can you believe we are rolling into a new year already?!
oh how the time flies!
today's feel good tune is one i find to be completely relevant to what this blog is all about.
it's a song that on the surface seems incredibly simple and possibly redundant, but, really it's more complex than what it appears to be on first listen.
it's sung by a certain ten year old by the name of willow smith and her message is clear: when you're down and you feel like giving up- think again. whip your hair back and forth.
so i thought what better way to end this year, and to start anew with having the infectiously catchy yet inspiring anthem, "whip my hair" as the last feel good friday tune of 2010.
have a most radical new years! (but remember to be safe!)
and i will catch you on the first monday of 2011 for a music monday post.
(i will obvs be doing feel good friday still, so, no worries!) ;]
confession: i'm not up to speed on all the new music in mainstream media. i spend most of my time listening to cd's of bands i can't hear on the radio. (i know, who purchases cd's anymore? i do, okay?)
but, the other day for whatever reason i decided on my way to work i'd take a break from my cd's and listen to the radio.
and that's when i heard nelly's "just a dream."
now, you probably don't know this about me, but, when i was in junior high i L-O-V-E-D nelly & his music. "ride wit me," "hot in herrre," "dilemma," and "over and over again" with tim mcgraw were my JAMZ.
i will never forget the grammy's in 2003 when nelly and kelly rowland performed "dilemma" together... but, lets take a refresher course anyway!
i taped that performance on VHS, then watched it over and over again.
(sorry, i know, my puns are terrible.)
so, when i heard "just a dream," i was so ecstatic to hear new music by nelly. he sounds all grown up! it's definitely a more "mature" sound compared to the 2003 grammy performance.
he's got me curious about what's on the rest of his album, i just might purchase it if the rest is as good as "just a dream."
just thought i'd share a tune i'm really digging lately with all of you!
here's nelly's video for "just a dream."
have a lovely rest of the week, i'll catch up with ya on friday!
MERRY CHRISTMAS CHARLIE BROWN! erm, i mean READERS!
(for those of you who do celebrate christmas, and, if you celebrate something else, or, nothing at all, that is totally fine by me!)
there are two traditional movie viewings i need to partake in, in order for it to really feel like christmas.
the first being- "it's a wonderful life," and the second- "a charlie brown christmas."
the latter is a personal favorite of mine. i don't know what it is about charlie brown and his gaggle of pals, but, they warm my little heart right up!
on this christmas day, i want to share with you my favorite scene from "a charlie brown christmas!"
this is the famous scene where charlie brown learns what the true meaning of christmas is all about. (and where linus van pelt says one of my favorite quotes of all time.)
"i never thought it was such a bad little tree.
it's not bad at all, really. maybe it just needs a little love."
---linus van pelt
on this day, i hope you all stuff your bellies silly with delectable treats and are surrounded by all kinds of love!
earlier this month i told you i wanted to make you all the ultimate happy holiday play-list of cheer!
and so i put my family and friends to the test- i asked them what their favorite tunes are for the holidays, and boy, do i have a play-list for YOU!
i don't think the ultimate happy holiday play-list of cheer needs much of an introduction, so, without further adieu, here it is!
1. Little Drummer Boy (David Bowie and Bing Crosby)
2. All I want For Christmas (Mariah Carey)
3. A Wonderful Christmas Time (Paul McCartney)
4. Give Peace a Chance (John Lennon)
5. Feed the World (Band Aid)
6. Under Pressure ( David Bowie with Queen)
7. Last Christmas (Metro Station)
8. Baby It's Cold Outside (Chris Colpher & Darren Criss)
9. What Christmas Means to Me (Stevie Wonder)
10. Winter Song (Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson)
11. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Jack Johnson)
12. All I Want for Christmas is You (Vince Vance & The Valiants)
13. I Bought You a Plastic Star for Your Aluminum Tree (Michael Franks)
14. Christmas, Baby Please Come Home (Darlene Love)
15. Winter Wonderland (Jason Mraz)
16. The Chipmunk Song: Christmas Don't be Late! (Tegan & Sara)
17. Merry Christmas Baby (Hanson)
18. You Don't Have to be Alone (NSYNC)
19. The Christmas Song (Nat King Cole)
20. Happy Christmas: War is Over (John Lennon)
Bonus Tracks!
