A Change for the Tuesday Meme

Steve - you'll love this.

When looking for a meme to do this week I found this one called Tackle It Tuesday. What you do is take a project or area to work in and well... tackle it! It's a great motivation to do something you've been meaning to do, and recently I'm finding that I need motivation/inspiration sometimes.

I'll be tackling my half of the office area this week. It's relatively cluttered and could probably stand a good purge/organize. I'll post a "before" picture when I get home and either today or tomorrow when I finish I'll post an "after" picture as well.

The interesting thing will be to check back in a month or two and see if I'm able to avoid clutterment. That'll be the challenge. I'll also come up with a list of other projects that need tackling (i.e. our scrapbook, my football pillow, our laundry room, and our understair storage) and tackle those in the coming weeks as well.

Update later.

Tuesday Meme: Music Favorites

Haven't done a Tuesday Meme in a while, so I'm going with the Take Me Back Tuesday this week. Feel free to comment on my answers or leave your own answers in the comments section. :)

What is your favorite movie soundtrack or score and why?
I'm torn between 2 of them. There will always be a special place in my heart for the "Interview with a Vampire" soundtrack because that's what the music was the first year I was in Winterguard. There are so many great memories I have associated with the music to that soundtrack. And besides... I just love the music on that soundtrack anyways; there's a good mix of mood and the composer did a great job getting music to match the movie. The 2nd one is the Broadway soundtrack to "Annie". For some reason I've always loved the music from the movie and show, but the Broadway soundtrack has the music from when I was a Hooverville-ite in the town play when I was 10.

You know what... we'll just call it a tie. :)

What is your favorite album by your favorite artist/band?
I would have to say that while I have a lot of "favorite" albums and "favorite" artists/bands, the one that tops the list and has for a while is the Goo Goo Dolls "Dizzy Up the Girl". That is such an amazing CD; it brings me back to the 5 GGD concerts I've been to and the memories associated with those (the first concert I ever went to at "Great Woods", meeting them at the HBCB and Johnny Rzeznik talking in my cell phone, "Our real friends stay after 'Iris'", and many more), makes me get itchy to go to another concert, and is a GREAT CD for blasting the music, dropping the car windows, and singing like an idiot at the top of your lungs on the highway.

What is your favorite music video?
OK... I have to start by saying that I haven't watched music videos in ages, and the last time I did they had gotten pretty lame and standard. They were either all dancing around in bad outfits, or doing some typical romantic thing, or just standing there singing. Never mind the fact that MTV barely ever ACTUALLY plays music anymore. Thinking back to the time when I DID watch music videos, I would have to say that my favorite video of all time is Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (embedding was disabled by request of the poster, but if you want to see the video you can check it out here). It was a landmark video back before MJ was all creep-tastic and it forced other bands/artists to raise the bar when it came to videos (i.e. Guns N' Roses "November Rain"). They just don't make videos that way anymore, which is quite a shame if you ask me. Music videos were a great way to make songs come to life... the last time I saw them they were super lame.

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Current Music: Lauren Hill, "The Sweetest Thing"

Music of the 90's!!

I haven't done a Tuesday Meme in a bit, so I thought I'd go ahead and hit up some Take Me Back Tuesday. This week - Music of the 90's! I'm so excited. I just can't hide it. (Wait... that's the 80's... whatever...)

What bands from the 90's that have broken up do you miss?
To be honest, most of the bands I listened to in the 90's (Green Day, Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie and the Blowfish) are still together. Since I can't think of anything, I'm going to have to go with New Kids on the Block. They were starting to get bad when they broke up, so it's probably best that they did anyways. (If anyone has any other ideas for this one, leave a comment because my answer is lame).

What was your favorite song from that decade?
This is a tough question, there were so many. I'll go with my top three in this case: Alanis Morrisette, "Head Over Feet"; Green Day, "Welcome to Paradise"; and Salt N' Pepa, "Shoop". I love 90's music, so it was hard for me to even pick three...

What was your favorite album?
Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill". I listened to that ALL. THE. TIME. To the point where I got a little too excited when her 10th anniversary "Jagged Little Pill - Acoustic Album" came out. That made me giddy. Seriously though, I could just pop that CD into my stereo and just blast it and sing along really loud. My parents were just glad I didn't listen to a lot of rap, I think.

