New Eminem

Okay so now that I literally know how to save a life let me get back to some more important things... music! Last night after I met an old friend at a dog park I went for a drive into the country. It lasted a few hours it was nice. I did some thinking, some singing to the music inside my car and heard some new tunes. The most notable was the song that came across by Eminem. Yes I said that Eminem. While I can't say that his music is at the top of the list of my favorites, he is one of my favorite rappers ever. He just goes at it so hard, so passionately, you have got to give him some respect.

This new song is a departure from the last few singles he has released, main reason. He is sober. Yup, Eminem the man who talked about popping pills and beating his mother is thinking and rapping very clearly. And man, is he good or what. Take the third verse, nobody in the game can spit like that. Its just insane.

"Cause I'm raising the bar, I shoot for the moon. But I'm too busy gazing at the stars, I feel amazing and I'm not afraid to take a stand."

Glad to see you back.

CPR Training

This morning I will be not blogging due to the fact that I have CPR Class. Thats right, I get to go and re-learn those very simple things that one day will help me hopefully save someones life rather than running out the room in the opposite direction.

Now I feel as if this is probably my 15th CPR training I have had in my life. Between being a lifeguard, babysitter, working for the Heart Association and now here. I like to believe I'm pretty prepared.

I mean really as long as you keep the simple fact that the speed you are pumping their chest should be set to the Bee Gee's tune "Staying Alive". I'm not kidding. Need proof. CLICK HERE.

Pretty neat right? Well I will be breathing into dummy's mouths for the next three hours. So here is something that will make you laugh.

When I think of CPR training I think to the show "The Office". This is a good one.

.

Going the Distance

Well I'm inspired, yet again. Over the last few weeks I have been battling with my mind over an array of things. Big thing being the purpose of my life or what I am here to actually do.

My answer. There is none. I need to be happy, I need to be free from anything or anyone bringing me down, and that my purpose of my existence will show itself when it is ready. Until that point I must do all things possible to continue down a path of happiness doing anything and everything on this journey.

Part of this is getting myself back in touch with my athletics healthy side. Anyone who knew me for the first 18 years of my life knew that I was an athlete. I have an uncanny ability to pick up different sports really easily and have enjoyed being back in shape these last few years of my life. A lot of this has been because I have started to run again, nothing big, but I am putting on sneakers a few times a week and going out and doing it and it feels great.

So its time for a big goal. To be inspired. To do something that I never thought I would do.

Today I signed myself up for the Richmond Half Marathon. Yes. A half marathon. I don't really know what I'm thinking but I'm thinking about how gratifying it will be to cross that finish line. To put this goal behind me and to continue down the path of happiness.

I know many of you ask, how the heck am I going to find happiness during a 13 mile race?

Don't worry, I'm sure I will... Especially when my running soundtracks usually start off with this song.

Love is All Around

Meet Toby Lightman.

She has made my morning so much better. I woke up in a terrible mood this morning. Just wasn't feeling the day at all. Then I got in my car, turned it to my favorite station and I hear this beautiful voice. Her voice filled my car with this sweet old tune. It sounds like it comes from a different time, and it transported me to a different place. A place where I am not clenching my jaw, where my head had stopped spinning and I realized what I was doing today. Living and loving.

Again, people ask me why I love music so much. It can take a weird morning and turn it into a beautiful day.

Tiny Desk Concert

There are many reasons to love NPR. Too many to actually go into on this blog, but what they do is just fantastic for the arts. I have recently become a huge fan of not only the NPR radio programs but their website. You see their website gives you instant access to archives of old music, stories, reviews, news. Its just fascinating, I can sit there all day.

My favorite thing to do is flip through old episodes of their "Tiny Desk Concert" series. The idea of it is simply genius, bring in bands big to small and have them literally play a concert from a tiny desk in the stations office. The office usually is crowded by NPR staff members and creates this intimate setting for artists to really show off their talent.

