Back in September, I was browsing around on Facebook and came across a note that someone had written about the things that he did in 2009 that he had never done before. I really enjoyed reading it and felt inspired to write my own list. It's amazing how many things one person can experience in a year. I hope this inspires some of my friends and readers to do the same!
Here are the new things I experienced in 2010
January:
-Toasted to the new year with champagne with a huge group of friends (the first time I toasted with something with alcohol in it)
-Had a picture taken with celebrities (The band Everclear after winning tix and meet and greet passes on the radio, went with my cousin Katy)
February:
-Cut my own hair (like over a foot off... and kinda butchered it, but my Mom was able to fix it)
March:
-Went to my first 3D film (Alice in Wonderland)
-Attended a Q&A of one of my favorite filmmakers, Kevin Smith
-Encountered the Westboro Baptist protesters (in front of Midland theater before Kevin Smith Q&A)
-Attempted to do my own taxes (using one of those free Internet programs) and found more credits than my Dad did (who normally does mine)... and got a nice return!!!
April:
-Enrolled a child for school
-Spent an entire Saturday watching movies I had never seen before (total of 5 movies that day)
May:
Donated money for a walk (ended up doing two donations: one for Hospital Hill Run and the other for Crohns Colitis walk)
June:
-Made a cake using one of those Wilton cake molds (it was a palm tree), I also experimented with food coloring for the icing
-Successfully removed Malware from a laptop (with the help of my best friend walking me through it via text messages)
July:
-Attended the Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live audience and "lost my virginity" (ended up going a total of 5 times this year, would have been 6 if the last showing wasn't sold out before I got to the theater, grrr)
-Started blogging
-Used diet pills
-Went on a first date since my divorce
-Failed a background check for a potential employer
August:
-Hired at a job that I never applied to (and accepted)
-Put a child on a nightly, routine bedtime
September:
-Attended the wedding of an ex-boyfriend (was my high school sweetheart Ben)
-Went to a bachelorette party
-Went to a strip club
October:
-Ate all four courses while dining at a restaurant (Melting Pot)
-Tried duck and ratatouille (Melting Pot)
-Attended a drag show (Flo's Cabaret)
-Learned to swallow pills whole (opposed to chewing them or using liquid medication)
-Participated in a wedding as a bridesmaid (my sister's wedding)
-Felt an aftershock from the 4.3 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma on the 13th (my desk was vibrating as I was sitting at it, reported incident to USGS website)
-Got full on drunk and had to have a friend take me home (normally I am the DD or I eat while drinking... it just never happened until now)
-Wore a garter belt (rawr!!!)
-Saw a burlesque show
November:
-Voted in an election
-Waited in a store until midnight to take advantage of Black Friday sales (Walmart... and yes it was crazy)
December:
-Tailgated in the parking lot before a football game
-Attended a Pro Football game (KC Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos)
-Went to a masquerade/ball (1940's USO themed, in a very nice Unitarian church)
-Watched a full lunar eclipse (during Winter Solstice, which the last time those events happened at the same time was in 1638)
And:
-Had an entire calender year go by without being in the presence of my ex-husband (actual count, it has been about 15 months since I last saw him in person)
Wow, I should do this every year! This is an awesome way to reflect on the things I accomplished. I recommend you do the same!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Song #30- Your Favorite Song At This Time Last Year
Lady Gaga "Bad Romance"
Two years ago, I was listening to Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame. It was the beginning of a beautiful musician/listener relationship. When "Bad Romance" was released as a single last year, I fell more in love with her as an artist. I already saw a huge leap in her career, and this was just the first song from The Fame Monster album. It was catchy as hell, full of powerful lyrics, and was accompanied with an amazing video (which won for Best Video at the VMA's).
Even a year later, I am still loving this song. I turn it up when it's on the radio and play it occasionally when hanging out in my bedroom. To me, this is one of my favorite songs of all time... but that could change, since her third album is due early next year.
I had so much fun doing this challenge, so much that I'm thinking of doing it again next year!! Of course I will choose different songs... I mean, there are thousands of songs out there that I love :-)
Two years ago, I was listening to Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame. It was the beginning of a beautiful musician/listener relationship. When "Bad Romance" was released as a single last year, I fell more in love with her as an artist. I already saw a huge leap in her career, and this was just the first song from The Fame Monster album. It was catchy as hell, full of powerful lyrics, and was accompanied with an amazing video (which won for Best Video at the VMA's).