How did you feel about the whole "grunge" genre that popped up in the early 90's?
I liked most of it. I enjoyed Nirvana's "Nevermind" album and even though I had no idea what Eddie Vedder was saying I also really liked "Pearl Jam"'s music. I will say though - the clothing style that came along with it was not my thing. Too... dirty. Made people look like they didn't shower. Blech.

What was your favorite 1-hit wonder of that decade?
After much deliberation and a Google Search for 90's 1-hit wonders... I would have to say it's a toss-up between Chumbawumba's "Tub-Thumping" and Paperboy's "Ditty". And - I'm interested in everyone else's favorite 90's one-hit wonders. Consult this website and leave a comment, because there are so many great ones over the 10 year span that now I want to waste large amounts of money on I-Tunes to find them (my birthday's in a month and a half... if anyone wanted to get some I-Tunes gift cards... just kidding...)
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Current Music - Devo, "Whip It"

Ten Movies

This week's Tuesday memes were lacking, and since I don't have a ton of time today I went with the 10 on Tuesday. This week's 10 are "10 Movies from your Childhood". For this I'm going to look at 10 movies I liked that came out before 1990 (which is when, consequently, I turned the age of 10). Feel free to list 10 movies from your childhood you liked in the comments!

1. "The Karate Kid III" (This one was my favorite of the series)
2. "ET"
3. "The Boy Who Could Fly"
4. "Follow that Bird" (Yes, the one with Big Bird. Shush)
5. "Three Men and a Baby"
6. "Labyrinth"
7. "Willow"
8. "BIG"
9. "UHF"
10. "The Three Amigos"
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Current Music: Augustana, "Boston"

"Hangin' Tough! Hangin' Tough!"

Time for this week's Tuesday Meme. I went with the Take Me Back Tuesday this week due to the fact that I love some of the music I grew up with. Feel free to answer these yourself in my comments section (or just comment... I heart comments...).

Did you have any bands that you were ashamed of liking in your younger days?
Ashamed of? I don't know that I'd say I was ashamed of anything that I listened to in my younger days. I remember that I did hang out with a lot of guys (the girls weren't into wrestling and football... and I could only handle so much talk about make-up) and they used to pick on me for listening to New Kids on the Block. The thing was that I didn't really care; they were boys, and weren't supposed to like boy bands.

Do you look back on some of the things you listened to and groan? If so, what were they?
Not at all! In fact, whenever a song from my younger days pops on the radio or someone starts singing it, I get stupid excited and giggly. I will then bust into a song that they sang back in the day. Most of the people I hang out with will typically end up singing along because they're big dorks like me.

Up through the 80's there were a lot of music related tv shows did you watch any? (That weren't on Mtv or Vh-1)
I hate to admit this, but yes. I used to watch "Dance Party U.S.A." which was on the USA Network. That J.D. guy who ended up hosting some Nickelodeon game show I believe was the host. Such a hokey show.


A good many singers/musicians made films that were pretty awful, but have a cult following, which ones do you like?
I am a huge fan of UHF with Weird Al Yankovic. I have it on DVD if anyone hasn't seen it or has seen it and wants to watch it. I'm 100% willing to convince Steve that we have to host a movie night and watch it. It's the source of such great quotes as "STU-PAD! YOU SO STU-PAD!" and "You get to drink from the FIREHOSE!!!".

Are any of your youthful guilty pleasures still favorites now? Or do you pretend like you never liked them?
Oh yes. I'm still a huge fan of Michael Jackson's Thriller album even though now he's a giant sketchball. I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a copy of the New Kids on the Block Greatest Hits album. If a good Paula Abdul song comes on the radio, I'll sing it out loud - straight up, I'm not even kidding (haha... get it...). I'll admit that I was a Green Day fan back in the "Dookie" days. Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth - you better believe I'd sing along. There is nothing wrong with the music of my youth. I think it's super fun to be nostalgic. :)
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Current Music: Duncan Sheik, "Barely Breathing"

You are getting sleepy....

Heading to the "Take Me Back Tuesday" for this week's Tuesday Meme.

But before I get to that, I have to mention the awesomeness that is Mario Party 8 for the Wii. Dan and Kimberly came over last night for dinner and Wii and they brought MP8. It was so much fun, and Steve and I have decided that it is a buyer. Being able to play with the Wii last night also reminded me that Steve and I have time again (see yesterday's post) and I can start playing Wario Smooth Moves again.

