Friday Night Lights

Recently, I just finished a rather intense marathon of NBC's critically acclaimed program Friday Night Lights. It changed my life.

I know that this might sound like some kind of sponsorship or advertisement, but believe me when I say, I've been moved to write about this program simply because this show is fantastic and I want to do my part in spreading the good news of FNL.

I admit, I did not ever want to watch this show. There were so many people touting it's superiority which is tough considering I have a bad case of I-don't-want-to-like-things-that-everyone-else-likes-especially-if-they-are-shoving-it-in-my-face-every-time-I-see-them-itis. I was initially turned off to this show by the mere fact that everyone I knew loved it. On top of that, Friday Night Lights is about football. It's not that I hate football, I just don't love it. I couldn't imagine myself becoming immersed in a five season show that was based about football. I could not have been more wrong.

I went home for the Christmas Break and I started watching Friday Night Lights. Less than a month later, I had watched all three thousand, two hundred and sixty-eight minutes of it. Coming out the other side of this FNL tunnel, I could not be a bigger fan of this show. I have experienced first hand what this show can do for you ( or to you?), and I'd like to share three of those with you now.

YOU WILL WISH YOU WERE TEXAN AND YOU LIVED IN TEXAS

This is very strange side-effect of watching the show. After one season of this show, you might start to hear the strange drawl of a Texas accent sneaking in. Certain words creep into your conversation--words like "ya'll" and "texas forever."By the end of the show, you might even consider moving to AND living in Texas (of course that might be out of some misguided hope to meet your favorite characters from the show--it's important to remember that the show is not real life . . . I know, it gets really hard).

YOU WILL LOVE FOOTBALL

Say what?! Yes. It's true. You'll wish you have paid more attention in High School. You'll wish you had gone and supported the team. It'll make you a little more fluent in "sports," making you less awkward at those Super Bowl parties you keep getting invited to by that guy at work. Pretty soon, that strange sound (something like static mixed with a lot of shouting) that blasts from your uncle's TV when you go too visit starts to sound like intelligible English. I know this sounds farfetched, but after watching Friday Night Lights, I'm getting excited for next season of High School Football. What is strange is that my TiVo says I can't get a season pass to "High School Football," as there are "no programs found" with that title. Do I need a different cable package or do I actually need to go somewhere to watch "High School Football?" Anyone? Help me out here.

YOU WILL BECOME A BETTER PERSON

You will become a better person. There is no doubt of that. The more that I watched this show, the more that I realized this show is not about football. It's about so many things. It's about love. It's about heart. It's about marriage. It's about self-reflection. It's about friendship. It's about perseverance. It's about challenges. It's about life. Through this show I have learned so much about myself, what I want, and where I am going. I know what kind of person I want to be and how I can become that person. Friday Night Lights has taken it's place amongst my life-changing experiences--right next to Lost, and right below my religion. It sounds corny, but it's true. Friday Night Lights changed my life.

Friday Night Lights is available for instant viewing on Netflix, so start watching. Be warned. It will suck you in. And you will be the better for it.

Cultural Diorama - 6 Word Stories

This lanyard and pins are a symbol of my love for Disneyland, and more than that, a love of collecting. I haven't been collecting pins that long, but this set of pins, probably cost over $100 dollars. Additionally, these are not all my pins. Disneyland is such an important place in my life, and has been since I was young. This expensive hobby is is totally justified in my mind, because it lets me show what it is about Disneyland that I love. I actually really like collecting pins!

This here is Kevin. He is a nice guy. Kevin's moms name is Prim. I received Prim from a former girlfriend. Prim looks just like Kevin, only bigger. I gave Kevin to my former girlfriend. Somehow or another, we switched cats. I take care of Kevin, and she takes care of Prim. Prim and Kevin came with us to South Africa this summer. Prim has also been to Cuba. This little cat is my buddy. He is wearing a Santa hat, which I think is interesting. I love Christmas, and I love dressing this cat up. It's September and he is ready to go. You are all probably thinking I'm so strange right now. That's okay. I thinks that is representational of me. I have this weird thing with cats. I'm not embarrassed, nor can I explain it. I think they are strange and lovely.

