6.30.2009

Canción del Día

Well, to provide some variety and balance to our unimportant blog, I Camille will be posting my own little song of the day every once in a while. (You will know it's my song because of the Español in the title and because it will always be awesome).

Today we start with Sheryl Crow's "Every Day is a Winding Road." I love Sheryl Crow because her songs are so stinkin' fun to sing along to - I definitely had her greatest hits in my high school CD collection and would jam out on the way to track meets (while I was literally making myself sick with worry about how I would run). Anyway...I hope you enjoy the tune!

Chanson du Jour

The third album is OK Computer. It is pure greatness. Here are my favorite cuts.

Paranoid Android (when any song starts off saying "Please could you stop the noise I'm trying to get some rest from all the unborn chicken voices in my head" you know you have a good song on your hands.)


No Surprises
(my favorite song off the album)


I have already posted the video for Karma Police on this blog and that song is on OK Computer as well. You are free to watch that one again too if you want.

6.29.2009

Chanson du Jour

Alright. As promised, as a proper tribute to the passing of Michael Jackson, we are going to kick off Radiohead week today. Here is how this is going to work. We are going to devote one day to each of Radiohead's albums. The more savvy of you are right now wondering "Well, aren't there 7 Radiohead albums?" to which I would have to say, you are correct. I only have 6 days. We are going to skip Pablo Honey. If you want to watch the video for the best song off of Pablo Honey, here is the video for Creep.


But, like any good Radiohead fan, we are going to look past Pablo Honey and move on to the good stuff. I will play my favorite songs off each of the albums for you. This means that there might be multiple songs each day. What a special treat! I will tell you when I have an exciting video for you to watch, but most of the videos are going to be live recordings and will have nothing exciting. So, if you feel like it, start the video playing, open a new web browser and just use the unbelievable sounds of Radiohead as background music to whatever it is you need to do on the internet. I hope you enjoy the week as much as I will. I have been on a massive Radiohead kick lately, and I think AK is going to be a big fan.

Radiohead's second album is called The Bends. It is a great album with many great songs. Here is my favorite song off that album.

Fake Plastic Trees


We'll do one more song today. This video is an official music video and I would suggest watching. Some of the subtitles are PG-Rated, but y'all can handle it. We are also going to have a contest with this video. The person who gives the best explanation of the meaning of this video wins a special prize. Good luck.

Just

Well, that will do it for The Bends. With honorable mention going to Planet Telex and Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was and all the rest of the songs on this amazing album.

6.27.2009

Chanson du Jour

We all know artists that have been in a band and then ventured off by themselves on a solo career. Sometimes it works and sometimes is doesn't. Sometimes the music is better and sometimes it isn't. Here is a case from indie music. The lead singer for the band Grandaddy has ventured out on his own. So, you be the judge. Is Grandaddy better or is Jason Lytle's solo work better? I like the latter.

The Crystal Lake
by Grandaddy



I Am Lost
by Jason Lytle

6.26.2009

Chanson du Jour

For some reason, and this is unintentional I assure you, this week's songs have had, with one exception, animated videos. Kinda weird, but true. Plus, yesterday's song was an animated ghost and today's song is animated and called Ghosts and has animated ghosts in the video as well. We should tell Ripley about this.

Enjoy Ghost by Laura Marling

6.25.2009

Deep Thoughts

I need some help here (well, I need lots of help, but let's just start with baby steps, shall we?). I have been thinking nonstop about this topic since having a baby and cannot overemphasize the importance of the issue. It is certainly an issue I feel has merit and should be considered and commented on by the finest in the world (which is why I am asking all of my reader). It is an issue I am confronted with everday as a parent and one I would like clarification on.

Assuming you dress your baby in gender-appropriate clothes, what is the most frequent question asked by strangers about your baby? Any ideas? Yep, you guessed it. How old is he/she? Because this question is so frequently asked, you would think that there would be a clear-cut way of answering. But, there is not. That is my issue. How do I answer such a garden variety run of the mill question? I have no stinking clue!

Right after our little 'un was born, the answer was easy. 2 days. 5 days. Whatever the case may be. But what about 7 days? Is the baby 7 days old or 1 week old? I don't know. What about 10 days? 10 days old or 1 and a half weeks old? Who knows? What about 4 weeks? 30 days old, 4 weeks old, or 1 month old? I have no idea. What about now? 3 months old or 13 weeks old? Good question.

