Random music meme

As Heidi said in her version of this meme, she, Jeff and I all came up with these questions a couple weeks ago and we made a solemn pact to answer them on our respective blogs. You can see how that turned out. I have had good intentions, but... (that is going on my goddamn grave stone, I swear to God.) So because I have been sufficiently guilted into it and besides, it's damn fun, here are my answers.

1. What was your first CD? And do you still own it?

That would be Fleetwood Mac: Greatest Hits. This is the green 1988 one that compiled the best of the Stevie Nicks/Lindsey Buckingham period. I had been scrimping and saving money that year to put toward a CD player. Exactly where the money was coming from, I'm not sure. I had no job. I must have been selling my body. But anyway, my mom and dad ended up buying the CD player for the family for Christmas that year and this CD was one of my presents. It was wrapped in underwear so that I wouldn't be able to tell what it was. And I do still own it, although there are better Fleetwood Mac compilations out there now.

2. What was the last physical CD you bought?

At first, I thought it was probably Hard Candy, but then I realized that it was Eric Hutchinson: Sounds Like This. Heidi went to a Missy Higgins concert this summer with our friend Jess and Eric Hutchinson was the opening act. Although they went for Missy, they almost liked Eric better! He's coming back to Des Moines mid-November and I have half a mind to go, but it's the same week as my return trip to Dolly Parton who is playing the Civic Center. My folks are both going to Dolly and they offered to buy me a ticket. Hey, I wasn't born yesterday.

3. Most memorable make-out to music moment?

This one is easy. It was early in our relationship and without putting too fine a point on it (I mean, seriously, I'm not much for airing THAT intimate of details) but I remember "Justify My Love" being on the CD player. And I remember thinking to myself..."Heh, it's "Justify My Love." That's one of those stories that you would swear I'm making up to get out of a potentially embarrassing question, but I swear on a stack of Bibles that it is the truth!

4. Memorable vinyl? (singles or albums)

I have purchased shitloads of vinyl in my day. I was still buying vinyl back when it was no longer cool to buy vinyl. I also purchased a zillion 45s growing up. Shopping for singles was such great fun! But if I had to choose my most memorable vinyl, I would have to say it's the 45 of Olivia Newton-John's "Make A Move On Me." I remember seeing it at Sernett department store (the site of many a musical purchase) and then rushing home and BEGGING my parents to loan me the buck and half to buy the single. I think I had to babysit my brother and sister for a month to pay them back. I don't care, it was worth it. I still kind of like that song. Totally cheesy, but hey. And Olivia? What's with the mullet?

5. Biggest regret of a musical purchase?

This is the hardest question of all of these for me to answer because I have certainly bought my share of shit albums. And I've sold off most of them and purged them from my memory. However, as Heidi alluded to, the purchase of music from iTunes has had a twofold effect on that. One - buying from iTunes is so. damn. easy. that it provides a fertile ground for impulse purchases and two - once you buy it, it's not like you can sell it back. The album that I purchased a bit impulsively on iTunes (based on a good review in either EW or The Advocate or something) was Natasha Bedingfield's Unwritten. I like a couple songs on it, but as an album, I don't know that I've listened to it all the way through. And then the song "Unwritten" became ubiquitous and I really had to wash my hands of her. I know plenty of people who really like her, but she's just not for me.

6. Most embarrassing musical purchase?

I'll have to say that it's my Helen Reddy. I remember Heidi giving me grief once about Helen Reddy on my iPod, saying that that was the pentultimate embarrassment on there. And yes, I admit, it's embarrassing. It would be different if I just had her greatest hits album on my iPod, but no. I have to go one (or two) worse and say that I actually have two of her studio albums that I purchased from iTunes. One of them (Reddy) is her disco album and the other (Imagination) is actually a little bit new wave. So why the Helen Reddy? I listened to the 8-track tape endlessly as a kid. So sue me. I loved it.

7. Biggest musical purchase aberration?

I own every single one of Eminem's albums, save the best-of album that he put out. This is odd because I really cannot abide by rap in any form. And plus, I'm not at all keen with Eminem's general homophobia and misogyny that shows up more often than not in his music. However, it's one of those things that I just can't explain. For rap, it is actually a little bit melodic and I find it at least a little bit lyrically clever. And sometimes, it is just what I need. I can't explain it, so don't judge me! A little bit of Eminem goes a loooooong way with me, but I am quite fond of "The Way I Am", "Kill You", "Drug Ballad" and "The Real Slim Shady." Yes, he has a potty mouth. Yes, he is not someone to look up to, I'm sure. But in many ways, the same things that make Madonna appealing make Eminem appealing. Just don't expect to see me at any of his concerts!

I would encourage anyone who wants to try this to please do so! Music bloggers included if they are so inclined.

