30 Days of Me: The Finale

*I have to start off by saying: Wow. This took literally all night. I never knew these things were so hard.

I wanted to do something special for the end of this 30 Days thing. Unfortunately, jeanette kind of stole my idea in the whole thanking people thing.

So I decided to do something I hadn't done before. I want it to be known for the record I did this about 4 hours ago. But it decided to be complicated all night.

I present to you, my first official vlog.

Here are some notes:

*I mumble. There's no way around it.

*I know I forgot some people and for that I'm truly sorry. It was kind of a "one-take" thing. I didn't want to have to worry about editing it and all that jazz.

*I don't really know why I picked that song. I just kind of saw it and went with it.

Hope you enjoy this idea that may or may not make a return.

30 Days of Me: Hopes and Dreams

In the next year I hope to...

*be happy by making the best decisions for myself.

And I hope to take part in (and feature) more guest posts like this.

30 Days of Me: Detailed Year

Man, to be honest... I am really unprepared for this.

*I met some cool new blogger friends.

*I made decisions that will affect my future, in hopefully a good way.

*I saw some cool concerts, including an international band, Pendulum.

*Found some new artist. That never gets old.

*Completed my last semester of classes. Started an internship.

*Got the ball rollin on a project that if it works out right will be really great.

*There is honestly probably A LOT more, but I am trying to get this in before the day is over. And today was not a good day, so I feel like this is an accomplishment.

(50) Sundays of Music: #27

#27: Kings of Leon - Only By the Night

I have to admit. I was really late on this bandwagon. I am the kind of the person that fans of bands like Kings of Leon hate as my first taste of them was "Sex on Fire" and then the hugely popular "Use Somebody." However, I had heard their name in various outlets and when my friend mentioned how good this cd was, I gave it a shot.

I wouldn't say I was immediately hooked, but I was immediately intrigued. I felt really late to the party when I realized they have had like 3 or 5 albums before this release, but no matter. This one stands alone, even without the commercial success of "Use Somebody."

I think I started realizing I liked this cd when I realized how amazing the beginning is. Seriously, name a better introduction song than the ironically named "Closer." The alarm-type sound, the emotional bass line... I love how every instrument introduces itself, even the vocalist with the lyrics "Stranded in this spooky town / Stoplights are swaying and the phone lines are down / This floor is crackling cold / She took my heart, I think she took my soul / With the moon I run / Far from the carnage of the fiery sun." It sets the stage for how the rest of the album is going to feel.

Then it jumps right into "Crawl" and it kind of tells you "look, this is going to be slow at some parts, but we are going to jam in others." And I really dig that. "Sex on Fire" is still a classic and little trivia: it wasn't till I played it on Rock Band that I realized he said "Head while I'm drivin." Awesome.

I don't know how this is going to come across, but I love his voice. It's like he knows just how to use it and draws you in. Specifically, he knows when to use it, in one of my favorites, "Revelry," when he croons, "Just know it was you all along that had a hold of my heart / But the demon in me was a best friend from the start."

Kind of random, but another of my favorite tracks is "17." No big description, I just really like. And the other highlight is the closing track, "Cold Desert," when it sounds like the song is over but they come right back and hit you with instrumental emotion.

This cd is classic and has inspired to listen to their back catalog. Grammy well deserved.

30 Days of Me: Detailed Month

I really should have prepared for this. Let me try and think what I have done...

(warning: most of these are pretty recent. My far away memory is pretty bad)

*got in a relationship.

*made the decision to move to South Dakota after I graduate.

*met a fellow blogger

*watched the World Cup at work. Celebrated by myself in my cubicle when USA beat Algeria. Contemplated various ways to end it all when they lost to Ghana.

*watched movies. The only ones I can remember are Pirate Radio, Sorority Row, Knight and Day, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. Probably more, but I can't think of them all.

*visited my dad for Father's Day. He enjoyed it, so that was cool. Though I think he enjoyed beating me in monopoly and bowling.

*made some waves in my internship. I'm learning more things and being trusted with more things.

*got a PS3. And I love it.

That's pretty much it. Probably forgot some cool stuff. But oh well. Are you guys sad that I will return to "normal" blogging? I am...

30 Days of Me: Detailed Week

I should have looked ahead, seen that this is a post I had coming and prepared for it. Oh well. Let's get by with some points of interest:

*Sunday I drove back from seeing my dad in Florida, stopped back in my old hometown to see some friends, got home and pretty much passed out from driving roughly 13 hours over the weekend.

