Hello, all, once again!
I am writing very happily today, because literally two minutes ago, I finished the song "Who Will" and I like it very much. But more on that later.
I also have many things to report and discuss before I dive into that certain kettle of fish. The first of which is that I don't think I shared with you what I did for Valentine's Day. I think it must be said that I detest with a vehement passion the holiday, if you can call it that. On many levels. But that's not important. I decided that, instead of focusing on my lack of a valentine, I would make the day special to two of the three people most important to me: my parents. (my sister being the third.) The preparation took days. First, I made a CD for each person, consisting of six songs each. The first and last songs on both were the same: "Two People Fell In Love" by Brad Paisley, which began the CD, and "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift, which concluded it. For my Dad, the other songs were "I Loved Her First" by Heartland (a sentimental song about a father watching his daughter dancing with her fiance, telling his son-in-law-to-be that he loved her first, to be careful with her), "Song For Dad" by Keith Urban (a song about how great an influence his dad was on him), "Stealing Cinderella" by Chuck Wicks (a suitor goes to ask a man for his daughter's hand in marriage and sees all these pictures of the girl growing up), and "Salvem El Mon/Let's Save The World" by the Andorrian band Anonymous (because my dad hates gooey songs so I figured he needed a break). For my mom, the other songs were "Drama Queen" by the Denmarkian band DQ (because she loves it), "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, "In My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride (mother looks in her daughter's eyes, sees everything she wants to be), and "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" by Taylor Swift. For CD booklets, I put pictures of the singers/bands with their families. I also bought wooden roses someone was selling, a red one for each. Whenever my mom went to pick up my dad from the bus stop, I would plan how I would give these things to them. I finally decided on putting the roses in separate glass vases, leaning the CDs against them, and spreading an array of chocolates and other heart-shaped sweets on doilies on the dining room table. I woke up at 3 in the morning on Saturday the 14th in order to execute it properly without either one finding out.
Next, I want to introduce a new item, where I talk about a category at the ACMs and discuss the nominees and potential winner. Today, I will take on the prestigious categories (because they go hand-in-hand) of Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Here are the nominees for Single of the Year:
Gunpowder and Lead, Miranda Lambert
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waitin' on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
Well. What a great category. In order to fully be able to assess this category, I bought the two songs I did not have on iTunes, and I can honestly say that each song deserves a win. That said, I think "In Color" has no chance, considering that Jamey Johnson is also nominated for the Top New Male Artist category. I doubt that the combination of the song's topic/its lilting inflection that reminds me of Kenny Chesney's "In a Small Town" and Johnson's snarl that is reminiscent of Johnny Cash himself is enough to sway the Academy. Heidi Newfield's sweet song, about country's first couple, Johnny and June Carter Cash, has a greater chance, but I think it will be overshadowed by the feisty Miranda Lambert, the sentimental Trace Adkins, and the charming Brad Paisley. Of these three, my money is on "Waitin' On a Woman," purely because of the fact that the Academy loves its Brad Paisley, who has won Artist of the Year multiple times. However, if "You're Gonna Miss This" wins, because I think it's a close second, it will be the first win for Trace Adkins and look for Brad Paisley and "Waitin' on a Woman" to take Video of the Year.
Here are the nominees for Song of the Year:
I Saw God Today, George Strait
In Colour, Jamey Johnson
Johnny and June, Heidi Newfield
Waiting on a Woman, Brad Paisley
You're Gonna Miss This, Trace Adkins
My money here is on George Strait. The Academy loves its George Strait, who has won this category two years ago, and will be awarded the ACM Artist of the Decade award this year. In addition, "I Saw God Today" won this same category at the CMAs in November. The only serious contest is by Trace Adkins here, because Brad's song was first released on his album "Time Well Wasted, released in 2005, and only released as a single this past year (hence all its nominations); Johnson is also nominated for TNMA, as I mentioned; and "Johnny and June" is too sweet and sugary for the Academy to give it an award. "You're Gonna Miss This," the nostalgic look at growing up, will give "I Saw God Today" a good run for its money, but look for the veteran George Strait on the podium.
I wonder what categories I will be discussing next time! I liked this.
