Chanson du Jour

We will continue with what I am calling "Extreme Weird Song" week. Now, you might be saying to yourself that all the garbage I post as a song of the day is weird. Well, I will have you know that I don't consider the music I listen to weird. I actually think most of it is pretty catchy and can't fathom why others don't love it just as much as I do. But, there is some stuff that even I admit is weird, although I still really like it. The Flaming Lips is one of those bands. Very weird. But I like them. What can I say?

Let's add Ween to the list of weird groups that I like. If the name of the two band members, Gene and Dean Ween, doesn't make you smile, this song will surely make you smile. Dancing In The Show Tonight by Ween. Sorry about the quality of the video and the sound, but I think it is worth fighting through.

In case you can't hear the lyrics:
Are my lemons tied? Is my hair in place?
Have I got a cute expression on my face?
Are my shoes all shined?
I try to keep in line when I'm dancing in the show tonight

Does my shuffle step really look so good?
Am I doing it the way you think I should?
Would it be amiss if I blew a kiss
When I'm dancing in the show tonight?

Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared
Wish I could see in the mirror if I'm all prepared

First you take a step then you point your toe
Hope I know it like I did a week ago
Am I standing straight?
I can hardly wait till I'm dancing in the show tonight

Showtime now is getting nearer and I'm getting scared
Wish I could see in the mirror if I'm all prepared

First you take a step then you point your toe
Hope I know it like I did a week ago
Am I standing straight?
I can hardly wait till I'm dancing in the show tonight

If you want to hear the album version of the song and can sit through some weird video of kids doing weird stuff, click here.

Chanson du Jour

I will see to it that this is Baby J's favorite song. Let the brainwashing begin. Enjoy The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song by The Flaming Lips

Chanson du Jour

Here is the last one of the week. I'll make it a gimme.

Feeling Good by Michael Buble


The Great White North by Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas


Now, I will give you the other answers.

Monday: Blur and Gorillaz were formed/created by the same guy, Damon Albarn. Listen to the two songs again. The lead singer, Albarn, for the two bands is the same. Can you hear it now?

Tuesday: The Rentals is a band whose lead singer is the original bassist for Weezer. The Special Goodness is a band whose lead singer is the drummer for Weezer. The Space Twins is a band whose lead singer is the guitarist for Weezer. Thus all three bands are Weezer offshoots.

Wednesday: All 3 songs were top ten hits in 1984

Thursday: All Sweden. All the time.

Friday: 2-member groups. AKA: duos

Chanson du Jour

OK. Find the similarity between these two songs/artists.

Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes


The Sounds Of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel


Hint: No matter how hard I try, I can't find 2 similarities between these two songs/artists. Just one.

New Tetris Champ

The continuing volley in the Tetris tourney between Cami and Spencer has been hit to the other side again. Spencer Nelson has sent record and a screen shot of his game in which he got to level 72 with 670 lines. Nice work. That score was done while in class at law school. I'm sure he got a lot out of that lecture. Let's hope that doesn't come back to haunt him in future cases. Congrats to Spencer

Chanson du Jour

Alright, we are coming off a battle victory. Let's keep going and win the war. Another easy one.

Take A Chance On Me by Abba

Hate To Say I Told You So by The Hives


Today's hint: I also could have included songs by Lykke Li, The Sounds, Peter Bjorn and John, The Caesars, Shout Out Louds, Robyn, Ace of Base, The Cardigans, A*Teens, Eagle-Eye Cherry or Millencolin.

Classic

This is just a classic representation of how our country thinks. Check this article out. I know this is old news, but it is still funny. We are just so stubborn and so stuck on our ideologies. We think we know better than everyone else. It makes me laugh.

Chanson du Jour

Well, I seem to be stumping everyone. Let's try an 80s one today, shall we?

Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.


Footloose by Kenny Loggins


I know what you're thinking. This is too easy. Way too obvious. How is this difficult? Well, I hear ya. Let's make this challengier. To rule out the obvious similarity between these two songs and point you in a different direction I will give you another song that has something in common with both of these two songs, but was not in a movie or named after one. This will bring out the 80s timeline junkies like never before (hint, hint).

Say Say Say by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson


And no I will not accept "awesome white man dancing" as an answer.

Chanson du Jour

OK. We are all 0-1. This one might be easier. I have no idea. Find the thing these three songs/artists have in common.

Please Let That Be You by The Rentals


Life Goes By by The Special Goodness


Yellow Camaro and There's Always Tomorrow by The Space Twins


Stumped? Let me give you a clue. As Alex Trebek would call it, "This is a video clue". Say It Ain't So by Weezer


There, that should help a bit. And while I will accept the answer "All the band names start with the word THE and follow the formula of 'The _________s'", I will make fun of you if you use that answer. Especially with my awesome clue.

