...and let me point out that is the main reason I stopped watching the playoffs last year...those damn Frank TV commercials! I hate them so much. Every time I hear the beginning of one...I want to throw something at the TV.



The damn Free Credit Report Commercials. So help me, they just seem to be getting worse with each damn commercial. Someone has to stop the madness. This one by far is reason enough to never watch live TV.



Carfax...I miss the quiet, less annoying ones that joked about "new carpets" and "fresh coats of paint". Oh well.



Now if I could pick my commercials...here are a few that I just can't get enough of.

Eli and the Chest Pump.



Joba's Mo's Commercial.



Derek's Gillette Razor Commercial



Now if someone can find me Derek's Gillette Deodorant commercial...I would be one happy girl.

Finally...I have to say that I am disgusted with the Devil Rays. They don't deserve to go to the World Series...damn it all.

Going Down To South Park...Gonna Have Myself A Time

So I gotta say that after last weeks season opener of South Park I had serious doubts about being able to continue to follow the show. In fact, I have yet to talk to anyone who wasn't a little bothered by the season opener. But never the less...I decided to take a break from the massacre that was the Dodgers/Phillies game and watch tonight's episode. Honestly...I really just needed a laugh because today totally sucked.

I have to say that it was one of the funniest episodes that I have seen in a very long time. It is so funny that it warrants its one post..brief though it might be.

WARNING.....WARNING.........Spoiler Alert......WARNING.......WARNING

So it starts with Wendy giving a speech on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In typical Cartman form, he laughs every time she says the word breast as well as cracking lame jokes about "Killer titties". Wendy decides that she has had enough of his shit and challenges him to a fight after school. At first Cartman thinks that it is a good idea until he realizes that she is serious about kicking his ass. He also grows concerned when Butters points out that if he loses, everyone will think that he is a fag. So Cartman tries to make peace with Wendy but she refuses to back down unless Cartman apologizes in public. He refuses so Wendy's anger escalates to the point where she tells him that she is going to "kick his fucking ass" and that she is going to make him eat his own underwear in front of everyone. He misunderstands this to be his way out so he proceeds to eat his own underwear. Wendy laughs at him but is still determined to fight him. Cartman even pleads with Stan to stop Wendy by saying "Dude you are my bro and she is your bitch. I can't beat up my bro's bitch." Determined not to fight with her...Cartman resorts to desperate measures and earns himself detention by going to the bathroom on Mr. Garrison's desk.

As a result of the detention and against Cartman's wishes, the fight get rescheduled for first thing in the morning. Cartman then plays his ever reliable last card...and cries to his mom. Mrs. Cartman takes him to Wendy's house where he cries to her parents and accuses her of being a bully. In spite of pleading her case that it is justified, her parents forbid her to fight Eric. So being the bigger person, she goes to school and refuses to fight even though Eric denies that cried to his mom and calls her the baby.

Yet that isn't all that is up Cartman's sleeve. He starts off the school day by giving his own presentation on Breast Cancer Awareness by cracking rude (but humorous) jokes that send Wendy flying off the hook. As she starts to berate him, Principal Victoria pages Wendy over the speaker to get into her office. Expecting to get yelled at for being a bully, Wendy is thrown a curve ball when Principal Victoria practically orders her to fight Cartman. She did under the guise of doing it to stop Breast Cancer however it was a lovely play on words as she described the cancer as a "a fat lump of pure evil that must be stopped". More determined than ever, Wendy storms out of the office and goes straight to the playground to get Cartman his due.

In what is my favorite fight scene in all of South Park world, Wendy proceeds to beat the shit out of Cartman. I am talking an all out ass beating. At one point she is banging his heat against the jungle gym. By the end of it, he is lying bloody and beaten in the mud and Wendy is using what little energy she has left to kick him in the ribs. Normally I would be against anyone kicking some one while they are down but in this case...I loved it. By the end of the fight...everyone including the ever loyal Butters is cheering for Wendy. The fight ends with Wendy calmly stating that she is done and simply walks away. It was freakin' awesome!

I am not sure why I enjoyed it so much. Perhaps it is because the last person to truly square off against Cartman ended up eating his own parents or because Wendy was fighting evil and for a good cause...I can't really say. I do know that she is one of...if not my favorite character on the show. And if you remember way back to Season 1 Wendy warned everyone...."Don't Fuck With Wendy Testaburger".

You & Me Babe...How 'Bout It?

So I know that it is Tuesday and I should have shuffled last night but I didn't not. What can I say? The excitement of two playoff games and one Monday Night Football game plus the fact that Crazy Taxi was paying triple points and cash last night kept me away from the blog. So I will make up for it tonight because I cannot get comfortable because of my knee. So let's get started.

Forever by Mariah Carey - I had forgotten about this song until the evil genius that is iTunes Genesis recommended it. There is nothing spectacular about this song lyrically or musically but that's okay. Not every song has to be excellent to be enjoyable. It is a sweet song to the one who got away. Vocally it is not Mariah's best song but the fact is that it is well sung and I enjoy it. Well done Genesis...it was worth the $0.99 to have it on the iPod. Best Line: "If you should ever need me unfailingly I will return to your arms and unburden your heart."

Walk On Water by Eddie Money - I swear that Eddie Money was under appreciated in his time. Every time I hear one of his songs I am reminded that he had a pretty damn good voice. This is not one of my favorite songs by him...it is still pretty damn good. When I heard it just now it actually made me feel pretty guilty. It is not fair to doubt the love of someone that you love. This song talks about mistakes that have been made and the fact is that things are bound to happen in any relationship...big things and little things. It made me promise myself to keep that mind because it really is silly to get upset over a little thing like not getting to talk to someone when planned. The best line of the song is also the opening line so that makes it even better. Best Line: "Well if I could walk on water and if I could find some way to prove, if I could walk on water would you believe in me? My love is so true."

Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits - This song recently became the #1 played song on my ipod. It is hard to point out one single reason why I love this song so much...because everything about this song works. It is so good that I never get sick of it and I never fail to smile when I listen to it. It is such a romantic song that is wonderful because it is real. What can I say...it is one of the best songs of all time...in my humble opinion. It is hard to pick the best line because so many of them are great. Perhaps it is the fact that this song understands that "the timing is wrong". Perhaps it is the sexiness of the challenge "You & Me Babe...how 'bout it?" It is probably the fact that it has one of the most real and romantic lines in a song ever with "I can't do everything but I'd do anything for you, can't do anything except be in love with you". Whatever it is about this song...it melts my heart every time I hear it...and that is a good thing. Best Line: "The dice were loaded from the start and I bet and you exploded in my heart." Great song...truly is.

What the hell is happening in the world of baseball? There is no reason that the Dodgers or the Red Sux should be trailing 3-1 and yet they are. I can handle the disappointment of the Dodgers not going to the World Series as long as the Red Sux are also watching it from their couches. The good news is that it looks like they will be. I just hate the Red Sux so much.

As long as Boston doesn't win the ALCS... I am good. Either way...I am working on my "Let's Go Phillies" chant because I will cheer from them regardless of who they play in the championship.

Buy Me Some Peanuts & Cracker Jacks

Wow. I didn't realize that the last What Is was so tough. If one more song would have been identified...I bet the Final Jeopardy would have been guessed. The answers were:

200 - Hungry Eyes by Eric Carmen

400 - Head Over Feet By Alanis Morrisette

600 - Down On My Knees by Trisha Yearwood

800 - Arms Wide Open by Creed

1000 - Put Your Head On My Shoulder

Final - Parts of the Body

Moving on...so here are my random thoughts from this weekend in sports.

Let's start with the Longhorns beating the Sooners. While I am no longer the devoted Husker fan of my youth, my Big Red Pride is still there. For you non Big 12 fans...this means that there is only time of year that I won't wish bad things on the Longhorns and that is when they take on the Sooners. The Sooners are the Red Sux of college football. I truly dislike their presence. So you can bet that I watched with great pleasure yesterday as the Longhorns somehow how outplayed the #1 Ranked Sooners.

Let me say that I was less impressed with the Red Sux/Rays game...but only because the damn thing refused to end. By the final inning...I didn't care who won as long as it just ended. I mentioned this to someone this morning who asked why I simply didn't turn off the TV. By the time you make it to extra innings...it would be a sure sign of weakness to give up. One must stick it out to the end...no matter what the cost.

Can someone please tell me just what in the hell is going on with the Jets? No I am not talking about their playing...I am talking about their damn uniforms. First of all...when I first turned on the game I thought I had it wrong and Pittsburgh was playing. Where is the Jets green? Secondly...why do the uniforms look like practice jerseys from the 80s? I have never been a fan of the retro look and this is exactly why. Finally...did you notice the sideline hats? Why in the hell is there a T on them? If it is supposed to be cool...it is lost on me. Oh and it was it rather boring game until the end.

Hooray for the Rams getting their first win of the season. I have abandoned them for good but it was still nice to see them win.

Every Sunday is good Sunday whenever Peyton leads the Colts to a win.

Let's talk about that Cowboys/Cardinals game. Who expected that the Cardinals would be able to beat the TO and the boys. I for one was quite pleased. I do have to say that my heart still flutters whenever Kurt Warners smiles.

Was today the day of terrible calls and bad plays or what? I know that one of the commentators joked that the refs would be sore from throwing all of those flags but as lame as it sounds...he is probably right. What a crazy day in the gridiron.

The highlight of the weekend in sports has got to be tonight's Dodger/Phillies game. First of all...Jamie Moyer looked terrible which was a bummer. I guess I have to say that I love his commercials...hate his skills on the field. I was not surprised when he hit the 1st Dodger...and super excited when he hit the 2nd one because I knew that something would come of it. (I have been wanting to see a fight since I missed the one between the Yankees and the Angels.) So I was not surprised to see Kuroda throw at a Phillie. It was bittersweet that it was Shane Victorino. On one hand it was awesome because he was so classy about it and on the other hand it was a bummer because he was so classy about it. He didn't rush the pitcher which was a bummer but he reacted in the most professional way ever. I was most impressed by his willingness to accept being thrown at...as long as it wasn't in the head. It was awesome. I don't know what exactly was said to provoke the bench clearing incident that followed but it was still pretty cool. Nobody threw in punches but it was still cool. I loved when Joe Torre had to hold Manny back from starting an all out brawl. I have to admit that I am becoming a Manny fan. He is awesome now that he is not in that dreaded Red Sux jersey.

Oh and it was cool that they finally won. There is still hope.

What Is....

Answer to Final Jeopardy - Songs from the Billboard's Top 100 from 1988.

Tonight's Category: Name That Song

$200 - I look at you and I fantasize that you're mine tonight.

$ 400 - You treat me like a princess and I'm not used to liking that.

$ 600 - No one matters more in my life or makes me feel like you make me feel inside.

$ 800 - I'll show you love...I'll show you everything.

$1000 - If there's a way, I'll find it some day and then this fool will rush in.

Final Jeopardy - What do these songs have in common?

So this should be the final night that I do the Jeopardy thing. Sleep seems unlikely so my brain might actually start functioning in its normal, sleep deprived capacity soon.

On a baseball note...Damn the Dodgers and them ruining my evil plan.