Don't even get me started on what we are headed towards. What about the months to years transition? When is that made? Oh my baby is 365 days old. Or is it 12 months? Or one year old? 540 days, 18 months or 1 and half years old? Do I say my daughter is 28 months old or do I just say she is "2"? Doesn't that discount her age by 4 months?

Maybe I am a little young to understand such deep things. After all, I am only 338.5 months old. Or is that 1354 weeks old? Or 28 years, 2.5 months? Whatever.

Any help? Please help me out. Thanks.

Chanson du Jour

Coca Cola by Between The Pine

6.24.2009

Chanson du Jour

Today's song is an homage to the great Anonymous. First enjoy this song off the album released this week called Apolkalypse Now.

Flying Gypsy Polka
by Polkastra


If anyone is wondering why I am playing a polka song to honor Anonymous, you are going to have to ask him. If he feels so inclined, maybe he will write an explanation in the comments. It would be better coming from him.

Next we have a fun little song in German for our only German-speaking reader(?). I think there is a cuss word in this song, but I don't know and I don't understand the language so I don't care.

Enjoy Alte Frauen by Kira

6.23.2009

When Does Basketball Season Start?

Next year's NBA Championship was decided today. The Spurs traded Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto (read: 3 scrubs) to the Milwaukee Bucks for perpetual all-star Richard Jefferson. Jefferson, Duncan, Parker, Ginobili, OH MY!!!!! Look out NBA.


Chanson du Jour

I picked a short song yesterday, just for Anonymous. Now, Anonymous, just be patient through this one. It's almost 4 minutes long. I know that is a very long time, but do try ever so hard. For me. Thanks.

Enjoy Mykonos by Fleet Foxes.

6.22.2009

Chanson du Jour

Well, I'm back! Excited? You should be. Thanks to everyone who filled in. I think it was pretty fun for everyone and it was fun for me to see the garbage that y'all listen to. Now, let's get back to the good stuff shall we? And by good stuff, I mean my stuff.

We are going to get started off with a bang, just because of all the degrading comments I got while on "vacation". Please enjoy (or don't enjoy) the musical stylings of this solo project. The band: Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. The song: White Corolla.

6.20.2009

Funny, No Matter Your Politics

Those right-winged extremists at JibJab have made this funny video. As I was searching for Obama-hating news on the website run by fascist Nazi-lovers, cnn.com, I saw this video. But, having seen it on cnn.com, I feel justified that this is just funny and not politically radioactive like most things I enjoy. Come on, now.

Don't watch the weird e-card thing at the end, just watch the song.

Obama Song

Chanson du Jour

This is the last post for my week and I'm expecting to get some flack for it since Dave Matthews is not exactly the type of music that I figure you all like but that's why it is my week. So feel free to bring it on. I like the song and I think the music video was interesting. This was fun and I think I could have filled up three or four weeks of songs that most of you would have liked. But I felt I should give a sample of all aspects of my play-list regardless of opinion...

Which Sport Is The Awesomest?

You know all those dumb soccer videos I have showed everyone? Stupid, huh? Well, if we turn to baseball, we don't get lame videos, but awesome ones like this. Baseball RULES!!!!!

6.19.2009

Chanson du Jour

Today's song will not be an introduction to any talent but instead will be a dedication to classic 80's era featuring the group When In Rome. In the video it shows two singers. I suspect one of them contributed his hair to the other. The video also was filmed in a way that reminds me of watching things from the back seat, car window. If you are susceptible to car sickness, I do not recommend watching the video but do make sure to listen to the song. It should bring up memories of some sort or another. Enjoy... Oh, and if Kevin doesn't like this song, it's because he is either Communist or Fascist because he certainly can't be a true American.

6.18.2009

Chanson du Jour

I thought I would use today's song of the day as a dedication to all the one-hit-wonders by posting this song by Dexter Freebish who had this one hit song 8 or 9 years ago called "Leaving Town". Good song but they never made any others worth listening to. Just like Eagle-Eye Cherry ("Save Tonight"), Shawn Mullins ("Lullaby"), and so many others. Oh, and please disregard the booty shaking and lightly dressed girls they seem to show every once and a while. Its is not a lot but worth metioning that I didn't care for it.

