Caterwauling

I download a lot of music (most of it turns out to be crap), but don’t really listen to it until I’ve loaded it onto my phone or burned a CD for the car.

But I came across this gem that I believe I heard on “Laguna Beach.” (Shut up.) It was playing on the way to work as I was stressing about, well, everything. And hot damn, I’ve found me a melody that I can totally dig as “my” song.

Here’s it is, with lyrics below the fold:

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You never know what’s going to happen when actors/actresses suddenly decide they want to, like, make a record or something. Given that their acting talents are usually nothing about which to brag, you wouldn’t mind for them to find another career, preferably one that doesn’t include them speaking or, for that matter, continuing to breathe. But some of them go into a record studio and actually turn out something quite good.

Brittany Murphy is the featured singer on Paul Oakenfold’s “Faster Kill Pussycat.” I have four remixes of it (I’m not sure which one I love most, but that’s not a bad problem to have). I was pleasantly surprised, but even if she didn’t do well, it’s hard to fuck up an Oakenfold song. Anyway, here’s the Club Mix:

And shock of all shocks, Paris Hilton’s single doesn’t suck. That’s about the nicest compliment you can pay her, sadly. I heard this on the radio the other day and couldn’t get the melody out of my head. Although you don’t have to think too hard to wonder what she’s referring to when she says, “I’ll show you mine.” Heh. Here’s “Stars are Blind”:

The “Grey’s Anatomy” season finale was fan-fucking-tastic, but I wasn’t “sobbing” crying. Just happily sniffling here and there.

And then, THEN, this song led us into the moment no one saw coming, and it was all over for me.

*shakes fist at Shonda Rhimes*

Damn it, I was FINE until I heard Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.”

Here, you cry too. I’ll pass you the tissues, that is, if there are any left. …

I found a new inspirational spot today, as I am apt to do when thoughts are overflowing out of my head. After work, I (voluntarily!) took a drive and found a lovely lake where I will most definitely take my journal when/if I ever find the damn thing. 😉

It will involve some hiking (gasp!) as I cannot pull the car right up to it, but no matter, as I am also oftentimes inclined to drive the car into random water bodies. So, exercise AND no suicide! Joy!

*cough*

In any event, I was listening to my favorite song of the moment as I parked the car and sat on it and watched the reflection of trees in the still waters. It was a strange and welcome symbiosis, how I was so lost in my mind yet I drove to a secluded paradise where I could work out the dramas du jour and *voila* to the perfect (for me) musical accompaniment.

So what would you say to me
If you could talk to me
You could ask anything
I wouldn’t lie
But you’re OK with this
Damaging awkwardness
So I’ll just play it safe
And keep it inside.

I was thinking back to Reader Poll Monday when Sherri asked whether we had secrets we’ve never spilled to anyone. And my answer is yes, although I can’t figure out how. I don’t have a poker face — I feel like I can’t hide anything … even if I don’t actually say it.

Sometimes I feel like I don’t have any surprises in me because anyone without a severe visual impairment can see where I’m coming from. Which is kind of inconvenient when I’m actually forced to decide whether or not to be upfront about what exactly it is that I am up to at any given time.

Anyway, I did come to a decision. Or, rather, it was strengthened. Now I just need to grow a set and hop to it, because even though my mind’s telling me to reconsider, my intuition’s saying to give it all I’ve got. The song I’m posting today says “Don’t be afraid of me,” but the person to whom I most need to say that very line is, well, me.

Boys might not cry, but girls sure do. But the best things in life aren’t the ones most easily achieved. I just hope my Grand Idea leads to my Grand Plan and not to another 14K Fuckup like so many of my schemes have.

On iTunes: Plumb, “Boys Don’t Cry”
[audio:Plumb_BoysDontCry.mp3]

But if we did, I’ll bet we’d collect the MP3s of our favorite songs from TV, in honor of a wonderful TV season in progress.

Given that I simply cannot write anything that tops the comment section of the ‘Badonkadonk’ entry (anyone who has ever thought about dating me, well, there’s my personal ad!), I’m postin’ music:

Here’s the theme song to “24” by Sean Callery, trance version:
[audio:24Theme.mp3]

Massive Attack’s “Teardrop” is the “House” theme — this is the Mad Professor Mazaruni Vocal Mix:
[audio:Teardrop.mp3]

“American Idol’s” Taylor Hicks rocked some “Just Once” last week:
[audio:JustOnce.mp3]

“American Idol’s” Chris Daughtry singing “I Walk the Line” (while I change my underpants. *swoon*):
[audio:WalkTheLine.mp3]

And with that, it’s four minutes till “Idol” time!!! 😀

Updated to include cheesy ’80s ballad goodness

Reader Poll Monday:

1. Do you pee in the shower?
I’m not above doing it, but no, not in my new apartment, anyway.

2. Do you buy organic/free range products?
I like organic stuff but I don’t go out of my way to consume it. I don’t care if the tasty pig or cow or succulent little baby lamb has had a hard life — only that it’s disease-free.