I have written about many tiny desk concerts on this blog before but this next one is special. For Somali-born rapper K'naan his appearance qualified as the first ever hip-hop Tiny Desk Concert. His rap music infuses soul, pop and espeically reggae creating a uniquely different sound. With the help of a crackling back up band, this three song set proves what people have been talking about for years. This man is a superstar, his songs are fabulous and he really speaks straight from the heart.

If you have time today go to npr.com and check out this concert series. Its fabulous.

Sad Day For Baseball

Dottie Kamenshek, the female baseball player who served as inspiration for Geena Davis' character in the movie classic "A League of their Own" died last Monday, from natural causes. She was 84.

Dottie was one of a kind. As many suspected Davis' character in the movie was a composite of many different players from the All-American Girls Pro Baseball League in the 40s and 50s. Yet Kamenshek was honored by the movie's producers through the name of the movie's lead role.

Many named Dottie as the "Babe Ruth" of the womens league. She is the leagues all time leading batting leader (.292 avg), a mark that some say is the equivalent to a man hitting a career .400. Also she was once described by a member of the New York Yankees as the "fanciest-fielding first baseman I've ever seen, man or woman". She was a seven-time All Star and named in the top 100 female athletes of the century by Sports Illustrated in 1999.

Dottie was a true inspiration not only to the women in the league with her but she was an inspiration to generations of women after her. I will say that she defiantly inspired my life in ways that she will never know. When I was 12 I was the only girl on my little league all star team. I was told time and time again that baseball was not a sport for a girl and that I should find my place with the other girls cheering on the sidelines. Yet I never did, I stuck with it (and was pretty damn good too). When the movie came out I was 10. It instilled in me this fact that women could do anything, be anything, do anything that they ever wanted. It gave me the courage and the strength to stick with the sport that I loved no matter who made fun of me or told me I was wrong. Ask my brothers, I forced them to watch this movie at least once every 3 days. Every time it comes on the tv to this day, I stop and watch it. Almost as if it was made especially for me and my experiences.

As a final note. My last at bat during that all-star season (which was technically the last time I ever played baseball), I stepped up to the plate, looked out into a field of boys and hit a home run over the center field fence (my first). Rounding those bases, seeing the shock on these boys faces, proved to me that I could do anything that I wanted.

So Dottie Kamenshek thank you for persevering when people told you not to. Your name will always be remembered with those who made it possible for me and my future children to live in a world where we are not judged by our gender. And that if we wanted to, we could really do anything we wanted.

The Simpsons

This show while has gone on more downs then ups the last few seasons, yet they can always be counted on for laughs. Last night, they had their season finale at the same time as LOST so they decided to throw a bone to the audience and poke a little fun.

Nicely done...

You Can Always Go Downtown

So getting back to the point of this blog MUSIC. Here is a song that makes me happy no matter when or why I hear it. Its fabulous. Never gets old!

Lost: My Final Post

My Final Thoughts:

Okay, here it is, my final theory on everything that has happened. I have had help with numerous sites that I have followed for six years but I do think that after last night I have made it make sense in my mind.

The finale last night ended up where the series first began, with Jack laying down amongst a bamboo forest. I really do not think that this is much of a coincidence. It just can't be. Instead of his eye opening (first season), we see his eye closing. Meaning, in fact yes, he does die in the finale. Kind of. (In my opinion he died right there in the first episode, last night right before he died he was stumbling through the forest and passed the shoe tied to the tree, just like in season 1, he laid down and died right there).

You see Jack was special from the start. He was the first and only season one "survivor" who did not initally land on the beach or in the water. He landed in the forest, where he had to travel back to the beach to find everyone else. My theory starts here: all of the passengers on Flight 815 died in the crash. They were then placed into some sort of Purgatory that was seen as the maefestation of an island. I do believe that everyone seated on that plane, was supposed to be there, and were already pre-selected for Purgatory. So the theory is, that Jack died upon landing on the island during the crash and immediately entered into this place with the rest of the flights (dead) passengers.