Even a year later, I am still loving this song. I turn it up when it's on the radio and play it occasionally when hanging out in my bedroom. To me, this is one of my favorite songs of all time... but that could change, since her third album is due early next year.
I had so much fun doing this challenge, so much that I'm thinking of doing it again next year!! Of course I will choose different songs... I mean, there are thousands of songs out there that I love :-)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Song #29- A Song From Your Childhood
Sir Mix A Lot "Baby Got Back"
Yes, you read that right. "Baby Got Back" is a song from my childhood. When I was 6 or 7, I was getting into a van with family friends from Minnesota. When the ignition started, my sister and I were settling in our seats when we hear "I like big butts.." on the radio. We immediately get into a fit of giggles. We thought it was funny that a guy was rapping about his love for big butts (you also have to take in the fact that my sister and I were very young... and I bet you all remember that at that age, anything that had to do with butts was comical). Now that I'm older and wiser, "Baby Got Back" is not giggly-funny anymore. But I will always be reminded of the first time I heard it and how it made me laugh.
Yes, you read that right. "Baby Got Back" is a song from my childhood. When I was 6 or 7, I was getting into a van with family friends from Minnesota. When the ignition started, my sister and I were settling in our seats when we hear "I like big butts.." on the radio. We immediately get into a fit of giggles. We thought it was funny that a guy was rapping about his love for big butts (you also have to take in the fact that my sister and I were very young... and I bet you all remember that at that age, anything that had to do with butts was comical). Now that I'm older and wiser, "Baby Got Back" is not giggly-funny anymore. But I will always be reminded of the first time I heard it and how it made me laugh.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Song #28- A Song That Makes You Feel Guilty
Nine Inch Nails "Closer"
Guilty... in a good way! ;-)
I really like that Trent Reznor expressed the hardcore sex so bluntly; it made the song unforgettable. He is a very smart writer and I love that he used a more extensive vocabulary in the lyrics (desecrate, penetrate). This is one of very few songs that, when I hear it, I get so engulfed in the song... the rest of the world just disappears (if a song does that to you, then it not only speaks to you, but it needs to be on your lists of favorites songs). Whenever I decide to listen to it (which it HAS to be the unedited version, no kid stuff here) I tend to hit the repeat button a couple times.
Now, the video. The first time I ever watched it (which I'm going to guess was when I was about 14 years old), I thought it was very different from anything I had ever seen. It disturbed me a little bit (and this was the television friendly version). But, over time, I grew to see how unique it was and that it is one of the best music videos out there (I tend to like stuff that's dark and disturbing... probably why I love horror movies so much). I finally saw the actual version of the video earlier this year (which is the one I posted). I don't think I will watch the edited video ever again. I'm just one of those people who like to see things as they should... no "clean" versions.
Guilty... in a good way! ;-)
I really like that Trent Reznor expressed the hardcore sex so bluntly; it made the song unforgettable. He is a very smart writer and I love that he used a more extensive vocabulary in the lyrics (desecrate, penetrate). This is one of very few songs that, when I hear it, I get so engulfed in the song... the rest of the world just disappears (if a song does that to you, then it not only speaks to you, but it needs to be on your lists of favorites songs). Whenever I decide to listen to it (which it HAS to be the unedited version, no kid stuff here) I tend to hit the repeat button a couple times.