6.17.2009

Chanson du Jour

So Jack Johnson had to learn the words to his own song backwards and on cue to be able to pull this video off. I thought it was cool the way that it was done. I still think that the "The Scientist" video by Coldplay was done a little better but it has already been posted.

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson


If you are interested in how it looks when done in real time, then below is the Youtube link that shows it. But this is not a suggested idea for those of us who find my postings long and might be short on their attention span.

In Reverse

6.16.2009

Shirt Of The Day

Chanson du Jour

This song is not very interesting to watch but very interesting to listen to. Kind of the flip side of yesterdays. John Schmidt is the piano player and has combined Taylor Swift's "Love Story" with Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" song. I think its very interesting and makes these two way over played songs sound nice and new again. I love John's stuff and his Christmas Concert is awesome. I hope you enjoy. He also has another song that he has done like this where he mixed Pachelbel's "Cannon in D" with" U2's "With or Without You." I think Cami will appreciate both of these very much. She seems to be the kind who would really dig John's stuff. Anyway here is the link if you are interested...

Love Story meets Viva La Vida


Taco Bell's Canon in D meets With or Without You

6.15.2009

Shirt Of The Day

Just got an email from someone. These are pretty funny. We will showcase one a day, just to make a certain reader's blood boil.

Chanson du Jour

Alright, we are taking our experimentation to a whole new level this week. We are handing the reins over to Phill. Frightening, I know. Let's begin. Here is his message:

So I know you all are probably sick of hearing this song but since I have this week, I get all the power. Besides, I like this mostly for the video. Some guy put this video together all based around this song long before One Republic got their act together and did one for their own song. This video is much better than the one One Republic did and I believe I read somewhere that this guy's music video helped contribute to some of the success of One Republic's song. Not bad for a guy that no one has ever heard of.

Apologize by One Republic

6.12.2009

Chanson du Jour

So I may lose some of you with today's song but here goes nothin'. You may or may not realize that I am a closet hip hop/r & b fan. I love these songs for their beat and for the amount of base they employ. I am quite picky in what I like however - nothing that was released during the past 7 years and nothing raunchy. Fortunately or unfortunately, this eliminates quite a bit of the genre. Enter "Air Force Ones" by Nelly. It's perfect! It has all the elements I like without any of the ones I don't...a rap song about tennis shoes! I hope you can at least enjoy a bit of the beat - turn up the speakers! Those who knew me in college also know I managed to invent an awesome dance to the chorus and was even able to get all 5 roommates to join in with me whenever we heard this song. I'll show you sometime if you are lucky! A shoutout goes to my wonderful spouse for finding the video for me - thank you honey!

The Conservative Conquistador Strikes Again!

For those of you who don't follow the other blog, I will keep you updated on what our local hero, The Conservative Conquistador, is doing. He just goes about fighting Socialism so that we can keep America they way she is and not the way Venezuela is. Here is today's posting...

We have problems in this country, there is no denying that. The problem is, how do we fix the problems? Let's take one of the problems: health care. We know that all corporations are evil (we learn that from TV and from Obama). We know they are chuck full of greedy white men who are out to do the most harm to our society and minorities and the poor. They have a general contempt for everyone who does not belong to their country club or their Porsche club.

Obama is the smartest man to ever be born. He can solve any problem. Global warming? He's on it. Peace in the Middle East? He's on it. GM? On it. Banks? He's gotcha covered. There is nothing to which his brilliant, savvy, never before seen on this earth or any other planet mind can't figure out the PERFECT solution to (or so we are told on the TV and by Obama). But, where is he on health care? He's got nothing (well, nothing productive, effective, or able to improve on the "status quo" that he finds so offensive and horrific). All he does is bash and criticize the healthcare in this country. He has bought into this ridiculous Michael Moore fallacious fantasy that the US has the 37th best health care in the world. Alright. Question for Michael Moore and Mr. President. You need a heart transplant. Name 36 countries that you would rather go to for the operation than the U.S. Go ahead. Can't do it? OK, just give me one. Goingggggggg for one..... Nothing? Oh, so you would get the operation done here? With our crappy health care? How shocking! (gasp!)

Let's listen to this corrupt CEO talk about what he has done. He is the CEO of Safeway. This was in today's Wall Street Journal. You can tell by the way he talks that he hates poor people and thinks that they should just suffer because they are not greedy white CEOs like him. This man is completely without empathy, like all conservatives and executives.