This is probably something that everyone in this class can relate with. This is the first file folder I bought. It's huge and it is filled to the brim. I save everything that may of be some use to me. It's extremely heavy, and loosely organized, but it is all there. I hope I never lose this folder. I would probably cry. It has everything about Theatre Ed. It has syllabuses from 30 different classes. I have lesson plans I've created, or borrowed. It is stuffed with stuff from church, stuff from music classes, stuff from everywhere. It's a big part of my life. I'm an educational hoarder.

Review: "Christmas" by Michael Bublé

Okay, I'm back. Sorry about that.


It's nearly December, thought it's felt like December since I started back at BYU in September, mostly because I've been rehearsing White Christmas since the second week of school.


With December comes Christmas, comes Christmas Music. If you've been a regular reader of my blog, you've noticed that I really like Christmas Music. I decided this year, I would review new Christmas Albums and songs, because I think that you should all know what I think. Mine is an important opinion.


I'm starting early, though not as early as my first album was released. Michael Bublé released his newest album, Christmas on October 21, 2011. That is a full two months before the big day. It's sold successfully, currently holding the 8th slot on the Billboard 200, dropping from the 3rd slot it held last night. It's at the top of the Jazz Charts, 2nd on the Canadian charts and 2nd on the Holiday charts (the 1st slot is currently held by...Bieber...BIEBER!!!!!) It's had a successful release and it will most likely enjoy a pleasant boost in sales as we get closer to Christmas.


What do I think of it? Here is my track-by-track review:


1. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas: 


This is, I think the second strongest track on the album. It's exactly what I'm looking for when I turn on any Michael Bublé album. It's a very nostalgic track, that will remind you of some the classic Christmas records recorded by Bing Crosby or Nat King Cole. It's a great album opener. The strings are nice too.


2. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town


I like Big Band, and I like Big Band Christmas. This driving recording is a welcome addition to my regular Christmas listening. It's spunky,and the horns sound great. In my mind, it's a fun production number from some big gay Christmas musical.


3. Jingle Bells (Feat. The Puppini Sisters)


Another reminiscent track featuring the Andrews-Sisters-esque Puppini Sisters. I like the girls a lot. I just have a problem with the first twenty seconds of the song. Michael wishes the sisters a Merry Christmas: "Merry Christmas Ladies." They respond, "Merry Christmas Mister Bublé!" in a strange chorus-girl fashion. It doesn't sound right to me. Picky, I know. I like the rest of the track after that.


4. White Christmas (Duet with Shania Twain)


I have big problems with this track. I'm pretty sure it's sampling the actual Drifter's recording of White Christmas. It's lame. Michael and Shania sound great, but it's unoriginal, and it's nowhere as good as the original recording.


5. All I Want fo Christmas Is You


This track is a hard one for me too. There is only one version of this song in my opinion and that is Mariah Carey's. Whenever I hear another version of the song, I just think of hers. Also, I find Michael's voice be very produced on this track.


6. Holly Jolly Christmas


After that brief rough patch, we get a short and sweet recording of Holly Jolly Christmas. I don't have much to say about this track. It's pleasant.


7. Santa Baby


All I can think of when I listen to this recording is Michael Bublé in nothing but garters, stockings, a skimpy piece of lingerie, stripper heels, and a santa hat. He lies patiently with a slightly hungry smirk on one side of his face, the room carefully lit by the fire and the lights on the tree. This is not the image I want to see when I listen to Santa Baby.


8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas


A lovely recording of one of my top 5 favorite Christmas songs. It's not super memorable, but it's a beautiful recording and a great arrangement.


9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)


Another cover of a 1960's Christmas Hit. It's a fun track, but it doesn't stray to far away from the original recording. Also, it's not really a sound that I'm looking for when I turn on Michael Bublé. It's a song I would skip when I pops up on the shuffle.


10. Silent Night


Michael Buble + Children's Choir + Beloved Religious Christmas Hymn = Beautiful song that your Mom listens to in the Car. Also, the horn intro doesn't fit.


11. Blue Christmas


Of all the covers of well-known Christmas songs that Michael Bublé has on this album, this is the strongest one. It makes me thing that he has had a little to much to drink from a jug marked with a "XXX." Mostly because he is just sad. I really do like this recording, especially the instrumental break.


12. Cold December Night


Not my favorite song. His voice sounds produced again. I don't like that sound a lot. Also,  he harmonizes with himself. The sound is peppy and I like the poppy arrangement, but not what I'm looking for. I admit however, it's catchy.


