Let's Moonwalk (over to the Poll Results...MJ Style)

Before I get into the results I have to say: I forgot "Beat It." I'm sorry, but once I realized (while watching This is It) I couldn't add it because someone had voted so it was locked.

Thriller
6 (60%)

Bad
1 (10%)

Billie Jean
5 (50%)

You Are Not Alone
0 (0%)

Man in The Mirror
4 (40%)

Smooth Criminal
2 (20%)

The Way You Make Me Feel
3 (30%)

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough
2 (20%)

Rock With You
1 (10%)

Dirty Diana
1 (10%)

You Rock My World
1 (10%)

Will You Be There
3 (30%)

Heal the World
0 (0%)

Earth Song
1 (10%)

Wanna Be Starting Something
1 (10%)

They Don't Care About Us
1 (10%)

Black or White
3 (30%)

Michael Jackson died a year ago last friday and I remember I was sitting at my kitchen table (like I am now) and my brother received a text that said "Mike Jackson is dead." And me, not thinking, was all "who's Mike Jackson, did we go to high school with him?" It was my brother who suggested it was Michael Jackson and we searched and yes, it was him. That night I went to the mall and several stores were playing MJ's music and it made me sad. For all his faults in his personal life - music was the one thing he didn't screw up. Love him or hate him, he is a legend.

Bloggerstock: "The Story of What's On Your Desk"

Hi Everyone, meet Lexi - she's guest posting for me today as part of June's Bloggerstock. She writes at http://sourpuss.org and I'm thrilled to host her on my blog today. She's a 20-something female living in Sweden with her Boyfriend and she's a real go-getter - working hard to get a business degree while working a job she considers "dead-end." She loves her family and has had some hard-times in her life. She's new to blogging - so let's give her some love, okay :)

Her post:

Bloggerstock is the brainchild of a small group of bloggers who connected on 20SB. The idea comes from the concept of a blog-swap in that maybe we could create our own kind of event where we all wrote posts to be posted on the next person’s blog. Essentially forming a blog-ring. This months topic is "The story of what is on your desk".

I bought a desk a couple of months ago. Extremely tired of having my things spread around my boyfriends apartment, I decided I needed a desk. It was a huge, old desk which I bought second hand. Study desk, computer desk, any kind of desk you want it to be.
I was pretty tired of sitting in the lounger with my knees propped up as a desk. Tired because no one can work efficiently that way.
I kept my desk empty of clutter for at least, three hours. And then it wasn't a desk anymore. It's a pile of clutter and things that I've collected and somewhere under the pile of junk lies a desk.
At Least until last week. That's when my boyfriend decided to repaint the living room and now my desk is taken apart, standing upright against a wall. But at least it's a desk. At Least it has its dignity. Me? I'm in the lounger, with my legs bent under, with my knees as support for my computer.
Old habits die hard.

Allison here: Thanks for the short and sweet post Lexi - so clever - I love it! I myself use my bed as my desk, and you'll see from my post on Stargazer's blog, my desk is cluttered with strange and wonderful things. And please check back at Sour Puss to see the guest blog there!

If you want to participate in future Bloggerstock events check out their website. It was the brainchild of a few of my blogger friends and followers and I hope this one is another success!

Listomania (Not to be confused with Lisztomania)

Today I feel like I'm getting better - like actually improving health-wise. I have reduced my nose-blowing by at least 75%!!! Sorry if that was gross, but to me it's flippin' fantastic. Today was also one of my days off and I feel like I got a few key things done and got the ball rolling on a few projects. I know all my blogs have been lists and stuff lately...I'm sorry, I just don't have any good stories to tell right now.

But here is my To-Do List from today:

1) Buy wooden lettering for the sign I'm making for my cottage: I will call this one 1/2 complete - mainly because I found a store that carries what I'm looking for, BUT they didn't have all the letters I needed to spell my last name.

2) Buy paint for cottage sign: Success! I can't paint anything until I get the lettering though...

