Birthday Eve

It's Birthday Eve and therefore time to blog. Yes, I just made that rule up. I can do whatever I want because it's my Birthday Eve. When it's your Birthday Eve you can do whatever you want. I suppose you can do whatever you want on any sort of Eve but I've now gotten carried away with this whole thing and just need to move on.


I have a feeling this is going to be one of the most blah birthdays I've ever had. Being home with pneumonia for the last two weeks pretty much ensured that. My only plan for the weekend is to stay in and rest and open the cards and boxes that have been delivered this week. I'm certain that will be the highlight and send my thanks in advance to everyone that sent them!


I was supposed to have birthday dinner with friends tomorrow night but that had to be cancelled. I'm sure we'll reschedule but it's definitely strange to have no plans on my actual birthday. I just felt it was best to stay in a little longer. This pneumonia is really not interesting at all but it has definitely made me even more certain that I need to do something spectacular and awesome for my birthday next year. After all, it's divisible by five and someone once told me that any birthday ending in a zero or a five is a big deal...or maybe I made that up...either way I'm pretty sure it's true. I'm also pretty sure those birthdays are supposed to involve jewelry. Just FYI.


As I was contemplating the birthday I remembered a silly tradition I started three years ago on this blog and decided to do it once again just to see how things have changed. I selected this year's songs from the Recently Played section of iTunes (as I did last year), so this is what I've been listening to obsessively for weeks, months, maybe even since last year. You can check out 2010's songs here and 2009's here. 


Ready 2012? Let's do this!!


Opening Credits:

Born to Love You - Nathan Angelo

Waking Up:
Miss Me - Andy Grammer

First Day at School:
You Can't Win - Kelly Clarkson

What Your Friends Think of You:
I Saw - Matt Nathanson

What You Think of Your Friends:
Blinding Light - Switchfoot

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
Bent - Matt Nathanson

What You Like in a Boy:
Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

Falling in Love:
Sing it Out - Switchfoot

Fight Song:
What You Mean to Me - Christopher Wilde (a.k.a. Sterling Knight)

Breaking Up:
Kings and Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars

Prom:
Angel - Matt Nathanson

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
Back to You - John Mayer

Life:
Ladies - Andy Grammer

How You Describe Yourself:
Ghost - Parachute

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
So Much I Don't Know - Nathan Angelo (wow, if that's not perfect, I don't know what is)

Mental Breakdown:
All I Have to do is Dream - Matt Nathanson

Your Life's Purpose:
Now Comes the Night - Rob Thomas

Your Motto:
Masterpiece - Todd Carey

What You Think About Often:
I Give My All - Nathan Angelo

Your Hobby/Interest:
Come Around - Nathan Angelo

Your Biggest Fear:
Philadelphia - Parachute

Your Biggest Secret:
American Secrets - Parachute (hmmm...)

Driving:
Your Name - Zach Chance

Flashback:
Photograph - Todd Carey (well okay, here's my TC Photograph flashback)

Getting Back Together:
Drop to Hold You - Matt Nathanson

Wedding Scene:
Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute

Your Wedding Dance:
Breathe - Ryan Star

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
Count On Me - Mat Kearney

Birth of Child:
Make it Without You - Andrew Belle

Life Story:
Save You - Matthew Perryman Jones

Final Battle:
All We Ever Do is Say Goodbye - John Mayer

Death Scene:
In My Veins - Andrew Belle

Funeral Song:
Watching Waiting - Todd Carey

End Credits:
Hope You Found it Now - Jason Walker


Well there you have it...another year of music I love. If you don't know some of these artists I would definitely encourage you to check them out. I've been discovering a lot of great musicians in the last couple of years and have loved expanding my collection of music. If there's one thing that can almost always make me smile, no matter how bad I feel, it's music. Sometimes I can't even explain why a song moves me but so many do and I absolutely love that. I hope you're all enjoying whatever you're listening to these days and I hope it moves you and makes you smile.

Goodnight!

Birthday Friday: Yeah, it was yay.

I turned 43 today. I'm not afraid of it. It doesn't bother me. I'm 43. See? I said it again. FORTY-THREE! And it was an excellent day! I did have to work this morning, but it wasn't too bad and leaving at noon meant traffic was a breeze. 

My first stop was Pluto's and I had a yummy salad while enjoying the 70 degree weather. Yeah. SEVENTY DEGREES! In February!! This is why I love California. 

Next I walked further into Santana Row and spent some time at Burke Williams having a divine facial. I left there completely relaxed and wishing I could visit every day. Pure joy.

From there I journeyed across Winchester to the old Century dome theatres (now the Winchester something or other) and saw The Fighter. Wow. GREAT movie. I can't believe I waited this long to see it. It's deserving of everything it's nominated for and everything it wins. Also, the popcorn was yay.

