extra special feel good friday: happy tgives!

happy day after thanksgiving readers!

(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 Kamakawiwoʻole

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.

take care folks and have a most lovely weekend!

xoxo

feel good friday: i find hope in a beating chest

howdy folks!

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

feel good friday: walking the dog

greetings readers!

happy feel good friday!

(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!

xoxo

feel good friday: celebrate yourself

happy friday!

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

some days i laugh, some days i cuss,

i may walk hard and switch and strut,

and hold my own breasts yes i squeeze,

i'm still feeling good in me, hey.

here's the vid!

so, have a lovely friday, and wonderful weekend!

and remember to celebrate yourself!

xoxo

feel good friday: you're beautiful

finally! feel good friday is upon us!

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)

feel good friday: then you stand

salutations folks!

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. :]

(here's the link: http://youtu.be/geyAFbSDPVk)

have a lovely weekend everyone!

thanks for reading, and remember to feel good today! (and everyday)

much love!

xoxo

feel good friday: sunshine, lollipops and rainbows

happy friday 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!

much love!

xoxo