3) Make more feather hair clips for my Etsy Shop: Yes I did this today. I decided to make a bunch that would be wedding appropriate. Visit my shop here: Quarter-Life Crafts to see them. I need to take better photos of them.

4) Post my iTunes Playlist: Yes I did, but it was provided by Mr. O and Jeanette today. They're awesome. Thanks again guys!

5) Took my second last photo of my "Take a photo everyday for a month" project: Yes, I did that as well.

6) Go for a run: No, decided I was still too sick to run :(

7) Go see The Trotsky at the cheap theatre downtown: Nope, this didn't work out. But the movie will still be playing there next week - so this list item has just been moved to another day.

8) Choose when to go away this summer: 1/2 complete. I picked a weekend to spend in sunny Belleville, Ontario but it hasn't been officially booked off and my train ticket hasn't been purchased yet either.

Tomorrow there will be another guest blog on here - but you'll be able to find a blog by me somewhere else in the blogosphere. I will post my Michael Jackson poll results sometime tomorrow as well and I'll try to come up with a new poll idea.

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #51

I'm Miss Organized, right - I tend to plan my playlist themes a few weeks in advanced, because I'm like a boy scout: Always Be Prepared (or something like that). I thought that it was about time I asked one of my special, loyal blog friends to guest write a playlist for me. And since Mr. O (A Rush of Blog to the Head) is a huge music fan I thought he'd be perfect. I asked and he said I should still choose the topic. I thought that since he currently resides in the great state of Alabama that the topic should be "North Meets South." And he suggested he tag-team it with Jeanette (Jenzie Benzie vs. The World). She is from Michigan - a state that is just a hop, skip and a jump away from me. 


It's funny, 'cause as a Canadian girl from Southern Ontario - you could say that I'm both a Northerner and Southerner based on who you're talking to. To my American friends (Mes Amis Americains) I'm a crazy Canuck - livin' in an igloo and wrestling polar bears (I kid, I kid).  I (heart) Mr. O & Jeanette - I'm a bit jealous that they met up last week in Georgia. But they did discuss this playlist in person! So that's like being there, right?  Onto their lists:

Jeanette's:

1. Especially in Michigan: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Shout out to the state I'm from, as much as I say I'm determined to get away from Michigan it will always have a special place in my heart. I mean it's the only state you can hold up your hand, say I'm from here, and not be considered crazy!

Thanks for kickin' this off with a song from one of my favourite bands!

2. High Tide: Holly Miranda - I saw Holly in concert and she's awesome, she's like a badass Norah Jones, and to top it off she's from Detroit, Michigan. Other notable Michiganders: Eminem, Madonna, Kid Rock, Aretha Franklin, Cinematic Sunrise, etc, etc.

I'll have to check this one out for sure!

3. Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground : The White Stripes - ALSO FROM MICHIGAN! Must be in the water or something. I love pretty much every single thing Jack White does and The White Stripes are no exception. Seriously though, in the winter all we can do is practice playing instruments I suppose.

I'm also a huge White Stripes fan. Actually, this song will play a role in a guest post I'm writing for Mr. O - I think he's posting them next week sometime. So you heard it here first folks!

4. Indiana: Meg & Dia - Indiana is actually a pretty lame state haha, I just love this song.

I've never been to Indiana, so I can't speak for it's lameness. 

5. Help I'm Alive: Metric - Alright, I really wanted to put Tegan and Sara but I resisted and opted to go with another Canadian indie band in the form of Metric. Seriously, I want to move to Canada for the music scene alone.

You should move here.

GO NORTH!! (I concur) 

Mr. O:

1. Where The Green Grass Grows: Tim McGraw - You know I have to start off with a country song. Tim (we are on a first name basis) is from Louisiana but this song applies to the laid back feel of the South that I have come to appreciate. You either love or hate country music, but songs like this make me appreciate the "just living life and having fun doing it" attitude some songs can bring.

I will paraphrase Chuck Klosterman and say: People who say they hate country music don't like music (or something like that).