1. Christmas Truce of 1914 (Garth Brooks)
2. The Most Wonderful Day of the Year! (Rudolph)
(Entire albums that were suggested by my friends- Mariah Carey- Merry Christmas, Bing Crosby- Bing Crosby Christmas, Hanson- Snowed In, NSYNC- Home for Christmas, Glee- The Music, The Christmas Album, & Nat King Cole- The Christmas Album.)
WHEW!
well, we made it folks! that's the end of the ultimate happy holiday play list of cheer!
so, i told you if you helped me hit the 1000 view mark on my blog, i'd have something special for you today, and, since my blog is officially over 1000 views as of yesterday, i'm writing you a little something!
but when i said that yesterday, i sure wasn't expecting to have this lovely morsel to share, but, it looks like christmas came early folks!
i'm sure you've heard by now, but, if for some reason you haven't...
okay, so, now that i've made that fantastically wonderful announcement, i want to share with you one of my favorite things, which is also the "something special" i had planned for you in case the milestone of 1000 views actually happened! haha.
do we have any "arrested development" fans out there?!
if you've never heard of it, or never watched it, check out these clips, and you'll certainly want to!
(well, i hope so anyways. and, you should, its literally laugh out loud funny.)
this show is one of the very few i can watch over and over and over again and still find new things to laugh about.
in case you've never seen it, here's a brief synopsis (which, also incidentally happens to be part of the opening credits!)
"...And now the story of a wealthy family who lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together... It's Arrested Development."
so, one of the running jokes in the show is "the chicken dance."
each family member has their own version of what they think "the chicken dance" is.
in the third and final season, we get to see a scene where the father's chicken dance is finally revealed, and a chorus of chicken dances ensue.
here is that scene!
now that you've seen that scene, (see what i did there?)
i hope you enjoy this remix of all the chicken dances that occur throughout the show!
this is my way of saying, "thank you for reading!"
i got a lot of stuff for you wonderful folks today, so, i'm just gonna dive right in!
hope you're ready!
sometimes a feel good song isn't only about the lyric and melody combination.
sometimes a feel good song can stem from an adoration and respect for the artist(s) singing the song.
(you probably already see where i'm going with this don't you? ;] )
this summer i went to a jack johnson concert. it was really such a fantastic experience, and a fab show to boot! my love for jack johnson's music is going on 8 years and to finally see him in concert was truly lovely.
so, when it was announced that tegan and sara were going to open for him in australia, i got so jealous of the people able to see one of those shows. (yes, for those of you wondering, the pun was intended :] )
luckily for me, and luckily for you, someone was able to catch a moment that i will probably treasure forever, and the moment that is this week's feel good friday tune!
jack johnson and tegan and sara singing "girls just want to have fun" by cyndi lauper together.
(and, if for some reason you haven't seen/heard the original "girls just want to have fun" i'm providing that video here as well!)
and if i'm being perfectly honest, whether its sara, tegan and jack singing the song, or cyndi lauper herself, "girls just want to have fun" is bound to make anyone want to get up and dance like a silly goose. am i right? so, listen, dance, and feel good doing so!
okay, now that you know the feel good friday tune, i have a couple of other things i'd like to share with you, because, 'tis the season, right? sharing is caring!
first, remember that student run telethon i was telling you about? the WAVM Beacon Santa Telethon? (where my 'rents played holiday tunes?) well, the students raised $28,000 for families and folks in need during this holiday season! so if any of you helped in any way, thank you!
second, my revel and riot shirt came in the mail last week, eeeek! so stoked! here's a photo of me proudly wearing my new shirt!
and lastly, i'm hoping to make an extra special feel good friday blog for you for christmas!
just think of it as a gift from me to you! :]
i'm looking to make the ultimate happy holiday play list of cheer for all of you, so if you have any suggestions of favorite songs and the artists that sing said songs, please feel free to leave a comment here, or get at me via twitter (@mrolla)
have a lovely friday, merry weekend, and please, remember to feel good today!
yesterday at work i played the board game, "are you smarter than a fifth grader?" with a large group of the residents shortly after they had dinner.
two ladies came down early to get a good seat.
grandma 1 quizzed grandma 2 before the game.
grandma 1: "so, we're gonna see how are brains are workin'? QUICK! what'd ya have for suppah?" grandma 2: (confidently) "soup and a chicken sandwich." grandma 1: "WRONG! it was soup and a seafood sandwich. looks like we're in trouble already."
but, i'll have you know, they were all smarter than a 5th grader. take *that* jeff foxworthy!