37 nuggets of knowledge about Dan

Thomas tagged me for this meme, and it looked kind of fun so I thought I'd play along. More than most of you probably ever wanted to know about me.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
You know, I've never eaten it that I'm aware of, so I'm not qualified to answer that question!
2. Have you ever smoked?
No, I have not. That is not to say that there have not been days where I REALLY wish that I did.
3. Do you own a gun?
Only if you count squirt guns. Heck, I've never even shot a real gun.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite?
I guess I'll have to say Grape although I don't really remember specific flavors all that much. What I do remember is dumping in a motherlode of sugar when making it.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
No, not really, although I deliberately try to zen out when they take my blood pressure.
6. What do you think of hot dogs?
On a grill and at the right time, they're all kinds of awesome. Otherwise, I'm reminded of the hot dog maker that we had as kids that left the ends of the hot dogs cold.
7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Does Gremlins count?
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Coffee, and I'm not talking Folgers. I am a bit of a coffee snob.
9. Can you do push ups?
A few. I'm really too tall to do them effectively.
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
I'm a man of few jewelry options, but I'm going with my silver barbell earring that I got a year ago so it's a sentimental favorite. It's probably the one I wear the most . Although the black onyx one Heidi got for me is a close second.
11. Favorite hobby?
At the moment, it is blogging, but I am going to have to get something that is more concrete that has something to show for it in the end.
12. Do you have A.D.D.?
I may be the absent-minded professor, but I don't think that qualifies as A.D.D.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?
Glasses. I am not a candidate for contacts, my astigmatism is that bad. My favored Doctor Who glasses are currently out of commission as they got all scratched up and I'm wearing my less favored pair.
14. Middle name?
Scott.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
I can't believe I'm listening to a trumpet solo on iTunes (thanks Matt), I need to think about getting ready for bed because I work early tomorrow and my hair is too long.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Coffee, water, and Diet Mountain Dew.
17. Current worry?
How am I ever going to pay off my mammoth amounts of debt?
18. Current hate right now?
Humidity.
19. Favorite place to be?
With people I love.
20. How did you bring in the New Year?
At our house with a handful of good friends.
21. Where would you like to go?
London.
22. Name three people who will complete this?
Caryle, Paul, and Matt. As TKT said, no pressure guys.
23. Do you own slippers?
Yes, but I am in desperate need of a new pair.
24. What shirt are you wearing?
My red Blondie T-shirt Heidi bought me in London last year.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
We don't have satin sheets, so no.
26. Can you whistle?
I can.
27. Favorite color?
Blue.
28. Would you be a pirate?
While keel-hauling and all that jazz sounds like a good time, I'd probably make a pretty bad pirate as I don't even like to camp!
29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
Whatever is playing on the iPod as it sits blissfully on the little donut speaker we have.
30. Favorite Girl's Name?
Anna (duh!)
31. Favorite boy's name?
Sam. If I had had a son, that would have been his name more than likely.
32. What's in your pocket right now?
In one is a receipt from the doctor's office for my copay when we took Anna in to have her injured thumbnail clipped off tonight. In the other is a receipt from the Pizza Ranch, which is where we went after the doctor because Anna was so brave!
33. Last thing that made you laugh?
This line from The X-Files, when Scully was comparing Mulder to Captain Ahab in Moby Dick:
Scully: "You're so... consumed by your personal vengeance against life whether it be its inherent cruelties or its mysteries, that everything takes on a warped significance to your megalomaniacal cosmology."
Mulder: "Scully, are you coming on to me?"
34. What vehicle do you drive?
Mazda 626 and Dodge Ram pickup.
35. Worst injury you've ever had?
The worst my body has ever rebelled against me was when my lung collapsed not once but twice in 1990, but that wasn't really an injury, so I guess it was when I ran into something at a department store and cut my eye open as a kid.
36. Do you love where you live?
For the most part. There is no perfect place.
37. How many TVs do you have in your house?
3, one of which is not even plugged in at the moment.

Questions from Heidi

It is past time to start answering some of these questions that came my way via Heidi, Jeff, Caryle and Mary because of the 5 questions meme. At first, I thought about putting these on my dust-covered LiveJournal that I only keep around for commenting on other people's LJs, but then I decided, no, I'll just do it here. So here we go. The first set of five questions comes from Heidi because that's just the way it is.

(Incidentally, if you choose to comment on this post, don't expect questions from me. I'm tapped out. But far be it for me to discourage comments.)

1. So, be honest. WHY do you think David Tennant is so attractive--I don't just mean to you or to me, but in general. I'm talking the whole package: the person, the physique, the everything.