2. Top back: T.I. - Holy transition Batman! Another stereotype about the South that is also true. We are a predominantly black population. Seriously, African-Americans and Rednecks make up 90% of the population in a statistic I made up for this description. And this song is great as ATL-rapper T.I. puts out a bass-heavy song that even the trucks with deer antlers can be heard jammin from time to time.

Canadians are born with a plaid beaver stitched to our hearts - a stat I made up for this comment.

3. Franklin: Paramore - When Jeanette and I teamed up for this, I was like "I'm claiming Paramore!" (one of her favorite bands). Franklin is the Tennessee city the band calls home and it's cool to see that they haven't forgotten. I have seen them twice in Atlanta and both times Hayley Williams made reference to her southern roots.

I saw that Hayley Williams is on the cover of Spin this month. I honestly don't know much about Paramore (maybe they're not that well-known in Canada yet or I'm just out of the loop).

4. The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle: A Day to Remember - This music, with its occasional screaming, may not be for everybody, but they are a hit in their home state of Florida. This song got chosen for the simple reason that "Panhandle" refers to the shape Florida makes when you look at the map. ADTR is a band I wish I would have gotten into sooner as I could have checked them out in home-town element.

I will have to listen to this one - never heard of it. Always appreciate the new music suggestions.

5. Sweet Home Alabama: Lynyrd Skynrd - I had to. I just had to. This song just represents us to the fullest and if you have ever lived in Alabama you have to choose a side when the Auburn Tigers play the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. I mention this to say that I have heard versions of the song that contain references to both schools and to also say that it's great to be an Auburn tiger!

This song also has a North-South connection: 
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow  

Combos (North & South):

Mr O:

1. 50 Cent: Manchester Orchestra - This is a song that you can only see if lead singer Andy Hull decides to perform it at a show or if you search on youtube. Manchester Orchestra is an Atlanta band singing about a rapper from New York so that explains that. (It's kind of funny from a band who have much heavier tones in their regular songs).

A band with a British sounding name, from the southern US, singing about an NYC rapper...

2. No Love: Eminem featuring Lil Wayne - In my opinion, the best song on Eminem's new release "Recovery." Detroit (Eminem) hooking up with New Orleans (Lil Wayne) over a sample from a song featured in Night at the Roxbury? Classic.

I have a hard time taking Eminem seriously. I'll try to listen to this one with an open mind.

What is there to say? Allison is amazing. Thanks for letting us take part in your playlist! Now I guess I have to go give some music a chance (read on)...

Awe...the love.

Jeanette:

3. Borne on the FM Waves of the heart: Against Me! feat. Tegan Quin - Although Mr. O will surely not agree, this is one of my favorite songs of all time, probably number 2 overall. I was always on the fence about Against Me! but this song was the push I needed. It's a north/south combo for the record books, Against Me! from Florida with Tegan Quin from Canada like our friend Allison. Seriously though, this song... it just gets me every. single. time. Don't worry... it will grow on Mr. O after a few more listens :)

Since this is Jeanette's second favourite song ever I have to give it a serious listen. :)

4. Careless Whisper: All Time Low feat. Juliette Simms (of Automatic Loveletter) and 3OH!3 - Yes, this is a cover, and a Wham! cover at that, but they managed to make it not super lame. Juliette is another Florida person, All Time Low are from Maryland and 3OH!3 are from Colado and all together they make up a pretty awesome cover band haha. All Time Low also worked with Juliette on "Remembering Sunday" I really love that song as well... so check that out too if you get a chance.

I'll also have to look for this one.

I'd like to thank Mr. O for letting me help out on this battle of north/south, as well as give a big shout out to Allison for making awesome playlists for us all the time! Thanks!

You guys are awesome! I don't know what I'm going to do next week (so much for being Little Miss Organized!)


Here is a photo of Mr. O and Jeanette together in Georgia in a bookstore (the bookstore can represent me in this photo, okay?):

Also - This Thursday is Canada Day - so make sure you give this hoser (me) a virtual high five, and a donut on July 1. Make it a maple dip, eh?