happy weekend! oh, before i go, i want to do a quick plug for an event truly close to my heart- it's called the WAVM Beacon Santa Telethon. it's happening all day today straight through tomorrow. this is a telethon run by kids from 6th grade to seniors in high school. (i participated in it when i was in 8th grade all the way through high school when i got to host it.) the telethon is 40 hours long and is dedicated to raising money for those who are less fortunate in hopes they may have a better holiday season.
if you would please check out http://www.wavm.org/ there are places for you to either make a donation, or to bid on some really rad items. (still doing a bit of christmas shopping? take a gander, ya might see something that would make a good gift, and the money paid will go to a family in need. it's like 2 gifts in one!)
last thing, i promise! you can stream it on your computer with this link. (aaand my 'rents will be performing holiday tunes from 4pm-5pm EST if you're interested.) i may be a little biased, but, i think they are quite good. :P http://wavm.org/telethon10/tvwebcast.html
today's feel good friday tune is a song perhaps you might have heard before, sly and the family stone's, "everyday people," but, the version i'm focusing on is the cover by the one and only joan jett.
don't get me wrong, i love the original by sly and the family stone, in fact, i'll post their video in here:
but, there's just something about joan jett. she adds a certain edge to the song with her rock essence that just oozes out of her.
what i appreciate about joan jett is her unapologetic nature to just be who she is, and she doesn't care if you take it or leave it. she's just going to do her thing regardless.
it shows an unwavering strength not too many people have. she holds her own in a world where men are the dominant competitor. rock'n'roll has few ladies to it's name, but joan jett refused to be bullied by that and still rocks hard even today.
ok, i'll stop gushing about my adoration for joan jett. (but i just think all that is so fitting for the reason i started this blog, and will maybe give some of you hope and a new rocker attitude! ;] )
she covered sly and the family stone's "everyday people," and i love it, so, my hope is you will too!
here it is!
ENJOY!
oooh-sha-sha, we got to live together!
happy friday! and have a most radical weekend! (even if you're working, like me, this weekend! lets try and make the most of it, yeah?!)
my very first concert was a beatles tribute band show.
i tell you this because the beatles themselves, their music, and their message(s) to the world played a huge part in my growing up.
my dad is in said beatles tribute band. he started it before i was born. i remember around the age of of 5 i told people my dad was paul mccartney. well, i mean, he would perform on stage with three other guys singing beatles' songs for hundreds of people. (and i was 5 ok?!)
before grade one i knew the beatles' catalog in its entirety. if you were to have asked my six year old self to sing you any beatles song, i could.
my favorite movie as a kid- besides the mary martin version of peter pan, and besides my one my little pony vhs, was the beatles' movie, "HELP!" i L-O-V-E-D that movie. my whole family and i quote it whenever we can, still, today. (if you haven't seen it, and like the beatles, you totally should, its hilarious. also, watch "a hard days night," its quite funny.)
but *why* am i telling you this? its not friday and its clearly not a grandpa/grandma says post either.
today is the 30th anniversary of john lennon's death. and, even though he and i never walked on this earth together, he was such a huge part of my childhood, an important part in my growing up, and his music resounds in my heart.
i think about him often because i wonder what he would be like today if he were still alive. he was always changing, evolving not only his sound, but his ideals and his message to the world. he was a political being and used his voice- not only in his music with songs like, "woman is the n***** of the world," and "imagine," but, he also was known to put up billboards around nyc to support the cause he was speaking up for.
i just imagine what he would look like, sound like, dress like, and most importantly, what he would say to this generation of people, if he were here today.
so, to tie this all together, i want to share with you a song that paul mccartney wrote for his dear, dear friend john lennon after he died.
it's called, "here today."
"and if i say, i really loved you and was glad you came along, that you were here today, for you are in my song." --paul mccartney
finally, it feels like it's been forever since i posted a feel good friday blog, but, alas, it was really only just seven days ago!
this week's feel good tune is by a band that i happened across 5 years ago accidentally during my first college radio show.
