Everyone Loves a Boston Girl

OK so, this is a couple years old, but I had never actually seen it until now, when someone posted the videos on YouTube. Best thing ever. It’s the CMT show Crossroads, featuring Elton John and Ryan Adams. I am seriouslyyyy in heaven. These men are two of my favorite musicians in the entire world and seeing them together is probably (slash definitely) the best thing ever. They make a great team as they’re both a bit quirky (ok, maybe more than a bit) and they are amazing songwriters and singers, musicians, etc., etc., etc. Maybe I’m getting a little too excited about this, but clearly music really touches me and means a lot in my life and when you see two of your all-time favorite musicians together, it really does something to you.

Some of my favorite childhood memories include dancing around to “Bennie and the Jets” with sunglasses on and being obsessed with the fact that my name was in “Crocodile Rock:” Me and Susie had so much fun. The other day, my mom told me she was about to buy us tickets to see Elton John and then chose to wait…then came back and they were sold out (um, obviously. Who “waits” to buy Elton John tickets???) I was a bit upset as I think my life would be complete if I ever saw Elton in concert. I would proably die, or at least cry a lot (much like Sas did when seeing Celine Dion!). The ex and I were also very obsessed with him and would always have him playing while we cruised around in his car. I even got “this one’s for you” inscribed on the back of the ipod I gave him (ironically, the ipod completely died right before the break-up of our relationship). Thankfully, that didn’t ruin Elton’s music for me. But then, probably nothing would.

And Ryan? Oh Ryan. I can’t even talk about that boy without getting giddy. Let’s just say, if you’re not already listening to him, you need to be. His lyrics. His voice. His harmonica. Everything about his music makes me happy, even when it’s so incredibly sad. If I could only listen to one singer for the rest of my life, it would be Ryan Adams, without a second of hesitation. Usually, I’d probably be annoyed to hear someone else singing Elton’s music, but Ryan Adams totally does it justice. I didn’t want it to end.

Apparently, after Ryan Adams’ first album, Heartbreaker, came out, Elton was so moved by it, he basically stalked Ryan down. Imagine?? Imagine having Elton John stalk you, find you, gush about your first ever album, and say, “that album changed my life” about your music? Yup, I’d die (quite literally, considering I don’t make music and if I did, it would probably be horrendous and Elton would probably get as far away from me as he could possibly get). The first credit on Elton John’s 2001 album, Songs from the West Coast says, “Thank you Ryan Adams for making me do better.” My God.

When asked why they are such good friends, Ryan says, “We get along on a lot of different levels. I feel like he has my back. I know I have his.” They look SO happy to be playing this show together and are constantly looking over at each other and smiling and laughing.

Watch it. And then watch the other parts (there are 5 in total). “Daniel” is so beautiful. “Firecracker” sounds amazing. “Oh My Sweet Carolina,” yess. “Tiny Dancer,” duh. And the last song, “Rocket Man,” wow. Just everything.

On that note, I am off to listen to more great music at the Shanghai Thrills record release party tonight. So, you should listen to them too.

“I just kind of…care about people who write great music” -Elton John

I hear ya, Elton.

Another way I know I’m getting older: While at my parents’ this weekend, I went to throw on an old sweatshirt and once I had it on, I realized it said “AHS Field Hockey 1997″ 1997?!?! I was in high school in 1997?? 11 years ago?? That made me feel extremely old.

Doesn’t 1997 feel like ages ago? I was busy being a freshman in high school and decorating my field hockey stick with pictures of Ricky Martin (I know…wtf), purchasing as much lip gloss as possible, and stalking my crushes by hangng out after school in the field house. But what else was going on in 1997?

• The Notorious BIG was killed
• The first Harry Potter book was published
• Tony Blair became Prime Minister of the UK
• Louise Woodward was found guilty of baby-shaking (in Newton, MA)
• First color photograph on the front page of the NYT appeared
• Princess Diana passed away
• Tara Lipinski became the world’s youngest womens figure skating champion
• Madeleine Albright becomes the first female Secretary of State
• Ellen DeGeneres came out
• South Park debuts
• The English Patient won the Oscar for best picture
• Eric Clapton’s “Change the World” won the Grammy for record of the year
• Celine Dion’s Falling Into You won the Grammy for album of the year
• The biggest hit singles were “I’ll be Missing You” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt, and “Mmmbop” by Hanson

Now I feel even older.

What were you doing in 1997?

Has anyone else been seeing these commercials non-stop lately?