3. What was the highlight of your weekend?
A “welcome-to-the-neighborhood” dinner and tour of our humble area by the magnificent and engaging Nic and Vic.

I doubt it was the highlight of their weekend, however, as I was cracked out on various sinus meds and babbling incontrollably as my sangria intake increased. My apologies, friends!

4. What’s your favorite ’80s power ballad?
Picking my favorite Monster Ballad (or even just a favorite Bon Jovi song) is like asking me to name my favorite cat. I loved Mr. Big: “Just Take My Heart,” House of Lords: “Remember My Name” and Giant: “I’ll See You in My Dreams.”

Here’s the House of Lords song. I still swoon and hold up my imaginary lighter:

5. Have you ever been in a fist-fight?
I got into some fights in elementary and middle school. I didn’t start (most of) them, but I sure as hell finished them.

6. Do you have any secrets you’ve never told to another person?
Of course. You can refer to my series on Imaginary Conversations (start here and work backward from the links provided).

Of course, when you look at it that way, I suppose there’s not much that I’ve kept entirely to myself. I have no problem answering any question directly if it is asked, although I don’t always let folks get to know me well enough to know what to ask.

7. Would you rather consume a cupful of 5 randomly selected condiments, or a cupful of rotten milk?
Condiments. A friend of mine drank an entire bottle of Heinz ketchup on a dare once. I’d do it for money, though — she did it for fun.

8. About how many words per minute can you type?
130 on a good day.

9. What is your favorite thing about spring?
It ain’t allergies, I’ll tell you that. I’ll go with the longer days.

10. Ask me something.
As always, my question is for anybody who’s reading. What is the next major goal to cross off your to-do list?

Well, crap. Now that I’ve moved, my all-moving-talk, all-the-time schtick is sort of over. The odyssey went well, although I am debating exchanging my new TV for a slightly smaller one rather than buying a new entertainment center. Believe me, I’ve had worse problems. 😉

I think it’s a fine day to cop out of writing by sharing some of the latest tunage in heavy rotation in my world:

Trisha Yearwood, “Georgia Rain”
[audio:TrishaYearwood_GeorgiaRain.mp3]

Planet Funk, “Under the Rain”
[audio:PlanetFunk_UnderTheRain.mp3]

Keisha Cole, “Love”
[audio:KeishaCole_Love.mp3]

Kate Havnevik, “Unlike Me” (from “Grey’s Anatomy”)
[audio:KateHavnevik_UnlikeMe.mp3]

Leah Andreone, “Imagining You”
[audio:LeahAndreone_ImaginingYou.mp3]

Because I’d rather play on my website than, oh, pack up my kitchen.

Trying to share music the “legal” (*cough*) way …

Too busy to post. Or, for that matter, to form a thought. But doing better (mentally) overall, so put that one in the “plus” column.

Anyway, this is the latest song in heavy rotation. Enjoy!

Catie Curtis, “Troubled Mind”

Just got home from a week in Manhattan for a sales convention, which I actually love because it gets me out and talking to customers. This one was particularly grueling because I was popping Midol with my coffee, but it beat being in D.C. any day.

The event organizer has become fondly known as the “booth bubbe” because she’s got band-aids and chocolate and hand lotion and every supply you could possibly need to get you through one of these extravaganzas. Me? I’ve just started calling myself the “booth bitch,” and I should probably be offended that not a one of my colleagues disagreed with such a term. 🙂

Anyway, lots to say but I gots work to do. Here are some of the tunes I was listening to while zoning out in the quiet car on my train. I’m a lyrics fiend, so you can see why I like them:

“I’m smoking a cigarette as I wait for my train, scanning the faces for something of me that remains.”

Jodi Sheeler, “Boston”

“If you take the first step, I’ll follow you through.”

Kendall Payne, “Honest”

“When I tell you I’m falling, you tell me I’m strong.”

Patty Griffin, “Blue Sky”

“Expensive cabs and shitty food, washed down with canceled flights.”

Jewel, “Till We Run Out of Road”

“If I rained for you, it would just be water.”

Heather Nova, “Heart and Shoulder”

“I will never be with you.”

James Blunt, “Beautifiul”

“They try so hard to break out of their little worlds.”

EBTG, “Downtown Train”

“When your hands start to shake, and I promise you — they will. …”

Edie Carey, “Fall or Fly”