Anyways. On to the meme. Feel free to answer the questions yourself in the comments section or in your own blog!

What type of music do you find to be the best to sleep to?
Usually we just have the white noise of a fan or the air conditioner, but on those nights that we decide to play some music there's nothing like the soothing sounds of Enya to put you right to sleep. The tune of "Caribbean Blue" just relaxes me and helps me drift off into dream land.

Is there any kind of music that you absolutely can't fall asleep to?
Yeah, I can't fall asleep to Rap, Hip-Hop, or Dance. Those genres just make me want to dance and bounce, neither of which are terribly conducive to sleeping.

If anyone artist could sing you to sleep who would it be and what would they sing to you?
Michael Buble. I would have him just sit in our bedroom and sing "Home" until we fell asleep. I find his voice very calming, especially in that song.

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Current Music: Rod Stewart, "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?"

Tuesday Meme - Book Corner

This week's Tuesday Meme is from Tina's Tuesdays. Enjoy, comment, maybe offer up your own answers.

What book are you currently reading?
I'm currently reading "Love and Marriage" by Bill Cosby. I'm almost done, so probably by Friday you'll see a book report up here for it.

Who is your favourite author and why?
To be totally honest, I don't really have a favorite author these days. When I was growing up it was a cross between Dean Koontz and Lucy Maude Montgomery. For a while I went through an Anne Rice phase. These days I pretty much just read anything I can get my hands on so I can't say as I have a favorite authoer these days.

Do you read books from recommendations or do you browse yourself?
I do both. The best book I've recently read from a recommendation (and I went on to recommend it to people myself because it was so amazing) was The Kite Runner by Khaled Houssani. In fact, you should all read it (if you like reading, that is). However, I also enjoy browsing. Every so often I'll hit up the bookstore and grab some of those deals where you get three books for the price of two, or load up on a bunch of books from the bargain racks. I'm also a huge sucker for library book sales. You NEVER know what you'll find at those, and can often get a giant bag of books for $5.00 or less. That's awesome.
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Current Music: Eagles, "Desperado" I swear I'm not purposely listening to the Eagles. It's what's on Mike when I type, apparently.

Ten on Tuesday - Boo Hoo!!

This week's Tuesday Meme will be the Ten on Tuesday. Why? Because I can do them quickly.

Ten Songs That Make Me Sad:
1. Rascal Flatts, "Skin"
2. Joe Nichols, "I'll Wait For You"
3. Garth Brooks, "I Don't Have To Wonder"
4. Simpli Lauri, "Can You Feel My Tears?" (Based on the book Can You Feel My Tears by Lauri Merrow - my mom)
5. Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton, "When I Get Where I'm Going"
6. "Maybe" from the movie Annie
7. Lee Ann Rimes, "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way"
8. Dixie Chicks, "Travelin' Soldier"
9. Kellie Pickler, "I Wonder"
10. Trace Adkins, "Arlington"

OK... maybe if it was just "Songs that make me cry", that would have been easier. Some songs just touch my heart and I cry - but they don't necessarily make me sad. This list was harder than I thought. Also - interesting that most of these are country songs. Hrmph.
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Current Music: Josh Turner, "Long Black Train"

Tuesday Twosome

This week I'm trying a new one: the Tuesday Twosome! I think it's kind of a fun one, albeit short. This one is about music.

The last two songs you heard.
Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"
Def Leppard - "Rock of Ages"

The last two CDs/itunes/mp3s you bought.
I can honestly say I don't remember the answer to this. I know that Steve has bought some... I think that the last iTunes I bought were Carrie Underwood, "Jesus Take The Wheel" and "Don't Forget to Remember Me". I think.

Two songs you hate at the moment.
I can't think of any that I "hate" at the moment, but if I do think of any I'll get back to you. Usually there are a couple that drive me nuts that I immediately change the channel if it comes on the radio... but I'm blanking at the moment.

Two songs you are loving at the moment.
Carrie Underwood, "Before He Cheats"
Justin Timberlake, "SexyBack" (as much as it drives Steve nuts...)