*Monday I watched Sorority Row. What can I say, I have a guilty pleasure for these kind of movies in that I like to watch them and go "yep, you're about to die." You can't watch these things expecting 5 star classics, and when one of the girls is from The Hills, you're definitely not going to get that. But it was entertaining.

*Tuesday = drama. Too complicated for this place though.

*Wednesday I turned in an article about a Michael Jackson tribute night and I have to say I'm pretty proud of it. I'm proud because most of the time my editor will change things I say and rightfully so. What she puts sounds better. But this article was 95% me. You can see for yourself here. (The part she put in was the "loafers" thing and she reworded the youtube part).

*Thursday I watched Knight and Day. I really liked it at first and then a little bit after the halfway point I kind of became bored. I honestly almost fell asleep toward the end. It wasn't terrible, it just didn't hold my attention for the entire movie.

*Last night I watched Pirate Radio. Wow, this movie was great. Not to put myself on some kind of pedestal, but I think I liked so much because I am a radio DJ myself, though only on the college thing. But you can tell those guys just loved the music -- and each other. It was absolutely great and automatically went in my top ten.

*Today I watched USA get eliminated from the World Cup. Please Allison, wait a few days before rubbing it in. I'm still picking up the pieces of my red, white and blue broken heart. Then caught a couple episodes of Heroes and beat Green Day Rock Band.

Now I get ready to sleep tomorrow and bring you a post that will probably fail. I'm supposed to remember the whole month? Seriously. This may take some effort.

30 Days of Me: Detailed Day

*Spent a little bit of time at work before going to a mayor's meeting. Basically, the mayor of Montgomery just chatted it up with the press. Afterward, people kept asking me how I liked it and my response was always "uhhhhhhhhhh"

*The rest of the day consisted of me doing "research" for a Twilight, or should I say Eclipse, article I have to write. Yes, this is one article I didn't offer, I was asked to do. Oh well, could be fun.

*Had to fight with student loan people. Whole nother story.

*Came home and chatted with Frisco for a bit. Then got in an episode of Heroes before he goes off to a Drum and Bass thing in Atlanta.

*Now I'm waiting for my girlfriend to come over and we are either going to watch Pirate Radio or Anchorman. Or both. Who knows.

*Maybe I will play some Green Day Rock Band. All I know is this weekend I plan to: watch USA beat Ghana (hopefully), catch a little Lost, but mostly sleep.

30 Days of Me: Cryptic Answers

Before we get to today's freestyle post, let's get to some other news:

1) This 30 days thing is almost over. And I have to be honest, this last week doesn't look that exciting. But after it's over there is a tiny window of a break, and then I have something lined up for you guys. I know this blog said cryptic answers, but how about one more thing for you guys to think about?

b) USA's win yesterday against Algeria is a moment I won't forget. Because I was stuck in my cubicle. When I really wanted to chest bump somebody, anybody. It was just so intense that in ONE SECOND we went from being eliminated to winning the group. Bring on Ghana.

III) There have been some good releases lately. I was happy with Eminem's "Recovery," I was not disappointed with Pierce the Veil's "Selfish Machines" and was surprised that I liked Drake's "Thank Me Later."

On to the answers (original post in bold).

1) A status of mine has recently changed.

I am currently in a relationship. To say that it's complicated is an understatement. But for those who are curious, I am happy. My facebook friends don't know because well, I don't want them to. It's facebook.

2) I just made a decision that will impact the rest of my life. Ok, that's too dramatic. It will impact the rest of my 2010.

I'm going to move in with my sister and brother-in-law in South Dakota after I graduate. I'm gonna stay for about 6 months, get a job, put up money and figure out my next move. Keep going west to Cali? Stay in Rapid City? Come back to the South and live in Atlanta? Who knows.

*If you did the math, you would see that 1 & 2 complicate each other. What am I going to do about our relationship in August? As of press time... I don't know.

3) I have witnessed proof of epic events in the past year or so. Today, I take part in my own epic event (and there is a 90% chance I will have proof).

BAM:

I finally met up with a fellow blogger, jeanette. Making matters better? She is one of my favorite. I would say favorite, but I don't want to start any fights. She came through Atlanta and I was like "this is going to happen." Mellow Mushroom Pizza, Twilight hating at Borders and of course musical discussion made for a truly epic night.

30 Days of Me: YouTube

This video goes along with yesterday's website. I think I viewed this about 20 times during finals and I showed Frisco and we were near crying we were laughing so hard.