Leave it to Heidi to start out with asking a question that concerns my mancrush, David Tennant. I'm not ashamed and totally comfortable admitting to that! There are many reasons why I think that Tennant is just so damn cool (and why he ends up being my avatar more often than not.) First off, he comes off as a big kid, someone who will sit and talk the minutiae of whatever obscure 12-year-old boy thing you can think of until the cows come home. You can tell this by the pure and unadulterated joy he so obviously gets from playing the Doctor. He also has the geeky cute and cool thing down to a science. I could only hope to reach Tennant levels of that! He also proves that tall, lanky guys that are not built CAN be famous. Plus, I would pay large sums of money to have his hair.

Naturally, I don't know Tennant and will almost certainly never meet him (never say never), so who knows if any of that is accurate. Mostly, he just seems like a genuinely nice guy that would be cool to hang out with, someone who would be a cool friend to have and meet up for lunch every so often. And then talk 12-year-old boy things to death.

But he could be a total dick (although I doubt it.) There's a reason why it's best to keep your distance from your heroes.

2. What is the best movie/fiction monster, and why is it the best one? (You define what best is, btw.)

This is an easy one and the answer to this will come as no surprise to most people: zombies. Zombies are truly the best movie monsters of all, although as I was telling Thomas, it is much more of a challenge to translate the visceral terror of a zombie apocalypse in a book than it is in a movie. The reason they are the best movie monster is really twofold. The first reason is they are us. How many people have bitten it (no pun intended) in zombie movies because they made the mistake of thinking that some shred of humanity remained in their zombified loved one? The fact that any of us could be a zombie makes it truly terrifying. Also, the exponential growth of the zombie mob ensures their survival. What they lack in speed, they make up for in numbers.

3. You get a one night stand with no repercussions with one member of the BVTS gang. Who do you take with you into the closet? Or are you holding out for Scully?

While the natural tendency would be to say Cordelia aka Charisma Carpenter (not that I would ever dream of turning her down either), I think I am going to shock the hell out of everyone and pick someone unexpected - Jenny Calendar. Although not technically a member of the Buffy gang, she did play a key role in Season Two and since anyone in on the whole "Buffy's the Slayer?" thing is immediately a member of the gang, I think it counts. She had this whole sexy yet nerdy, smart and down to earth thing going on. She was spunky and independent which beats the hell out of some weeping violet. And when she turned out to be part of the gypsy clan that cursed Angel, well, who saw that coming?

But yeah, I'm totally holding out for Scully.

4. You are in charge of a U.S. federal agency for one day and you have the full power and money to do ONE thing. You can build a bridge or set up a train or pay off something or fire somebody or reverse a decision. Full power over everything, and it's lasting, but you have ONE shot. What do you do?

My inclination is to do something like keep a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage from ever seeing the light of day in the U.S. Constitution, but since that does little to actually change people's minds, I would probably get into the Transportation Department and get light rail going in this country like it should be. We don't all need to be driving our cars to get everywhere we need to get to!

5. Best moment from your childhood: the one that makes your heart glow just to think of it. Could be obscure or could be a recurring event.

Well, it's not the Branded bike, that's for sure! Although I'm not sure I would trade that memory either, even though it is not a warm and fuzzy one.

I think it's probably that summer of 1986, age 14. It was my favorite summer of music of my adolescence. I was about to head into high school. True Blue was released, for God's sake. We took a family vacation to the Grand Canyon and listened to more Bee Gees and 5th Dimension than should be legal. I watched "One Day At A Time" reruns on Channel 8 every weeknight at 11. Sure, it wasn't all roses, but I always think of it fondly and really, it's the reason why I like this music video so much.



It was the very first Heart video I ever saw! Ann's hair is insane, but just thinking of it reminds me of that summer.

The five questions meme

My friend Jess posted this meme on her LiveJournal, and since I was feeling brave, I went for it. It's an audience participation meme, so if you feel inclined to participate, please do so. If no one participates, it will be no skin off my nose, but it could be fun. I had fun answering the questions, and to her credit, Jess came up with a good mix of serious and not so serious.
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The rules:

1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, your favorite jelly bean flavor, or maybe your favorite game. Any remark, meaningless or not. (for example: my comment on Jess' entry was "My sugar is raw.")

2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better. I will try not to make them too nosy or snarky. (This should, but will probably not happen as soon as you reply. Give me time folks!)

3. Update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in your own post.

5. When others respond with a desultory comment, you will ask them five questions.
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1. When did you decide you wanted to be a pharmacist, and why? Has the reason changed as time has gone by?

I decided to become a pharmacist during my senior year of high school. For years, I had thought that I wanted to be a doctor. But then I got a job at a local clinic pharmacy in the fall of 1989 as a delivery boy/stock boy/jack-of-all-trades and really liked it. I liked what the pharmacists did, the kinds of things the did, and the specialized knowledge that went along with it. I also liked chemistry quite a bit and that seemed like a good application of that interest.