Chanson du Jour

This week we are going to play a little game. The game is called "What do these two songs have in common?". I will put up two songs with something in common. It could be anything. Use your imagination. Think hard. Take a stab at it. Answers will be revealed at the end of the week.

If you really want to make it fun, try not looking the answer up. But, if you are stuck, by all means.

Let's start with a fun, and somewhat challenging, one.

Song 2 by Blur


Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz

Chanson du Jour

If this doesn't get you in the mood for a nice relaxing Sunday, nothing will. Time To Say Goodbye by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli


Is it just me or does she look like she's hopping on something and he took too much Nyquil?

Chanson du Jour

In The Countryside by Benjy Ferree

Daddy Dialogues

Becoming a dad has brought to light many things that I did not know before. I thought I had life all figured out until little Baby J joined the throngs. So, as I learn these little lessons, or make these little observations, or connect the little dots, I will share them with you so that you all may know some of life's little idiosyncrasies. Here are some lessons I have learned in the first few days of fatherhood.

1. Anyone who has talked to me knows I have been critical in the past of newborns. What fun are they? They eat, poop, and sleep. Heard that one before? I'm sure you have. I like to have fun with kids. Play, kick, run, laugh, watch. Eat, poop, and sleep are not fun activities. But there is a dichotomy here. Even though newborns are boring because they only eat, poop, and sleep, as a parent all you want your newborn to do is.........eat, poop, and sleep. These are signs of a healthy, content baby. Is the baby not eating? Why? What's wrong? Not pooping? Oh crap! (pun intended) Not sleeping? It's the wife's turn to get up. You see the struggle here. I have completely shifted. ALL I WANT MY NEWBORN TO DO IS EAT, SLEEP, AND POOP and I will be happy.

2. 3+3 does not equal 6 when talking about hours of sleep. In the hospital the nursery took the baby so we could sleep and would bring her in every 3 hours for a feeding. 3 hours of sleep. 30-45 minutes of feeding. 3 hours of sleep. That DOES NOT EQUAL 6 hours of sleep. I never knew that before.

3. WARNING: THIS ONE IS GRAPHIC. I always thought that stool was something to be flushed down the toilet and forgotten. I never really got into the whole analysis of poop thing. Like the sink or float thing (although I understand Letterman loves that topic). I never checked for consistency, color, corn, or any other c's associated with stool. But, with a baby, stool is something to be monitored, observed, tracked, and recorded. Is it black? Is it brownie batter? Is it greenish-yellow? Is it once a day? Twice a day? There are certain standards by which a baby's stool is measured and it must be analyzed to see if it meets that standard. Fascinating.

There will be more observations to come. I hope these have been enlightening (if not disgusting). As I learn more about parenting, I will certainly pass those nuggets (again, pun intended) on to all you reader.

Chanson du Jour

Having a baby has certainly changed things around the Jensen home, that is for sure. But, one thing it has not changed is my musical taste. Baby J has already been submitted to a few favorites like Norah Jones, Spoon, The Ticket (sports talk radio), and Sean Hannity (she is the future of the Conservative movement, I think). But, from yesterday's song it appears people think I "all of a sudden" have become a lite rock favorites of the 70s, 80s, and 90s kind of dad. Not quite. That will be in a few years when I find my daughter's musical taste unlistenable (which will certainly happen, unless I start brainwashing RIGHT NOW). The explanation of yesterday's song is simple: I just like Billy Joel. Is that so horrible?

So, to overcompensate and show how cool I am, how unchanged I have been, how rebellious I am, how "not listening to workplace music" I am, how hardcore I am, how edgy I am, and how uncompromising I am, please enjoy a classic from Metallica. For Whom The Bell Tolls .



I think we can all agree on 2 things:

1. Metallica was never the same after Cliff Burton's death in 1986
2. Metallica is awesome
3. Kirk Hammett is the greatest guitar player ever (or at least in this video)
4. And how 80s metal it is to wear the t-shirt of your own band while playing a gig (like Sir James Hetfield is doing)

Chimpanzee Riding On A Segway

I heard this on the radio today and could not stop laughing. Saw the video, laughed some more. If this doesn't make you at least smile, you should visit your doctor.


Yes, that song was written by and sung by the lead singer of Nerf Herder, Parry Gripp, whom I met outside the venue in SLC before I went to their concert. Please see a previous post for details on Nerf Herder.

Chanson du Jour

I'm baaaaaaaaack. All it took was a good night's sleep to get me back in posting mode. Since I have 3 songs to make up for (is it really Wednesday?) I will post 3 videos by a great artist. The man, the mystery, the Joel. Billy Joel.