Now that I've hyped it up and it will probably disappoint, have a look into my kind of humor:

30 Days of Me: Website

Man these days are getting to me. I'm only posting this right now because I don't want to get called out.

But seriously, check out this site:

http://explosm.net/

It's great and got me through finals.

30 Days of Me: Recipe

I'm not even going to try to act like I know how to cook anything. I celebrated the day I learned how to make a hamburger helper and had to call a friend the first time I made spaghetti. Though I will say I made some pancakes the other day, the non-frozen kind mind you, and they were pretty ballin.

So instead of trying to come up with a good recipe, I figured I would do something else more up my alley that also involves "ingredients."

This is how to make a mixtape of what I have been listening to lately.

*Note: Some songs aren't current, but you know how it is when you get on a kick.

So these aren't for download (Maybe in the future I can make that available), it's just a glimpse into what has been dominating my iPod lately.

1. The Academy Is... – Down and Out
2. B.o.B. – Ghost in the Machine
3. Black Eyed Peas – Rock That Body
4. The Black Keys – Tighten Up
5. Circa Survive – Get Out
6. Civil Twilight - Teardrop
7. Eminem featuring Lil Wayne – No Love
8. Gorillaz – Rhinestone Eyes
9. Green Day – Jesus of Suburbia
10. Minus the Bear - Excuses
11. Motion City Soundtrack – When You’re Around
12. Mumford and Sons – The Cave
13. Muse – Neutron Star Collision
14. Neon Trees - 1983
15. New Politics – Yeah Yeah Yeah
16. OneRepublic - Secrets
17. Pendulum – Set Me On Fire
18. Pierce the Veil - Caraphernelia
19. Sleigh Bells - Infinitry Guitars
20. Terrible Things - Revolution
21. Two Door Cinema Club – I Can Talk
22. The Used – Men Are All the Same
23. Vampire Weekend – Giving Up The Gun

(50) Sundays of Music: #28

#28: Senses Fail - Still Searching

File under: Bands that are so great live it makes the music even better.

Actually back track. I was handed the first actual cd "Let It Enfold You" by my girlfriend at the time back in 2004. I liked it and from there I picked up their older EP "From The Depths of Dreams." I found myself getting into a heavy sound that I wasn't into before then. If you remember the Underoath post, sometimes you just gotta get the energy out.

Let's go back to talking about live. I saw these guys at Warped Tour 2005, Taste of Chaos 2006 and Warped Tour 2009. They don't have a crazy mind-inducing type show like a Muse or Coldplay, but they just flat out rock it. The drums are fast and loud and the guitars keep everything going.

I think something else I like about the lead singer is that he actually isn't the greatest there is. His imperfect voice kind of makes the band more appealing.

At one point, I wouldn't have even listed "Still Searching" as one of my favorite cds, let alone in my top 30. But one day I realized it was when my friend put it in and I knew every piece of every song.

I love it because the energy keeps going, but it even has a soft breakdown toward the end. However, it's not a ballad type thing, it's just the music slows down and it really works.

But I will be honest. I don't mean to sound cliche, but this cd speaks to me. Once I started actually listening to it, I realized he was talking about some pretty real stuff. I don't want to go too much into it on this post because I'm just not sure how much I want to discuss but the theme of the cd I can definitely relate to, especially what he is referring to in the sense of "searching."

So I don't expect to get a lot of plays, but here are my favorite tracks from this release:

And from one of my other favorites, "Let it Enfold You"

Oh yea, the guys are pretty cool too:

30 Days of Me: Hobby

Another day, another struggle.

I really don't have a hobby either, at least not in the traditional sense.

I can tell you what I like to do?

Watch movies and various TV shows. Listen to tons and tons of music. Kill time on the internet.

If Rock Band counts as a hobby, then that is what I'm about. I'm pretty excited to play the keytar this winter :)

30 Days of Me: Talent

I feel like the more you guys are getting to know me, you are also starting to see that I have some lame traits. I don't read a lot of books, the fan fiction day stumped me and these next few days are not going to be that great. But here goes...

I don't really have a talent.

I can't fix cars, I'm not particularly good at any sports, I don't know how to play instruments, I'm not an excellent cook.

I do watch Heroes and I wish I had abilities. Does that count?

I think the only thing that could possibly count is that I can hold a conversation about music, any genre. Most movies too. And football with some other sports.

So I can talk about it, but I guess I can't be about it...