And here is my song, not worthy of any accolades such as these, but I guess worthy of this blog. It doesn't really need an explanation, so without further ado, here it is:
Who Will
I'm too nice or so they tell me
too ready to smile, too quick to agree
can't say no to save my own life
and maybe, just maybe, they've got it right
CHORUS:
but if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
and so you say you're needing a friend
well, I've got two ears I'm willing to lend
you say all you need is a little mercy
and I'd go there for you gladly
CHORUS:
cause if I don't say good morning or tell you I like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say I'll see you around
who will
BRIDGE:
give you a fresh start
who will
show you a heart
who will
make kindness an art
CHORUS:
who will say good morning and tell you they like your shirt
get you to smile even when you've been hurt
help pick up your things after they've fallen down
look in your eyes and say they'll see you around
who will
who will
Just let me know what you think! Comments, praises, scorn, and criticism all equally accepted.
Much love, and thank you for the musik,
NBK
p.s. In case anyone out there was wondering, Travis Zajac is okay. In fact, he has scored twice in the past two games, today and Thursday, and has reached his career-high number of goals (18). So he is healthy and back on his form. Martin Brodeur is also healthy, and has won the first two games after missing fifty with scores of 4-0 and 7-2. The Devils play again tomorrow, against the Philadelphia Flyers.
p.p.s. Another sport I love is cycling, and last week was the Tour of California. The victor was once again Levi Leipheimer (who has won the last three TOCs), but notable was the returning Lance Armstrong, who finished in seventh place overall. One of my most favourite cyclists, David Zabriskie, was second; Michael Rogers of Australia was third; and big Jens Voigt was fourth. Other notable placers were Tommy Danielson, who finished ninth, Jose "Chechu" Rubiera in tenth place, Frank Schleck in eleventh, and Georgie Hincapie in fifteenth. Floyd Landis, of the 2006 Tour de France doping scandal, took part in California, his first race since his two-year doping ban, and placed 23rd. This is not indicative of anything yet, however, as the first test will come in Italy, towards the beginning of May (Giro d'Italia). I'm rooting for Alberto Contador.
28 February 2009
24 February 2009
One Long Entry
Hello and welcome to another post!
I do realize it's been...over a month since my last post (quite the theme lately), and I apologize sincerely. Because of the depressing quality of my last two posts, I had hoped I would write a happy-themed post for you hot off the heels of "The Things You Loved," so just imagine that this is hot off the heels. Even if it's a month and 17 days later.
The title of this post is misleading, as I'm not expecting to write a particularly long entry. It is, in fact, the name of the song. But before I get there, you know that I like to discuss a few talking points in country music that have come up in the last little while. The most important of which is the fact that the nominees for the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards have been released. Me being a diehard fan, of course, I received my own personal email from the Academy itself last week. I won't cover all categories here, just the most important ones:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
For all other nominees, including Top New Artist (which is fan-voted this year, nominees separated by gender--you can vote online), Top Vocal Group, Top Vocal Duo, Single Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others, I entreat you to visit <http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/nominees.php>.
There were also the Grammys, but as those awards are not specifically about country music (and because, to be honest, I recorded them but haven't watched them yet), I won't delve too deeply. Just to say, I know that Taylor Swift sang "Fifteen" with Miley Cyrus and that Brad Paisley won for "Letter to Me." Other than that, I do believe the country categories were overshadowed by the Rihanna-Chris Brown contratomb as well as the breakthrough news that Blink-182 will be coming back together. So yay Blink-182.
"White Horse" has come out as a music video, starring Stephen Colletti, of "One Tree Hill" fame (he is the second OTH actor to appear in a Taylor Swift music video, the first being Tyler Hilton in "Teardrops on my Guitar"). It is quite lovely, but not on iTunes as of yet.
"One Long Entry" was sort of a manifestation of the fact that I've really been neglecting writing in my diary. I wrote this song in early December, and I still hadn't written anything about the November 4th election. It is now nearing the end of February, and I can proudly say that I have. Finally. Be that as it may, however, this song is happy, cute, and infectious to the point where it makes me sick. So please, if it's lame, cheesy, or a combination of both, bear with me. With that in mind, here is "One Long Entry:"
One Long Entry
there's a little notebook by my bed
there's nothing there that Daddy hasn't read
and nothin' that will cause my mama shame
but I told him that I liked him and he said the same
and right in that moment, my world changed
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been a month since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so oh well, maybe tomorrow
it'll take 30 sheets and a brand new pen
and a ton of time I'll waste without him
my last entry, is that what I wrote then
"his eyes are nice and his smile never ends"
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been three months since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
BRIDGE:
I need time to have it all sink in
before I see it there in my writing
but I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
laying out on his truck just the two of us
or the time we got lost and came home late
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
tomorrow he'll be out of town
so that's my time to sit right down
grab a brand new pen and finally
write that one long long entry...