But the real turning point for me was when I was at the clinic Christmas party and one of the doctors talked about being on call all day Thanksgiving and Christmas. That didn't seem how I wanted to live my life, and it was at that point that I very clearly recall thinking, "I don't want to be a doctor."

I do enjoy what I do, even if it is, at times, very frustrating. The profession has undergone a lot of changes in the 13 years that I've been licensed, some good, some bad. We're a lot more directly involved in patient care and are taking responsibility for outcomes. This is a good thing. Conversely, the state of retail pharmacy is a disgrace in my opinion, with emphasis on volume and the almighty dollar which has done nothing but cheapen the profession and burn out those brave souls that dare work it.

2. What's your all-time favorite Madonna song?

There are so many to choose from and she's had so many memorable hits and album tracks, but I think that if a gun were held to my head, I would spit out one of the earliest hits - "Borderline." She has surely made more complex and personal songs, but this song hinted at the greatness to come. If there is any one song I want to hear on the Sticky & Sweet Tour (which I keep on wanting to call the Skinny & Sweet Tour), it's this one.

3. Why is it so difficult for men to have emotionally close friendships with other men? Or do you even feel that way?

I really do agree with this statement. I've explored this a few times on my blog, but usually dance around the topic. I think there are many reasons that men have such a hard time forming emotionally close friendships with other men, but probably the biggest is fear. Fear of exposure, fear of vulnerability and fear of the unknown. We are not socialized that way. We're brought up to show nothing and express no emotion. So letting other guys see that emotion is especially taboo.

I, however, consider that to be the biggest load of crap that has ever been put over on us. I truly hope that starting with the men of my generation, we can start turning that on its ear and learn to connect with each other. I know from personal experience that it can and does happen, but you can't force it.

4. What is your greatest wish for your daughter?

My greatest wish for her is that she go into her life unafraid to take chances and have adventures. I hope that I can instill in her the confidence needed for this, along with just the right dose of cautiousness so not to go spinning madly out of control.

5. If you could choose any other generation to be a part of, which one would you choose, and why?

I have always wished that I could have been a young adult or thirtysomething during the Watergate era, so late 60s/early 70s. I don't know why this is, but I am fascinated by that period of history. It's too close to us to really be taught in schools, but we have so much to learn from it. There are days that I feel like we are reliving it (those who refuse to learn from the past are condemned to repeat it?) but I still wish I could experience it. Of course, if I were to do that, I would have to figure out some way to avoid being immediately drafted into Vietnam. So I guess it's not so much wishing I were part of a different generation, but rather experiencing a time period that I was just barely conscious for more fully and completely.
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OK, folks, it's your turn.

Seven songs meme: Get your 90s on

Casey Stratton always does memes on Friday, so I figured, why the hell not? I've done the seven songs meme before, but it's time to trot it out again. But this time around, I'm going to put a different spin on it. Heidi and I have been listening to all this cheesy stuff from the 90s in anticipation of a get together we're maybe possibly planning, the stuff that reminds me of being in college and out at the bars or whatever. Of course, it also reminds many of the people I work with of being 11, but we'll forgive them their inexperience.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they're listening to.
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1) Beautiful Life - Ace Of Base
Ace of Base had a lot of expectations to live up to with their second album. This was the first single off of it, and I remember buying the CD at Wal-Mart in Carroll on a Thanksgiving break. I was immediately hit by how much more they spent on the packaging of this CD than they did on The Sign. Although the album is a bit overbaked and certainly too long, this slice of 90s Swedish pop still plays well today.

2) Rhythm Is A Dancer - Snap!
This is the ultimate Vito's song for me. I vividly remember being out with my whole pharmacy class after a big run of tests or something and this song playing. This song perfectly encapsulates the style of 90s dance that always takes me back.

3) Expose - I Wish The Phone Would Ring
I love phone songs. There are so many good ones. Among my favorites are Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone" and "Call Me", Jim Croce's "Operator", Tommy Tutone's "867-5309", Sheena Easton's "Telefone (Long Distance Love Affair)" and, of course, "Hung Up." What I love about this song is that it's basically about hatching the phone, as one of my friends used to call it. It's one of those dependent victim songs that really aren't very good for your psyche, but rarely has being a victim been so frothy.

4) Be My Lover - La Bouche
All these dance artists, so much the same. My college roommate Kim loved all this stuff. I did too, but shhh!! I wasn't telling anyone. Although I did tell her. This was on a compilation that Heidi and I had, Ultimate Dance Party 1997 that I can't find any longer. The thump-thump-thump is interchangeable with just about any of the other songs of its ilk, but it's not like I'm not going to listen.