30 Days of Me: Cryptic

Another fancy tickle day. And a quick post before I head to work, put in my headphones and listen to USA beat Slovenia.

I'm not very good at this "cryptic" stuff, but that's what this post about. I'm not particularly trying to be sly, these are just things I don't want to go into detail about just yet.

(However, some of you may get one or two or all of them. And kudos to you).

1) A status of mine has recently changed.

2) I just made a decision that will impact the rest of my life. Ok, that's too dramatic. It will impact the rest of my 2010.

3) I have witnessed proof of epic events in the past year or so. Today, I take part in my own epic event (and there is a 90% chance I will have proof).

That's it, but before I go I want to say thanks. Thanks to those that are still reading even though I may be light on coming to your pages. Honestly, if it wasn't for taking this 30 days challenge, I may not even be on my own blog. But I love you guys and that's not the 6 hours of sleep in two days talking :)

30 Days of Me: Art

Today's mission was a piece of art. So why not pimp out my bfff's stuff a lil bit.

This is one of j's pieces that you can find on her etsy shop.

Good day.

30 Days of Me: Song That...

Ok, I felt like putting "Song That Makes Me Cry" would just be a little off-putting in the title.

And I guess I can't go with Mumford and Sons, because right now I have been listening to their cd and it so good it damn near makes me cry. Seriously, I haven't felt this way about music since I discovered Coldplay.

Speaking of Chris Martin and Co., there are two songs by them that have gotten to me over the years, but that is for a different post.

Honestly, and I hate to get mushy on you guys but the post kind of calls for it, there is only one song that comes to mind.

On this blog I have talked a lot about my good friends, Shedrick and Cynthia. There were both taken from us within a 6 month period. It hit us all because they were both in our senior class and both passed our first year after high school. Plus, they were good friends with a lot of people so we all had a lot of shoulders to lean on.

However, I first dealt with death as a freshman. There was a girl I liked when I was in seventh grade named Connie. She denied my passes (stupid middle school), but we ended up becoming really good friends later. It was to the point that my first semester in high school, which was actually a really hard time for me, she used to call and check up on me. One Monday she called and checked and we had a good conversation. I remember because I got off the phone to go watch wrestling. I also remember because it was the last time I ever talked to her.

She got into an accident the next weekend and didn't make it. My friend Andy was basically staying with us at the time and they were kind of "talking" so it hit him really hard. I remember when we got the news, we just left the house and started walking down the street. It was really tough there for a little while.

One of the songs he constantly played was "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. It summed up everything we felt. That no matter how sad we were, we were happy to have known her.

I may not have her initials tattooed on my arm like I do with Cynthia and Shedrick, but it doesn't mean I don't miss her. I do, and if "The Dance" ever comes on I think of her.

30 Days of Me: Fan Fiction

Thanks wikipedia:

"Fan fiction (alternately referred to as fanfiction, fanfic, FF, or fic) is a broadly-defined term for fan labor regarding stories about characters or settings written by fans of the original work, rather than by the original creator"

After researching, I'm pretty sure this isn't it. But I couldn't figure it out and I find this funny:

30 Days of Me: Non-Fiction Book

With under two hours to spare...

So today's post was a non-fiction book. Basically to me, that says autobiography. And since I already chose "Scar Tissue" as my favorite book, I have to go with a wrestler autobiography.

(this is kind of why I didn't worry about posting today. However, I dare you to not close this window).

The book I'm talking about is called Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story. I've read a lot of wrestler autobiographies, from Stone Cold Steve Austin to Ric Flair, but this one was by far the best.

I think it translates so well because it is truly a book anyone can read. It is mostly about his life and when he talks about wrestling he does so in a way that anyone can understand it.

It's a great look at the life of a person who grew up in a wrestling family, struggled to get started in Mexico, battled personal demons for most of his career, but finally made it to the top.

Sadly, it's also a story of a life that was lost in November of 2005 in what is probably the saddest day in wrestling history. In a time when professional wrestlers are dying at a rate that is actually scary, Eddie's death was the most sad when he died of a heart attack.

If you have made it this far, I would actually say take a chance. Pick it up. You might enjoy it.

(50) Sundays of Music: #29

#29: Envy on the Coast - Lucy Gray


As much as I like the subject of music, I love the stories behind it as well. That's why I like doing this countdown. It's not a "best cd ever" list, it's my favorites. And they are not reviews, they are stories. And at the end of this post, I am going to ask for a story from you.