When that was over I wandered back to Santana Row and met my friend Marcie and her daughter Ashley at The Counter for dinner. The burgers are always good, but let's be honest, I really only go there for the sweet potato fries. Tonight however, I got an extra bonus because Ashley made me a cake. And not just any cake, but a divinely decorated Happy Bacon Birthday cake - YES! Seriously, could this be any cuter? No. It could not. 









We roamed about the Row after dinner, then I came home and opened presents and cards from my family and I can honestly say this has been an excellent birthday! I'm so thankful to the 100+ people who posted Happy Birthday wishes on my Facebook wall, and to the numerous others who tweeted, called or sent me a text (text'd?). I am truly blessed.


Finally, I decided to continue a tradition I started two years ago by re-doing the whole iPod/iTunes shuffle and seeing how things have changed. I selected this year's songs from the Recently Played section of iTunes, so this is what I've been listening to obsessively for weeks, months, maybe even since last year. In case you don't remember last year's version, you can check it out here. Or the year before, here. It's a little cheesy, but then again, so am I.


ENJOY!

Opening Credits:
Where Are You Tonight - Todd Carey

Waking Up:
Your Love Is A Song - Switchfoot

First Day at School:
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

What Your Friends Think of You:
My Only One - Plain White T's

What You Think of Your Friends:
Drawn Out - Dishwalla

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
Hurricane - Thirty Seconds to Mars

What You Like in a Boy:
Always - Switchfoot

Falling in Love:
Start A Fire - Ryan Star

Fight Song:
The King Of Cliche - Todd Carey

Breaking Up:
Photograph - Todd Carey

Prom:
Today, Tonight - Dishwalla

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
Enough To Let Me Go - Switchfoot

Life:
Party Up - Brandon Mychal Smith

How You Describe Yourself:
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
Friends, Lovers or Nothing - John Mayer

Mental Breakdown:
Sing It Out - Switchfoot

Your Life's Purpose:
Revelation - Third Day

Your Motto:
Feel - Matchbox Twenty

What You Think About Often:
Suspended - Matt Nathanson

Your Hobby/Interest:
Give Me The Meltdown - Rob Thomas

Your Biggest Fear:
Last Train Home - Ryan Star

Your Biggest Secret:
Holiday - Green Day

Driving:
Gotta Be Next To You - Todd Carey

Flashback:
Masterpiece - Todd Carey

Getting Back Together:
Don't Waste The Pretty - Allison Iraheta f/Orianthi

Wedding Scene:
Hallelujah - Todd Carey

Your Wedding Dance:
New Morning - Alpha Rev

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
The First Day - Todd Carey

Birth of Child:
Assassin - John Mayer

Life Story:
The One - Brandon Heath

Final Battle:
Count On Me - Bruno Mars

Death Scene:
A Beautiful Lie - Thirty Seconds to Mars

Funeral Song:
Losing Your Memory - Ryan Star

End Credits:
American Idiot - Green Day

The 2010 Birthday Shuffle

So, last year on my birthday, there was a whole Facebook thing going around about songs on your iPod...I posted here and thought it might be fun to see how things have changed since then. So, without further ado, or really any ado whatsoever, here's the 2010 Birthday Shuffle! Instead of picking every 2nd song, I just went song to song after pushing Shuffle Songs on the pod...Enjoy!!

The photo is me and The Mother from my birthday a couple of years back...at The Tank...celebrating a little birthday with a side of hockey. Go Sharks!!

Opening Credits:
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

Waking Up:
Red Sky - Brandon Heath

First Day at School:
Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic

What Your Friends Think of You:
If You Believe Me - Reliant K

What You Think of Your Friends:
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
And Around - Tabitha's Secret

What You Like in a Boy:
Be Still - Kelly Clarkson

Falling in Love:
I Saw - Matt Nathanson

Fight Song:
All American Girl - Train

Breaking Up:
Sing a Song - Third Day

Prom:
Blind - Train (side note to Jill...this is the Café du Nord version...ha!)

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
East Jesus Nowhere - Green Day

Life:
I Don't Know - Third Day

How You Describe Yourself:
Mad Season - Matchbox Twenty

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
Chasing Sunsets - Nate Fowler

Mental Breakdown:
When the Rain Comes - Third Day

Your Life's Purpose:
Piano Man - Billy Joel (hmmm...new career?)

Your Motto:
The Greatest Discovery - Elton John

What You Think About Often:
Poparazzi - Switchfoot (yeah, they did it before Gaga...different spelling, but still...)

Your Hobby/Interest:
Having a Blast - Green Day

Your Biggest Fear:
Yet - Switchfoot

Your Biggest Secret:
Know Your Enemy - Green Day

Driving:
Run to You - Third Day

Flashback:
Hate On Me - Glee Cast (no idea who did this originally)

Getting Back Together:
Carry Me Home - Third Day

Wedding Scene:
BlackBird - Third Day

Your Wedding Dance:
More Than This - Matt Nathanson

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
For Me, It's You - Train (well, that seems sort of perfect doesn't it?)