5) SWV - Right Here (Human Nature)
My friend Rick always called SWV "sisters with vaginas." Well, I certainly hope so! (although I think the actual meaning of SWV is "sisters with voices.") I love how effortlessly the Michael Jackson's sample is used, and since there is spelling of sorts in the song (es, es, double double you, vee) I am contractually obligated to love it.

6) Two Princes - Spin Doctors
This song is unfairly maligned, I think, because it had the audacity to become a hit. Yes, it was horribly overplayed, but it's still a cute song, although I'm not sure cute was what they were aiming for. It does represent the tail end of my undergraduate years and, yep, I was suckered into buying Pocketful of Kryptonite based on this and "Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" (which I also really like.) I have subsequently sold it, as have many others, I'm sure.

7) Blue (da ba dee) - Eiffel 65
By the time this song came out, I was (finally) out of college and working. So it doesn't really remind me of college. It is kind of representative of the kind of music that would never be played on the radio now even if a gun were held to Clear Channel's collective head. It was the last gasp of Eurodance on mainstream radio.
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That's it. I'm supposed to tag 7 people, but I'm not going to do that formally as some people really hate being tagged. But Yuri, Paul, Caryle, Heidi, Matt, Jeff and Mary, feel free to do your own versions of this (themed or not.) And anyone else that has not been specifically tagged, feel free to do so as well!!

Movie quotes meme - answers

I have updated the movie quotes meme with all who guessed correctly! Thanks for playing along. Anyway, here is the complete list of answers (and a list of my 15 favorite movies.)

1) An American Werewolf In London
2) Back To The Future
3) JFK
4) The Insider
5) Bright Lights, Big City
6) 9 to 5
7) Donnie Darko
8) Alien
9) Mommie Dearest
10) Tootsie
11) Xanadu
12) The Breakfast Club
13) Night of the Living Dead
14) Saturday Night Fever
15) Zodiac

A rather motley mix, I will admit.

Movie quotes meme

Audience participation time!! Heidi did this a while back, and I always meant to do it. What better time than a lazy (EXCEPTIONALLY lazy) Saturday afternoon to do it. Here's the rules:

1) I've thought of 15 of my favorite movies and found quotes for each at IMDB. These are posted in the body of the post.
2) Try to guess which movies these are from. Put your guesses in the comment section. When someone guesses the movie, I'll add the movie name and the person who got it right. (No fair using IMDB to find the answer or using Google)

Also, try to limit yourself to three if you know a majority of them.

On with the show - these really are 15 of my favorite movies. You can ask Heidi if you don't believe me.

Movie #1:
Queen Elizabeth is a man! Prince Charles is a faggot! Winston Churchill was full of shit! Shakespeare's French! (An American Werewolf In London guessed by Adem)

Movie #2:
Character 1: He's a very strange young man.
Character 2: He's an idiot. Comes from upbringing. His parents are probably idiots too. Lorraine, if you ever have a kid that acts that way I'll disown you. (Back To The Future, guessed by Heidi)

Movie #3:
The organizing principle of any society, Mr. Garrison, is for war. The authority of the state over its people resides in its war powers.

Movie #4:
Character 1: And do you wish you hadn't come forward? Do you wish you hadn't blown the whistle?
Character 2: There are times when I wish I hadn't done it. There are times when I feel com... compelled to do it. If you asked me, would I do it again, do I think it's worth it? Yeah I think its worth it. (The Insider, guessed by Heidi)

Movie #5:
You are not the kind of guy who would be at a place like this at this time of the morning and, though the details are fuzzy, you cannot say that the terrain is entirely unfamiliar.

Movie #6:
I'm no fool. I've killed the boss, you think they're not gonna fire me for a thing like that? (9 to 5, guessed by Yuri)

Movie #7:
Character 1: Life isn't that simple. I mean who cares if Ling Ling returns the wallet and keeps the money? It has nothing to do with either fear or love.
Character 2: Fear and love are the deepest of human emotions.
Character 1: Okay. But you're not listening to me. There are other things that need to be taken into account here. Like the whole spectrum of human emotion. You can't just lump everything into these two categories and then just deny everything else!