By STEVEN A. BURD
Effective health-care reform must meet two objectives: 1) It must secure coverage for all Americans, and 2) it must dramatically lower the cost of health care. Health-care spending has outpaced the rise in all other consumer spending by nearly a factor of three since 1980, increasing to 18% of GDP in 2009 from 9% of GDP. This disturbing trend will not change regardless of who pays these costs -- government or the private sector -- unless we can find a way to improve the health of our citizens. Failure to do so will make American companies less competitive in the global marketplace, increase taxes, and undermine our economy.

At Safeway we believe that well-designed health-care reform, utilizing market-based solutions, can ultimately reduce our nation's health-care bill by 40%. The key to achieving these savings is health-care plans that reward healthy behavior. As a self-insured employer, Safeway designed just such a plan in 2005 and has made continuous improvements each year. The results have been remarkable. During this four-year period, we have kept our per capita health-care costs flat (that includes both the employee and the employer portion), while most American companies' costs have increased 38% over the same four years. Safeway's plan capitalizes on two key insights gained in 2005. The first is that 70% of all health-care costs are the direct result of behavior. The second insight, which is well understood by the providers of health care, is that 74% of all costs are confined to four chronic conditions (cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity). Furthermore, 80% of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is preventable, 60% of cancers are preventable, and more than 90% of obesity is preventable.

As much as we would like to take credit for being a health-care innovator, Safeway has done nothing more than borrow from the well-tested automobile insurance model. For decades, driving behavior has been correlated with accident risk and has therefore translated into premium differences among drivers. Stated somewhat differently, the auto-insurance industry has long recognized the role of personal responsibility. As a result, bad behaviors (like speeding, tickets for failure to follow the rules of the road, and frequency of accidents) are considered when establishing insurance premiums. Bad driver premiums are not subsidized by the good driver premiums. As with most employers, Safeway's employees pay a portion of their own health care through premiums, co-pays and deductibles. The big difference between Safeway and most employers is that we have pronounced differences in premiums that reflect each covered member's behaviors. Our plan utilizes a provision in the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that permits employers to differentiate premiums based on behaviors. Currently we are focused on tobacco usage, healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Safeway's Healthy Measures program is completely voluntary and currently covers 74% of the insured nonunion work force. Employees are tested for the four measures cited above and receive premium discounts off a "base level" premium for each test they pass. Data is collected by outside parties and not shared with company management. If they pass all four tests, annual premiums are reduced $780 for individuals and $1,560 for families. Should they fail any or all tests, they can be tested again in 12 months. If they pass or have made appropriate progress on something like obesity, the company provides a refund equal to the premium differences established at the beginning of the plan year.

At Safeway, we are building a culture of health and fitness. The numbers speak for themselves. Our obesity and smoking rates are roughly 70% of the national average and our health-care costs for four years have been held constant. When surveyed, 78% of our employees rated our plan good, very good or excellent. In addition, 76% asked for more financial incentives to reward healthy behaviors. We have heard from dozens of employees who lost weight, lowered their blood-pressure and cholesterol levels, and are enjoying better health because of this program. Many discovered for the first time that they have high blood pressure, and others have been told by their doctor that they have added years to their life.

Today, we are constrained by current laws from increasing these incentives. We reward plan members $312 per year for not using tobacco, yet the annual cost of insuring a tobacco user is $1,400. Reform legislation needs to raise the federal legal limits so that incentives can better match the true incremental benefit of not engaging in these unhealthy behaviors. If these limits are appropriately increased, I am confident Safeway's per capita health-care costs will decline for at least another five years as our work force becomes healthier. The Healthy Measures program currently applies only to our nonunion work force. While we have numerous health and wellness provisions in our union contracts, we are working with union leaders like Joe Hansen of the United Food and Commercial Workers to incorporate healthy measures provisions in our union work force as well. While comprehensive health-care reform needs to address a number of other key issues, we believe that personal responsibility and financial incentives are the path to a healthier America.