(little background history for ya- in high school i was REALLY into our radio/tv station, and loved it so i majored in broadcast media in college. at our high school station you didn't need to bring your own music with you because we had a whole library full of cds and albums, sigh, remember those? anywho, at the college station, it was necessary to bring your own music, except, no one told me, so i didn't.)
but, on the bright side, this was how i found and then fell inlove with a band called "steel train."
you see, there was a library full of cds and albums at my college's radio station, but, they were mostly promotional cds that only had three songs on them, and most of them were bands no one had ever heard of.
so, i started perusing the shelves looking for albums that had appealing covers in hopes that their music matched their album cover. (i know, its a strange statement, but it makes sense to me ok? ;] ) steel train's twilight tales from the prairies of the suncaught my eye and it was love at first song. i pretty much played their entire album that show and from then on it became a staple on the show. i would always play "better love" right before closing my three hour shift.
so, that's how i fell inlove with steel train. and i've been lucky enough to see them open for some of my favorite bands! they opened for hanson and tegan and sara (in the same year, how awesome!) since then i've seen them a few times, and i'm fortunate enough to see them tonight! eeek so very stoked!
speaking of which, i gotta get ready, so i'll spill this week's feel good tune :]
it's steel train's "children in the 90's (i'm not the same)"
my fave lyrics are:
we are born with a melody,
we were children in the 90's
we're gonna hear it again tonight
i want to hear it again tonight
we're gonna take it all back tonight
this song is another one of those songs that is just perfect to turn up real loud and rock out to.
as i’m sure you all are aware, christmas is 24 days away, and hanukkah begins tonight!
it seems as though every year “holiday awareness” creeps in earlier and earlier. this year alone, i saw christmas ornaments put up in some of my favorite stores the day after halloween. of course, as you know, thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so, to feel like it had been skipped was a little insulting. but i digress.
now that i’ve had my day of thanks, and it is the first of december i feel as though i’ve passed “go” and can collect my $200 dollars. (or in this case, i’ve celebrated thanksgiving and can now break out my holiday music.)
because i’m a 90’s child, i still adore my nsync christmas album as well as my hanson “snowed in” album. i do of course love the classics like nat king cole, and frank sinatra, but there's something exciting about your favorite band or musicians singing a holiday tune.
and boy, did i receive a special treat this year! i trust you’ve all read about my affinity & respect for the sisters quin, or, how they are better known- tegan and sara. (if not, click here: http://bit.ly/gaREhR)
while i was stumbling through the interweb one evening recently, i happened upon a youtube video of tegan and sara (along with their mother & ted) covering "the chipmunk song (christmas don’t be late)" the song is featured on an album titled, "gift wrapped II: snowed in" it has many other well known artists cover christmas tunes, like regina spektor, the goo goo dolls & the spill canvas to name a few.
the video is below this adorable picture of tegan and sara with santa claus.
here's the song:
and here's the website if you're interested in purchasing the album "gift wrapped II: snowed in," http://bit.ly/e1clVk
obviously this was much to my delight and i had it on repeat for a couple of days. after the initial excitement of having a t&s song to add to my holiday music collection, i got to thinking:
what are some of your favorite holiday tunes? and when do you break'em out? do you wait till thanksgiving? the day after? the week before?
just curious as to what your traditions are!
hope you have a lovely rest of your week!
(and for those of you celebrating hanukkah, i am a lover of latkes, so, if there are any extra... i'll take'em!)
(this week’s feel good friday is extra special, it's my thanksgiving edition!)
i’m going to let you in on a little secret, thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. the reason is this; thanksgiving is all about good food, good drinks, and most importantly- good company. when you boil it down, it’s really just about taking some time to spend with the ones you love. (what could be better than that?!) so, my hope is that you all had a most wonderful thanksgiving, ate the most scrumptious food until your bellies wanted to pop, and were able to spend it surrounded by the ones you love, and the ones who love you!
since this is the thanksgiving edition, i thought i’d do something extra special for all of you folks today. earlier this month i asked my friends to share with me a song (or 2) that puts a smile on their face, or is their defense against the darkest and gloomiest of days. here’s a little playlist brought to all of you by my friends. if you’re having a rough day, where you just feel like you wish you were “normal” or could just “fit in” and maybe “disappear,” remember that i care about you and accept you for exactly who you are! and my friends want to support you as well!
hope you enjoy the play list, and can refer to it whenever you are having “one of those days.”
1. “Be Ok” By Ingrid Michaelson
2. Almost anything by Frank Turner, but try Photosynthesis first:
3. Anything by this guy (shameless plug for my pal mike)
4. “The Sound of Sunshine” By Michael Franti & Spearhead
4b. Speaking of M. Franti, my friend says “Say Hey I Love You” is awesome! (and i totally agree!)