Movie #8:
Something has attached itself to him. We have to get him to the infirmary right away. (Alien, guessed by Randy)

Movie #9:
Character 1: As usual, she has the last word.
Character 2: Does she? Does she? (Mommie Dearest, guessed by Randy)

Movie #10:
Oh I know what y'all really want is some gross caricature of a woman to prove some idiotic point that power makes a woman masculine, or masculine women are ugly. Well shame on you for letting a man do that, or any man that does that. That means you, dear. Miss Marshall. Shame on you, you macho shit head. (Tootsie, guessed by Yuri)

Movie #11:
Have you ever heard the expression "kissed by a muse"? Well, that's what I am. I'm a muse. (Xanadu guessed by Ryan)

Movie #12:
Character 1: Why do you have to insult everybody?
Character 2: I'm being honest, asshole. I would expect you to know the difference. (The Breakfast Club guessed by Matt)

Movie #13:
Character 1: Don't you understand? My brother is alone!
Character 2: Your brother is dead.
Character 1: NO! My brother is NOT dead! (Night of the Living Dead guessed by Ryan)

Movie #14:
I knew you'd piss on it. Go on, just piss on it alright. A raise says like you're good, you know? You know how many times someone told me I was good in my life? Two! Twice! Two fuckin' times! This raise today, and dancing at the disco! (Saturday Night Fever guessed by Matt)

Movie #15:
Do you know more people die in the East Bay commute every three months than that idiot ever killed? He offed a few citizens, wrote a few letters, then faded into footnote... Not that I haven't been sitting here idly, waiting for you to drop by and reinvigorate my sense of purpose.

All right lurkers, come out of hiding.

He's listing

TKT did this little list thing over on his blog, and since we'll practically be blogging in tandem next week for Nerdery Week, I thought I'd give it a go. It was harder than I thought it would be!

Candy - Twizzler's Pull and Peel Licorice, cherry variety.
TV Show - Doctor Who, Tennant version.
Movie - Between movies right now. The next one I want to see is King of Kong. Wil Wheaton said it made him want to spend about a hundred dollars in an arcade.
Breakfast Meal - Twin Cities Blend coffee from the co-op and those greasy hashbrown potatoes in the hospital cafeteria.
Lunch Meal - Whatever the hospital cafeteria ISN'T serving.
Dinner Meal - Tamale soup (at least that's what we had tonight.) It was yummy. Even Anna ate it!
Vending Machine Purchase - Dr. Pepper. It's not in the fountain at the hospital cafeteria. If it were, I'd probably weigh 500 pounds.
At This Point I Should Point Out - I generally don't drink regular pop. I will make exceptions, but it's liquid candy, empty calories and is bad for your teeth (says the coffee drinker.)
Pen - I'm grooving on the green Sharpie at work quite a bit. It's fun to write with.
For Laughs - Red Pen, Inc. Just discovered it, so it may get old fast, but I got some good laughs out of it today.
Don't Like - Robyn. In my circle of pop bloggers, that is complete and utter heresy.
Don't Care - College sports. In this college town (and as a man), that is complete and utter heresy.
Cartoon - Powerpuff Girls. Girl power rules.
He Who Can Do No Wrong - David Tennant. Seriously, the new Doctor Who? Fantastic. And he can even pull off drag convincingly.
She Who Can Do No Wrong - Madge. Even when she's bad, she's pretty good.
Best Monster - I'm with TKT on this as well...zombies! Like there's even any competition.
Worst Monster - Godzilla from the 1998 Godzilla movie. Heidi was seriously MAD at that movie. I like the movie for what it is (bad), but the monster. Dumb.
Most Over-used Monster - Killers in those torture porn movies. Thank God that genre has about run its course. Not scary, just gross. OK, except the Saw movies are not bad.
Best Natural Disaster - Hot Hail. There's just not been enough of it since Ming's death.
Worst Natural Disaster - Avian influenza
Shoes - Slip on shoes that need no laces. Shhh! I can't tie my shoes.
Tattoos - None for me. None EVER for me. Although I did say that at one time about piercings. So never say never, I guess. Although if I were a betting man, I'd bet on the no.
Neck Tattoos - Um, heck no.
Worst State in the Union - I can't do this! I'm sure they all have their fine points.
Best State in the Union - Ditto, I haven't even been to all of them yet!
I Wish I Had - PS2 so I could be playing Guitar Hero THIS VERY SECOND. See what has been unleashed?
I Wish I Didn't Have - so dang much debt.
Reading - The Other Side of the River. A book about race relations between two sister cities set against a backdrop of the death of an African American teenager in the early 90s.
Also Reading - Nothing else at the moment, although Monster Island is waiting in the wings.
Last Best Book I've Read - I totally dug The Rising. A cool twist on the zombie genre.

Fellow bloggers, give this a go if the spirit moves you.

Heidi made me do it

I'm not usually one for memes, but I couldn't resist this one. It's probably complete rubbish, but it was fun nonetheless.

You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.

Song lyrics meme - part three

It's audience participation time around here! Yuri has been doing a great "mystery song" Monday feature which got me thinking about this again. It has been forever since I've done this, and because I've gotten absolutely nothing of any consequence done on my day off today, I thought I'd continue in that vein. It's time for another song lyrics meme. By now, you know the drill:

Step 1: Put your iPod/MP3 player or iTunes on random.
Step 2: Post the first line(s) from the first 20 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song. (I took out any instrumental songs, natch, as well as any song where the title is uttered in the first line, so it's not entirely the first 20 songs that came up.)
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from. (Those guessing the songs should post in the comments or shoot me an e-mail.)
Step 4: I'll strike out the songs when someone guesses correctly and post the title in bold after the stricken song when it is guessed.
Step 5: (for those guessing the songs) If you look up the lyrics on Google or any other search engine, that's called cheating, so don't do it!