By our calculation, if the nation had adopted our approach in 2005, the nation's direct health-care bill would be $550 billion less than it is today. This is almost four times the $150 billion that most experts estimate to be the cost of covering today's 47 million uninsured. The implication is that we can achieve health-care reform with universal coverage and declining per capita health-care costs. There is a very real possibility that we will see positive transformational health-care reform in the near future. I am encouraged by the effort I see on Capitol Hill, particularly the bipartisan effort in the Senate. While some tough issues remain, if we continue to work in a bipartisan manner I believe we will resolve these issues successfully and find agreement on meaningful reform.

Mr. Burd is CEO of Safeway Inc., and the founder of the Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform.

Hmmm. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. And you wanna know the crazy thing, Mr. President? IT ACTUALLY WORKS AND IS NOT SOMETHING HE PULLED OUT OF HIS.... I'm sorry. I just get carried away sometimes. Let's stop trying to emulate countries that have failed and start aiming for policies that work. Let's stop the age-old political trap of being beholden to special interest groups. Let's stop giving political favors to small groups and making the rest of us pay for it. Let's promote personal responsibility and healthy lifestyles among our citizens. Let's get healthcare for all without giving more power to the government. All we have to do is look at countries with government health care to realize it is not a good idea. Let's get corruption out of our healthcare system. So far, the only incorruptible thing in the world is....wait for it...it's not a Democrat...it's not a Republican....it's not a corporation...it's not a non-profit...it's....THE FREE MARKET. It cannot be corrupted because it's not human. It's not run by humans. It's FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, like America should be.

POSTED BY: The Conservative Conquistador

Mess With The Best, Die Like The Rest

Yesterday, when I was mowing in Prosper, I was stung in the ear by one of these punks...

A yellow jacket.

So, I hit it with this...


Sayonara Suckas! And it didn't even hurt me. Next time you sting me, don't go for the cartilage, BONEHEAD!!!!!!

6.11.2009

Chanson du Jour

Well, I've narrowed it down...I'll explain how later. Today's songs are "In the Mood" by the Glenn Miler Orchestra and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" by the Andrews Sisters. Big band holds a very soft spot in my heart. My grandpa first introduced me to it when I was very little with these two songs. I would make up dances to the songs in my grandparents' living room. I've been in love ever since. Our high school band has a Glenn Miller night every November where there is dinner and dancing to big band music. I've dragged the mister along a few times (ask him about it sometime). In summary, I HEART BIG BAND! Enjoy!



6.10.2009

Chanson du Jour

Hola! Today we are going to head back a few decades to do some of my favorite bands' love songs from the 60s and 70s.

We will start with one of my favorite Eagles songs - "Best of My Love." I grew to love The Eagles when I borrowed their greatest hits cd from my dad in high school. This song immediately made it to my favorites list, along with Desperado, Hotel California, and Witchy Woman, to name a few. Pardon the long intro and the black screen at the beginning. Keep watching - it will show up.



Next, we go to the Beatles, one of my all-time favorite groups. I had a small obsession with this band in the seventh grade and haven't been the same ever since. I had Beatles albums, books, and movies and could still tell you a bunch of useless Beatles trivia to this day! Enjoy "And I Love Her" by The Beatles.



The reason I like this next song should be totally obvious to those who have seen me. I'm pretty sure I own every cover of this song that has ever been done. Enjoy "Brown Eyed Girl" by VanMorrison.



Next we go to another of my favorite bands - CCR. I love how feel-good their music is - and I love to sing along to it! Although I have never viewed The Big Lebowski, I understand that this band plays a role in it and heaven knows I have heard the parts regarding CCR quoted enough by my sweet spouse. I bought this 45 for my dad's jukebox to help make his collection complete. Enjoy the full version of "Susie Q" by Creedence Clearwater Revival (sorry it is just a photo montage - I couldn't find a video of the original band members performing this song - although it does go all fun and psychedelic at the end!)



Last but not least, we have my favorite James Taylor song - "Something in the Way She Moves." I went to his concert in the summer of 2003 with my mom and it was awesome. I LOVE this song and get emotional every time I hear it. Enjoy.



Well, thanks for watching my videos. I'm afraid I didn't do a great job narrowing down yet again but I hope you enjoyed them anyway. Get ready for another wild ride tomorrow!

Wimp.com and Dump.com

For when you're bored, these are great sites. The next few posts are from these sites. Let's start with this one.

For anyone who knows Cami's Uncle Mack, please watch this.

My Generation Is Ruining This World With Our Dumbness

As evidenced...