101 before 1001: #50 - Take a Photo Everyday for a Week - Week #4

This week was the opposite of last week - I was crazy busy last week, this week I did nothing but work. Only three more photos - so I think I'll post week #5's pictures on Wednesday or Thursday.

1) "Another Flower" - Not feeling like leaving my property again, I photographed this flower in the garden.

2) "Lily Billy Actin' Silly" - Since Minnie got a photo during week #1, it's about time Lily got some camera time. She loves lying on the grass on the front yard waiting for birds and chipmunks. 

3) "Old Oak" - I stood at the base of our oak tree in the back and looked up. I loved the way the sun shone through the leaves.

4) "Candid and Cracked" - I woke up with a nasty cold on Thursday and fought it all through my shift at work. On my way home, remembering I needed to take a photo, I took my camera out and just pressed the button a bunch of times without knowing or caring what I was taking a photo of. This was the best of my "I don't care" series.

5) "Jailbreak Lily" - I saw this lily poking through a chain-link fence on my way home from the park on Friday. I went to the park to try to photograph something else, but there were too many people around, so I didn't. This flower caught my attention and is a good enough substitute. 

6) "My Luck Needs Changing" - Still sick on a rainy Saturday I got sent home from work early. I took this picture on my way home.

7) "Pre-Game Jitters" - I'm posting this before the England - Germany World Cup game today. I wasn't made in England, but I can still support 'em!

As per usual, comments are encouraged and welcomed. I have an idea of what I'm going to do with some of these when this is all over. I think I'll do a 'best of' for sure - but I might take it a step further. More on that later. If you haven't seen the whole collection, please check the old posts:

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

Like I said at the top, only three photos left so I'll post those sometime on the 30th or after.

Weekend (Postcrossing) Update #30

I only got one postcard this week - from Austin, Texas - but it has a Canadian connection.

1) From The US - The senders are Texans (I love how Americans self identify by their state - like "Texan," "New Yorker," "Californian," etc. The only Canadians who do this often are Newfies). Anyways, I got this postcard from these friendly Texans. They have a cottage in Kenora, Ontario (home of the Husky the Muskie). They also have ancestors from Pickering and Whitby, Ontario. Which are east of Toronto. For some geography - I live west of Toronto.

Onto some life updates:

Monday: I always forget what I do on Monday. I was still hurting from the weekend. 

Tuesday: I got up at 5 am to open at work. It rained on and off all day. Blah blah blah. I took a nap and listened to the new Sarah Harmer album Oh Little Fire. It's really good.

Wednesday: Wednesday was another 5 am start. But I got home around 12:30/1ish. I got in the shower shortly after...and while I was showering...at 1:41pm there was a mother f#%king earthquake! I didn't feel it though. But yeah - the epicentre was on the Quebec - Ontario border near Ottawa, Ontario. It was felt from there all the way down to parts of the states. Blame Canada, blame Canada....

Then there were tornadoes in Midland, Ontario. It's the end of the world as we know it.

Thursday: Sick...worked...blah.

Friday: That would be today - I am still sick. It sucks. I didn't get a cold all winter and now that it's summer I get one. I took $216.50 in rolled coin to the bank today. That's correct - I had that much change. I save my tips from work and roll them once a month or so. I also bought the latest Broken Social Scene album,  Forgiveness Rock Record. I also found out today that director Bruce McDonald is making a film called This Movie is Broken. It's a fictional love story that takes place during a Broken Social Scene show. I hope to eventually see it. Also, I plan on watching This is It today in honour of the first anniversary of Michael Jackson's death.

My weekend forecast: Well, since I'm sick I don't have any plans other than to work (I hope to be on the mend). I will miss the England - Germany game on Sunday :( 

Okay - well I'm gonna peace out and take my box of Kleenex and my book (Last Shop Standing by Graham Jones) outside for a little R,R&R (Rest, Relaxation, and Recovery).

Cheers!