So here are the songs:

#1 - Time, time, time/See what's become of me "Hazy Shade of Winter" - The Bangles (guessed by Yuri and Adem)

#2 - I don't know why, I don't know how/I thought I loved you but I'm not sure now. "Domino Dancing" - Pet Shop Boys (guessed by Lucas who was too shy to post a comment.)

#3 - I really should be saying good night/I really shouldn't stay anymore/It's been so long since I held ya/I've forgotten what love is for. "Trouble" - Lindsey Buckingham (guessed by Matt)

#4 - If you could be so kind/To help me find my mind/I'd like to thank you in advance. "Lost Mind" - Diana Krall (guessed by Paul)

#5 - There comes a time/When you should see things clear/Free from my innocence/There is no circumstance too severe. "Le Bel Age" - Pat Benatar (guessed by Paul)

#6 - Life is a moment in space/When the dream is gone/It's a lonelier place. "Woman In Love" - Barbra Streisand (guessed by Lucas and Adem)

#7 - Our step mom we did everything to hate her/She took us down to the edge of ********/We saw the lion and the kangeroo take her/Down to the river where they caught a wild alligator. "Decatur, or Round of Applause for Your Stepmother!" by Sufjan Stevens (guessed by Paul)

#8 - I walked into the club last night/I hadn't been there for so long/Thinking foolishly I might find you sitting all alone/But oh, how dreams lie "No Two Ways About It" - Pam Tillis (guessed by Paul)

#9 - Neon shines through smokey eyes tonight/It's 2 A.M., I'm drunk again/And it's heavy on my mind Grace Is Gone - Dave Matthews Band (guessed by ooshiny)

#10 - Dreaming/I must be dreaming/Or am I really lying here with you? "I Just Fall In Love Again" - Anne Murray (guessed by Randy. Paul came close, guessing the Carpenters who also did a version of this song)

#11 - Looking through my old drawer/Came across the letter you wrote/Said you needed time away/That was so long ago "Come Back To Me" - Janet Jackson (guessed by Lucas and Caryle)

#12 - Her hair is Harlow gold/Her lips sweet surprise. "Bette Davis Eyes" - Kim Carnes (guessed by Yuri and Lucas)

#13 - She was standing at the front door/When I came home last night/A good book in her left hand/And a rollin' pin in the right. One More Last Chance - Vince Gill (guessed by Heidi who had an unfair advantage because I was singing it while cleaning up the kitchen earlier.)

#14 - Lay a whisper on my pillow/Leave the winter on the ground/I wake up lonely. Is there a silence/In the bedroom and all around? "It Must Have Been Love" - Roxette (guessed by Yuri)

#15 - A prisoner of your love/Entangled in your web/Hot whispers in the night/I'm captured by your spell. "Better Be Good To Me" - Tina Turner (guessed by Yuri and Lucas)

#16 - Desperately seeking someone, willing to travel/You're lost in conversation and useless at Scrabble/Happiness will never last/Darkness comes to kick your ass "Your Disco Needs You" - Kylie Minogue (guessed by Yuri and Adem)

#17 - I feel a hunger/It's a hunger that tries to keep a man awake at night./Are you the answer?/I shouldn't wonder when I feel you whet my appetite "Take Me Home Tonight" - Eddie Money (guessed by Lucas)

#18 - Won't you come see about me?/I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby/Tell me your troubles and doubts/Giving me everything, inside and out. "Don't You Forget About Me" - Simple Minds (guessed by Yuri and Lucas)

#19 - Knew you'd be here tonight/So I put my best dress on/Boy, I was so right. Slow - Kylie Minogue (guessed by Daniel)

#20 - Sitting on the front porch on a summer afternoon/In a straight backed chair on two legs/Leaned against the wall.

OK, it's up to you guys from this point. I'll keep the post updated as best I can. These songs pretty much run the gamut across all genres and they all came from my iTunes, so that's pretty much no help at all when it comes to narrowing them down.

Ma premiere disque

Gakked from Heidi who gakked it from Caryle:

1) Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The article title is the name of your band.

2) Go to http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The final four words of the last quote on your page are the title of your album.

3) Go to http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The FOURTH image on the page is your album cover.

4) Design your cover. Layout and presentation are up to you.

5) Post your cover, along with these instructions. In the comments your friends will tell you what kind of music you play and the name of the album's single.