13. I'll Be Home for Christmas


Top three favorite christmas songs ever. How is Michael's recording? Great. The gentle guitar combined with the warmth of Michael's voice sucks you straight into this fairly simple Jazz Ballad. I'd be comfortable putting this on my Annual Christmas CD.


14. Ave Maria


Meh. I've heard better.


15. Mis Deseos / Feliz Navidad (Duet With Thalia)


I really only like the José Feliciano of Feliz Navidad, but I really like Thalia. I could listen to her sing Mis Deseos all day, though I'm not crazy about Michael's Spanish in Mis Deseos. Interesting that this is the final track of the Album.


The final word: It an album that get's confused in some places. It has many really wonderful tracks, though only a few are truly memorable. It makes you nostalgic, almost to the point where you stop listening to MIchael Bublé and you turn on Frank Sinatra's christmas album. It's a solid album that any Michael Bublé fan would like. I'm sure it will make regular appearances at many of this season's Christmas parties.


Grade: B-


Favorite Track: I'll Be Home for Christmas.

Planking

This post may be out of date, but I just felt the need to express my opinion on the subject of planking and owling.


Just so everyone knows, planking is way better than owling.


Just compare these pictures:

VS.

I think planking is just inherently more funny and more clever. So there.

Christmas Music

Hey there everyone!


I'm back after another long hiatus. It wasn't intentional, but it happened, I guess. So without further ado, let my blogging begin again!


This is a short little entry, mostly looking for feedback from you, the reader! You may see something similar on my facebook, but that is only to make sure I get as many responses as possible.


I love Christmas music, and the time has come again to listen to it non-stop. I have a pretty hefty collection of Christmas music, but I love to add to that collection. So, I'm sort of curious as to what your favorite Christmas music is.


If I had to pick a some of my favorite songs (off the top of my head), I might mention these ones pretty quick:


The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
This is my favorite recording of this Christmas Classic. I get chills right off the bat with those perfect opening chords.


Why Can't It Be Christmastime All year - Rosie Thomas
This is song is fun. I discovered it last year (A free download! Amazing!) and I haven't forgotten it. I think you'll like it.


What Are You Doing New Years Eve? - Lena Horne
This song is in my top three favorite Christmas songs. This a fairly new recording for me, but it's a great one. I could listen to Lena Horne for days at a time, so couple her with one of my favorite songs and you've got a winner!


This is in no way, no way at all, a comprehensive list. Just three little songs I like. Well, I'm curious to know this:


What is your favorite Christmas Song?

My Keeeeyboardddd seems like it's brookennnn...

Will somebody enlighten me? I don't understand something. When I am on Facebook, just perusing the days status updates, sometime I come across updates or comments that look a little like this:

"OMG!!! I really love to eatttttttttttt."

or

"foreverrrrrrr....."

or

"sweet lovinnnnnn"

Why? Is their keyboard broken, or do they really want me to say, "eat-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t?" Can anyone please explain this to me? Am I alone here? Please tell me I'm not the only one who sees this. I would just like to get a reasoning behind it!

Air Conditioning

Just a few words about the fabulous wonder known as Air Conditioning.

In our house (Tyler, Danniey, Calvin, and me), we have had a struggle with the air conditioner. We felt that it was not working properly. And by 'felt,' I mean we 'felt' the sweat drip down our backs while watching television, or one us would occasionally stoke off for a moment or two due to the heat. Some of us would argue that it just wasn't working up to it's fullest capacity; the A/C was cooling the air, but not well enough. Other believed that it was just plain broken, and that the air was not being cooled at all.

I was in the former party, and though it wounds my pride to admit it, I was wrong. In fact I was completely wrong. After having the A/C professionals visit the house, I was informed that the unit was built in 1978, and the compressor was broken, and refrigerant was very low, and that by running the A/C, we we're actually making the house hotter, than if we just ran the fan. I was wrong, and to the people belonging to the latter party, I stand corrected.

Well the Air Conditioner was replaced, and life is moving along swimmingly. It is amazing how much a good air conditioner can do for a person, or an entire household. Incredible inventions! I wonder how we even got through our summers before having a working air conditioner! Three Cheers! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!