5. “Dog Days are Over” By Florence and The Machine
7. “Here Comes the Sun” By The Beatles
8. “Something About You” By Level 42
9. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” By Israel KamakawiwoÊ»ole
10. “End of the Line” By Traveling Wilburys http://bit.ly/2A8JxR (my friend swears to goodness it’ll change your life! and once again, i couldn't agree more!)
11. “Shark in the Water” By W Brown
12. “Mr. Bly Sky” By ELO
13. “It’s the Sun” By The Polyphonic Spree
14. “Dream Big” By Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband
15. “Steer” By Missy Higgins (this is one of my personal faves!)
enjoy! and hope if you go shopping at any point today that you are uber careful, its dangerous out there today.
well would’ya look at that? it’s friday once again! thank GOODNESS! (am i right?!)
before i delve into this week’s feel good tune, i wanted to reflect for a brief moment- this is my seventh week of blogging about feel good songs on fridays. i hope you are all enjoying my selections and whatnot. (and if you ever and i mean ever have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know, leave a comment, etc.)
but, i just wanted to do a quick reminder of why i started feel good fridays. for those of you who are just starting to tune into my blog, i started feel good fridays because of the suicide epidemic among lgbtq youth last month. it truly broke my heart to hear about and read about all of those kids feeling so trapped by bullying because of their sexuality, supposed sexuality and/or gender expression that they saw no way out except for ending their lives.
so, i started dedicating my blog on fridays as a place where perhaps someone who is struggling might find it and be able to read kind words and warm wishes to maybe aid them through the struggle.
ok, my reflection is over.
this week’s feel good tune is from a band that i’ve literally grown up with. no, i don’t mean i knew them personally, i just mean when they became famous in 1997 i was around their age. we were children at the same time, we went through the awkward teenage years at the same time, and now, they are in their mid to late 20’s (as am i) and they are still making music.
in fact, just this past monday, i went to northampton, mass. with a few friends to see this band and rocked out at the calvin theatre with them. (it was one of the best nights of my life, it’s right up there with my first tegan and sara concert- which coincidentally was at the same place, as well as lilith fair this year.)
this week’s feel good tune is called "great divide,” and it’s by hanson. (yes, that’s the band that sang “mmmbop,” yes, they are still around and yes, they still make music. and it’s good.)
i chose this tune for today because it's a song about hope. its about finding hope in the least likely places, and its about holding onto that hope you've found to help conquer the great divide. this song touches on the way we as humans can sometimes only care about ourselves, or, if not ourselves, only the other individuals who are like us. it suggests we open our minds and see that people are people whether they are like us or not.
the lyrics that got me, and struck me the very first time i listened were these:
i find hope and it gives me rest i find hope in a beating chest i find hope in what eyes don't see i find hope in your hate for me have no fear when the waters rise we can conquer this great divide
here's their music vid!
so, i hope you take a listen and like what you hear. it truly is a well-written song that gives me hope when i'm feeling down and out. perhaps it'll do the same for you!
also, before i forget, there's a new website that i've recently fallen inlove with. its called revelandriot.com. the creators are e.e. storey and sarah fobes. (if you're a tegan and sara fan e.e. storey might sound familiar- she does all of T&S' merchandise and album cover designs.)
here's a little blurb about them from their "about" section of the site:
revel and riot; parade and protest; joyful and incensed – we celebrate love and life, and yet none of us are untouched by frustrating, painful, and often terrifying reminders of homophobia, transphobia, hate, ignorance and violence. in our reporting we make a distinction between ‘revel’ topics (i.e. parties, parades, festivals, art, music, pop culture, legal battles won, inspiring stories) and ‘riot’ topics (i.e. exposing homophobes, protests, campaigns, suicides, hate crimes, topics that call us to action) to emphasize these contrasts and draw attention to the continued need for social activism. Revel & Riot aims to be a living collection of LGBTQ inspiration.
it's a real fantastic website, if you are intrigued in the slightest, i suggest you check it out. :]
alright, i think that's it for today! take care readers, have a most radical weekend! much love, xoxo
(i apologize about posting this later than usual. i had the day off from work and needed to do some serious cleaning.)
this week's feel good tune is by a band called "fun."
the track i've chosen is a song that is PERFECT to blast real loud and just rock out to. (there's a slight possibility i'm speaking from personal experience...but, you'll never know, will you?)