I hadn't read that song since I wrote it, so naturally I edited a few lines (mostly the beginning, which is the hardest part of any lyrics for me to write), but I kept everything else. If you notice, there's a LOT more country exuding from the lyrics here. For example, saying "mama" and "nothin'"and the general bad grammar and "laying out on his truck" and the melody in my head that's playing as I read this song (which of course you can't hear, but...). I can hear Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing this song. Which is a positive thing for me. But enough about what I think about the song. I wanna know what you hear/see/like/hate about this song!
Much much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to say a few words about hockey here. Specifically New Jersey Devils hockey. Like, how ANGRY with Brent Sutter (whom, by the way, I adore and who makes me smile) I was when he played Scott Clemmensen in goal instead of Kevin Weekes on Saturday against the Islanders (the worst team in the league, with the lowest point total), leading to the second 0-4 shutout in three games. Play Kevin Weekes! He deserves it, because he and Clemmer should be considered equals when Martin Brodeur is gone. I certainly consider them equals. And then when future Hall-of-Famer Marty returns, spare him as much as possible so that he saves his energy/strength/etc for the playoffs. We could go far.
I also want to address Travis Zajac. Poor, poor Travis Zajac. On Sunday (a brilliant 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks), he was hit in the face by a high stick from his teammate wearing number 24, defenseman Bryce Salvador. He was left with stiches on his nose and a partial black eye. Four days and two games later, on Thursday (a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning), he took a puck to the face on a shot by his captain, Jamie Langenbrunner; a shot which, I might add, found its way off Pop's stick and Trav's face onto Zach Parise's stick and into the net, prompting Brent Sutter to say "Big assist by Trav off his face." This left Travis Zajac with 11 stiches on his upper lip. Saturday he managed to remain unscathed (despite the 0-4 loss) yet today at practice he came down with the flu. This flu had been circulating the Devils' locker room, and had indeed seen Zach Parise miss the second period of the Lightning game (but he obviously came back and scored the goal). So my question is, are you trying to kill the poor guy? My best wishes to the third-year center forward and I sincerely hope he survives the season. In all seriousness, get well soon, Trav. If you don't, I will certainly miss you on Thursday, as will the team, undoubtedly.
p.p.s. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you JUSTME!!! You are officially one of my favourite people and I love you and your kind words. Don't ever change. I know I'm a post late with this, but I appreciate you taking your time to read this (if indeed you still are) and I appreciate further you taking the time to respond. I hope to never disappoint you.
p.p.s. Be on the lookout for two new songs, "Who Will" and "You Should've Said Yes" coming soon.
So much for not a long entry, huh?
I do realize it's been...over a month since my last post (quite the theme lately), and I apologize sincerely. Because of the depressing quality of my last two posts, I had hoped I would write a happy-themed post for you hot off the heels of "The Things You Loved," so just imagine that this is hot off the heels. Even if it's a month and 17 days later.
The title of this post is misleading, as I'm not expecting to write a particularly long entry. It is, in fact, the name of the song. But before I get there, you know that I like to discuss a few talking points in country music that have come up in the last little while. The most important of which is the fact that the nominees for the ACM (Academy of Country Music) Awards have been released. Me being a diehard fan, of course, I received my own personal email from the Academy itself last week. I won't cover all categories here, just the most important ones:
Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban
Top Male Vocalist
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Top Female Vocalist
Miranda Lambert
Heidi Newfield
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
For all other nominees, including Top New Artist (which is fan-voted this year, nominees separated by gender--you can vote online), Top Vocal Group, Top Vocal Duo, Single Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others, I entreat you to visit <http://www.acmcountry.com/awards/nominees.php>.
There were also the Grammys, but as those awards are not specifically about country music (and because, to be honest, I recorded them but haven't watched them yet), I won't delve too deeply. Just to say, I know that Taylor Swift sang "Fifteen" with Miley Cyrus and that Brad Paisley won for "Letter to Me." Other than that, I do believe the country categories were overshadowed by the Rihanna-Chris Brown contratomb as well as the breakthrough news that Blink-182 will be coming back together. So yay Blink-182.