From here we watched not only Jack's but the rest of the cast's journey towards final redemption. (Thanks to Ryan at CanMag website for this gem:)

There were three levels of existence that we witnessed across the six seasons of this show.

Level One: Before the Crash

-All the primary characters had skeletons in the closet, most more than some and some of them were pretty major.

Level Two: The Island

-A chance to redeem themselves. This can also relate to their stop off in "Purgatory". Typically when we witnessed a character dealing with and redeeming a previous fault, they die soon after. (Sayid, Ecko, in the end Jack). An assumption can be said that they then move onto the next level of existence.

Final Level Three: Side Dimension

-All of the characters are way better off then we have ever remembered them. Though some encounter hard times, these were not brought on by themselves. Since each of these characters were important to one another's evolution through Dharma, they are forced to reunite in this last level of existence. True enlightenment occurs when they achieve Karma and then flashback to all their levels of previous existence. At this point they are allowed to move on as one whole, as seen in the shows final moments.

**Pretty spot on right?!?**

Finally some final thoughts by some smart people at the New York Times that wraps up just really how damn good this show is from a bigger perspective.

"The final scene, while the credits roll, is simply that of a plane crash with no survivors. I view the show's cosmology as reflecting the existence of all possible universes and we get to see, and live with, a few of them (as mentioned above!) That includes the universe where they all die in the inital crash, the universe where they all die in the hydrogen bomb explosion, the universe where the hydrogen bomb creates an alternative reality, the universe where there really is a miraculously surviving "Oceanic Six", the universe where the main island narrative happens, the universe where it is all a dream of Jack's, and bits of others. This move "explains" the show's numerous unanswered questions, such as those about the lottery numbers and many more. It was possible, so it all happened."

BAM.

And there you have it, the end of an epic series. A series that we will most likely never see again. A series that took the terms "you have to dumb down your audience" and went in the opposite direction. Challenging us. Leaving us with questions. Blowing our minds away with amazing writing and jaw dropping emotional scenes. I will miss this show. But I'm happy to be regaining my life again.

"See you in another life...brother."

UPDATE: Great article located here: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/05/24/lost-finale-the-ending-explained/

Lost...In Your Eyes

Check out this hilarious montage from last night. Its all of LOST "awww" moments with some added bonus for some laughs. If this doesn't wrap up the show, well I beg to ask..what will?

Alternate Endings

If you stayed up for Jimmy Kimmel Live last night like I did. I know you were disappointed to find out that there really wasn't any "real" alternate endings. I mean come on, I feel dumb believing that the creators would even do that. But I tuned in anyways, and well what they showed us, while not relavant to the show at all, was pretty hilarious.

Here are three "alternate endings" to the show.

(And I must admit throughout the six seasons of this show I was waiting for either Jeff Probst to jump out or the words "the tribe has spoken" to be used.)

That and Sayid's post elimination interview had me on the floor laughing.

The End

Well I promise you that today will be my last day of posting about LOST well because, its over. Last night it ended with what felt like a 9 hour finale. It was funny, sad, answered questions, posed new ones, yet it did what it was supposed to do. It Ended.

And I am in the majority of the crowd that actually liked it. Were we going to get all the answers we wanted? No. If you thought that would happen you missed the entire point of the show. The show was about the characters not the island. It was about the love/hate, good/evil, destiny/purpose all the battles that individuals go through. Its the story about the "test of life". And I'm totally okay with that.

I will dive into my complete theory at a later time, but for now. I'm okay with the ending of this show. I'm okay of the possibilities for my imagination that it left open. And I'm really happy that I can get my Wednesday nights back and stop acting like a complete dork.

Yet it was worth it. The six year journey, definitely worth it.

Here is the final moments of probably what is hands down the greatest show. Say what you will, but shows like this don't get made anymore...