Now, the video. The first time I ever watched it (which I'm going to guess was when I was about 14 years old), I thought it was very different from anything I had ever seen. It disturbed me a little bit (and this was the television friendly version). But, over time, I grew to see how unique it was and that it is one of the best music videos out there (I tend to like stuff that's dark and disturbing... probably why I love horror movies so much). I finally saw the actual version of the video earlier this year (which is the one I posted). I don't think I will watch the edited video ever again. I'm just one of those people who like to see things as they should... no "clean" versions.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Song #27- A Song You Wish You Could Play
Meatloaf "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)"
If I had a list of my favorite songs of all time, I would have this song somewhere on it. Probably in the top three. Meatloaf is one of the artists that my parents introduced me to as a baby (not surprising knowing they also raised me on The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Meatloaf was Eddie in that film). I love his powerful voice and his theatrical stylings of the music/music videos. Whenever I listen to this song (and it HAS to be the 12 minute version, which the music video is not), everything disappears. All that exists is this song... and me occasionally belting out the lyrics. A song that is powerful enough to do that to you is worthy to learn to play. Now I know that a lot of the musical arrangement is played by piano. I am someone who wants to play guitar, and I know that this song doesn't have very much of that.... but I don't care. I would still be happy and honored to play this song. Maybe it will happen someday, like when I actually get a guitar and start learning the chords!!!
If I had a list of my favorite songs of all time, I would have this song somewhere on it. Probably in the top three. Meatloaf is one of the artists that my parents introduced me to as a baby (not surprising knowing they also raised me on The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Meatloaf was Eddie in that film). I love his powerful voice and his theatrical stylings of the music/music videos. Whenever I listen to this song (and it HAS to be the 12 minute version, which the music video is not), everything disappears. All that exists is this song... and me occasionally belting out the lyrics. A song that is powerful enough to do that to you is worthy to learn to play. Now I know that a lot of the musical arrangement is played by piano. I am someone who wants to play guitar, and I know that this song doesn't have very much of that.... but I don't care. I would still be happy and honored to play this song. Maybe it will happen someday, like when I actually get a guitar and start learning the chords!!!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Song #26- A Song That You Can Play On An Instrument
Hinder "Lips Of An Angel"
I actually don't have any experience with playing any instrument, although I've wanted to learn to play the guitar since I was 13 years old. So I'm going to cheat a little bit with this song. As a fan of Guitar Hero, I have been working on improving my talents with the game. I am really good at playing songs on Medium, and am a little intimidated to go up to the Hard level (how am I going to get my pinkie to reach the orange button??). I normally hit 94% to 98% of the notes when playing songs on Medium, and get sorely disappointed in myself if I hit below the 90% mark (which is why when I play "Through The Fire and The Flames" I stick to Easy). But the song that I love to play on Guitar Hero (actually, wait a minute... on Band Hero) and am thisclose to hitting 100% is "Lips of an Angel." I may not necessarily like that the song is about the temptation to cheat, but I just can't help but love playing it.
I actually don't have any experience with playing any instrument, although I've wanted to learn to play the guitar since I was 13 years old. So I'm going to cheat a little bit with this song. As a fan of Guitar Hero, I have been working on improving my talents with the game. I am really good at playing songs on Medium, and am a little intimidated to go up to the Hard level (how am I going to get my pinkie to reach the orange button??). I normally hit 94% to 98% of the notes when playing songs on Medium, and get sorely disappointed in myself if I hit below the 90% mark (which is why when I play "Through The Fire and The Flames" I stick to Easy). But the song that I love to play on Guitar Hero (actually, wait a minute... on Band Hero) and am thisclose to hitting 100% is "Lips of an Angel." I may not necessarily like that the song is about the temptation to cheat, but I just can't help but love playing it.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Song #25- A Song That Makes You Laugh
The Bloodhound Gang "Mope"
Wow... I learn something everyday. I never knew there was a music video for this song!
The Bloodhound Gang is famous for making some of the most vulgar sexual references out there... and I love them for that! After the initial shock of hearing the Hooray for Boobies album for the first time, I found myself cracking up... a lot! The song "Mope" cracks me up the most, from the confused reaction that Falco is the greatest "money making playa that ain't with us no more" to Pac Man getting high on crack. The ridiculousness of this song is actually pretty ingenious of the group and I wish that more people would have acknowledged their creativity... I mean, who else would come up with songs that challenge you to rhyme the word "vagina" with something legitimate???
"Holy macaroni!!!" -Homer Simpson
Wow... I learn something everyday. I never knew there was a music video for this song!
The Bloodhound Gang is famous for making some of the most vulgar sexual references out there... and I love them for that! After the initial shock of hearing the Hooray for Boobies album for the first time, I found myself cracking up... a lot! The song "Mope" cracks me up the most, from the confused reaction that Falco is the greatest "money making playa that ain't with us no more" to Pac Man getting high on crack. The ridiculousness of this song is actually pretty ingenious of the group and I wish that more people would have acknowledged their creativity... I mean, who else would come up with songs that challenge you to rhyme the word "vagina" with something legitimate???