what i love most about it, more than the lyrics, more than the guitar riffs, and more than its rad beat, is the actual music video. its fantastic.
i know, at this point you all are probably chomping at the bit aren't you ;]
the song is titled, "walking the dog."
my favorite lyrics are:
if you could see me-whoever i am.
its not like a movie, its not all skin and bones
so come on love, come on, come on, come on!
na na na na na na, i will not let you go.
na na na na na na , i will. not. let. you. go.
if you need a pick-me-up, here's my humble suggestion:
1. go to a safe space, like, your bedroom
2. turn up the volume on your computer real loud
3. watch the "walking the dog" music video
4. and rock out to your heart's content (my personal favorite moves are: the robot, jumping, high kicks, fist pumping, and sometimes i do the air guitar.)
5.(this one's a bonus) this pick-me-up is really awesome once you got the lyrics down! (ohhh man, i've spilled it, now you know i was talking from personal experience. oh well! sharing is caring, right? and who better to share with than you all!)
so, i hope you enjoy the video-and if you ever have a bad day, i hope you remember this little pick-me-up suggestion.
its from me to you folks, with lots of love!
take care! enjoy the rest of your friday, and have a lovely weekend!
this week i had a real tough time choosing just one song.
so, lucky you, this week you get TWO! (accidental rhyme, honest.)
and the theme for this week's feel good friday is "celebrate yourself."
both of the songs are from the same group. i found them on youtube about a month ago and just fell inlove with their sound and message. the group's name is, "the lost bois." (yes, its a play on j.m. barrie's peter pan.)
the genius' behind the lost bois are b. steady and a.o. (awkward original)
their sound is a little hip hop, mixed with some r&b.
and their goal is to create music that is smart, but fun.
i think they accomplished it! take a listen to one of my favorites, its called, "reading rainbow."
this song is about their personal struggles growing up mashed with references of childhood story-books they loved.
in this song they celebrate who they are and the journey they took to get there. it wasn't all smiles getting to that point. but they are proud to be who they are today.
some of the lyrics i absolutely adore are:
don't fall back baby at the first sign of trouble
because you need your art, you need your mind to get through the struggle
i have always been a poet
and i have always been a reader
and as long as dreams are free i will always be a dreamer
here's their music video for the song, check it out!
the second feel good friday tune is called, "hey girl hey!"
b. steady introduces it as a song to listen to in the morning while brushing your teeth. its a great way to start your day, for sure.
it really is all about celebrating you and how wonderful you really are.
any and all quirks or differences that make you special.
here's a lyric sample:
crooked teeth and dark brown eyes,
my brown skin and my thick thighs,
i'm lookin' good every day,
say hey girl, oh hey, girl hey!
walk outside and taste the air
some don't see me some may stare
some days i have no defense for that foolish ignorance
i don't know about your week folks, but, boy am i glad it's friday!
this week's feel good friday tune is by the one, the only, and the incredibly talented carole king!
her album "tapestry" is definitely on my list of all time favorites. it's so good that there are literally no words to describe how fantastic the album is.
tiny history lesson: carole king's album "tapestry" was released in 1971, the album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, in 1995 it went certified diamond in the u.s., and to this day it is the longest charting album by a female solo artist.
ok, tiny history lesson over.
for this week's feel good friday tune, i chose track number five off of "tapestry," the song is called "beautiful."
this is one of my personal favorite songs to walk around and bop along to. even if i'm having the most terrible of days. i just play this song and i begin to feel like i'm walking on clouds and rays of sunshine start beaming from my heart. i know that's super cheesy, but, watch out, that grilled cheese is about to get a few extra slices! what i love most about that feeling (y'know the walking on clouds, rays of sunshine beaming from my heart, etc) is that i know no one can take that from me. because it started from within me.
so, listen to this song-don't walk on clouds, strut if ya like! let those big bright rays of sunshine beam from your heart. no one can take those things away from you.
if you're reading this, unsure about how its possible to feel that way by listening to a song,
check these lyrics out,
i have often asked myself the reason for the sadness in a world where tears are just a lullaby if there's any answer, maybe love can end the madness maybe not, oh, but we can only try
you've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart then people gonna treat you better
you're gonna find, yes, you will
that you're beautiful as you feel
still unsure? here, have a listen:
hope you have a wonderful day!
and if you have halloween plans that you have a fab (and SAFE) time!
what are you going to be?!
