Music Monday 4.28.08

The Formative Years Series

A word about intent:

I had originally intended to make this a playlist of "forgotten classics" but at some point it just seemed like The Ladies (Janet, Whitney, Madonna, and to a lesser extent, Debbie, Tiffany, and Paula) could not be left out. Of course, once I made that exception, there was no way I could exclude the MJ.

I also want to mention that when "Tell it to My Heart" came out, Taylor Dayne kinda gave me the creeps, but I have (mostly) gotten over that.

The locker rooms at Sullivan Middle School -- Fairfield, CA.

Junior High, Vol 1.: R&B/Dance (1987-1989)

Looking for a New Love
Jody Watley

Girlfriend
Pebbles

What Have You Done for Me Lately?
Janet Jackson

Cold Hearted
Paula Abdul

My Prerogative
Bobby Brown

Every Little Step
Bobby Brown

Monkey
George Michael

Lost in Emotion
Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

Crush On You
The Jets

Rhythm of the Night
DeBarge

Shake Your Love
Debbie Gibson

I Think We're Alone Now
Tiffany

Tell It to My Heart
Taylor Dayne

So Emotional
Whitney Houston

Point of No Return
Expose'

Open Your Heart
Madonna

Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson

In the Interest of Full Disclosure

Okay, okay. I give.

My friends from California e-mailed to set the record straight on the whole Jermaine Stewart debacle:

"Krissy,
I don't know what the bet was, but I absolutely remember that song. Ana asked me about the "don't take our clothes off" song this morning and I was able to remember it and sing the chorus right away. What I didn't know until I saw the video just now is that the song was done by a male. The voice pitch and lyrics all seem like a woman's singing. And seriously, what kind of man drinks cherry wine and tries to talk a woman out of stripping???
- Scott"

"Krissy-
Last night when you called, I couldn't remember this song, but this morning in the shower I started singing it out of the blue and remembered it quite well. I have a terrible memory and can't say when I first heard it but I remember hearing it in junior high (TX) and maybe even freshman year (FHS). What was the bet about?
Ana"

Dang.

Music Monday 4.21.08

In honor of Lucy Q's inaugural ride and my first ride of the season I've come up with a very special bike-intensive playlist that's all over the road, as it were, genre-wise. In case you need a refresher: click the titles to hear samples. Enjoy!!

Playlist: My Kingdom for a Bike***

Let Me Ride
Dr. Dre

Fantastic Voyage
Coolio

Push It
Salt 'n' Pepa

Weapon of Choice
Fatboy Slim

Chain of Fools
Aretha Franklin

Spinning Wheel
Blood Sweat & Tears

Slow Ride
Foghat

Free Ride
Edgar Winter

Life is a Highway
Tom Cochrane

Gear Jammer
George Thorogood

Low Rider
War

Life on the Road
Kinks

Ride
Amanda Marshall

Ride
Shelly Fairchild

Ride
G Love

***Biking on the open road is an iPod-less activity!!!

Back in the Saddle

Today I finally got to take Lucy Q out for her inaugural ride. She just needs a few tweaks (aerobar placement, a new saddle) and we'll be all set for a glorious summer of training.

But what a great day!! The weather was perfect, and I saw 6 other cyclists out today. The major triumph for the day is that I got myself out the door and did it even though I'm hungover from last night (that'll teach me). I even pushed hard on the last 3 miles. This is huge. I usually just spend the day on the couch with Law & Order reruns and chicken wings. I don't even do homework.

A new leaf, indeed!

Also, it's good to write blog posts (as well as sign up for races, set goals, etc.) while still high on endorphins.

P.S. I don't think I ever properly introduced Lucy Q besides the bike porn. She is a Quintana Roo Lucero; "Lucy Q" just worked.

Settling a Bet

A friend of mine has been giving me the bizness for the last week because I'd never heard this song "We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off" by Jermaine Stewart before he played it at the last gathering.



I whole-heartedly admit that this is firmly situated within my musical purview, but I'm arguing that (1) I didn't *really* start listening to non-country music until 1987 and (2) I just don't think this song was big on the West Coast. (Mostly #2 -- apparently on the West Coast, we insist on clothes off.)

The only other West Coast guy at the gathering last night (who grew up in Berkeley) said he'd never heard it. And a quick phone call to my Cali peeps also confirmed.

So long story short, I lost the $5 bones I'd earned in the "Cocktail was released in 1988" bet over this nonsense.

Earthquake!!!

Epicenter was in Illinois, but at 5.2 it's no wonder we felt it here.

I must admit, I feel a little responsible.

Last week, we had a tornado warning, and ever since then I have been telling anyone who would listen how much I prefer earthquakes to tornadoes. And yesterday on the street, I had an impassioned conversation with my friends wherein I *might* have uttered the words "please give me an earthquake!"

My apologies to the Midwest.

Here's the crazy thing: it was kind of comforting...like a little bit of home (for those of you who don't know, I spent my first 20 yrs in CA). But the fact that I didn't sleep through it, as I did easily in my younger days, tells me that maybe they're right about not being able to go home again.

*sigh*

Still, despite my preference for earthquakes over tornadoes, I will (for the benefit of my new, retrofit-less Midwestern neighbors) be more careful how I word it next time.

What's It Gonna Be?

OR







Unfortunately for me, it's going to be more Column A than Column B this week, but I hope to have grand things to report when I re-emerge.

I. Am. Qualified!

Long story short:
1. As soon as I sat down they told me my written portion was a "strong pass" -- woot!
2. The session was planned for two hours; I was done in 30 minutes -- woot woot!

Apparently it was all in my head. But seriously, last night I finally worked up the courage to look at what I wrote. It was shockingly coherent and not at all reflective of the chaotic turmoil I experienced while writing it.

Go figure.

And now...back to the grindstone.

A Beautiful Day

Just got word that I will do the oral portion of my quals on Tuesday. My chance to save it!

It's also gorgeous out today -- mid 60s, sunny. I'm RUNNING! More later...