Uptown Girl
It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
We Didn't Start The Fire

Or this alternate video (this one is good for the curious people who want to know the lyrics to We Didn't Start The Fire; you can also see the years of the events in the lower left corner)

Happy Friday The 13th

Well, against all odds (and doctor's thinking) little Baby J made her grand entrance yesterday. Cami went into the hospital at 6:30 in the am and Baby J was born 5:53 in the pm. All 8 lbs 7 oz. and 21 inches of her. Mother and baby are doing great.

If you would like pics, we will be emailing them out so leave your name and email address in the comments and we will get those out ASAP.

Sincerely,

Dad

Chanson du Jour

Well, I am posting this from the L&D room. I think this is appropriate.

Chanson du Jour

I just realized that I have made a gross error on this blog. I have posted, as one of the songs in the covetous "chanson du jour" position, a Pavement song, but have never posted a post-Pavement Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks song. So, here it is...loooooooong overdue. Discretion Grove by Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks

Chanson du Jour

I have been told by an Anonymous source that my last two songs have been pathetic, pitiful efforts and that I need to ratchet it up before all my reader goes away. Well, I'm not really in a pandering mood, but I understand that my tastes can be a little out there, so I will try and meet in the middle. I know I am not the only one on the planet that likes this guy, so consider this my compromise. Enjoy Sideways by Citizen Cope

Hobbies Part (# times Ferris Bueller had been absent before his mom was called)

Sorry, I added the pictures small, so you are going to have to click on them to get a good look. I will not be so dumb next time. My bad

Watching morons canoe, in gator infested waters, into the reeds (neither people in this picture read this blog, so it is ok to call them morons; they will never know)


Comparing our wingspans to that of an Asian man



Watching Molly swim while Kevin holds his shorts like a little girl that has to use the restroom


Indiana Jonesing



Fishing

Chanson du Jour

Enjoy this little ditty by Julie Doiron. It is called Me and My Friend

Chanson du Jour

This takes me back to my high school days. Enjoy Popular by Nada Surf

Chanson du Jour

Don't be fooled by the shirt, he is not from Tennessee. He is from Australia. The band (not all seen in this video) is Jet and the song is Look What You've Done.

Chanson du Jour

Here is me pandering to The Tait Family. Every vote counts, right? Well, unless you're rich. Enjoy Better Together by Jack Johnson.

Chanson du Jour

OK. It seems like Jason Mraz went over pretty well yesterday. But, I must address an issue brought up by The Tait Family. The chanson du jour serves two purposes. 1) to introduce my loyal reader to the music that I like. This provides an insight into my soul, my personality, my personal tastes, and other things about me. 2) to introduce my reader to new music. That is half the point. Sure I like a lot of stuff that everyone else has heard of, but what is the fun in that? So, every once in a while I will put an artist on the blog that the masses are aware of. The rest of the time should be used expanding musical horizons and, who knows, discovering a new band or singer that you will add to your collection.

But, make no mistake about it, this communication is only one way. If I don't like your music, it is crap. That is simply a fact. So, while it is fun for me to submit y'all to listening to this garbage, it is not fun for me to have to listen to your garbage. Capiche? That is just a joke (sort of). Enjoy A House Is Not A Home by England's own Field Music

Make Me 3

Well, I have created my own tag again. With no friends, readers, people who associate with me, people who acknowledge my existence, bacteria living on my person, dogs who bark at me or sniff me or "show dominance" to my leg, or any other association, no one tags my blog for anything. So what do I do? Impose myself. Sometimes I tag myself and just fill out a tag I saw on someone else's blog. In this case, as with times in the past, I just make up crap and call it a tag. That is how tags are started anyways, right?

This tag is simple. Here we go. 3 Things That Make Me...

Tired
1. Running 16 feet (or climbing 8 stairs - in Texas of course; it's 4 stairs in Utah)
2. Too much sleep - 5-6 hours is plenty
3. Doing nothing - boredom makes me sleepy; that is why I blog

Angry
1. Pushing the popcorn button on the microwave and having tons of unpopped kernels
2. Anything that is popular for no other reason than society tells us it is popular (i.e. Transformers movies, rap music, fantasy movies, Obama, American Idol, flipping real estate, etc.)
3. Stupid lawsuits

Laugh
1. Owen Wilson
2. Hurting myself doing stupid things (slamming finger in the door, etc)
3. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Happy
1. The thought of having a daughter (maybe put that in the "laugh" category or the "sad for the unborn" category)
2. Good music
3. Helping others

Afraid
1. The thought of having a daughter
2. Cami realizing she married down...waaaaaaaaay down
3. What if I'm looking for a bathroom, I can't find one.....and my bladder explodes

Run Away
1. Public Restrooms
2. Cops
3. High price tags

Hungry
1. Eating oatmeal for breakfast (lunch must come early on those days)
2. Anorexia nervosa
3. Jack in the Box commercials

Unique
1. Lived in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Japan for at least two years
2. Majored in Asian Studies but aspire to go into medicine
3. I know way too much useless crap and nothing I need to know

Sad
1. Jerry Bruckheimer (except for the POTC movies, Jenfra)
2. Rare diseases
3. Delaware

Quiver
1. Little people
2. Earwigs
3. Texas winter winds

Blog
1. Boredom
2. Lack of other hobbies
3. The hope that someone somewhere laughs at this drivel

If You Haven't Seen It, See It

Cami and I watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium again the other night. That is a good movie. I highly recommend it. Funny, with a message. Rare.