Two singers/musicians you would love to meet (dead or alive).
I would absolutely love to meet Billy Joel and Garth Brooks. They both seem to be awesome people and it would be neat to sit and talk with them and see what has inspired them, and what motivates them now. They also seem like they would be really down to earth to talk to. And since Garth Brooks was influenced by Billy Joel, even cooler would be if I could meet them at the same time, and have a big-old pow-wow. I would bring the coffee.
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Current Music: Roxette, "It Must Have Been Love"

Tuesday Meme: The Mall

This week I selected "Tina's Tuesdays":

What is your favourite clothing store? Why?
I'm a Lane Bryant fan, even though there's no way I could afford to buy clothes from ONLY LB. Their clothes are trendy without going over the top (I'm more of a conservative girl), and they're clothes that actually fit me!! I'm a short chubby girl, so it's important that I can find pants that fit or capris that don't fit me like pants. Plus they have great sales and incentives for continuing customers.

What is your least favourite store in general? Why?
I can't stand Abercrombie & Fitch. Their store gives me a headache between the heavy smell of cologne and the loud club music. Plus, from what I understand the quality of their clothing isn't that great for the price (I'm too chubby to fit in their clothes, so I don't know personally). For those reasons, I'm also not looking forward to the installation of Hollister at the Mall Rockingham Park.

What was the last store you shopped at? What did you buy?
The last store I shopped at was Lane Bryant, oddly enough. I bought 2 pairs of pants there on Saturday (a pair of jeans and a pair of white capris because they had a buy-one-get-one-free on all bottoms).

Side note: We have a possible photographer. I think she's good based on what I saw on her website. Need concurrence from Steve before proceeding. Probable phone consultation on Friday.
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Current Music: Fatboy Slim, "The Rockafeller Skank"

Ten on Tuesday - "I'm all alone..."

This week for the Tuesday meme I went the "Ten on Tuesday" route.

Ten Things I Like To Do By Myself
1. Read (though, I don't mind if someone is with me)
2. Draw
3. Drive (again, I don't mind someone being with me - but it's much less embarrassing to sing in the car when you're by yourself).
4. Shop (specifically grocery shopping)
5. Cook
6. Write
7. Study (though, with a buddy is good too)
8. Crafty projects
9. Watch movies (mostly horror, because not many other people like them)
10. Walk
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Current Music: B-52's, "Love Shack"

Tuesday Meme

I went with Tina's Tuesdays again this week because as much as I love the Take Me Back Tuesdays - I don't know anything about the music from 1967 and I'm too lazy to look it up.

Here we go...

What is your favourite color?
My favorite color is purple, specifically the deeper, rich shade of purple. I actually found some chenille yarn at Christmas Tree Shops for $0.09/skein and bought myself a few so I can make myself a scarf or something in that color.

What is your favourite month?
I don't really have a specific favorite month. I've always loved the time period between late May and mid June, that warm springtime. And I also love the September to early October timeframe when it's definitely fall but not freezing cold yet.

What is your favourite hobby?
I have a few hobbies, so this is hard. I like to read, paint pottery, crochet, and general crafting projects. I would say that of those my favorite is painting pottery, but that's an expensive hobby in the long run. For a more wallet friendly hobby I think crocheting would rank up there as well. I like those particular hobbies because I have something I can show for it when I finish. When I finish a book all I have gained knowledge or have increased my level of interest in something, but unless I write a book report I don't really have anything to show for it.
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Current Music: Billy Squire, "Lonely is the Night"

Tuesday Meme

There are a few different memes that can be done on Tuesdays on the website I reference for these, and so this week I am going with Tina's Tuesdays. This week's topic is Careers:

Are you currently working? If so, what is your job? If not, how come?
I am currently working. I am a Customer Service Representative for an Aerospace company in Wilmington, MA. I work in the Customer Service/Inside Sales department.

Is this your dream career? Why or why not?
This is not my dream career. My dream career is to be a Guidance Counselor because I love working with students and getting them ready for college. But... the more I weigh where things are in my life I think that the timing is bad for me to even attempt to pursue that.

Are you happy with your job? If not, any plans to quit?
I am happy with my job. I've been introduced to a whole world of things I'd never been exposed to before since I've been working here, and that is the Aerospace industry. It is extremely interesting and there's a lot of room for growth and development. Plus, they pay for my education and provide some good training. I'll be here for a while, I think. No reason or want to quit.

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Current Music: B-52's, "Rock Lobster"

"The Sun Will Come Out..."

Time for some Take Me Back Tuesday...