Tonight We're Gonna Party Like It's 1999! - Best Decades for Music (Poll Results)

1950s
1 (9%)
Buddy Holly, Elvis, Johnny Cash...

1960s
3 (27%)
The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin...

1970s
3 (27%)
Led Zeppelin, Queen, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd...

1980s
4 (36%)
Guns N Roses, Blondie, Billy Idol, The Cure...

1990s
7 (63%)
Nirvana, Oasis, Pearl Jam, No Doubt...

2000s
0 (0%)
The Killers, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Kings of Leon...

Pre-1950
0 (0%)
Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday...

Now (even though we're only less than a year into the decade)
1 (9%)
Mumford and Sons...

I just picked bands from those decades - they don't represent the entire decades musical style (obviously).

1990s won by a landslide...what are your 90s favourites?

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #50!!!

Playlist #50 isn't near, it's here!

In honour of my 50th playlist I'm going to share 10 songs recorded in the 1950s that I love.

1. Everyday by Buddy Holly (1957) - I believe I first heard this song in the film Stand by Me.

2. Don't Be Cruel by Elvis Presley (1956) - So many to choose from, but I decided to not go for the obvious choice here.

3. Cold Cold Heart by Hank Williams (1951) - I have a place in my heart for old country songs.

4. Goodnite Sweetheart, Goodnite by The Spaniels (1954) - This song makes me think of the movie Three Men and a Baby (the scene when the three guys sing this to the baby).

5. Bird Dog by The Everly Brothers (1958) - This song is dedicated to Jacqueline. Memories of playing this on the jukebox at RC's. Also Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers named his son Everly after the band.

6. Tutti-Fruiti by Little Richard (1955) - When I think of Little Richard I think of this song.

7. I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash and The Tennesse Two (1956) - Had to include Johnny Cash. Had to.

8. What'd I Say by Ray Charles (1959) - Hard to pick, but I love this one.

9. Why Do Fools Fall in Love? by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (1956) - I remember watching the Bio-pic about Frankie Lymon and how he had three wives who fought over his money after he died.

10. How High the Moon by Les Paul and Mary Ford (1951) - Did any of you see the Grammy's? Jeff Beck and Imelda May did this as a tribute to Les Paul (RIP). So amazing.

Next week is a special list co-created by two of my favourite bloggers. The theme is "North Meets South" so I think it's appropriate that Mr. O (South) and Jeanette (North) worked on this together. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

Holy Sh%t (What a Relief) - The Story of My Saturday Night: A Photo Essay

Look at that sunny blue sky. Beautiful day, right?

The festival in the distance. 

We didn't know this was being taken.

Hey Rosetta! playing in the rain.

Then the Smoke Monster rolled and tried to ruin my day.

But the band kept playing....but then they had to stop 2.5 songs in.

I'm such a boy scout - I brought a raincoat and an umbrella!

The crowd was shouting that there was a rainbow trying to get them to play again.

Blue skies! The show must go on!

Someone's idea of a hilarious joke - the big screens showed an animated rain graphic.

Rainy festival goers - a girl from work informs me that her friends are somewhere in this photo.

The stage and the skies clearing.

A little wet - no biggie.

Sound of Music crew sweeping the water off the stage.

Hey Rosetta! back on stage. Yay. Probably playing "A Thousand Suns."

Arkells from Hamilton, Ontario playing to their biggest crowd ever (as a headliner).

Dan of Arkells.

Max - lead vocals.

Arkells!

Fireworks courtesy of Arkells...Oooo Ahhhh.

The End.

* (Holy Shit) What a Relief is a song by Hey Rosetta! Seemed appropriate.

Weekend (Postcrossing) Update #29

1) From Belgium.

2) From Italy - A mosaic from a church.

3) From Spain.

Other Updates:

1) I bought tickets to see one of my favourite singer/songwriters, Danny Michel, last month. The show was to be on October 21. On Tuesday I found out the show has been moved to January. I received an email, a phone call and another email about it. I could get a refund I guess, but I don't have plans in January - that I know of.