Sometimes I feel like they’re speaking directly to me. Trying to use the scare tactic on me, right? Then, everything I want to write about I start to think about. Then I start to over-think it. And then I just say screw it. No, I don’t really want the ticket man at the movie theater to be asking what color underwear I’m wearing. Nor do I want the busboy at the restaurant to ask me when I’ll posting next. But really? Everyone in this commercial looks so damn nice. Why didn’t they make them look a little scarier? A little creepier? I just don’t understand why they have to make all serious public service announcements so humorous. It’s really not good when a commercial like this makes me laugh. Because I do realize it’s serious stuff.

Sometimes I’ll be walking down the street and I’ll think to myself that I could be walking by someone who reads my blog. I mean, with 125+ daily readers, I don’t know who a majority of them are. What if they recognize me? It’s a little creepy, and maybe I believe a little too much in the good of the world. But, I also believe that the Internet is a huge part of life these days, and if you’re not participating in it, you’re missing out on a lot. I probably over-share in my blog sometimes, but I guess with every good thing comes risks. I mean, think about online dating, right? You’re giving men your e-mail address and then your phone number and then meeting them out. To me, that’s scarier than writing a little blog.

And being a writer is a public thing. And if you can’t handle that, you will never have the privilege of people reading your writing (obviously I’m ignoring the fact that for some, writing is a private therapy, and not necessarily a career choice). We do need to be careful, but at the same time, we need to take advantage of the medium and not be scared of it.

I also think it’s funny when people I know all of the sudden reveal that they read my blog. Or I’ll be telling a story and they’ll smile sheepishly and say, “Yeahh, I read it in your blog.” Who knows who’s reading this. Old classmates? Relatives? Old boyfriends? I might never know. Just like most authors never know everyone reading their books. You should say hi though; I enjoy having readers.

But I do really hope the men at the local movie theater are not reading my blog. And wondering what color underwear I’m wearing. Oh, and to the busboy: don’t worry, I think I’m pretty much back on my regular blogging schedule. Thank you for your concern

Seriously heaven.

$4.99 suckassss. I’m an amazing shopper.

Look, kids, there’s a place for everything. I can even keep track of my expenses. Woot.

Oh come on, we all know I will I will not be organizing my expenses, but at least I can pretend (whatever makes me feel good, right). I mean, there’s a slight chance this will help organize my life a bit. But more likely, I will use it for 2 weeks and then completely forget about it. Really, let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

I will now spend the rest of my time at home a) eating food that my parents lovingly cook me, b) sitting in the kitchen getting tons of work done, c) organizing myself, d) NOT being in my apartment, and e) chatting it up with my parents. I am so going to feel refreshed after this weekend. Thank youuu.

Oh and I kind of wish I was in Chicago right now. Not kind of, but really. That would have probably made me feel a lot better too. Sigh.

My apartment building is generally pretty peaceful. It seems to be filled with mostly couples owning large dogs. And apart from the boys who lived here the first year I was here (hmmm that was fun), it seems like everyone is a bit older than me and my roomie. So, when we heard all kinds of noise coming from upstairs, we couldn’t figure out what was going on. Insanely loud music. And singing. In fact, on one Monday, the residents spent the entire day playing “Say it Ain’t So” by Weezer over and over and over. “Wow,” we thought. “They must be SO incredibly depressed the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and this is their way of mourning.” It seemed fitting at least. But that didn’t make it any better. The boy who was singing was NOT good. In fact, it was more of a pathetic wailing than a singing. I started to become even more dismayed by the Patriots loss; it was going to affect me much more than I originally thought.

It quieted down for a few days, but then last Sunday it got bad again. Non-stop music and horrible singing. “Did they start a band?” we wondered. But, no. We heard no drums, or amps, and it just wasn’t possible that boy could think he was good enough to be in a band. It had to be some sort of karaoke or something though, since it was obvious he was singing into a microphone. Finally I decided to go upstairs and investigate.

Sure enough, the racket was coming from the apartment directly above mine. We stood by the door listening. Awful awful singing. And now we could hear drums. Well, drumsticks anyway. Drumsticks making pathetic drum sounds. There was definitely some sort of guitar too. And that’s when we realized. These boys were in possession of the video game Rock Band. A game you really should not be allowed to have if you are not at all musically-inclined.

We stood outside the door and considered knocking. Telling them to shut up. Or maybe asking if we could play too. But we didn’t. Because they sounded annoying. You know how you can tell just from someone’s voice what kind of people they are? Well, we decided they sounded annoying and not-cute. So we ran down the stairs when we heard them leaving (I know. We’re so mature). Now I kind of regret it, though. What if they happen to be cute? The first year I was in Boston, I lived in this building for 8 months before I realized there was a cute boy upstairs. And by the time we met, he was getting ready to move out. It would be a shame if that happened again. Wouldn’t it? But then I remember. His voice. His horrible dying animal, wailing voice. I think it will be better if we never meet.