Like most of my music, I heard of Envy on the Coast from one of a few go-to sources. This time, it was my brothers. I was out in California one summer and they told me to check out this band and I got of put them on the back burner. Later that fall, Saosin was coming to Atlanta and I checked the line-up and EOTC was opening for them. I decided to check them out.

It was kind of convenient, cuz Alternative Press had put out a back-to-school cd that featured bands that were getting popular in the scene at that time. EOTC was on there with an acoustic version of the song "Tell Them She's Not Scared" and I was impressed with the vocal delivery.

So I downloaded the cd, Lucy Gray. I wouldn't say I loved it immediately, but I did like it. It comes out strong with the first two tracks, "Sugar Skulls" and "Artist and Repertoire," and then begins to vary it up.

What I love is the tracks have meaning. The album version of "Tell Them She's Not Scared" is about a family member that was dealing with cancer and "The Gift of Paralysis" talks was said to be about a friend who had been paralyzed in a swimming accident and how he still viewed life. It featured a nice guest appearance from Anthony Green and featured the mantra "throwing punches at ocean waves" and the line "these bones are mere accessories." Another stand out is "Mirrors" with an amazing piano intro that turns into a rocker. Trivia: back when myspace was cool, I used it to go with a Joker theme that was pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

However, the ultimate stand out tracks are the combination of "Starving Your Friends" and "Lapse," the acoustic break toward the end. "Lapse" contains the lyrics that I often quote and if I ever get brave enough will get tattooed.

I never saw them open for Saosin, but I did see them open for Taking Back Sunday last June at an AMAZING concert that solidified them being in my top ten. Jme was there too and I'm pretty sure this is the band that we share as a favorite. I am also thankful she was there because she was able to snap this pic of me with the lead singer Ryan Hunter:

So that's my story for today's first post into the 20s. My question to you. Do you have a cool story about how you "discovered" a band that ended up becoming one of your favorites? It doesn't have to a band in like your top 3 or anything, just one of your favorites.

While you leave some great stories, enjoy these tracks from "Lucy Gray"

30 Days of Me: Fictional Book

So it looks like we have some book posts coming up, which may be a challenge for me. But if I had to pick a fictional book, I would go with The Husband by Dean Koontz.

My uncle actually slid this book to me after he always asks me when I visit LA if I "have read anything lately." He told me I would like this one and I started reading it when my plane left the Burbank airport on my way back to Alabama and by the time I landed I was halfway finished.

It was great. I know I'm going to sound like a book-reading rookie, but it read like a movie. I could see everything that was going so vividly and it kept me interested the entire time.

I can't really tell you what it's about because except a man's wife gets kidnapped. Anything else would be spoiling, but it actually inspired my roommate to pick up a lot more books by the same author.

30 Days of Me: Nothing Update

Today is a "tickle your fancy" and/or "freestyle day."

I have nothing creative to post about, so I will just go on a life update.

*I am watching the pre-game for the USA vs. England match as we speak. I tuned in an hour early. Whoops.

*I got the Green Day Rock Band game... and love it. The band may have their haters, but I am not one of them.

*Went to a concert on Tuesday with headliner Emery. If you want to read about the details, do it here. But my cool story is that the opening band was really good and I got to talking to them and they might come in to the studio in the future which would be really awesome.

*I see blogger has some new templates. I may have to mess with those because finding ones on the internet is frustrating sometimes. And I especially am inspired after jeanette's update.

*Something interesting happened last night. I'm not sure I can really go into detail about it, but it has to do with a subject I have talked about in the past.

Well, I'm gonna check out this game. And then spend my weekend playing video games, doing random clean up around the house and hopefully watching Pirate Radio.

30 Days of Me: Recent Photo

Today's assignment: a recent photo of yourself. How about as recent as 1 minute ago?

Sorry this picture sucks, I'm not used to doing self-portraits with a webcam. But the main thing to discuss is that it's "casual Friday" at work so I am sporting my USA soccer shirt in anticipation of tomorrow's game with England.

As to why I'm covering my mouth? I don't know, it's early...

30 Days of Me: Old Photo

For today's post, I had to find a pic of me that was from over ten years ago. I'm glad the option was for "over" because I had a lot of old pics but they were on a computer that broke. I fear I have lost them forever.

With that said, this pic was taken about 22 years ago. I love it because that's pretty much how I sleep now -- passed the F out.

30 Days of Me: Photo I Took

*It's 2:30 in the morning. I should not be up. But I'm posting this so hopefully people can see it during the day if they want.