2) I watched Brazil and North Korea play at the Pub on Tuesday. It was pretty low key. Drank some Stella's and ate a delicious sandwich.

3) I finally saw "Under Great White Northern Lights." It's a documentary about The White Stripes. They did a tour for Icky Thump where they went to every single Canadian Province and Territory. I was struck by how normal Jack White seems. I always assumed he was a totally weirdo - but when he talks he's just a regular dude. 

4) On Thursday night I went to see Saint Alvia at a local pub (they're a band) with my friend Steph. But I was such a loser and forgot my wallet and she had to drive me home to get it because I needed my ID. After we walked around downtown for a bit. I got something in my eye and we stopped at a Pita Pit and the guy there gave me a damp paper towel.

5) Friday I went for a run in the morning. Surprisingly I felt amazing. Such a good run.

6) Friday afternoon I returned to the Queens Head pub to watch England play Algeria. In the words of my good friend Rob, "Rubbish."

7) As I stated before, this weekend was a music festival here. I work at a cafe across the street from it and I have been run ragged. I am not sad to see it end - let me tell ya.

8) Saturday Night: This deserves a post of it's own. I went to see two bands I (heart) last night and all I'm going to say is: "Rain & Shine" "I'm a trooper" and "I have awesome friends."

9) Sunday morning my mom made breakfast and I worked again. I came home to a delicious steak dinner for Father's Day. Gave my dad Scotch.

10) I'm off to buy Advil.

Cheers!

101 before 1001: #50 - Take a Photo Everyday for a Week - Week #3

1) "Morning Tea"- I don't remember much about Monday other than the fact that I worked and nothing special happened. I took this in the morning while I was getting ready. I always have a cup of tea to start my day.

2) "After Brazil" - I drank half pints of Stella at the Pub on Tuesday afternoon while I watched Brazil beat North Korea 2-1 in the World Cup. I took this photo on my way home after. I liked how the clouds looked. The bottom right hand side is the top of a Ukrainian church.

3) "6 AM Downpour" - This photo isn't art, but this was my walk to work Wednesday morning. I remembered I had my camera in my purse and captured the moment.

4) "Too Cool for Cavities" - This marks the first self-portrait I've taken for this project. I was in a rush on Thursday and snapped this off while I was brushing my teeth. I'm wearing my sunglasses because I literally ran out the door after.

5) "Saint Alvia Does The Poacher" - This was taken after midnight during the Saint Alvia show at The Poacher pub. Not art, but the best I could do. In this shot: Ben Rispen on vocal and Greg Taylor on Guitar and backup vocal.

6) "A Thousand Suns" - After taking over 80 photos on Saturday night I decided on this one. I feel like my Saturday night deserves it's own post (soon) - but here's a teaser. I went to see Hey Rosetta! play the Sound of Music Festival last night. They got through 2.5 songs before the rain shut them down...for a bit. My friends and I huddled under an umbrella and waited it out. Eventually the storm passed and the band continued. I took this photo of the blue sky and the corner of the stage. "A Thousand Suns" is a song by Hey Rosetta! It was requested after the storm.

7) "Father's Day" - After I came home from work today I presented my dad with this gift. Every Father's Day I buy my dad a bottle of Scotch Whiskey - usually an unusual one he doesn't have. Always Single Malt.

Okay - so my busy week has ended! My feet hurt and I could sleep for days. I hope you enjoy these pictures and maybe later I'll write a post about my music festival experiences. I hope these photos don't disappoint (it was hard to keep it up this week). Any favourites? 

Honest to Blog

No Weekend (Postcrossing) Update today - but the beauty of the Weekend Update is that I have the flexibility to post it Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or even Monday if I so choose. I usually do it Friday after I get the mail because USUALLY Friday is my day off - not today. As you may have read, it's Sound of Music Festival weekend here in this town I call home. I will basically be buzzing on coffee all weekend to keep me going. Oh, I should stock up on Advil I guess.