I Blog, Turn Away Now

I apologize in advance to all the many liberal that reads this blog, but this was just too good to pass up. I am certainly not saying that other Presidents and Congressional morons are not liars, but this is pretty good. If report cards were handed out to Presidents, Obama would not be doing too well. But, since he is a lib, he will probably still get a trophy and told he is a winner just because he participated.

Read this well put article on the right-leaning, but alarmingly correct, Fixed News (aka Fox Noise as Olbermann, a true and unbiased journalist on MSNBC, calls it)

Chanson du Jour

This one is for my wife. She never listens to my song of the day, but I have a feeling she will listen to this one. This guy is great. I am sure to draw some ire over this one as well, but I don't care. Enjoy I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. By the way, the song ends around the 4:30 mark if you don't want to watch the whole thing. The rest of the 4 minutes is just him singing random stuff to the Koreans, who I am assuming have no idea what he is saying, and jamming out. It is good, but not part of the song and only for die hards.

My Hero

As I was preparing for my interview at the school in Ohio, I read online that one of the questions that is frequently asked at the school is "Who is your hero?". I struggled preparing for this one. My dad? True, but cliche. Superman? Absolutely not. Batman? Now we're getting somewhere. If only I had known this guy existed. This guy is my hero. Watch the video and I will explain.


Why, you might ask, is this guy my hero? If you couldn't tell from this hilarious video, let me help you.

1. This guy is happy
2. Dance skills? Check
3. Excellent ping pong abilities
4. Positive attitude
5. Not afraid of failure
6. Doesn't care what others think
7. Not afraid to "pop, lock, and drop it" like those women in the rap videos
8. He can rock the short shorts
9. He wears double wristbands while playing ping pong

You see? This guy is clearly hero material. But, the funniest part of the video is who he is making fun of. Professional athletes taunt and dance and gloat every time they make a good play, without sensing the irony that they are paid millions of dollars to make those very plays. No flexing your muscles after making a reception. No popping your jersey off your chest when you block a shot. Don't run slow and admire a well hit ball. Don't run around like bees are chasing you when you score a goal. You are supposed to do that stuff. Just because you normally don't do it does not give you reason to celebrate. By their logic, shouldn't they be sulking and giving money back each time they don't catch a ball, block a shot, hit a home run, or score a goal? That's fair, right? Just saying.

Further Proof That FoxNews Has A Right-Wing Bias

I found this article on Foxnews.com today. I found it very interesting. Don't bother reading it if you don't want to, for I will sum it up and commentary on it, free of charge (unless you are still paying for the internet by the minute, in which case you have spent WAY too much money on this ridiculous website).

I have been informed by my editor and the chairman of the company that owns this blog that we have been leaking readers in the coveted 14-18 year old age bracket like a sieve. So, in a feeble attempt at getting our readership from that age bracket back to its original level (which is 0; apparently we now have teenagers actively telling people to not read this crap, which is actually lower than 0 in the Nielsen internet ratings), I will relate this news story in the parlance of our times. In other words, the rest of the blog will be in teenager. Forgive me, my teenager is not fluent and may sound awkward at times, but here goes.

so like there was this guy from some country austria i guess who was really good at science and stuff i think wolverine is from austria but anyways so this guy got some money from like the government and did a study on belly button lint i think how awesome is that to get paid to do that crap all day anyways he was like trying to figure out where belly button lint came from and stuff what he said was that like it was happy trails that caught the lint and sucked it into the belly button so like unless there was some really scary chick with a nasty happy trail belly button lint is mostly a dude problem not only that but it was mostly an fat dudes problem so I should be pretty solid but my dads in trouble anyways that is what is said and thats pretty cool

Chanson du Jour

Enjoy Find Love by Clem Snide

Happy B-Day, Anonymous

Wow, the big...


Just for your birthday. (seriously, I am considering taking this down after today)

Chanson du Jour

Let's bring this ship back to the mainland, shall we? Here is San Francisco's own Scissors For Lefty. You want a 70s look and an 80s sound here in the 00s? Well, here it is. Enjoy Ghetto Ways by Scissors For Lefty