i want to know! :]
take care, and remember, you're beautiful!
xoxo
(p.s. if you have any suggestions for feel good friday tunes- leave 'em in the comments or get at me on twitter- @mrolla)
i am just so thrilled with this week's feel good friday tune! (and i hope you will be too!)
though, i must admit i myself am not well versed in the world of song and story-telling that is country music, but that doesn't mean i don't appreciate it or the people who are!
this week's tune was a request from an avid reader of the blog, and after taking a listen, i couldn't help but oblige- so reader, i thank you!
even if you don't dabble into the realm of country music, i'm sure you've heard of this band, they have their own branch of the sound bite/music card collection from hallmark, (and i would know, because when it comes to greeting cards, i am an expert. i even have one of those greeting-card-organizer-boxes, and it's FULL.)
anywho, the band is the rascal flatts, and the feel good friday song is, "stand."
while watching the music video, i got the goosebumps.
the message in this song is clear: the hard times are a test. a test of your strength, your endurance, and your limits. but the most powerful part of the message is this, in the end, the courage to stand comes from within you. and every time you stand after a fall, you get a little stronger.
here's a lyric sample (and my personal favorite lyrics from the song)
cause when push comes to shove you taste what you're made of you might bend till you break cause it's all you can take on your knees you look up decide you've had enough you get mad, you get strong wipe your hands, shake it off then you stand, then you stand
every time you get up and get back in the race one more small piece of you starts to fall into place
and that, my friends, is this week's feel good friday tune.
here's the video!
ENJOY!
also, this friday i have a most special treat for all of you!
last night i stumbled across an "it gets better" video, from none other than the president of the united states!
that's right! president obama made a video. so, listen to the president folks. :]
since it is friday- you know what that means! (it's feel good friday a'course!)
for this week's tune i did a lot of pondering over which song i thought would be best.
and after much consideration and careful deliberation i finally decided on one.
i know life isn't always sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. (believe you me.)
but sometimes, with the perfect melody, accompanied by the perfect voice on one of those darker days its nice to pretend it is.
this week's feel good friday tune is: sunshine, lollipops and rainbows by lesley gore.
who is lesley gore? she is often best known for her 1963 hit, "it's my party," (and i'll cry if i want to, cry if i want to.) that one.
my favorite lyrics from "sunshine, lollipops and rainbows" are:
sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, everything that's wonderful is sure to come your way! 'cause you're in love, you're in love, and love is here to stay!
(here's the video!)
so, hold on folks, no matter where you are in the journey of life- know wonderful things are on their way!
and most importantly, know that love is here to stay. and i'm talking about any kind of love, love from a parent or guardian, love from a sister or brother, love from a friend or love from a partner. (or any other type of love i missed!)
just know there are people out there who love you and want to help you make it through the gloomy days, and those people want to be there when the wonderful things make their way to you.
know this and hold onto it tight!
also, here's a virtual hug from me to YOU!
have a wonderful friday! and an absolutely fantabulous weekend, you all deserve it!
this is my very first installment of feel good friday!
i'm quite excited, but also a little nervous, so, please excuse the awkward introduction above...
for this first friday i thought it only made sense i choose the song that inspired this thought.
alicia keys' "wait til you see my smile" off of "the element of freedom."
i bought this album shortly after i heard the first single, "have you ever tried sleeping with a broken heart." i immediately fell inlove with the entirety of the album. (and no, "inlove" is not a typo. its quite intentional. its supposed to symbolize how "in" "love" i am, and that there's no room for space between the words. i think.)
on the ride home after purchasing the record, i got to song 5, which happens to be this week's feel good tune.
goosebumps formed almost immediately and throughout the course of the song not only was i feeling empowered, but i felt like someone really understood me and what i've gone through for the first time. i know, a song did that. but i guess that's the power of music.
here are a few verses from "wait til you see my smile" that are truly powerful:
don't they love to see you down
kick you while you are on the ground don't let emotions show
people always speculate don't let them get in your way see they say things they don't know wait till you see my smile wait till they see your smile So your doing better now Everybody comes around but you don't really need 'em 'Cause your stronger and your better and you're ready for whatever
lovely right?
so, if you're in a place where you're being bullied for who you are. especially if it's because of your sexuality or gender identity, i want you to know there is someone out there who cares. i care about you and your well being. please listen to this song noting the lyrics i've posted above.