What was the first musical movie you saw (not necessarily broadway related)?
The first musical that I remember seeing was Mary Martin's "Peter Pan" when I was a kid. My mom rented it on VHS and we (my brother and I) watched it with her. I remember thinking to myself the whole time "Why is PETER Pan played by a girl?". Mom really didn't have a good answer for that...

What was the most recent musical movie you saw?
The most recent was definitely "Fiddler on the Roof" which I caught on "On-Demand" when I was sick right after we moved. I first saw that as a musical at the North Shore Music Theater and I cried, so when I saw it on the listings and had nothing to do except be sick - I decided it was a good time to finally see the movie. Yes, it also made me cry.

Have you ever seen a movie because of the music that was in it?
Yes. When I was in high school and marched in Winterguard, I watched "Interview with a Vampire" and "Only You" (Sophomore and Senior years, respectively) The shows were based around the music and to an extent the coaches/choreographers based the show around the movie as well. I thought that watching the movies would help me to be a better performer on the floor.

What is your favorite musical (Movie and Broadway show if you have one)?
My favorite musical that's a movie is hands down "Annie", and not that crappy Kathy Bates version either. I mean the one where Carol Burnett played Ms. Hannigan. Yeah, that one. I love that movie. As far as a live musical, so far I would have to say "Fiddler on the Roof" at the North Shore Music Theater out of all the ones I've seen so far.
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Current Music: Fall Out Boy, "Sugar, We're Going Down"

Ten on Tuesday

I went with Ten on Tuesday this week rather than the Take Me Back Tuesday, because this week's TMB was about drinking songs and getting hammered (in honor of St. Patrick's Day, of course).

So that said... this week's Ten on Tuesday:
Danielle's Top Ten Albums (in no particular order...)
1. Garth Brooks, "Double Live"
2. Alanis Morrisette, "Jagged Little Pill"
3. Billy Joel, "The Essential Billy Joel" (2-Disc Collection)
4. Pink Floyd, "The Wall"
5. Enya, "Paint the Sky with Stars"
6. Sugar Ray, "14:59"
7. Aerosmith, "Get a Grip"
8. Dixie Chicks, "Wide Open Spaces"
9. Jewel, "Pieces of You"
10. Goo Goo Dolls, "Dizzy Up the Girl"

What are your top ten albums? Leave a comment!!

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Current Music: Men Without Hats, "The Safety Dance"

"Take Me Back" Tuesday

It's amazing how many sites are out there to stimulate your brain when you just want to write, and don't know what to write about.

There are a couple of things.. for one, I had a great time at dinner with Shannon last night. Panera and chatting is always a good time. Hopefully we'll do that more often.

Steve has a cold and is pretty well stuffed up. Hopefully the medicine I got him is working and he's feeling better today.

I didn't go for a walk today because I was intimidated by the 5 degrees with wind, plus I slept late. Tomorrow is another day.

So... because outside of that I don't really have much to write about, but do want to write... I found a website that gives you "memes" to spark your brain every day. Today I'll use "Take Me Back Tuesday" because I didn't like the questions on the other ones:

Take Me Back Tuesday: Three Music Related Questions or Trivia posted each Tuesday about the music of the past.

What songs make you want to party?
I have a few, they are:
- Christina Aquilera, "Dirty"
- Big & Rich, "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy"
- "The Electric Slide" (Shut up, all of you)
- "Shout"
- AC/DC, "You (Shook Me All Night Long)"
- Garth Brooks, "Friends in Low Places"
And last, but not least...
- Usher, "Yeah"
**Note: I'm sure there are others, I just can't think of them at the moment.

What was your favorite album that was given to you as a gift?
My favorite album that was given to me as a gift was definitely when I turned 14 and my I got Alanis Morrisette's "Jagged Little Pill". After that, pretty much any Alanis album I've gotten was an exciting time for me, especially when my 'rents special ordered "Feast on Scraps" and also when Steve got me the acoustic "Jagged Little Pill" album.

Are there any albums or bands that you associate with one of your own b-days or parties, if so, which ones?
Ummm.... *thinks* Well, for my 14th birthday I got two albums that I was pretty psyched about - Green Day, "Dookie" and Alanis Morrisette, "Jagged Little Pill". Outside of that there's not much that I can think of right away.
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Current Music: Kiss, "I Wanna Rock & Roll"