Here
Here
and
Here

To Entertain My Lovely Wife

Storm Choir
Piano Choir

Get There!

Tell me if this frustrates you as much as it does me.

My Dream Job

On the list of things I would like to do, this falls in at 6.022 X 10^23

6.09.2009

Chanson du Jour

Well hello my friends. I am glad my selections from yesterday received a warm response. I think we will continue with this whole "love" theme. Today we will journey to the beautifully exquisite lovey dovey world of opera. I absolutely LOVE opera. I apologize in advance, Anonymous, for my multitudinous selections. I just couldn't narrow it down - they are all THAT good! Luckily they are all relatively short and you can feel good knowing that studies have shown that listening to classical music increases intelligence - something we could all use, I'm sure!

We will start with Mr. Pavarotti. This first song is "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot. You will more than likely recognize this song. It is in many commercials and movies. I saw this opera in 8th grade at Fair Park in Dallas. I remember how excited I was to actually recognize a song in it and this song has held a special place in my heart ever since. If you get the chance to see this opera I would highly recommend doing so. Enjoy.



We will continue with the whole "male" thing and journey next to the Three Tenors singing "O Sole Mio." Again, this song is one of my favorites and these men are incredible singers so what's not to like?!?



Now let's travel to the female side of things. The song is "Habanera; L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle" (translation, Jenfra??) from Bizet's opera Carmen sung by the great Maria Callas. This, too, is a wonderful opera that I highly recommend you see should you ever have the chance.



Next, we have Renee Fleming singing "O Mio Babbino Caro" from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. I haven't seen this opera myself but I am sure it's wonderful. I love this song - it gives me chills when she hits that high note - you'll know what I'm talking about when you hear it!



Finally, we got to the beautiful vocal stylings of Charlotte Church singing "Pie Jesu." We played this song in high school band accompanying a beautiful singer and thus it holds a special place in my heart. It is so beautiful and calming and I hope you enjoy! (P.S. I would not want to be the girl standing and singing next to a voice like Charlotte's...intimidating much?)



Again, thanks for listening. I will continue to try to be more decisive but am not promising anything!! Peace out.

Commercials

I love commercials that are produced locally, like the Red House Furniture commercial I posted earlier. They are so bad and so cheesy. I hope you like this mockery of such commercials. It made me laughter.


These three were done by the same guys as the Red House commercial. Can you tell?




And from what I can tell, these are real commercials.





Here is an example of capitalism once liberals take over. This commercial is from the lib-dominated city of Detroit


And this is just wrong (and hopefully fake)

Failblog

If you couldn't tell from previous posts, I like failblog. It is pretty funny, but you gotta look at the G-Rated site unless you like surprises. Here is some dude's compilation of some classics. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.





6.08.2009

Cami's in Da House - Chanson du Jour

There are a few things that people don't know about my wife. Everyone who knows us knows that she is the pretty one and the smart one. But, if you don't really know us, there are a couple things that you would not know, unless you are just intuitive or hate me. 1) She is the funny one in the couple. She makes me laugh all the stinking time. 2) She is 10x the music lover than I could ever dream to be. She loves all kinds of music with a few exceptions (read: all of my crap on the Ipod). She knows everything about all kinds of music and is willing to give anything a chance. She is just awesome.

So, this week we are going to be favored with her selections. I may gag more often than sing along, but maybe you will like these ditties more than I do. Just kidding. I like a lot of her music, except for her rap and country. So, let's begin a week of Camille. Here is her note:

Over the next six days we are going to explore the vast expanse that is Camille Jensen's musical taste. Hang on tight because you are most certainly in for a wild ride.

We will start with my favorite "butt rock" music, as the mister most affectionately calls it. But don't get me wrong - I don't care for all of this genre, just mainly the love ballads. And because I am not good at narrowing things down, I will provide you with several selections. They "rock" my socks off and are just so fun to sing along with!

Extreme - "More than Words"



This one's for Jenny (it is one of her most favorite duets): Bryan Adams and Barbara Streisand with "I've Finally Found Someone"



When I watch this next one I imagine Kevin singing to me with Molly running around beside him. Bryan Adams with "Please Forgive Me"



This next one isn't really "butt rock" per se but I think it fits in just fine (and I LOVE to sing along with it). Edwin McCain with "I'll Be"



And the culmination..."All for Love" by Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and Sting



Whew! If you made it through all those without expressing your undying affection to your significant other I will be impressed. (Actually, I will be impressed if you even watched all those videos...) Here's to indecisiveness!