and know you are not alone and that it does get better. even though it's tough right now, i want you to experience the "better" because you most certainly deserve it.
last night after i tucked myself into bed, per usual i attempted to fall asleep. and per usual- i failed. not once, but several times. (this, is not usual.) eventually i gave up, because, clearly my mind wasn't done running for the day.
thought after thought floated through my brain on the stream of consciousness. most of them were quite boring or somewhat embarrassing, such as, "what time should i get up tomorrow," "what time will give me the most beauty sleep," "space dogs," and, "it took me an awfully long time to realize i wasn't terrible at cutting paper- i just needed left handed scissors."
but i did have somewhat of noteworthy thought: feel good fridays. and, what ISfeel good fridays you ask? well, besides it being awesome purely due to the alliteration alone, from here on out i'm going dedicate each friday to posting a "feel good" song for all of you.
i want to send good vibes out into the atmosphere, and perhaps if some individual is having a rough day, they might somehow stumble upon this blog and find some kind words waiting for them.
william james once said, "act as if what you do makes a difference. it does."
(so, i mean, its possible right? you never know!)
i have a really fantastic song all picked out for tomorrow's very first installment of feel good friday!
until then, pleasant dreams! (or pleasant day! depending on location!)
with the recent events of this past month, i haven't been able to stop thinking about the effects of bullying and what we can do to make a difference.
first, i want to share a personal story with you from my childhood.
(read with caution, i do type the "f" word, and i don't mean "f**k.")
i had a nickname when i was eleven. some clever kid decided to call me "maggot the faggot," and it caught like wildfire throughout my seventh grade classroom. (well actually the way everyone spelled it was "maget the faget," if you're gonna insult me, at least have the decency to spell it correctly.)
that year, on valentines day i received a hate valentine. the kid who gave it to me made me promise i would never show it to my parents. i didn't understand why, so i just agreed. a whole bunch of the class was watching and laughing. when i opened it, my little eleven year old heart broke. the valentine was sky dancer themed and it said, "you're sweet!" but the kid had written "NOT" in between the the kind words. as if that wasn't enough, there was an arrow that pointed to more hurtful scribbled words, "because u eat magets."
and on the reverse side was more, "maget the faget," "magee the loser," "ur a loser," "fag," "LOSER," (you get the picture.)
clearly this kid was really creative. anyways, that piece of paper hurt. i didn't cry at school. it devastated me- you're not supposed to receive a hate valentine, but i refused to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me cry. but once i was home and safe in my room i laid on my bed, face into the pillow and cried.
this is just one small example of the cruelty which occurs in schools all over the united states. obviously there are much worse cases, but this particular one hurt me. those words hurt. though, since then, my life has gotten better. much better. i have been able to make choices and surround myself with fantastically amazing individuals that truly make me wonder how there ever was a time they weren't in my life.
i decided to write this blog because bullying is an extremely important issue and it needs to cease. when i was in seventh grade we didn't have facebook, myspace, twitter, skype or any other social network system. some of us didn't even have aol instant messenger then. when i left school and walked away from the bully, the bullying stopped. i was able to remove myself from the situation, and get a few bully free hours at home. i was able to feel safe.
clearly times have changed, and cyber bullying makes it harder for kids to feel like they can escape it. the bell rings and even though they leave school, the internet is everywhere- and they no longer have a space where they feel safe from the bullying.
this past month has been a wake up call- too many teens (specifically lgbt youth) are feeling trapped with no hope in sight. we need to show them it gets better, and while we're at it, lets make a promise to continue better-ing the "better."
dan savage created a youtube channel titled, "it gets better."
(if you haven't seen it, you should do yourself a favor and check it out. also, if you know any lgbt youth that may be struggling, gently point them in the direction of this youtube channel.)
one of my favorite humans on the planet made a video for this project. who is that human you ask? why, its the one and only kate bornstein!
the video kate bornstein made for the "it gets better" project, is something i think every human should watch.
here's the video (please, please PLEASE watch.)
lets spread this message from kate to everyone you know-
"here's all you need to remember to know that life gets better: you can do whatever it takes to make your life more worth living. really! anything baby! you can do anything it takes to make your life more worth living. anything. there's only one rule you need to follow in order to make that kind of blanket permission work, only one rule in the whole frickin' book- don't be mean."
because if everyone used this as their mantra, bullying wouldn't exist.
and that's the kind of world i'd like to see someday.
happy new year's eve readers!