So probably by Sunday I'll have the time and brain power to scan postcards and tell you all about my weekend (which started last night...more on that on Sunday or Monday). This was just a tease.

I don't want to leave you with nothing here...

Um, what are you reading? I'm reading This Book is Broken by Stuart Berman. It's about Broken Social Scene. It's mostly interviews and photos with various members and friends of the band. It's quite cool to read about how the BIGGEST (and I mean size) band in Canada got started. I'm getting through the book really quickly - it's rather short once you realize that it's all short interviews and photos. It's really amazing though.

I also went through a phase this week where I listened to "Hey" by The Pixies on repeat. Don't ask me why.




And as a preview for the rest of my weekend:

C'mon Baby Play Me Something like "Here Comes the Sun" (Poll Results)

Best Classic Song About the Sun:

Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden
1 (20%) - Not too many Cornell fans, eh? Granted only 6 of you voted - so not bad I guess.

Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes
2 (40%) - I'm surprised this only got two votes. Overplayed I guess.

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by Elton John
1 (20%) - Not much love for Sir. Elton.

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
3 (60%) - The Beatles squeaked in a win this week. Who can resist this George Harrison classic?

Island in the Sun by Weezer
2 (40%) - Hip Hip ♫

Sunglasses At Night by Corey Hart
2 (40%) - Maybe Corey Hart is just a Canadian joke.

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves
2 (40%) - Too cheesy?

You Are the Sunshine of my Life by Stevie Wonder
0 (0%) - Whoa - no love for Stevie. Not this track anyways.

The title of this post comes from the song "Gimme Sympathy" by Metric.

Okay - since I bore you each week with these results, it's only fair to give you some brief and painless updates:

1) Yesterday was my day off - I won't get another one for 9 days. I went to the pub in the afternoon and had a couple Stella's whilst watching Brazil beat North Korea 2-1.

2) Tomorrow The Sound of Music Festival begins here in my hometown. It's a four day free festival on the waterfront and it's usually a good time. I work at a coffee shop (as I've stated many times over) that happens to be directly across from the park. This is why I don't have any days off until next Friday. I plan on seeing two bands on Saturday night (after work) - Hey Rosetta! and Arkells. I have a friend visiting from out of town too! Tomorrow night I might go see Saint Alvia at a pub - if it's not too packed.

3) Friday I'm watching the England - Algeria game at a British pub. It should be packed. 90% of the people at this pub will be legit British - can't wait. I won't overindulge before work. I'm mostly just excited to watch.

4) I hate to be one of those people who bitches about the weather all the damn time - but I've had it with the rain. It always rains Wednesday morning when I have to walk to work at 6 am and my shoes are not waterproof. There's a chance it will rain Saturday too - great - the only night I can go to the festival. Typical. You'll be seeing more rainy day photos.

5) I just watched the movie Crazy Heart with Jeff Bridges. I'm still absorbing it. Anyone seen any good movies lately?

6) "Here we are now, entertain us..."
I'm bored - entertain me. I should have taken a nap...

iTunes Playlist Tuesday! #49

This week I've picked 10 artists who've done side and solo projects in addition to being a regular member of a well-known band. Some of these artists have multiple projects (workaholics).  I'll let the songs and artists speak for themselves.

Artist: Jack White
Best known for: The White Stripes
Side Project(s): The Dead Weather and The Raconteurs
Song: Steady as She Goes by The Raconteurs

Artist: Dave Grohl
Best known for: Nirvana and Foo Fighters
Side Project: Them Crooked Vultures
Song: Mind Eraser, No Chaser by Them Crooked Vultures

Artist: Damon Albarn
Best known for: Blur
Side Project: Gorillaz
Song: Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz

Artist: Dallas Green
Best known for: Alexisonfire
Side Project: Solo work under the name City and Colour
Song: Waiting by City and Colour

Artist: Amy Millan
Best known for: Stars and Broken Social Scene
Side Project: Solo work
Song: Bound by Amy Millan