This is the way to end a series... (yes I'm taking to you Sopranos)

Sacrifice

The word sacrifice took on a new meaning on the show once the image (below) was given to us in an earlier season. This picture basically wraps ups "Charlies" whole entire storeline in about two moments. He was there for a purpose. He was in love with Claire and did anything and everything in his power to keep her and his new friends safe. In the end it cost him his life, but he knew this. He faced the danger and kept moving forward. Basically choosing in the end to reedeem himself from a life full of drugs (lets be honest he found and hid herion in statues of the virgin mary, he epitomized bad decsions). But he ultimately at the end became a man worthy of the the term hero.

This last image we saw was one of the big game changers in the show. And like my brother used to say, when this happened we all said "Not Charwwwie!!".

Rose and Bernard

Okay, I started this yesterday but its really on today. Its Friday, I don' t have a ton of pressing things to do in the office today, so its LOST day! Favorite moments, scenenes, music, characthers leading up to one mother of a finale this Sunday. FYI: Anyone who tries to contact me between the hours of 7pm and 1am I'm sorry but I will be turning off my phone.

This morning I'm starting with the story of Rose and Bernard. While many times they were in the background of the scenes they to me represent what this story is all about LOVE. These two were in love with each other through and through.

The first season they were separated. On different parts of the island. Their reunion made people's hearts melt. The video below shows their epic love story.

Rose and Bernard I wish for you two the happiest of happy endings. You deserve it.

Yes I Know This

Live Together or Die Alone

The following is from the first season, episode five. It's the first real speech where we see Jack emerge as the leader of these "survivors". His speech, is straight, to the point and well can be taken as advice for most of life. "If we do not find a way to live together, we will die alone".

This theme comes back over and over again throughout the six seasons of this show. And for some reason I know it will again come into play during the finale. Its just too important.

Season 2

Season 2 for me was the best season. Season 1 blew my mind away, and the second season was a time for me to be able to actually start to realize that this show was going to change the way that I looked at tv and especially the writing and cinematography that goes into making the show of this magnitude.

This was very clear to me when season two started with this scene. Its as close to perfect as television can get. (Especially since there is literally not one line of dialog, yet its still perfection)

Desmond Love.

Desmond has been my favorite character since we found him at the bottom of the hatch during season 2. His love for his girl Penny knows no boundaries. Not time, not space, not distance. They always come back to each other. After years and years of not hearing her voice, we finally were reunited with the quindacential love story of LOST. Penny and Desmond.

This scene to me defines love.

Just spectacular. Makes me cry. Every. Single. Time.

LOST

Okay, its on. LOST blogging non stop has begun. I'm sorry for all the non-watchers, but I can not contain my excitement for Sunday. It starts at 7pm with a 2 hour retrospective. Then from 9-11:30 is the finale (yes two and a half hours of pure LOST insanity) then followed by another hour of interviews on Jimmy Kimmel. Insane Insane Insane!!!

So, the next day and a half I will be posting about my favorite show moments, characters and anything and everything LOST. So again this is a non-judgemental blog so you will just have to deal.

Here is probably one of my top three favorite moments in LOST history. I remember distinctively when it happened, because well after I do remember jumping up onto my coffee table and screaming at the television. It was unexpected, and really when I think about it this moment in the show just proved to all of us that absolutely anything can happen.

The acting by Michael was top notch. Bravo!! (Still gives me chills when I see it)

Top 10 Reasons You're Obsessed with LOST

So true Hurley...so true.

"co-workers affectionaly refer you as that loser that is obsessed with LOST"

LOST Cast Says Goodbye

Okay I know I touched on this yesterday but my all time favorite show LOST is coming to its epic finale on Sunday and I could not be more bummed/excited. What will I do with my Wedneday nights (and Sunday afternoons where I would re-watch to fully understand the episode). The show is almost a job to me. I would not miss it, for just about anything. I think its the reason I first got my dvr. Anyways, here is a great video of the cast reflecting and saying good-bye. Man, Sunday is going to be great!!!

Won't You Help Me Sing... This Song of Freedom

Redemption Song. What is not to love about this song. Its Bob Marley. The lyrics are hauntingly beautiful. And well its this version is the acoustic version. My favorite.