"Holy macaroni!!!" -Homer Simpson
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Song #24- A Song You Want To Play At Your Funeral
Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men "One Sweet Day"
For those who have ignored the lyrics of this song... it's not a love song, per se. I mean, it's beautiful and all but it's about someone who has died. "And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven, like so many friends we've lost along the way. And I know eventually we'll be together one sweet day. Eventually I'll see you in Heaven." I think what really misconstrued this as a love song is the video. It doesn't really depict the loss of a loved one. It's of Mariah and Boys II Men performing the song in a studio, plus the fact that all the artists are famous for love songs. Easy to do if you don't pay attention to the lyrics.
I think this would be a really sweet song to play at my funeral... you know, when it happens decades from now :-)
For those who have ignored the lyrics of this song... it's not a love song, per se. I mean, it's beautiful and all but it's about someone who has died. "And I know you're shining down on me from Heaven, like so many friends we've lost along the way. And I know eventually we'll be together one sweet day. Eventually I'll see you in Heaven." I think what really misconstrued this as a love song is the video. It doesn't really depict the loss of a loved one. It's of Mariah and Boys II Men performing the song in a studio, plus the fact that all the artists are famous for love songs. Easy to do if you don't pay attention to the lyrics.
I think this would be a really sweet song to play at my funeral... you know, when it happens decades from now :-)
Friday, December 24, 2010
Song #23- A Song That You Want To Play At Your Wedding
The Rocky Horror Picture Show "The Time Warp"
I think it's pretty easy to guess that I go for atypical when it comes to weddings. What can I say? The Rocky Horror Picture Show lover in me would be ecstatic to dance to this in a wedding dress! Although I have been married once before, it was done in a courthouse: No dress, no family, no reception. So when the time comes that I will get married again (I am very hopeful for this to happen in the future), I want to do things right. If I want to dance to the "Time Warp," then I will... dammit (Janet... hehe, I couldn't resist)!!! As for my future spouse, I hope that he will understand my need to have this played... whoever that may be.
I think it's pretty easy to guess that I go for atypical when it comes to weddings. What can I say? The Rocky Horror Picture Show lover in me would be ecstatic to dance to this in a wedding dress! Although I have been married once before, it was done in a courthouse: No dress, no family, no reception. So when the time comes that I will get married again (I am very hopeful for this to happen in the future), I want to do things right. If I want to dance to the "Time Warp," then I will... dammit (Janet... hehe, I couldn't resist)!!! As for my future spouse, I hope that he will understand my need to have this played... whoever that may be.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Song #22- A Song You Listen To When You're Sad
Papa Roach "Broken Home"
A couple days ago, I posted that I listen to Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" when I am angry. Well, in a few instances, I would follow up with Papa Roach's "Broken Home." This song has more of an emotional hurt than emotional anger, at least that's how I see it. That would change my attitude a bit and my feelings of anger would turn toward sadness. On more than one occasion, it led me to start crying. And as many of you know, crying makes you feel a lot better.
The video is very personal as well. Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix had it filmed in his childhood home, where he had a troubling childhood. Images of things Shaddix experienced are portrayed in the video, ending in the destruction of his former home. You understood the anger and that makes for a great song. I bet it was very therapeutic for him to write the song and help destroy the home that caused him a lot of pain in the past.
A couple days ago, I posted that I listen to Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" when I am angry. Well, in a few instances, I would follow up with Papa Roach's "Broken Home." This song has more of an emotional hurt than emotional anger, at least that's how I see it. That would change my attitude a bit and my feelings of anger would turn toward sadness. On more than one occasion, it led me to start crying. And as many of you know, crying makes you feel a lot better.
The video is very personal as well. Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix had it filmed in his childhood home, where he had a troubling childhood. Images of things Shaddix experienced are portrayed in the video, ending in the destruction of his former home. You understood the anger and that makes for a great song. I bet it was very therapeutic for him to write the song and help destroy the home that caused him a lot of pain in the past.
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