Artist: Gord Downie
Best known for: The Tragically Hip
Side Project: Gord Downie and The Country Of Miracles
Song: East Wind by Gord Downie and The Country Miracles

Artist: John Frusciante
Best known for: Former guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers
Side Project: Solo work (has become his main focus now)
Song: Song to Sing When I’m Lonely by John Frusciante

Artist: Rivers Cuomo
Best known for: Weezer
Side Project: Released two albums of demos and personal songs
Song: I Want to Take you Home Tonight by Rivers Cuomo

Artist: Gwen Stefani
Best known for: No Doubt
Side Project: Solo work
Song: What You Waiting For? by Gwen Stefani

Artist: Josh Homme
Best known for: Queens of the Stone Age
Side Project(s): Eagles of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures
Song: (I Used to Couldn’t Dance) Tight Pants by Eagles of Death Metal

Next week is my 50th playlist! Holy shit! So I've decided to do a 1950s theme. I've already started researching (I'm such a keener). List #51 will be a surprise...stay tuned.

Also, this week's list? Did I forget anyone? Who would you have chosen?

101 before 1001: #50 - Take a Photo Everyday for a Week - Week #2

1) "Brick and Ivy" - Monday was a nice day. I took this in the morning before I left for work. I liked the way the sun was shining on the brick. This is part of a containing wall and staircase that leads to our backyard from the basement.

2) "Central Garden" - On Tuesday I decided that I should walk to the park again. The public library is near the park and out front is a beautifully tended garden space. I've seen people have wedding photos taken here. I sat on a bench and took some photos. I wish I'd brought a book - it's a nice spot. I decided to go with a wide shot instead of a zoomed in one because I felt like my photos were all looking the same-ish.

3) "Rainy Day Tomato" - Wednesday was another rainy day. After failing to nap in the afternoon (after my 5 am wake up to go to work) I walked around my yard in my bare-feet - stepping in the cool puddles on the patio. I know I posted a flower photo after a rain storm last week - but I have a small thing for water droplets in photos. 

4) "Tink's Porch Light" - I nearly forgot to take a photo on Thursday! I took this one at dusk of the porch light on the back deck. It reminds me of Peter Pan - Tinkerbell's lantern. 

5) "Banana Toes" - This isn't "art," I know. I only took two photos of my pedicure on Friday. The nail polish colour I chose is called "Banana Bandana." My feet feel super fantastic and look pretty too. I can cross something else off my list. My apologies if you think feet are gross.

6) "The Long Way Home" - I took a detour on my walk home from work on Saturday. Another rainy day, but it had stopped by the time I left. I cut through a place called "The Village Square." It's a cute little cobblestone-like shopping area - but it's mostly abandoned. When I was a kid my grandma would take us here - and this tree was alive.

7) "Light Reading" - This is just a few of the books I plan to read this summer. I actually set up this shot on our bar counter in the basement because the black marble is so shiny and reflective. If you can't read the titles they are: (Top to bottom) Marshall McLuhan by Douglas Coupland (as part of the Extraordinary Canadians series), You're a Horrible Person, But I Like You - The Believer Book of Advice, Barrel Fever by David Sedaris, Last Shop Standing: Whatever Happened to Record Shops? by Graham Jones, and This Book is Broken by Stuart Berman.

I hope week two didn't disappoint! If you missed week one you can CLICK HERE.

Next week I have several social things planned that will get me away from work and out of my house - so my photos next week will be more varied and possibly (gasp!) have people's faces in them! I'm watching the Brazil vs. Ivory Coast game at the pub on Tuesday, Thursday possibly seeing a band at a different pub, Friday possibly back to the pub for England vs. Algeria, and Saturday after work I'm going to our local music festival. I swear I'm not an alcoholic.

Anyways, I just saw the worst goal ever clip on YouTube - from Yesterday's World Cup game - England vs. USA. Robert Green - WTF? If you don't know what I'm talking about google "Robert Green goal" - if you know anything about soccer or sports in general you will know why this is embarrassing. Americans should also be embarrassed that this was a goal.