Today's post is a photo we took ourselves. I've never been one of those people that is really great at photography, like some of my excellent bloggers, but I did always like this pic. It was taken at some beach near LA in the summer of 2005. It was just a really good day spent with my family and I feel like I captured things pretty decent here.

At times, this has been used as my desktop background and I think this was about the time I started to fall in love with the beach.

30 Days of Me: Angry Photo

*Today's assignment was to post a photo that makes you angry. You may be asking yourself "what could possibly make you angry at this picture?"

The answer?

My brother-in-law is offering to take a picture with me because he knew I was mad. He knew that this would make things temporarily better because a) he rarely takes pics and b) c'mon, we take a good picture.

But I wasn't pissed at him. I was pissed at my girlfriend.

This was 4th of July weekend. We had all gone down to Crestview, Florida to watch a UFC fight. My girlfriend came with me so we could spend some time together after her moving back home for the summer.

*Before I go on, I have to say if I offend anybody in the following paragraphs, I am truly sorry. This is just my opinion on a subject I have dealt with all my life.

One of the things we started to have disagreements on was her smoking. I can compromise on a lot of things. But if I am going to be in a relationship with you, it is going to be known that I am not going to be a supporter of you smoking. Simple answer? It's nasty. Even more simpler answer? I don't want you to die.

She started off saying that she only smoked when she drank because it made her more drunk. This was a time period when I had only drank like two times (since then, my number has increased by about four or five). I'm not stating a belief; just saying that I didn't understand that logic. But I let it go.

Regardless of how anyone feels about it, I can't hide the fact that smoking bothers me. It has made just about everyone in my family sick and to this day still has control over my sister. So I tried to deal with it and get her to at least not do it around me.

So back to the get together. My sister is outside smoking and the door swings open and I see that my girlfriend has one of my sister's cigarettes. I just couldn't shake the funk I got in after seeing that.

We ended up fighting about it the entire drive home. We actually stopped to eat and I explained to her just how much it meant to me. I thought I had gotten through to her. Little did I know I just sealed my own fate. 4th of July 2008 is the pinpoint date that our relationship fell apart.

We broke up the next month (August) and began a time period of a whirlwind of emotions that would last until the following March when she started dating someone else. I guess you can say there is still debris that we are dealing with now, but it has gotten better.

Looking back, did I over react? Probably. But I can't help but think I had to stick to one of my few beliefs in this world.

And that is the long and complicated story of why a seemingly good picture can bring up so many bad memories and make me "angry."

30 Days of Me: Happy Photo

*Today's post is a "photo that makes you happy." This pictures is Shedrick and I at one of our high school pep rallies. I can't even explain how much fun that was, hopefully the picture kind of shows it.

(50) Sundays of Music: #30

#30: The Postal Service - Give Up

Ah, the stereotypical college years that you "find yourself" with your tastes and views on life changing. I'm no different. During my college years I've found new music styles, new movie tastes and new political and social views that matter to me. I will talk on this subject more as the countdown rolls on, but for now I take you back to my freshman year of college when my roommate had this indie-electronic side project from the guy in Death Cab for Cutie called The Postal Service.

Fun Fact: I actually got into the Postal Service before Death Cab.

My freshman year lineup of roommates (it's changed almost every year) included a guy who would always play his music pretty loud from the other side of the house. I didn't mind 90% of the time because mostly it was good music. I remember hearing the constant beat of "Such Great Heights" coming from his room and becoming intrigued.

However, it wasn't an instant love. Just a curiosity. My next step into diving deeper into this sound came during an English class in my first semester. We were told to analyze a song's lyrics. (sidenote: If I would have been told to do that now, my head would have exploded. But back then Frisco and I decided to analyze two version of "Boys of Summer" if you were interested in what we chose). One girl got up there and discussed "Clark Gable" by the Postal Service. When I got home that day, I went up to my roommate and asked him if I could borrow his cd.

I spent a lot of time with this disc and when I go back to it now, not only is it great music but it brings me back to a time before I had to start making any legitimate decisions in life.

I actually went back to it during my hectic break up in 2008. When trying to figure out what we were doing, I was scrolling through my iPod and came across this disc. I listened to the song "Nothing Better" and it became one of those songs that I actually listened to. For the sake of space, I won't post the lyrics, but check them out for yourself.

Because there has never been a follow up cd and it looks there won't be anytime soon due to the focus on the main bands, I'm going to include a cover of the song "Against All Odds" in today's songs.