Birth of Child:
Simple Life - Elton John

Life Story:
3 A.M. - Matchbox Twenty (side note to Jill, Veronnica and Shawn - this is from the SJ show)

Final Battle:
Sky Falls Down - Third Day

Death Scene:
Then I'll Be Smiling - Matt Nathanson

Funeral Song:
Something More - Switchfoot

End Credits:
Show Me Your Glory - Third Day (quite possibly the most perfect ending to this list!!)

The Birthday Shuffle

There are so many Facebook lists floating around these days, and while I normally dread those sorts of things, I really enjoyed the ones involving music (The Soundtrack of Your Life, etc.). So, because I think the pod actually DOES know all, I decided to combine the two musical lists I've received recently.

I decided on the increment by 2 clicks method for this list...because, well, that seemed right. So, here goes...I like to call it, The Birthday Shuffle...I've also added some comments where appropriate...

Opening Credits:
Somewhere in Between - Lifehouse

Waking Up:
Heroes - David Cook

First Day at School:
Sunny Days - Jars of Clay (That kinda makes me think of Sesame Street...Sunny Day, sweeping the clouds away...)

What Your Friends Think of You:
Perfect Day - Hoku (HA! This is from the Legally Blonde soundtrack.)

What You Think of Your Friends:
Soul Free - George Michael

What You Think of Your Best Friend:
Walking Her Home - Mark Schultz

What You Like in a Boy:
Dirty Second Hands - Switchfoot (Okay, not sure I like the word dirty in this category.)

Falling in Love:
Pretty the World - Matt Nathanson

Fight Song:
Cry Out to Jesus - Third Day (I love that this is the fight song! Because that's what we should do in a fight!)

Breaking Up:
Precious Box - George Michael

Prom:
Still Listening - Third Day

What You Wanted to Be When You Grew Up:
Burn Out Bright - Switchfoot (Um...No. I did not want to be a burn out...but I LOVE this song! And it has nothing to do with being a burn out...)

Life:
Free Fallin' - John Mayer (I love this version! The song was originally done by Tom Petty, and his version always makes me think of Jerry Maguire.)

How You Describe Yourself:
All I Ever Wanted - Train (That's right. I'm all I ever wanted.)

How You Feel Today - Your Birthday!:
Spinning The Wheel - George Michael (The birthday wheel of joy!)

Mental Breakdown:
Easier Than Love - Switchfoot (Okay, that's just funny...that a mental breakdown is easier than love...HA!)

Your Life's Purpose:
Illusions - Matt Nathanson (I live to create illusion for others...excellent.)

Your Motto:
California's Burning - Augustana (Can that be a motto? California: We're Burning...well, we do seem to burn a lot of cash...)

What You Think About Often:
Have Mercy - Third Day

Your Hobby/Interest:
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - From the Mamma Mia Soundtrack...orginally by Abba of course

Your Biggest Fear:
Your Love is a Lie - Simple Plan

Your Biggest Secret:
The Boys of Summer - Don Henly (That's right...I have this group of boys that show up in the summer...)

Driving:
Suspended - Matt Nathanson

Flashback:
There is a River - Jars of Clay

Getting Back Together:
The Anthem - Good Charlotte

Wedding Scene:
How Long - Lifehouse (As in...how long will this last? Or how long did I have to wait? Not sure...)

Your Wedding Dance:
Give - Dishwalla

What You Think of When You See the Love of Your Life:
Prodigal - OneRepublic

Birth of Child:
An Cat Dubh - U2 (That seems fitting...this is a bit of a bizarre song, and I'm sure that childbirth sounds a lot like The Edge's guitar at the beginning.)

Life Story:
I Still Ain't Over You - Augustana

Final Battle:
Have You Ever - Brandy

Death Scene:
Zoo Station - U2 (Excellent! One of my faves.)

Funeral Song:
If You're Gone - Matchbox Twenty (This version is actually live from their concert in San Jose last March.)

End Credits:
Thanks for the Memories - Fall Out Boy

Ground control to Major Tom...

...commencing countdown engine's on... (do you know the artist?)

Oh yes. The countdown is on. Actually, there are multiple countdowns at work.

• First, the countdown to the return of Lost. I mean give it, and give it now! Less than 48 hours away!!
• Second, the countdown to the birthday festivities. Friends and family begin arriving in less than 48 hours (6 1/2 hours prior to the return of Lost to be exact). I can't wait to see everyone and enjoy the Sharks playing in my honor. Ken and Marianne...I'll miss you.
• Finally, the countdown to the birthday itself (which actually comes two full days AFTER the festivities). From today, it's 6 days away. Bring it on. After all, 40 is the new 15. :-)

As I sit here chatting about countdowns, I realize they are really just another type of list. Am I destined to be defined by a list? Are you defined by a list? Have I lost my mind? Oh look, a LIST of questions! I think we all know the answer to that last question...

Alright, I think I better stop for the night. I've clearly lost it. One final question though...what sit-com does that song remind you of?

Ciao.