6.06.2009

Chanson du Jour

Here is a semi-hard one. It's only hard because not everyone has seen the movie. If you have seen the movie, this will be the easiest one of the week. Good luck. There may be a prize for the one who gets it right.

Killing Me Softly by Lori Lieberman


Rainy Days And Mondays by The Carpenters

6.05.2009

My Secret Identity

Well, I just thought I would let you all know that I have a secret identity. When there is a political crisis, I take off my glasses so no one can recognize me and become dum dum dum duuuuuuuuum, The Conservative Conquistador. When I go about saving the world, I will let you all know. My nemesis, the liberal menace (sorry about having to look at this garbage twice, but I thought this was pretty funny, if I do say so myself....and I do), and I will be worthy opponents and do battle until neither of us has changed our mind and Obama is out of office (in 2012). Here is my writing prior to Obama's speech in Cairo yesterday. I wrote it as a joke, but he actually said about half the stuff I said he would. Nice.

POSTED BY The Conservative Conquistador

With how well connected I am in Washington, I was able to get an advanced copy of Obama's "much-anticipated" speech to the Muslim world this week. I was originally asked to Twitter his speech in Farsi for the Arab world to follow along, but I had to shave so I couldn't participate, but here is the gist of the speech for those of you who may miss it.

It is important to point out, first off, that you should not worry about fact-checking any of the statements Obama makes because the facts are irrelevant. The media won't fact-check his statements because there is a baby seal dying in the Atlantic Ocean and they might be able to tie that death to not using solar panels. All their investigative journalists are focusing on that at the moment. Plus, if asked about the lack of factual material in the speech, Robert Gibbs will something really articulate like "well, uh, uh, uh, uh, I think what, uh, the President, uh, was going for was to uh suggest that, uh", then he will remember his talking points and say "uh, we are just fixing the mistakes of the last 8 years. Yeah, that is what he meant by that statement." So, don't worry about the facts. Here are the basics of his speech, point by point.

- America has been the most oppressive and tyrannical country over the last 8 years
- We are sooooooooo sorry for the unnecessary killing of fundamentalist Muslims
- There are just as many Muslims in the U.S. as there are in the rest of the world combined
- We are going to make the Quran required reading in preschools, all grade levels, prisons, colleges, synagogues and churches because Americans are so ignorant and if only we understood you guys a little more we could get along
- If only I could talk with Al-Qaeda, we could work this whole hatred of Western Civilization out. I can solve any problem...just ask me.
- 9/11 was America's fault
- America, for the last 8 years, has loved to hold innocent Muslims in Guantanamo for no apparent reason - plus we got lots of giggles out of torturing them. For that we cannot apologize enough and hope that there is something we can do to repay you - well, hey, I have an idea. We'll give you half of Israel. That will appease you, right?
- If only we had clean energy, there would be no fighting between Islam and the West. Coal, oil, gas, and power plants are the main source of the friction
- I will make the ocean levels drop (that is a repeat of a campaign promise)
- As an apology from the U.S. to you, take this Ipod filled with my speeches
- Hey, did y'all know I was Muslim for a couple years? I understand you
- I think the U.S. would be more than happy to live by Shariah law, if that is all you guys want.
- I am pretty sure that there are just as many Muslims in the 57 states as there are Christians
- We are not a Christian country
- From now on, any Arab or Muslim traveling to the U.S. will no longer need a passport. We welcome you with open arms.
- Hey, if you ask nicely, I will give ALL of Israel to you, not just half. And I will let Iran bomb it before I give it to you. Will that make you happy?
- We are going to implement the Bill Maher method of national security. That is, until terrorists kill more than 1 million people a year, we are not going to worry about it because at the moment hurricanes, alcohol, and cancer kill more Americans each year than terrorists. We don't even need to worry about terrorists until the problem gets much much worse. I think he is onto something there.

He will end with 83 more apologies and talking about how the "occupation" of Iraq is a mistaken policy of the last 8 years and that he will never allow that to happen on his watch. Then he will leave a gift for Bin Laden, and leave. Hope that helps catch you up, in case you missed the speech.

Chanson du Jour

This song is sung as a duet in a certain chick flick by two drunk people.