30 Days of Me: Tickles My Fancy

It's pretty convenient that what I will now refer to as a "freestyle" day in the 30 days thing happens on a Sunday, considering I was worried about double posting. (The Music post will be up later).

But since I am double dipping, I wanted to make this brief. As if during 30 days about myself wasn't enough, I am going to do a bit of self-promotion.

Pretend people still read the newspaper and here a few articles I have done so far in my internship.

Three-day BamaJam music and arts festival celebrates third year

Terrible Things coming to Capital City

A voyage back in time

Wetumpka Grandma exposes grandkids to voting process

(Note: I would have preferred a different headline in the voting story, but oh well)

30 Days of Me: Favorite Quote

This one is hard. But once again, I'm going to have to give a few answers.

One that resembles my movie lines:

"It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything. It's only after disaster that you can be resurrected."

One that displays my nerdness:

"With great power comes great responsibility."

And of course, my favorite lyrics:

1) "So I'll toast every beat of my heart like a miracle"

2) "And no I'm not afraid, at least not to die, I'm afraid to live and not remember why"

30 Days of Me: Favorite Book

No teasing. Just straight to the point. "Scar Tissue" by Anthony Kiedis is my favorite book.

Actually, there isn't much competition as the only books I have ever read are those I was forced to read in school, wrestler autobiographies and fight club.

However, this book is great. From the up one minute, down the next lifestyle to seeing the background on some of my favorite songs. This book has everything for me and it never disappoints.

I can't even go in to much detail about it if you haven't read it. You should just read it.

30 Days of Me: Favorite TV Show

So instead of continually putting the list on here, I created a "page" for it. If you want to see what's coming, just look to the left and click it.

"Nothing worth having comes easy"

(read on...)

Alright favorite TV show. First, let me talk about the honorable mentions.

*I don't consider wrestling to be a "show" in the traditional sense, but if I did, Raw would be my #1 by a longshot.

*Tosh.0 and Community are my current favorites so I have to mention them.

*South Park has gone in and out of being one of my favorites, but I will still always consider it a good show.

*I watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report religiously. Seriously, I watch it every morning as I eat my cereal. But I put it up there with wrestling as not really being a "show" in the traditional sense.

*Getting off Comedy Central, I used to come home and watch TRL. I will admit it. And I can pretty much watch the first five minutes of Full House or The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and I can tell you what is going to happen.

*I went on a Heroes marathon over my last Christmas break. However, the first season was the best I have ever seen and I can't list it as a favorite because no season even came close to matching it.

*I would put Lost, but I don't think it's fair because I only just started the fourth season. But if it keeps up like this, it will be in my top 3.

*Arrested Development is a classic series. However, I didn't even watch one episode until January of this year. You can thank jeanette for getting me on the right track. But since I waited so long, I don't feel I deserve to have it at the top.

*A very close second? The Office. The first few seasons were so hysterical, yet could be so deep at times. The show can still be funny, but now that Jim and Pam are married with a kid I really feel like it has lost a step. Or maybe I'm just a critic.

Which brings me to my favorite show:

Scrubs

Let's get the hate out of the way: the last couple seasons weren't as great as the beginning. That WILL NOT take away how good this show was to me. It gave me laughs when I needed it. It touched my emotional side when I needed it too. I feel like I knew the characters by the end of it. I loved everything about it: JD and Cox, JD and Turk, Turk and Carla, The Janitor... even Ted has some memorable moments. And the guest stars were all great. I'm not kidding when I say that I got my roommate hooked on it and we knocked out an entire season in one weekend. The summer of 2008 is officially referred to as "that Scrubs summer." It was the summer my girlfriend and I broke up, but when I saw one episode I was still trying to get her back. It contained this gem:

We didn't get back together, haha, but it still got to me.

But what made Scrubs great? The guy love between JD and Turk. I will leave you with this:

30 Days of Me: Favorite Movie

Day 2 of the 30 days of me challenge. The challenge being to see if I can keep this thing going for an entire month.