"White Horse" has come out as a music video, starring Stephen Colletti, of "One Tree Hill" fame (he is the second OTH actor to appear in a Taylor Swift music video, the first being Tyler Hilton in "Teardrops on my Guitar"). It is quite lovely, but not on iTunes as of yet.
"One Long Entry" was sort of a manifestation of the fact that I've really been neglecting writing in my diary. I wrote this song in early December, and I still hadn't written anything about the November 4th election. It is now nearing the end of February, and I can proudly say that I have. Finally. Be that as it may, however, this song is happy, cute, and infectious to the point where it makes me sick. So please, if it's lame, cheesy, or a combination of both, bear with me. With that in mind, here is "One Long Entry:"
One Long Entry
there's a little notebook by my bed
there's nothing there that Daddy hasn't read
and nothin' that will cause my mama shame
but I told him that I liked him and he said the same
and right in that moment, my world changed
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been a month since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so oh well, maybe tomorrow
it'll take 30 sheets and a brand new pen
and a ton of time I'll waste without him
my last entry, is that what I wrote then
"his eyes are nice and his smile never ends"
CHORUS:
now I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
it's been three months since I wrote last
can't believe so much time has passed
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
BRIDGE:
I need time to have it all sink in
before I see it there in my writing
but I owe my diary one long entry
devoted to a story of the boy and me
laying out on his truck just the two of us
or the time we got lost and came home late
I know, I know, I know my diary's waiting
but so is he, outside my window
so I'm sorry, maybe tomorrow
tomorrow he'll be out of town
so that's my time to sit right down
grab a brand new pen and finally
write that one long long entry...
I hadn't read that song since I wrote it, so naturally I edited a few lines (mostly the beginning, which is the hardest part of any lyrics for me to write), but I kept everything else. If you notice, there's a LOT more country exuding from the lyrics here. For example, saying "mama" and "nothin'"and the general bad grammar and "laying out on his truck" and the melody in my head that's playing as I read this song (which of course you can't hear, but...). I can hear Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland singing this song. Which is a positive thing for me. But enough about what I think about the song. I wanna know what you hear/see/like/hate about this song!
Much much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. I want to say a few words about hockey here. Specifically New Jersey Devils hockey. Like, how ANGRY with Brent Sutter (whom, by the way, I adore and who makes me smile) I was when he played Scott Clemmensen in goal instead of Kevin Weekes on Saturday against the Islanders (the worst team in the league, with the lowest point total), leading to the second 0-4 shutout in three games. Play Kevin Weekes! He deserves it, because he and Clemmer should be considered equals when Martin Brodeur is gone. I certainly consider them equals. And then when future Hall-of-Famer Marty returns, spare him as much as possible so that he saves his energy/strength/etc for the playoffs. We could go far.
I also want to address Travis Zajac. Poor, poor Travis Zajac. On Sunday (a brilliant 6-5 win over the San Jose Sharks), he was hit in the face by a high stick from his teammate wearing number 24, defenseman Bryce Salvador. He was left with stiches on his nose and a partial black eye. Four days and two games later, on Thursday (a hard-fought 3-2 shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning), he took a puck to the face on a shot by his captain, Jamie Langenbrunner; a shot which, I might add, found its way off Pop's stick and Trav's face onto Zach Parise's stick and into the net, prompting Brent Sutter to say "Big assist by Trav off his face." This left Travis Zajac with 11 stiches on his upper lip. Saturday he managed to remain unscathed (despite the 0-4 loss) yet today at practice he came down with the flu. This flu had been circulating the Devils' locker room, and had indeed seen Zach Parise miss the second period of the Lightning game (but he obviously came back and scored the goal). So my question is, are you trying to kill the poor guy? My best wishes to the third-year center forward and I sincerely hope he survives the season. In all seriousness, get well soon, Trav. If you don't, I will certainly miss you on Thursday, as will the team, undoubtedly.
p.p.s. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you JUSTME!!! You are officially one of my favourite people and I love you and your kind words. Don't ever change. I know I'm a post late with this, but I appreciate you taking your time to read this (if indeed you still are) and I appreciate further you taking the time to respond. I hope to never disappoint you.
p.p.s. Be on the lookout for two new songs, "Who Will" and "You Should've Said Yes" coming soon.
So much for not a long entry, huh?
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