You're So Vain by Carly Simon

6.04.2009

Just For Phill

Did you see the new Sounds cd came out on Tuesday? I got it and it's great!

Chanson du Jour

We have a couple of selections (one of them iffy by Cami's standards) from Coen Brothers movies. That is a fantastic hint and you will get nothing more than that. That narrows it down to like 10 movies, so quit complaining.

Down In The Willow Garden by The Everly Brothers


This one is the iffy one. An actor/actress does "perform" this in the movie, but Cami is not sure that the piano was actually being played by the actor/actress. But, technically it fits in this weeks category because it is "performed" by an actor in a scene in the movie as part of the script. So, take that, editor.

Piano Sonata No. 8 in C Minor "Pathetique" by Beethoven (you don't have to listen to the whole thing, but it is great. The part performed is the beginning.)

6.03.2009

More Literal Videos

I don't know if the liberal menace was serious or not, her being a Youtube expert herself, but she did request more literal videos. I will just post the links to some other funny ones. Not all of them are very good, but here are a couple good ones. If you enjoyed Penny Lane and Total Eclipse of the Heart from the last post, watch these.

Head Over Heels

Separate Ways

TORT Reform Anyone?

Here is a sign seen in the hometown of Stella Liebeck's attorneys. Just in case anyone wasn't aware.

Summer Breeze

Normally, I don't like going to Texas Rangers games in the summer because it is too blasted hot. But, this year, Nolan Ryan and the genius that is his executive style has remedied that problem for the fans. See, it wasn't just me not going to games because of the unbearable heat. At any given game, the attendance would only fill up about half the stadium. So, he brought in a fan to provide a nice breeze for the fans while they soak up a little sun and a little baseball. The fan is named Chris "Crash" Davis.

169 AB, 32 Hits, 78 strikeouts. That is a .189 batting average and a .462 strikeout average. He is on pace to crush the major league record for strikeouts in a season set way back in 2008. Nice solution Nolan. Off to the ballpark I go (well, after they come back to town with their tail between their legs after this AL East road trip - welcome to real baseball Rangers).



Uh, Mr. Davis, you are not fooling anyone by glancing toward the outfield after a swing. We all know the ball is in the catcher's mitt.

Just For Cami

Jon & Kate's next money making venture for their family.

Wasted Money

All that wasted money on the awesome paint job.

Saved By The Sign

Cami and I were shopping the other day and were gonna leave the little one for just a minute while we checked out some wares for sale. But, we saw this stiff warning and decided against it.



We just weren't sure her little frame could tolerate the torque created from being towed. Plus, tow truck operators are usually a little scary and we aren't ready to introduce AK to them just yet.

Literal Videos

For some reason, I love these.

Penny Lane


Total Eclipse of The Heart (PGish rated)

Chanson du Jour

We are going to need a rebound from yesterday's effort. I fear they are getting harder though. Let's try (sorry liberal menace) our last sports-themed movie of the week. Think baseball and WWII.

It Had To Be You by Frank Sinatra

6.02.2009

Chanson du Jour

Alright, did everyone see how that is to work. Monday's song was not on the soundtrack of Remember the Titans, but it was sung, by the actors, in the locker room scene. Get it? Here is the next one.

Whole Wide World
by Wreckless Eric


Sorry about the cheesy video. It is the best I could find. I think it is pretty funny though.

6.01.2009

Chanson du Jour

Well, much to the chagrin of nearly everybody, I am back and ready for action after a two week hiatus. It was a nice relief and it was interesting to see what other people would do with a song of the day, but it feels good to be back. But, it seems that my songs as of late have gotten a little too strange and obscure for people's tastes, so let's ease back into this with a little contest this week. This will prevent me from picking off the wall stuff, like I am naturally inclined to do.

Here is the game. I will pick a song that was performed by an actor (or actors) in a movie. Not a song that was on the movie's soundtrack, mind you, but rather a popular song (in other words not made for the movie like a musical) that was in some way performed by the actors themselves, on screen, part of the script, part of the movie. I hope that is clear. Your job is to guess the movie in which this song is performed by an actor. If you are feeling very jazzy, please tell us the actor, scene, background, whatever info you would like to impress us with. Got it? Let's start with an easy one. I'll even give you a hint unless you don't think you need one...

Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell


Hint: Football