Nothing else to say. If you don't like this, well we need to have a discussion about life in general.

Sizzle Alert: LOST

Okay, so I have been keeping cool about the LOST finale that is coming up on Sunday. Yet, I don't know how much longer I can keep so calm. ITS SUNDAY!! Six Season. 1,000+ Questions. One Night. Its finally OVER!!!

I can't wait for Sunday. Not only to get some answers on why I have been watching this show, but validation for I have been watching it since Episode 1.

So without stalling any more here is my first LOST video for the week.

"I can't help but notice you guys are huge fucking nerds, do you think that helps in writing of the show". Hilarious.

Can't Go Back Now

"I can't really say
Why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter
Are the ones you take all by yourself"

Well said. Lyrical songs have been filling up my days as of late. Something about the springtime, sunshine and simple people with good songs and a guitar. Easy living.

Here is a old but still great track. Its from a band that I speak a lot about The Weepie" and its their video for the song "Can't Go Back Now". Its a simple yet great song with a feel good video. I mean, who doesn't love puppets in love, playing guitars?

Safety Dance

"You can dance if you want to. You can leave your friends behind. Cause your friends don't dance, and if they don't dance, well then they're no friends of mine."

Some of the best lyrics ever written, from the band "Men in Hats". What?...I'm serious. This song is amazing.

Last night one of my closet favorite shows (GLEE) was amazing on so many different levels. For one, the man, Neil Patrick Harris was one of the guest stars, and Wicked Star Idina Menzel was the other. They sang amazing songs like Piano Man, Dream On, I Dreamed a Dream, as well as one of my personal favorite songs...

SAFETY DANCE

Elephant Micah

Okay, my project for the day is to find out exactly who this guy is. He captivated my morning commute with this very simple song, and now I have just found his complete 9 song LP for download off of NPR.com's website. Score.

So here I go to embark on a journey to find out who this sweet voice is.

Stay tuned.

You've Got A Friend

Two of my favorite singer song writers took the stage together today to sing an classic, and boy was it good. James Taylor and Carole King took some time out of their afternoon to stop by the Ellen Degeneres Show and sing Taylor's classic (and my favorite of his) "You've Got a Friend".

Carole on the piano and James on his guitar, they showed the room what real music should sound like. Its so good, it actually sent shivers down my spine when Carole was hitting those notes.

Bravo you two.

Murder in the City

To continue with my post below about my love for the Avett Brothers I just stumbled upon this video for their song "Murder in the City" and well again...amazing. I just love them so much.

Avett Brothers

Back in December I wrote that I had a new favorite band, and well they have not disappointed me one bit. The Avett Brothers are a band that has been around playing small southern festivals for about 10 years and are finally getting their due credit.

This band made up around two brothers is the definition of what good lyrical music is. The lyrics that they sing sometimes needs no melody, they are that good. The first song that caught my eye was "I and Love and You" yet their latest one "Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise" just hits me right in the heart. The lyrics seem to be jumping out the page and dancing around my head like a mantra.

Check out a few lines from this song:

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light

In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right

And it comes in black and it comes in white

And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected

And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected

If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected

Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it

Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it

"Decide what to be and go be it"

Loving Cup (Alternate Version)

Thats right you just read that title correctly. I'm bringing you a new version of one of my all time favorite Rolling Stones songs...."Loving Cup". Today marks the re-release of their legendary album Exile on Main Street and with that we are getting new versions of some great old songs.

This album for the Stones was legendary for many reasons but the most was the explanation of the title. Basically their "Exile" begain in 1971 when the members of the band owed more taxes than they could pay in England, so they did what any rock and roll band would do. They got up and got the hell out of dodge, leaving England for the south of France. There in the basement of a mansion the band recorded Exile on Main Street. The rest is music history.

Check out the alternate version of their classic below and understand why this band is one of the greatest in rock and roll history.