After a while, I will find a place to put the list for right now, here is a recap:

30 Days of ME
Day 1: Your favorite song
Day 2: Your favorite movie
Day 3: Your favorite television program
Day 4: Your favorite book
Day 5: Your favorite quote
Day 6: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 7: A photo that makes you happy
Day 8: A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9: A photo you took
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13: A fictional book
Day 14: A non-fictional book
Day 15: A fanfic
Day 16: A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19: A talent of yours
Day 20: A hobby of yours
Day 21: A recipe
Day 22: A website
Day 23: A YouTube video
Day 24: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25: Your day, in great detail
Day 26: Your week, in great detail
Day 27: This month, in great detail
Day 28: This year, in great detail
Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30: Whatever tickles your fancy

I would actually rather give you guys my top ten list. Is that cool? Alright good. I promise to keep the reasons short.

10. Sleepers

This movie was based on the book about four boys that go to juvenile hall for accidentally killing a man, only to be put in traumatizing situations during their stay causing them to take action as adults. One of the best stories played out stories I have ever seen and the movie stars Brad Pitt and Robert De Niro, a combo you can't go wrong with.

9. The Fast & The Furious

I have to admit, I'm not that much of a car guy. But I still loved this movie and continue to love it. It had to go on the last due to the fact that when I recently watched it I was quoting a majority of the lines.

8. Crash

One of the first times I have ever seen a movie talk people that look like they have nothing to do with each other and weave them all together. When I watch shows or movies like that now, I say they are pulling a Crash.

7. Collateral

One of the most underrated movies I know starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise. Takes place in Los Angeles in one night and is simply amazing.

6. Man on Fire

It was actually hard to pick one Denzel Washington movie because the man is a legend. But Man on Fire I do believe is his best work (Training Day is a close second). This movie took so many turns, I was drained by the end of it. In a good way.

5. Saw

The series may have turned in to a joke by now, but nothing will ever replace the night my future roommate and I decided to see a little known movie called Saw over The Grudge. I will never forget the theater jumping up and clapping during certain parts and the silent car ride home.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

I admit, this movie got me to notice Johnny Depp. I was late to the party, but trust me in that I made up for it. To this day, it's one of the best looking movies I have ever seen and one I still like to get lost in.

3. (500) Days of Summer

It was so... real. It was unlike any movie I had ever seen and instantly shot up to my favorites. REALLY makes me want to meet a girl while listening to music. And it has some of the best lines ever. Example: "It's love, not Santa Claus."

2. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

I don't think I have ever laughed so hard as the first time I saw this movie. I could still put it in today and even knowing exactly what's coming will still laugh from a good healthy place. Simply put, it's a comedic classic.

1. Fight Club

This movie is, and always will be #1 because it dominates in every category. The acting, music, story, visuals... everything you can think of was on point. Plus, if you go into it not knowing anything about it like I did, it was one of the best twists in history. This movie forever changed my preferences in movies and actually changed my life a little bit. I know this, because Tyler knows this.

30 Days of Me: Favorite Song

So I am stealing this idea from Cassie, one of the few In Real Life friends I have on blogger. I'm not so sure as to the rules. If it has to be 30 days in a row or not, but that's what I'm gonna do. Considering it's June 1, this will wrap up at the end of the month. I like it because a) it gives me ideas and keeps me out there and b) most are relatively short.

(sidenote: This does mean double posts on Sundays. Sorry for that)

Alas, here is the list:

30 Days of ME
Day 1: Your favorite song
Day 2: Your favorite movie
Day 3: Your favorite television program
Day 4: Your favorite book
Day 5: Your favorite quote
Day 6: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 7: A photo that makes you happy
Day 8: A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9: A photo you took
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13: A fictional book
Day 14: A non-fictional book
Day 15: A fanfic
Day 16: A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19: A talent of yours
Day 20: A hobby of yours
Day 21: A recipe
Day 22: A website
Day 23: A YouTube video
Day 24: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25: Your day, in great detail
Day 26: Your week, in great detail
Day 27: This month, in great detail
Day 28: This year, in great detail
Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30: Whatever tickles your fancy

My favorite song:

So here we go with the first day and I swear it's just a coincidence that the first day is a music question. Usually, people will go with "I can't pick just one song" and I can totally understand why. Think about how many songs exist in the world. But, a few years ago I declared this song to be my favorite and that will probably not ever change.

That song? "Yellow" by Coldplay.

I could go on and on about why this song is my favorite, but I will just keep it simple: It's beautiful.

When I had the privilege of seeing Coldplay in concert, they said goodbye to the crowd and I was like "no way" because they hadn't played "Yellow" yet. Sure enough, they came back and played it, yellow lights and all.

I will say this though, I don't really have a good concept of what the song is actually about. But I like to see what other people like to think it is about. This is one track where I never want to actually know what went in to it. I like it being open to interpretation.