OK, so here it is.

I had a different album cover the first time around, but my download of the picture didn't work (damn it!) It was a picture of a purple flower. The trashed umbrellas make it just SLIGHTLY less likely that it's me playing the singing crystal bowls.

Because it's been a while

I don't usually do memes, but I ran across this one and thought it more interesting than most. And since I may not get a chance to post tomorrow as I am working (booyouwhores! as Paul would say) and the day is AT LEAST a 10 hour shift, I thought I'd work into the Thanksgiving holiday with something lighthearted and fun.

1. What is the first music album you remember owning?

There are a lot of them, but this is the one that I really remember.

I had a boatload of those Sesame Street records as a kid - Bert's Blockbusters, Ernie's Hits, and Grover Sings The Blues, but Letters...And Numbers, Too! is one of the first records I ever remember having. I listened to them constantly, memorizing every word and playing them till the grooves wore out. I think I still have them around somewhere.

2. If not the same, what is the first music album you purchased for yourself?

Um...it would be this one.

Long before Madonna (but not all that long), there was Olivia. My first celebrity crush, and the first non-kid record that I ever bought with my very own, hard earned money was Olivia's Greatest Hits, Vol. 2. My Olivia fandom was well known in my elementary school, and how exactly I avoided getting beaten up on a daily basis is something that I still don't fully understand. In any event, she cranked out some fun pop songs in her day and some of the best of the best are on this album.

3. What artist currently occupies the most space either in terms of shelf space or megabytes on your hard drive?

I'm not currently at my main computer (rather am working on the laptop), but it is without a doubt, Madonna. I have probably over 1100 Madonna tracks on my computer - between live shows (including 5 different Blond Ambition Tours, 3 Confessions Tours, 3 Re-Invention Tours - all from various cities), fan made remixes, and demos and rare cuts, she definitely comes out on top there.

4. How many different types of music media (vinyl, cassette, CD, etc) have you owned in your lifetime?

I have purchased vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and mp3s. My parents owned tons of 8-tracks when I was growing up, but I don't believe that I ever actually purchased one of those.

5. Who or what has had the biggest effect on your music taste?

My mom and dad had a lot of influence on my early taste, and by the time I hit my teenage years, I was all about the radio and the Billboard charts. Once I got to college, and the music scene shifted from pop to something decidedly more foreign to me, I depended on music magazines and the fledgling internet for music recommendations. Nowadays, it's all about the internet, baby. Meeting a lot of other bloggers has really helped to expand my musical palate beyond what I would naturally gravitate toward. I'd say that without a doubt, people I have met through blogging have really steered my musical tastes in the last few years.

6. How do you currently prefer to listen to music?

By and large, it's on the computer and on the iPod. I do listen to a lot of music in the car (when I'm in there) and a lot of times I'll play CDs in there. But even then, I will frequently bring my iPod along because I am all about having control of the music. Music on my terms is a big thing for me.

7. In terms of music memorabilia, what is your most prized possession?

I don't have anything truly collectible - but I do like my "True Blue" limited edition 7" blue vinyl. Borderline Music in Chicago has tons of Madonna collectible stuff, but sadly, all of it is very pricey. And I suppose if you want to count it as "music memorabilia", I am also quite fond of the French version of the Sex book, although it was more the thrill of the chase because it rarely comes out of its mylar packaging.

8. Have you ever “swapped headsets” with a complete stranger (meaning have you ever unplugged the earphones from your listening device and plugged them into someone else’s player and had them do the same)? If yes, what did they play for you?

Um, no. Although once someone asked to borrow my iPod while they went on break at work and because I lacked a better reason than "I don't want you to see what's on my iPod" I said yes. I still felt like someone was asking to borrow my underwear.

9. Have you ever been completely obsessed with a particular artist? Who and to what level did your fandom go?

Who? Me? Are you kidding me or what? ;) Seriously though, I would have to say that my Madonna fandom has bordered on obsession, although it has waxed and waned through the years. When I first discovered the Madonna listserv, I became quite a regular contributor, but once I left school and got a job, my priorities changed a little bit and that kind of fandom seemed kind of silly. I feel like I have settled down some, but I still get beyond excited for new Madge.

10. What is the farthest you’ve ever traveled for a concert?

According to Google Maps, Las Vegas is further from Ames than Washington D.C., so the Confessions Tour wins. I did drive to Chicago completely solo to go see Casey Stratton perform in a coffee shop which I think should count for something,.

11. Who have you seen in concert the most?

Madge wins again with three different concerts, but only because I have not seen that many people more than once. The only other acts that I've seen more than once are Casey Stratton, Fleetwood Mac and Dixie Chicks.

Well, wasn't this fun? If you want to do it on your own blog, consider yourself tagged.